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The Project
After more than a year of fighting cancer, Anastasia Simmons is given a devastating diagnosis. She has only twelve months to live. She decides to spend what precious time she has, enjoying life to the fullest and making a difference. Ana buys a bakery from owners who are going into foreclosure and gifts it back to them with one condition. She wants to work for them occasionally and serve up some of her delicious confections.
Dimitri Petrovsky is the eldest son of one of the richest and most powerful families in St. Petersburg, Russia. Though business is important, his family regards love as the keystone of success. Before his father will give him control of the family dynasty, Dimitri must be married. His stubborn nature compels him to refuse and he moves to the States to take charge of the family’s American business interests instead. The distance provides a sense of safety and, to appease his parents, he tells them he met and married a woman after a whirlwind romance.
The ruse works, until his parent’s fortieth wedding anniversary. Not only is he required to attend the celebration, but he must bring his new wife. Dimitri has spent weeks going to a local Bistro just for the opportunity to watch the beautiful woman who works at a nearby bakery. She’s a little rough around the edges, but Dimitri is running out of time and decides to make his move.
When Ana is approached by a handsome stranger who asks her to be his pretend wife, she thinks he’s lost his mind. After talking to Dimitri for a while, she realizes he’s sane but doesn’t know the meaning of fun or joy. She decides to turn the tables and make him her next project. She accepts his invitation, but he has to abide by a few stipulations. They must spend one month getting to know each other so they will appear to be a real couple and Dimitri has to do everything Ana wants, no resistance, no questions.
The days fly by and, before either of them realize it, they have fallen in love. There is one glitch, however. Ana has not told Dimitri she is dying.
The Project is a standalone novel written by Leila Lacey, the popular romance author of the Curvy Goddess series.
Dimitri Petrovsky is the eldest son of one of the richest and most powerful families in St. Petersburg, Russia. Though business is important, his family regards love as the keystone of success. Before his father will give him control of the family dynasty, Dimitri must be married. His stubborn nature compels him to refuse and he moves to the States to take charge of the family’s American business interests instead. The distance provides a sense of safety and, to appease his parents, he tells them he met and married a woman after a whirlwind romance.
The ruse works, until his parent’s fortieth wedding anniversary. Not only is he required to attend the celebration, but he must bring his new wife. Dimitri has spent weeks going to a local Bistro just for the opportunity to watch the beautiful woman who works at a nearby bakery. She’s a little rough around the edges, but Dimitri is running out of time and decides to make his move.
When Ana is approached by a handsome stranger who asks her to be his pretend wife, she thinks he’s lost his mind. After talking to Dimitri for a while, she realizes he’s sane but doesn’t know the meaning of fun or joy. She decides to turn the tables and make him her next project. She accepts his invitation, but he has to abide by a few stipulations. They must spend one month getting to know each other so they will appear to be a real couple and Dimitri has to do everything Ana wants, no resistance, no questions.
The days fly by and, before either of them realize it, they have fallen in love. There is one glitch, however. Ana has not told Dimitri she is dying.
The Project is a standalone novel written by Leila Lacey, the popular romance author of the Curvy Goddess series.
246 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 20, 2015
28 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Leila Lacey
39 books48 followersAbout Leila Leila Lacey is a romance author living in Michigan. Her unique, yet titillating, genre blurs the lines between romance, interracial love and erotica. Now in her late 30’s, Leila has been passionate about writing since age 10. She can often be found traveling the world, enjoying water sports, listening to jazz music or volunteering at Vista Maria, a local youth program for young women. Leila, above all else, loves her friends and family. It is with their support that she is able to create magical scenes of true human intimacy on every page. Follow Leila Lacey on her endeavor to be America’s next New York Time’s Bestselling Author!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
June 15, 2015
Exceptionall
This is Demetris and Ana's love story and what a story it is! The Project has you laughing and then it has you emotional. You know it's a good book when you are through all you can do is say DAYum y did it have to end like that and syh. WILL I READ THIS AGAIN no WILL I RECOMMEND THIS TO A FRIEND heck yes!!
