This book does a good job at showing life with depression and panic attacks. I found the characters connections with each other unbelievable, however. The main character clearly should be in therapy and everyone is far too forgiving of her choices. It’s not so much that she makes mistakes, but she keeps making terrible choices. Would’ve been more believable if she got herself into therapy then met the main male character again years later and had a second chance. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

3-3.5 ⭐️. Rounding down because the FMC was insufferable at times. She was hurting but I don’t think that excuses hurtful and sometimes hypocritical behavior.

𝕋𝕙𝕖𝕞𝕖𝕤 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤:
❤️‍🩹 𝘎𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘧 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨
🤭 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴
🛏️ 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘹𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘺
🥹 𝘌𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭
❤️‍🔥 𝘚𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯

𝕄𝕪 𝕋𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤:
𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 is an emotional story about life after loss of a significant other. The plot is centered around the FMC, Bennet, and her experience with grief and how she evolves and copes with it.

While I loved the premise of the story, and it had many very sweet moments, there were some issues I had with the main character that made it hard for me to fully connect. I feel like I can’t really judge Bennet because I haven’t experienced a loss in the way she did, but the way she treated her friends and Henry was quite off-putting at times. I did enjoy the development of Henry and Bennet’s relationship, but the amount of miscommunication in the last 30% of the book was almost painful.

Of course, this is just my opinion, and this book does have its positives. If the premise intrigues you, it might be the book for you! Thank you NetGalley and Penguin for the opportunity to read an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

𝕄𝕪 ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘:
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (𝟯/𝟱)

𝕊𝕡𝕚𝕔𝕖 ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘:
🌶️ (𝟭/𝟱)

This is an easy read about a slow burn romance between temp Bennett and aspiring photographer Henry. A first date gone awry results in the two creating the Passion Project. It feels odd to judge grief, but my sense for most of this book was that either the author hadn’t experience real grief or was holding back - making it feel slightly inauthentic. The closing chapters of the book remedy this feeling. That said, if you want to read a slow burn romance set in New York, Promise Me Sunshine is the superior read. Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC.

I knew that when Mamma Mia was mentioned, I was in good hands. But then she mentioned Criminal Minds, and I absolutely knew this would be a favorite. And then she mentioned lumpia and it was game over. Any time food from my culture is talked about I send a little high five to my ancestors telling them we made it!!

London Sperry captures anxiety, trauma, and grief so well. She doesn’t put it on a pedestal, it just is. Bennet was definitely frustrating at times but I think that’s what makes her so real. We watch as she digs a hole around herself, but coming from experience it’s so hard to see the bigger picture when you’re so deep in your head. It’s consuming and difficult to think straight. Her choices don’t make sense and I appreciated that and was frustrated by it all the same. Sometimes we make decisions that hurt us and we don’t know why. We make mistakes and that’s what makes us human. It really hit me when Bennet said, “I wish I was the kind of person who never knew grief. Who only knew love.” That feeling is so unbearably lonely.

On the other hand, Henry is the quintessential golden retriever but he has a side that not many people see. He has his own grief that he doesn’t share openly. And this to me shows that you never know what people are going through behind their smiles. Henry and Bennet felt real and true and stories like this stay with me forever.

This was a pretty cute read, but found it was a bit too long. Felt a little bit repetitive and like it would never get to the point. I came into this thinking it was light hearted, but it in fact is a bit depressing.

The main character is understandably depressed because of a death, but wow did it just feel heavy for a really long time. It really picked up in the last quarter of the book and the last quarter was def my favorite part.

An excellent debut that seems to pay homage to the classic rom-coms of the ‘90s

There’s a likable love interest, plus a huge misunderstanding and bad communication based on vulnerabilities. It follows the natural rom-com story arc of, say, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days or even My Best Friend’s Wedding.

I especially liked the idea of Henry helping Bennet reconnect to the joy found in everyday life, and while there were romantic sparks later on, this kind of friendship-based love was heartwarming, especially after the tragedy that Bennet endured.

It was a fun, summery read with the perfect opening line. I’ll be looking for more from this author.

This is a cute and refreshing love story set with a NYC backdrop which really added to all the vibes of this read. The Passion Project centers around Bennett Taylor, whose twenties have not panned out to what she thought they would, especially after dealing with the loss of her first real love. Bennett is currently living in NYC as a temp worker, attempting to piece her life back together, when she meets Henry, a guy she accidently stood up on a first date. After she admits to him she is not ready to date and that it has been years since she has felt passion for anything, he feels inspired to help her rediscover herself. Together, they begin a passion project, exploring activities in their city and trying something new every weekend. And what starts as a friendship, begins to slowly develop into a potential new passion.

This read very similar to an Abby Jiminez romance where it is extremely layered with both internal and external conflicts. It made it more than just a little love story! I really enjoyed both main characters and the development of their relationship, but I wouldn't have minded a little less of a slow-burn in the romance department! It was nice to see Henry help Bennett out so much as a friend and that side of the relationship develop first, but the middle of the book needed just a little more excitement!

I also loved how the story was both deep and explorative of someone's grieving process, while still brimming with hope and true human emotions.

This would be a great summer read as I found it quick and easy to engage with. It won't be one that will stick with me forever, but it was enjoyable in the moment!

After Bennet's boyfriend dies, she moves to NYC to live out his dreams. She is miserable and depressed and spends most of her time hiding in her room. Her roommate and best friend, Sonya tries to set her up on a date but it does not go well. Insert Henry, her blind date, who coincidentally finds her outside the bathroom at his work after she stands him up. She explains she's not ready to date and hasn't felt passionately about anything in forever. Instead of hating her he ceases the opportunity for adventure and starts the "passion project", a quest to find Bennet's passion. The become fast friends and maybe more?

