Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting: A Novel

Funny, comforting, and a unique story with interwoven, vividly drawn characters. Loved it and miss them now that it’s over.

This is a feel-good read that made me feel good without it being too schmaltzy or Hallmark-cardy. It has an ensemble cast, all of whose lives become satellites of Iona Iverson, our main character. She's a woman in her late 50s who always rides the train to work in London but never interacts with any of her fellow passengers. Until one day something unexpected happens...and life will never be the same for her or for the rest of her fellow travelers.The story follows predictable lines. The characters are plucked from Central Casting. Yet I really, really liked this. The writing was good. The dialogue was fun. The characters were lovable. I never felt a sugar overdose while reading. I needed this. It was full of kind and tolerant people. If you lived in DeSantistan like I do, you would need it too.

This book really pulls you in! The characters are easy to connect with and notice shared parallels. Just a lovely read!

This book is everything you want in a novel. Deeply emotional characters that are equally strong and frail, a wonderfully woven plot integrated seamlessly when you just can’t believe that can happen and a satisfying ending that makes you wish you could see Joe the rest of their lives unfold. Don’t miss it.

A wonderful story of chance meetings that end up with a support group in each other. Proof that change can happen anywhere..

Everything you could want from a book. Charming characters that you end up cheering for. Loved it, and I recommend it!

This was a sweet book, which kept me engaged “enough”. It wasn’t riveting to the point of “hardly being able to wait to get back to it”, but I enjoyed it when I sat down to read.The characters were sweet, but believable. It’s an interesting concept of commuters on a train becoming friends. All the characters were likable, and it had a satisfying ending.

I hadn't read Claire Pockets first novel but four this one recommended and gave it a go and was hooked on page 1. Its funny and sad and uplifting amd ultimately a triumph! You will love it.

This book is the perfect antidote to the pandemic. A random groups of strangers are forced to open up to each other by a near tragedy. The secrets they are carrying that gradually play out are surprising and make for a deeply enjoyable book. I am totally up for The Return of Iona’ should Ms Pooley care to write it!

Random strangers meet on a train as a result of a medical emergency. The intersection of their lives reveals how our lives are enriched when we befriend those we might not naturally choose. A light, fun read that is both creative and thought provoking.

Read it in two days. It's one of those books. Every character suits their name and it is easy to envion what they must look like.

I enjoyed all the different characters in this book. They were all connected at some point. Very interesting and well written.

This was a great summer read about how a group of strangers lives become intertwined after an unexpected event. It is also about not judging someone after an initial impression.My one fault with this book is that I felt it could have been shortened by 20-25 pages as near the end it began to lag.