An uplifting tale, showing the importance of being honest to yourself and honest to the others around you about yourself. The Authenticity Project begins because senior Julian, mourning the loss of his beloved wife Mary, is tired of being invisible and alone. So he writes about his truth and then leaves this to be found so that others can share their truths, and hopes that it’ll trickle out, sort of like a pay it forward. There’s a fair few number of characters in this and it’s hard to see how they are all connected at first. I hate to say my interest waned a little in the middle, but boy am I glad that I stuck with it. There were parts were you see the real truths of that characters and when you learn how they’re all connected. There’s humour in this too; Julian’s sense of style and Mrs Wu’s feistiness. And there’s heartbreaking moments too. I really liked how all these characters are so different than their outside persona. They’re all vulnerable. A cracking debut!

The Authenticity Project is a heartwarming. story of a. lonely elderly artist who leaves a notebook with his memories in a cafe. We are introduced to different characters who pick up the book and in turn write their memoirs. Inspired by the author's own life experiences this is a cheerful read.

I loved this book far more than I thought I would. A real credit to the author!
It is based on a simple idea of a little green notebook that gets passed around from person to person. Person 1 writes in his story & leaves the book for person number 2. Number 2 writes their story & leaves the book for number 3 and so on. The idea is simple and lovely! As you progress through he book the lives of the 7 characters become entwined and you learn more about them. The lonely man to the lady wanting nothing more than her knight in shining armour to the Instagram loving star to the drink & drugs addict. Believable and a great read!

A lovely feelgood story about a group of lonely people who find friendship when Julian,an elderly artist ,leaves a notebook in a local cafe describing his life and his need of friendship,which he calls The Authenticity Project.Each person who finds the notebook writes something about their own life and leaves it for someone else to find.Gradually these people meet and their lives change as a result.
It's a lovely story but not all sunny,as some of the characters face demons in the course of their journey to happiness.I enjoyed it very much and really cared about what happened to the characters.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in return for an honest review which reflects my own opinions.

The Authenticity Project is a charming, and thought-provoking novel from author Clare Pooley, best known for her 2017 memoir, The Sober Diaries.

“Everyone lies about their lives. What would happen if you shared the truth instead? The one thing that defines you, that makes everything else about you fall into place?... .maybe telling that story would change your life, or the life of someone you’ve not yet met.’

Feeling sorry for himself, seventy-nine year old Julian Jessop, a widowed, once famous artist, articulates his regrets and loneliness in an exercise book he titles ‘The Authenticity Project’, and leaves it in a local cafe, inviting whoever finds it to share their truth, and leave it for someone else to find. When Monica, the owner of the cafe, reads Julian’s confession, she is inspired not only to add her own, and then leave the book in a local wine bar to be found, but also to concoct a plan to relieve Julian’s loneliness.

Exploring themes of friendship, truth, and forgiveness, connections are forged between the strangers who find the book as Monica invites Julian to host art classes in the cafe, and then Hazard, having read Monica’s heartfelt missive, decides to play matchmaker, placing Riley in her path. Next to find the book is Alice, and then finally Lizzy.

It’s a heartwarming journey as these strangers, who are very different from one another, become friends, and change each other’s lives in ways both small and large. Conflict is inevitable, as honesty is not always easy, and it can be scary to let go of the curated image of ourselves, but the drama is a catalyst for each of them to find a way to live more authentically.

Told with humour and heart, The Authenticity Project is an uplifting story that reminds us of what we have to gain when we are truthful with ourselves.

This was a sweet read and I especially enjoyed the blossoming friendships between all ages.

As a lover of romance, of course my favourite storyline was Hazard and Monica and it was great to see them discover new parts of themselves together.

The only aspect that I struggled a little bit with was the large amount of characters. Whilst they were still all interlaced, there wasn’t as much character development as I’m used to. I also think as a slightly younger reader that I couldn’t quite relate wholly to any of the characters as I’m not currently in that position. Definitely a reflection on my status as a reader, and not the book.

