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The Project (Canada Exclusive Edition)
The Project (Canada Exclusive Edition): A Novel | Courtney Summers
The #1 Spring 2021 Kids' Indie Next Pick An Amazon Best Young Adult Book of the Month for February Selection ARolling StoneTop Pop Culture for March Pick ABook RiotMost Anticipated Books of 2021 Selection Three starred reviews fromKirkus,School Library Journal, andBooklist! Featured in over 20 "Most Anticipated" lists, includingBuzzFeed, Den of Geek, Book Riot, Bustle, Publishers Weekly, PopSugar, Entertainment Weekly, Frolic,andB&N Reads! "In this compelling and absorbing YA novel, two sisters make the most painful of choices based on their love for one another." --Shelf Awareness From Courtney Summers, theNew York Times bestselling author of the 2019 Edgar Award Winner and breakout hitSadie, comes her electrifying follow-up--a suspenseful, pulls-no-punches story about an aspiring young journalist determined to save her sister no matter the cost. Lo Denham is used to being on her own. After her parents died in a tragic car accident, her sister Bea joined the elusive community called The Unity Project, leaving Lo to fend for herself. Desperate not to lose the only family she has left, Lo has spent the last six years trying to reconnect with Bea, only to be met with radio silence. When Lo's given the perfect opportunity to gain access to Bea's reclusive life, she thinks they're finally going to be reunited. But it's difficult to find someone who doesn't want to be found, and as Lo delves deeper into The Project and its charismatic leader, she begins to realize that there's more at risk than just her relationship with Bea: her very life might be in danger. As she uncovers more questions than answers at each turn, everything Lo thought she knew about herself, her sister, and the world is upended. One thing doesn't change, though, and that's what keeps her going: Bea needs her, and Lo will do anything to save her. "This book is brave and raw and exciting and wise--wise about girls and women, weakness and strength, and the bittersweet beauty of being human." --Melissa Albert,New York Times bestselling author of The Hazel Wood Series "This is a beautifully-written, compelling book about the lengths to which someone will go in order not to lose their sense of belonging. It's full of twists and turns, keeping its readers guessing until the very end. The characterization is masterfully done and so empathetic that the reader will find it almost impossible not to sympathize with the characters even if they are seemingly going down the wrong path. It's a tour de force, unflinchingly posing uncomfortable questions and forcing its readers to dig deep into themselves in order to find the answers." --The Nerd Daily
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Victoriahoperose
The Project | Courtney Summers
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Panpan

Super scattered and hard to follow for me. The timelines jumped all over the place and I couldn‘t keep track of what was going on which made me lose interest. I loved the cult part of it and thought that would be enough, but it just wasn‘t for me.

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LeafingThroughLife
The Project | Courtney Summers
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Pickpick

Bea and Lo Denham lost their parents to a car accident that almost took Lo‘s life, too. Bea finds solace in The Unity Project, a religious cult. When Lo recovers, she only wants her sister back but is soon tangled in the web of the Project. An eerie atmosphere, slowly revealed truths, believably damaged main characters and perspectives on the cult and its leader from both inside and outside make this a compelling read.

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AprilMae
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My pick for May!!! Creepy yet compelling. I apparently have had a thing for cult book recently I realized lol

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AprilMae
Pickpick

Another book by this author I enjoyed. The ending was not what I expected so that was a pleasant surprise

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AprilMae
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I've always been most comfortable surrounded by books. Bookstores, libraries, next to the bookcase at a friend's house. Books have always brought a comfort that's hard to explain. Maybe it's why my dream has always been to have my own library.

AmyG Me, too. I always ran to the library when feeling blue…when I was younger….and was always comforted. 12mo
22 likes1 comment
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TheLibrarian
The Project | Courtney Summers
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Mehso-so

Let me start out by saying I LOVED the author‘s book Sadie so I was very excited for this, especially since it was dealing with cults. It was a letdown for me but still a good read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

66 likes1 stack add
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WJCintron
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Addison_Reads
The Project | Courtney Summers
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Mehso-so

This one was close to being a pick. It's a good, creepy read, but not great. Definitely a #BorrowNotBuy if you're wanting a quick thriller.

The cult aspect was handled well, the characters were intriguing, but I wanted more development of the main characters and the side characters. Also, the timeline changes a lot and at times there's not enough to differentiate between them.

Quick enjoyable read though, just don't go in expecting too much.

