This simple tale of people thrown together through chance really works. It is a modern lesson that social media can tell whatever tales a person wants but it is rarely the truth, and it is an old story that the grass isn’t always greeenest on the other side. Hazard’s addiction is well portrayed (I suppose it would really) as is Monica’s obsessive cleaning habits and julians need for adoration. Altogether, it is a charming tale of friendship, unexpected love and discovering what is really important in life. Heart-warming and uplifting, what more could we want.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this book.
I think what really made this book enjoyable, was the fact that it covered a lot of issues and realistic situations. There was the lonely elderly man who'd felt he'd become insignificant, and the woman who wanted the husband and child but couldn't seem to make it happen. There was the happy and lovely, nice guy who wanted things simple, and the exhausted mother who struggled to juggle the life she wanted. Then there was the recovering addict and the closet gay couple. Somehow the author manages to weave all of these characters into a story-line that is both entertaining and intertwining. I really had no idea what was going to happen next.

This is a simple and very clever story about a group of mismatched friends . It starts with Julian an old man who lives by himself and doesn't believe that people tell each other the truth about their lives. He starts to write his story in a notebook and leaves it in a cafe for someone to find and do the same - the owner of the cafe Monica writes all her thoughts down about how she feels and then leaves it in a bar. The notebook is passed between a few more people and each person that reads it is touched by the stories and helps the person before. They don't all know about the book to begin with but stories unfold and they discover a lot about each other and themselves - It makes you think about how people are portrayed - they may look like they are having the time of their lives but behind their smiles they could be a different person. This is a heartwarming and lovely read .

A sincere thank you to the publisher, author and Netgalley for providing me an ebook copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I enjoyed this story very much and felt like I knew each character personally due to the description of them. I enjoyed the storyline. This is not my usual genre but in this instance I am extremely pleased and grateful for opening up my mind to something totally different. Thanks again.

There is a nice premise behind this novel but unfortunately the prose is incredibly prosaic and I found it unreadable.

Nonfiction author and blogger Clare Pooley has created her first fiction debut – and it’s filled with all the truth, hope and joy we could ever need.

‘Everyone lies about their lives. What would happen if you shared the truth instead?’
Almost octagenarian artist Julian Jessop is feeling rather sorry for himself. Once adored by celebrities and fans, age has made him invisible. His cottage is empty without his beloved wife Mary, who died fifteen years ago. Days now pass without human interaction and he feels disconnected. Even his reflection sneaks up on him. So he decides to speak his truth about his Life in a physically unassuming, pale-green exercise book which he labels The Authenticity Project. Leaving the book carefully on a table in Monica’s Cafe (where, he rejoices, tea is served in china cups) he urges the reader to take their turn and share their truth. Julian invites an answer to the question, “What happens next is up to you?“

‘How well do you know the people who live near you? How well do they know you?’
Each reader that finds The Authenticity Project is drawn in by the astonishing stories within its pages. Written in multiple narrative, with each change of handwriting comes another truth, an offloading of someone’s inner turmoil. Julian’s hope that others will share their story come to be realised when the book travels to Thailand and finds its way back, affecting the lives of all who come to hold it. How will each be changed by The Authenticity Project? Will Health and Safety conscious, risk averse Monica throw caution to the wind and eat Mexican churros from a street cart? Is the perfect Life of Mum-of-one and social media sensation Alice exactly as she portrays it through an Instagram square? Can unruly Hazard break his addictions and find peace in his own skin? And will happy-go-lucky Australian traveller Riley find a place to settle and share his own inner secrets?

Indeed, with meet-ups taking place next to the ornate gravestones in Brompton Cemetery, a key location in the book, we start to ponder the many secrets our ancestors have taken with them? Do any of us know the real truth, about each other and about ourselves too?

‘Sometimes, there is nothing lonelier than a room full of people.’
Julian’s wish to form invisible connections plays out in several scenarios as the characters meet and spend time together. Despite their differences, they realise that to co-exist as a “motley, but rather cool, group of people”, compromise and balance is necessary. The book’s tour de force Betty Wu attests that yin and yang is essential: “If you use hardness to resist force then both sides will break.”

Through a lighthearted, uplifting tale the author cleverly asks us to consider some of our perceived societal norms. What pressures lie upon women in society? How do we treat our elders? Why do we keep secrets at all? To protect the people we love? Save ourselves from an embarrassing fate? Or do we tell people what we believe they want to hear? With this in mind, do we really need human connection to survive at all?

‘If you couldn’t wear Westwood on Christmas Day, then when could you?’
Julian paints a colourful picture of days gone by where his magnificence reigns. He recalls Monica’s Cafe as an Eel & Pie shop and later a VHS rental store. Vintage fashion is alive and well and provides a comic thread throughout. Julian’s eccentric sense of fashion and his outrageous 1960s stories of cavorting with fashion designers and music artistes are laugh out loud funny. And, of course, the best of it is that no one is ever sure whether his anecdotes are true, have evolved over time or ever existed at all!