This is Demetris and Ana's love story and what a story it is! The Project has you laughing and then it has you emotional. You know it's a good book when you are through all you can do is say DAYum y did it have to end like that and syh. WILL I READ THIS AGAIN no WILL I RECOMMEND THIS TO A FRIEND heck yes!!
June 15, 2015
Although I have a number of books by this author this is the first one I have actually read. I read this book via Kindle Unlimited.
I love plus sized women stories, so I think I will be reading a lot more of this author as she writes about them a lot!
This is Dimitri and Ana's story. This story will make you laugh out loud and make you sad at the same time. It is a very emotional story. I felt bad that Ana did not share up front her situation with Dimitri so that he could have done many things differently, instead of them both wasting precious time, they could have been discovering more things together.
Great read!
I love plus sized women stories, so I think I will be reading a lot more of this author as she writes about them a lot!
This is Dimitri and Ana's story. This story will make you laugh out loud and make you sad at the same time. It is a very emotional story. I felt bad that Ana did not share up front her situation with Dimitri so that he could have done many things differently, instead of them both wasting precious time, they could have been discovering more things together.
Great read!
April 23, 2015
Touched by an Angel
My God, this was a work of selflessness of oneself. Ana was that person! She had gotten the short-end of the stick for a long time, but could always see the good in others. Dimitri had something to prove to his father, but he finds something in Anastasia other then what she shows the world. You know the sayings like " Judge a book by it's cover" That was Ana through an through. Now this will have you on a first class seat on a emotional rollercoaster. Now their was so many funny part and some tearjerkers, in all amazing read. I still hope Dimitri finds love, but I was glad he got some happiness.
My God, this was a work of selflessness of oneself. Ana was that person! She had gotten the short-end of the stick for a long time, but could always see the good in others. Dimitri had something to prove to his father, but he finds something in Anastasia other then what she shows the world. You know the sayings like " Judge a book by it's cover" That was Ana through an through. Now this will have you on a first class seat on a emotional rollercoaster. Now their was so many funny part and some tearjerkers, in all amazing read. I still hope Dimitri finds love, but I was glad he got some happiness.
June 24, 2016
I've had this book for about a year and I don't know why it stayed in my TBR pile for so long but I am so glad that I FINALLY picked it up......Ana and Dimitri made me fall head over heels for both of them.....they both needed each other in their own way, while Ana was helping Dimitri, Dimitri was helping Ana too.....There were so many funny moments in this book that it had you laughing out loud and people looking at you like you're crazy.....Matt and Sherri was too funny.... Although I LOVE happy endings and this one didn't have that but it did make you realize that we need to live each and everyday to the fullest... GREAT READ......pick this one up!!!
August 11, 2017
4.5 stars for this funny ride to crazy town. I laughed so much reading this book. Ana is a wealthy businesswoman who dos not flaunt it. She prefers sweats and sneakers to Chanel and Louboutins. The lady has an affinity for cooking and owns a bakery and restaurant. To relieve stress she sometimes works the counter at the bakery.
Dimitri is a loner who eats at the bakery three times a day. He is dubbed the serial killer by Ana because of his stiff demeanor. He is looking for a woman to pretend to be his wife so his father will turn over the family business to him. His father is a stern man who lives in Russia and thinks his son must be married in order to be successful.
The dynamic between Ana and Dimitri is hilarious. They are both attracted to each other, but Ana agrees to his proposition only because of the sadness she sees in his eyes. She decides to make him her project - a legacy of sorts. She has an inoperable brain tumor caused by cancer and has been given a death sentence. She thinks if she can help Dimitri learn to live life and have fun, she can die happy.
The fake couple spend lots of time together in order to get to know each other and end up finding out they are very compatible. Ana makes him do things he has never though of. She brings him out of his shell and helps him find his true self. Their best friends Mark and Sherri are a riot. They provide the well placed comic relief in the story.
This tale started off as a marriage of convenience and ended with an epic love story. Though his love could not save Ana's life she did end up saving his. The Project was successful! I laughed, cried and cheered all through this book.
