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The Project
Not yet published
Expected 9 Jul 26Modern dating’s a mess. Unfortunately, so are they.
The era-defining romcom from Vogue dating columnist and author of Notes on Heartbreak, Annie Lord.
'Annie Lord is a phenomenal talent' DOLLY ALDERTON
‘If one person knows how to write about modern relationships… it’s Annie Lord’ VICE
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.
The era-defining romcom from Vogue dating columnist and author of Notes on Heartbreak, Annie Lord.
'Annie Lord is a phenomenal talent' DOLLY ALDERTON
‘If one person knows how to write about modern relationships… it’s Annie Lord’ VICE
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
4 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
December 3, 2025
Thank you Harvill Books & Vintage Books for a proof!
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.
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.
For a more in-depth review, here’s the link to my blog: https://sophslibrary.com/2025/12/03/t...
Displaying 1 of 1 review