‘Something had to change. Actually everything had to change.’
Not wanting to slip away without trace Julian found the truth process cathartic. But will he find his sense of purpose again and embrace his twilight years? In bringing a small corner of the Universe together he proves that human beings DO need connection – it’s what makes us thrive and has helped sustain our species.

Author Clare Pooley acknowledges that writing The Authenticity Project was a very personal experience. As an extension of her popular blog The Sober Diaries she found a certain kind of magic can exist in speaking your truth. Last year we interviewed Emma Woolf, broadcaster, journalist and author, who spoke her truth about living with anorexia through a weekly column in The Times! The simultaneous pressure and relief that Emma and Clare must have both felt to tell their story so publicly, so honestly, is difficult to fathom but they should both be applauded.

‘Maybe telling that story would change your life, or the life of someone you’ve not yet met.’
Having decided to speak my own truth recently, it was no coincidence that as I was writing this review a new song was bubbling over the airwaves about keeping secrets in our pockets. Like Riley, in the story, I smiled wryly as it played! I have picked up on several public conversations just this past two weeks concerning the question “How are you?” and how it serves more of a greeting now than a heartfelt enquiry. How many of us start to open up about our anxieties only to be met with a closed response? This often filters into “Why didn’t you tell me?” when our bloodcurdling cry for help is made. But perhaps if we were ALL more honest our insurmountable problems would diminish and our bonds would strengthen.

In truth, I love this book! I believe that we are all connected and it’s a carefully plotted way of demonstrating this. The Authenticity Project is designed to make you think, about Life, love and the rollercoaster ups and downs we each face in a continual cycle. But despite the sadness beneath the truths, The Authenticity Project is a joy from start to finish. It bounces along, navigating bumps and lovely surprises with characters that reach out and speak directly to your soul. With a brilliant twist that will evoke both shock and a smile, this uplifting idea will make you consider your own truth. And who knows – today might just be the day you decide to start your own Authenticity Project too.

Your deepest truth, write it down and pass it on. 6 strangers do this and no longer become strangers. A famous artist retelling his height of fame but no longer has any friends. The local cafe owner who becomes the heart of the story. Reality is not what shows on the surface but multiple layers. Peel the layers away and get to know the endearing and believable characters as friends. Cheer them on with your fingers crossed.. An enjoyable read. Wil look out for more books by this author.

The Authenticity Project brings together a cast of characters who would never have met, had a little green notebook not been put in their path... Each character had a distinct personality, from the flamboyant but lonely Julian, to the organised-to-within-an-inch-of-her-life Monica, recovering party boy Hazard, sunny surfer dude Riley and Insta-perfect new mum Alice and Pooley draws them all in to the story in a deft and well crafted way.

This book is all about how we spend our lives putting on a front, only showing the things we want people to see, when actually this stops us being 'authentic' and making those deeper connections we are craving. This book is heart-warming and sweet but with enough of a bite to stop it being saccharine and twee. I felt that it is a very 'English' novel and as I was reading it I imagined Gemma Arterton as Monica and Bill Nighy as Julian!

Overall a charming and uplifting read!

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers and also Pigeonhole for the advanced copy, which I have enjoyed reading.
This is the author, Clare Pooley’s first fiction book to be published. The Authenticity Project is a book about people’s lives and whether the life that they are living is a truthful one or are they living a lie.
Julian was the first to write his account of life in his Authenticity Project notebook, then Monica, then Hazrd, then Riley and so on, until a number of people had entered their notes into the notebook.
Everyone who became involved in the Project had their lives changed for the better and the book is the story of everyone who became involved.
It is an excellent debut for a first time author and is very enjoyable to read. It is funny and sad and the storyline just flows along seamlessly until the end.
Highly recommended.

Excellent concept for a book- very unique perspective with a well developed cast of characters. 2 thumbs up.

Very enjoyable with engaging characters. I could see where the story was going but enjoyed the journey

I really enjoyed this book!

There were so many twists and turns it went from being a simple novel to one that explores quite complex issues from the viewpoints of a variety of characters.

Each of the characters has different secrets they don't wish to be known and it really shed a light on perception and how we want to be seen versus reality.

I really enjoyed Monica's transformation and digging deeper to find out her motivations.

She and the rest of the cast, especially Hazard, grew the most I think.

In terms of criticism, the multiple viewpoints could be jarring at first especially when the characters of Lizzie and Mary were introduced.

I also found it hard to believe Mary wasn't angrier than she was about being dead for 15 years and that she actually allowed the lie to be perpetuated.

Apart from that, I thought the characters were well thought out and interesting.

