The Project

by Annie Lord

Modern 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.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Adult, Ebooks, Adult Romance, Adult Fiction

375 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 9, 2026

Reviews

[Maaike]

I was quite interested in reading this book. I love more literary books combined with romance. But this one, it just didn’t work for me at all.

I literally have so many things that I didn’t like in this book that I honestly don’t even know where to start😭

The main character, Daisy, is incredibly infuriating. She has this whole persona that she wants to be but it becomes clear very quickly that she just isn’t that interesting as she thinks she is. She judges everything and everyone around her, but most of all herself. There are quite a lot of weird comments from herself about her eating and drinking behaviour which was quite uncomfortable at times. Like being really mad at herself for eating too quickly and too unhealthy or losing herself with alcohol and drugs again but it’s also just treated as a cute quirk she has. It’s sort of vaguely hinted that she wants to be more interesting to impress her friend, Fin, who sounds like the least interesting person ever but for some reason she’s completely obsessed with him and the idea of him, but we never really see them in a way that that sounds like a good idea.

After Fin puts her to the side for yet another girlfriend, Daisy and Maya decide that they should start ‘The Project’ to change men and make them into better boyfriends. Not just teach them how to talk about their emotions, but also teach them they should cook for their girlfriends and clean up after them and be feminists and have a good style. This whole concept still baffles me honestly. Is it important that men get taught that it’s okay to talk about their feelings and have a safe space for that? Yes absolutely. But completely change how they behave so they’re good enough boyfriend material for their standards??? Um no. It also just really bugs me that the entire thing stems from them thinking they know it best and men should really just listen to them to turn into perfect boyfriends. (Imagine this being the other way around? People would riot)

They end up helping James, who she had a one night stand with to get back at Fin, and even though he’s done some very shitty things to past girlfriends and has made horrendous comments about women, he starts to turn into a decent guy that’s up to their standards. So much so that she starts to like him. Until of course, he makes one small mistake and she immediately explodes, wants to give up on him entirely, bla bla. They still end up together and he seems to be really respectful of her boundaries and takes it slow as he doesn’t want to rush it with her. Then he spends some time talking to a girl he hurt because he still feels bad about it and she loses it again😭😭 so much so that she goes to mess around with Fin to get back at him. Like girl please pull yourself together for once.

She then has some revelations while with her mother and even though James has asked for some space, because he’s understandably hurt, she goes to him and gives him this whole speech about how much she likes him. And he understandably tells her that she can’t expect him to just immediately get back with her because he’s hurt. And then she tells him that he should because he’s done the same to his exes????? Like girl wtf are you even saying??? And he actually accepts it as well😭😭😭😭

Throughout this all I also had to struggle to very very long chapters, barely any chapter breaks, writing that just didn’t really work for me with how negative and vulgar it was. Some things were also drawn out so incredibly long while I wish we’d gotten a lot more character development from Daisy and James. We do get some moments but a lot seems to happen off page so he’s suddenly a whole other person but you don’t really witness it happening. I also just still think it’s fucked they thought they could just makeover a guy and teach him to be a better boyfriend and it wouldn’t be weird??

I think this will work for some people but this book clearly wasn’t for me sadly.

Thank you to Penguin Export for providing me with an arc.

[alan johnson’s beamer]

literally “i can fix him” in a book

girl……… stand up

[Annie M.]

I 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!

[Connie]

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!!

[cinnamonbun ‎♡‧₊˚]

FAVE BOOK SO FAR THIS YEAR!! Love love love love

[Chloe Doherty]

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!

[Emily]

✨3.5 stars✨


The Project by Annie Lord, was the first book that I have read by the author and the plot was interesting. I especially enjoyed the dynamic between the friendship group and the writing was for the most part entertaining.

I think some of the pacing was just a bit off which meant that the book lost my attention sometimes, especially in the middle portion as that’s when it felt particularly dense.

However, I can see why a lot of people would enjoy this book especially as the subjects covered are incredibly important and topical.

I received an ARC from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

[Charlotte Hardin]

Liked this a lot, main character is unlikeable but think that’s just cause she’s v real about how women often perceive themselves around men, and often gives into problematic dynamics between herself and men. Something v nostalgic about the book, but probably only because the character went to uni in Leeds, and now lives in London.

