🎧 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.

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

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️.5

What a debut novel! This is one is going to stick with me for a while.

I love the premise! After Bennet stands Henry up on their first date, they become unlikely friends when Henry devises a plan to get Bennet out of her comfort zone and find her passion by trying new activities around NYC.

I definitely related to Bennet— I get feeling like you’re the only one who doesn’t have life figured out; that you’re somehow lagging behind. And Henry! Top tier book boyfriend material. Kind, funny and a little bit nerdy!

The book tackles heavy topics like grief, depression and anxiety head on— and, somehow manages to do it with both humor and sensitivity. Truly a masterclass!

I am so, so glad that I got to read this book. I can’t wait to read more from London in the future!

Read if you like:
- Meet Uglies
- Friends to Lovers
- Only One Bed
- Female Friendships
- Quarter Life Crisis
- Hot Messes
- Flirting and Banter
- Love After Loss
- Mental Health Rep

Thanks to Penguin/Viking and Netgalley for the eARC!

WOW! This was a wonderful debut and only has me more excited to read more books in the future from London. The main theme of this book is grief and trying to work thru the grief so our FMC can be at least a little of the person she used to be, if not a better person. The way Henry and Bennet meet is not very normal 😅 Bennet gets drunk on too much wine after bailing on her date with Henry but ends up getting sick in the bathroom. Guess who knocks on the door? Henry. Guess who also works at the restaurant where Bennet is puking her guts up in the bathroom? Also Henry 😅
Henry wants to help Bennet from her passion again and honestly Henry is just the kind of person Bennet needs in her life. She’s been drowning in grief and has gotten so deep in it that she’s pushed everyone close to her away. She thought it was best because she didn’t even want to be around herself so she thought others felt the same way.
I love the friendship that these two formed. I love how it started. I love how it progressed. I love all of the little things they did on their weekly meets. I loved all of the people they met along the way. And man do I love Henry. 🥹 such a wonderful MMC. The patience of that man is CRAZY.
It’s overall just a really good book!!!!

Wow!

After going through my own grief these past couple years and barely existing each day, I found Bennett so relatable. From being a shell of yourself, having a lack of passion, not being present for friends, the fear of not being loved for the new version of yourself by your love ones, the anxiety, to slowly but surely trying new things to find passion again.

I want to send a copy to my friends when this comes out because this author was able to capture my specific form of dealing with grief in a way that I was unable to vocalize to my friends. There was so many times I was like “Yes!!!! This! This is what I was trying to explain. This is why I disappeared for so long.”

What a great debut.

Review has been posted to goodreads. A blog review to come soon.

A sparkling, sweet debut that has absolutely everything. I read in another review that this book is "Emily Henry for Gen Z" and I cannot agree more.

Bennet is 25, barely getting by in New York City. Her late boyfriend, Sam, died in a car accident and always dreamed of living in Manhattan, she is now living there with her roommate Sophia in his honor. In grieving Sam's death from 2 years ago, Bennet has lost contact with Sam's family, and they were like a second family to her. But it hurt too much to maintain a relationship with those closest to him. Her friends decide she has to get out into the world and sign her up for a dating app, the first date is a disaster, she realizes she isn't ready and ghosts the guy and ends up getting drunk and full of pasta at an Italian restaurant across the street.

Turns out, the failed date, Henry Adams, happens to work at that restaurant, where she left her wallet in a sloppy mess. She admits she isn't ready and they decide to be friends, and they decide to do adventurous things to discover her passion in life around the city.

What follows is a friends-to-lovers, heavily New York centered, rom com with incredible characterization, the wittiest of witty banter and one of the best book boyfriends there is-- Henry Adams. I can hardly believe this is a debut, I will read anything London Sperry writes. This book is excellent, it has been so long since I read a "five star" romance, and this reminds me of Emily Henry, Abby Jimenez, Sarah Adams and Jessica Joyce. Some spice, but mostly a perfectly paced plot that doesn't rely on tropes and has quirky yet lovable side characters. This novel keys in on one of my favorite themes- that we all are at least a teensy bit afraid that we are unlovable. In Bennet's case, because of the pain she feels at losing what may have been her great and only true love.