Overall I enjoyed dipping in to the colourful world of these characters and escaping the real world for a while.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers of this book. I absolutely loved it. It was just what I needed at this time, a light-hearted read about a notebook that is found in a cafe and the story that ensues. The writing project was meant to be based on honesty however the writings in there lead to curiosity and stories developing from the various writers who share their thoughts and lives in the notebook.

Although I was relieved to be able to read such a delightful book, it is not surprising when I see that the write up compares it to Love Actually and Eleanor Olliphant is completely fine, though I found the latter sad.

I would highly recommend to anyone who fancies something light, dare I refer to it as 'chick-lit' and I would certain read Claire Pooley's other books. In fact I loved the write up after end of the book which shows the inspiration behind the story and in turn makes me want to read Claire Pooley's other book, The Sober Diaries.

This was an absolutely wonderful book, with a unique and original storyline which manages to be very thought provoking.

Firstly I loved the idea behind the book so much that I quite fancy trying it out for myself. We are all so keen to have this picture perfect life that we end up stressing ourselves out when things don’t go perfectly. I’ve often wondered how much better life would be if we were just honest about things as it would save a lot of trouble. I therefore found it very interesting to explore this idea through the characters and see how things could be changed.

The story is written from the point of view of six characters, which may sound confusing but they are each so different to each other that it’s easy to keep track of them all. I grew very fond of them throughout the book and so enjoyed going on the journey with them. Each of the characters are dealing with a difficult problem which they were struggling with and trying to work through. I thought this done in a very clever way as the author manages to bring up the subjects in a relatable way which made the characters seem more realistic.

Overall I really enjoyed this book which manages to be both heartwarming and funny but serious at times as there are some quite poignant moments too. The characters felt like old friends by the end and I found myself feeling quite sad when the book finished and I had to leave them behind. I’d love a sequel to this book as it would be great to visit all the characters again.

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Transworld for my copy of this book via Netgalley.

I throughly enjoyed reading The Authenticity Project, I found it an enjoyable read and just loved how the characters and their stories wove into each other.
Being authentic in this digital world is an excellent idea, but to execute and live that, is so very different!
Seeing how it worked out for the characters was heartwarming to read, and Monica being single at the age of 38, made me feel a little better about myself!

At some point in our lives we have all likely been guilty of posting those social media status' and photographs showing how wonderful our lives are.  And at times they really are wonderful but what we, (as a human race) often fail to divulge is that sometimes we feel lonely, lost, overwhelmed, undervalued, unloved, unsure, invisible and a whole host of other emotions.  What this novel really brings to the front of your mind is just what would happen if people were honest?  No glossy photos or perfect family status updates - just the pure, raw truth about how we feel some days.  Imagine the powerful solidarity that would come from knowing that others out there experience the world the same way as you, that we all have these feelings.  And imagine if we used our empathy to each out to others.  How life changing would it all be?      

The Authenticity Project begins with Julian, who decides to spill his feelings into a little notebook and then leave for others to find. what follow is a beautiful narrative about friendships and the real side to human interaction, truth and emotion and it's just stunning to read about.

Of course, this is a novel and has some creativity has been taken to ensure all the threads of the story is woven together perfectly.  Each character has their own demons, flaws, regrets etc and by revealing them they are able to come to terms and work through their own issues with help from a group of strangers. 

The character development is fascinating and I loved being part of each character's journey. As the book is transported around the areas, the characters' lives become entwined.

The plot is is clever and so thought provoking and despite some rough going - is very heartwarming and uplifting too.        

 Such a wonderful story of human connection, compassion and ways in which people can come together if we just let out guards down a little.

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Clare Pooley – The Authenticity Project

Today is my blogs turn on The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley. I must say, I don’t normally read a lot of anything other than crime, but when I read the blurb for this book it piqued my interest immediately. It’s a little gem for sure.

Clare Pooley

The story begins with Julian, an elderly man who usually leads a solitary life. He has no reason to trust people, as he feels no one is honest. He decides to write his truth about himself in a little green book and leave it on a cafe table. Monica, the cafe owner finds the book and does the same. She writes about her vulnerablilities in life. Monica then leaves the little green book in a bar and several people all write in the book also. Through this chain of events a number of people actually meet up and become friends. The crux of the matter is, is being authentic enough? You will have to read the book to discover what happens to the authenticity project next.

