It all begins on the day 82-year-old Fred is about to be evicted from his megar rental. He comes across a dead man in a wheelchair along an ocean walkway, and while moving the recently deceased toward the sounds of voices, Frederick trips and the dead man (along with Fred's jacket and I.D.) goes over the cliff. As all elderly people look alike (cough, cough) the caretaker (with problems of her own) assumes that Fred is Bernard (the deceased). Fred tries to set everyone straight, but since Bernard had dementia, no one believes him. Back at the nursing home he is fed, cleaned up, and sleeps in a warm, comfortable bed. So why not borrow this life? Bernard certainly doesn't need it any more. But not only does Fred's live change, but so do the lives of all he meets.

"The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife" by Anna Johnson is a charming, feel-good story that will have readers smiling and crying at the same time. Many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC of this wonderful tale. My opinion is my own.

Frederick Fife is 82, broke, and soon to be homeless. Until a case of mistaken identity lands him in a facility under someone else's name. Can he continue to live life here? Or will people, like Denise, a caregiver at the facility, figure it out and send him packing?

This is a sweet story of found family, hope, and kindness. You should read it.

Fred is down on his luck, out of money, and soon-to-be homeless. He finds himself in a local park and in an unfortunate twist of fate, is mistaken for one of the nursing home residents who has disappeared. Resistant at first, he settles into his new identity. This heartwarming story was the perfect palate cleanser after some recent heavy reads. Fred is kind and good-humored, the complete opposite of the man he is pretending to be. He deftly navigates his situation, which at times made me laugh out loud. If you are looking for a pick-me-up, <i>The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife</i> is just the thing!

An open letter to my favorite octogenarian:

Dear Frederick Fife,

I know you’re lonely and broken-hearted after the loss of your beloved bride, but listen here my friend: life won’t always look so bleak.

In a strange case of mistaken identity your world will look a bit brighter. The lively found family you’re about to meet will buoy your spirit and help you realize that is joy to be found after loss. You can’t imagine it now, but you will even be a source of light and kindness for others.

I adore that your big-hearted character was based on the grandfather of debut author Anna Johnston and the people she met working in the nursing home he resided in. Through your story, the author’s deep affection for people in their sunset years is so evident.

Frederick/Bernard, there is hope for you yet. Through your story, readers will surely find a slice of hope too.

Your biggest fan,
Kelly

READ THIS IF YOU:
-have a soft spot for octogenarians
-could use a big hug in book form
-have ever received a new lease on life

PUB DATE: September 10, 2024

Frederick Fife is our lovable protagonist who, through mistaken identity and a stroke of good luck, finds himself living in place of Bernard Greer. Bernard lived in an old age home where he often is the cause of grief for Denise, a caregiver whose own personal troubles are depleting her of happiness and leaves her distrustful of men.

As Fred leads life impersonating Bernard, it is his kindness and positive impacts that leave Denise suspicious of his true identity. However, the two are able to rediscover their sense of purpose.

While the book was slow to start, it was overall a feel good story about chosen family and I believe this would translate on film/tv beautifully.

I started off absolutely loving this book and instantly fell in love with Fred. This story is best to go into blind so I won’t share too many details, but I’ve definitely never read anything like it. There’s a twist right from the beginning that lands Fred into quite the predicament. It’s a story of loss, heartache, joy and finding your people. My only complaint is that the heavy issues in the story were wrapped up a little too perfectly for my taste. Overall, it was still an enjoyable read if you love books with elderly characters.

3 stars.
In the beginning I thought this was going to be a sweet novel in the vein of "A Man Called Ove", but by the end it had tipped from "sweet" to "cloyingly saccharine". Fred ended up being such a one-dimensional "good guy" that it was tedious.

I adore this book. I laughed, I cried, it gave me everything I needed. It made my heart melt. I want Fredrick Fife to be a bonus grandfather for me. I loved how the idea of this novel is far-fetched, but also believable. I loved the complex relationships and dynamics. This is a beautiful story of love and forgiveness. The love portrayed in this book and the love I have for this book is indescribable. The voice/narration of the characters was perfection. I see no flaws. Love, loss, regret, forgiveness, and new beginnings.. with an 82-year-old male main character!! is a perfect mix for a laugh-out-loud tale that will have your heart leaping for joy and your eyes bawling.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher, Harper Collins Publishers Inc., for this gorgeous, brilliant, and masterpiece of an ARC!

If you are looking for a heartwarming read and not an intense thriller situation, pick this book. This book has been said it's in the same lines as Ove and A.J. Fickery and I'd have to agree, but with a few more characters that we care about. If you are looking for something to get you all cozy on these long fall days, this book would be a great one to pick up!

After seeing so many glowing early reviews of this one, I knew I had to read it! I was gifted a copy from @williammorrow and @netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

This is a heartwarming, hug of a story about Fred, a sweet 82 year old man who is rather down on his luck. Due to a strange and unexpected situation, he is given a second chance at finding love and family.

This one was at times laugh out loud funny with the antics of the nursing home, then it would turn tender or sad. This one gave me so many feels and I really enjoyed it!. Another great story with an older protagonist, and one that wasn't a crumudgeon either. Read it this Fall if you need a feel good story with found family!

Thank you William Morrow for allowing me to read and review The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston on NetGalley.

