I got lucky, by being one of the first 50 or something NetGalley members to respond on an email invite for this title. I thought it looked like fun, light reading, which it was, but it surpassed my expectations. Okay, it's a "feel good" novel of the kind of "pay it forward" and "everything/everyone is connected" trope, if there is such a thing, but I thought it reached further than the basic trope. It starts with Monica, the owner of a coffee shop, finding a notebook entitled "The Authenticity Project." In it, she reads the story of an elderly man who admits to being lonely. He launches the notebook to see if it can help him meet people. Monica reads his story, adds her own, the notebook is picked up by someone else and so it goes on. It all sounds just a bit hokey, but it's not. The characters are really well developed, likeable, and human. No one is quite what he or she seems on the surface. I really enjoyed the way the author showed us how our impressions of other people can be so misleading, especially in one case, the story of an Instagram Influencer whose life is a lot different than what she shows her thousands of followers. By the end of the book I felt like I knew all the characters and would like to visit Monica's cafe and meet them. Highly recommended.

I have to admit that before I started this book, I was very skeptical of the idea that a simple notebook would carry the entire story - but this is exactly what happens and it's thoughtfully done in a very sweet way.

As the book gets passed around, readers get introduced to some incredible characters - each with their own secrets, stories, and challenges. This gives readers a really interesting perspective on the story as we see everything through several different eyes.

My only complaint is the story lags slightly in the middle - but the very beautiful (and absolutely perfect) ending more than makes up for it!

I really want to be thank the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. This was a really lovely read!

I was really excited to read this book the plot seemed to be very unique.

The plot of the book, a notebook left in random places filled with peoples stories, the authentic story, what they really see their life as and what they want it to be. The notebook created a unique group of friends and brought life back into some, and all was going well till secrets were revealed (this secret is what ruined the book for me, I was really enjoying the book and would have given it four stars before it was revealed) still a great book overall.

I received this book to review from NetGalley. This is a story of a notebook, that is passed between 6 people and brings and binds them all together. It’s a story of finding oneself, of love, of friendship and compassion. I laughed and cried while reading this book. It will change how you look at strangers. And you will find that it is with a little more understanding and care. I loved the story and the characters! I highly recommend reading this novel. This is one of those books you will want to read again!

I know, I know, I don't give out very many 4 stars, but I really liked this book on many levels. I was given a free e-copy by NetGalley and was interested because it was a first novel for this author. I found the book charming, witty and well-written especially for a first novel. The story line was engaging- "The Authenticity Project" was hand-lettered on a green notebook left behind in a London cafe by an old man. Monica the cafe owner saw the back of the man as he left and intended to return it to him. First she read what he had written in the book and thus began a story with twists and turns, fun, romance, and people coming face to face with the truth in their lives. We met Julian, Monica, Hazard, Riley, Alice, and many side characters. The author developed the characters so well, that I even began to predict how they would react to the various situations in which they found themselves. Since the story has a modern setting, there is the usual use of electronic devices; in fact one of the characters is an "influencer" on Instagram. But there are many aspects of the story that take us back to a simpler time of handwriting in journals and learning how to draw. Personally I loved this emphasis. I like to write in a daytimer, and I have reverted mostly to reading books printed on paper. In fact, while reading "The Authenticity Project" I found myself wanting to reread the various journal entries, something that is more difficult to do while reading on a tablet!
All in all, an entertaining book, that reminded me of "A Man Called Ove". Well done, Clare Pooley!

How much time do you spend thinking about who you are and your place in this crazy world? When Monica finds a notebook in her quaint neighbourhood cafe she believes that someone has obviously left it behind. With good intent she opens the notebook hoping to discover a clue to the owner. What she does not expect is a confession from an artist now recluse sharing his feelings of loneliness, and a suggestion that the finder of this book share their own secrets and struggles.

What follows is a series of events that alter the lives of a unique cast of characters who are each struggling in some way with some aspect of their life.

To avoid spoilers, I will not include a description of the characters that Pooley has created. Instead, and I think this is more the point of the novel, is that I will focus on the message The Authenticity Project spoke about and how it made me feel.

As an adult it is SO HARD to make friends. You believe that certain people will not know how to handle your friendship, life is too chaotic as it is, and really how could someone who looks like that/acts like that/talks like that/or any other combination know what it is like to be me.

