(2.5 stars rounded up).

<u>The Project</u> started off strong. From the first couple of pages it drew me in with the idea of this mysterious, uber religious cult tied to these two sisters. But then, the transitions from one moment to the next and the pacing of events just started to feel off. I found myself losing interest in Bea's chapters relatively early on. And I found myself disappointed in Lo's weakness.

(My Goodreads review contains the spoiler tag if you want to check there.)

The conclusion was satisfactory enough, but overall this just felt like another Cult read to me...predictable and a bit repetitive.

If you are a fan of Courtney Summer's previous work, RUN don't walk to get this book! Her new novel tells the story of two sisters, Bea and Lo, whose parents in a horrific car accident when Bea was eighteen. Lo lives with her great aunt, and the sisters lose touch when Bea joins "The Unity Project." The sisters serve as the narrators of the text, with each sister having an alternating timeline. Lo is a low-level assistant in a new outlet where her job consists of getting her boss coffee, but she dreams of being a writer. Bea is a member of The Unity Project, which seems to be doing some good charity work all over the city, but in reality, the group appears to be much darker. Lo investigates the group for an expose she is writing, but she hopes to find her sister whom she has not seen in years.

Certain to appeal to teens and adults alike, The Project is a real page turner. Too graphic for me to rate five stars, it will be devoured by readers who love books that make you keep turning pages long after you should be sleeping.

The Project follows two sisters, Bea and Lo Denham, and is set during two time periods and told in dual perspective. In 2011, Bea's parents and Lo get into a car accident that kills her parents and leaves Lo on life support. Lo is not doing well and Bea has all but given up hope when she runs into Lev Warren, the leader of a group called The Unity Project. Bea does not believe in God but when Lev speaks to her she finds comfort and trust in his words. Lev says that he is God's redeemer and Bea believes it is her faith in Lev that allows Lo to miraculously awaken. After this Bea leaves her life in Morel, NY behind, including her sister, to live with The Project. In 2017, Lo is working at a magazine and decides to try investigate and expose The Unity Project as a cult, try to find her sister, and figure out what happened to Jeremy Lewis, a former member of The Project that Lo saw commit suicide. As she continues to find out more about The Project she starts to question everything she thought she knew about The Project and its leader.

Courtney Summers is very good at weaving together information from the past to the present. You uncover so much information at just the right moment and are always left wanting more. I loved the theme of sisterhood and the bond only sisters share. I also really appreciated the experiences of Bea and Lo. You got to see and feel what each woman experienced throughout the book. There were some instances where I was able to deduce what happened but overall I was still left in suspense throughout the novel. I also appreciated that there was a definitive conclusion to this story. I highly recommend this book, however I do think it is important to note that there are many triggers involved due to the nature of this being about a cult and the way cult leaders behave and manipulate people into believing what they want.

I enjoyed the unfolding of this book and understand into the thinking/ways of The Unity Project. I do think Lo turned into Lev and The Project too quickly for how much she was against it. But overall I did enjoy the novel and read it in one sitting.

I'm not surprised that Courtney Summers slayed this book. It's an exceptional and intense read. My mind is truly blown and I don't know how to properly convey this in my review so I won't even try. READ. THIS. BOOK!

I really enjoyed this book, I find anything regarding cults to be fascinating. However, I do wish the book was a little bit longer to develop the actual workings and beliefs of the Unity Project. I liked that you didn’t really know what or who to believe, but I did think that the reveal at the end was a little fast and more tension could have been developed.

This was my first (and certainly not my last) Courtney Summers book. My HS students will love this book! I read it in a very short amount of time and found myself thinking about it long after I was done. It sucked me in!

I have received a free arc of this book via netgalley (Thank you so much)
*All thoughts and opinions are mine and honest*

Spoiler Free Review

I’m new to books by Courtney Summers and this is the first book I’ve read by this author. The project absolutely swept me away and I will definitely look into reading more books by Courtney. I was hearing so much about the project on my social media. So I just had to check it out! I will say I had some expectations for the project considering most I’ve heard about it. I think that this book would be more “new adult” rather than “young adult”. Only because the topics and themes of this book is more new adult. As I did like this book I don’t think it was the right kind of book for me. There is a really good take on life situations in The project.

