Friends You Haven't Met Yet

by Clare Pooley

When you're lonely, a good book can feel like a friend. But what if it could connect you with someone in real life?

When bookshop owner Jude sees how a love of the same book can bring people together, she starts using her shop to help people connect. Soon, her book-matchmaking is changing the lives of everyone around her, from young Harper trying to find love, to the elderly ladies who frequent the café.

Before long, perhaps Jude’s own life will be changed in unexpected ways too.

Because the right story might lead you to the right person...

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Books About Books, Contemporary, Adult

364 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication March 11, 2027

About the author

Clare Pooley graduated from Newnham College, Cambridge and spent twenty years in the heady world of advertising.

Clare’s memoir - The Sober Diaries - has helped thousands of people around the world to quit drinking.

The Authenticity Project, Clare’s first novel, was a New York Times bestseller, a BBC Radio 2 book club pick, and winner of the RNA debut novel award.

Clare’s second novel - called The People on Platform 5 in the UK, and Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting in the USA - was published in 2022.

How to Age Disgracefully is being published in June 2024.

Clare lives in London and Cornwall, with her husband, 3 kids and 2 border terriers. She loves cooking, walking the cliff paths and wild swimming.

Reviews

[Clare Pooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t wait for you all to meet Jude, the bookshop owner who decides to introduce her customers to each other, based on which books they choose. Writing this story allowed me to escape real life for a time, into a world of book lovers and unexpected friendships. I hope it does the same for you ❤️

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so much and Clare Pooley is a magician. She is a true mastermind at connecting all of these diverse people in such a way that you can’t help but root for. I was literally so absorbed in the story that I forgot where I was. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for the ARC.

[Mona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Clare Pooley’s book, How To Age Disgracefully. Now her latest book is my new fave! In Friends You Haven’t Met Yet, Pooley delivers a memorable cast of characters! So many moments in this book had me laughing out loud as she captured the essence of multiple generations and their reactions to other generations. While the plot includes serious topics like Alzheimer’s, infidelity, and debt, Pooley adds her brilliant humor and compassion. Another plus is how Pooley deftly weaves several stories around a bookshop, book lovers, and books. I look forward to this book’s release in March 2027. I will be talking about this book nonstop for those looking for a sweet romance, community, and strong characters.

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's something about Clare Pooley's writing which makes me laugh, sigh and feel a little bit more optimistic and content in the world. In this book, set in and around a bookshop so it's already made me jump up and down with joy, there's a set of strangers whose world's collide. I found the story to be really relatable, honest and contemporary. If you are looking for a book which will help you have a little more hope in the world then I'd recommend this one.
I was gifted a complimentary copy by Netgalley in return for an objective review.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely a Claire Pooley book- if you’ve enjoyed her others, please seek this one out! She has a knack for writing found family stories and creating human connections that make you hopeful about the world.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[karla JR · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! The matchmaking service were really enjoyable, and I really appreciated how the characters were developed. Plus, the book itself just has a wonderful magic to it, and it really reignited my love for reading.. It proved to be a remarkably simple and accessible read, and was indeed a wonderfully brilliant and lighthearted book.

[Anvay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clare Pooley has done it again!! ❤️

There is something about Clare Pooley’s books that gives me a feeling I rarely get from anything else: that perfect, deeply satisfying sense of everything coming full circle by the end. Friends You Haven’t Met Yet gave me exactly that. And I absolutely loved it.

The idea of connecting people through the books they love is such a wonderful concept, but for me, the real magic was in the characters. I became so attached to every single one of them that they genuinely felt like real people whose lives I was simply getting to witness. I laughed with them, worried about them, felt for them, and cared so much about what happened to them. The ensemble cast was perfect, and watching their lives intersect and seeing them be there for one another was one of my favourite parts.

This book made me feel exactly what it needed to at exactly the right moments. It is warm, funny, hopeful, emotional and comforting, while still acknowledging the difficult realities its characters face. The idea that everyone is struggling with something, yet there is always someone willing to help, support, or simply be there, stayed with me long after I finished. And Clare’s writing was PERFECT. Warm, witty, conversational, atmospheric, emotional and unmistakably Clare Pooley.