Dimitri is a loner who eats at the bakery three times a day. He is dubbed the serial killer by Ana because of his stiff demeanor. He is looking for a woman to pretend to be his wife so his father will turn over the family business to him. His father is a stern man who lives in Russia and thinks his son must be married in order to be successful.
The dynamic between Ana and Dimitri is hilarious. They are both attracted to each other, but Ana agrees to his proposition only because of the sadness she sees in his eyes. She decides to make him her project - a legacy of sorts. She has an inoperable brain tumor caused by cancer and has been given a death sentence. She thinks if she can help Dimitri learn to live life and have fun, she can die happy.
The fake couple spend lots of time together in order to get to know each other and end up finding out they are very compatible. Ana makes him do things he has never though of. She brings him out of his shell and helps him find his true self. Their best friends Mark and Sherri are a riot. They provide the well placed comic relief in the story.
This tale started off as a marriage of convenience and ended with an epic love story. Though his love could not save Ana's life she did end up saving his. The Project was successful! I laughed, cried and cheered all through this book.
May 28, 2017
This book is really a 3.5. This book made me laugh and then made me sad. Especially towards the end... It just makes you appreciate life even more.
August 29, 2018
Great book
I did not think it would end this way but it was beautiful. Thank you for not making it predictable. It works great do see real people
I did not think it would end this way but it was beautiful. Thank you for not making it predictable. It works great do see real people
June 12, 2015
This story began as a preposterous story of a plus sized African American Woman and closet billionaire who is asked by a Russian billionaire to pretend to be his wife to convince his parents that he is worthy of taking over the family business. Whew! So I started reading the book thinking...this will be light, fun but forgettable. I was wrong. Ana is a bright, fun loving, quietly rich woman who is so dressed-down that she appears to be homeless to the male counterpart Dimitri. Dimitri needs a wife quick so after watching her for weeks in a restaurant where she volunteers her time, he makes his unusual proposal thinking she could use the money. Ana agrees to his proposal simply to fix what she perceives is his serious problem of being too arrogant, stiff and serious. But she has a secret in that she has a terminal form of cancer. For her, this will be her final project, her mark on the world. Hence my description of "preposterous". However, while this sounded like the usual formula read, the story was actually quite the opposite. This is a beautiful, touching love story. I am a health professional so I wondered how the author would handle the terminal diagnosis of the main character. I won't give away the storyline but I will say I appreciated the care evidenced in writing the ending. You will like the many characters in this story. You will like how they are presented and laugh at the dialogue. Ana's best friend is hilarious and loyal. Dimitri's best friend is equally memorable for his ribbing of his friend and his lifestyle. Most of all you will read the final pages of this book, realize that it could not have ended any other way and then think about this story for a while.
April 21, 2015
So, I have read quite a few of Leila's books and will say that this one is by far my favourite to date. I will also give a warning that it is a super emotional book and to have tissues on hand. Even as I write this review and think back over the book my eyes are tearing up. One minute I would be laughing at something funny and the next I'm tearing up or ugly crying.
Anastasia is a beautiful, down to earth, lovely woman who is generous and tries to help everyone. Dimitri is a hardened man who thinks he is just fine on his own and wants Ana to pretend to be his wife. Over the course of the next month they begin to get to know each other and the seeds of love begin to take root. But Ana has a secret she's dying. As Dimitiri finally begins to open himself up to her and she worms her way into his life exposing and challenging him to new things as she decided to make him her next project as he seems so unhappy and all she wants is for him to be happy.
I can't adequately put into words how much I love this book! My heart aches for Dimitri and Ana. I received an ARC for my honest review.
Anastasia is a beautiful, down to earth, lovely woman who is generous and tries to help everyone. Dimitri is a hardened man who thinks he is just fine on his own and wants Ana to pretend to be his wife. Over the course of the next month they begin to get to know each other and the seeds of love begin to take root. But Ana has a secret she's dying. As Dimitiri finally begins to open himself up to her and she worms her way into his life exposing and challenging him to new things as she decided to make him her next project as he seems so unhappy and all she wants is for him to be happy.
