Passion Project is a debut romance novel about navigating prolonged grief, opening yourself to new possibilities, and the hopefulness of finding a spark and igniting passion. Bennet is struggling to move past the death of her former boyfriend and begin dating. After standing up a date, she runs into the ditched date, Henry, at the restaurant where she was hiding out. Henry decides to help her (as a friend) find her zest for life again, calling it a “passion project.”

I am always happy to encounter a unique plot in a romance novel. Passion Project promised an uplifting, hopeful journey moving past grief and into love. However, I did not feel like the execution quite hit the mark, resulting in a less-than-convincing courtship.

Beyond the book’s concept, I enjoyed the adventures Bennet and Henry embarked on as part of the passion project, although I was skeptical how a few of them would help Bennet find a passion. London Sperry leads readers through Manhattan and expertly describes how the city makes you feel. Yet, I felt like the physical descriptions of locations are a bit lacking, making it difficult to picture them if you are unfamiliar with the locales. (Also, Passion Project is seemingly supposed to take place in the summer. Where was the sweat and stink? Depicting New York in the summer as romantic and not sticky is laughable. The biggest romance happening in the summer is between New Yorkers and either air conditioning or their summer getaways (Fire Island, the Hamptons, etc.). IYKYK.)

My qualms about Passion Project really come down to the romance and the characters. I never found the romance believable since it felt like a small subplot, pushed aside by Bennet’s grief, guilt, and personal growth. Consequently, when the romance did take center stage, it seemed force between two people who were mismatched and not at the same place in their lives. This is partially because the resolution is incredibly rushed. The conflict is resolved very suddenly, without showing the emotional work it would require. A dissatisfying resolution led to an underwhelming ending with no emotional payoff.

This brings me to Henry and Bennet’s characterization. I had no issue with either as characters, but there were several points where I asked myself if they were well matched. Bennet was quite selfish and closed off while Henry was exceedingly nice and mature (which is also difficult to buy into knowing single men in this city). I would have preferred dual points-of-view to at least understand how Henry was falling for this self-absorbed woman who needed therapy. (I will admit to being a bit judge-y about her grief and her protracted inaction regarding working through it.) The result was that I never emotionally invested in the characters or their friendship-turned-love-story.

Overall, Passion Project is a decent debut novel with a unique premise that fell short on execution. I would recommend it for those who are about enjoying the journey more than the ending and who can look past a character’s flaws.

Kinda sweet, but mostly unremarkable.

Since PASSION PROJECT had already published when I read my ARC, I ended up physically reading about half the time and listening to the audio version for the other half. Although this is an ARC review, I need to mention it because I never would’ve made it through this book if not for the audio. The plot is slow and there are no surprises.

One thing PASSION PROJECT does have: angst. Our FMC, Bennet, is a mess. Not the usual “I’m so quirky, what is my life” FMC I’m used to seeing in romances, either. Homegirl is an actual trainwreck. In the years following the death of her boyfriend, Sam, Bennet has pushed away everyone she loves and is barely scraping by. She self sabotages in a way that actually makes this uncomfortable to read, which was refreshing at first, but ultimately tanked the book for me. It took far too long for her to experience any growth, and imo the “third act conflict” goes way too far. The way she treats Henry is so awful that I had no desire to see her get a happy ending, and I really had to force myself to finish.

Which brings me to our MMC. Henry is the best thing about this book, and it’s not even close. He’s a bit of a manic pixie dream boy, if we’re being honest, but I’m gonna let it slide because without Henry this would’ve been a one-star read. JUSTICE FOR HENRY.

Thank you to NetGalley and Viking for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This was so unexpectedly emotional and powerful. I anticipated romance and a message that will stay with the reader but I wasn't expecting to be so immersed in the story that I felt present. I don't know much about NYC but the train/travel aspect was fun to experience in this way too most of the time.

I really tested just how water resistant my kindle is while reading this. I cannot believe this was a debut, it was so freaking good!

This book was so sweet! Another book about picking yourself up after terrible grief, I found this one to be really lovely with its descriptions of New York. I really enjoyed the friend characters, the premise and the ending. Highly recommend this romance!

this book is a phenomenal debut, accurately going through the 5 stages of grief, bennet frustrated me but I also saw so much of myself in her. the rough parts were truly handled so well. passion project being about letting in light and love and new things is such a beautiful message. this was funny, romantic and deeply emotional. I adored the audiobook, it added such an immersive different layer. alex finke is so talented.

This book had me in a chokehold from the very beginning. I couldn’t put it down—it broke my heart and gently stitched it back together. Passion Project is the beautiful, emotional story of Bennet and Henry... and in many ways, also of Bennet and the love she lost.

