"Conditionality and the Ambitions of Governance" by Joel Shelton offers an in-depth analysis of the conditionality regime aimed at transforming societies in EU candidate countries. Shelton examines the social and subjective dimensions of the European project and develops a new understanding of conditionality that situates the ambitions and limitations of this policy within the context of political economy. The book highlights the complex interactions between governance and the conditions necessary for successful transformation. It is aimed at professionals and students of political science, as well as anyone interested in the dynamics of European integration and its impact on the societies of candidate countries. With 195 pages, the work provides a solid foundation for understanding the challenges and opportunities associated with the implementation of conditionality.