I can't adequately put into words how much I love this book! My heart aches for Dimitri and Ana. I received an ARC for my honest review.
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September 18, 2015Tragic fairytale
This book was over the top and totally unbelievable, so I call it a fairytale. Ana and Dominique just happen to both be billionaires and wow everything they want just happens for them. Well almost Ana does have a terminal illness be but still ends up getting everything she wants before the end. The author tried to hard to be funny and the story moved too fast. This was so disjointed, I only finished it because I had hope the story would veer away from its predictable path but sadly it did not. The love scenes were lacking and uninspiring. The three stars were for a good attempt at storytelling, Lani the 4 year old with spunk, and an ending that at least appeased my irritation.
This book was over the top and totally unbelievable, so I call it a fairytale. Ana and Dominique just happen to both be billionaires and wow everything they want just happens for them. Well almost Ana does have a terminal illness be but still ends up getting everything she wants before the end. The author tried to hard to be funny and the story moved too fast. This was so disjointed, I only finished it because I had hope the story would veer away from its predictable path but sadly it did not. The love scenes were lacking and uninspiring. The three stars were for a good attempt at storytelling, Lani the 4 year old with spunk, and an ending that at least appeased my irritation.
November 13, 2015
This was one of the best romance short stories I’ve read so far. The story set up is well written, the charters believable. I couldn’t put this book down read it in one day eager for the conclusion. This is my first time reading anything from this Author and won’t be the last. The love that develops between Ana and Dimitri came to life for me with plotting a fake marriage to convince his father he was worthy of CEO of the family business. There where parts of the story that had me laughing and crying. It was funny, romantic and heart warming. Oh I can’t forget Ana’s best friend Sherri she was the life of the party. A must read the ending will had you in tears.
May 1, 2015
Well Done!
I don't know when I've enjoyed a book so much from beginning to end.Not only did I enjoy the main characters but I enjoy the supporting cast as well.This is such a fun laugh out loud story that's mixed with adult life.There are moments when you just let the year's flow and moments when you are laughing so hard that you are holding your sides.This is one you are going to want to read and share with a friend.So might think you don't get a happy ending,you do what you get is life and wonderful story.
I don't know when I've enjoyed a book so much from beginning to end.Not only did I enjoy the main characters but I enjoy the supporting cast as well.This is such a fun laugh out loud story that's mixed with adult life.There are moments when you just let the year's flow and moments when you are laughing so hard that you are holding your sides.This is one you are going to want to read and share with a friend.So might think you don't get a happy ending,you do what you get is life and wonderful story.
June 1, 2015
Truly enjoyed!
I have never laughed out loud so much! I really wish that this book had been five the attention that it deserves from the publisher. The typos, spelling errors and grammatical errors were a let down and the author should have proofread the final draft before it went to print!
It is a great story that had me laughing to tears! I truly enjoyed the characters and had a good cry at the end.
I have never laughed out loud so much! I really wish that this book had been five the attention that it deserves from the publisher. The typos, spelling errors and grammatical errors were a let down and the author should have proofread the final draft before it went to print!
It is a great story that had me laughing to tears! I truly enjoyed the characters and had a good cry at the end.
April 26, 2015
Truly the Best Book I have read all year
Real life with the unexpected ending. Wow you kept it real from page one to the end. Thank you for sharing that shot does happen to us all rich or poor, but what we do with it
makes the difference. This book as has made a difference for me.
Real life with the unexpected ending. Wow you kept it real from page one to the end. Thank you for sharing that shot does happen to us all rich or poor, but what we do with it
makes the difference. This book as has made a difference for me.
March 29, 2016
What?
