This book was a pleasure to read. It was a lighthearted and charming read with lots of heart and character. This book will appeal to a wide audience and touches on a variety of topics and would be an excellent choice for book clubs. .

Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting is the kind of book that warms your heart and makes you feel that there is hope for humanity.

Iona rides the train every day to her job as a magazine advice columnist. Iona is a meddler in people's affairs, in the best possible way. She observes her fellow passengers and wants to help them achieve their goals and desires. There's Piers, who is a stockbroker who is on a losing streak, Sanjay, who is a nurse who is in love with Emmie, who works in advertising and is engaged to another man, David, who is worried his wife is going to leave him, and Martha, who is a high school student who took an ill-advised selfie and is being bullied.

When Piers chokes on grape, Sanjay saves him. This begins a cascade of events that brings all of these commuters together and makes them friends who support each other through the good and the bad.

This book gave me the warm fuzzies. I love books about unlikely friendships and how appearances can be deceiving. All of the characters are well-written, if a bit predictable at times, but that doesn't take away from the joy reading about their lives brought me.

Thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy of this book. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A delightful cast of characters who meet on their daily train ride. At the heart and core of all the friendships that develop is Iona. It's a story of friendship and love and taking chances. Loved it!
Thank you to Net Galley for an advance copy.

Such a heart-warming read with a great ensemble of characters who all come together thanks to Iona's quirky charm and make their lives more enjoyable. It starts off when Iona decides to chat with a bunch of strangers on her train commute but they all end up becoming each other's support system especially when things in their lives are falling apart. Grab this one when looking for an uplifting read and need some cheering because it is truly a delightful read!!!

Want a wonderful recipe for a heart-warming, quirky book that will teach a valuable lesson about judging people by their facades? Take five strangers who often see each other on their train commute and have them start to get to know each other and then even possibly become friends. Having thoroughly enjoyed the character arcs of the humorous group in The Authenticity Project, I was excited to meet this new quirky cast of characters. Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting does not disappoint. Quirky, eccentric Iona Iverson is a lady who has lived a life on the frey of acceptable society and enjoyed the clout her eccentricities had given her. Now in her more mature years of life she is finding that her influence has waned amongst the younger generation. During her commute to her journalism job she encounters a conceited trader in the middle of his life, a young nurse who is in love with the young book reader on the train, and a high schooler struggling with a social storm. As Iona gets to know each of these characters and they get to know each other they soon realize that judging books by their covers only results in cheating yourself of beautiful stories. Clare Pooley is a master of taking diverse personalities, throwing them together in one spot and showing how they evolve into better human beings. If you want a book that will leave you wanting to see the beauty of the strangers in your day to day life then pick up this gem today! I am so grateful to Netgalley and the publisher for an early electronic copy of the book for an honest review.

What a great read! A cast of characters with intertwining stories much like Love Actually put to print. Each person, even Piers!, was highly relatable and you felt like you were a part of the story. Side note: I laughed at how the characters each had nic names for the others because that is exactly what I do when I see repeat people in my daily life or when I used to commute if I do not know their name.

My ONLY issue with Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting is that Iona reads MUCH older than the late 50 year old she states she is in the book. I was reading her more in her 70s until she stated her age!

While commuting, many don't acknowledge other passengers with so much as a nod, but when a man almost dies choking, a group of people who have nothing in common bond with one another.
For the many years that I've been reading, one realization has always come to mind for me after putting down any book: Everyone has an unknown story. Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting by Clare Pooley perfectly depicts this truth. Pooley's characters — Iona, Piers, Sanjay, Emmie and Martha — are people we can imagine passing on a sidewalk, and within them, we find intricate thoughts and emotions that may at times mirror our own. These characters all take the train to get to their respective destinations, and they form relationships with one another after Piers, a man Iona describes as having too much pride, ends up choking during the commute. This becomes a catalyst for a series of events pulling them together. Some are having mid-life crises, while others are juggling teenage dreams. Their five different stories intertwine with one another to create a full picture, with each person's point of view represented in their respective chapters.

Those who find beauty in character-driven narratives will definitely see that beauty shining here. As the people in Pooley's book are all going through things that most humans living in the 21st century have experienced, it's almost an impossibility to not find yourself sympathizing with them. Our main character, Iona Iverson, is in her 50s, which doesn't stop her from having the youthful energy we all sometimes need in our lives. She provides advice and support for others, all while dealing with her own problems. She's like the glue of the group, someone who keeps the story unfolding, bridging the gaps between the characters. Pooley develops her fantastically, just as she writes and develops every other one of the people we follow, all with their own distinct voices but somehow slotting together like the pieces in a game of Tetris.