Was the project what I was hoping for? yes and no.

-Synopsis and plot-
The project centers around two sisters; Lo and Bea. You can read the synopsis to find out exactly what The project is about. A summary is that Lo had suffered a huge accident during her childhood and while she was recovering Bea just disappeared from her life. Bea had joined a cult called the unity project. Led by someone named Lev who “saved” Lo’s life. Lo is an aspiring writer. Lo is very eager to find Bea and re-connect again. As I stated I liked this book but I don’t think it was for me. I was expecting more information of the unity project but there wasn’t much. The plot is what drew me in but it was also what made me go “wait what” etc. The plot was well thought of I’ll give Summers that. There was a lot of talk about religion and faith which I thought was nice. I think it was captivating plot, just not for me. Plot: 3.75/5

-Characters-
I think all the characters had a well developed background story. I liked Bea right away from the moment she was first introduced. It took me awhile to like Lo but I did eventually. Again, Lo was very desperate to find Bea then she meets Lev and well her whole priorities changes. I didn’t really like Lev. Considering that he [*Spoiler* Slept with both girls (Bea and Lo).] I really loved Emmy. She’s this bright ball of energy and cuteness. I there was some character development I wish there was more. Characters: 4/5

-Writing-
The writing in the project is my favorite thing about this book. I just love Courtney’s writing style. It’s very unique and weird but in a good way. There were two perspectives in this book; Lo and Bea’s. Lo’s perspective was told in the present while Bea’s was told a couple years before. For me the pacing was slow but fast. I wouldn’t really recommend this book if you’re in a reading slump. I was very intrigued by all religious talk. The writing is pretty okay. Writing: 4.5/5

-Conclusion-
Do I think you should read this book? Ehhh If your interested in this book then you should pick it up. Would I recommend this to friends/social media? Yes I would to people who I think would like this book. Definitely pick this up if you like cults and a good thrill.

Reviewed 8/29/2020

Lo Denham has been by herself for a while. After surviving a horrific car accident that killed both of her parents, her sister, Bea, leaves her to become a part of The Unity Group, a religious organization that is almost definitely a cult. When a man comes into the magazine where she works and claims that The Unity Project killed his son, Lo tries once again to go to The Unity Project and get answers. This time, she gets more involved and starts to wonder if everything she believed was a lie.

It took me a while to get into this book, but once I was in, I was all in. I loved Sadie, and the narrative structure of this novel reminds me of Sadie, as well. Lo was not a likable narrator - to me, at least. I kept wondering why she was doing what she was doing. The answers she was searching for were also predictable, but I still rushed to finished to confirm my prediction. I think the way the novel depicts the cult was authentic and easy to see how people get sucked in. Overall solid read. 4 ⭐️

Let’s start with this hypnotizing cover that you cannot take your eyes on it: it deserves more 15 million stars, doesn’t it?

Before you start this book, I assure you this is not standard “ welcome to the world of cults and meet with the lunatics who are also worshippers of one legendary man who lost most of his marbles” kind of book. It’s not only about a cult. It’s about losing your way in your life, looking for an anchor, grieving your family but mostly finding yourself story at the most unexpected place you may imagine.

Glory-Lo-Denham has with one of the shittiest hand she’s dealt with: she might be only 19 but she already lost too much starting from the car accident left a long and ugly scar on her cheek makes her remember that ominous day every time she looks in the mirror or catches a stranger’s pitying look at her face. At the very same accident she lost her parents and after fighting for her life at the hospital, her elder sister Beatrice ( Bea) abandons her to join a special group called themselves “ Unity Project” And her caretaker auntie Patty passes away only few years later.