I'm not the kind of person to get choked up at the end of books but..... Wow. It is surprising and refreshing to have a different outcome at the end. I am happy I took the time to read this. Although there was a lot of errors (a lot) I still liked the way the story went. And the three is because of those errors. Good read
I'm not the kind of person to get choked up at the end of books but..... Wow. It is surprising and refreshing to have a different outcome at the end. I am happy I took the time to read this. Although there was a lot of errors (a lot) I still liked the way the story went. And the three is because of those errors. Good read
April 25, 2015
Awesome read
I never laughed so hard and cried in the same book for a long time. Could not put this book down. I. Will read this author again. If u like sassy black women this book is for. You!
I never laughed so hard and cried in the same book for a long time. Could not put this book down. I. Will read this author again. If u like sassy black women this book is for. You!
April 28, 2015
Bravo!!!!!!!##
That is call I can say about this book. I haven't laughed and cried so much reading a book in so very long. This booked warmed my heart. And I know . It might be wrong but I just loved.....Loved the ending. I for one am glad he didn't remarry
That is call I can say about this book. I haven't laughed and cried so much reading a book in so very long. This booked warmed my heart. And I know . It might be wrong but I just loved.....Loved the ending. I for one am glad he didn't remarry
May 3, 2015
Hilarious and heartfelt
This was the most entertaining book I've read since I began reading romance. I have laughed til I cried and cried until I laughed. It is worth reading!!!!!! I really hated that it had to end!!!!
This was the most entertaining book I've read since I began reading romance. I have laughed til I cried and cried until I laughed. It is worth reading!!!!!! I really hated that it had to end!!!!
May 13, 2015
My god I loved this story
I choose this rating because honestly it was a great read!!! I loved how Ana helped him and he slowly found him self. I cried so much at the end but it was the best ever. Definitely a wonderful story. Thank u.
I choose this rating because honestly it was a great read!!! I loved how Ana helped him and he slowly found him self. I cried so much at the end but it was the best ever. Definitely a wonderful story. Thank u.
May 15, 2015
Good read
Although it has many errors it was a good read. Oh like the fact the author didn't let Ana character die instead of finding a cure for her illness and Dimitri character ended up alone. It's refreshing to see a romantic story like ended the way it did.
Although it has many errors it was a good read. Oh like the fact the author didn't let Ana character die instead of finding a cure for her illness and Dimitri character ended up alone. It's refreshing to see a romantic story like ended the way it did.
April 25, 2015
A must read
This is one of the best books I've read in a long time. I cried my eyes out. Must read
This is one of the best books I've read in a long time. I cried my eyes out. Must read
May 9, 2015
So So
Ok story line but the grammar was horrible. I would maybe give the author another shot due to the story line but it didn't flow as smoothly as it should've.
Ok story line but the grammar was horrible. I would maybe give the author another shot due to the story line but it didn't flow as smoothly as it should've.
May 6, 2015
What an EMOTIONAL ROLERCOASTER! I laughed and cried. Awesome story!
May 9, 2015
Heartwarming Story Of True Love
This is a true testament of what true love can bring you through and how it can heal you and make you a better person.
This is a true testament of what true love can bring you through and how it can heal you and make you a better person.
May 15, 2015
Good Read
Could hardly put this book down. There's so many twists and turns it's amazing!
Loved it and I can't wait to read another.
Could hardly put this book down. There's so many twists and turns it's amazing!
Loved it and I can't wait to read another.
May 17, 2015
Beautiful story.
I wish the ending could have been different but such is life. Still will recommend this book as a good read.
I wish the ending could have been different but such is life. Still will recommend this book as a good read.
June 28, 2015
This was a very good story...Sad and good all at the same time.
July 7, 2015
Wow
This was an amazing story! It will make you laugh, cry and want to throw the H and h. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, thank you Ms. Lacey.
This was an amazing story! It will make you laugh, cry and want to throw the H and h. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, thank you Ms. Lacey.
November 13, 2015
Some of the dialogue and plot was straight ridiculous and to me very unrealistic. On top of the many typos through out the book.
April 6, 2017
SAD
Loved the story want the ending to be happier ending but love the writing in all her books and will reading them again
Loved the story want the ending to be happier ending but love the writing in all her books and will reading them again
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews