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  • Published: 18 May 2021
  • ISBN: 9781784164690
  • Imprint: Black Swan
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 416
  • RRP: $22.99

The Authenticity Project

The bestselling uplifting, joyful and feel-good book of the year loved by readers everywhere




The feel-good book of the year, about the importance of honesty, community and the kindness of strangers.

Six strangers with one thing in common: their lives aren't always what they make them out to be.

What would happen if they told the truth instead?

Julian Jessop is tired of hiding the deep loneliness he feels. So he begins The Authenticity Project - a small green notebook containing the truth about his life.

Leaving the notebook on a table in his friendly neighbourhood café, Julian never expects Monica, the owner, to track him down after finding it. Or that she'll be inspired to write down her own story.

Little do they realize that such small acts of honesty hold the power to impact all those who discover the notebook and change their lives completely.

  • Published: 18 May 2021
  • ISBN: 9781784164690
  • Imprint: Black Swan
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 416
  • RRP: $22.99

About the author

Clare Pooley

Clare Pooley graduated from Newnham College, Cambridge and spent twenty years in the heady world of advertising, where the line between authenticity and fiction is constantly blurred, before becoming a full-time mum. She is the author of the hugely popular blog, Mummy was a Secret Drinker, under the pseudonym Sober Mummy and her memoir, The Sober Diaries was published in 2017 to critical acclaim. Her blog has had over two million hits and her TEDx talk, Making Sober Less Shameful, has had over 110,000 views.

Clare’s debut novel The Authenticity Project is inspired by her decision to expose the rather grubby truth about her seemingly perfect life in her memoir.

Clare writes from her kitchen table in Fulham, London where she lives with her long-suffering husband, three children, dog and an African pygmy hedgehog.

Also by Clare Pooley

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Praise for The Authenticity Project

Beautifully written, thought provoking and uplifting, The Authenticity Project is a warm and endearing tale about truth, friendship and the power of connection. Pooley's characters will stay with you long after you turn the final page. It was a joy to read

Mike Gayle

'One of the best books I've read in a long time. Original, engaging and unforgettable'

Sunday Times bestselling author, Sarah Morgan

I loved The Authenticity Project. I powered through it and it was such a joy. It gave me that warm fuzzy feeling that I've so missed (since the days of Love Actually etc). It really reminded me of those classic Richard Curtis films... Fab characters and just the right amount of romance, humour and weepy moments

Rachel Marks

It's full of life's truths, funny, poignant and ultimately uplifting. I thoroughly enjoyed it

Fanny Blake

'Reading the book was like hanging out with a rowdy, affectionate bunch of friends where you don't want the party to stop. A joyous, funny read that leaves you all warm inside'

Beth Morrey

I loved The Authenticity Project. It has such an intriguing premise, wonderful characters and is utterly truthful about the lies that we all tell. It's a clever, uplifting book that entertains and makes you think

Sophie Kinsella

In a heartfelt and ultimately joyous read, we learn what it means to open up to who we really are

Woman & Home

'The Authenticity Project cracks the facades that people present to the world and shows what happens when you're willing to share your true self. This is a story of love, community, of found family, and of forgiveness. A beautiful book with a poignant message, perfect for our time.'

Jill Santopolo, bestselling author of The Light We Lost

'The Authenticity Project is a rich roast of great characters, even better relationships, wonderful entanglements, and a few surprises along the way. If Monica's Cafe were a real place, I'd stop by every day.'

Laurie Frankel, New York Times bestselling author of This Is How It Always Is

Insightful, timely, and utterly addictive, The Authenticity Project illuminates the importance of discovering - and honoring - our truest, most imperfect selves.

Georgia Hunter, New York Times bestselling author of We Were the Lucky Ones

Fans of Frederick Backman and Gail Honeyman - make room on your shelves for Clare Pooley. The Authenticity Project is a stunning debut and it left me inspired to share more of myself with the world.

Steven Rowley, bestselling author of The Editor

A heart-warming, feel-good story about love, loss and what it means to be human. Pooley's debut is gloriously upbeat and gorgeously readable.

Annabel Abbs, award-winning author of The Joyce Girl and Frieda

A stirring and warm-hearted read

Heat

'A wonderfully warm, feel-good novel about the power of friendship and connection'

Cosmopolitan

'This is the feel-good story, full of hope, that we all need to read right now'

Closer

In this joyous read, we learn what it means to embrace who we really are

Woman's Weekly

'A superb, life-affirming book . . . this is both funny and heartbreakingly sad'

Prima

It's a heartwarming, laughter-and-tears story about the value of friendships and the importance of reaching out to each other.

Mail Online

This is a reminder of the importance of friendships and reaching out to others

Good Housekeeping

'Pooley handles her cast with brio as new relationships are formed and lives are changed in this poignant and uplifting read'

Daily Mail

'It's not difficult to see why this beautiful, tender novel has been such a hit with readers'

My Weekly

'If you're a fan of Eleanor Oliphant, read this!'

Fabulous

I loved this uplifting, original tale

The Sun

'This debut is life-affirming . . . Charming'

Psychologies

'A heartening story about the importance of truth and friendship, with characters that spring to life on the page'

The Independent

'With lessons on honesty and just how well you might know your neighbours (which feels extra pertinent right now), The Authenticity Project will have you pondering your own 'inner self'...If you're looking for reassurance about friendship and love, it's a great place to find it'

Irish Examiner

'A moving tale about loneliness, parenthood, addiction and the importance of living the best life you can'

Sunday Express

'A moving tale about living the best life you can'

Daily Mirror

'A lively story of revelations and self-realisations'

Sainsbury's Magazine

'Reminds you of the good in human nature, community and friendship... A lose-yourself, uplifting read with a serious theme to ponder'

Suffolk magazine

The feel-good story...that we all need to read right now

Woman & Home

A reminder of the importance of friendships

Good Housekeeping

Poignant and uplifting

Daily Mail

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The Authenticity Project book club notes

Something to ponder with your book club: our lives aren't always what we make them out to be.