I’ve never read anything like a The Project before. This book was amazing and eerie at the same time. I loved the fact that it took place in different time lines and different narratives. I loved reading about both sisters Lo and Bea. Lo and Bea have been extremely vulnerable since the death of their parents. The Project sure knows how to lure and take advantage of individuals who are in pain. I’ve never read anything about cults and it’s a scary situation of how many individuals are brainwashed easily seeking for acceptance, love, family and faith. The ending had me heart broken and I don’t think I’ll ever get over it. Thank Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to to read The Project.

Deeply disturbing and utterly unique.

When Lo was twelve, she was the only survivor of the car accident that killed her parents. She thinks she was saved by medical measures, but that's not what her sister Bea, believes -- Bea thinks Lo only survived because Be commended her soul to God and Lev Warren and The Unity Project.

Six years later, Lo hates The Project and everything they stand for. She hasn't spoken to Bea in years and is sure The Project is to blame. When she has the opportunity to investigate Lev and The Project, she's certain she's going to expose it for the cult it is and get Bea back.

THE PROJECT is a deep dive into religious cults and the devotion associated with cult leaders. I was honestly a bit put off by the amount of religious discussion -- though I recognize it's an important part of developing the followers' feelings about Lev, the amount of religious discussion in the book made it less appealing to me as a reader. As in her previous books, Summers' prose cuts through in moments of brilliance, saving the narrative despite the religious diversions.

Amazing. I loved Sadie and I wasn't expecting this to live up to that story. But I think I enjoyed this even more. I love stories centered around Cults and this gave such an interesting perspective and first-hand look through each of the sisters. Courtney Summers writes sisters so well! The story was heartbreaking. Highly recommend.

This was my first book by Courtney Summers and man was it eerie.

Here are my notes:
- super intriguing premise
- confusing to get into, one paragraph is one setting then it jumps to another in the next paragraph, but i kinda got used to it
- emphasizes the bond between sisters, which was interesting to me since i am an only child
- CULTS (hella intriguing)
- crazy how cults are able to actually take “normal” people and twist their beliefs so successfully
- compelling slow burn
- i just have to reiterate that cults are crazy


Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Courtney Summers' novels truly get better and better with each subsequent novel. Not only that, they also get darker and more heartbreaking. Enthralled from the first page, I could not put this down. Courtney Summers doesn't miss. I absolutely adored this book. Thank you so much NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Wow. This was my first book written by Courtney Summers and it will certainly not be the last. I admit, I was a little scared after I read an article where she described how she emotionally devastates fans with her books. All I can say is, YES!

In The Project, we meet sisters Bea and Lo who are only 2 years apart in age, but so much further in life. After the death of their parents, Bea begins following an eccentric leader of a movement know as the Unity Project, although most people believe it to be a cult. Years later, Lo witnesses a suicide that is linked to The Unity Project and ultimately, her sister.

This story is one of those books that the minute you read the last line, you put the book down and immediately begin bawling your eyes out. I was wholly invested in these two sisters and rooting against all gut intuition, that they could find each other again. I would definitely recommend this book to others who love a deep story and don’t mind a good cry.

After reading Sadie, I knew Courtney Summers was an author to watch. The Project is an emotional rollercoaster that contains just as many dramatic reveals as Sadie. The story explores two sisters’ unique experiences with The Unity Project, a cult masquerading as a charitable organization. When Bea and Lo each meet Lev Warren, the charismatic leader of The Unity Project, they are at a vulnerable place in their life. Bea is struggling with recent traumatic events and Lo, she just wants answers about Bea’s whereabouts. Summers’ use of a dual timeline approach to tell Bea and Lo’s individual journeys with The Unity Project was a great choice! I loved how the two narratives naturally built upon one another.

Lo, by far, was my favorite character from The Project. I love complex characters and I felt Summers did an awesome job at exploring Lo’s various emotional states. Lo has not had an easy life. A terrible accident when she was younger left her traumatized. Coupled with Bea’s involvement in The Unity Project and subsequent disappearance, Lo is angry. Lo’s anger makes her vulnerable, which is quickly exploited by Lev Warren.

