I thought it was a good book. I appreciated that she ended up going to therapy at the end and working to heal. I did think that all the things she did in the city sounded expensive and not necessarily something she would be able to afford on her income. I wish communication had been a little better but I think that is also kind of the point?

I was 100% here for the depression, anxiety, and grief representation! Bennet’s struggles are ones so many people face and that often don’t get enough representation in the romance genre. But Passion Project was still fun and felt like a summer rom-com! It just also had moments of depth where Bennet couldn’t get out of bed or a wave of grief crashed over her and took her out of commission for a while.

Henry was the perfect counterpart to Bennett. The description of him as a golden retriever is so apt and perfect. Any scene he was in immediately brought a smile to my face.

The third act breakup in Passion Project was devastating to me and honestly almost ruined the book. I really didn’t know how Sperry was going to recover the characters enough for me to be satisfied. I’m not sure she fully achieved that. I’m happy with the ending because I think Bennett and Henry work well together, but one of them was done SO dirty by the narrative it still makes me upset to think about.

Passion Project by London Sperry was a cute romance that follows Bennet and Henry as Henry tries to convince Bennet that she has a passion she has yet to find.

This book was fun and flirty, and will definitely be a cute beach read for many! My beef with this book and why I didn’t give it a glowing review was because of many of Bennet’s choices. It felt like she was making some choices that were intentionally hurtful and then used grief and/or mental health to blame Henry for her behavior. Obviously a real issue to have debilitating depression, but some of Bennet’s actions seemed to just be mean for the sake of it. I wasn’t sure Henry deserved Bennet at the end 🤣. I also thought we could have learned more about Henry, he just sort of seemed to be there?

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Passion Project releases 4/8!

Bennet is relatable, which is sometimes to her detriment, because there is more than one moment where she lets her anxiety win and treats the people around her terribly – it’s so hard to watch! The relationship between Bennet and Henry was so cute and felt super authentic until the last quarter of the book. Spoilers ahead!

Bennet once again makes a fear-based decision that puts all of her relationships at jeopardy and then they resolve it in half a second, with barely anything shown on page. There’s one conversation between them and then they’re back together and that’s that. I haaaaate a third act breakup, but I think in the story this one would’ve made sense had there been more resolution offered! I wanted to see Bennet and Henry actively work through it, rather than just seeing an epilogue with one sentence updates.

I did enjoy this book overall, and I think especially for those tripe fans, it will be a hit!

One of my favorite romances books this year! Honestly ever!! The writing was so incredible in this book it had such a great pace and I wasn’t bored at any point. The plot was really cute while carrying such a deeper message.

I LOVED the characters. Both individually and together. I really connected on a deeper level with both Bennet and Henry. They were such flawed and realistic characters which made me love them even more. The bond they built together truly felt so strong and sweet. They showed each other the messier parts of one another and still showed up for the other. I love how the built such a strong friendship first before staring a relationship.

The mental health and grief representation was done SO well. It felt very realistic and raw while still showing hope and a path to healing. It was so beautiful and made me so multiple time throughout the book.

I can’t wait till release day so I can pick up a physical copy of my baby!!

***Thank you to NetGalley & Penguin House Pub for sending me this arc in exchange for an honest review.

4 lovely stars!

This story was flipping adorable! I do want to make a weird point that I was confused as hell in the beginning as to who the FMC really was. Was she a lesbian? What happened to her ex?! Sonya or Sam?! What?! Ohhhhh…her roommate is a lesbian and her ex-boyfriend was killed in a car accident. Okay. That makes more sense knowing that upfront. I felt dragged along for a couple of chapters, but maybe that was just me.

I absolutely fell in love with Henry from the start. He was EVERYTHINGGGGGGG we love in our book boyfriends. He was kind, patient, loving & thoughtful. He did and said all the right things!! We all wanted Bennie girl to jump his bones & make it raunchy…but it was just not that kinda book! I’ve been clearly reading too much dark romance lately 🥴

I could not put this one down. I wanted to be reading it at all times. It had me choked up a few times, but I didn’t sob my damn eyes out. It was emotional and beautiful. I am not usually a fan of FMC characters who suffer from depression because those books seem to be a drag for me, but this one was just too cute to hate. Did Bennie girl grind my gears?! Hell to the yes! I wanted to smack the shit out of her several times. I almost wanted to throw my phone a few times because….GIVE ME HENRY BITCH!!!! Ya know?! Sorry, I’m getting all worked up here. Ya just want her to get her shit together already, but her crazy is what keeps the story unique I guess.