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BeeMagical
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Pickpick

Book 25🎧

Hoooooly Moses…. This was a tense ride! I was continuously on the edge of my seat waiting to see what was going to happen.

In a cult, who can you really trust? Your own sister?😱💔💥

AmandaBlaze Just borrowed the ebook from my library. 2y
BeeMagical @AmandaBlaze EEK! Enjoy!! 🤯 2y
43 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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OriginalCyn620
The Project | Courtney Summers
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Mehso-so

I did not love this. It was going well until about the last 1/3 of the book, when the MC does something that, to me, wasn‘t believable of her character. Instead, it just seemed like a convenient plot device.

#bookspinbingo
#booked2022 - about a cult or religion
#pop22 - book that fulfills a favorite prompt from a past PS challenge (book by a female author)

Cinfhen Yay!! #DoubleDip 🍦🍦 2y
alisiakae Aw, that's too bad you didn't love it, but at least you checked off a few prompts! 2y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
BarbaraTheBibliophage Ugh. Hate when that happens … yay for checking off prompts, though! 2y
50 likes4 comments
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OriginalCyn620
The Project | Courtney Summers
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I started this book yesterday for #booked2022 and hope to make good progress on it today.

Thanks @Andrew65 for the fun game and for tagging me! 😊

Wanna play @JessBookNerd @Word_Dragon @Bren912 @MallenNC 🤗

Andrew65 This got a mention in #12Booksof2021 2y
EmilyM I have this book but haven't read it yet. I loved Sadie. I'll be interested to hear your thoughts! 2y
34 likes2 comments
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kimmypete1
The Project | Courtney Summers
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Enjoyed this one so much! #12Booksof2021

***

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AshleyKorinE
The Project | Courtney Summers
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Panpan

Wow, I did not like this book! So Lo has been on her own, but not really because she has her boss who is super weird with her is her side I guess, but mostly alone. Her sister joined a cult called the Unity Project and Lo spends the whole book trying to out this cult for being a cult. Until the very end where she makes a whole character arc change and I hated it honestly. I don't recommend and this doesn't come close to Sadie which was good.

BookishTrish Yes to all of this 2y
AshleyKorinE @BookishTrish it just made no sense at the end. Why would someone who‘s been so against it the whole time decide to join when she knows it‘s a cult! Like not even for investigative purposes, just all out join. 2y
2 likes2 comments
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kissmehardy
The Project | Courtney Summers
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Mehso-so

The plot was compelling, but I just didn't quite connect with the characters. I appreciated that all faith wasn't portrayed as culty, though! #yalit

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Pearrr
The Project | Courtney Summers
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Juzupis
The Project | Courtney Summers
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4 likes1 stack add
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ElleMNOpe
The Project | Courtney Summers
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Pickpick

A good cult book. Summers created a fantastically creepy atmosphere & I found her characters quite interesting. Lyrical & packed with tidbits of history & emotion, focusing well on the strength of the sisterly bond. The dual timeline is well crafted, createing a lot of twists & turns that make the book incredibly tense in some parts. There were some convenience pieces to the plot and the ending was a bit lackluster, but it was a fun ride.

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vivastory
The Project | Courtney Summers
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Panpan

Reader,
I hated it.

DGRachel This may be my most favorite review ever. 😂😂 3y
vivastory @DGRachel It already took up too much energy to read. 😂 3y
See All 11 Comments
BarbaraBB Stacked! (Joke 🤣) 3y
merelybookish Short and to the point! 😅 3y
Hooked_on_books I hated it, too! 3y
vivastory @Hooked_on_books It's a shame because I loved Sadie 3y
Hooked_on_books Me too! 3y
Reggie She sounds so great on podcasts talking about it but all of you here on Litsy whom I trust have So-so/panned it. 3y
TheLudicReader I am a huge fan of this author and have read all her books. I was sort of meh about this one, too. I wouldn‘t pan it, necessarily, but it didn‘t pack the emotional gut punch I was expecting. 3y
vivastory @Reggie Definitely don't waste your time. I'd give her another chance, but there was so much about it that I thoroughly disliked 3y
76 likes11 comments
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DebbieGrillo
The Project | Courtney Summers
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4. The last book I finished.
#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

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FantasyChick
The Project | Courtney Summers
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Mehso-so

Meh. I was surprisingly disappointed with this book. I love a good cult story but Summers missed the mark here. I couldn't even tell you what happened in the first half of the book, then when it started getting interesting it turn very predictable, finally ending in a completely anti climactic way.