Only thing helps Lo not completely lose it is her writing and thankfully she finds a job at SVO- one of the most powerful magazine as founder Paul Tindale’s assistant position. She dreams to be a writer and her only story already started to form on her mind since the day her sister left her for the Unity Project.

From the beginning she is suspicious about the motives of their organization. They might have already won the hearts and manipulated the most of the people in the Upstate New York region but she feels like this is just an act to cover their organization which is functioning like a cult.

And one day she witnesses a suicide. A boy jumps on the train tracks. Before he kills himself he calls Lo her name and a passage from bible.

Then Lo finds out the boy called Jeffrey who took his own life was the son of Arthur, a very close friend of her boss, who always treats her nice since they’ve met. He says that his son was a member of Unity Project and they brainwashed him to kill himself. That’s the opportunity for Lo to dig more about them to write a story bringing out the facts and reconnecting with her sister who rejects to call or talk with her for six years.

That means she has to face with the charismatic and powerful leader Lev Warren.
And guess what, Lev Warren who never opens up his abused childhood story and the inner mechanism of their organization to the press, accepts to talk with Lo.

She is closer to accomplish her mission. But what if everything she knows about her life consist of a bunch of ugly lies. What if the sister she yearns for turned into a complete stranger to her? What if there is more about her miraculous survival story at the hospital?Could she be wrong about the project ? Could Lev Warren have supernatural powers to resuscitate people and heal their souls? Could she choose the wrong side from the beginning?

This book is harsh, cold, painful slap to your face. Ms. Summers always know how to create tragic, sad, broken survivor young adult characters. At some parts Lo reminded me her previous character Sadie. The darkness, depression and grief surrounds her like a black smoke. But she is determined, stubborn to go on and finish what she started in expanse to shatter everything she believed and cared.
She’s bold, she’s relentless, she’s risk taker.

You think you know how the story will end and everything is so predictable. Nope, think again! Nothing as it seems and just get ready to burn and your heart to be broken into million pieces. This is gripping, layered, enigmatic, stirring, stimulating, complex and extremely well-written story. I didn’t expect less from the author.

That was one of the most anticipated reads of mine and I’m so happy, i wasn’t wrong about it.

Sharp transitions between past and present were clever but a little confusing which request your full attention not to skip the important details of the novel. So I’m just lowering half star but eventually rounding up 4.5 to 5 stunning, well deserved stars!

I cannot wait to read more works of the author.
Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/ Wednesday Books for sharing this incredible Arc with me in exchange my honest opinions.

Oh boy do I have a lot of feelings after reading this. Initially I came in very interested by the premise but while reading it I became a bit more “huh”. The story revolves around two sisters, Lo and Bea. Lo suffered a huge accident in her childhood and Bea disappeared Lo’s recovery. The story alternates between the two girls views and different years. Lo grows up to be an aspiring journalist while Bea has joined a cult lead by a man named Lev who “supposedly” saved Lo’s life and brought her “back” from the dead. Lo is desperate to find her sister and get in contact with her, so she starts to delve into this cult and before she knows it she’s sucked in by Lev. Lo is an extremely broken person who is suffering from trauma while Bea is a bit more naive and also broken in her own way. The story shows you the different experiences each girl has while being in this cult and how they act with Lev. The story itself started off a bit slow but then rushed itself by the end. It completely wraps up the loose ends which is nice and the thriller aspect of the story was fine. My biggest dislike from this story is how Lo, someone who for a majority of the story was adamant about finding her sister and going against the cult that took her, just does a 180 after sleeping with Lev and suddenly saving the cult is her everything. Lo was presented as someone who was strong and fought like hell, but to suddenly have her turn against her biggest character points from the story just because she slept with a guy? No thank you. Don’t even get me started on how grossed out I was by the fact that Lev (slept with both girls). Lev is your typical cult leader, someone who is charismatic, loving, and beautiful on the surface but manipulative and controlling underneath. If I’m being honest I didn’t like either Bea or Lo, I just could not empathize and find sympathy with how both girls were naive enough to fall for the same thing and did not actually take the proper steps into looking for each other or just make rational decisions. Thats just my own personal preference though, I think this book would be a great read for other people though and would definitely recommend you give it a try if you like stories about mysteries and cults. All in all this was an okay read for me and I found it to be a quick and easy read.

* Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

When I first learned about this book, I think I was fully expecting it to be similar to 'Sadie'. Just one wild ride that left me on the edge of me seat. It wasn't exactly that, but I enjoyed 'The Project' all the same.

Summers knows how to craft a story, but mostly she knows how to create characters that punch you in the gut. I loved the dynamics of these characters and the way I felt for them. the pacing was different from what I was used too, but it also felt like I had no choice but to keep going forward.

This book never lets up. The bond between sisters Bea and Lo is complex and believable, and will gut punch anyone who has experienced grief, abandonment, and the astonishing capacity to forgive the ones you love.

But it's not just about the joys and pitfalls of sisterhood. Centered around a cult called "The Unity Project," the action of the novel primarily follows Lo, as she investigates the organization that seemingly took her sister away from her. But ultimately this is a book about feeling seen. How do cults sustain themselves? How are people not automatically repulsed? "The Project" explores those questions with razor-sharp intensity, forcing characters to look at each other and themselves in the mirror. "Who are you?" is a question people have asked themselves for centuries, and this book's answer is nothing short of horrifying.

I LOVE Courtney Summers and I love cults so when I got an ARC of The Project I was super stoked to check it out. It's definitely a fast-paced thriller--I'd like to re-read this because I was flipping (e)pages so fast to get through it that I would sometimes miss jumps in time and have to circle back. I might wish it had been told a bit more chronologically actually? I hate 2 say it but I think some character development/relationship development was missing in lieu of mystery-building. STILL: extremely engaging!! aaa!

Thank you Net Galley for the free ARC. From the description I really wanted to like this book based on the promise of a cult and the followers of the project. However, it just never engaged me.

I am a Courtney Summers Stan, so I was thrilled to receive a galley copy of THE PROJECT from the publisher on NetGalley. Like all of Summers’ work, THE PROJECT is filled with dynamic characters who feel SO real. I was captivated by Lo’s story and I thoroughly enjoyed following her on her journey as she searches for her sister, Bea; investigates The Unity Project; and really loses/finds herself among the chaos.

Lo reminded me a lot of Sadie in the way that she has experienced a lot of loss throughout her life, but she’s stubborn in spite of it. Lo is bold, angry, smart, and confident, but she’s also weak, self-conscious, vulnerable, and lost. Her journey with Lev and the cult felt so organic and earned, and the payoff was a heartbreaking punch to the gut.

The Project isn’t an exciting thrill ride, rather it’s a slow descent into madness. The reader is carefully brainwashed by the cult, as Lo and Bea were, and it’s terrifying. When things come to a head and we uncover the truth along with Lo, it’s devastating - but rewarding.

I highly recommend this book, especially for fans of Sadie, as well as people who, like me, are fascinated with cults.

4.5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Sisters Bea and Lo (did anyone else think about them being called Below whenever you saw their names together?) are orphaned after a car crash kills their parents and leaves Lo seriously injured. Bea finds solace in the upstate New York religious group The Unity Project and their charismatic leader Lev Warren. Six years after the accident, and no contact with Bea for years, Lo tries to reach her sister and get answers.

The story goes back and forth between Bea and Lo and along different time lines. The book was gripping and I kept thinking just one more chapter which would turn in many more chapters read.

Lo obviously had an extremely difficult life since the accident and is a very lost and lonely person. I didn’t care for her and was bothered by some of her decisions.

There were multiple times were I got confused that a section had ended. I’m guessing that there will be better formatting with the final copy. For all the intrigue and plot lines going on, a major part of the ending was basically done in a sentence and just felt choppy. I stayed up very late to finish the book and had to go back in the morning to reread a few pages to make sure I didn’t skip anything. That said, this was a great book that kept me reading late into the night to finish. I highly recommend it.