Bennet is navigating deep grief and depression, compounded by anxiety and a sense of aimlessness. She’s lost her passion and is simply existing—until Henry enters the picture. Henry is a naturally empathetic guy, someone who needs to help others feel better, partly because he can’t always do that for his own father.

This book doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff—it dives headfirst into grief, depression, and anxiety, but still manages to be a profoundly real romance filled with tenderness, healing, and hope. At times, it felt so emotionally raw and intimate, it almost stopped being a romance and felt like women's fiction (BTW I hate that term).

Now, fantasy girlies, listen up—especially if you’re a fan of the "Throne of Glass" series. I’m not spoiling anything by sharing part of the blurb:

“If your twenties are supposed to be the best years of your life, Bennet Taylor is failing miserably . . . with a big emphasis on the miserable. Where’s that zest she keeps hearing about? She’s a temp worker in New York City with no direction, no future, and no social life. And at the painful center of this listlessness is grief over the death of her first love.”

Okay before you continue ***this here is a spoiler for Throne of Glass, if you haven’t read it skip***


I warned you.


Bennet’s lost love is named 'Sam'. Yeah, that Sam. If you know, you know. I was crying from page one. For me, this book felt like a grounded, real-world fan fiction love letter to the Sam-Celaena-Rowan dynamic, and it hit me in the best and most bittersweet way.

So please, run and get a copy—you’ll thank me.

This book is for you if you like:
- Friends-to-lovers dynamics
- He falls first
- Exploring grief and emotional healing
- Deep character development
- A love letter to New York City
- Found family and meaningful friendship
- That TOG's *Sam-Celaena-Rowan* energy in contemporary form

Thank you to Penguin Books and the author for this ARC

I adore this book! Such a sweet romance and exploration of grief. I didn’t love a few moments of how the male main character was tested in the last third. But still loved this overall!

Thanks for the E-arc netgalley

A radiant debut, perfect for Em Hen fans & lovers of “Unromance” by Erin Connor, read as Bennet and Henry trapeze all summer around NYC looking for a spark of passion *cue jazz hands*.


I want a Henry…desperately. He knew her so well so fast and was not only super kind and caring, but also the ultimate cheerleader. Plus, he /so/ does give off Bingley energy!! I confidently will be rating this 4 stars because it deserves it, but it’d be remiss of me to not mention how I reallyyy did not like the conflict of the last few chapters.

Oh! and we didn’t get to meet his parents on page!!!!! (something I was very much anticipating, but I understand how that could be hard to integrate with his dad's aforementioned dementia).

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Books, and London Sperry for providing this eARC!

If you like:
✨ New York City as a setting
✨ Friends to lovers
✨ Golden retriever mmcs
✨ Anxiety representation
✨ Overcoming grief
Then I think you would like this book!

When Bennett skips out on a first date with a stranger from a dating app, she decides to have a wine party for one at the restaurant across the street instead, never expecting to see the man she stood up. Until she’s throwing that wine back up in the toilet at the restaurant, and said man is knocking on the bathroom door. Because he works there. Against all odds, the two develop a surprising friendship, and Henry helps Bennett rediscover her passion again by taking her on weekly excursions in NYC. Talk about swoon!!!

This book is so cute, guys!! The characters are so beautifully written, the setting is so vividly written, it’s all so well written period😭 

Listen, I would die for Henry!! The most lovely, happy, outgoing puppy dog MMC I’ve read in a really long time🥹 He is so pure and genuine, I just want him protected at all costs!

Bennett is a little more complicated. She’s clearly struggling with anxiety and depression big time. I think the representation is great, and I think it was really well done (as someone who used to experience moments of both). She definitely goes through some MAJOR character development, and by the end I am oh so proud of her. I will say, at times I just wanted to yell at her and shake her, though, especially towards the end. While I understand the situation made sense for someone with anxiety who is navigating grief, I still was really frustrated with her. She recovers and realizes her mistakes, but she still drove me a little crazy, and that knocked the rating down half a star.

The way the city is described in this book feels so accurate and well done. The smells, the sounds, the sights.. I can picture it so clearly and imagine myself there! That was a really fun part about this book.

