The People on Platform 5: A feel-good and uplifting read with unforgettable characters from the bestselling author of The Authenticity Project

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ALSO READ: ‘Trespasses’: A thrilling account of forbidden love in the time of the Troubles Why should you read ‘The People on Platform 5’?

A joyous and uplifting story about unexpected friendships, and the chance connections that can change our lives * Debbie Johnson * Pooley delivers not only acerbic, enchanting Iona but a compelling, tangled cast of quirky, complicated characters so engaging, it's enough to make you miss crowded commuter trains * Laurie Frankel, New York Times bestselling author *Working for a woman's magazine, Iona grew popular over the years due to advice given to those struggling with life. In her 50s, she'd lived with her long time partner, Bea, who began to suffer with early Alzheimer symptoms and was eventually placed in a home. Her editor decides the magazine needs to attract a younger demographic and soon she's put on notice. I enjoyed the building of the seemingly unlikely friendships in the book and that there wasn't too much in the way of drama. Everything I wanted to happen for the characters did, which is always a bonus. My only negative is that I did get lost somewhat in the time frames of some aspects and I think some sort of date reference (maybe added to the chapters journey) would have been helpful for me, but that's a personal thing and I doubt most readers would find this too much trouble. Iona, David, Piers, Martha, Emmie, and Sanjay are all regular commuters to Waterloo station, each jumping on at different stops. Thanks to Piers choking on a grape one morning, the number one rule of commuting (don’t talk to fellow commuters) is broken, and over time, they become the most unlikely group of friends. Every day at 8:05, Iona Iverson boards the train to go to work. As a seasoned commuter, she knows there are rules that everyone should follow:

To be honest, that sense of being enveloped in love and support is so profoundly present in The People on Platform 5 that it often feels like a great big warm hug; that’s not meant in any kind of flippant way at all but rather in the sense that being made to feel like you belong and matter is the one of the most powerful things you can do for anyone. The People on Platform 5 is nothing short of sheer and utter delight. It presents the best of humanity - the sweet and bashful kindness and generosity that lives in all of us. I can't think of a more joyful book! * Jesse Q. Sutanto, bestselling author of Dial A For Aunties * I loved meeting the people on platform 5 - a delightful story about connection and friendship in a disconnected world * Marianne Cronin, author of The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot *Iona is by far the star of the show. Currently 57 and working as a magazine therapist, with a past of showbiz, glitz and glamour behind her, Iona exudes warmth, quirkiness, wisdom…she is exactly the kind of person who we should all aim to be more like. Be more Iona we definitely should!! She is the ringmaster of the group. The person who brings them all together.