[Miranda]

*4.5, WOWW. I ADORED this!! I randomly requested it on NetGalley, and I am so glad I did. The romance was incredible, but this book and all that I love about it goes even beyond that.

Lord has such a distinct voice, and it shows in how authentic and refreshing the writing feels. It almost comes off as jarring at first with how real it is? Like you just happened to stumble upon Daisy’s life. These characters will fully put their foot in their mouth in conversation and make some really bad decisions, but those are also actions I see people around me making in my everyday life.

And that authenticity continues with James. We don’t get his point of view, but he really feels like another main character. Again, it took me a second, but I found myself being really drawn to him because he is so flawed. I’m so tired of mmc’s being perfect!! And his chemistry with Daisy was truly everything, even from the first chapter.

The Project is romantic, a little depressing even, and underratedly funny. It truly feels like a time capsule of what life is like right now. I highly recommend picking this one up (seriously, I need people to talk about it with!!!).

Thank you NetGalley & Harper for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review! <3

[Maggie John]

Really, really enjoyed this & couldn’t put it down at the end. I want to be Annie Lord, tbh.

[Ruth]

Narrator slightly annoying but otherwise entertaining

[Crizybooks]

DNF 50%

I really tried. The premise was very good: two friends take on a project in which they try to turn a jerk into the man of their dreams, while one of them slowly starts falling for him. Maybe I’m not understanding the London humor, or maybe it’s because I’m not part of the generation this book is aimed at (the book is very clear about being Gen Z), but I couldn’t connect with any of the characters, especially Daisy, the protagonist.

I’m a fan of complex and morally gray characters, but I feel like she’s more lacking in personality. She constantly adapts to her surroundings and tries to please the people she’s with. She also keeps saying that she knows she’s funny, and whenever she makes a joke, I find it to be the least funny thing in the world.

I wanted to finish it because I was already halfway through, but it was becoming impossible for me to keep going.

Thank you, HarperCollins, for this ARC. It simply wasn’t the book for me.

———————-

DNF 50%

Realmente lo intenté, la premisa era muy buena, dos amigas realizan un proyecto en el que intentan convertir a un patán en el hombre de sus sueños mientras que una de ellas va enamorándose de el.

Tal vez no estoy entendiendo el humor londinense o se deba a que no es mi generación (el libro es muy claro sobre ser Gen-Z) pero no pude conectar con ninguno de los personajes, especialmente con Daisy la protagonista. Soy fan de los personajes complejos y grises, pero creo que más bien carece de personalidad, se va adaptando al entorno y a complacer a la personas con las que está, se la pasa diciendo que sabe que es graciosa y cuando hace alguna broma me parece lo menos gracioso del mundo.

Quería terminarlo por que ya iba a la mitad pero me estaba resultando imposible.

Gracias Harper Collins por este ARC, simplemente no fue el libro para mi.

[Freddy]

5- I know a Dolly Alderton daughter when I see one!!

[Silke Drevel]

I'm annoyed with how mid this was.
The premises sounded very cool and I thought it would be way more about these two friends that are fed up with dating mediocre men and how they can rehabilitate them. Instead it was just a dragged out, very predictable, romcom. It had good moments when it was just Daisy and Maya being friends, saying smart stuff about dating in this day and age, but the minute a guy walked into the scene the whole thing wouldn't pass the bechdel test if it's life depended on it.

Also I HATE absolutely HATE how the whole time the main character, Daisy, feels so ugly and fat and stupid, but the minute a guy tells her she is beautiful, she finds her confidence and finds out she has been gorgeous all this time?? This book was written by a woman in 2026. Are we still doing that!? Really?? And lastly, I have never read a book by a female author where the fact that the female protagonist has large breasts is named so frequently. Couldn't tell you anything about her except that she has large boobs. Like really, they are large. And men look at them. And she likes fluffing them up so they look nice in the top/dress/sweater she is wearing. It's giving "women in men dominated fields"....

The whole book was just one of those badly made Netflix romcom's you watch when you are hungover.

[Amelia Petersen]

Author discovers feminism for the first time? Author discovers empathy for the first time? Author writes unbearable characters she thinks are relatable but who are some of the worst people I’ve ever read about? Who knows!

[Sáoirse]

soooo relatable i’ve never read something that came as close to equating my thoughts exactly

[Angie Miale]

Friends, this book was not for me. This is some Gen Z group in the UK and they are finding their way around relationships. Personally I just felt that it sort of romanticized toxic relationships and had way too much overtly sexual content. But that is just me, perhaps others may love it.

