The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife

Frederick Fife has borrowed someone else’s life – but it might just save his own…

A funny, tender and uplifting story about second chances, human connection and the families we find along the way – perfect for fans of Theo of Golden

‘What a glorious story, I absolutely loved it!’ – Ruth Hogan, bestselling author of The Keeper of Lost Things

The feel-good runaway bestseller about forgiveness, redemption, and finding family.

Frederick Fife was born with an extra helping of kindness in his heart. At eighty-two, broke and facing eviction, his luck changes when a case of mistaken identity lands him in a local nursing home, with warm meals and a roof over his head.

Caregiver Denise Simms is suffocating under a crumbling marriage and family worries. As Fred settles into his borrowed life, his trail of kindness fuels her suspicions, because nothing about this charming new resident adds up.

As secrets are revealed and purpose rediscovered, can Fred find the thing he never dared hope for: one last chance to be part of a family?

‘Fans of Fredrik Backman’s A Man Called Ove and Shelby Van Pelt’s Remarkably Bright Creatures will especially enjoy this new novel.'' – Library Journal

‘Life-affirming and hilarious tale of mistaken identity, The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife insists that it’s never too late for a second chance.’ – Amy Meyerson, bestselling author of The Bookshop of Yesterdays

READERS LOVE THE BORROWED LIFE OF FREDERICK FIFE!

‘I laughed, I cried, and I loved it all … If you enjoyed A Man Called Otto you will love this story’ *****

‘It left me with a warm fuzzy feeling inside, and hope in my heart … Everyone needs a Fred in their life’ *****

‘Beautiful story of love and forgiveness. It will make you laugh and cry. Similar traits to the book Theo of Golden. Highly recommend!’ *****

‘From the start this book seemed special and it proved to be throughout … I truly fell in love with Fred’ *****

‘Such a beautiful story about redemption and the power of kindness and love’ *****


Genre: General Fiction

"Anna Johnston has created a wonderfully diverse cast of funny, flawed, and completely relatable characters, and she tells their stories with humor, honesty, and compassion. Fred is one of life's unsung heroes - a loveable rogue with a big heart for whom kindness towards others comes as naturally as breathing - and I was rooting for him from the start. It was an absolute joy to follow him on his poignant, hilarious and at times precarious journey to find the happy ending that he so richly deserved. What a glorious story, I absolutely loved it!" - Ruth Hogan

"I was completely swept away by Anna Johnston's charming and clever debut. Frederick Fife is an easy character to root for, someone warm and a touch mischievous, who can't help but improve the lives of those around him. A life-affirming and hilarious tale of mistaken identity, The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife insists that it's never too late for a second chance." - Amy Meyerson

"Warm, witty and heartfelt, Frederik Fife is a loveable character you'll want to cheer on from your armchair. This is a sweet, touching life-swap adventure you won't want to miss." - Phaedra Patrick

"Anna Johnson's funny and moving debut had me hooked from the first page. Fred is truly someone to root for, and with a cast of quirky characters at his side, this is the warm hug of a novel we all need in our lives." - Richard Roper