I really enjoyed that the MC Henry was not problematic. It was nice seeing a MC that listened and communicated well. I also felt Bennetts grief and mental health was portrayed in a very accurate and relatable way. I just did not really feel the romance or sparks as much as I would have liked. But overall I enjoyed it.

I loved the cover and the premise of the book, but I thought the story was just ok. Henry was sweet, but I was frustrated with Bennet. And the "passion project" didn't really live up to my expectations.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy.

I haven’t felt this seen reading a book in a long time. And for a debut too!

There was so much to love here…the comedic writing with relatable MCs, the NYC setting, the strangers-to-friends-to-lovers plot, the whole passion project idea. It was a really solid summer romance that I will be recommending to everyone. But I mean, I will always be a sucker for a story that is romantic about baseball, especially Yankees baseball.

It was a five star read for me until third-act. I will say I may be a bit sensitive rn because I just finished another summer read which had a very similar third-act breakup. But honestly, I just did not enjoy how the FMC treated the MMC and I felt like I had to suspend reality quite a bit for the ending.

For certain readers, this book may be triggering due to its content regarding the death of a partner. It also feels important to note here, that therapy was not mentioned (with positive connotation) until past the 90% mark. Which seemed like an odd choice for a story that discusses grief this heavily.

Thank you to Penguin and NetGalley for this ARC and the opportunity to give my candid feedback.

This boom has the best city vibes ever! It was so informative and thought provoking! Finding your way in the world can be tough but with the right people in your orbit, it becomes such a gift!!

Thanks to Penguin Books for my advanced copy of Passion Project.

This was a fantastic debut and I saw so many glowing reviews --- I enjoyed it, but after reading two other books where grief was the main focus was a lot for me.

A story of loss and redemption- Bennet’s journey out of pain into finding purpose and her people. Simmering romance that rolls out over time and the shared experiences of Bennet and Henry as he guides her through dating adventures that build Bennet’s confidence and commitment to her health/wellness. Henry is a terrific “everyman” who normalizes the emotions involved in falling for someone in deep grief.

This book was sweet. Loved the friendship between the two MCs but personally felt the whole passion project a little contrived. The NYC setting didn’t quite live up to what I was hoping for, but overall it was an enjoyable read and I would definitely pick up another book by London Sperry in the future. Received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a heartfelt and witty debut that beautifully captures the journey of rediscovering joy after loss. The chemistry between Bennet and Henry is palpable, with their slow-burning romance offering moments of both levity and deep emotion. Sperry's portrayal of grief and mental health is raw and authentic, resonating with readers who appreciate stories that balance humor with heartfelt depth. Set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City, this friends-to-lovers tale is a testament to the power of connection and the resilience of the human spirit.

Very sweet! I really enjoyed this one. I liked both the fmc and mmc as characters and loved the NYC setting. The storyline was definitely unique and I think this is a great summer read.

I loved the cover of this book, but its contents weren’t as fun. This book follows 25-year-old Bennet as she recovers from losing her ex-boyfriend, Sam. With the help of Henry, an attractive “friend” she met through a dating app, Bennet sets out to find her passion in life. The premise of Passion Project was promising, but the execution fell a little short, in my opinion. Bennet kept making mistake after mistake, and while that’s relatable (who doesn’t make mistakes??) it quickly became uncomfortable and frustrating for me to read. I enjoyed the romance; that was a perfect slow-burn, friends to lovers plot. Yet the whole “passion project” idea was uninspiring. This book kind of reminded me of Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone. Thank you, NetGalley and Penguin Group Viking, for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I truly adored this book! This book is such a resonant coming of age book that touches on heavy topics but also is still a thoughtful, compassionate, and hopeful book. Bennet lives in NYC and lost her passion for life. She is a temp worker and is unsure of what she wants to do. She is also dealing with grief as well of losing someone she loved. Henry, who is a bartender in NYC, decided to help Bennet find her passion again - hence, the Passion Project starts. Bennet and Henry made a plan to try something new in NYC in the hopes Bennet finds her passion again for life.

One of the things I loved about this book is that neither character was perfect. Both of the characters were incredibly relatable characters dealing with their own issues. They were likable characters. Throughout the book, you did really want to root for the characters. I thought the writing of the book was well-done. It flowed very nicely and kept you interested. I did think it could have been a tad shorter near the end. I would give this book four out of five stars and would highly recommend! Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Books for the free ARC in exchange for a review!

I absolutely loved this book. While the main characters choices and lack of communication was frustrating at time, I thoroughly enjoyed this plot and adored Henry. The grief aspect in this was done so well and was really relatable. I absolutely recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun read or anyone who needs a reminder to let go and enjoy life again.

Thank you London Sperry and Netgalley for the e-arc. I am leaving this review voluntarily and a ll opinions are my own.

This was such a cute, sad read that kept me enthralled the whole time I was sitting with it.

Can't wait to see what London writes next!

I love the title and once you read this book, you will understand the meaning for it. Henry was a great MMC. Bennet was a lot, but she’s been through a lot. As someone who struggles with anxiety, I can relate to parts of Bennet. I loved that its based in NYC. I love the Henry accepts Bennet the way she is but he’s also going to help bring her passion back.

This was just ok. I had high hopes for it based on the description and the fact it was a Book of the Month. However, it left a lot to be desired. Henry was always Mr. Sunshine to Bennet’s constant gloom. It felt flat, surface level.

This one might be a it isn’t you, it’s me.
I read the book Promise Me Sunshine last month and the similarities are way too on point.
Not sure if it’s because of this but the main character was not my favorite. She acted way too young and immature and had no sense of self awareness. I know she was grieving but her selfishness was hard to handle. Also, the little misunderstanding is a huge eye roll. Be adults, talk about it instead of blocking him.
The sex scene was very awkward and there was no build up or anything-let’s get it on on the rooftop and on the subway. No thanks.

A hopeful and life-affirming story! This book addresses grief and moving forward in life in a way that feels so authentic and true to anyone's experience!

The romance is definitely a sub-plot in this, but again, in a way that feels authentic. I really loved the ways that Bennett and Henry built a very sweet friendship. But it was that friendship that made Bennett's lies and poor communication make NO SENSE. She felt safe with him, but then lied and struggled to communicate with him, even though he was so clear and so patient with her!

I appreciate that we see Bennett take some real steps to heal and grow, and I believe she and Henry make it..but there were things that felt frustrating in the story, so it wasn't a 5 star.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I really enjoyed this book. There were times Bennett made me extremely mad with the way she was treating Henry, but as a person that struggles with anxiety I understood where she was coming from.

Thanks for the review copy. This is a great debut novel. I love the cover. I really liked Henry and Bennet. I’m glad I bought a copy of the book, too.

We can't do have stars on here but i would actually give this book 3.5 stars
This was a good book, it touched on heavier topics such as death of a partner, and mental health specifically depression and anxiety. But it also mixed in some lighthearted funny parts too. I liked all the passion project endeavors, like the tattoo class. I loved Henry I thought he was a great character all around. Bennet bothered me, and i know that is part of the storyline, that she is a woman so stuck in her grief she can't get out of it but I even with that I didn't like how she treated some of the other characters in the book, especially Henry.