[Fin Dobson]

I really wanted to like this having loved Annie Lord’s previous book, Notes on Heartbreak, but this just did not work for me. I found the fmc to be annoying and I questioned pretty much every decision she made which doesn’t make for a fun reading experience when you’re in first person, and I did not feel there was any romance with the mmc. Although I could see what she was going for with the ending, it felt rushed and unbelievable. However I’ll still definitely read anything else Lord publishes in the future.

[Charlotte]

Thank you so much to Vintage for sending me an early copy of The Project! I thought that the idea of the book was interesting but, without mentioning spoilers, there were just too many aspects I felt I didn’t like. I couldn’t really feel the chemistry between the mmc & fmc and the ending between them felt quite rushed. Also the miscommunication trope was really frustrating.

[McKenna]

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 !!!!

[Roxane]

Rating a book 5 ⭐️ is entirely vibes based. There is no logic. This book is a 5 ⭐️ but also it’s not, I had lots of problems with it. But at the end, I was so content with it and my reading experience that I cannot rate it anything other than 5 ⭐️…

Some thoughts….
- This is a really rare example of a romance in which the MMC is a fully realized man that isn’t just some perfect romantic character that is just a love interest… he felt very real, gross but charming, kind but so deeply repressed… we know so many! I loved this (very unrealistic) scene where he confronts that some of his behaviors with women were actually kind of fucked up (ie., choking his one night stands) and he says that he’s just never thought about it because he thinks he’s a good guy deep down but what matters are the actions you take…
- Like Maya I am at heart a man hater before anything else and this novel made me want to read The Will to Change but also it made me soften my very aggressive and closed off stance… but only a little lol… I also have a soft spot for British men so maybe that helped too…
- None of these characters acted like they were 26. I don’t know if maybe the development of British adults is stunted by their absurd alcohol consumption, but all these characters acted 22: they’re all high and mighty about their ideals and haven’t yet done enough introspection to figure out who they are and what their issues might be. I personally I don’t know that many 26 year old women who still give much thought of the idealized versions of ourselves we used to romanticize as teenagers and young adults. Our protagonist is completely obsessed by that ideal. All the characters felt very shallow, not in a bad way just in a “I just graduated” way. Also, they all seemed to have 0 interest in their careers… Obviously this is not a book about careers but for 26-year-olds, it was comically underdeveloped.
- The author wrote herself as Daisy and essentially gasses herself up the entire time which, fair, but it would always take me out of the book because I’d be like… girl.
- My main qualm with romances is they follow such a predictable progression. I want to be surprised! Though maybe I should just read a thriller and accept romances for what they are. But as far as romances go this one was definitely predictable but nonetheless delightful and well executed.
- I’ll keep this one short lol but I’ve rarely read such realistic sex scenes, 10/10 no notes.

[gottalottie]

As a romance this is 2 stars but as a lit fic, it’s 4 stars. The writer is a dating columnist for British Vogue, so the style is slick and relatable, even if off-putting at times.

honestly the parts that made me uncomfortable are because I found her depiction of dating culture for men and women in their 20s to be so realistic and bleak.

I have a big problem with the hero being misogynistic in the year of our lord 2026. The explanation for this is he grew up with toxic masculinity, got positive reinforcement for acting like a clown and degrading women, and insecurity over his background.

I get it, Gen Z women are feeling like this is what we have to work with nowadays, but I do not like the “I can fix him” trope when the hero exists in the modern world.

And yeah, I get that everyone’s upbringing is different and I will say the author did a really good job of making the hero sympathetic, considering, but the result was me just feeling like he was dumb. I pitied him.

In the end, I was invested and entertained and felt like the social commentary was relevant so I guess I liked it overall.

