Listen…I found this book on a whim and then I saw it was in BOTM so I got it (duh). I also got it on audio because Alex Finke is slowly becoming one of my favorite narrators. It was giving “Promise Me Sunshine” vibes all the way around. I did tear through this book but at some points I was seriously annoyed by the female main character. She really victimized herself and kind of just left herself out to dry. Now I know that grief is a multifaceted emotion that can literally ruin your life but girl!!!! GET HELP!!!! Like over and over she just ruined all of her relationships and it’s like can you please take responsibility for you? Overall I enjoyed this book and I would read another by this author. Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Viking Books for this ARC.

Yeah, I loved this

rom dram/com set in NYC filled with banter and a great slow burn with a grand gesture ending? yes please

I love it when romance novels explore themes beyond romance, and Passion Project does this incredibly well. The main character, Bennett, experiences massive grief and learns to love amid it, which is a beautiful story I think a lot of people can relate to in different ways.

This is a debut novel, but if I didn't know that prior to reading it, I would've assumed the author had been writing for decades; it's so well written that it was easy to visualize what a movie version of this story would be like. The plot and chemistry came to life and made this such a great reading experience.

I just really really loved this. It felt different than a lot of romance novels being put out today. So many just use TikTok and social media language to appeal to readings and then come off cheap and poorly written. I could tell London Sperry took her time writing this story and really making it the strongest she could. LOVE!

3 stars

Passion Project follows Henry and Bennet as they fall in love with each other and also, for Bennet, NYC.

Bennet has experienced the loss of a boyfriend, and she is still in the trenches of her grief. I would like to say that while her grief has some good representation, I find it kind of annoying that she blames that for all of her poor behavior towards the people in her life. I just wish she would take some accountability.

Henry is fantastic and the only thing I would change is that I want more. I would have loved to meet his family and go more into depth about his father.

Now, with them together, I did root for them. They had good chemistry once Bennet stopped denying his friendship and their adventures felt authentic and cute. I loved how Henry was attentive and listened to her.

Towards the end of the book, I was absolutely pissed because Bennet is upset at him for something (don’t want to give spoilers), and she overreacts, in my opinion. She was looking for a reason for it not to work, and that was it.

Overall, it was pretty decent. The passion project dates were the best part.

Thank you #NetGalley for this ARC of #ThePassionProject

The Passion Project is a beautiful story about grief, mental health, healing, and finding joy again. Of course, it's made even better with a green flag guy, witty banter, and a slow-burn friends-to-lovers romance.

Bennet Taylor is 25 years old — stuck, grieving, and feeling like her life is passing her by. Then she runs into Henry Adams, the guy she just ghosted on a date. Instead of walking away (for the second time), Henry suggests something unexpected: every Saturday, they'll try something new to help her find her passion. Just as friends, of course. What follows is an emotional journey full of surprises—from demonic melon tattoos, to a lecture in economics, to hanging off the side of skyscrapers. But beneath all the fun is a deeper, more honest look at what it means to be lost, and how hard it can be to let go and start again.

London Sperry writes with so much heart. The way she writes about grief and mental health feels incredibly REAL, yet thoughtful, and the story still has plenty of humor and lightness. I laughed, teared up, and finished the whole thing in a day.

[This book NEEDS to be made into a movie. It actually read like a script.]

Was I in love with this from the start? YES, I WAS!
Thank You NetGalley and London Sperry for the opportunity to get the ARC of this book, even after the release day! That is the best part, you can get this book ALREADY!!!!! I am in love with both the FMC and the MMC!!!!
I finished this book in a DAY which tells you how quickly this book went by! I was a little skeptical about the long chapters, but it did not feel like that at ALL! I really loved seeing the FMC struggle yet eventually keep going, I definitely thought a lot about what I would do if this was my Passion Project, I think as a girl in my twenties this really made me think about some cool things I would love to try and enjoy. I think Henry was one of the best book boyfriends there are out there!! This couple together was everything and more.
I did cry a little!! It was a heavy emotional read in some parts, experiencing some things with the FMC were very eye opening for me, but it was more than that also! I don't know how to describe it without giving spoilers, but all I know is that EVERYONE should read this book!!