I flew through this in just three days, and even two days after finishing, I was still thinking about these characters. As I approached the ending, I got that bittersweet feeling of knowing I was about to experience their ending while also realising I would never meet them for the first time again. I already know I want to reread this when it comes out.

If you want a book about books, friendship, unexpected connections, found family, hope, and people being there for one another, please pick this one up. It is a joyful celebration of books, belonging, and the wonderfully unexpected ways the right story can bring the right people together. Another beautiful, uplifting Clare Pooley story that reminded me why her books mean so much to me. ❤️

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jude owns an independent book shop and sees how a love of the same book can bring people together. She decides to use her shop to try and help people connect, by starting the Book of Possibilities - a book-matching service. Soon, her idea starts changing the lives of those around her, finding others love, hope and friendship. And before long, Jude’s own life will change in unexpected ways too.

I absolutely love Clare Pooley’s books, so I was so excited to be able to read this one. This ended up not disappointing, each book just gets better and better! I loved the premise, a matchmaking service, consisting of books, as can relate greatly to the power of books and book shops, and how they can help you to connect with others, especially in such a digital world. I really enjoyed all the book and author references within the story, it was fun to come across another and the connection that book had with the person behind the choices.

The author, as always, managed to create some of the best, authentic characters, who felt like friends by the end of the story. I loved all of them, despite their flaws, although I was particularly fond of Nell - and Heathcliff of course. It was joyous watching the characters develop and seeing friendships grow, discovering how each one played their part. The story was full of hope and warmth, having everything from romance, emotion and humour. I ended up completely invested in the story, staying up way too late to read ‘just one more chapter’ and I had tears in my eyes at the final sentence.

This was a beautiful, uplifting read, that by the end had completely engulfed me. I loved escaping into the world of The First Chapter book shop and could easily read so much more featuring the shop and characters. This is a book I will most definitely recommend and one I could read all over again. One of the easiest 5 stars of the years. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

[KathVBtn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favourite read on holiday, I couldn’t put it down. It is the most wonderful and beautiful story about the magic of books and how reading can build communities and make such a difference.

Jude owns a bookshop and loves seeing which books her customers will choose, knowing how important the right story is at the right time and how it can bring people together.
She sets up the Books of Possibility, a book-matching table where you can leave a copy of your favourite book and if someone picks it up, they’re your match. There’s the potential of finding new friends, play dates for children, budding romance and so much more.

Jude has a regular set of customers, Sita, Nell and Mo, a marvellous group of mature women who meet every day to drink tea and put the world to rights. They become ‘The Algorithm’, grilling each new book-matcher about what their chosen book means to them and what they’re hoping for. They were my favourite element of the book - the friendship and connection between the three absolutely filled my heart with joy.

There are a host of other wonderful characters too - Robert, who has repressed his emotions since boarding school and finds an outlet he didn’t even know he was looking for;Harper whose original disastrous date was the catalyst for the book table; and gorgeous Finn who is looking for a gift for his fiancée and ends up helping Jude with her business.

Each chapter just gets better and better, I was rooting for all of them to find what they were looking for.

I adore Clare Pooley’s writing and this is her best yet. If you loved Libby Page’s This Book Made Me Think of You, add ‘Friends You Haven’t Met Yet’ to your TBR right now

[Richard Coupland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Julia at Penguin Random House and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.

I cannot tell you how much I look forward to a new Clare Pooley book because I know it’s going to be a huge warm hug wrapped up in a story of characters that you just fall in love with. Clare is the queen of introducing you to an eclectic mix of people who take you on a journey of every emotion you could imagine with some very witty laughs along the way.

Jude runs a bookshop which also sells coffee and cake, but needs more customers to help her make an actual profit. She has an idea to try and connect people who love the same book with each other for either romance, friendship or just for the love of the same genre.

We are introduced to an array of characters in such a way that it’s never overwhelming trying to keep up with who’s who as they just become part of the ongoing story. You’ll love Nell, Mo and Sita as the 3 old ladies who share a pot of tea through to Harper and Bella who are the ‘youngsters’ in the story showing how clever the author is covering modern and nostalgic issues with ease. As well as Heathcliff of course.

