I loved The Authenticity Project - but I loved this book even more.

What a super read this has been, I loved it from page one. I found myself looking how long was left in the book, not because I was bored, but because I was scared it was going to end too soon.

A host of fabulous characters who all have preconceived ideas about each other on the daily commute. Even when they begin to find out more about each other those ideas persist, until eventually everyone's secrets come out.

My absolute favourite character was Iona - how I am going to miss her and her wonderful stories. She is seen as a dinosaur at work because she doesn't understand what Millennial readers want from her long established magazine therapist column. Soon with the new friends she makes on the train she begins to understand the new ways - including Tik Tok. Afterall she was an original IT girl back in her day.

Each of the characters grows through the book by the connections they make with each other on the train. This comes after years of just seeing each other, observing the rules - no talking to strangers. When they do find each other such marvellous things happen.

If you are looking for a feel good read with so many true to life observations, then this is definitely the book for you.

A wonderful pick me up book about connection and the importance of finding your people. Clare Pooley has a wondeful and distinctive voice that I really enjoyed in The Authenticity Project and I loved revisiting her work here.

I love Clare Pooley and this book did not disappoint. She can turn the normal to amazing with her observant skills. Thank you and all should read.

"Every day at 8:05, Iona Iverson boards the train to go to work with the same group of people who she makes assumptions about, even giving them nicknames. As a seasoned commuter, she knows there are rules that everyone should follow:
· You must have a job to go to
· Don't consume hot food
· Always pack for any eventuality
· You must never speak to strangers on the train"

But then the annoying man opposite chokes on a grape and suddenly everyone begins to talk.
Iona is the one who creates the networks and supports the rag tag group who take the same train every day.
There are so many different people with whom she comes into contact and by connecting them she enriches their lives.
And then she needs help ......

I loved this book and am smiling at the memory of it. The weaving of so many really small stories which have such incredible depth and do not stereotype or paper over any big questions or issues is incredible.

“Until the point when a man started dying right in front of her on the 08:05, Iona’s day had been just like any other.”

The People on Platform 5 (also published as Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuters) is a delightful, and ultimately uplifting novel from Clare Pooley.

Magazine advice columnist, Iona Iverson occasionally passes the time on her daily commute to London speculating about the strangers with whom she, and her bulldog Lulu, regularly shares a carriage, but is content to abide by one of the unwritten rules for commuting that states anything more than an occasional shared eye-roll, is taboo. Had one of her fellow commuters not choked on a grape, and another leapt to save him, it’s likely Iona would never had spoken with Piers, Emmie, Sanjay, David or Martha, and remained nothing but an eccentric stranger to them.

The importance of connection and community are the main themes of The People on Platform 5, as the six strangers, who share little other than a train carriage on their daily commute, gradually form an unexpected and enviable friendship that provides each with both emotional and practical support. Though Iona, a colourful and very likeable woman, is the nexus of the story, the author develops the other characters well, and I enjoyed their dynamic as it developed.

The eclectic group, who have varied personal histories, also allows Pooley to explore a number of topical issues including ageism, unemployment, grief, stress, domestic violence, and bullying. I think this gives the story wide appeal as something here is likely to resonate with the readers own experience.

Told with humour and heart, The People on Platform 5 is an engaging story that reminds us of what we have to gain when we reach out to strangers and make new friends.

I listened to this as an audio book and devoured it. I would have equally loved this book if I had read it. It's more than half way through the year and this book is in joint first place with my other favorite read of the year - Lesson's in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. The two books are very different from each other but I presume what I loved in both is a positive feisty female.
The plot is about a group of strangers who happen to catch the same train regularly on their daily commute. They keep themselves to themselves as train companions usually do with their own thoughts and descriptions of one another until one day the silence is broken by wonderful 'don't call me an agony aunt' Iona.
The book is told in multi narratives of Iona, Piers, Sanjay, Emmie and Martha. A group of people that you would never put together in a month of Sundays, male, female, young, not so young, Asian heritage and lesbian. Despite first appearances, they are all very likeable characters that really pop out at you.
Their lives collide in unexpected ways and they become firm friends each unknowingly having the personality help with each others insecurities and current issues in life.
Iona was my favorite character and the glue that holds them altogether even if she is becoming unstuck herself. She is former 'it girl' Iona Yacht and unashamedly lesbian. Will help you out any way you can unless you are a twat and she'll make no bones in telling you to 'fuck off xx' I loved her outrageousness and she had me roaring with laughter. The book is warm and joyful and restores some faith in humanity that we can show kindness and empathy towards one another.
#ThePeopleonPlatform5 #NetGalley
Thanks to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Bantam Press and Net Galley for this preview read.
Would definitely read/listen to another Clare Pooley book and will follow this author.