A book that makes you tear up is always a must-read, and this one definitely fits the bill! It’s a heartwarming and inspiring story that’s full of compassion. The main character, Bennet (a nod to Jane Austen), is the focus, but we also get to see Henry shine. Well done!

Thank you NetGalley & Penguin Books for the ARC of Passion Project! I loved this book so much! So much of what Bennett goes through resonated with me. I loved the banter and serious conversations Bennett and Henry had. It’s a great reminder that everyone feels lost at times and no one has life figured out. I cannot believe this is a debut novel but I am eager to see what else London Sperry has in store for us.

Passion Project follows Bennet Taylor, a woman in her early 20s who finds herself existing in New York City without truly living. Bennet’s life has been on hold since the tragic, sudden loss of her college boyfriend—a loss that has left her paralyzed by grief and unable to envision a future. Enter Henry Adams. Although Bennet initially stood him up on a planned date, a chance encounter the very next day sets Henry on a mission: to forge a friendship and help her rediscover her passion by exploring different activities together throughout the summer.

This debut novel from London Sperry is a compelling blend of bittersweet romance and personal rediscovery. True to her self-described tagline—“Sad girl romances with happy endings”—Sperry delivers a narrative that honors the depths of Bennet’s sorrow while offering moments of bright, challenging wit. Bennet’s inner voice is both dazzling and raw, capturing the painful grip of grief and the gradual process of reclaiming one’s dreams and relationships. Although some of the emotional terrain can be tough to navigate, the story’s heart and sincerity make it an engaging journey, offering more depth than the average romantic tale.

My deepest thanks to Viking Penguin and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.

Posted on 4/13/25 on Goodreads - link attached below

This debut novel by London Sperry hit all the marks. I’m always a sucker for books set in New York City, especially when the main character is trying to find themselves but find love along the way. I adored all of the “Passion Project” adventures and Bennet & Henry became real friends. The author writes in a way that brings life to her characters and I felt Bennet’s grief deeply. This books is raw and powerful but is balanced with light hearted banter & fun moments. Definitely recommend this one!

this book was beautiful. what a great debut novel! lizzy our fmc is dealing with a lot of grief and has lost a passion for life. enter henry, our mmc who starts the passion project for them to complete together to find what lizzy finds passion in. this includes activities all over nyc (which is one of my fav book settings ever!!!!) henry is so sweet and very optimistic which is refreshing as i struggle with this myself. lizzy deals with a lot of anxiety and depression which i can relate to heavily. she is trying to figure out life and finding happiness again. i liked that henry and lizzy’s love was not perfect.

i’m excited for future books from london because i will definitely be reading!

final thought:
ch 33 - cried.

I enjoyed this immensely up until the last 15%. The conflict felt super unnecessary and cast a shadow over any growth the FMC had made and basically fully undermined the MMC. I loved the writing and the worldbuilding, and will be keeping an eye on what this author does in the future!

This was a sweet story about a girl dealing with grief and a guy who helps her find her happy again. The anxiety/depression rep is handled well and sometimes all you need unconditional love and support to heal but some readers my be frustrated with the ease with which it all happens. I would definitely pick this one up again if I want a lighthearted story with a little bit of depth and emotion. There is language and an open door scene for those that need that info.

How do you find the thing that you’re passionate about? That’s the question in London Sperry’s friends to romance book “Passion Project”.

This book has some highs and some lows. I loved loved loved Henry. He is like a ray of sunshine, one of those characters that’s really hard not to like right away. If a whole new book was written about him and his backstory, I’d be all in to read it, that’s how much I really enjoyed his character. I liked when Bennet was with Henry, I liked how their friends to lovers story unfolds for the most part.

The problem is Bennet. Going into the story, we know she’s flawed and has some baggage, but it takes forever for us to learn the full backstory. It took me until I was 35% through the book to connect to her character or have empathy for her situation because we learn the details of it in bits and pieces. Even then though, it’s clear she needs more help than her friends or Henry can give, but that’s glossed over, creating messy situations that make Bennet unlikable because of how she treats others. Bennet’s redemption is a little too quick and a little too perfect, as if with a simple flick of a light switch Bennet figures out what she needs to do and can fix everything that’s wrong just like that.