Clare Pooley has a knack of intertwining the lives of her characters so cleverly in a seamless way that makes her books a pleasure to read. With razor sharp humour that had me laughing out loud one minute and then gasping the next, covering some pretty harsh topics in a sympathetic and empathetic way, but always in such a well written story.

Highly recommended, and if you enjoy this then please do read her previous novels as they are all amazing.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is yet another book by the author that I totally fell in love with and just want to gush about it to everyone!

We meet bookshop owner Jude, who is a single mum to Billy and trying to turn the failing shop around. Along with the help of three elderly women, Nell, Mo and Sita, they come up with the idea of book matching and getting people together. I absolutely loved the idea and seeing all sorts of people coming together for lots of different reasons was heart-warming and inspiring.

There are so many wonderful characters in this story who all play an important part in helping Jude and her shop. Robert stood out to me a little more due to his back story but there is the lovely Harper and Finn and not forgetting of course Nell, Mo and Sita. Nell’s character is an important one also who had my emotions going into overdrive. The sentence she comes out with at the end of the book is one that will stay with me for a long time to come.

Friends You Haven’t Met Yet was a wholly uplifting story with some of the best characters. It’s one of those books you want to shout about so everyone will read it and see how fabulous it is for themselves. It’s like sitting down and enjoying time with good friends, it left me feeling all warm and cosy inside and a reminder that no matter what life throws at you, you can get through anything with the right people by your side. It has everything I love from a feel good story, romance, friendship, people lifting each other up as well as supporting them. Honestly, I can’t put into words to do this book justice enough at how amazing it is. All the feels and so much more!

[Mana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loneliness makes people do weird things. Jude runs a struggling independent bookshop, lives in grief after losing her partner, and raises a young son while facing a ruthless landlord. Buy the building or pack up. Simple. Desperation breeds innovation, or at least a practical gimmick. She installs a Table of Possibilities, matching strangers based on what they read. Paperbacks as social grease. The shop smells like old paper, spilled espresso, and faint panic.

It works. Suddenly young Harper, full of sharp edges and dating anxiety, is thrown into the orbit of regular regulars like Nell and Sita. Even Heathcliff, a dog with more sense than most humans in the room, plays a part. Clare Pooley builds this ecosystem using rapid character shifts. Everyone hides behind a mask of busywork. Jude fixes other people's lives because fixing her own balance sheet, or her lingering grief, feels too heavy. It is clever. Distraction as a survival mechanism.

The narrative moves fast. Then they drift into unexpected emotional corners. Pooley uses short, multi-POV chapter breaks that act like quick cuts in a film, which keeps the energy high but occasionally sacrifices deep psychological discomfort for quick emotional resolutions. Still, the chaos feels human. Unfiltered, slightly messy, and aggressively hopeful.

Read this if you want a warm, fast-moving story about community, forced proximity, and quirky urban spaces. Skip it if you despise feel-good resolutions or demand dark, unyielding realism.

[Helen Pickett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clare Pooley has done it again. Whenever I see a new release, I know I’m going to get an easy feel good read for the pure escapism that we all need in life.
Set in Barnes London Jude is a single mum tuning an independent bookshop with coffee shop that quite frankly isn’t doing to well. Jude does have three regular customers who she later learns are called Nell, Mo and Sita all in their 70’s who all met at Weight Watchers and between them manage to order one pot of tea that they make last the whole time they are there.
Harper was meeting her date in the coffee shop who disappeared whilst she was in the lavatory.
In walks Robert looking for a book for his wife who had been ill and is about to have his life upturned and must face his past before he can put it right.
Then walks in Finn who actually doesn’t want to buy a book but is trying to drum up business.
The seven of them don’t know it but they all become friends and will if timing couldn’t be more perfect, help each other out when their lives become disrupted and to top it all, Jude is about to lose the bookshop.
This is a story of love, romance, loss, illness and facing your past in order to move forward. The combining factor for them is the bookshop and the table called The Books of Possibility for those who may be looking for a special kind of person with the books that they choose.
A happy and sometimes sad read but one I enjoyed delving into and look forward to the next Clare Pooley

[Bree · Rating 3 out of 5]

Friends You Haven’t Met Yet is a warm, feel-good novel about friendship, community, and finding connection in unexpected places. I enjoyed following Jude, Harper, Finn, Robert, Nell, and friends and I liked the way their lives gradually became intertwined. The story just about held my interest throughout.