++ points for Mamma Mia and Pride and Prejudice references

**a best romance of 2025**
**a best debut of 2025**

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin/ Viking for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Book to be published April 8, 2025.

I’ve never been to New York before, but I feel like I can see it from this author‘s words. The descriptive setting and Henry are what really make this book so good. I don’t have to like all the characters to enjoy the story and I didn’t really like Bennet. She is depression/anxiety/grief. But the author did a good job because I truly felt all the sadness radiating off her. Henry is so lively, charming, and an all around great person. He has his own troubles but his way through the sadness is to find joy. They are really good together because when he is helping her, he is unknowingly helping himself too. Overall this is an excellent debut and I’m looking forward to what the author does next. A special shout out to side character Sal for the joy he brought to the book 📚

eArc provided by the Publisher through NetGalley. Thank you in advance.

She is going through a tough time; he is there to help her find a passion. Nothing can get complicated. Just friends… No problem. 

Let’s take this part out of the way. It is a slow-burn romance book, but the main topic is grief.

Bennet is having a hard time, and the least she expected was to build a friendship with Henry. You will find slow burn, cute comments, and shy flirtation. There are some comments/lines that make you smile or laugh; there are other parts of the books where you find yourself possibly cutting onions? Spice level? 0.5%.

Henry's character is such a beautiful human, open to showing emotions. I could see his reactions and facial expressions while reading this book. 

The way the author described Bennet’s depression and grief caught my attention; there was no better way to describe one way of going through depression, and the author did a great job at it, slowly unfolding what that looked like for Bennet and her progression while working through it.

Lastly, this book is an emotional journey of letting go of the past, forgiving yourself and others, opening yourself to others, and learning to love again.

4.5 stars - what a great debut! Bennett is a twentysomething temp worker in NYC struggling with depression and anxiety after the death of her college boyfriend. She bumps into Henry just hours after standing him up for a first date, and ultimately they decide that instead of dating he'll help rekindle Bennett's passion for life by trying something new together each week. This is a very slow burn journey as they grow their friendship and develop stronger feelings. Along the way Bennett's struggle with grief and self-esteem is just as integral to the story as the romance. Both characters are down-to-earth, authentic, and well-rounded. There were a couple of things that I thought could've been tweaked during the editing process, but overall this is a fantastic debut from an author. Give this to readers who enjoy heavier topics in their romance novels, including fans of Jessica Joyce and Cara Bastone.

What a GEM of a book!
I loved the premise, love that we had a main character that isn’t just thriving and living a glam life, but she had to work to find it for herself.

London Sperry I’m a fan!

4.25 stars - this was a great debut! The story follows Bennet, who is lost and grieving the loss of someone close to her, and Henry as they embark on a mission to find her “passion” (hence Passion Project). I thought Bennet was a very relatable character, and the discussion around anxiety, depression, and grief was extremely well done. One of the great things with the writing and characters was that they felt like real people, so it was easy to relate and feel for Bennet on her journey. Henry was a great addition to the story, but it really was much deeper and tracks Bennet’s personal growth over the course of the summer. A lot of the adventures Bennet and Henry take through New York were really fun and very reminiscent of Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone. Despite the similarities, the characters felt new and authentic. I will say that some of the plot points and dialogue came across as a bit cliché, but it worked with how well the story was developed. The writing was also great and very reminiscent of Abby Jimenez, Ashley Poston, and Jessica Joyce. Overall, great debut and will definitely pick up more from this author in the future.

What a great surprise! This heartfelt debut gave me Jessica Joyce vibes, and I say that in a very complimentary way. I decided to dive into this one based only on the vibrant cover and intriguing blurb, but I stuck around because of the chemistry, banter, and complex storyline. It’s a layered mix of women’s fiction and romance, following a heroine who has been stuck in slow motion since the sudden death of her boyfriend a few years ago. Our extroverted, golden retriever hero is the perfect person to help her find a spark of joy, and their slow-burning romance was a treat. I loved that the story could be heavy and emotional one minute, then playful and fun the next. My only complaint is that it could’ve been a little longer, but that’s mostly because I genuinely enjoyed my time with these characters. A definite win for me!