My favourite was of course Mrs. Wu! I liked her character development the most in accepting Baz and Benji.

A really enjoyable book that I would recommend.

This book was the best start to 2020 reading. What a pure joy, fantastic concept and brilliant characters. I had high hopes for this one upon reading the blurb and it didn’t disappoint. This will be bought as presents this year and this will be recommended to everyone I know – I will bore people talking about this book, but I don’t care, it’s so good!

What if you found a book that called for the ultimate truth. The truth you would never say out loud, the truth that you are scared off, that keeps you up at night, that embarrasses you. The kind of truth you know would feel so good admit, but at the same time is absolutely terrifying.

Well that’s exactly what happens to Monica. Owner of a café, seemingly happy, friendly, has-it-all kind of person. Until she finds The Authenticity Project notebook with one story in it. Story of a lonely, elderly gentleman, once life-of-a-party artist, Julian Jessop. It is up to Monica now to carry on or abandon the project. Of course, she chooses to continue the truth telling, writing down her deepest thoughts.

Unbeknown to him at the time, when Julian leaves the notebook in Monica’s café, he starts a series of events that change the lives of a handful of carefully chosen people including his own. People that really need a helping hand, even if they don’t know it yet.

This novel was such a pleasure to read. It is a thoughtful story of people like you and me, that sometimes think they are perfectly happy until something comes along to shows us a better way of life. People have become shut away from reality with technology, modern day issues and busy live styles. I do wonder if finding such a notebook would really make people stop and think.

This book will stay with me for a while. It definitely got me thinking – what would I write in that notebook if I was to find it?

Thank you very much to Netgalley and the author for this amazing story.

This was a very enjoyable read. I found the multiple characters all very engaging and loved delving into the little snippets of their life. I also like the stories commentary on social media and the current Instagram instant gratification that we seem to crave. This book kept me engaged until the end and found the ending most enjoyable! Would defiantly recommended.
Thank you to Netgally for allowing me to read an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

This book was fantastic and definitely not what I was expecting. This is a warm book (although sometimes you really need to give the characters a talking to). Initially I was a bit frustrated and how the book was written but it made sense later on that the awkwardness become friendship, both in the writing and the relationships.

The twist at the end was fab... the last section was a shock but won’t spoil it...

A pathological liar lures local vulnerable, insecure and lonely people into his web via pass-the-story / fold-over-story where they share their secrets and shames in a notebook. A heartwarming, easy read story.

Recommended for rainy day or cafe reading.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC.

Absolutely charming and totally engaging from first page to last (including the acknowledgements and author bio).
With a quiet wit, the author draws the reader into the lives of each of her characters and tells their truths as well as their (self) deceptions.
I was reminded of Paul Gallico's Mrs 'Arris books at times and I defy anyone not to finish Clare Pooley' s tale without a very satisfied sigh.

Claire Pooley has managed to create that most rare of beasts - A modern day classic. I just adored this book and, if I had more time, I’d return to page one and read it all over again. The thought that a notebook, shared amongst a group of strangers, could lead to such drastic life changes is both heart warming and rewarding. I have to say that this isn’t an easy read. Pooley has a good eye as to what’s happening in society at present and it’s far from a picnic. Themes of loneliness and grief are just two such themes, which she makes no apology for addressing. But she does handle them with the care such complex issues deserve. The writing is skilled, complemented by Pooley’s voice (which is a pure delight),. the characters well drawn and very real. I’m pretty sure this book is going to create a huge stir - I’m only delighted to have had the opportunity to be one of its first readers.

Having read the blurb I thought this sounded like an interesting story and I wasn’t wrong at all. An absolutely brilliant read which actually had me laughing out loud in places with some excellent writing.

The idea of a notebook being completed by strangers and passed on is a great concept but made even better by the interaction the characters have with each other as their lives cross and become entwined. A mixed bunch of people has someone for everyone to relate to. The story is engrossing and has you rooting for the characters even wishing you could pop into Monica’s cafe to see them all! I think this is going to be a huge hit and I’m already looking forward to whatever comes next from this incredible writer. I’ll remember this book for a long time and recommend it wholeheartedly.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

This book is very different from the usual genres I would read. I chose it based on it's title and it's premise. What a wonderful idea, to give people the chance to be authentic.

As I can see in the acknowledgements this has been a very personal story for the author to write and that its also her first fiction book.

I can say that she writes with confidence and success.
I was engaged with the idea of the authenticity project from the beginning; I was fascinated to see where it would lead and I can say really enjoyed ll of the strands of her story coming together.

The characters were well developed, I can 'see' Monica in the cafe, Julian swaggering down the street and Mrs Wu practicing her Ti Chi, I can also 'see' all of the others. Their stories were woven together with wit and charm.

I wish Clare Pooley every success with this book and I would like to thank you for the advanced copy.

Many thanks,
Noeleen Rice