Published: 09/10/24

Stars: 4.5

Delightful from the first page to the last.. The author touches on the elderly, loneliness, childhood illness, death, widows, divorce and much more throughout the story seamlessly. The characters are likeable. There are funny lines/moments as well as incredulously awkward periods. However, it all works.

Why does it work? The borrower and borrowed are elderly and live in a nursing home. The patients have dementia. In any other setting the story would not work.

This is reminiscent of The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons. Both books touch on societal shames, however, while not sugarcoated, they do represent best case scenario.

I recommend this for all readers.

This latest addition to the feel good genre featuring older characters is solid, but not all is light and frothy. Poverty is not a common topic in adult fiction. Due to the cost of Fred’s wife’s cancer treatments, he is left destitute in his retirement. As the story progresses, a bit slowly at times, Fred deals with guilt, regret, and hope. He turns out to be a friend and ally to all.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

X ♾️

This book is positively wonderful and heartwarming. I cried so many happy/sad tears. We have found family, also a twist that had me gasping out loud. A fantastic well written book that hooked me immediately and I had to finish it in one day.

If you liked Tuesday’s with morrie or aj fickery you’re going to love this book. Written from two perspectives-Fredrick and Denise- this touching bstory of found family will make you feel all the feelings. I loved the character development and the blossoming friendships. It made me laugh and cry. Fast read and so worth it. Thank you net galley for the digital copy. 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

'Heartwarming' is an understatement for this thoroughly charming novel about an elderly man who lucks into a strange case of mistaken identity, only to use his new, 'borrowed' life to spread joy. Is this book believable? Absolutely not. First, Frederick is impossibly lovely. While I'd like to believe there are people like him who exist in somewhere in the universe, I can't say I've ever met anyone like him. And the only thing less realistic than his kindness is the manner in which he finds himself taking over Bernard's life. However, author Anna Johnston manages to convincingly suspend disbelief with clever crafting of plot, a whimsical tone, and emotionally engaging characters. In a politically polarized and economically tumultuous times, this book is like a nice little vacation, allowing an escape to a happier, less jaded world.

The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife is a charming and heartwarming story about found family, about forging connections with others, about the many ways compassion and kindness can positively influence others. I feel like I've been reading a number of stories over the past few years with older protagonists - is this that there are more such stories or is this simply the fact that I'm getting older? While I don't think all depictions are necessarily accurate or realistic, stories can be an escape. Anna Johnston creates a world of characters who have their own quirks and idiosyncracies butwhere everyone has some redeeming qualities if you dig a bit deeper to find them and ultimately it's authenticity and kindness that really shine. This was a light and fairly quick read, but not overly simplistic. There's enough weighty and dark books out there, sometimes it's nice to mix it up with something where you can immerse yourself in a community that you hope really does exist out there. 4.5/5

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for the e-arc.

The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston

This book was easy to love. Frederick was an endearing character who finds himself near homelessness when he stumbles into Bernard’s life, literally.

The writing was humorous, even laugh-at-loud funny. The characters were lovable. Frederick’s attitude toward his new life and good fortune are refreshing. He changes the lives of people around him by loving them well. In short, there was much to enjoy about this book.
The reason I gave it four stars instead of five was due to the language. It was a bit cruder than I would have liked, but I understand that is a personal preference. I do think the author could have achieved the same effect without the four-letter words.

If you are a fan of lovable characters, clever plots, happy endings, and funny situations, you will enjoy this book. I am grateful to HarperCollins Publishers for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

I'm so happy I picked this book up. I absolutely loved it. It's a heartwarming, emotional debut and just pulled me in. I will say though that some parts really hit hard. The things that happen in senior facilities and the parts about aging ughh, that hurts my heart! 😭 So get those tissues if you are going to read this. There are definitely some fun (funny) parts as well. I always enjoy books about found family and kindness to others and this was really well done. A beautiful story!

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This is a heartwarming story about a lonely man, Frederick Fire, who lost his wife to cancer and all of their money trying to save her.

On the verge of being homeless, Fred takes a walk along the river and comes across a recently deceased man in a wheelchair. In Fred’s attempt to wheel him back up towards Nursing Home van, he trips, falls, hits his heads and the body is thrown into the river along with Fred’s coat/wallet. When he comes to, he is helped into the wheelchair and back to van. Despite his efforts to explain he is not Bernard, he is taken back to the nursing home in Bernard’s place. Upon arriving, he finds out that Bernard and Fred have uncanny resemblance and he figures a few good meals won’t hurt anyone, right?

The trials and tribulations of walking in another man’s shoes while in a nursing home keeps it interesting especially when you have to take pills for their medical conditions or even wear their underwear.

The book gives an interest perspective on elderly people in nursing homes, grief and kindness. I’ll admit the sadness throughout the beginning of the story was heartbreaking but I’m glad I kept reading because what it was wonderful to see the effect that Frederick’s kindness had on everyone around him. The world needs more people like him.

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for my ARC in exchange for my honest review. This book was published September 10, 2024.

This was a charming and delightful story about mistaken identity, second chances, loss and forgiveness. Ultimately it offers up a new definition of family. Highly recommend.

“Would you mind terribly, old boy, if I borrowed the rest of your life? I promise I’ll take excellent care of it.”