All in all, this is a cute rom-com that still has depth and explores some really human themes. Giving this one 4.5/5⭐️

Sometimes, you choose a book simply because of its cover (Yes, I admit it; I picked it because it was pretty) and end up discovering a narrative that takes you completely by surprise. Even after reading the synopsis, I didn’t fully grasp the depth of emotion this book would stir within me. There were moments when I laughed out loud, thanks to the fantastic sense of humor displayed by the main characters. However, there were also instances filled with tears, and I often felt a knot in my stomach. London Sperry skillfully paints a vivid and authentic picture of grief, anxiety, and depression. There were times I had to set the book aside because the anxiety experienced by our female main character, Bennet, felt so palpable that it physically pained my heart. While it was challenging to empathize with her, Henry, the male main character, remained steadfast, enduring her anxiety and depression-driven actions. Having worked in the behavioral field for 16 years, I recognize that all of Bennet's frustrating decisions stemmed solely from her mental health struggles. Since May is Mental Health Awareness Month, this book is an exceptional choice to read. While you engage with the story, instead of feeling irritated by Bennet’s actions, try to view them through a lens of compassion for those who grapple with grief, anxiety, and depression daily. Remember, a happily ever after is still within reach for them!

4⭐️

Bennet Taylor is absolutely miserable in all aspects of her life. grieving the death of her first love, she has lost passion for anything and everything. then, she meets Henry Adams, who slowly but surely brings Bennet more and more out of her shell. together, they endure on a journey they call their “Passion Project”, in pursuit of identifying what makes Bennet, “Bennet” again.

this story was so beautiful yet heartbreaking. the depiction of depression and grief was so real and raw, i truly felt for Bennet throughout the story. she has so many flaws, as we see, but has so much love to give and nowhere to place it. i really enjoyed her arch and the full circle moment of her journey.

Henry Adams was a gentleman. so patient and kind, especially in moments when he really did not need to be. 10/10 love. he was so respectful when it came to Bennet’s first love, Sam. it was refreshing to read. the NYC background was also such a vibe, traipsing around the city together. someone say romcom??

i struggled with the ending just a bit. it felt unfair to one of the main characters, and rushed. i wish we spent more time on some of the concluding pieces in their lives. those moments would’ve been so special to see as well. i read the e-book, so im actually not sure how long the book is, but i think i would’ve enjoyed just more of everyone’s story in general! i did not dislike a single character. impressive!

the overall message of this story was so hopeful. although i was torn and empathetic in the beginning, i also laughed and cringed (in good ways), and ultimately was on the verge of tears in the end. i’ll definitely keep an eye out for this author in the future, and thjnk this story will stick with me.

thank you so much NetGalley for providing me the e-copy of Passion Project in exchange for my honest review!

More like passion(less) project. I loathed the main character. She had literally no redeeming qualities. I feel like there has been a slew of romances lately with an insufferable main character who has the personality of angry dried toast but we are supposed to believe that the sweet wonderful male lead will just put up with it? Why? What is he getting out of it?

This book will take you through all the emotions.

The story finds our FMC Bennet Taylor trying to cope with her life in NYC. A life she is living in honor of her ex-boyfriend. She is buried deep in grief of losing Sam, her ex-boyfriend. She lives with her best friend Sonya and tries her best to keep her head above water but isn’t doing a great job of it.

Her roommate convinces her to go out on one date, just to test the waters. While Bennet tries to go to the date, she ends up ghosting the guy and ends up at the bar across the street, drunk and throwing up in the men’s bathroom. Someone has the nerve to keep knocking on the door until she opens it in a huff. In front of her is the date that she ghosted. She leaves the bathroom in a rush, leaving her wallet behind. Little does she know, that sets into motion her entire summer.

That date, Henry Adams, is a bartender at that same bar and happens to be the one that found her wallet. Henry is the light, bubbly, optimistic guy to the dark, sad, sceptic of Bennet. Henry is convinced that Bennet needs to find her passion since she does not have one. She is not sure she has ever had a passion and after Sam’s death, things got even worse.

This quote from the book perfectly sums up how Bennet was feeling about life “It’s like my grief has tethered me to myself, the wall of sadness like shrink wrap surrounding all sides of me until I can barely breathe.”

As Bennet and Henry take on the Passion Project – spending Saturdays together exploring NYC, they become drawn to each other and really begin to understand where they are in their lives and where they would like to be. Bennet wants to so badly move through the grief and the depression that has a stronghold on her. Henry wants to help her through this and Henry loves how she listens to him as he talks about his dad’s dementia.

The story is lovingly written and deals with some pretty intense topics but will have you laughing at the same time. The way London Sperry shows us how we need people around us that love and support us even though we sometimes treat them horribly. It also does a great job of demonstrating that one’s journey through grief is not the same as someone else's. That is especially evident when Bennet attends the wedding of the sister of her dead boyfriend. Bennet and Andy were friends before Andy introduced Bennet to her brother, Sam. The scenes at the rehearsal dinner and the wedding are very heartbreaking and endearing at the same time.

