The Project by Courtney Summers

 

Synopsis:

Lo Denham is used to being on her own. After her parents died, Lo's sister, Bea, joined The Unity Project, leaving Lo in the care of their great aunt. Thanks to its extensive charitable work and community outreach, The Unity Project has won the hearts and minds of most in the Upstate New York region, but Lo knows there's more to the group than meets the eye. She's spent the last six years of her life trying—and failing—to prove it.

When a man shows up at the magazine Lo works for claiming The Unity Project killed his son, Lo sees the perfect opportunity to expose the group and reunite with Bea once and for all. When her investigation puts her in the direct path of its leader, Lev Warren and as Lo delves deeper into The Project, the lives of its members it upends everything she thought she knew about her sister, herself, cults, and the world around her—to the point she can no longer tell what's real or true. Lo never thought she could afford to believe in Lev Warren . . . but now she doesn't know if she can afford not to.

My thoughts:

I am a lifetime fan of Courtney Summers' books. That said, I always brace myself when I start one. I know that it will be brutal, unflinching, and that in all likelihood, I won't be able to put it down until the last sentence is read.

The Project did not disappoint!

This is, in the simplest terms, a novel about a cult. Bea and Lo experience a life-changing event, and charismatic Lev Warren swoops in, promising redemption, love, and more. The only catch is that his followers must give up everything about their own lives, and swear loyalty to him.

The sisters are separated, by Warren and their timelines: Bea's story begins immediately after Lo's car accident, and Lo's story years after that. Every scene is taut and suspenseful, even the ones revealing The Project's benign outreach programs (food and shelter for the needy). Lo's persistent attempts to reunite with Bea resonated deeply with me. And of course, shocking things about The Project are revealed!

And yes, fellow readers. I read until the wee hours of the night. I am tired and unprepared for the day, but it was worth it!

I 100% recommend you read this book!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.