What stopped me from rating it higher was that many of the characters felt more like stereotypes than fully rounded people. There were also several moments that made me cringe, particularly Mo’s constant comments and jokes about sex. I know they were intended to be humorous, but they felt repetitive and a bit forced, which distracted from the more heartfelt parts of the story.

Overall, it’s a fairly ok read with a message about friendship and chosen family, but the stereotypical characterisation and awkward humour kept it from being a standout for me. I am sure many people will love it, it just didn’t click for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

[Roz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The authenticity project was probably the book that I have enjoyed and recommended most and finding another book by the same author was a very interesting prospect. I am delighted to say that this is as good, if not better than the authors first amazing novel.

Centred around a local bookshop with a single mother running it and trying to manage her young son and a huge rescue dog alone. When a group of older ladies and a small cast of associated others find themselves becoming involved with the shop and its future, the stories of them all become so vivid the reader is entranced and to be honest I found this hard to put down.

Great writing and characters so well written I wanted to be there with them enjoying their lives this was definitely the best book I have read this year. One I will definitely be recommending.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

When bookshop owner Jude sees how a love of the same book can bring people together, she starts using her shop to help people connect. Soon, her book-matchmaking is changing the lives of everyone around her, from young Harper trying to find love, to the elderly ladies who frequent the café.

A wonderful, heart-warming read with a great cast of characters from ladies in their seventies to a beautiful influencer, a lonely widower and a whole range in between. It's set in a bookshop, namechecks loads of books, has an adorable dog, a toddler and a love interest - what's not to like? Added to this there are absorbing stories which add depth and interest. Clare Pooley is a great writer and this is a fabulous book.

My thanks to NetGalley and PenguinRandomHouse for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy 5 stars.
I absolutely adored every character, maybe with the exception of Bella.
Jude runs a bookshop but is not making much money. She is also a single parent to son Billy.
We have the three ladies, Well, Sita and Mo, who are The Algorithm.
After Harper has her meltdown after yet another disastrous date, a book table is set up where each person can put their chosen book in the hope of either finding friendship, love or whatever they are looking for.
We are also introduced to Finn, who helps spread the word on socials and Robert, who becomes Jude's accountant.
Each character has a unique story to tell, and I absolutely loved it.
Clare has a gift of writing interesting characters, and she brilliantly brings them together.
Highly recommend
Thanks to Random House uk Bantam Publishers for the invitation to read this in return for an honest review.

[Alba · Rating 3.25 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to this book because I absolutely love stories about friendship, found family, and the unexpected connections we make along the way. The premise sounded so sweet, and I loved the idea of different people coming together and finding a sense of belonging.

Unfortunately, this one just didn't click with me the way I had hoped. I found myself struggling to connect with the characters, and while I appreciated what the story was trying to accomplish, I was hoping to feel a little more emotionally invested.

I do think the book has a lovely message about friendship, community, and finding your people. I'm sure there are readers who will absolutely love this story, but for me, it just wasn't quite what I was hoping for.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review! 💕

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bookseller and single mum Jude has an idea to help her customers form connections with others through their choice of book. The result impacts more lives than anyone expects.
Reader beware! This is one of those “just one more chapter” books and before you know it, you have been drawn into the story and can’t step away until you know how it is resolved.
I loved The People on Platform 5 by the same author who has again reflected on aspects of modern life to create a warm, feel-good book reminding us that we don’t always know what someone else is going through. I enjoyed the name checks for so many well-known book titles and I’m sure many booksellers and librarians are masters of the game of match the book to the customer.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Heather Howarth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A 5 star read for me. A delightful story.

Jude owns an independent bookshop - she has a little boy and is recovering from the loss of her partner. Her landlord gives her an ultimatum - purchase the bookshop or close.