Clare Pooley’s debut novel The Authenticity Project gave me all the warm fuzzies when I read it back in 2020. Her second novel, The People on Platform 5, is similarly heart-warming with all the feel-good vibes.

As with her debut novel, The People on Platform 5 has a simple premise: what would happen if you actually spoke with the people you see every day on your commute?

Every day Iona Iverson boards the 08.05 train from Hampton Court to Waterloo, accompanied by her dog, Lulu. Every day she see the same people: Smart-But-Sexist-Manspreader, Impossibly-Pretty-Constant-Reader, Terribly-Lonely Teenager. But, like every good commuter, she never speaks to any of them. Until one day, Smart-But-Sexist-Manspreader chokes on a grape right in front of her. What happens after that is a chain reaction of human connection that brings together the eclectic range of people from Platform 5 in unexpected ways.

As with Clare’s previous novel, The People on Platform 5 deals with some serious subjects underneath all the heart-warming goodness. Smart-But Sexist-Manspreader, for example, turns out to be a Futures Trader called Piers who hates his job and knows his marriage is a sham. Terribly-Lonely Teenager Martha has been the victim of cyber-bullying at her school. And Iona herself is on the verge of being made redundant from her job as a magazine therapist, having been deemed irrelevant by her bosses and co-workers.

As connections are made and friendships form, these characters really come to life. I whizzed through the story, laughing and crying in equal measure as the characters face heart-breaking, life-altering decisions and work together to find solutions to life crises, employment problems, and relationship issues. Although some of the characters are not instantly likeable, Pooley makes them relatable and understandable so that you do end up caring about their wellbeing.

The People on Platform 5 is a warm hug of a book that is the perfect pick-me-up read for anyone in need of a dose of uplifting fiction. Fans of The Authenticity Project are sure to enjoy Clare Pooley’s follow-up, and I would also recommend the book (and its predecessor) to fans of Rachel Joyce and Libby Page.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
The premise for this book is unique but anyone who travels on public transport will understand the daily familiar faces and how we make assumptions about others. The author takes this to a whole new level, where characters are forced to interact and the developments are credible, comical, endearing, romantic and even exciting. This book is superbly crafted, I didn't want to put it down but also wanted to prolong the experience before finding out how everything turns out. It is perfect for a holiday read where the reader can get lost in the wonderful, feelgood story, and I've now signed up to follow this author.

Iona - The woman who insists on taking up a seat for her dog and brings her own refreshments.

Sanjay - Always gives up his seat for someone who needs it more

Piers - Obnoxious manspreader

Emmie - Has a nose in a book most days

Martha - Sits alone rather than with the other pupils from her school.

David - No-one ever really notices him

Nobody ever talks to strangers on the train, it's a rule but what would happen if they did?

As someone who has commuted by train many times over the years the scene was set perfectly right from the beginning. We meet the characters one by one in the busy train carriage they share and are privvy to their opinions and nicknames for the other. It was fascinating and heart warming to discover who their fellow passengers actually were and if their first impressions of one another were accurate. Each character we are introduced to is as fascinating as the next, but don't ask me to choose my favourite as I can't. I was fully invested in all their lives and I took great delight in watching their friendships form. The saying goes "A Stranger is only a friend you haven't met yet" and this is certainly the case on Platform 5. Clare Pooley has a wonderful talent of creating characters you are sad to leave behind. Also as with The Authenticity Project before she makes you look at your own life differently during reading. By the end of the book you are left with a joyful optimism that all is right in the world and maybe just maybe there are people out there like those on Platform 5.

