This book was heavier than I thought, not just a fluffy romance. It concentrates on grief, depression and guilt. The trope is stranger to friends to lovers and the MMC is kinda like a knight because she is a mess. There were times I really started to lose my patience with Bennet when she would self sabotage. I liked how even though we don’t have Henry’s POV, we get good description of his reactions and I loved getting to know him even from this limited POV. The writing was good and the story was engaging. A really wonderful debut.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own

Hands-down a 5⭐️ read! I can’t stop talking about this delightful book—a swoon-worthy debut!!

What I loved:

✨ Dynamic, multi-layered characters who are relatable and likable

✨ Friends to lovers

✨ Henry 😍😍😍

✨ Strong female friendships

✨ A beautiful (and accurate) depiction of life in NYC as a 20-something trying to figure it all out


What I didn’t:

✖️That it’s over 🙃


Thank you to Penguin Books and NetGalley for this ARC!

The sweetest book that blew me away! While it deals with heavy topics like grief and depression is does so in a way that isn’t too heavy and I felt happy when reading this one. Bennet is the FMC, who lost her college boyfriend in a tragic car accident. She’s in a bit of a funk after this and when she meets Henry, while she's not ready to date, they become friends and spend a summer trying to bring back her passion.

I am truly so blow away by this book. It brought out so many feelings and the way mental health and grief were handled was EXCEPTIONAL. This book will stay with me for a long time. It is beyond a 5-star book and quite literally broke the scale. It was absolutely perfect and there isn't a single thing I would want to change!

It is such a healing and powerful story that will stand the test of time. I absolutely loved Bennett and found myself being able to connect with her character in a way that I haven't been able to do in such a long time. I could go on and on about how much this book means to me. I will be purchasing a physical copy when it is released on April 8th!

London Sperry managed to write an absolute genius story that will inspire healing in so many people. I am so grateful to be a reader and even more so after reading this.

EVERYONE NEEDS TO READ THIS BOOK!!!!

THAT WAS THE SWEETEST BOOK I’VE EVER READ!!!!
The most perfect rom-com with the best vibes and best scenario. Henry and Bennet and Andy and Jamie were everything, it truly holds such joy and gives the exact feeling you’ll be looking for.
This book is perfect for summer, I loved how it represented Bennet’s journey through loss and grief and finding her passion and happiness and her mess overall.
I giggled and smiled a lot, the scenes were giving it and I could not get enough! I think Passion Project got me out of my semi-reading-slump. Can’t wait for you guys to read it. Lastly, thank NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

📚ARC BOOK REVIEW📚
Passion Project by Sperry London

🗽I loved this book! It was so full of hope, and was a beautiful portrayal of friendship, grief, and love.

❤️Bennet lost her college boyfriend, Sam, in a tragic car accident. Since then she's just been going through the motions of life. When she meets Henry, she's not ready to date. But they become friends and spend the summer trying to figure out her passion so she can come back to life. Their Passion Project serves as a beautiful backdrop for the development of a strong friendship, and opens Bennet up to the possibility that she might someday love again.

🗽I think my favorite part of this book was that, despite the heavier topics, it still felt light and happy. Bennet was struggling, but deep in her heart she wanted to move forward in her life. Henry was so kind and patient and treated her well. He opened up to Bennet and let her see his baggage and emotions, and I just wanted to wrap him in a hug. Watching their friendship unfold made me smile, and even during their conflicts, they were open with each other and communicated well.

❤️I also really loved the author's writing style. The story flowed quickly while still managing to dig deep into the characters in a way that brought them to life for me. I thought that the mental health representation was written sensitively, and Bennet dealt with her anxiety and depression in the best way she could. I was so surprised that this was a debut novel, and will absolutely look forward to more books in the future.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Viking for the e-arc of this book! This story and these characters will always hold a special piece of my heart! Passion Project publishes on April 8th.

I couldn’t help thinking the entire time I read this book that there is not one single person in this girl’s life that could see how much she needed therapy. She also seemed completely immature and Henry was the absolute perfect friend/boyfriend that she didn’t deserve. I wish so badly that the author would have allowed Bennet some emotional growth and resolution to her grief.
Not really a rom-com per se but there are romantic moments. The overwhelming grief that Bennet is dealing with became pretty much the dominant voice. It was too much to balance a really great love story that could have been beautiful. This book has a lot of great reviews so maybe it’s just not the right fit for me.

I haven’t seen anyone talk about this upcoming release which is a crime!! AND I’m shocked this was a DEBUT because it was so good!!

This is a similar novel to Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone - a FMC who is grieving a loss who meets a MMC who is offering to help her find meaning, joy, a *passion*!But slightly different because the grief is from losing a boyfriend so how can she be okay with moving on??🥲 and I honestly liked it more!

I thought the depiction of grief/depression here was so well done👏 and the banter and friendship between Bennet and Henry was soooo goood! They were funny and flirty while also being raw and honest with each other🥹 I loved rooting for them! I loved the side characters! I loved their adventures!

It started off SO strong and I was sure I found a 5 star read (finally) but toward the end I got a bit frustrated with the characters and pacing (but again for a debut?! I’m impressed)!

