Julian Jessop is lonely, and he’s tired of hiding it. So, he writes down the truths of his life in a notebook, names it The Authenticity Project and leaves it in his friendly neighbourhood café.
Finding the notebook, café owner Monica tracks Julian down. Inspired by his words, she adds her own story to the pages before sending it on another journey.
Little do they realise how much a few honest words in a notebook will affect the lives of those who discover it. Could it even change some lives completely?
I loved this story, and thought it incredibly apt in a time where authenticity is hard to come by. Whilst this was an easy read, and for the most part light-hearted, it also touched on some hard-hitting subjects such as loneliness and addiction. I really liked the way Pooley delved into the deepest feelings of each character and the way they outwardly portrayed a totally different version of themselves to the world, and even their family and friends.
This story is told from multiple points of view which really enables the reader to understand each character alone as well as in a group scenario. All six protagonists were hugely likeable and often relatable, although my favourite was Hazard. I felt he underwent the biggest personal development, and I could not help but root for him the whole way through. I’ve always had a soft spot for the underdog.
With social media playing an ever-increasing role in our world, genuineness is thin on the ground and this book gives a clever insight into how taking people at face value can have a really detrimental effect on all involved. It was clear after reading the informational pages that the author poured her own experiences and feelings into this story and I think her first hand knowledge really shone through in the narrative.
If you’re looking for an honest but heartwarming tale, look no further. This had emotional moments followed swiftly by laugh out loud ones, but most importantly…it had authenticity!
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