It is a heart warming and in some ways a joyous tale a lot lighter read than I am used to. It is great to think that this could happen in real life and maybe people could let their personal guards down to allow others in. It isn’t all a bed of roses though and the book explores that side of things also.
Thank you to Anne Cater for asking me to be on this blog tour and Netgalley for alloeing me an ARC

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😊 The Authenticity Project is Clare Pooley's début, an awesome work of women's fiction. The novel features septuagenarian Julian Jessop, a lonely aging artist who writes about his loneliness and his life in a small pale-green notebook entitled The Authenticity Project, which he then leaves behind in Monica's café. The super-efficient Monica finds it and subsequently leaves it in the wine bar opposite her café, but not before she has added her own entries. Before long, several others who have come across the small pale-green notebook have added their deepest truths and thoughts about themselves.

There are a variety of characters in this meaningful novel and many different perspectives to keep track of, however the clarity of Clare Pooley's writing makes it easy to follow. The group of characters is both eclectic and multi-generational, which adds enrichment to the story. It is hard to pick a favourite, though if pushed, Julian is probably the most fun to read about. He has so many layers and is so eccentric resulting in some real comedic moments in the book. In The Authenticity Project, I certainly got to fully appreciate the author's great characterisation.

I thought this book was absolutely fantastic. On the surface this might appear to be a rather light read, but it imparted some important subtexts. Packed with humour and empathy, this is a story about friendship, hopes, dreams, parenthood, connection and community spirit.

I enjoyed The Authenticity Project so much, I didn't want to put it down! A warm, entertaining, very highly recommended read overall. My thanks must go to Clare Pooley for writing such an original, exhilarating book! 😊

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel at my request from Transworld Publishers/ Bantam via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.

If you are looking for a heartwarming book, well written and one that draws you in right from the start, then look no further.

It tells the story of a disparate group of people who are brought together when Julian, an elderly artist, writes about his life in a notebook, and then deliberately leaves it for someone else to find and invites them to share their own truth about their lives. As the notebook is passed from one person to another and their innermost thoughts are shared, so their lives begin to intertwine.

It is hard not to fall in love with the beautifully developed, eclectic characters as we watch all of their lives change and the author is to be applauded for her skill in making each of them come alive. She also manages to tackle some serious issues - loneliness, grief, addiction, childlessness, the pressures of social media - whilst at the same time balancing it with enough humour and an ultimately positive message to make this an uplifting, enjoyable read.

An entertaining tale about the kindess of strangers. 4/5 stars.

In The Authenticity Project the intersecting tales of six people come together in an entertaining story about the impact getting to know those we see every day can have on our lives. In this sense, I thought it was a good idea to base the narrative in London, as in a large town or city it's easier to be constantly surrounded by people but know none of them and be left feeling lonely and adrift even though you may interact with hundreds of others on a daily basis.

The main and secondary characters are a good mix. It was particularly nice to have one of the principal chararcters be (alledgedly) 79 years old and defy most stereotypes associated with this age. They are all fairly complex and it is easy to sympathise with their foibles, except for dear, sweet Riley (bless), who has none and of whom I was quite envious by the end.

I admit to enjoying some threads of the story more than others, although the switching between points of view was handled well. Each new character is brought into the story gradually, and the overarching third person narrative voice helps to pull them into a coherent whole. The clear chapter headings make it clear whose POV we're in and prevents any confusion.

While the romantic aspect of the story is enjoyable, it is the platonic relationships between the members of the "project" group which I found to be the most engaging. I loved how taking part in the project lead to Monica's cafe becoming a community hub, with the influence of the notebook spilling out beyond those who take the opportunity to write in it.