I definitely recommend!!

So great! I loved every second and wished I could experience NYC this way. Fun, lighthearted, but also serious at times. Everything I like in a book! Author to watch for sure!

******Two potential typos I caught in my copy (Not included in my Goodreads or Storygraph Review!):
1. pg 123/256 (Chapter 16, second page) "Carlyle" is missing a L --> "Carlye".
2. pg 175/256 (Chapter 25, fifth page) "only" seems out of place, "..."I've been assigned to the only library since Sal....", think it maybe should be "....I've ONLY been assigned to the library since Sal...."

This was a quick easy light romance that tackled difficult topics. All in all, a very impressive debut.

In 'Passion Project' we meet a main character 'Bennet' that is periled by guilt and depression after a serious loss, living in NYC, going through the motions at a temp job, until friends/acquaintances/strangers come together to compel her to turn over a new leaf and start living again, primarily via trying out different passions.

Bennet is deeply flawed and a lot of this book is driven by her slow growth. I found her flaws realistic and, unlike some other romance novels I have read recently, they didn't feel just like manufactured plot devices to throw hurdles in the way of the romance.

I would have appreciated slightly more investment in side characters - there was a not insignificant trope of the male main character's female friends being jealous/problematic that was not fully resolved. I also wonder <spoiler> if Bennet is just as precipitously reliant on a relationship in the end as she was in the beginning, and that's what got her into this spiral in the first place. For it to be a romance, I know it had to end up this way, but if this was my friend irl, I would be a little worried. </spoiler>

Descriptions of NYC and general plot/setting was quite nicely balanced - I like this author's writing style.

I would readily pick up this author's next book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Bennet's been stuck in grief for ages after Sam's death, but instead of seeking therapy to heal, she's been making everyone around her, including Henry - miserable. I'm so done with writers romanticizing unhealthy relationships. It's clear from start to finish that Bennet will never move on from Sam. She's still calling him 'my love' till the very end FOR GOD SAKE. Her oh so 'grand' confession to Henry felt super unrealistic and stupid. It was completely rushed. Honestly, 80% of the book is just her pining for Sam. Even the sweet moments with Henry are constantly interrupted by her reminiscing about Sam. I'm convinced this relationship is doomed and Henry deserves someone way better.

Passion Project follows FMC Bennet, who’s plagued by grief due to the loss of her boyfriend. She gets set up on a date with our MMC, Henry, but she realizes she’s not ready to get back out there so she ghosts him. Unfortunately for her, she runs into him anyway and they form an unlikely friendship! Henry & Bennet go on weekly adventures to help find Bennet’s spark —aka the Passion Project, where Bennet gets pushed out of her comfort zone to do activities she wouldn’t normally do!

When I first met Bennet, she was a whole ball of anxiety. If you’re not an anxious/depressed person & you want to know what it feels like, Bennet is a perfect example. When she’s not overwhelmed with her feelings, she’s actually pretty funny! I found myself giggling and smiling at some of the things she says to Henry. But boy oh boy did I get mad at her for always thinking of the worst case scenario.

Henry “You know what. Fuck it” Adams🥹. OMMG.. the most cinnamon roll MMC I ever did meet 😭😭. He is TOOO good for this world. It’s the way he just knows boundaries & lets Bennet just *be* 🥹 ugh. Their banter is the perfect back and forth & had me kicking my feet WAITING for them to kissssss 😩.

I think I really loved this book because Bennet and Henry remind me of me and my husband’s dynamic. I’m usually the one who would say “what if something bad happens?” And he’s usually the optimist. & just like Bennet, i too, am trying to find my passion. Booksta helped me realize I LOVE making edits like this🥹.

I wasn’t prepared to cry my eyes out at the end of this but it was inevitable. London Sperry captures grief, anxiety, & depression in such a detailed, realistic way that you can’t help but share in Bennet’s emotions. Loving someone through grief is hard but hopefully Bennet and Henry’s story can help someone out there. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

I loved this.

A story set in New York City will always get me. I loved the way the city was described, made me feel like I was there with them through the seasons!
Bennet and Henrys first meeting was both funny and sad. The author really nailed that through the entire story. This was so sad at times but the humor that was added was amazing and made this story whole! I felt so much for Bennet and what she went through and it was so refreshing to see how everyone was there for her. Henry was the perfect mmc. He was charming and funny and so genuinely kind it warms my heart!

Bennets healing journey and how grief was described in this was so touching! I really loved this so much!!! Can‘t wait to read more from the author!
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this arc

I absolutely loved this book!! It is difficult to believe that it is debut book.

This is a heartfelt story, where you can't help root for Bennet and fall in love with Henry. Friends-to-lovers is not my favourite trope but this book has managed to change that. I just wish that everyone has a Henry, Sonya and Jamie in their lives!

