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The Project
Not yet published
Expected 16 Jul 26Modern dating’s a mess. Unfortunately, so are they.
Daisy and Maya bounce around the city like they own it, from all-night house parties to sticky-floored smoking areas, drinks in hand.
But after a particularly regrettable one-night stand with her annoying friend James, Daisy starts to look around and wonder why, in a sea of intelligent, gorgeous women, all their prospects seem so hopeless. It’s time for The Project, a radical reinvention of dating, and who better to start with than James?
James may be raw material, but he’s quite happy to go along with Daisy and Maya if it means a little more time alone with Daisy. But falling for James was never part of The Project - can she bring down her walls enough to let someone in? Because she might not find someone perfect, but she might find something real.
Daisy and Maya bounce around the city like they own it, from all-night house parties to sticky-floored smoking areas, drinks in hand.
But after a particularly regrettable one-night stand with her annoying friend James, Daisy starts to look around and wonder why, in a sea of intelligent, gorgeous women, all their prospects seem so hopeless. It’s time for The Project, a radical reinvention of dating, and who better to start with than James?
James may be raw material, but he’s quite happy to go along with Daisy and Maya if it means a little more time alone with Daisy. But falling for James was never part of The Project - can she bring down her walls enough to let someone in? Because she might not find someone perfect, but she might find something real.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication July 9, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
April 13, 2026
FAVE BOOK SO FAR THIS YEAR!! Love love love love
Read
January 10, 2026I ate this up with a spoon. It feels like a mixture of Dolly Alderton, Mhairi McFarlane, and Bridget Jones, but gen-z. I’m a sucker for a book about a British woman’s juicy crush and fabulous friend. Can you blame a girl?
The characters felt like real people I could meet. Daisy and Maya were fab, but James sparkled. It’s rare to see a fully realized male romantic interest, but here he is. That’s not to say that everyone in this book is perfect—they really, really aren’t—but that made it feel more believable. And the titular project felt breathable, more real-world, which was a relief. While there was a lot more TikTok-level discourse and lingo than I care for, I can’t fault it too much; I ripped through this at a rapid clip. The style was frictionless. And boy did I love that party scene (vision: standalone episode).
Thanks to Harper and NetGalley for the ARC. Writing the first review on here is bananas. I hope this gets buzz!
The characters felt like real people I could meet. Daisy and Maya were fab, but James sparkled. It’s rare to see a fully realized male romantic interest, but here he is. That’s not to say that everyone in this book is perfect—they really, really aren’t—but that made it feel more believable. And the titular project felt breathable, more real-world, which was a relief. While there was a lot more TikTok-level discourse and lingo than I care for, I can’t fault it too much; I ripped through this at a rapid clip. The style was frictionless. And boy did I love that party scene (vision: standalone episode).
Thanks to Harper and NetGalley for the ARC. Writing the first review on here is bananas. I hope this gets buzz!
February 3, 2026
Thanks to Net Galley for the early copy! The Project felt like the perfect lit-fic romance, it’s very reminiscent of Dolly Alderton’s writing and had me laughing, feeling nostalgic, and deeply heartbroken all at once. I must say that I don’t think the concept of ‘the project’ in the novel is developed fully enough and could be fleshed out a lot more - perhaps it would help if it was more than just James who was undergoing the process. With that in mind, the title and the blurb are somewhat misleading and if that is the element that draws a reader in they may be a bit disappointed. However, for me it was enjoyable nonetheless and for the most part this was down to the pure relatability of the writing; Lord’s references to small things that felt so accurately specific for a woman in her 20s really elevated the novel for me. Daisy was somewhat unbearable in parts, but what 20-something female isn’t painfully frustrating from time to time!!
February 2, 2026
A well written story on love and complicated relationships. I really enjoyed this, it felt like i was on FaceTime to my best friend and she was filling me in on all the dating gossip. Lord’s writing is super contemporary and nuanced - I connected with all the characters and felt they developed well. The plot and “unlikely lovers” trope isn’t one I’d usually go for but it really surprised me!