Although the plot was predictable (I have read too many mystery novels!), I still felt that The Project was an engaging read. If you loved reading about Sadie and Mattie in Sadie, then you will love reading about Bea and Lo in The Project. Many thanks to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the e-ARC! All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed the varying timelines in this novel and how it gives us glimpses into the past. I always enjoy that in a novel and this book does just that. I enjoyed the suspense and thriller aspect of this novel as it keeps you guessing. What exactly is the "project". There is so much suspense and secrecy that you will want all the answers. All is revealed as you continue reading this novel.

3.5 Stars. The cover is gorgeous and the synopsis sounded great so I was more than ready to get into this one. I will say the writing style takes some getting used to--it's non-linear (which works great with this story) and also doesn't have breaks between a lot of scenes. You are in a scene and it's going along, and then the next sentence is a completely different scene. No line break, nothing...so, it takes a bit to get used to that but then you're engaged and it doesn't bother you as much.
The writing and story are compelling, I stayed up way too late finishing this book but I was a little disappointed in a few things.

*MILD spoilers*

The climax resolution was...quite anti-climactic. I guess it's supposed to be "mysterious" but it was just kind of annoying. Some of the character actions were weird (like not telling someone your motivation for doing something even though it's a big deal) or being "wise" to how something works except when it's happening to you. I mean, I get it...the plot, right. But, I wanted a little more from the characters and the ending.

Overall I did enjoy my time reading this book and I would recommend it.

Still reading but already recommended for library purchase and as a book on the "best new books this month" library newsletter.

What an interesting book. Cults, sisters and murder?!?! What more could you ask for. This was a book that I had a hard time putting down and reading all within a couple of days. Despite all the other responsibilities that I had. Courtney Summers knows how to keep you engaged and wanting more without spilling the beans. Definitely an Author that I would love to read again.

Thank You to NetGalley and Wednesdays Books for allowing me a ecopy to read and review! I was not disappointed!

+Interesting premise (Cults???)
+Compelling characters
+Alternating viewpoints
+Great tension
+Shocking reveals
+Made me cry
-Intensely religious

I didn't expect anything less from Courtney Summers. Sadie was a heartbreaker, and I didn't expect The Project to be anything less. In my opinion, The Project stands strongly on its own and while many comparisons can be made between it and Sadie all I'll say is that while I found Sadie more compelling as a character than Lo, both books are absolutely fantastic reads in their own right.

I haven't consumed a lot of media regarding cults, so I was worried going into this that I might somehow be unprepared for what was to come. While there was like, a single reference to other well-known instances of cults, this book didn't rely on references to other events in order to make the reader understand the gravity of the cult within the book. Basically, you don't need to be a cult fanatic to love this book. Summers is able to show how manipulative and disarming a cult leader can be, how magnetic and charismatic, while also showing that the blame does not rest on all members of a cult equally.

Not only does The Project deal with cults and the abusive relationships that form within them, it deals with grief as well. The two main characters, Lo and Bea, both lost their parents in a tragic accident, one that Lo herself barely survived. This event kickstarts Bea's point of view, which starts earlier than Lo's and serves more as a string of flashbacks interspersed with Lo's present storyline. Both Lo and Bea have internalized their grief differently, and follow different paths in order to heal or bury it. We see people take advantage of this grief and of the ways that they handle that grief. We see how tragic loss has ingrained itself in every aspect of Lo and Bea, but in different ways. In this way, The Project is not only a harrowing story about unearthing the truth of a cult (and surviving it), but a character study of trauma, loss, and grief as well. Summers does a fantastic job of blending the two topics, and I felt they complemented each other well in the way the characters changed and grew, and how it affected their actions and reactions to plot points.

Sadie was already enough proof that Summers excels when it comes to characters and family-driven relationships, and The Project is only another example of this skill. In just a few shorts pages, I was drawn in by the pain and loss of Bea and Lo, of Lo's need to write her story and create a lasting impact, of Bea's protectiveness and how the accident shattered her belief she could protect Lo. Their bond seemed bone-deep, and learning what came between it later was heartbreaking. It also made the scenes where the two are manipulated even harder to bear, as we watch evil people manipulate their weaknesses to take advantage of them. And the worst part of it is that we can see how easily we can be manipulated too. None of the promises made to Bea and Lo seemed far-fetched or out there, and we understand why they made the decisions they did.