♾️♾️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was BEAUTIFUL!!!!!🩷🩷
I can’t believe this book is a debut book because I absolutely adored the writing!!!🩷
Bennet and Henry are seriously my new favorite characters 😭 I loved the story so much and I connected with the characters instantly (which is rare for me) but I swear Bennet’s story touched my heart so DEEPLY I don’t think I’ll ever get over it. When stories involve the topic of grief, I resonate with it so much, and her feelings were literally an exact copy of mine. It’s so hard to move on after losing someone and trying to find happiness after is probably one of the most gut-wrenching feelings in the world, and the fact that Henry never judged, but understood her like no one before? 😭😭😭❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹
Henry was an absolute GEM!!! He was literally the sweetest human and I loved how we got to see their relationship flourish into a romantic one because I swear I was rooting for them the entire time 🥹🩷

The mental health representation in this book was everything to me as well, and these characters were so realistic in their choices and their situations it truly all came together in the end so perfectly.

London, I will read EVERYTHING you write from now on because how could I not?! 🥹🩷

Thank you so much to the publisher and to PRH Audio for the ALC! 🩷🩷🩷

🎧 ARC and ALC REVIEW 🎧

Thank you @prhaudio and @penguinbooks @vikingbooks for an early review and listening copy of Passion Project by @londonsperrywrites. I received an advance review and listening copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 🤍

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Release date: April 8th, 2025

Blurb: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/203237161-passion-project?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=AnmftV8rxF&rank=1

🛑Read on with caution; review may contain spoilers🛑

Passion Project is a story about rediscovery oneself after a traumatic loss and grief. Bennet, a woman barely existing in New York trying to get over her boyfriend’s death, meets Henry, a bartender and photographer who’s full of positivity its infectious. Together, they try out new activities, finding their passion and themselves in the process.

This book was such an easy read because it’s quite relatable and evenly paced. It explores grief and depression as well as friendship and second chances, while trying to adult in the bustling city of New York. Some parts of this book felt raw and emotional, but there’s also entertaining banter between Bennet and Henry which somehow made it difficult for me to drop reading and listening to this book until the very end; the narrator has such a calming yet enthralling voice. Additionally, of the things I appreciate about this story is how gradual it took for Bennet to heal, and how Henry helped her open herself up to try to move on from her grief and guilt.

I’m so glad I chanced upon this book before its release! If you’re feeling lost somehow or in the middle of a midlife crisis, this book is perfect for you.

Thank you to Penguin Books and NetGalley for this ARC!

Wow, I was blown away by this book. It was so much deeper than expected. Every friend and family member in Bennet’s life was so patient. Henry’s character was amazing and I like that the author made it apparent that Bennet didn’t always view him as a person with feelings and his own struggles. Sonya definitely had a lot to learn about mental health and I’m glad Jamie was the character to guide her. I loved Sonya’s analogy about matches as our soul and Andy’s point that moving on is letting life and love in.

The main critique I have is that the main antagonist for Bennet seems to be herself and that makes her out to be an anti-hero for most of the book. The only outside oppressor in the story was her work which was realistic, but it would’ve been nice to see that fleshed out. For example, if she reported the sexual harassment and nothing came of it or some justice. An author’s note about the sexual harassment and how to get help would be great as well.

It shouldn’t be so hard to find Bennet redeemable since depression and grief can be blinding and all consuming. Maybe a little less self-sabotage would help, especially at the wedding. The ending is still really great.

passion project was heartfelt and deeply raw, touching on themes like grief and guilt, friendship and loneliness, self-discovery and healing. i laughed, i cried, i fell in love with bennet and henry and i had so much fun reading. london sperry does a wonderful job balancing heavy themes with romance and comedy. i can't believe this is her debut novel!
even though i felt frustrated by her at times, i loved bennet and i found myself relating to her. her journey and her feelings were written really well, it shows you how ugly grief can be and how self-destructive it can make you act. watching bennet go from feeling lost and aimless to finding hope and falling in love with life again was beautiful and it touched me in so many ways.
henry was charming from the start and the more i read the more i adored him. he was so sweet and he treated bennet with such care and patience, i loved how they built their friendship first while slowly falling in love. i wish we could’ve learned more about him and about his relationship with his dad.
some scenes in the end felt a bit rushed and like it wrapped up quickly but i really loved this book. i can’t wait to read more from london sperry!
～thank you to penguin group and netgalley for the arc!

Bennet had me wanting to actually crash out I can’t like but also her character was very realistic. Dealing with grief is such a hard and impossible thing to do like you never know where it’s going to take you. And even though I found myself losing patience with her a lot, her actions made sense even if I didn’t like them. Henry was a gem. Obviously. A true gentleman. I’m happy that he always looked out for Bennet even before he truly knew her and I’m happy that he clocked her tea when he needed to. Because she really needed a reality check😭 Honestly, I wasn’t into the book at first because of my dislike for Bennet but it really grew on me! By 50% I was locked in and I grew to love her a little even though she still annoys me? But maybe that’s bc she reminds me a little of myself and I don’t wanna admit that.

3.8⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy✨

The work through with the grief with our FMC was so good in this!

This rom com has great, witty banter friends-to-lovers & takes place in New York.

Read if you like:
- Friends to Lovers
- One Bed
- Banter
- Love After Loss