The story follows Bennet, a woman who is stuck going nowhere. After the death of her college boyfriend, Bennet stopped thinking about her own goals and aspirations, instead choosing to work a series of temporary jobs while living in a city she didn’t choose. So when Bennet’s friends encourage her to go on a date and she realizes that she is still not ready, the last thing Bennet expects is to form a friendship with the guy she ghosted. When Henry learns why their date was derailed, he convinces Bennet to go on a friendly adventure instead. They could both use some company, and Henry is determined to help Bennet find something she’s passionate about. As the two explore the city, they develop a friendship that might just become a foundation for love.

I went into this with zero expectations and was quickly hooked. I loved Henry from the start, this extroverted sweetheart who seems to genuinely care. Much of the book is spent with Bennet and Henry wandering around the city together, learning to love the place they live and coming alive in the process. Bennet isn’t magically healed by Henry’s friendship, but you can see her slowly come out of the fog of grief. They have fantastic chemistry throughout, with playful vibes that grow richer and deeper as their relationship evolves. We don’t get Henry’s perspective, but that worked for the story – Bennet’s journey is just as integral as the romance. I do think the story would’ve been elevated even further by a few more romantic moments, but the whole thing is really about their love. If this is Sperry’s debut, then I am definitely excited to see more from her – it was a memorable and complex read.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read an early release of this debut novel. Good character development, depth, and a great message. Especially loved Henry (swoon)💕 Excited to read more by this author!

This debut kept me reading past my bedtime- I finished it in one night! It’s a hopeful romance, but there were tears shed as well. I won’t lie, I wanted to shove the FMC into therapy, but I understand her actions and thoughts. Loved the NYC setting and the connection between the main characters.

As someone born in NYC, I was hooked immediately. Not only did I love the premise, but I was laughing just a few pages in. By the end, I was crying. Love and grief were wrapped together to make a beautiful story.

Following Henry and Bennet around Manhattan was like visiting my old hometown along with them! I love when characters aren't incredibly successful and are still finding their own feet in the world. It makes them flawed, but incredibly real.

Henry and Bennet falling in love was like all of your favorite love songs. Their chemistry was SO cute! I could tell this was going to be a five-star read for me early on in the book, and I devoured it in just days.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group for this arc!

One of the most healing and beautiful books I’ve read! Mental heath + grief representation was so on par and handled with so much grace. This book was SO REAL! The loved the pacing of this story and setting. 100000% recommend! Absolutely beautiful!!!!

I would never have guessed that this was a debut novel for the author - it was so well written! 4.25 stars overall!

The book follows main character, Bennet Taylor, as she navigates her grief following the death of her college boyfriend. A few years after his death, she’s really struggling - feeling stuck, depressed, and anxious. That is until she meets, Henry Adams, who helps her start her “passion project” - as friends…and he pushes her to choose to start living again for herself.

Although the book deals with pretty heavy topics, it’s done very well and leaves you feeling hopeful.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Penguin Books for the advanced reader copy. Check it out on April 8th when it’s released!

5⭐ (If I can rate this infinite stars I would)

Thank you for Netgalley and London Sperry for the eARC. I will be purchasing this book once it hits stores :)

Blurb: Bennet has been battling with depression ever since the death of her boyfriend, Sam, and moved to NYC to fulfill his dreams. Ever since moving there, she hasn't loved New York the way that she thought and has been stunted by her depression. She is set up on a date with Henry to try to lift her spirits but after that epically fails, they stay friends and Henry agrees to help Bennet re-find her passion.

My GOODNESS gracious. Ms. Sperry, you have found yourself a superfan. You are now an autobuy author. This book was visceral and heartwrenching and while I don't have firsthand experience in depression, but in my opinion, I think it was written in a way that readers can relate to it and empathize with it. There were many times where I found myself also frustrated with Bennet every time she got in the way of her own happiness, but you can couldn't help but empathize with her pain.

This book was heavy for me, but I'm very happy I read it. This was a love letter to New York - its inhabitants, its way of life and the city itself. It makes me miss the city and it made me want to book a trip to NYC and undergo my Passion Project too! Its witty and funny conversations and the way Henry was just so understanding made this book even better.

(I will post my review on bookstagram sooner to the release date, April 8th).