I loved Sal, that cutie!! Eggplant baby?! What was up with that?! 🤔🫣

Okay, I really want to know who paid for all these extravagant dates tho?!? That kinda bothered me. They both struggle with money, so I couldn’t figure out who was paying for everything? Also, what tf did they leave the wine & the pizza on the bar that time (not being specific to spoil, but if you read this book you know)!!?? Why not finish the pizza & wine first?! Take it with you?! Did she leave her suitcase at the stadium too?! Like…🤯 idk why these tiny details bother me, but I’m gonna be up all night thinking about them now.

That ending had me like a sucker with a lolly. Got me good. Loved it!

4.5 stars rounded up

Bennet Taylor is struggling to cope with her grief and depression years after her boyfriend died in a terrible accident. She feels lost and aimless in New York City until she meets Henry Adams. Henry is the complete opposite of Bennet- focused, energetic, joyful- and he wants to help her find her passion for life again. They embark on a “passion project” of new experiences together so that Bennet can figure out what she’s meant to do and who she wants to be.

Passion Project is an incredible debut novel! The writing was flawless. The premise drew me in immediately, and I found myself relating to both main characters in different ways. Not only is it hard to go through life with mental health challenges, it’s hard to watch someone you love experience this as well. I found myself getting frustrated with Bennet at times, which I think was sort of the point. Depression isn’t something that can just be “overcome.” There are good days and bad days, steps forward and setbacks. The main conflict was particularly hard for me to read, but I still loved this book so much!

CWs: grief and trauma, mental illness

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

જ⁀➴ 3.25 ✰

⋆𐙚₊˚⊹“It feels like I’m returning to him after a long journey, like I’ve met him in a past life, rather than mere months ago. It’s a kind of familiarity that lives below my skin, warming me from the inside out.”⋆𐙚₊˚⊹


Passion Project follows Bennet Taylor, a twenty-something temp worker in New York City who’s stuck in a rut—grieving the loss of her first love and feeling disconnected from everything, including herself. After a chance encounter with Henry Adams, whom she had recently stood up for a date, Bennet makes a tipsy confession: she hasn’t felt passionate about anything in years. Instead of walking away, Henry proposes a plan to help her rediscover excitement in life by trying something new together every Saturday. As their “passion project” unfolds, so does their connection, forcing Bennet to confront her grief, her fears, and the question of whether she’s ready to truly move on.




➳ my thoughts:


This book was going really well, it was 5 stars material until the last 20%. Nonetheless I think this was a really stable debut.

To start, the writing in this book was beautiful. It was effortlessly readable, with the words flowing so smoothly that it felt like I was being carried through the story without even trying. This is the kind of book that doesn’t feel like a chore to read, not until around the 80% mark lol. Up until then, I was completely absorbed.

I loved how vivid the nyc setting is, the mentions of the places, how it describes the city. it was just very pleasant to read about. It made me want to hop on the train and go to where the characters went. The author describes this book as a love letter to the city and it really feels like that.

The dynamic between the characters was enjoyable and entertaining for the most part.

Bennet’s character development was really well done—at least during the phase when she and Henry were still building their friendship. It felt genuine and promising, like she was slowly healing and learning how to open up. But once they started dating, it was as if all of that growth just vanished. It almost felt like everything she had worked through was undone, and she reverted back to square one. Honestly, she clearly wasn’t in a place where she could truly commit to a relationship, and it showed.

At this point, I kind of have personal beef with her—seriously, lmao. There were moments when her actions felt manipulative, especially toward Henry. If he got upset or even just slightly hurt by something she said or did, she would immediately bring up her grief and the difficult years she’s been through. And look, I totally understand that depression and grief are incredibly hard to navigate, and they don’t just disappear—but I didn’t like how she weaponized her pain to make Henry feel guilty. It was like he always ended up being the one to apologize, even when he hadn’t done anything wrong. It just didn’t sit right with me. This girl needed to go to a therapist asap, she should have cared more about it than getting a new boyfriend.

This book is obviously more about Bennet than Henry so we don’t see too much about his character imo, which is sad because he is a really good mmc.


Another major complaint I have about this book is that Henry genuinely deserved so much better than Bennet, and the conflict at the end only solidified that for me. There was this one situation where Bennet basically showed that she had never truly moved on from her late ex. In doing so, she hurt Henry, who had been nothing but patient and supportive throughout their relationship. What frustrated me the most, though, wasn’t just the conflict itself—it was how the entire situation was resolved.

The resolution felt incredibly rushed. Bennet suddenly seemed to “get over” her dead ex overnight, without any real emotional unpacking or growth shown on the page. And the worst part? She didn’t even grovel!!!!😭 Like, not even a proper apology or genuine moment of accountability for the pain she caused Henry—just a quick emotional turnaround in the last chapter, and we’re supposed to believe everything’s fine? I really wish the author had taken more time to explore the aftermath of that moment and given us a resolution that felt more earned and meaningful. Because the way it ended, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Bennet was never going to love Henry the way he deserved to be loved.


