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.