Enjoyable to listen to but the story didn't do it for me

#bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks
#audiocrafting

TheAromaofBooks Great progress!!! 3y
35 likes1 comment
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Cortg
The Project | Courtney Summers
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Pickpick

I didn‘t like this one quite as much as Sadie, but I am a sucker for a cult story and thoroughly enjoyed this new thriller.

ShyBookOwl Just started this today. Sadie gutted me (in a good way) 3y
33 likes1 comment
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kimmypete1
The Project | Courtney Summers
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Pickpick

Loved this!! Gripping, thrilling and chilling.

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Hestapleton
The Project | Courtney Summers
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Pickpick

SADIE gripped me and wrecked me and Summers‘s latest followed in the same vein. I‘m a sucker for a good cult story and I love how well Summers can put together a believable and yet, unresolved, ending. She‘s officially an auto buy author for me. I can‘t remember the last time I devoured a book like this. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #netgalley

rubyslippersreads 😻😻😻 3y
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Eggbeater
The Project | Courtney Summers
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Pickpick

This thriller takes you inside the inner workings of a cult and really shows how a charismatic narcissist is able to exploit people's true vulnerabilities with half truths and platitudes. I think it's a cautionary tale about how we're all susceptible to bullshit at different weak points in our lives. It's was very well done. It made me have more sympathy for people who've been easily hoodwinked by propaganda.

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BookishTrish
The Project | Courtney Summers
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Panpan

Me while listening to this book thinking “Lo is soooo entitled and whiny”,”Lev is obviously hella evil”, and “someone is acting out of character to serve the plot.” Nope. Still loved Sadie though.

britt_brooke 🙌🏻 Same and same. I hated this, but loved Sadie. 3y
61 likes1 comment
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Godpants
The Project | Courtney Summers
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March Round Up Part 1: I really slacked on posting here but I read a lot this month. Most of these were great except The Girl in the Mirror that I hate finished.

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Lovesbooks87
The Project | Courtney Summers
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Pickpick

I was really bad about posting what I read this weekend. So here are the four books that I read. My favorites were The Project and Yolk.

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Moonprismpower
The Project | Courtney Summers
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Pickpick

A devastatingly sad book about the lengths we go to to find faith and the people who take advantage.

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Moonprismpower
The Project | Courtney Summers
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“ I think of Lev out there, in the water, perfectly still and untouched by the cold and it makes me wonder if that‘s what faith shields you from, if that‘s only one of the things that faith might make possible, and I‘m suddenly, painfully aware of my own teeth chattering, my numb and aching joints, the shivers moving across my skin.”

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Moonprismpower
The Project | Courtney Summers
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“Sometimes when I step inside my place, it feels like a language I‘ve forgotten how to speak and the days I feel that way are the days I most remember what it was like to have a home and a family - and what it means to not have those things anymore. “

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theokiereader
The Project | Courtney Summers
Mehso-so

I felt like I wanted more from this book. What were the backstories of each character? What was up with Casey? What was it about Lev that made Bea abandon Lo? It was a good premise, but the storyline fell flat for me.

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tracey38
The Project | Courtney Summers
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Pickpick

I haven't done a lot of reading this weekend but did finish this one. I am still unsure of my final reaction to it but it did keep me reading. I did want to know if the Project was really a cult. Was it good or bad? Was Lev really good or bad? Where was Bea? Would Lo ever reunite with her? I did enjoy reading it overall but had a few issues. Still a pretty intriguing story.

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AudiobookingWithLeah
The Project | Courtney Summers
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Overall Rating 3½⭐ | Narration 😀 = Good

Cults, mind manipulation, coerced religion this has that...and yet…this story lacked something, it sort of felt cobbled together and someone forgot the glue to hold the story together. Basically, I didn‘t always have a clear picture of what was going on. Plus, once you get at the truth of the Unity Project, it all feels too insane to ever be believed. The cover is amazing, though!