February 24, 2026
Annie Lord I love you
Thanks so much to Harvill for my copy!!! Preorder this
Thanks so much to Harvill for my copy!!! Preorder this
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Probably 3.5 stars. This is a difficult book for me to review because I have such conflicting feelings about it, and I am pretty sure all the things I didn’t like have nothing to do with the quality of the writing, plotting, etc. The author is definitely skilled. Everything in the book felt (painfully) real, including the protagonist’s infuriatingly self-sabotaging behaviour. The titular Project was just as much Daisy as it was James and it was satisfying to see her eventual character growth after becoming so frustrated with her choices for hundreds of pages.
But maybe I am too far removed age-wise to be able to connect with the characters’ lifestyle, because while I found many of Daisy’s insecurities relatable (sadly, they are probably timeless), I was also repelled by some of the uninterrogated lifestyle elements among her cohort: the fake tan and lip filler, the constant recreational Class A drug use, the complete absence of condoms or conversations about protection during casual sex, the expectation that casual sex encounters will mimic the choreography of pornography. It all just seemed so grim. Is this how people in their mid- and late-twenties live now? I too moved to London after my undergraduate degree, and never left, and the experiences of the characters in the book bear almost zero resemblance to my own at that life stage… but perhaps I just wasn’t hanging out in the same circles.
Overall, though, while the book horrified me in many respects, I found it compelling to the point where I read it voraciously over the course of two days. So objectively speaking, it’s probably quite a good book, albeit one that’s a strange blend of gritty realism most of the way through and romcom-style fluff toward the end.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance reader copy.
But maybe I am too far removed age-wise to be able to connect with the characters’ lifestyle, because while I found many of Daisy’s insecurities relatable (sadly, they are probably timeless), I was also repelled by some of the uninterrogated lifestyle elements among her cohort: the fake tan and lip filler, the constant recreational Class A drug use, the complete absence of condoms or conversations about protection during casual sex, the expectation that casual sex encounters will mimic the choreography of pornography. It all just seemed so grim. Is this how people in their mid- and late-twenties live now? I too moved to London after my undergraduate degree, and never left, and the experiences of the characters in the book bear almost zero resemblance to my own at that life stage… but perhaps I just wasn’t hanging out in the same circles.
Overall, though, while the book horrified me in many respects, I found it compelling to the point where I read it voraciously over the course of two days. So objectively speaking, it’s probably quite a good book, albeit one that’s a strange blend of gritty realism most of the way through and romcom-style fluff toward the end.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance reader copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I have mixed feelings about The Project; I am a huge fan of Annie Lord and was pulled in by the author rather than the premise, and so the book did lose me a little in the middle. The pacing stalled where there were large sections weighed down by heavy info‑dumping, particularly around feminism. These themes are important, but they often didn’t feel organically woven into the dialogue; instead, they read more like essays dropped into conversations, which pulled me out of the story. Saying that I'd love to read a non-fiction book on feminism by Annie Lord.
There are frequent references to drugs and unprotected sex, which contributed to an overall “cool‑girly” tone that didn’t entirely work for me. It felt very intentional stylistically, but also a little performative at times, rather than emotionally grounded.
My biggest struggle, though, was with the characters. I didn’t find myself liking or connecting to any of them, largely because the plot leans heavily on miscommunication as a driving force. That’s a trope I find frustrating, and here it made many of the conflicts feel avoidable rather than compelling?
That said, I did enjoy the ending more than I expected. The final section pulled things together in a way that felt more focused and emotionally satisfying, and it left me with a more positive impression than the middle stretch suggested it would.
Overall, The Project is a book with clear intentions and moments of insight, but for me, it didn’t quite strike the balance between message and storytelling. I can see why it resonates with some readers, but it ultimately wasn’t one I fully clicked with.
Thanks to netgalley | Random House UK, Vintage | Harvill for having the opportunity to read an ARC!
There are frequent references to drugs and unprotected sex, which contributed to an overall “cool‑girly” tone that didn’t entirely work for me. It felt very intentional stylistically, but also a little performative at times, rather than emotionally grounded.
My biggest struggle, though, was with the characters. I didn’t find myself liking or connecting to any of them, largely because the plot leans heavily on miscommunication as a driving force. That’s a trope I find frustrating, and here it made many of the conflicts feel avoidable rather than compelling?