It is so difficult to be vulnerable around other people because to share weakness to some is to admit being weak. The reality is that to share weakness is to be authentic. The other important thing to remember is even when we believe we are being authentic, we can be the most inauthentic and unreliable person to our own self.

I received an advanced copy of this book by the publisher and author in return for a fair review.

The Authenticity Project is an interesting story of a group of people who come together from reading a green notebook called The Authenticity Project. Friendships are formed and each individual helps those around them become their authentic self. A delightful story. #netgalley

“How well do you know the people who live near you? How well do they know you? Do you even know the names of your neighbors? Would you realize if they were in trouble, or hadn’t left their house for days?”

These are the first lines written in a plain, pale-green exercise book that is left behind in a café, lines that remind us of how isolating urban life can be. This deliberate act of leaving a notebook behind brings together six key characters. Characters that are lonely, or lost, or suffering from some sort of addiction, or putting up a front for the sake of appearances. All are in some way lying, to themselves, to others or both. Now all that may sound depressing but the story is not. It is an uplifting, often humorous tale that in the end provides hope and serves as a reminder of how we all need to connect face to face, not by texting or posting photos on Instagram. And it is also a reminder of what family is about and that family can take many unique forms. We are shown that to know ourselves isn’t just an inward journey but also a journey that involves reaching out and connecting with others, even those who we may initially not like or find frustrating.

I enjoyed this book and was immediately invested in the characters. Did I like them all? No, but I learned to understand them and appreciate them because of their weaknesses, not despite them.
A very worthwhile read.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

This story was both heartwarming and witty. The characters were not likeable but by the final chapter they felt like friends. I was spellbound from the first as I read this fast-paced tale of friendship and discovery. In some ways, it reminded me of My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry - with eccentricity and extremely different personalities, but it was also a work entirely of it's own making - unique, touching, and emotionally-engaging. I found it funny and frustrating, and even a little heartbreaking when I cried at the end.

I requested to review this book because I was in the mood for something lighter that handled some interesting topics with a bit of depth. The Authenticity Project fit the bill with its compelling plot about a notebook that makes its way into the lives of six people who share their private feelings within its cover.

This is a light read but it's predictable - so predictable that I almost put this book down at the halfway point because I figured I could pinpoint exactly how things would go down (and I found it a little dull at this point). I decided to finish the book hoping for a change of heart, but my initial predictions were correct and things ended as I had expected. Kind of satisfying, but kind of not.

This a light read featuring the POVs of several characters which are woven together well. I liked how the book progressed to each person and their personal stories while creating a sense of community among them. But even though the book is lighter fare, it needed more depth - more tension, unique story twists instead of relying heavily on popular romantic tropes and more depth to its characters. (Note: I'm still confused as to why Pooley made Monica the spitting image of the well-known TV character from Friends of the same name)

Overall, this was a sweet, light read that had great potential but was a little too predictable for my tastes. Readers who enjoy light reads with a small town feel and a story with a nicely wrapped up ending will enjoy this book.

Great story with interesting concept - a notebook is left in a coffee shop and anyone who finds it is invited to share their "authentic" thoughts about their thoughts and dreams. I enjoyed the characters' stories, with a surprising twist at the end.

I’m struggling a little about how to review this book. Ultimately I enjoyed it! It was uplifting and easy to read. I truly enjoyed getting to know the characters and I especially enjoyed getting to know new characters as the book went on.

I found the book dragged though, a few times I felt like I should be already done and didn’t know why I still had so much of it left to read. I found the entries in The Authenticity Project notebook to be not as well written as the book itself (which also could have used some work in places). I also found some of the decision making and miscommunication at points to be juvenile and annoying.

Overall, I would recommend this book if a light hearted feel good fiction is your thing, it just didn’t hit the mark for me.

The Authenticity Project, was conceived by Julien, a lonely septuagenarian. He lamented that nobody really ever tells the truth, to their friends or their neighbours, about how they are really feeling. So, in an attempt to get people to actually tell the truth, Julien writes his "story", in a green notebook, with the title "Authenticity Project"on the cover, and, decides to leave the notebook in the local independent cafe, where the owner, Monica, picks it up. Monica reads Julien's "truth", and decides she wants to help Julien. The next thing you know, she is writing her own story in the authenticity project, and she leaves the notebook in the bar across the street from her cafe. And the project continues from there, the book changing hands many times.