This was my first novel by Courtney Summers and I look forward to reading more of her work.

Courtney Summers has done it again! The Project gets into the nitty-gritty of what it means to be a sister, a mother, and overall a woman. The relationship between Bea and Lo is powerful and compelling. I could not put this book down. I thought I had an idea of where the story was heading. But I was oh so wrong. Summers shatters readers’ expectations with the end of this intricately woven story. I was left satisfied with the ending but somehow wanting so much more from Lo and Bea.

The Project is the latest work by best seller Courtney Summers - and if you thought Sadie was good, just wait till this is published. The Project focuses on the complicated relationship between two sisters: Lo (short for Gloria) and Bea, flipping back and forth between their respective points of view in that natural way Summers has mastered. As the narrative progresses we slowly learn about both sister's backstories until finally their current actions intertwine into an epic climax. Lo, who is six years younger than Bea, is a rising journalist at a small magazine an hour outside of NYC. When she was thirteen, Lo and the sisters' parents went through a car crash from which Lo was the only survivor... if only just barely. Through that experience, Bea is introduced to The Unity Project, an organization selflessly embedded in three surrounding cities and known for its charity work just as much as it is known for its charismatic leader, Lev Warren. When Lev "raises Lo from the dead", it doesn't take Bea much convincing to buy into the Warren Theory: that Lev Warren is God's Redeemer who has come to atone the world of its sin through charity work. In joining The Unity Project, Bea cuts all ties with her sister. Fast forward to present day, Lo regularly interacts with her boss's friend whose son recently committed suicide by jumping in front of a train while Lo watched. The son was a member of The Unity Project and his father is convinced The Project is responsible for his son's death. His grief emboldens Lo to uncover the truth about The Unity Project and to finally reconnect with Bea. But as Lo interviews Lev and his upper management, what she finds upends everything she thought she knew about her sister, the world around her, cults, and even her own tragic past till she no longer knows what is real or true. She doesn't even know if she can afford to understand the distinction...

I only know of very few authors who are able to emotionally involve the reader from page one but Courtney Summers is one of them. I couldn't put Sadie down for long periods without dying to know what was going to happen next and despite a very busy work week, the same occurred with The Project. I think what makes this novel so outstanding is because of the constant and intense emotions, the reader can both empathize with the characters' realistic actions while at the same time spot the very tactical moves Lev and his upper management are using to bring both Bea and Lo into the fold. Honestly, the way Lev carries himself occasionally sent shivers up my spine.

The narrative isn't fast-paced but that plays out in its favor because it allows us to see all the different facets of the cult culture. Moreover, most of the revelations are hidden until the end but enough hints are sprinkled throughout the narrative to entice the reader into continue reading.

However, despite how much I love watching Lo's and Bea's stories intertwine, I was still confused on how The Unity Project stepped into their story in the first place. An event later in the book reveals the car crash that killed the sisters' parents was close to one of The Project's residences. But why was the family so far in the country in the first place? And why did The Unity Project feel compelled to step in? Having a little more backstory about Bea's and Lo's parents would, I think, help readers better grasp later events. Also, the shifting years added to the confusion. I liked the inclusion of "2012" and "2013" section headings because that told me the following paragraphs occurred in the past. But why were the "present" years 2018? Technically, 2018 is now in the past and that specific year doesn't necessarily impact the plot. I think it would have been less confusing if the headings were simply "2012"/"2013" respectively and "Present". Based on the lack of face masks mentioned, I would have already assumed the "present" narrative isn't happening in 2020 (or maybe I would have assumed the characters are in denial over COVID actually happening... that seems like something Lev would do anyway.) Also I found it odd we never learned more about Casey's background. We learn about so many other characters but despite Casey's constant presence we only receive snippets and hints of her personal life. And the revelation at the end not only further proves Casey's importance to The Project but also of a missed opportunity to add an extra layer to the narrative.

Verdict: A heart-racing psychological thriller that can only result in a success.