That said, I did enjoy the ending more than I expected. The final section pulled things together in a way that felt more focused and emotionally satisfying, and it left me with a more positive impression than the middle stretch suggested it would.
Overall, The Project is a book with clear intentions and moments of insight, but for me, it didn’t quite strike the balance between message and storytelling. I can see why it resonates with some readers, but it ultimately wasn’t one I fully clicked with.
Thanks to netgalley | Random House UK, Vintage | Harvill for having the opportunity to read an ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It’s official: I’ve never had an original thought.
It almost pains me to say it but The Project is one of the most relatable books I’ve ever read. Daisy’s inner dialogue is horribly reflective of my own, from her insecurities to her judgment. She’s an unreliable narrator, and yet she’s also incredibly real. She thinks an awful thought and then she owns it. She inflates her own ego and then she sticks a giant pin in it and basks in self-loathing. It’s miserable to hear what’s happening in her head because it is exactly what’s happening in mine! She’s only unlikeable because she is perfect proof of how unlikeable everybody would be if we could read their thoughts, because we’re all thinking the same awful things. What counts is the way that we recognise it, flip it on its head, and improve ourselves.
The Project is funny and raw. It’s a love letter to youth and figuring it out, while celebrating just how difficult that is. It’s a relatable commentary on society and the patriarchy and the ways in which women have, for years, morphed themselves into the people they think they should be for the attention of men while completely losing and becoming the worst versions of themselves in the process.
It’s a hard read in parts only because of how real it is. This book will make you feel seen, and it will also make you itch because you’ll see things about yourself that you would never admit.
I really loved this book. It’s the first book I’ve read from Annie Lord, but it won’t be the last.
Thank you to Penguin Random House for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
It almost pains me to say it but The Project is one of the most relatable books I’ve ever read. Daisy’s inner dialogue is horribly reflective of my own, from her insecurities to her judgment. She’s an unreliable narrator, and yet she’s also incredibly real. She thinks an awful thought and then she owns it. She inflates her own ego and then she sticks a giant pin in it and basks in self-loathing. It’s miserable to hear what’s happening in her head because it is exactly what’s happening in mine! She’s only unlikeable because she is perfect proof of how unlikeable everybody would be if we could read their thoughts, because we’re all thinking the same awful things. What counts is the way that we recognise it, flip it on its head, and improve ourselves.
The Project is funny and raw. It’s a love letter to youth and figuring it out, while celebrating just how difficult that is. It’s a relatable commentary on society and the patriarchy and the ways in which women have, for years, morphed themselves into the people they think they should be for the attention of men while completely losing and becoming the worst versions of themselves in the process.
It’s a hard read in parts only because of how real it is. This book will make you feel seen, and it will also make you itch because you’ll see things about yourself that you would never admit.
I really loved this book. It’s the first book I’ve read from Annie Lord, but it won’t be the last.
Thank you to Penguin Random House for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*3,5/5 rounded up*
I'll start with what I disliked because those are minor in comparison to what I liked and I want to end this review positive:
(1) Honestly this book was so frustrating at times. I didn't get Daisy (our FMC) more than half of the time and she frustrated me to no end. But that just made her also kinda real? Her relationships are 100% messy and chaotic, as are her thoughts, but I can appreciate how genuine she feels because of it.
(2) The story did feel a bit too long imho. There were more than a few trains of thoughts that just lost me and I had to reread them only to realise they added nothing to the story, my image of Daisy or my view on her relationship with James.
(3) Big tits, we get it.
Okay, moving on:
James was annoying and just.. such a BOY, but I loved him. There's more to his character than this, but I think that's a good summary.
95% of her thoughts and explanations were so well-written that I immediately could see what Ms Lord was trying to convey. No stopping while reading to try to picture the logistics of it all.
I also love that she wanted to She's All That him, only to in the end realise that maybe.. is it me? Am I the problem?
As always, I have difficulty putting into words what I actually liked because it was just the general feel and vibe of the story? It was honest and messy and chaotic and sweet and funny and .. just.. read it, will ya thankyewwww
I'll start with what I disliked because those are minor in comparison to what I liked and I want to end this review positive:
(1) Honestly this book was so frustrating at times. I didn't get Daisy (our FMC) more than half of the time and she frustrated me to no end. But that just made her also kinda real? Her relationships are 100% messy and chaotic, as are her thoughts, but I can appreciate how genuine she feels because of it.