I really enjoyed reading this book for so many different reasons. For the most part, the authenticity project shows us that you could never really tell how a person is truly feeling just through "appearances". We all have become experts at hiding the truth. Furthermore, when you tell your true story, its possible, that your friend, co-worker, or neighbour, may know just what you are missing to help you actually get out of your rut, or achieve something you have been dreaming of. I also really enjoyed author Claire Pooley's writing style. The book was a pleasure to read, with lots of little sentimental/inspiring words.

"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift."

"Mother is a verb, not a noun. I think it means there are many ways to mother, without actually being one. Look at you and your cafe, you nurture loads of people everyday."

Finally, I would just like to add that readers should know that Claire Pooley, in her own life, had to face her own demons, when she found herself drinking excessively, so she is more then familiar with getting into a rut and digging yourself out.

I really enjoyed The Authenticity Project by Claire Pooley, and highly recommend it! 5 stars! Thank you #netgalley for the early e-ARC in return for my honest review.

"How well do you know your neighbors? How well do they know you? Everyone lies, but what if you told the truth instead". This is the question that the Authenticity Project asks. It's a green notebook that gets passed around and each character writes their story. It keeps you reading because you want to find out who will find it next and how will that change the story. It's a very engaging storyline told through multiple characters lives that all intersect. It also deals with some very current topics.
#theauthenticityproject #netgalley #indigoemployee

The Authenticity Project is a charming story that brings together a group of lonely people from very different walks of life. In each other they find a kind of family and all the love, jealousy and frustrations that go along with it. This is a lovely book that will lift your spirits while you wait for spring.

The Authenticity Project was such a delight to read! Six unlikely friends are eventually brought together due to a little green book, as they all try to tell their truths and be more authentic in an ever-growing world of the inauthentic, staged and deceptive.

The book started with just a few key players, and I knew more characters would get added as the book went on. I didn’t want this at first; I loved the first few characters and didn’t want their stories to fade out, but of course I grew to love each new character that was introduced, and was eager to hear their story and discover what they would add to the Authenticity Project. It culminated so beautifully! This book made me laugh out loud with its bang on observations of social media and the characters personality quirks and quips, and it also tugged at my heart strings. I loved this book and I highly encourage all to read it!

I loved The Authenticity Project! The characters were engaging and the story was fantastic. It was a great book to curl up with on a winter evening.

An excellent story full of characters you wont soon forget. This story becomes one of cross-generational friendships, the prevalence of loneliness in the busiest of cities, and the challenges of being authentic to yourself and to others. A lovely ride with a lovely cast of characters!

What a quaint story., but beware: things are a not always as they seem! I liked the interesting plot twist with Julian. He got his comeuppance for his philandering and selfish ways, but also a second chance at life - redemption is probably a better word for this part of the story line.

The narrative meandered a bit, and I wondered whether the author was playing at misdirection, like a magician, but I could also foresee the potential ending of this story right in the first few chapters, so I suppose a bit of misdirection was necessary in order to keep things interesting. I loved how new characters kept being added to the mix, and how their contribution to The Authenticity Project enriched this story. Just a really great read!

I loved this delightful book!

At the story's centre is a school exercise book with the words "The Authenticity Project" written on the front cover.
It was left behind in a coffee shop where it is picked up by Monica, the coffee shop owner. She reads the few sentences written by the person who left it and from that point, we are gradually introduced to a motley cast of characters who, for me, jumped off the pages. I fell in love with each one and only wish they were not just living in Clare Pooley's head, I'd want to meet and spend a lot of time with each one. Masterful writing!.

The plot is uncommon in that the inanimate school book is the star of this story, playing the main role due to its influence on each character after they all write their authentic feelings on its pages. Feelings they have never shared with any human being. The characters eventually all meet and interact with each other, experiencing growth, love, betrayal, successes, fun, tears and camaraderie. Pooley's writing keeps the reader enthralled and involved. I was entertained from start to finish, from snorting to guffawing, puzzlement to cheering, tears of disappointment to high spirits. I didn't want it to end!