And on top of all that, you've got the actual plot itself. Like Sadie, the alternating viewpoints create so much tension that you can't help but keep reading. There's always some unexplained oddity nagging at the back of your mind, some new question that needs answering. Why does everyone seem to love the Unity Project? Why does Lev Warren just seem so nice? What is really going on here? It's a book that keeps you on your toes and questioning everything, even the narrators. And because of all this, this is a book that doesn't let you go until it's done.

I also want to take a moment to commend the audiobook of this too. I listened to Sadie on audio and it was a large part of my positive experience, and the same can be said for this one. If you're looking for your next great audio, pick this one up! You won't regret it.

“The Project” by Courtney Summers unravels the story of two sisters: Bea and Lo Denham.. Early on we learn that Lo survived a tragic car accident that killed their parents. Bea, a teenager herself, is left to care for a badly injured Lo, but then she suddenly disappears into a religious organization called The Unity Project. Although Lo recovers physically from the accident, the sense of lost and hurt prevents her from healing.

Six years later, Lo, an aspiring journalist, longs to write an in depth story about The Unity Project and its charismatic leader and self-proclaimed deity, Lev. Ultimately, she hopes to find her sister and to reveal the horrible secrets that The Unity Project hides from the public. Instead, she discovers why Bea was drawn to Lev and his organization. The reader follows Lo on her journey to the truth and always hopes that Bea will be part of that truth.

The premise of the plot is intriguing because many wonder how religious organizations and cults start. Lev, the leader, is reminiscent of David Koresh, the head of the Branch Davidians. The reader quickly understands why Bea was attracted to him and the air of stability and safety he presents. Unfortunately, the reader has to make great jumps to truly understand the backstory. There is a long list of minor but pivotal characters, who are not developed well and are difficult to remember who they are and how they are connected to Lo and Bea. In addition, Lo’s development, is slow and steady but then changes quickly . This sudden change seems a bit contrived. Instead of feeling empathetic towards Lo, the reader is often frustrated with her decisions.

Although Summer”s books are geared towards young adults, usually. Many young adults who are not avid or sophisticated readers would struggle piecing together the plot, which has flashbacks and alternating character perspectives. In addition, the pace of the plot is halted and the setting is hard to grasp. Without previous knowledge about recent cult leaders, this would be a challenging read.

The Project is the latest contemporary thriller from Courtney Summers, the bestselling author of Sadie.

Summer’s latest novel follows two sisters Bea, who finds herself in the thralls of a cult called the Unity Project and it’s charismatic, handsome leader; and Lo, an up and coming journalist who is determined to find out what happened to her sister.

One of the difficulties of writing a book with two timelines from two POVs is the struggle to keep the different viewpoints straight and separate. Summer’s handled these diverging POVs masterfully. Both women were compelling in their own way and it was easy to see how each of them got sucked into Lev Warren’s community.

I find novels about cults endlessly fascinating. As someone who was raised in a very conservative belief system it is so fascinating to see the similarities in rhetoric both to retain old members and recruit new converts.

In numerous interviews Summers mentioned that she never writes her books to be wrapped up in a neat little bow and The Project is no exceptions. It’s brutal, violent, and dark and I loved every minute of it.

The other focal point of Summer’s novel is Bea and Lo’s relationship from the time they were children to present, with an emphasis on the rippling impact The Unity Project has on both of them.

The pacing was solid and there was a bit of a mystery to the plot but no major twist like someone who read Sadie might expect hope for.

Regardless, I gave The Project by Courtney Summers 5🌟 and would recommend the book to anyone who enjoys a good cult story or novels featuring sisters.

This book was.... unique. I didn’t hate it but I didn’t love it. I still have so many questions. The writing was excellent but the story, the characters... I just couldn’t connect with. Love this cover though!

The Project by Courtney Summers is an interesting book about sisters and a cult.