Overall: a sweet story about finding new friends among familiar strangers

Such a joy to read this book. Quirky, romantic, funny and sad, the characters in this tale of truth are absolute knockouts. Monica runs a cafe and finds a green notebook entitled The Authenticity Project. In it the author, an elderly man called Julian writes about how lonely his life is. This first entry sparks Monica into action and thus begins a tale of opening hearts, of searching the soul, of long held desires and the quest to be true to oneself and others.
Once written in, the book is left randomly to be accidentally picked up and passed on by others. We meet all the people who write in the journal and discover how their lives come together to connect these very different but totally believable characters.
I was immediately immersed in the fictional lives, wanting good things to happen, dreams to be realised and heartbreak to be mended. From addict Hazard and Aussie gardener Riley, to Insta perfect but very unhappy new mum Alice to the formidable Betty Wu and gay barista Benji, this book is surprising, warm and perfectly written. It definitely deserves more than 5 stars and I would love to read a sequel!

Imagine finding a notebook left in a cafe which contains the saddest thoughts of another within its pages.
This is exactly what happens to Monica, a former lawyer-cum-cafe owner in Fulham, London. One day, while clearing a table she stumbles upon a green notebook, just like the ones she used to use at school, left behind by its previous occupant. Failing miserably to chase after them, she decides to keep the book safe until they return.

It's only after reading the opening pages however that she realises it was left deliberately for someone else to find, because within the first pages questions are being asked of the reader.

“How well do you know the people who live near you? How well do they know you? Do you know the names of your neighbours? Would you realize if they were in trouble, or hadn’t left their house for days?”
“Everyone lies about their lives. What would happen if you shared the truth instead? The one thing that defines you, that makes everything else about you fall into place?”

It is from these questions that Monica then discovers more about the previous owner of the notebook.

Julian Jessop is a lonely, retired artist. His wife Mary passed away some years ago and he is beginning to feel invisible and completely irrelevant. He doesn't have a purpose anymore and feels that no one has any desire to even listen to him, hence this little green book. Within its opening pages he has put down exactly how he feels and how he wished things in his life had been different.

Reading his story, Monica feels a twinge of sadness for her own life. She was once a successful lawyer, and while she loves her cafe she is missing the camaraderie of her colleagues, the water cooler chats and the late night pizza conversations. Mostly thought she mourns for her personal life, or lack of it.

She wants so desperately to find Mr Right, settle down and have a family but it seems that this isn't meant to be and so instead, in order to take her mind off of it, she embarks on her own little project to bring Julian back into the fold of society.

At the same time, she decides to keep his little green book circulating in the hope that it may make others realise what is important to them, so after an evening of personal reflection and scribbling her deepest, most painful thoughts onto its pages, she leaves the notebook on a table in the wine bar across the road in the hope that another likeminded individual will pick it up and continue the cycle.

That person unfortunately is the obnoxious Timothy Hazard Ford, a trader in the city always looking for a good time that inevitably ends up high a kite and off his face every time he steps outside his front door.
Outwardly, he comes across as a completely arrogant pig that treats women like a commodity he trades in each and every day. What people don't actually realise however, is that he hates himself. There is nothing he likes about being 'Hazard' anymore and he is desperate to change.

With the book in hand, he heads to a tiny beach resort in Koh Panam, Thailand hoping to get clean, Whilst there he begins to reflect more about the two people he feels he now knows personally after reading their stories in the little green book.

After a few weeks and with a clear head, Hazard, just as Monica before him, starts to reflect on not just his own life but on hers as well. What if he could help her? What if he could find her perfect match?
Could one little notebook really change anyone's life? Could it really make a difference?

How will the lives of these three very different people come together? Will they actually be able to help one another? Will anyone else become part of this ‘Authenticity Project’? Or will the meddling of both Monica and Hazard cause people more pain?

Oh but this is a delightfully wonderful read and one I thoroughly recommend as an antidote for these unusual and scary times. The premise of the book is simple and one we can all relate to – although some more than others.

Julian Jessop is in his twilight years and feels himself slowly disappearing from sight. He has lived a life full of colour and drama, embodying the character of eccentric artist to the letter. But now he wants his truth to be seen and so writes it in a small notebook that he leaves in his local cafe, allowing fate to deliver it into the next reader’s hands and inviting them to also share their truth.

As the book and his story go out into the world it begins a chain of events that will, ultimately, have a profund effect on both his life and the lives of those the book reaches.

I think the thing I loved most about this novel are the eclectic mix of characters. This story is all about people and each one is given the opportunity to share their voice.

