The Authenticity Project

How well do you know the people who live near you?  How well do they know you? 

✨ The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley 

My Ratings 3.8/5

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As this book begins, we are posed with these questions... Rather than 'we' Monica is being asked. 

Ex - lawyer and now owner of Café in London finds a pale green notebook abandoned in one of her tables. The notebook simply says 'The Authenticity Project' . 

Inside, Julian Jessop, the famous artist, now a lonely widower has written his story, his truth and has left this book to carry out this chain of one's authentic self and expressing their truth. Throughout the book we see this pale green notebook following the links of different characters with almost nothing in common and how they come together finding new friendships, new purpose and something that each of them wanted. 

The one thing I loved that the author impressively created the stories of each character. I loved how her characters had two sides - One for the show and the vulnerable true self. I found that these two layers weren't alike from reality, how we carry ourselves in real world and how we actually feel are absolutely different from one another. 

You'd instantly get attached to the people who find the green book, first we are introduced to the head strong, independent Monica who puts up a tough persona but longs for the perfect family. She wants a husband and a baby... (idk why but I was always thinking of Monica from Friends, Monica in this book is also a clean freak!!), this book is left at a bar by Monica, it's found by Hazard (yeah that's his name) an addict City banker who's aware of his problems and cannot deal with it without getting high. One fine day he quits his job, determines to put his addiction days behind travels to Thailand for detox...Hazard is very determined to find the perfect guy for Monica and after a while he does (or he think he does). He deliberately drops the book in  Riley's bag, the gorgeous Australian bloke who's on a trip around the world and his next stop is London ... 

And next the book finds Alice the social media influencer who's life looks perfect with a husband and beautiful baby but isn't. And finally from Alice to Lizzie. 

I loved reading this book from the start, the complexity of emotions, the simplicity of happiness and especially when all characters do come together and how their stories intertwine with each other. 

Only one thing which I wasn't happy about was the ending for Monica. If you have read the book then let me know what you thought of this. I don't wish to spoil it for everyone, so I'm not gonna say that. Because the Monica portrayed wouldn't have settled for this... If not for this, I would have ecstatically given 4.5/5!!!! 

There's one part I loved that at end, they all start a great idea that whoever eats alone and wants some company can join their Supper tale every Thursday!!!! I mean this is such a great idea to be social. 

Overall, it's a very pleasant book to read and you'd enjoy this casual yet beautiful story.