(2) The story did feel a bit too long imho. There were more than a few trains of thoughts that just lost me and I had to reread them only to realise they added nothing to the story, my image of Daisy or my view on her relationship with James.
(3) Big tits, we get it.
Okay, moving on:
James was annoying and just.. such a BOY, but I loved him. There's more to his character than this, but I think that's a good summary.
95% of her thoughts and explanations were so well-written that I immediately could see what Ms Lord was trying to convey. No stopping while reading to try to picture the logistics of it all.
I also love that she wanted to She's All That him, only to in the end realise that maybe.. is it me? Am I the problem?
As always, I have difficulty putting into words what I actually liked because it was just the general feel and vibe of the story? It was honest and messy and chaotic and sweet and funny and .. just.. read it, will ya thankyewwww
Review of advance copy received from Author
I've been describing this book to everyone I know as a "a chick flick but nuanced", and after finishing it I still believe this to be true. The story is exactly as "girliepop" as you could possibly want from a book titled The Project, but it has so much more substance than your average, surface-level, 3-star rom-com and really makes you think about the state of modern dating, the patriarchy and the emotional labour of women. Annie Lord writes her fiction exactly as she writes her non-fiction - with her instantly recognisable voice, surprising humour and oodles and oodles of relatability. I have rarely read a fiction book that has made me reflect more deeply on myself and that has sparked so many conversations between myself and my own partner about our dynamic, and with my (female) friends about their relationships too.
Reading this also made me realise that I've never had an original thought and I feel comforted in the knowledge that all of the things I struggle with about myself and in my relationships are truly normal and that I am walking the same well-trodden path that many women navigating their 20s have walked before me. Thank you Annie, this was a genuine delight and I can't wait to read more wonderful books by you in the future!
Reading this also made me realise that I've never had an original thought and I feel comforted in the knowledge that all of the things I struggle with about myself and in my relationships are truly normal and that I am walking the same well-trodden path that many women navigating their 20s have walked before me. Thank you Annie, this was a genuine delight and I can't wait to read more wonderful books by you in the future!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
★★★★
#pr — gifted proof 💥
𝙢𝙖𝙮𝙗𝙚 𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙗𝙖𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙝𝙚𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙜𝙤𝙩 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙛𝙚𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨, 𝙬𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙮, 𝙜𝙤𝙩 𝙖 𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙚-𝙛𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙩-𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙧𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙨.
this was a very funny, very spicy book!! 😏🌶️🔥
𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 is delightfully wicked, with bold characters and a trio you absolutely adore <3
𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐭: daisy and maya are best friends working and living in london. tired of dating the same ‘man-child’ over and over, & looking for a fun new distraction, they start ‘the project’.
they come up with the idea to radicalise and reinvent their chosen man for gorgeous women all over, to finally instill some hope in modern dating (in a fun, kind of early 2000s twist on the classic ‘girl makeover’ trope)
and who is the perfect candidate? audacious, loud, happy-go-lucky james. but james has his own reasons for getting involved with the project, and as time goes on, daisy starts to think this might not be such a good idea after all, as emotions towards their test subject starts to cloud her judgement.
read if you enjoy:
🍭 cheeky books with lots of charm
🍭 books about modern dating (with a twist)
🍭 wonderfully strong & brazen female characters
thank you Penguin Vintage for the proof! 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 will be published in july 2026; a sizzling, sexy summer read you won’t want to miss ☀️
#pr — gifted proof 💥
𝙢𝙖𝙮𝙗𝙚 𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙗𝙖𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙝𝙚𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙜𝙤𝙩 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙛𝙚𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨, 𝙬𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙮, 𝙜𝙤𝙩 𝙖 𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙚-𝙛𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙩-𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙧𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙨.
this was a very funny, very spicy book!! 😏🌶️🔥
𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 is delightfully wicked, with bold characters and a trio you absolutely adore <3
𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐭: daisy and maya are best friends working and living in london. tired of dating the same ‘man-child’ over and over, & looking for a fun new distraction, they start ‘the project’.