A car accident killed their parents and injured Lo. Bea decides to join The Unity project leaving Lo to be raised by a great aunt they’ve never met. The Unity Project is well known for helping people, but Lo believes there is a darker side to the project. Lo works to try to expose The Unity Project. During Lo’s research she gets deeper into The Unity Project than she ever imagined. Lo discovers many things about her sister and cults that she never imagined. All Lo wants is to expose The Unity Project and be reunited with her sister. Will Lo succeed?

I enjoyed The Project. I find books about cults fascinating especially when the reader gets inside cult member’s heads. The Project is told in present day from the perspective of Lo and the past in the perspective of Bea. I enjoyed discovering how the sisters reacted to different situations and how they felt about each other. The reader knows how Bea feels and what she is thinking before she joins The Unity Project. Her opinions change throughout the book. Lo has spent years trying to figure out how to expose The Unity Project so she can be reunited with her sister that she never stopped loving. Both sisters love each other but are unsure how the other feels about them. Bea has many secrets that Lo uncovers. Some of these secrets cause Lo to wonder about Bea. The story starts out from Bea’s perspective and caused me to instantly feel sorry for Bea. It was interesting to hear about Bea making questionable decisions. I always liked Lo and liked how she fought to find answers.

Thank you Wednesday Books, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for The Project.

I really enjoy stories about siblings AND cult stories, so I thought this story about a young woman trying to save her sister from a cult would be right up my alley, especially because I really liked Summers' last YA thriller. However, while it was a quick and overall fine read, building to some nice tension at the end, there are two main points that will probably keep me from recommending it widely (but which I won't detail here to avoid spoilers). Overall, I thought avoiding some predictable cult story plot points or at least allowing the characters to be more introspective about those aspects could have made this one a more interesting and unique read.

I absolutely loved this title, as is typical with Summers' books. This is one of her best to date. I appreciate how she takes a topic that women and girls are disproportionately affected with, and creates a spellbinding work of fiction around it.

I've written a thorough review of it for Canadian Review of Materials. My review can be found here: https://www.cmreviews.ca/node/2078

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to provide an honest review.

Well, she did it again. Courtney Summers is out to break your heart with hard truths- and this this is the second time in a couple of years that she’s done it to me! “Sadie” was absolutely remarkable and a reading experience I’ll never forget. This was also a remarkable story — but in a different way. Summers described the emotional progression of this book as ☹️😢😭— and that is accurate.
This is the story of a cult called The Unity Project and how it comes to play a role in the lives of two sisters whose lives are torn apart after their parents are killed. If you’ve ever wondered how a cult operates, how they get in your head and make you believe and forget who you are, then this book will lay it out for you with painstaking precision. It will get in your head, much like the Unity Project does. ((Shiver))
Not for the faint of heart — a super sad and intense read but really, really good, especially if you are interested in cults and how they operate. (There is a definite hint of NXium in this story). Oof.

P.S. this book has been marketed as a YA but it really isn’t at all— characters are around 19 for most of the action. 🤷🏻‍♀️why do they do that?

P.S.S. One of the best covers I’ve seen! So gorgeous.

5 stars!!!

My first five stars for the year! This book was and is AMAZING!!! some TW: mentions of suicide attempts, cults, abuse, child abuse, brainwashing, murder.

This YA mystery book is about Lo Denham, we follow her life and how she's been navigating herself through work and looking for her sister. She comes across what is known as a "religion" and through pure determination, she finds herself finding the truth on what this "religion" is.

The twist and turns of this book are phenomenal. Every turn of the page was grappling you more for the story. All I felt while reading this was anger, sadness, and suspense, wanting more of the story and what happens next. The way it was written was beautiful and eye-catching (to me at least). Lo's character development was crazy and how much she had to go through to find what she was looking for in such a touching moment to see from a character. Her sister, Bea, had some amazing character development as well.

I was supposed to do this review before this book came out but either way, this book is something that I've been looking for in a YA true-crime fiction. The characters and the scenery painted a perfect picture for the story and each scene will grab your attention. This has become my favorite book of this year...so far. That's already saying a lot but damn I REALLY ENJOYED THIS BOOK!!!