While the budding romance part of this story is worth the time, I think I was left wishing I got more development from both our main character. If we got to know Henry better and we got to see Bennet grow, this had the potential to be a great book, but as it is it was only ok for me. 3.25 stars/5.

**Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Viking for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I appreciate the opportunity**

I absolutely loved this book! A stunning debut that sucks you in from start to finish. I read this in one day and I cannot recommend it highly enough! I am going to get a physical copy ASAP

Passion Project by London Sperry is a moving exploration of grief, healing, and the quiet resilience of the human spirit. At the heart of this novel is Bennett, a young woman navigating the depths of depression after the loss of her boyfriend two years prior. Her move to New York—a city that held dreams for them both—has yet to offer her a sense of belonging. Without a steady job or a strong support system, Bennett’s journey feels painfully real and tenderly portrayed.

When a well-meaning friend encourages her to try dating again, a chance encounter with Henry—a kind stranger from a dating app—marks a turning point. What begins as an awkward coincidence blossoms into something much more profound. Henry, a charming and gentle soul, becomes a steady presence in Bennett’s life. Their weekly Saturday meetings (or passion projects) evolve into a slow, sincere connection rooted in friendship, empathy, and trust.

While the novel doesn't shy away from difficult topics like depression and loss, it manages to remain hopeful and even humorous in moments—reminding you that recovery can coexist with joy. Henry, in particular, is a standout. He is not only patient and supportive, but also represents the kind of emotional intelligence and gentleness that is too often underrepresented in contemporary fiction. He is emotionally intelligent and compassionate.

This is a novel that rewards patience as it feels that the relationship may never blossom due to Bennett's grief.
It's a very slow-burn romance which feels rushed at the end and problematic as Bennett still has a lot of work she needs to do to herself on track. I wish the ending would have occurred after some maturing and grief counseling. I know...it's fiction!

I feel this is a solid read but consider that a lot of focus is on the grieving process and depression-not a typical rom-com or romance.
3.25-3.50

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Ransom House for the opportunity to read this ebook in exchange for my honest review.

This was so light hearted and fun. I loved how it was all about new beginnings and about the journey of grief. The romance was amazing and wholesome and I adored the New York City setting. A great book to kickstart into summer.

I’m always skeptical of a debut author, but London Sperry popped off for this one. I was impressed!! I will definitely add her to my auto-read authors list.

Passion Project is about Bennet, a 25yr old woman living in NYC who is essentially at rock bottom a few years after her boyfriend unexpectedly passed away. We get to go with her through her healing journey that she officially begins when she meets Henry, a sweet man who has no trouble being there through her grief.
This book made my heart ache from the reminder of what grief feels like, but also made me laugh at the reminder of how beautiful and fun life can be. I believe this is another one of those books that won’t hit as well for someone who hasn’t personally felt the pain of grief. The way grief and love are intertwined is messy, painful, and sometimes even beautiful.

“Having your shit together is not a prerequisite for love.”

“Love doesn’t need to be shrouded in disbelief. Sometimes it just is. And that’s enough.”

Hey siri, play Awake My Soul by Mumford & Sons 💙

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

“Having your shit together is not a prerequisite of love.”

This book captivated me from the first page! It was so beautifully written and gave me all the feels. I laughed, I cried, I felt it all. Truly enjoyed this book and will be recommending it to everyone. Thanks so much for the ARC!

The books tells the story of Bennet, a young woman who feels lost since her boyfriend died. With the help of Henry, Bennet goes on passion projects in order to rediscover her sense of self.
I read Cara Bastone’s Promise me Sunshine recently and while the books are very different, both talk about learning to live again after grief. I connected much more with Promise me Sunshine.
My issues with the book are that Bennet is an awful friend and Henry is the only person who motivates her. She lies frequently and does not seem to grow throughout the book.

Bennett and Henry are amazing characters written with such a feeling of naked honesty. The story is beautiful and speaks to how we handle grief and all the feelings that come with that. The themes of forgiving oneself and allowing love in were handled in a truly delicate way. I couldn't put it down. Really enjoyable.