Add Passion Project to your summer TBR – you will not be disappointed.

This book completely snuck up on me. The adorable cover definitely pulled me in, but I never expected to enjoy it as much as I did.
At first, I struggled to understand and have patience for the main female character, Bennet, especially through the first half of the book. But having lost my dad, I know that grief is something you can’t really explain, it overtakes you and holds you hostage at times.
That said, this story... my god, it was so good. I tag-teamed it between reading and listening because I couldn’t put it down, and the narrator did an incredible job. I finished it last night, lying in bed next to my sleeping husband, sobbing.
What a phenomenal book. 5 stars from this girl!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Cozy, sweet, and full of heart!

Passion Project by London Sperry gave me all the warm fuzzies. 🥰 The slow-burn romance was so genuine, and the little moments between the characters? Pure magic. ✨

It dragged just a tiny bit in a few spots, but honestly, the heart and realness more than made up for it. I closed the book with a happy sigh. 💛

If you’re a sucker for tender, real-life love stories, add this one to your TBR!

✨Passion Project ✨
By London Sperry

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format: 📖
Steam: 🌶️
Published: 4/8/25

Stuck and grieving in New York City after the death of her first love, Bennet Taylor has lost her spark for life. When a chance (and slightly awkward) reunion with Henry, a man she stood up the night before, leads to an unconventional offer. Bennet finds herself embarking on a "Passion Project", a series of weekly adventures designed to help her rediscover joy and purpose. As she and Henry explore the city and new experiences together, their platonic arrangement begins to blur, forcing Bennet to confront her past, her fears, and the possibility that finding a new passion might also mean opening her heart to unexpected love.

The core concept of a passion project and the journey to uncover what truly lights you up resonated deeply with me. It's so easy to get swept up in life's challenges and lose touch with the activities that feed your soul. While Bennet's specific experience with grief is not one I share, that feeling of misplacing a part of yourself amidst stress is entirely relatable. In many ways, this Bookstagram account has become my own passion project. It has become my creative outlet to connect with others and share my love of reading.

I was completely captivated by this book for the vast majority of it, though the final stretch (roughly the last 15%) proved a bit challenging for me to fully embrace due to some questionable actions from the FMC. I knew going in that it tackled heavy themes of grief and depression, and I deeply appreciated the authentic mental health representation throughout. Woven through it all is a love story that is undeniably complex, beautifully messy, incredibly sweet, and ultimately quite moving.

I recommend giving this book a read, but be aware that Bennet, the FMC, can be quite challenging at times to root for. On the other hand, Henry, the MMC, is very lovable. He embodies all the best qualities you'd hope for in a book boyfriend: he's funny, charismatic, outgoing, and genuinely thoughtful. My heart goes out to Bennet for the significant challenges she's faced and her journey with grief and depression. However, seeing her treat Henry poorly made it hard to champion her in those moments. There were instances where her grief seemed to be presented as justification for her missteps, and while some were valid expressions of her pain, others felt less so and impacted those around her unfairly.

The book also heavily relies on her relationship with Henry as the catalyst for her healing journey. I would have liked to see more mental health resource supports explored within the book. While supportive relationships are vital, navigating significant mental health challenges often necessitates more than just a partner's help.

📖Read Passion Project if you like reading about:
-Grief & depression
-Slow burn
-Grief journey
-Mental health representation
-Strangers to friends to lovers
-Identity
-Single POV
-Debut novel

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

❓🙏 Thank you to Netgalley, Penguin Books, and London Sperry for this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts. Passion Project published 4/8/25. 💖

⚠️ Triggers: Loss of partner, depictions of anxiety and depression

4 stars- Loved this! This book was exactly what i needed and I know others will love it too. Thanks netgalley & the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The New York setting was so cute! The message behind this romance is very cute and it is well written!

What do I think about Passion Project? I think I smiled and cried through reading this book in one session. I think the mental health rep was excellent. I think Henry is a perfect book boyfriend. I think I really loved this book.

Bennet is grieving the loss of her college boyfriend Sam. She’s depressed and isolated herself from the world. As someone who’s dealt with depression for most of her life, I can tell you the author portrayed it in a heartbreakingly real fashion.

Henri pops up at the right time and seems completely perfect. Which he is, but he also has his own issues and flaws. He befriends Bennet at a time when she’s pushed away everyone who cares about her.

Every character is fleshed out and felt so real. I loved the way they all loved Bennet, even when she wasn’t always easy to love.

If you want to read an emotional romance about a girl who is struggling to put her life back together again, I highly recommend you read Passion Project. I can’t wait to see what this author does next. 🍈