[Amelia]

2.5 had higher expectations

[Bianca Sandale]

Nicht mein Thema oder Stil aber eh unterhaltsam und klug

[˗ˏˋ lia ˎˊ˗]

“ihr kommt an und reißt meine mauern ein, ihr spioniert mich aus, und sobald ich mich sicher fühle, überlegt ihr es euch anders und seid weg.”

das projekt war eine geschichte, die stellenweise überraschend nah an meine eigenen gedanken und gefühle herankam. genau dadurch konnte mich der roman auf eine sehr persönliche art berühren.

daisy war für mich eine unglaublich spannende protagonistin. besonders ihre beobachtungen über sich selbst, aber auch über die männer in ihrem umfeld, fand ich oft sehr treffend. ihre gedanken haben sich authentisch angefühlt und der geschichte viel nahbarkeit verliehen.

vor allem die beziehung zwischen daisy und james habe ich sehr gerne verfolgt. beide wirken wie echte menschen mit ihren eigenen unsicherheiten, fehlern und widersprüchen. manchmal waren sie auch frustrierend, doch genau das hat ihre dynamik für mich so glaubwürdig gemacht. sie sind chaotisch, verletzlich und alles andere als perfekt; und genau darin liegt für mich der besondere reiz ihrer geschichte.

auch wenn sich der roman in der mitte stellenweise etwas gezogen hat, hatte ich insgesamt eine wirklich gute zeit beim lesen — gerade durch die nahbaren figuren und die authentischen zwischenmenschlichen beziehungen!

4 stars

[Olivia de Csillery]

Absolutely ripped through this & had a ball doing so! A treat of a romcom with some really well observed details (the house parties, the scenes with her mum). Felt so relatable to my specific life stage & circumstances & location so maybe some of the enjoyment was because it felt so familiar. Very tropey but that’s romcoms for you!

[beks]

[DNF’d at 4%]

I had to DNF because I really couldn’t get on with the writing style and the chapters were way too long 🫣

[Stephanie ✨]

3.5 - Thank you so much to Harper for the free copy of this book!

It is hard to rate this book. I struggled with the first half of the book, not because it wasn't good but because there was just so much internal dialogue. There were a few times it did make me laugh. I thought the characters dialogue being in their 20s and dating was funny and felt relatable even almost 15 years later for me. I'm not sure if I had zoned out but I do not recall the conversation where they convince their friend to do this project. People have compared her writing to Dolly Alderton and I have only read one Dolly book and I can confidently say that it definitely me her vibe.

The shift of the book came for me when James and Daisy start hooking up. Daisy inner conflict of "what are we" and then her jealousy of seeing him talk to another woman felt relatable. There was a "big" moment at the end of the book that occurs on New Years Eve and I think that is a sign of "New Year, New Beginnings" theme of what is to come.

I read this one via audio and I tend to struggle with British accents but Emma Appleton is an exception. I really enjoyed her narration! She only has done 3 books and I have listened to hear read 2/3 books. Please cast her in more British authors books! The chapters were long and even though this is coming in close to 12 hours, it felt like a longer book.

I recommend this one if you like more of a literary romance about a group of 20 somethings in London.

[stephanie]

ik was echt excited voor dit boek omdat ik haar memoir van 4 jaar terug heel mooi vond (maar misschien zou ik die nu ook cringe vinden nu ik ouder ben) en omdat de wereld te weinig romance boeken heeft die meer contemporary fiction zijn dan voorspelbare ai-generated slop maar MAN dit was KUT en ik heb zo’n hele grote uitgave waarbij de pagina’s nog groter zijn dan m’n hoofd dus ipv 370 pagina’s voelt het alsof je er 873 aan het lezen bent dus het duurde EEN EEUWIGHEID!!! anyway…….

het hoofdpersoon was ZO irritant en haar beste vriendin had 0 character development en de love interest was ook stom en ik was niet #moved door de chemie en hoe vaak moet ik lezen dat je een mooie vintage jas aan hebt? dat je mac cool spice lipliner op hebt (dit stond er echt)? dat je grote tieten hebt? soms werd er wel een interessant punt gemaakt over modern daten maar het was gewoon ZOOOOOOOO voor de hand liggend dat ik er gek van werd!!!!!! het was allemaal te letterlijk!!!!!!!!! my GOD eindelijk hoef ik deze unit niet meer in m’n tas rond te zeulen naar werk EINDELIJK

[schleo]

keine ahnung, woran genau es gelegen hat… der schreibstil hat mir gar nicht gefallen und hatte gar nichts besonderes.. die protagonistin hat mich doll genervt und das hollywood-film-ende auch… es hat sich so in die länge gezogen alles,habe die letzten seiten nur überflogen… die idee des romans ist so gut und es gibt zwischendurch echt auch gute dialoge, aber leider überwiegen die hier nicht