In fact, the relationships and bonds formed throughout the book are one of its main highlights. In every pairing, an interesting dynamic arises, challenging our perceptions of the characters. One duo that especially stuck out to me was Piers and Martha, two people who wouldn't normally talk to each other on the street, but who create a healthy support system for one another without crossing boundaries. Unconventional combos are formed, and the author guides readers into seeing the hidden treasures of these arrangements, even more so when all of them are put together, making for a perfect dissection of human interaction. There has been a recent wave of novels featuring characters finding solace in atypical groups of friends, such as The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune and One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston. I'm certain Pooley's book will find a place amongst these and others in which readers encounter a sense of warmth.

This warmth, along with a feel-good quality, is quite prominent in the experience of reading the novel, where we find the good in humanity despite all the bad out there. In times when our world seems to be falling apart, Iona's comedic but genuine advice can weave itself into your mood and brighten it. Not to mention, the book is fairly easy to read and get through, so it's perfect for picking up whenever you need a relaxing moment. The plot is simple, and deals with issues and obstacles no one is too unfamiliar with. Each character is attempting to tackle life in some way: Piers is trying to balance his family and goals. Emmie is trying to be her usual best-achieving self as someone puts her down through anonymous messages. They're all in desperate need of support, which they find in one another as the incident on the train causes them to connect, leading to issues arising and being solved as the book progresses. For instance, Sanjay, a slightly awkward, good-hearted nurse, often deals with anxiety attacks. We learn, along with him, that these reactions don't make him any less worthy of a person, and other characters share similar experiences.

The plot can get cyclical at times, with certain points being repeated and moments igniting a sense of déjà vu. This did bother me in some areas of the story, but not enough to ruin it for me, and all in all I found this book to be an absolutely wonderful experience. So the next time you're seeking an escape from reality, the ride Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting takes you on will do the trick.

Review available on BookBrowse

Clare Pooley manages to take a normal, everyday event and make it into a beautiful story about how people can connect in many ways.

The characters in this book were diverse and interesting. Iona writes advice columns and becomes the glue that keeps the characters together. I love how the multiple stories are woven together and there are a lot of laugh out loud moments. The writing is very well written and I recommend it to anyone looking for a feel good read(which we all need right now).

IONA IVERSON'S RULES FOR COMMUTING by Clare Pooley (The Authenticity Project) is a fun summer read. Iona is truly unique – she is an older, well-established magazine therapist (certainly not, as she informs others, an agony aunt) who offers advice and guidance in her own eccentric way (carrying a huge bag stuffed with everything and accompanied by a French bulldog named Lulu). There’s concern (and some ageism) at the magazine involving worry that she’s become out of touch and irrelevant to readers, but her vitality is acknowledged and re-invigorated after surprising interactions with some other commuters on her daily train near London. Piers (a financial trader), Sanjay (a nurse), Emmie (works in advertising), and Martha (still in high school and struggling with social relationships) form a community of sorts as they bond over adventures on (and off) the train and affection for Iona. Told by multiple narrators, IONA IVERSON'S RULES FOR COMMUTING received a starred review ("YAs will revel in Pooley's upbeat and funny intergenerational novel about strangers finding common ground") from Booklist and is a LibraryReads selection for June 2022.

Iona has been commuting on the train bound for London for years. She has a few hard and fast rules the most important of which is to never talk to strangers on a train. No good can come of it. However, when the self-important man across the table begins to choke on a grape, Iona has no choice. With the help of Sanjay, the handsome nurse, the grape is dislodged and a bond is created. Sanjay moons over fellow commuter, Emmie. Piers' identity crisis has stranded him in career limbo, Martha has lost all her friends since that one particularly revealing picture made the rounds at school. Once Iona starts talking with her travel companions, she finds that she can't help but get involved. Everyone seems to be able to use her invaluable advice and sincere meddling. Iona's got it all together though, right?

I can't summarize this book well enough to do it justice. I will only say that this is the feel-good novel of summer 2022. This terrific ensemble of characters are reminiscent of anyone you might encounter on your commute. They are unique, complicated, confused, misled, naïve, and completely lovable. Their humanity makes this book feel particularly applicable to our current time. In a world where children are thoughtlessly gunned down, war rages and our political system is descending into authoritarianism, this reminder of our potential for good as humans on this planet was a welcome balm for my soul. I don't doubt that it will be the same for anyone else who has the good fortune to spend some time with Iona and her friends.

Cute and enjoyed it, but a little slow paced. Characters are lovable though! I especially liked Iona as the main character and feel she made a nice transformation from the beginning to the end of the story.

Flour. Eggs. Sugar. Butter. That's really all you need to make a cake . . . and Clare Pooley combined those ingredients expertly in this great equalizer of a novel that acknowledges the universal truth that we are better together. There are so few spaces in this world for people from all walks of life to come together without pretense, but commuter trains bound for major cities are one of them. Iona Iverson's rules for commuting unite a diverse group of people who find themselves in the same train car. Yes, they enter the car from different stops along the way, but they come together to help one another with the lynchpin of the delightfully colorful, unwaveringly iconic Iona Iverson. Here is where the community builds.