The ending was honestly very underwhelming and left me feeling nothing. I wanted to be moved, to feel some sort of emotional payoff but instead, it just fell flat. Bennet’s love confession didn’t hit the way it was probably meant to—it was completely overshadowed by the weight of the previous conflict. By the time she gave her big speech about love, I just couldn’t bring myself to care.

Instead of feeling touched or happy for them, I was still stuck on how poorly she treated Henry. Her words felt empty because they came too late and lacked the emotional groundwork needed to make them believable. I was just sulking through that whole final scene, thinking about how Henry deserved so much more than half-hearted apologies and rushed declarations. It was supposed to be a romantic and satisfying conclusion, but for me, it just didn’t deliver.


overall: I know it sounds like I hated the book but I was really into it and loving it until the third act breakup. I’m sure that a lot of people are going to absolutely love it, and my problems with the book were personal so everyone should give it a shot and read it.

This is very similar to promise me sunshine by Cara bastone which was a plus for me because that is one of my favorites book but the execution at the end in this one failed me.


💌tropes:

ꨄ︎ slow burn
ꨄ︎ nyc setting
ꨄ︎ friends to lovers
ꨄ︎ grief
ꨄ︎ grumpy x sunshine
ꨄ︎ love after loss

This was such a great debut novel I already can't wait to read what comes next from London Sperry! This book perfectly straddles the line between women fiction and rom-com. While it was awfully sad to read what Bennet went through and how she thought about herself it was highly relatable and the odd funny story really helped this book not be too heavy. The writing was great as were the characters and the backdrop of NYC. The epilogue was beautiful. Highly recommend if you're looking for a heartwarming book.

Passion Project by London Sperry will open your heart and help you consider what brings you joy. This debut novel will take you on a journey with two young people that are trying to live their lives and figure out what defines them. London has the perfect combination of romcom, banter and real life experiences. The main character was a bit unnecessarily mean to her boyfriend, in my opinion, for a few parts and this is why I took away a star. Life is tricky enough without your partner tearing you down at a wedding. Will be looking for more books from London in the future.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, I can't believe this is book is a debut! It is so good and it draws you in right away; I finished it in less than 24 hours! There are so many emotions in this book, especially ones dealing with anxiety and severe depression. It's not light and fluffy, but really dives deep into grief, friendships, relationships, and finding your own happiness. I definitely recommend this book and look forward to reading future work by this author!

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

Passion Project by London Sperry is one of those special rom-coms that makes you both laugh with witty banter and cry with deep emotional turmoil. The way London (in her debut novel!!!) writes with such emotion and love and real-ness about grief and depression is so beautiful and heartbreaking. I related so much to Bennet’s feelings and just felt so deeply for her. Henry is such a sweet soul character that you just love them both together so much. ❤️😭🥰

This book is for those of you who love to have a good cry while also laughing.

Also, this needs to be optioned for a movie immediately.

If you did not happen to pick this up yet, please do! It will be published on April 8th!

“All stories are love stories.”

#netgalley #londonsperry #passionproject

I am shocked this is a debut book, it was so so good, adding London Sperry to my must read list immediately.

Bennet Taylor is living in a hole of grief so deep, after the passing of her boyfriend, Sam, a few years prior, she can barely even function. Concerned about her, her roommate sets Bennet up on a date, which she initially agrees to, but then realizing she still isn’t ready, she ghosts him.

Wallowing in her despair across the street in a bar from where her date was suppose to be, she ends up running into her date, Henry. Henry, realizing Bennet needs a friend, offers to give that friendship to her in exchange for being allowed to help her find her “passion” and they embark on a summer of adventures.

I loved this story from start to finish. I did not go into reading this book expecting to finish it the same day, but I couldn’t stop reading it.

I love Henry and Bennett. Overall, it is a story about grief and how easy it is to put up walls, but sometimes good friends, family, adventures and counseling can help knock them down.

Read this book if you love stories about mental health, finding yourself, or love emotional men who are willing to put up with anything.

I highly recommend this book for fans of Katherine Center or Emily Henry.

P.S. Grab all the tissues, you will need them.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book has all of my love, definitely in my top books of the year.

Bennet feels as though she is failing miserably at her life. She is currently working as a temp while living in New York City. She has no direction and no love life. She has basically pushed all of her friends away. One night, she stands up a blind date and then runs into him later. Henry, her date, hears her confession that she has not felt passion for anything in years. He jumps at the chance to help her find her passion and this leads them on a journey called their "passion project." They agree that they will remain friends as they continue to spend time together.

