Who Are The Main Characters In 'The Authenticity Project'?

The main characters in 'The Authenticity Project' are a quirky bunch who all get tangled up in this little green notebook that changes their lives. There's Julian Jessop, this eccentric old artist who starts the whole thing by writing his deepest secrets in the notebook and leaving it in a cafe. Then we meet Monica, the cafe owner who finds it and adds her own story before passing it on. Hazard is next—a struggling addict trying to turn his life around. Alice, a mommy blogger hiding how unhappy she really is, and Riley, a charming but lost traveler, round out the group. Each character's so different, but the notebook forces them to be real with themselves and each other. The way their stories weave together is what makes the book special—you see how honesty can connect people in the most unexpected ways.

'The Authenticity Project' centers around six strangers whose lives collide because of a shared notebook. Julian's the catalyst—a once-famous artist who's become a recluse. His entry in the notebook prompts Monica, the perfectionist cafe owner, to confront her loneliness. Her honesty reaches Hazard, a former banker drowning in addiction, who sees it as a lifeline. Then there's Alice, whose Instagram-perfect life as a mom influencer is actually falling apart. Riley's the free spirit who helps her see beyond filters, while Lizzie, Julian's long-lost love, adds this poignant thread about second chances.

What's brilliant is how their stories escalate. Monica's cafe becomes this hub where their secrets unfold—Hazard starts working there, Alice has her breakdown in the corner booth, Riley plays guitar to calm everyone down. The notebook isn't just a plot device; it mirrors how social media pretends to connect us while keeping us isolated. Clare Pooley writes these characters with such specificity—Julian's artistic rants, Monica's obsessive tea rituals—that you feel like you're eavesdropping on real people. It's a testament to how vulnerability can rebuild broken lives.

Reading 'The Authenticity Project' feels like peeking into someone's diary—in the best way. Julian kicks things off by confessing he's lonely despite his artistic fame, and boom, this notebook starts traveling. Monica's my favorite—her cafe’s all orderly, but inside she's craving chaos and connection. When she writes about her failed IVF attempts, it hits hard. Then there's Hazard, who's rough around the edges but trying so damn hard to stay clean. Alice seems shallow at first with her influencer persona, but her entry about feeling invisible as a mom? Relatable.

The genius is how their flaws become bridges. Julian's pomposity softens when he mentors Hazard. Monica's control issues melt when she lets Riley crash in her flat. Even secondary characters like Mrs. Wu, the judgmental neighbor, get depth when she admits she misses her estranged daughter. The book argues that our messy truths are what make us worth knowing—not the polished versions we show online. If you liked 'Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine', you'll adore how Clare Pooley turns cringe-worthy honesty into something beautiful.