they come up with the idea to radicalise and reinvent their chosen man for gorgeous women all over, to finally instill some hope in modern dating (in a fun, kind of early 2000s twist on the classic ‘girl makeover’ trope)
and who is the perfect candidate? audacious, loud, happy-go-lucky james. but james has his own reasons for getting involved with the project, and as time goes on, daisy starts to think this might not be such a good idea after all, as emotions towards their test subject starts to cloud her judgement.
read if you enjoy:
🍭 cheeky books with lots of charm
🍭 books about modern dating (with a twist)
🍭 wonderfully strong & brazen female characters
thank you Penguin Vintage for the proof! 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 will be published in july 2026; a sizzling, sexy summer read you won’t want to miss ☀️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
If you're looking for a fun, addictive but frustrating romance, with some very real societal/gender role critique, this is the book for you. It feels like a guilty pleasure.
If you've been single for a while, so much of this book is very relatable, it makes you think about how men have been brought up and helps to regain some empathy. I also loved her female friendships, relationship with her mum, the love interest is very endearing, and it's a very easy read.
However, I struggled with just how selfish, shallow, oblivious and self-righteous the main character (Daisy) was, as well as her many frustrating decisions. It's clever how this shows the reader how dysfunctional thinking works, and highlights the reader's own flaws (if they have them), but the explanations/revelations of why Daisy acts this way were a bit too simple/on the nose. I also really didn't like how the issue of body-image and food was dealt with in this book. The whole plot was a bit too Hollywood for me, and the overall message a bit too fairytale-y.
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin for the arc, I loved Notes on Heartbreak and was so excited to read this!
3.5/5
If you've been single for a while, so much of this book is very relatable, it makes you think about how men have been brought up and helps to regain some empathy. I also loved her female friendships, relationship with her mum, the love interest is very endearing, and it's a very easy read.
However, I struggled with just how selfish, shallow, oblivious and self-righteous the main character (Daisy) was, as well as her many frustrating decisions. It's clever how this shows the reader how dysfunctional thinking works, and highlights the reader's own flaws (if they have them), but the explanations/revelations of why Daisy acts this way were a bit too simple/on the nose. I also really didn't like how the issue of body-image and food was dealt with in this book. The whole plot was a bit too Hollywood for me, and the overall message a bit too fairytale-y.
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin for the arc, I loved Notes on Heartbreak and was so excited to read this!
3.5/5
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4,25 stars⭐️
Wow. This book so raw, realistic and relatable!
I really liked the writing style. The dialogue was written in a way that people ACTUALLY talk, which made it lively and realistic. I liked the characters, they felt real and their struggles and insecurities were just so normal. The characters went through such interesting developments, and I liked how they dealt with mistakes. The communication was also just realistic. I was really feeling for the characters, and they kind of felt like my own friends.
Some passages were incredibly relatable. And what I loved most, is the way that Annie Lord put things into words. There are some things in life that I feel, or know, but I don't know how to say it or even make a coherent thought about it. But Annie put those things into words! Sometimes I felt like pointing at the book and screaming 'exactly! That's exactly how I feel about things!'
I've said 'realistic' too many times already, but it's true! The Project is so raw, realistic, and relatable. Annie Lord put some very specific feelings into words, which I would never be able to.
The only criticism I have is that the beginning didn't really pull me in immediately. It took a while for the story to get going.
Wow. This book so raw, realistic and relatable!
I really liked the writing style. The dialogue was written in a way that people ACTUALLY talk, which made it lively and realistic. I liked the characters, they felt real and their struggles and insecurities were just so normal. The characters went through such interesting developments, and I liked how they dealt with mistakes. The communication was also just realistic. I was really feeling for the characters, and they kind of felt like my own friends.
Some passages were incredibly relatable. And what I loved most, is the way that Annie Lord put things into words. There are some things in life that I feel, or know, but I don't know how to say it or even make a coherent thought about it. But Annie put those things into words! Sometimes I felt like pointing at the book and screaming 'exactly! That's exactly how I feel about things!'
I've said 'realistic' too many times already, but it's true! The Project is so raw, realistic, and relatable. Annie Lord put some very specific feelings into words, which I would never be able to.