What a debut!! I really enjoyed this book and quickly read through it. It was fun following Bennet and Henry trying new adventures throughout NYC and slowly watching Henry break Bennet out of her grief.

Thank you NetGalley for this eARC!

Bennet Taylor, in her mid-twenties, has been drifting through life in New York City since her college boyfriend Sam died in a tragic accident. Mired in grief, she works temp jobs, has no friendships, no romantic life, and feels completely disconnected from the excitement everyone says should define your twenties. This all changes when she accidentally stands up a first date—only to run into the same guy hours later. Henry Adams, a charismatic bartender and photographer, offers Bennet a challenge: a “passion project.” Every Saturday, they’ll explore New York together and try something new—pottery, rappelling, tattooing, carpentry—aimed at reigniting Bennet’s spark.
Many readers have called it a love story to New York City, and I couldn’t agree more. Sperry captures the city in all its messy, magical glory—its energy, unpredictability, and the way it both breaks you down and builds you up. The narrative pulses with the rhythms of a city that never sleeps, and it’s clear that the author knows and loves every street corner she writes about.

Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced copy of Passion Project. I really enjoyed this one.
I just recently read Promise Me Sunshine and while it did remind me of that book, this one had a lot to offer. I loved the characters of Bennet and Henry and you knew they would end up together but there was a lot more to it than that.

I will definitely read more from London Sperry. I think she is a true up and comer worth your time.

Bennet feels lost and grief stricken after the death of her boyfriend and her going nowhere job when she meets Henry after standing him up on their blind date. They then proceed to spend the summer taking on "passion project" of finding Bennet's passion. I loved the way grief was handled and Benet's depression while also balancing that with a lovely heartfelt love story. I loved Bennet and Henry's romance so much. I adored how NYC was its own character and this book felt like a love story to NYC. Fantastic cant wait to read what this author does next!

I absolutely ADORED this book and can't believe it is a debut! Honestly, I will read anything London Sperry writes next following this one. Bennet and Henry were so special to me I wish I never had to say goodbye to them.

This book was the perfect blend of grief, growth, and unexpected joy. Bennet is messy, raw, and so relatable as she fumbles through life in her twenties, weighed down by loss and searching for something—anything—to bring her back to herself. Enter Henry: charming, thoughtful, and exactly the kind of person you’d want helping you rediscover your spark.

I loved watching their “passion project” unfold through all the wild, funny, and sometimes emotional adventures. The banter sizzled, the chemistry felt effortless, and the emotional payoff was so worth it. It’s a love story, yes—but it’s also about self-love, second chances, and the sometimes bumpy road to healing.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, heartbroken, or unsure of what’s next, this book will meet you there—and lift you up.

3.5 ⭐️ As one of my absolute favorite places, I loved the NYC summer vibes in this book! I thought their passion project dates were very fun & interesting. I also loved that we got to see their relationship grow in a friendly way before it became more romantic. We also get some pretty cool, memorable side characters that you become attached to! I enjoyed the representation and look we got into mental health, and how it affected Bennet's life & story.

The one thing that turned me off of this book & knocked down the rating was the third-act breakup. It was absolutely ridiculous, and let me tell you... Henry is a PATIENT man. The fact that he was even willing to go through with her plan was insane, and he should have immediately booked a plane ticket home.

Thank you to Penguin Books for the eARC! All opinions are my own.

I went into this expecting something tender & lighthearted, and it ended up being way more layered. it's really a story about grief and healing!

Bennett lost her boyfriend two years ago and has been struggling with depression ever since. She moved to New York because that's where he wanted to live, but she still hasn't found her place there. She doesn't have a steady job or a social life yet.
Her friend encourages her to go on a date with a guy from a dating app, but she realizes she's not ready and runs away, only to later meet him in a restaurant across the street. Henry decides to help her find a passion, and they start meeting every
Saturday.
Henry is just amazing! I adore him! He's patient, kind, and funny, and the way he supported the heroine was just heartwarming! Also, he wears glasses (my weakness) and has a collection of rocks.

4🌟 Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Books for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

3.5⭐️ rounded up because any book that makes me cry deserves to be rated higher (the Yankees stadium scene, IYKYK).

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

This one was cute! Henry is PERFECT, and the way the FMC treated him was gross. He deserves everything beautiful. I wish we got to dive a little deeper into his background, but the entire focus is around Bennet and her trauma, but he was the true star.

Overall, I'd recommended for something quick, but don't say I didn't warn you if it makes you angry.

The Passion Project started off very strong. I loved the vibe and was immediately drawn in. There were parts of the book where I found the main character annoying (but I think that was the point since she was dealing with so much). I’ve thankfully never dealt with this type of grief but imagine I would be similar in moods as the main character. However, I must say Henry is SAINT for dealing with some of her behaviors. I really hope Bennett learned to charge her phone. I loved the friendship makeups in the story more than the romance makeup. Overall, a good book! Great for a debut.

This was a sweet and cute book. I loved Henry and his positive outlook on life and I even liked Bennett and how her struggles were very realistically portrayed. If I had a complaint, it would be that the ending was almost glossed over. Sometimes when there is a character with such big problems, I kind of wish authors would spend a bit more time on the counseling that the character pursues and continues to show growth that way. Overall, a cute book!

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Bennet is a grieving mess who is holed up in her own head. After the loss of her first love, she moves to New York City with her best friend. She then spends all of her time working with a temp angency and just existing, pushing everything and everyone away.

This story is full of grief, guilt, self-sabotage, experiencing love after loss and the beauty of finally allowing happiness and magic back in.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!