Did you ever walk into the pages of a book and get that sensation of feeling cozy? Like you just wanted to wrap yourself up in a nice warm blanket witDid you ever walk into the pages of a book and get that sensation of feeling cozy? Like you just wanted to wrap yourself up in a nice warm blanket with enough pillows supporting your head, knowing that whatever came through the pages, it was going to be a good read?
And, even if there were moments where you could feel that some things may appear predictable, or silly or imperfect, you just wanted to go with it, because you were enjoying the feeling of being in these characters lives? You know what I mean?
Well, this is what happened to me with this book. I was one of the lucky ones who won this book as a Goodreads giveaway, and I can’t be more pleased to share with you how it has kept me warm and welcomed to have the opportunity to meet 82-year-old Frederick Fife.
Now, let’s be real here. Fred didn’t start off this adventure on a good foot. He was coming on homeless, disenchanted with life, lonely without his precious, beautiful wife Dawn who had passed away.
“Grief was love with nowhere to go.”
So, we weren’t sure what was going to happen to him, until he happened to be by the river. And, in one moment, everything changed. For Fred. And, probably Bernard.
Whose Bernard you wonder? Well, this is what makes this story so appealing. As it happens, Bernard is almost a “twin” to Fred, so that when Bernard finds him, already passed away in his wheelchair at the river, and he thinks he is doing the right thing to return him to where he probably belongs, something happens again.
Let us just say, that Bernard is no longer present. (I really want you to experience the moment – so no spoilers from me!)
And, Fred is now mistaken for Bernard, and living Bernard’s life at Bernard’s care home. And, no matter how much Fred tries to tell everybody he isn’t Bernard, they won’t believe him.
“A pleasure to meet you. People call me Bernard.”
“You’d be surprised how people treat you differently when you’re older. You don’t feel any different, but it’s as though you fade away, like a Polaroid picture in reverse.”
Now, will Fred be discovered? How long can he keep up this masquerade that he didn’t want, even though this is a really nice home? And, what if Bernard is found?
So, Fred makes the most of this experience, and as readers we are watching Fred make a difference among the other residents and staff at the care home.
“Asking for help isn’t failing, you know – it’s refusing to fail.”
“What a blessing sleep could be sometimes, a merciful relief from dementia, from pain, from grief. A brief holiday where there were no suitcases full of burdens to carry. In dreams you could forget that you didn’t remember, and remember those who were no longer there.”
But Fred was there. And, he cared. And surprisingly, even though Bernard was so very grumpy, this new Bernard was anything but. So, how could they not like him?
We are also getting alternate chapters telling the story of Sadie and Hannah. How do these girls play into this story?
How will Fred make a difference in another young woman’s life – one associated with Bernard – and one who might just make a difference in his?
Will they discover that Fred is not Bernard? Or, will he live out the rest of his life as Bernard?
Sometimes we find family in the most unlikely places. For a few pages, I felt like I was with family. I think you will find some incredible characters to enjoy and appreciate and hope good things for – and maybe, just maybe, this one can provide a happily ever after for an 82-year-old man named Fred/Bernard. Can we hope? (No spoilers from me.)
Thank you, Goodreads for this gift read. This book will be available this coming September!...more
Let me just get this point out of the way. How could I not read a story that features a corgi?!
For those of you who don’t know this about me, I am a Let me just get this point out of the way. How could I not read a story that features a corgi?!
For those of you who don’t know this about me, I am a Corgi Mom. My husband and I currently have two cardigan corgi boys, Oliver and Oscar. If you go to my profile page, I have pictures.
Prior to these two sweet boys, we had, Riley, Bailey, Owen, Sadie and Otto. Although, Otto was with us briefly. (I will explain the “briefly” in a moment.)
All of those precious pups I just mentioned above, (other than Oliver and Oscar) were Pembroke corgis that were part of our family between 2000 – February 2024. And yes, there is a difference between cardigans and Pembrokes.
Bailey, Owen and Otto were Pembrokes with a tail. Not common for Pembroke corgis. People typically know American Pembroke corgis for their wiggly butts (docked tails).
Riley, Bailey, and Sadie lived a long corgi life (Sadie, our only girl, having recently passed, just last month, in February 2024).
Unfortunately, our dear Owen, passed at a young age of only 8 years from lymphoma, in January 2024. ...more
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