ALC/BOOK REVIEW

Passion Project by London Sperry

Thank you Penguin Books Viking for the free eARC of this book and another thank you to PRHA for the free audiobook! #PRHAudioPartner

SYNOPSIS: Bennet Taylor feels stuck in her twenties, until a chance reunion with almost-date Henry sparks an idea. Together, they explore new adventures every Saturday to reignite her passion for life. As friendship deepens and secrets emerge, Bennet must choose whether she’s ready to truly move on.

REVIEW: What a lovely debut! London Sperry is certainly a romance voice to watch out for, and I’m thrilled that I got to read this one early.

This book made me fall in love with New York City all over again as Bennet and Henry go on each of their little adventures to find Bennet’s spark in life.

Alex Finke did a such a great job with this one, as always! It was so pleasant to listen to. I thoroughly enjoyed every single minute. The expression she brings to the characters is simply addicting!

I’ve seen folks compare this one to Cara Bastone’s recent release Promise Me Sunshine, and I think there is validity in that. While the two are very different in their stories, characters, and construction, both books beautifully balance grief and love, loss and new friendship.

Looking for books at add to your beach bag? Look no further! Passion Project will make you laugh, cry, and appreciate all that is life.

Publisher: Penguin Books Viking, PRHA
Pub date: 4/8/25 – OUT NOW!!

Passion Project was fun and heart-warming--it's hard to believe it's Sperry's debut! Bennet is a twenty-something grieving girl who is struggling to make it in NYC. After her boyfriend dies, Bennet moves to New York to honor his memory. Working double-shifts for a temping agency, along with crippling grief and depression, keep Bennet from exploring everything that New York has to offer. When she meets Henry on a disastrous first-date, her life slowly starts to change for the better. Together, Bennet and Henry embark on a months-long "Passion Project," and I loved reading about their adventures. This book was the perfect blend of fun rom-com with enough depth and heart to keep me invested until the perfect ending. Thank you to Netgalley, Penguin, and author London Sperry for the librarian preview copy!

I had such high hopes for this read. I adored Henry as a MMC but Bennet really rubbed me the wrong way. She was just immature and really selfish. She frequently used her grief as an excuse to be a mean and kinda terrible person. As someone who genuinely enjoys the microtrope of love after loss, I felt like the book just fell short for me. The potential was there for me and a lot of the scenes were wonderful but I just didn’t love it.

Bennett Taylor is sad. She recently moved to New York in an attempt to honor her recently deceased boyfriend by living his dream of living in the city. But things aren't great. She's working as a temp, has no social life, and is sinking into a deep depression when her roommate convinces her to go on a date with a recent match. But Bennett can't go, she ditches her date and drinks herself into a drunken stupor at a restaurant across the street. And it's here she runs into Henry, the date that she stood up. When she explains that she's not ready to date, that she's feeling desolate, he offers to help her find her passion in New York and just like that, the Passion Project is born.

I really enjoyed this book. Bennett's depressive state is acutely relatable. You can feel her grief through the pages, and I found myself really rooting for her. And for Henry. While Bennett's grief is palpable, there are strong themes of friendship, mistakes, and healing. There were also parts where I laughed out loud. I wouldn't call this a light read, but it was heartwarming, and I found myself reading way past my bedtime.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Viking for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Fantastic read especially for people in their 20s/30s who can relate to feeling lost and confused with how they want their life to go. I think Bennet was easily one of the most relatable characters I’ve read about in a while - she’s anxious, lost, and clumsy and just wants to have a life she sees others living. Henry is such a cutie he brings light and spontaneous energy that we all need in life to help get her out of this funk she’s in.
Overall, a fun book that does deal with some heavier topics, such as grief, but it makes the story so much more. I will say my only issue I ran into was sometimes as much as I love Bennet she was a little bit whiny and annoying about how much she DIDNT want to do things (but at the same time I get it girl,same)

Passion Project is a heartwarming and emotionally rich romantic comedy that beautifully balances laughter with loss. The story follows a protagonist who, still reeling from a deep personal grief, rediscovers purpose—and love—through an unexpected collaboration that begins as a professional partnership and blossoms into something far more meaningful.