This book! I read about 25% of it and stopped for a day or so. Not because it was bad or due to a lack of interest, but because it made me feel so much at the beginning. There is grief, sadness, but so much hope as well. Henry brings so much lightness to this story. Once I came back to it, I could not stop. The banter between Henry and Bennet and how I watched Bennet change in little ways as the book went on kept me hooked. Henry is what every woman who is lost and needs to be found needs in her corner. Whether it is as a friend or as a romantic partner.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Books for this advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

♾️/⭐️

I received this ARC from NetGalley and I I’m so glad I did because THIS WAS EVERYTHING! This was my first book from this author and it won’t be my last.

The Passion Project is a book about a girl who is grieving and trying to find purpose for her life when she meets Henry who suggest a “passion project” to help her find her true passion in life after losing her beloved Sam. Along the way they find more than friendship even though that’s not what Bennet is looking for at first. This book had me in all of my feels and shedding tears at the end! This will easily be in my top 5 of 2025! 💕🥰

First and foremost, London Sperry's writing felt like a breath of fresh air. This was such a brilliant book for a debut, and I'm looking forward to reading more books from this author in the future.

For the most part, I had such a fun time reading this book. It was funny, tear jerking, and heart warming. I could relate to Bennet, which is what initially drew me into the story. The portrayal of grief and mental health was done very well in this book and it felt so real and raw. The story lost me towards the 75% mark, with the third act breakup conflict being introduced to the plot. The miscommunication between Henry and Bennet felt a little unnecessary and it could've been a perfect time for Bennet to realize she needed to go to therapy, or find a different way to better herself, but instead it was just a conflict that derailed her and Henry's relationship for a while. Overall, I did really like this book, I think I just felt more connected to Bennet's personal story rather than the relationship between her and Henry.

A 5 ⭐️ read for sure!

It was an easy read, but wowie was it a good one! I devoured this over two sittings within two days; I could not put it down. This book will sit rent free in my mind for a while.

There were parts that made me laugh, and parts that made me cry. Overall, this book just made me feel so very seen, because I relate to Bennet on sooo many levels. She’s a little bit sad, can’t get out of her head, and is letting life pass her by. And that’s me. Relating to this character so much was so hard for me to sit with, when she did a few unlikable things. Because I am guilty of doing those things too. But don’t get me wrong - this story is not full of doom and gloom and sadness, but rather one of growth and joy. Henry is that spark, that ignites the match and brings light into her life, and was such sunshiney character to read. Their adventures throughout the book made me realize that I too, can have a passion project.

What a stellar debut for London Sperry! I cannot wait to see what she publishes next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. I loved it!

Thank you Penguin & Netgalley for the ARC.
Any book set in NYC is one I want to dive into. I went in blind without knowing too much about the storyline so I wasn't sure what to expect.
Bennet is a twentysomething struggling with her grief after losing her first love/college boyfriend and moving to the city he always wanted to live in.
Henry comes along and makes her see things may be able to change for her and wants to help her find her way.
Passion Project explores grief and healing and finally rediscovery and newfound ways to love.
I enjoyed this debut novel and found it to be filled with both humor and sadness with just the right amount of romance!

Bennet is lost, she is in her 20s, living in NYC after dropping out before her last semester of college, temping, depressed and spending most of her time mourning the loss of her boyfriend who died before she graduated. Her roommate and childhood best friend Sonia forces her to go on a date, but she can’t even make it to the restaurant - she ends up next door at an Italian restaurant getting drunk and vomiting in the men’s bathroom. When she emerges from the bathroom her date Henry is outside the door and the further humiliation os that she has to return to the restaurant the next day to retrieve her forgotten wallet. Seeing how she is suffering and understanding it a little himself, Henry proposes that every Saturday the two go on an adventure and in doing so, maybe Bennet can find her passion. As closed off as she is, Henry draws her out and she begins to wonder if there is more to life than grieving her late boyfriend and staying in her room all day.

This is a sweet story about grief, friendship and love. I really enjoyed the audiobook but I did end up reading about half of it because I was not running around that day, but I could have listened to the whole thing the narrator was that good. The story had a light quality to it even though it’s about grief and it felt like the book baby of Summer Fridays and Promise You Sunshine. Throughout the novel Bennet makes some terrible decisions that did make me cringe and I didn’t love her character for much of the book (I much prefer Henry) but it was a quick read that I generally enjoyed.

3.75 stars

Thank you to Penguin Viking and NetGalley for the ARC to review

*3.5 rounded up!

I had a fun time with this one! I love when a setting is so prevalent and the New York backdrop just added so much. The restaurant scenes were my absolute favorite. I think this book is intentionally messy because of the subject matter, but sometimes I just felt there was a bit too much back and forth or that Bennett had a few too many wild decisions.