Through them we learn that what we ‘see’ in others often hides a deeper truth of personal demons, difficulties and sadness. The hopes and dreams that live within us and that all too often remain there unseen. Yet owning up to our own truth is not as easy as it seems and can even change from moment to moment.

Only being honest with ourselves can bring healing to our lives. Acceptance of ourselves and of those around us, and their/our ‘flaws’ can bring kindness, empathy, love and ultimately happiness and contentment.

This is a wonderful story, a light-hearted and yet rather profound one that I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of. I loved all the characters and the colour they added to the story – I say added but they simply ARE the story. I would so love to pop along to Monica’s cafe and sit alongside them. I learnt a great deal from them in the pages of this novel but ultimately it was a story that made me smile and feel rather more hopeful about the world and the people in it.

Since I read the plot of this book I couldn’t stop thinking about it, a notebook to write only honest things, how is it possible that no one has tried it before! I love the idea, don’t you?
This is the story of a small green notebook, because it’s the main character of the story, the one that will glue all the characters and change their lives, for better or for worse. Honesty is sometimes what you need in your life and this is what will move the story.
The Authenticity Project is a book about feelings and emotions, how we always try to hide our deepest thoughts and fears to the people surrounding us, while we suffer and cry alone, we wear a smile on society. I don’t think it’s fair, we should not be afraid to share our feelings or be scared of what the people will think about it. I know that this is how our society works, but I think it’s so unfair!
You could totally relate to the problems/thoughts of the characters of the book, how they hide all their deep emotions in case they hurt someone or feel rejected by society. As I said in the beginning this is an amazing idea, a notebook to only tell the truth, no matter how difficult or painful it is, once you do it for the first time, the second will not be so difficult and maybe it will be the way to change you.
I really liked this book; original, human and emotional, this book is perfect to start a new project in your life. Ready?

First off, I admire the originality of the concept for The Authenticity Project. The idea provokes the reader to think about how they might deal with similar situations to the characters, pausing to consider if they would do things differently. All the while wondering what they would write if they were to pick up the pale-green notebook?

Actions have consequences and in this case, a helping hand doesn't necessarily mean it's the right thing to do. Yet, The Authenticity Project is a feel-good novel. It's a fascinating blend of characters; people who you wouldn't necessarily associate together. The simple green exercise book provokes each new owner to write the truth about their lives; warts and all. It's a way of offloading the burden and the reality in their life. More importantly, it triggers a need to find and help the previous mystery writers whilst hoping they are doing them a favour. What could possibly go wrong?

I've always enjoyed reading about flawed characters and this novel's packed with them. The outside world may think these six people are leading exemplary lives, however, the reality of how they project themselves to the outside world is a sham. Not surprisingly, as the layers of deceit are revealed the outcomes offer relief and new perspectives.

The ending is poignant but looking at the bigger picture, those who picked up and contributed to The Authenticity Project find the closure they need to continue their lives and more importantly to use their new-found courage to be better people than before.

Overall, if you're looking for something "just a little bit different", you won't go far wrong with this gem of a book.

***arc generously received courtesy of the publisher Transworld via NetGalley***

This particular book masquerades as something and then when you are settled in believing the format, it turns on you as well as on all the people we have come to recognise. This is not a spoiler but a description of my own reading experience.

The story starts with a book, it has the title of 'The authenticity project' and encourages the person who picks it up to add a truthful account of themselves and pass it on. The reading of the previous entries means that they will be forced to reconsider their opinions of those people who came before. We have people at various stages of life, with different problems and insecurities. Each is introduced in two parts, one as individuals and another as entries in the book. Despite owning up to the idea of authenticity, people struggle to stick to changes. It is a very realistic take on how people behave, especially if they end up holding the secrets of another, sometimes even feeling like God.

The characters had their own distinct traits which are usually difficult to portray when there is such a large primary cast. I chuckled at a few instances and was not so enamoured by a few things but shed tears at others. The whole rollercoaster of emotions is built well in these pages, and if you like a more in-depth look into what makes people tick, this is definitely a book for you. 

I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.