Eccentric and colourful, Iona Iverson has been a magazine therapist at Modern Woman for decades. She takes the same train from Hampton Court to Waterloo and sees the same people every day. However, London train etiquette dictates that no one interacts with each other. Until one day when Smart-But-Sexist-Manspreader chokes on a grape and it’s up to Iona and her fellow passengers to save him. From then on, connections are formed and it turns out that they could be exactly what each other needs. This uplifting story of unlikely friendships and the importance of community gave me all the fuzzies! With plenty of warm humour and some truly loveable characters, The People on Platform 5 is a lesson to us all -always look beyond the surface because everyone is fighting a secret battle that can be won with kindness and empathy. A real celebration of underdogs!

Loved the Authenticity Project, so knew that this would be good. It was better. Talking to strangers on public transport, really??? As if that would happen! it can and look what happened. assumptions and prejudices are smashed to smithereens. Its a modern story of love, life, hope and self discovery. we are taken out of the commuters comfort zone and what results is an entertaining life affirming read for us passengers watching on.

Well this was just the most wonderful book - it brought me joy, made my heart happy and just generally gave me the pick me up I didn’t know I needed. It’s focused on connections, forging friendships, first impressions, second chances and love. The writing is absolutely fantastic, I whizzed through it because I was so enchanted by the story, the words flowed directly off of the page and into my brain where I was able to vividly imagine every scene.

The characters! They are undoubtedly the best thing about this book, the author has done such a perfect job of inventing a bunch of interesting individuals who make up the most unlikely yet adorable group of friends. I loved them all and enjoyed getting to know each of them although the star of the show was clearly Iona - an eccentric and fabulous delight.

5 of the sparkliest stars to this feel-good (train) ride!

~ Thank you to Random House UK and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ~

I was encouraged to read this by rave reviews and by readers who have told me that The Authenticity Project by the author would be perfect for me.

This is the story of commuters, caught up in their own worlds, ignorant of each other until an accident happens and conversations are necessary. And the conversations create connections that bring friendship and some incredible life changes. 

There was so much about this that reminded me of my daily commute back in the day. I too applied labels to the other passengers and watched them but never talked, imagining a whole life that they probably didn’t have. How wonderful to think that something might actually encourage positive engagement - this was a bit of a dream come true! The characters are all likeable and endearing. All have problems and need help..

Overall this is a heartwarming and endearing account, with lots of laughter and touching moments. On the whole I really enjoyed it. I did find myself losing enthusiasm at a few points where I felt that it became a little ‘twee’, too much of a curiosity, and maybe things were wrapped up too easily but that’s probably the cynic in me. This is for all the people who believe in possibility, in love and friendship and new beginnings.

With many thanks to Netgalley and Random House Transworld Publishers for a digital copy of this book.

A cute little book full of characters that needed each other and needed not to be strangers. Enjoyed it, although it was not the style of book that I normally would choose.

this is the 1st book i have read by the author and it won't be the last what an amazing book and story I would recommend this book to everyone

thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the arc of this book

⭐️ 4.5 ⭐️
Rounded up to 5 stars.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC, in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

I thoroughly enjoyed The People on Platform 5. Clare Pooley’s characters are wonderful, well-rounded and so real they could almost step off the page.

I was pulled onboard from the beginning and loved the whole delightful journey — getting to know Iona and the gang was a heartwarming (sometimes heartbreaking) emotional ride.

A beautifully written, uplifting, life-affirming, fabulous read.

My thanks to NetGalley and Random House Uk for a copy of “The People on Platform 5 “ for an honest review.

An ideal feel good read with well written , likeable characters. For over 30 years I traveled to work by bus, and saw the same faces everyday, so I could understand where the idea for this book came from..
I found this book the perfect alternative to my usual psychological thrillers .

Iona seems at first that she is the type of person you won't like, but as you find out more about her character and how she then goes on to help everyone around her, you can't help but like her.
A great read.

I loved this book - a rare five stars from me!

Iona - a larger-than-life magazine advice columnist - draws together a disparate collection of commuters - all of whom with stories who require a helping hand. All are touched by Iona’s experience and brought together until they have to act to rescue her.

I loved the characters and became invested in each of their journeys. Beautifully written. A lovely feel-good story.

One I will be recommending.

Oh gosh this book is wonderful. I adored The Authenticity Project and I honestly think this one is even better. This is such a lovely story, with the most fabulous characters. Iona is brilliant, and I loved the rest of the gang as well. Very moving, funny and inspiring, this book is just divine. Highly recommended.
With grateful thanks to Netgalley, Random House UK and Clare Pooley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.