A daily commute on public transit is usually spent trying to ignore everyone around you and concentrate on your own well-being. Sure, you see the same people regularly and maybe even have nicknames for them or have created their fantasy lifestyle.

Iona Iverson is no different, but the circumstances that lead a group of regular commuters to become friends was a fun read.

I'm looking forward to more books from this author.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

I fell completely into Iona's world and felt like a commuter on her train. Each character is so unique yet they each found something in another to connect. It shows what a wonderful world it can be. Everyone needs an Iona in their life. I was sorry the story ended but it left me feeling hopeful and serene.

Sonder — noun. the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own.

“Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting” by Clare Pooley takes sonder to the next level. A group of strangers on a train are brought together following one person’s near death experience. They move from having their own assumptions and nicknames about one another (e.g., smart-but-sexist-manspreader) to being deeply involved in the joys and sorrows of each person’s life.

I loved the character development that occurred over multiple train trips as the author peeled back the layers on these people all of us commuters have seen on the train at some point. In a time when the world seems more and more divided it was heartwarming to read this story of people coming together despite their differences - the common thread being that we all struggle and need support of a caring community. A feel good book that was the perfect start to summer reading.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

What an absolute treat this book was! I read it on my daily commutes and it made me look around at my counterparts differently.
The characters were written so full of life and personality that I quickly became invested in their story.
I highly recommend this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

absolutely loved Clare Pooley’s The Authenticity Project, so it’s no surprise I actually squealed with delight when presented with the opportunity to review an arc of this book.
Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting was laugh-out-loud funny, sniffle-inducing touching and 100% authentic. Once again, a brilliant assortment of characters, from the larger-than-life Iona, sweet Emmie, pleasant Sanjay, mousy Martha, oafish Piers and forgettable David. Oh, and LuLu!!
I absolutely loved the idea of a group of passengers actually conversing during their daily commute. Having been on British public transport, I know what a faux-pas it is to actually interact or draw attention to oneself.
Another book from Pooley I will keep close to my heart and be sure to reread again in the near future.

Another wonderfully warm story about community and connection from Pooley, whose debut novel The Authenticity Project I read twice during lockdown and recommended (with great success) to more people than I can count. Here, she looks at what happens a group of commuters, startled after an incident on their train one morning, dare to actually speak to one another. At the heart of the group is stylish, flamboyant and unapologetic Iona, who soon sets the example that draws sweet Emmie, helpful Sanjay, bullied Martha, and burnt out Piers together. Following them as they help one another and end up changing their own lives over the course of several months made me long for the end of WFH and the chance of making lucky, life-changing connections of my own over the morning commute.

I loved The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley and was really excited to get this one from NetGalley and I am so happy to report that it did not disappoint! I loved this book so, so much! We get many points of view. First we have Iona, she is a self described magazine therapist. We also have Sanjay who is a nurse, then there is Piers a finance guy who wants to be a math teacher, followed by Emmie a tech wiz in the marketing game and finally we have Martha who is a high school student caught in a terribly embarrassing situation at school...they think they know each other, but do they really? There are a few side characters that are also just as important and well thought out...and everyone is hiding a secret, can these strangers really be the answer to each other's prayers? So funny yet heartbreaking, so poignant yet quirky, so sweet yet impossibly real. These are such an unlikely bunch to become friends, but become friends they did and in the end they make sense. I really don't want to go into it any further because this story is much better the less you know and I encourage you, reader to get to know them yourself and just enjoy the (train) ride, you'll be glad you did and you just might find some surprises along the way.