The only criticism I have is that the beginning didn't really pull me in immediately. It took a while for the story to get going.
January 12, 2026
Fair warning: The Project really got me. I went into it already knowing how much I absolutely loved Notes on Heartbreak. the flow, the honesty and the way it felt like Annie Lord had somehow crawled into my brain and this just confirmed it for me. All her books are painfully, beautifully relatable.
The high expectations I had.. it delivered. Reading it genuinely felt like I was scrolling through my own memories, my own thoughts, my own patterns, as if my life had been laid out on the page but written better that I ever could. That mix of vulnerability, self-awareness, longing, and reflection is just so her and it works every time.
There is something about the way Annie writes that feels intimate without trying too hard, you're not just reading a story, you're inside it. Inside her head, but also weirdly, inside your own. If you ever loved deeply, lost yourself a bit, questioned everything or just sat with your feelings for a little too long then this will resonate! Another Annie Lord book, another reminder of why her writing feels like being understood. Highly recommend.
The high expectations I had.. it delivered. Reading it genuinely felt like I was scrolling through my own memories, my own thoughts, my own patterns, as if my life had been laid out on the page but written better that I ever could. That mix of vulnerability, self-awareness, longing, and reflection is just so her and it works every time.
There is something about the way Annie writes that feels intimate without trying too hard, you're not just reading a story, you're inside it. Inside her head, but also weirdly, inside your own. If you ever loved deeply, lost yourself a bit, questioned everything or just sat with your feelings for a little too long then this will resonate! Another Annie Lord book, another reminder of why her writing feels like being understood. Highly recommend.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Project by Annie Lord
⭐️⭐️⭐️ . 5
After realising that, for such amazing women, she and her friend are bouncing from one mediocre man to another, Daisy decides to look into a radical reinvention of dating; starting with Daisy's most recent one night stand and friend, James. She and Maya embark on: The Project.
The book deals with important themes such as feminism; problems of modern dating; vulnerability and discovering yourself. Its definitely aimed more at an audience in their 20s, as Daisy and Maya are, but its still enjoyable for older readers like myself. Daisy is unlikeable at times but this is probably because she possesses qualities we all do such as selfishness and shallow behaviour and these are on display throughout the book. The characters are well written and believable, with qualities you can both recognise in yourself and that make you root for them. A great rom-com with vulnerability and deep thought on modern concepts.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ . 5
After realising that, for such amazing women, she and her friend are bouncing from one mediocre man to another, Daisy decides to look into a radical reinvention of dating; starting with Daisy's most recent one night stand and friend, James. She and Maya embark on: The Project.
The book deals with important themes such as feminism; problems of modern dating; vulnerability and discovering yourself. Its definitely aimed more at an audience in their 20s, as Daisy and Maya are, but its still enjoyable for older readers like myself. Daisy is unlikeable at times but this is probably because she possesses qualities we all do such as selfishness and shallow behaviour and these are on display throughout the book. The characters are well written and believable, with qualities you can both recognise in yourself and that make you root for them. A great rom-com with vulnerability and deep thought on modern concepts.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Put this on your wish list!
This book is funny, sexy, and incredibly honest about how messy relationships can be in your twenties where a "regrettable one-night stand" can feel like a major crisis in an seemingly hopeless dating scene.The bond between Daisy and Maya is the heart of the book. I loved watching them pour all their energy into "The Project"—attempting to "renovate" their friend James—only to realise they were the ones who needed to grow. It was great to see the main character Daisy, find the courage to stop settling for people who just used her and watching her bring down her walls to find something real rather than "perfect" was truly moving.
Thank you to Netgallery for allowing me a copy before publication.
This book is funny, sexy, and incredibly honest about how messy relationships can be in your twenties where a "regrettable one-night stand" can feel like a major crisis in an seemingly hopeless dating scene.The bond between Daisy and Maya is the heart of the book. I loved watching them pour all their energy into "The Project"—attempting to "renovate" their friend James—only to realise they were the ones who needed to grow. It was great to see the main character Daisy, find the courage to stop settling for people who just used her and watching her bring down her walls to find something real rather than "perfect" was truly moving.