What makes this book shine is its sensitivity. The author handles the subject of grief with a light but respectful touch, allowing the story to feel honest without being heavy. The romantic chemistry is sweet and slow-building, with just the right amount of tension and playful banter. It’s not just about falling in love with someone new, but about rediscovering parts of yourself that got lost along the way.

thank you to netgalley and penguin for the e arc in exchange for an honest review

i loved this book so much it genuinely felt like i was taking a stroll through new york city in all its seasons. i cannot believe that this is a debut novel it was such a delight to read and i am so lucky that @netgalley gave me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

bennet taylor might be one of the most realest fmcs i’ve ever read. her grief journey and anxiety made her feel even more relatable. it is rare to see authors portray anxiety in such a way that is similar to my own but london sperry nailed it on the head. i think bennett was so enjoyable because she wasn’t perfect she had her own issues she had to work though in order to accept love and become a version of herself again.

recently i’ve felt drawn to books like this where the main characters are not only experiencing immense grief but also grieving past versions of themselves and missing who they were before this major life event happens to them. it’s very relatable and cool to see them make it out in the end.

henry might also be my new favorite mmc… i am now a sucker for secret tattoos and someone who is scared of heights. he was sweet and a real treat to read!! i also loved seeing him help bennet out of her hole and ultimately how their story and relationship progressed.

so if you love novels that take place in new york or miss an old version of yourself and are feeling lost in life this is the perfect novel for you!

A slow burn romance which you will love. The main characters are real , fun and this is a feel good story about two people who fall in love. Highly recommend!

A slow-paced and sweet romance! Loved the friendship-first relationship and the self development aspects of this. Would recommend for readers of Emily Henry and Cara Bastone.

Bennet is a temp worker in NYC. Her life revolves around grieving her boyfriend with not much room for anything else. She attempts to go on a date with Henry but stands him up. However, she runs into him in the restaurant across the street. They end up deciding to be friends and he is determined to help her find her passion.

I really liked this book. London Sperry does a great job tackling and showing grief in a really realistic way. I loved Henry. There were a couple conflicts right at the end that felt a bit too harsh for me. Otherwise, I loved it and the friends to lovers was *chef's kiss*

I read this book in one sitting, glued to it for about 10 hours. Bennet Taylor lives directionless in NYC, taking odd jobs to support herself and shutting down her friends and family to go straight to her room and sleep. She is in freeze mode since a tragic accident and hasn't been able to move on, even when the people around her has. When her roommate Sonya creates her a dating profile, she agrees to go on a date with a seemingly simple Henry. But the night goes to hell even before Bennet meets Henry, resulting in another failure. Bennet thinks she definitely will never see Henry again, but when they meet again and actually start to get to know each other, Henry realizes that Bennet doesn't have a passion, so he proposes they go on adventures every weekend until she finds what she is passionate for, something that inspires her to get up every morning.

I loved the chemistry between Bennet and Henry, the banter was so heartwarming and funny. I pictured myself on every place described in NYC, the parks, restaurants and even tourists traps. The romantic aspect was really good, but this book also touches some heavy topics like dealing with grief, anxiety and depression. I loved a quote that went along the lines of: Having your shit together is not a prerequisite for love. This is a story of love, yes, but also of acceptance and resilience. Can't recommend this book enough.

A New York based Rom Com about a woman who lost her spark and a man who wants to help her find it again. This was very cute, but as an avid romance reader nothing felt particularly original. Okay, fine - I can vibe with a formulaic romance sometimes (it's better than one with no planning at all) but the I didn't really connect with the characters either. As someone who has struggled with depression, anxiety, and grief throughout my life, the depiction of these struggles through Bennet's character didn't work for me. She just read as juvenile and self absorbed. Henry, on the other hand, felt two dimensional. I was super excited for this, and while in some ways it felt reminiscent of Funny Story and Promise Me Sunshine, it seemed to lack the heart that makes this kind of story work. 3⭐️

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It had a perfect blend of romance, tension, spice, and unexpectedly, heartbreak and grief. The book had me laughing out loud and smiling, but it also made me scream and shake my head. Set in the vibrant energy of New York City, the book follows our main character, Bennet Taylor, a cute name indeed. Bennet is going through a tough time, struggling to make ends meet with dead-end jobs and haunted by something from her past. When she meets Henry, who promises to help her find her passion, we embark on an exciting journey together. I devoured this book and can’t wait to read another by London Sperry. If you enjoy Abby Jimenez’s writing, I highly recommend this book. It was a truly exceptional read for me, and I’m giving it a solid 5-star rating.

ugh so good. 🥹

what a beautiful story of love, life and grief. and how they all all can co-exist. a moment of silence for Henry and just how perfect he is.

