Very sweet story about grief, loss and the guilt that can come along with it. The male lead character is great and I found myself rooting for them both.

This was just the book I needed to get out of a little slump and mood read for spring! Bennet’s story is tough and her grief is hard to imagine, but Henry steps in at a much needed time to help her find her passion in life. I really enjoyed the adventures they went on and were rooting for them to end up together! Don’t let life pass you by.

Thank you for this ARC!

“This life is one that I didn’t feel worthy of, but I now know I am. It’s 𝘯𝘰𝘵 too good to be true. It’s just true.”

I hate comparing books but I have recently read a romance with a MC that I ADORED. She was funny and witty and a joy to read about. The MC in this one was…not. In fact she irritated the shit out of me.

I get trauma and guilt and all of that, but I struggle to get invested and root for someone that just revels in being the broken one, the miserable one. So while this book was somewhat enjoyable it won’t be one that I will remember for long.

Thank you to Netgalley, Viking Penguin, and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This was such a gem of a book. I can already tell it will be one of my favorite rom coms of the year. Fans of Abby Jimenez will love this one! Could not recommend more!
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest feedback.

I love a good friends to lovers trope, this one featuring he helping she overcome grief with a summer of random passion projects. So, was the story transparent? Well, yes, but not in a bad way. It came together as expected, but sometimes the “expected” is just the type of story you need.

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I had been hearing such raging reviews about this book that I squealed when I got an ARC of it!

We follow the main character as she navigates the grief of losing her boyfriend while living in a new city- New York City to be exact. She is doing temp jobs and finding little joy in any part of her life. Her roommate sets up a dating account for her in hopes that she will meet someone and begin to experience joy again. In a funny way- she meets Henry who is determined to help her find what she is passionate about in life but doing different things around the city that may spark joy in her. Themes of navigating grief after loss, moving on from a past love, and self-forgiveness.

Henry is a cinnamon roll MMC and you will just LOVE him. This is an easy read that will leave you wanting to hug the main characters. London Sperry's writing will be great for fans of Cara Bastone and Abby Jiminez IMO

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and publisher for an ARC in exchange for a review. Book was released 4/8/25 and you should definitely get your hands on it asap.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Viking for a digital ARC of Passion Project.

This one is strange for me to review because it is FREAKISHLY similar to Promise Me Sunshine, which also recently came out. I actually had to double-check the pub dates to make sure there wasn't a way for the author to steal the plot. Since I just read Promise Me Sunshine, I found myself comparing the two and I ADORED the former so it was hard to fully immerse myself in this one.

That being said, I loved this one too. Henry is just the perfect most patient book boyfriend that towards the end I thought Bennet didn't deserve. I wish her ah-ha moment wasn't so rushed, like people have been telling her the same things over and over and then finally she believes it? Either way, I enjoyed this and will read more from the author as I really liked her writing style.

if I had a nickel for every 2025 book set in nyc about a girl grieving and a boy trying to help her overcome her grief I’d have two nickels which isn’t a lot of money but it’s weird that it happened twice. what’s not weird is that I loved both of them. much like promise me sunshine by cara bastone, passion project spoke to my soul in a way that is hard to put into words. it is funny and romantic as well as profound and emotional. it made me giggle and twirl my hair, but it also touched something deep within me. the writing flowed perfectly at all times and there was never a minute I wished I was doing something else other than devouring this story. books that manage to make me feel this way are the reason I love reading. an instant favorite.

I really loved this book. There were parts especially in the beginning where I was like “this is giving lit fic vibes” but honestly it was a beautiful love story. Watching Bennet simultaneously fall in love with Henry and her life/herself, and overcome her grief was amazing. Some parts had me absolutely hooked to where I would read until I couldn’t stay awake (in a good way). Henry was also a total dream and I love him. New book boyfriend alert?

You should read this if:
🍕 You’re a fan of more thought-provoking romances
🍕 You love character growth
🍕 You’re looking for book that feels realistic

TW, tropes, and things to know:
Illness of parent, death of partner, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, relationship issues, breakups, Alzheimer’s/dementia, car accidents, alcohol use, one one bed, blind date, slow burn

3.75 stars rounded up!

Overall I really enjoyed this one. I loved the writing style, the setting, and the premise of the book. However, I did struggle a little bit.

I think the grief portrayal was so incredibly well done and written. Grief is not an easy thing to deal with or go trough. It is frustrating for the person grieving, and for the people around them. It is messy, raw, emotional, and so very real. Whever I found myself getting frustrated at Bennet for things she said or did, or didn't say or do, I reminded myself that she was grieving. And that my frustration was mostly because of how raw and real her grief journey was. Props to London because Benner is the most honest and true portrayal of a grieving journey I have ever read.

I will say during the middle I felt myself disconnecting a bit from the story, It started feeling a tiny bit repetitive and that's probably why this rating isn't higher. I kinda just wanted them to talk more and in a deeper way? When Bennet finally trusted Henry enough to open up though the book shone, and her pulling back from that hit very close to home.

Henry was a shining star! What an incredible MMC. Patient, steady, honest, open, a little moody and broody, the perfect match for Bennet. I love how he made her feel safe, how he showed her she deserves love no matter what life looks like for her, and how he always managed to be honest, even when there were moments she didn't want or deserve that honesty, without being cruel.

Overall I do recommend this book! And I was very teary eyed in the end. It's honest and human. I can't wait to read more from London!