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candority
The Project | Courtney Summers
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Mehso-so

I love books about cults and have enjoyed the author‘s previous books, so I was so excited for this one. Unfortunately, it didn‘t work for me. It didn‘t lean into the cult aspect enough for my taste (while simultaneously being heavy handed with religion), moved too slowly in parts, and had some pretty unbelievable events in the second half that really lowered my enjoyment of the book. I didn‘t particularly like Lo and wish she was stronger. 2.5⭐️

TheLudicReader I agree. I gave it a pick because I love Summers in general, but I didn‘t love this book either. Not enough cult. It felt top heavy to me. No emotional centre or something. 3y
candority @TheLudicReader Normally, I would give anything lower than 3 stars a pan, so I totally understand rounding up on Litsy for this book/author. I agree with your thoughts! Hopefully we enjoy her next book more! 3y
97 likes2 comments
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TheLudicReader
The Project | Courtney Summers
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Pickpick

I am a huge fan of this Canadian writer, and while I did enjoy this book, it didn‘t pack the same emotional punch as her last book, Sadie. Lo is looking for her sister, Bea, who disappeared into a cult after their parents were killed in the car accident that Lo herself barely survived. The cult parts were well done and it was certainly easy to turn the pages.

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Hooked_on_books
The Project | Courtney Summers
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Panpan

This book starts strong, toggling between 2 sisters in the aftermath of a fatal crash leaving one fighting for her life and the other seduced by a cult. I thought it was quite good until about halfway through, when one character makes a choice that isn‘t believable, but upon which the whole plot hinges. And from there the book doesn‘t work at all. I think if this was reworked, it could be terrific.

Megabooks Sorry you didn‘t like it. 3y
Hooked_on_books @Megabooks The issue for me is that I just didn‘t buy Lo falling into the cult. It‘s as though she went from skeptic to acolyte at the flick of a switch. And she fell back out of it just as quickly. If those parts had been more developed, I would have loved this, but without that, it kind of took out the whole second half of the book. 3y
49 likes2 comments
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candority
The Project | Courtney Summers
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I went for a lovely audio-snowshoe this morning. I am visiting my parents for a few days, as some COVID restrictions have lifted here and I haven‘t seen them in months. It‘s nice to be home and surrounded by nature for a bit. I started the tagged audiobook and I am intrigued so far! #dogsoflitsy #audiowalk

Crazeedi You puppy is gorgeous! I bet he had a great run! 3y
candority @Crazeedi Thank you! He did! He loves being in the snow 🐶❄️ 3y
MsMelissa What a lovely way to spend your morning. Great photo! 3y
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Tamra That‘s the way to spend a snowy day! 3y
Reggie I think I‘ve read too much horror and seen too many scary movies to really appreciate how awesome this pic is. But it is awesome. 😉 3y
Cathythoughts So beautiful ❄️ 3y
Crazeedi @candority this is our chocolate lab's favorite weather! 3y
candority @MsMelissa @Tamra It‘s my favourite way! ❄️ 3y
candority @Cathythoughts Thank you! 💖 3y
candority @Reggie Ahaha if it was closer to dark, I could join you in the unease. Lots of coyotes and the occasional wolf out there! Thank you though! 😊 3y
britt_brooke Gorgeous!! 3y
candority @britt_brooke Thank you! 💕❄️ 3y
131 likes12 comments
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magyklyXdelish
The Project | Courtney Summers
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Pickpick

At its heart this is a story about the bond between sisters and the decisions grief can cause you to make. Full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3547904482

Free space for #BookSpinBingo

#ARC #NetGalley

TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 3y
29 likes1 comment
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Skyrimir
The Project | Courtney Summers
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My area got a once in a lifetime winter storm. While it‘s nothing compared to places that typically get snow, we don‘t really have the infrastructure. Over a million without power, including me (the house is 53 and dropping inside!). School has been cancelled the next two days. I guess I‘ll get some reading done!

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MaggieCarr
The Project | Courtney Summers
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Mehso-so

I don't know if it was due to having read memoirs about time in cults or because I held Sadie (Courtney's previous title) at such a high bar- but this one just fell short for me. I finished it but it was just okay for me.

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magyklyXdelish
The Project | Courtney Summers
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Starting one of the bajillion ARCs I have yet to read.

I LOVE this dedication ♥️

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Skyrimir
The Project | Courtney Summers
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Some late night reading.

TheLudicReader I love this author. Going to read this one today. 3y
26 likes1 comment
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JustReadingJess
The Project | Courtney Summers
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Pickpick

I enjoyed The Project. I find books about cults fascinating especially when the reader gets inside cult member‘s heads. The Project is told in present day from the perspective of Lo and the past in the perspective of Bea.

Thank you Wednesday Books, St. Martin‘s Press and NetGalley for The Project.