Thank you to Netgallery for allowing me a copy before publication.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book was so much fun, but also explores some really intriguing, complex themes. I knew I'd love it because it's about twenty-somethings being messy in London (I was once such a twenty-something), but I had no idea it would be so smart and witty. It really made me laugh, and think! Characters were all great, a very believable, messy friend group, and well-drawn party and group-hang scenes, which are SO HARD to write, oh my god. When they go to the seaside cottage things really kicked up a notch for me. This gave me Sally Rooney, Caroline O'Donoghue, and Dolly Alderton vibes.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Project by Annie Lord was well written, witty and took me right back to my youth, messy relationships, the wrong men and the angst and insecurity that comes from getting involved with them.
Where this novel stood out for me was how perfectly it portrayed a time when being accepted mattered and friends opinions carried more weight than they should have done.
An insightful read that made me cringe, laugh and reflect in equal measures.
Thank you to Penguin Random House for the early read in exchange for an honest review.
Where this novel stood out for me was how perfectly it portrayed a time when being accepted mattered and friends opinions carried more weight than they should have done.
An insightful read that made me cringe, laugh and reflect in equal measures.
Thank you to Penguin Random House for the early read in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to netgalley for providing a copy in exchange for a fair review.
I'm torn between a 3 and 4 star. Annie Lord writes so specifically about her characters that it's at times painful and she has a real skill at tiny details that make a character feel so real. My issue is that it was in many ways more traditional than I thought it would be and that 'the project' within the novel felt like an afterthought at times.
I'm torn between a 3 and 4 star. Annie Lord writes so specifically about her characters that it's at times painful and she has a real skill at tiny details that make a character feel so real. My issue is that it was in many ways more traditional than I thought it would be and that 'the project' within the novel felt like an afterthought at times.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
The Project reads with cinematic scope in this Pygmalion retelling told with a new adult British vernacular. Always ready for some coke and unprotected sex, Daisy attempts to re-educate the brash James in this well-written, blind-leading-the-blind love story.
March 7, 2026
I hardly ever read rom coms but this one was really sweet, a bit unbelievable and the writing was cliche at times but the ending made me tear up
an enjoyable read and one for the girlies who struggle finding a good man to date because it’s unfortunately harder than it should be !!!!
an enjoyable read and one for the girlies who struggle finding a good man to date because it’s unfortunately harder than it should be !!!!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book completely won me over. I loved Annie Lord’s memoir so I had high hopes but wasn’t sure what to expect with the plot. Really really loved it, I could BE in Daisy’s shoes and feel every emotion and I bookmarked so many pages. A delight
Read
April 4, 2026With thanks to Harper/Edelweiss for the ARC (rating/review to come)
April 15, 2026
A fun read! I always hated the Chick Lit title, but it’s that but with depth. Sex, drugs and the realisation that you are better being with someone you can be yourself around..
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy to review.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy to review.
May 1, 2026
3,5 ⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Why do men so often feel as though they can’t let their guard down and talk about their feelings? Why is it so often down to their girlfriends to teach them how to be vulnerable?
Can a makeover ever not be problematic? The idea of an emotional makeover is an interesting one. And interestingly the problems that arise as a result of James’s emotional development pretty much just affect Daisy’s self confidence and flare up issues she had already.
It was definitely satisfying to read about the emotional arc from the type of guy who pretty much every girl has come across. The very laddy types that love to create a big scene to get a few laughs, for him to actually want to learn about the female experience and how to express his feeling in order to show up better in relationships. Sure they give him an actual makeover too but it’s the emotional stuff that really struck me.
Can a makeover ever not be problematic? The idea of an emotional makeover is an interesting one. And interestingly the problems that arise as a result of James’s emotional development pretty much just affect Daisy’s self confidence and flare up issues she had already.
It was definitely satisfying to read about the emotional arc from the type of guy who pretty much every girl has come across. The very laddy types that love to create a big scene to get a few laughs, for him to actually want to learn about the female experience and how to express his feeling in order to show up better in relationships. Sure they give him an actual makeover too but it’s the emotional stuff that really struck me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an ARC and am leaving a voluntary review.
A funny, gritty and I've got to imagine, realistic, account of life as a twenty-something in the city.
The Project element is just a small part of this story, and it's essentially a friends to lovers story with a lot of frustrating miscommunication and alcohol.
The narrative often felt quite chaotic but I think that was by design as it added to the overall story and took you on a journey with the main characters through their chaotic lives.
I'd recommend this book for the demographic featured, it would probably be a lot more relatable for the Hinge & TikTok generation but overall it was an enjoyable read.
A funny, gritty and I've got to imagine, realistic, account of life as a twenty-something in the city.
The Project element is just a small part of this story, and it's essentially a friends to lovers story with a lot of frustrating miscommunication and alcohol.
The narrative often felt quite chaotic but I think that was by design as it added to the overall story and took you on a journey with the main characters through their chaotic lives.
I'd recommend this book for the demographic featured, it would probably be a lot more relatable for the Hinge & TikTok generation but overall it was an enjoyable read.
May 3, 2026
Ad/gifted
Annie Lord’s The Project examines modern dating through a female perspective as we follow Daisy and her best friend Maya, who navigate their 20s in London. After a regrettable one-night stand with her friend James, Daisy begins to question why she and the intelligent, capable women around her face such limited romantic prospects. This leads to The Project: a structured reinvention of dating, with James serving as her initial test case, as he’s a stereotypical guy with laddish behaviour. As the premise unfolds, Daisy is forced to confront her feelings that intensify during this period.
Daisy is a compelling central figure who often reminds me of a younger Bridget Jones, and the interactions with Maya are marked by feminist discussions and candid exchanges that add depth to their friendship. James is also a great character as he is portrayed as a typical mid-twenties lad, shaped by common gendered assumptions.
This book reminded me of Everything I Know About Love as it’s similar in tone and theme as they both explore feminism, relationships (romantic and platonic), sex, and wider social attitudes. I really enjoyed the fun makeover and ‘friends to lovers’ tropes in this book, especially how it functions more as a mechanism for exploring emotional growth than as a traditional romance plot. An underrated part of the book was when Daisy went back home, and we saw more of her relationship with her mother, which added a lot of warmth to the story for me.
Overall, The Project offers a distinct and refreshing contribution to contemporary fiction. It’s a modern take on a rom-com as it’s a blend of humour and emotional honesty, and if you’re a fan of character-driven narratives that explore the complexities of modern relationships, you’ll love this book, which comes out in July 2026.
Thank you Harvill Books & Vintage Books for a proof!
For a more in-depth review, here’s the link to my blog: https://sophslibrary.com/2025/12/03/t...
Annie Lord’s The Project examines modern dating through a female perspective as we follow Daisy and her best friend Maya, who navigate their 20s in London. After a regrettable one-night stand with her friend James, Daisy begins to question why she and the intelligent, capable women around her face such limited romantic prospects. This leads to The Project: a structured reinvention of dating, with James serving as her initial test case, as he’s a stereotypical guy with laddish behaviour. As the premise unfolds, Daisy is forced to confront her feelings that intensify during this period.
Daisy is a compelling central figure who often reminds me of a younger Bridget Jones, and the interactions with Maya are marked by feminist discussions and candid exchanges that add depth to their friendship. James is also a great character as he is portrayed as a typical mid-twenties lad, shaped by common gendered assumptions.
This book reminded me of Everything I Know About Love as it’s similar in tone and theme as they both explore feminism, relationships (romantic and platonic), sex, and wider social attitudes. I really enjoyed the fun makeover and ‘friends to lovers’ tropes in this book, especially how it functions more as a mechanism for exploring emotional growth than as a traditional romance plot. An underrated part of the book was when Daisy went back home, and we saw more of her relationship with her mother, which added a lot of warmth to the story for me.
Overall, The Project offers a distinct and refreshing contribution to contemporary fiction. It’s a modern take on a rom-com as it’s a blend of humour and emotional honesty, and if you’re a fan of character-driven narratives that explore the complexities of modern relationships, you’ll love this book, which comes out in July 2026.
Thank you Harvill Books & Vintage Books for a proof!
For a more in-depth review, here’s the link to my blog: https://sophslibrary.com/2025/12/03/t...
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