She needs more customers and ideas to make a profit - she sets up a Table of Possibilities where people can be connected through their book choices. As people are linked and lives changed, Jude is helped to see future possibilities for herself and her bookshop.

A story of friendship, community and finding connection in unexpected places.

Lovely characters - I enjoyed learning more about Jude, Harper, Finn, Robert, Nell, Sita and Mo and Heathcliff, the dog, of course!

One to be recommended.

[Ellie (bookmadbarlow) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gah, I loved this book so much. From page 1, I knew this was going to be a massive 5 star book for me. It has everything I love in a book, community, friendships, and books, too!
Told in multiple POV the book tells of an indie bookshop struggling along with its patrons in one way or another.
Along comes the table of possibilities and the chance for people to connect through their love of books.
I loved each of the characters, they each shone in their own way and the whole books gave me all the warm and fuzzy vibes.
The algorithm trio of older ladies had me in giggles most of the time, all bookshops should come with them.
Get this book on your radar for next year, you won't be disappointed.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jude is a single parent who is running a bookshop but she is struggling to make ends meet. Her eclectic bunch of customers come up with a clever plan to boost sales and to support the local community at the same time. This book was a great read and I found it funny, captivating and full of interesting and likeable characters. There were a lot of characters in the story which I often find a bit off-putting, but the difference and quirks of the individuals made them easy to remember. Funny, romantic and really enjoyable!

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claire Pooley has done it again - created a group of people I want to go out and become friends with. None of them are perfect but their flaws make them unique.
It's not all sunshine and light,; my heart broke for capable Nell's struggles, for Robert's trauma and it's far reaching consequences in his life, and for vulnerable Jude's bad decision with it's on-going consequence, however with a light touch and humour I was immersed in their journey and was cheering at the outcome.
A great feel good book that I'd highly recommend.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friends You Haven't Met Yet is the latest uplifting book from author Clare Pooley. The plot follows Jude, a bookstore owner who uses a special "Books of Possibility" display to play matchmaker, linking customers who fall in love with the exact same titles.

If you loved The Authenticity Project, Friends You Haven't Met Yet will absolutely steal your heart. It is a big, comforting hug of a novel about how the right story can bring people together. It is a funny and joyful reminder that some of the best people in your life are simply the friends you haven't met yet.

Highly recommended!

[Michelle Wileman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most unexpectedly beautiful book. I wasn’t looking forward to reading it as the write up didn’t appeal however I’ve read Clare Pooley’s other novels and decided it might be better than it sounded.

It absolutely is. Covering many issues so common nowadays, the shame that goes with them and the realisation that friendship and communication is the key to moving through our anxieties.

I defy anyone to get towards the end and not cry a tear of happiness at the human forgiveness described, it’s just perfect .

[Claire Thorpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Is such a lovely feelgood and uplifting story – Jude is a single mother who owns a bookshop and unfortunately it isn’t doing as well as she would like it to . Jude and a group of lovely old ladies accidentally help out a fellow customer find love and soon the Book-matchmaking has taken off. As with all of Clares’ books the characters are fabulous and the story leaves you feeling heart warmed and happy ! Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a review.

Jude is the owner of the First Chapter bookshop and single mum to Billy. Her most regular customers don't buy books and sit with the one pot of tea for most of the day. Harper has the most disasterous of dates and in a way to help her Jude asks her to choose a book that her perfect date would pick up and so the Books of Possibility is born.

Loved this!

[Meraki Komorebi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I want to thank NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers | Bantam for providing me with an ARC.
An entertaining read filled with engaging characters, and a very satisfying plot.
I am so relieved 'cause I'm currently going through a slump but this was a pleasant palate cleanser.
A must read for all.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book, having read the author's previous books I was excited for this one and I wasn't disappointed. As with all her books it is filled with wonderful characters and a great story, I will be recommending it to everyone I know.

[Katie Scribner · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Jude's bookshop is full of people who come from all different stages of life and all join together for a common goal. I loved how they would set up books in hopes to pair people together.

"I believe that there is no greater friendship than the one between two people who love the same book."

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy.