Authenticity Project (Pooley) - Book Reviews

Book Reviews
Poole succeeds in persuasively conveying the daily texture of city life, and in creating appealing characters we want to see happy.… [The] cheerful premise demands bite to balance its not-always-believable sweetness.… At times, its overly broad characterization and cliched gestures detract from the story.… And yet, several reversals and a neat twist mean that The Authenticity Project grows stronger toward its end: a rarity for novels.… [A]n enjoyable read that is cozy…in the best sense of the word.
USA Today


This wistful, humorous tale from Pooley… maintains a quick, satisfying pace as the characters’ simple, spontaneous acts affect each other’s lives. This is a beautiful and illuminating story of self-creation.
Publishers Weekly


Not only a charming story of strangers connecting in beguiling ways, this debut fiction by memoirist and blogger Pooley is a thoughtful meditation on authenticity in the age of self-promotion. Recommended for readers looking for a pick-me-up.
Library Journal


The secret sauce that spices this book is that all the diarists are busybodies to some degree, so they wind up interacting in strange and unexpected ways.… The book is composed of fairly short chapters…, and while it moves along at a bracing clip, the thread is always easy to follow.
BookPage


A group of strangers…in London become fast friends after writing their deepest secrets in a shared notebook.… The message is strong, urging readers to get off their smartphones and social media and live in the real, authentic world.…An enjoyable, cozy novel that touches on tough topics
Kirkus Reviews