Thank you to Penguin Publishing for the advanced copy of this book.
I cannot get over that this a debut novel!!!!
The author has a clear direction, strong voice and makes the most of every page.
Bennett and Henry are opposites yet similar in their struggles. Both are battling their past failures, loneliness, and grief. Their friendship takes the center stage as they open themselves up to being vulnerable with each other and themselves.
The author depicts depression and anxiety in an extremely honest and relatable way. There is a perfect mix of humor, quirkiness, and heartfelt moments that will sweep you away.
This book not only a love letter to New York City, it is a love letter to ourselves. To take chances, to find love, and to embrace new beginnings.

I will recommend to anyone who will listen.

I needed a palate cleanser after reading several dark thrillers in a row, and this was great for that! Bennet Taylor is stricken with grief still a couple of years after her boyfriend's tragic death, and she hasn't really been able to find her place in work, friendships, relationships, etc... since then. Enter Henry, a blind date she ghosts who somehow still stumbles his way in to her life and promises friendship only if she accompanies him on a series of adventures around New York City that they both hope will reignite her spark for something (anything!) to be passionate about. It's cute and sweet while still dealing with themes of trauma, grief, guilt, and loneliness. Absolutely a strong debut for romance lovers that has both sadness and humor in it, and I really appreciate the opportunity to read the ARC!

A debut novel!?! I will now be reading everything London Sperry writes!!! 😍
This was such a heartwarming, emotional, real love story that deals with loss, grief, and finding your place in the world beyond that. The FMC, Bennet, lost her boyfriend two years ago and is now depressed and struggling living in NYC. She does temp work but pretty much spends the rest of her time shutting everyone else out. Her roommate convinces her to go on a date with a guy from a dating app but she fails miserably at that too.
When she runs into Henry again, he convinces her to meet up as friends every Saturday doing things around the city to help her find her passion. I adored Henry! He was so sweet and patient with Bennet and exactly what she needed in her life to get her out of the funk she was in.
The Passion Project is one of those stories that just makes you smile even though it really deals with a lot of heavy subject matter. I read the last 15% on a flight and had to stop several times to stop myself from crying in public! 😭🤣 The only reason I didn’t rate it 5 stars was because Bennet’s decisions in the latter half of the book and the way she treated sweet Henry pissed me off!

Thank you Penguin Books and NetGalley for my copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

4.5⭐️ i loved this so so much!!! the banter & ease in bennet & henry’s relationship was so so good & i am just obsessed with them!!! there were just a couple things that kept it from being 5 stars but i could definitely see myself looking past them and upping the rating upon a reread!! the conflict at the end annoyed me in ways but then it also felt true to the characters so it actually didn’t make me super mad but i hated it in the moment!! the vibes were immaculate & the writing was so satisfying to read!!! i am so so excited for future books from london!!

oh also i don’t swear but this quote has already meant so much to me & changed my perspective on love & life (& i read it 2 hours ago) so i have to share:
“having your sh*t together is not a prerequisite for love.”
ok i’m gonna go sit in a corner and rethink my entire life, byeeee🫠🤯


thank you to netgalley & the publisher for a e-arc in exchange for my honest review!!

I can’t form a coherent thought about this book because I’m so emotional but I loved it and I hope you do too! Full review to come when i can pull myself together. Thank you NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review 🫶🏾✨

4.25 ⭐️ “Being up here makes me feel small, but being with you makes me feel significant.”
The cover of this book and the New York setting immediately sucked me in to reading it and I ended up really enjoying it! I really loved the depiction of grief in this book. In this book you are following Bennet as she deals through all her grief following a great loss in her life and her journey as she rediscovers her spark for her life. I appreciated how this book shows the ups and downs of the identity crisis you experience and the difficulty of picking yourself back up after a life altering loss. I felt so much for Bennet and I loved seeing her heal and reconnect with the people in her life after struggling with so much alone. I absolutely adored Henry’s character!!! He was so charming, sincere, and such a sweetheart! I loved how they formed such a strong friendship with each other before it turned romantic. Definitely a slow burn! Their little adventures throughout New York were so much fun to follow!! I loved how they pushed each other out of their comfort zones and made each other feel seen. Would definitely recommend if you’re looking for a New York set rom com that also packs an emotional punch!

This is such a deeply felt romance that explores grief with nuance and care. At times, I wanted the slow burn to burn a little faster, but it all ends with a very satisfying happily ever after.

Thank you Penguin Books for providing this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
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4.5 stars

I can’t believe this is a debut novel! London Sperry introduced a very unique storyline into a genre that can feel quite repetitive sometimes and I’m so grateful this story exists. I think I felt just about every emotion known to man reading this — I laughed, I full on cried, I raged, and everything else under the sun. While there were certain parts of the plot that didn’t work for me and Bennet could really frustrate me to no end sometimes, I’m glad I enjoyed the writing because without a doubt I’ll be picking up the next book from this author.

If you’re looking for a story that focuses on living life with heavy grief, learning to open your heart and take risks again, and a very slow burn (but worth it) romance (be warned: the romance is pushing sub-plot status for this story), definitely pick up this book!

I liked that this story followed a young woman, Bennet, who was deeply heartbroken and weighed down by grief, yet gradually found the hope and courage to heal and love again.

At times, the romance felt forced and overly cheesy. The contrast between Bennet being excessively selfish and Henry being unrealistically nice felt exaggerated and hard to believe. However, there were also moments that were genuinely funny and heartwarming.

I recommend it to anyone looking for a light read with a happy ending.

I LOVEDDDDDD THIS READ!! The book had me from the beginning and I am so excited to yap about this so so much!!