Relationships are a lot like cakes - the quality of ingredients is essential, but how they are combined makes all the difference. This is Clare Pooley's superpower - imagining the space where people connect. All people. Misfits, romantics, the driven, the lost, the ones who cannot find their place - Pooley makes the faceless commuters come alive and reminds us that there is always more to a person that the way we see them. Iona Iverson uncovers the backstory, and each person has the chance to tell their tale - a bit like a modern-day Chaucer. To borrow from Pooley, this book is the WHOLE DAMN CAKE and you will serve yourself slice after slice of this story. Brilliant.

Iona is a loud, flashy woman who rides the train to work each day, along with her pug dog. She makes friends with a small group of people—teenaged Martha, investment banker Piers, nurse Sanjay, lawyer Dave, and advertising guru Emmie—and helps them with various problems in their lives. But then Iona disappears, and it’s up to her friends from the train to locate and help her.
This story was a delight to read!

What a fantastic book to read! I loved the themes of friendship, growth, and companionship in this delightful British novel. Iona is not exactly friends with the other commuters on her train until a crazy incident brings them all together. And then, this unlikely group becomes friends. This book was warm, funny, and uplifting. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and I was SO freaking sad to see it end. Loved!!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced ebook copy. All opinions are my own.

A good read for someone looking for a lighthearted, uplifting story about the power of friendship, found family, and the people who come into our lives and make our hearts whole. Many, many similar elements to The Authenticity Project, which was a huge hit at my library with patrons who were sick to death of bad news, bad news, and more bad news. Iona Iverson will likely be the same balm for a great summer beach read that leaves you feeling uplifted.

Iona Iverson is a woman approaching 60-years-old who has lived a fantastic life but is set in her ways. She is not afraid to take up room on the train during her daily commute into London and most people try to avoid her at all costs. But what happens when people start to get to know her? This is a great book that will leave you cheering for everyone in the train family that Iona accidentally creates.

3.75 stars

What a surprising feel-good story! The main character Iona Iverson is not immediately likeable, but after going through a few train commutes with her, we begin to understand her appeal. She is an older gay advice columnist, once a carefree young society celebrity. But now the magazine she writes for has slowly pared her job down and is making noises about attracting a younger demographic.

She has a routine, and rides the train (in great style) every day. She doesn't normally engage with people until a nearly serious incident with a choking fellow passenger changes the dynamic of the commute. Iona is a very savvy observer and can't resist tweaking her companions' paths.

Her fellow train riders each have an interesting story. There's Piers, formerly Kevin, an obnoxious rich entitled stock market investor, along with Emmie, an altruistic publicist. Also we meet Sanjay, a nurse with hidden anxiety issues and Martha, a student who is trying to live down a public mistake she made.

Yes, their paths collide with Iona's help, and there is an almost too good to be true happy ending for everyone -- but by the end the reader is rooting for these folks and the ending is quite satisfying. Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

First, I have to confess that I am a huge fan of the first Care Pooley book I read, The Authenticity Project. So, I knew there would be a high bar for her newest book, Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting. I must say, the bar was definitely reached and this new book is delightful, charming, and just plain fun to read.

Ms Pooley has created a cast of characters that are appealing and all vulnerable in their own, unique ways. There is some quirky although not (in my opinion) outrageous behavior and the interactions that occur between the characters as they become acquainted on their daily commutes is heartwarming. The conversations are well-written, the plot is clever, and the author touches on several societal issues that I found to be insightful and well-presented – but also germane to the plot. I enjoyed this book to the very last page.

Well-done Ms Pooley. I am definitely a fan!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.

Iona Iverson commutes by train to her job as a magazine advice columnist along with her dog, Lulu. She is a 57 year old woman who appears differently enough that her fellow commuters steer clear as much as possible. As the story unfolds, in spite of the commuting rule that one never talk to strangers on a train, Iona slowly becomes involved with her fellow commuters. As we get to know them, we learn their stories and they become an unlikely multigenerational group of friends, It’s an easy, satisfying read with lots of life truths highlighted as each character works through personal challenges and the others offer support in a variety of ways. Told with humor and understanding, we see that much of what we initially assume about people we don’t know is incorrect and that getting acquainted can be rewarding for all involved.

Thanks to Netgalley and Pamela Dorman Books for the chance to read and review this title early! I requested to read this book because of the title - it's so rare to find characters named Iona, and I love that name for so many reasons. This was my first book read by this author. Larger than life Iona works in advertising in the UK and takes the train everyday. She magnetically draws together various people she meets on the train, people who in real life may never interact authentically. I definitely liked certain storylines more than others, but I found the writing to be too heavy=handed at times. So many people rated this 5 stars, including the bookstore that told me about this book, but it just was not my favorite. Still, I will be thinking about these characters for a while.