I do believe he deserved a little bit better during the 3rd act breakup. but other than that..this is such a beautiful story!

It's not often that a romance book that addresses mental health pops up on my radar, but when this one did, I put in an ARC request for it that was approved just after its publication; Passion Project lived up to the hype. Well written characters, emotions that are explored, a slow burn romance with just a bit of spice, and settings that are described so well that I felt like I was there. It's not often that I can relate to emotional aspects or characters in a romance book, but this one I did. Sperry's debut has me looking forward to reading her future works.

Thanks to @netgalley and Viking Penguin for this ARC read!

I picked this debut up after seeing a lot of glowing reviews but I found the FMC, Bennett, hard to root for. Yes, she experienced trauma but she was extremely selfish and the third act conflict was hard to overcome. Henry deserved better.

That being said, I enjoyed the writing and will be interested in reading whatever the author writes next.

3.5 stars rounded up

Thanks to Penguin for the copy to review.

I liked Passion Project! I thought this was well written with great banter and NYC descriptions! I would have rated this higher but the third act break up and conflict lowered my rating and made me not think the couple will be HEA. I will definitely read what London Sperry writes next! Fans of Promise Me Sunshine will enjoy this, they are pretty similar!

Passion Project by London Sperry is a relatable and engaging novel that explores themes of ambition, self-discovery, and the pursuit of one's dreams. While readers may find it shares some similarities with "Promise Me Sunshine" by Cara Bastone, Sperry’s novel has its own unique narrative and charm.

The story follows a protagonist grappling with the challenges of chasing her passions while managing the complexities of her relationships and personal life. The plot unfolds at a lively pace, blending moments of introspection with external conflicts that highlight the character's growth and journey toward fulfillment.

One of the standout features of "Passion Project" is its likable cast of characters. They are well-crafted and relatable, making it easy for readers to empathize with their struggles and aspirations. The dynamics between characters add depth to the narrative, creating heartfelt interactions that enrich the overall reading experience.

Although some readers may perceive parallels to "Promise Me Sunshine," the familiarity in the storyline does not detract significantly from the enjoyment of "Passion Project." Sperry's engaging writing style, combined with warm moments of humor and emotion, brings the story to life and invites readers into the protagonist’s world.

Overall, "Passion Project" is an enjoyable read that showcases London Sperry's ability to create authentic characters and meaningful narratives. While it may tread familiar ground for those acquainted with "Promise Me Sunshine," it remains a worthwhile exploration of following one's dreams and nurturing relationships, making it a solid addition to contemporary fiction collections.

I DEVOURED THIS BOOK.
I didn’t even know I was an insta-love girly until Henry and Bennet crashed into my heart and refused to leave. Their chemistry? Electric. Their emotional depth? Devastatingly beautiful. Bennet’s struggle with depression was portrayed with such raw honesty and empathy—it wrecked me in the best way. And Henry? SWOON. That man is pure golden-retriever energy wrapped in a flannel shirt.

This book isn’t just a romance; it’s a gut-punch of feels about love, healing, and fighting for your happiness. The ending had me ugly crying—like, full-on, tissue-required sobbing. If you love stories that blend heart-stopping passion with profound emotional weight, Passion Project is an absolute must-read.

Praise for London Sperry for her debut novel Passion Project!!!

For a debut novel, I was HIGHLY impressed. I have been feeling as though I haven't read a truly good romance book in a very long time, and right when I thought I wouldn't find a romance that peaked my interest, I found Passion Project. An incredibly raw take on grief, love, forgiveness, and finding out about who you are. The characters were lovable, frustrating, and real and that was exactly what I was looking for. I want a real life Henry! He was goofy and honest, and I loved every second reading about him. I also loved Bennet -- our FMC who at times frustrated the hell out of me, but somehow always found a way to wrap herself around my heart. London Sperry is truly a force to be reckoned with and any book she releases I will be the first in line to read.

This will definitely be the book of the spring/summer and I will be telling all of my friends to read it!