Full Review: https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com/2021/02/11/book-review-the-project/

DimeryRene I attended a virtual event with Summers last week to celebrate this release. I am excited to read it! 3y
Foragingfantasy Oooh. Stacked. My husband grew up in a cult so I‘m always a bit intrigued. 3y
71 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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erank58
The Project | Courtney Summers
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Panpan

A huge "nope" for me, which is a shame since I LOVED Sadie. It's only February and I'm pretty sure this will be getting the 2021 "Worst Protagonist" award--on top of the weird time jumps, non-existant motivations, and lack of mystery. I agree with several reviews saying this should have been much, much longer, as the plot could have easily worked with more world-building and development. Instead, this felt completely unfinished and disjointed.

Cinfhen I had a feeling this would be a NO for me! Thanks for sharing your thoughts 💜 3y
erank58 @Cinfhen this one seems to be very polarizing, people are either loving or hating it! I'll be curious to see more reviews after some time has passed since this was just released! 3y
Bette Thanks, I was on the fence...and there are plenty of 📚 3y
erank58 @Bette totally agree!! 3y
53 likes4 comments
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That-Bookish-Hiker
The Project | Courtney Summers
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Pickpick

After a terrible accident kills Bea and Lo‘s parents, Bea joins the Unity Project, leaving Lo in care of their great Aunt.

I could not put this book down. It‘s very interesting to see the parallels of religion and cults and how they attract people to join. So many points in this book had me frustrated to the point of me throwing the book lol. I was that invested in these characters. This author never disappoints me and is an auto buy.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Megabooks Agree!! 3y
49 likes4 stack adds1 comment
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britt_brooke
The Project | Courtney Summers
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Panpan

⭐️⭐️ Cults are so damned fascinating, but maybe I‘ve read too many true accounts to appreciate a fictional one. The Unity Project just doesn‘t feel authentic; the sensational stuff feels forced. The many jumping timelines were more confusing than effective. Even with two (very good) audio narrators, I‘d forget which sister‘s story, and/or what year, it was. Maybe it‘s because I was never immersed? A reminder that thrillers aren‘t usually my thing.

britt_brooke Well dang, @Megabooks - one of the rare occasions we disagree. 😂 I‘m glad I read it, though. I loved Sadie, so I had to give her another shot. 3y
Megabooks @britt_brooke too bad!! I‘m sorry you weren‘t a fan. @Cinfhen I‘m guessing this won‘t be for you. 3y
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britt_brooke @Megabooks Seems to be pretty polarizing. 3y
Cinfhen Yeah/ I didn‘t care for Sadie so I had a feeling this wasn‘t gonna be for me @Megabooks I know you liked it but I might have to trust Britt on this book😆😘 3y
britt_brooke @Cinfhen 😂😂 I really liked Sadie, but this was not nearly as good. So, yeah, you should def skip. 3y
91 likes6 comments
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mdemanatee
The Project | Courtney Summers
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Pickpick

In which I talk about the Project by Courtney Summers. There's a lot to unpack and I only skimmed the surface. But also somehow managed to compare Summers' writing to a gravel driveway? Listen, I don't know either. https://youtu.be/XsV5NF-IGVs

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Redwritinghood
The Project | Courtney Summers
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Bailedbailed

Abandoned at about 50%. Just not holding my interest.

WanderingBookaneer Oh no! This one was on my TBR. 3y
Reggie Lol, there‘s been so much hype for this. So much so that it‘s making me pick up Sadie this weekend. 3y
britt_brooke I just finished it. Pan!! 👎🏻 3y
See All 10 Comments
britt_brooke @Reggie Sadie is A LOT better. 3y
Reggie @britt_brooke 😅 wheww thanks. 3y
britt_brooke @Reggie 😂😂 3y
Redwritinghood @Reggie I agree with @britt_brooke that Sadie is a lot better. 3y
Redwritinghood @WanderingBookaneer There are a lot of people rating it as a Pick here on Litsy, so maybe it will work better for you than it did for me. 🤞🏻 3y
britt_brooke @Redwritinghood Yeah, I was really impressed with Sadie. This was a total miss though. (edited) 3y
45 likes10 comments
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mdemanatee
The Project | Courtney Summers
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Found this quote in the Project that I think articulates what is being explored in what I have read of Summers‘ work (All the Rage, Sadie, the Project).

katy4peas Ooo such a good question! How much of someone‘s choices is their responsibility versus a free pass because that is all they know because of their circumstances and how they live, etc. Some of it is still their responsibility. 🤔 3y
mdemanatee @katy4peas yes, I think it‘s definitely complex enough that she‘s found new angles to explore it from across all the works I‘ve read from her 3y
23 likes1 stack add2 comments