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!

Thank you to Penguin Group Viking and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this title to read and review. "Passion Project" is an absolutely gorgeous story, and such an enjoyable read. It's a great debut for London Sperry, and I'll be looking out for more works in the future for sure.

This book is a love story to young people finding their way, to folks finding love again and redefining treasured old friendships after/in the midst of loss and grief, and to those of us who feel stuck in what we want to do with our lives. I ADORE the character of Henry, and will just say EVERYONE NEEDS A HENRY IN THEIR LIFE, and every one of us could be the Henry in someone else's life. He's such a light, and a soft place to land, that I had trust in him every page through. He also models active love in all of his actions - how you can show up for people, be there, and anticipate their needs in gorgeously loving ways, without flattening your own self and your own needs in the process.

It's hard to root for Bennet because she just keeps hurting people at every turn (as if she can't help but do the wrong thing always), but I still think she deserves the love and friendships that she finds - so that's such a moment of realization. I'd recommend it all around!

This is a great debut romance with witty banter between the two very likable main characters. Bennet is still mourning her first love Sam, who has passed away. She moves to NYC like they had planned, but is not really "living". So her friends try to help her by creating a dating app profile for her and setting her up with Henry.
The passion project of the title is Henry's attempt to help Bennet find something she's passionate about to help her get back on her feet. The main part of the story follows them on different adventures throughout the city while ?maybe? developing feelings for each other.
I really enjoyed this story due to the chemistry between Bennet and Henry. I also loved her female friends who are trying to help her through the grief. The only thing that kept this from being a 5-star read was how the full backstory was revealed almost at the very end, and didn't feel to me like it completely explained Bennet's behavior in the first part of the book (no spoilers).
London Sperry is definitely an author I will be watching. I can't wait to read what she reads next!
Thanks to #PenguinGroup #Viking for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed this story of Bennet’s journey through grief and her relationship with Henry. It was a quick read yet full of serious emotion. I will look for more from London Sperry!

3.75 stars

I enjoyed this story but felt like I had read it before. It was very reminiscent of Cara Bastone's Promise Me Sunshine..

New York setting. FMC dealing with crippling grief, not letting herself move on. The MMC helping her find her way.

I really love Henry though. I enjoy bucket list stories and Henry was so sweet and fun in his efforts to help Bennet.

SPOILERS
I feel like the character of Bennet could have used some more development. Her grief and feelings of guilt felt so real only for her to do a one-eighty into her relationship with Henry. Then back into grief and then back into love. All without the help of the therapist she eventually started seeing.

I'm looking forward to seeing what's next from this author.

Please check trigger warnings. Possible triggers: death of a loved one (before the book opens), parent with dementia.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest opinion.

I really enjoyed this rom com with depth. The characters, while flawed, were likable I also particularly enjoyed the NYC setting. It's a rom com, so we know what we're going to get in the end, but I found myself really enjoying the journey. I also found myself laughing out loud a few times. Highly recommend!

Okay I am OBSESSED. This book hurt so good!!! I laughed, I cried, & I swoooned for sure

Bennet was going through SO much & wanted to keep whatever she could concealed in order to appease the people she cared about. She was really just trying to survive after the loss she went through, but Henry was able to break through the shell by being her friend 😭

Henry!!!! My golden retriever guy!!!! I loved him so much!!! He was so patient & kind & just an overall GOOD person. He was able to relate to Bennet & her ability to compartmentalize emotions in the presence of others because he also did that with his goofy personality.

These two just meshed so well & I cannot express how much I adored them yet also wanted to strangle them when they wouldn’t just admit they lovef each other!!!

I also think this book was super fun for me as I lived in NYC for a few years & that allowed me to really immerse myself into all the places Henry & Bennet went together 🥹

Read if you love -
🩵 Romcom Vibes
🍸 Mental Health rep
🚖 He’s obsessed with her
🍕 Single pov
🤗 Friends to Lovers

Huge thank you to London Sperry, NetGalley & Penguin books for my advanced copy 🫶🏻