This book was so funny. The main characters had great banter. I’m not going to lie, but Bennet frustrated me. That girl was rather audacious let me tell you. My heart was aching in so many parts throughout the book. This book was equally fun and sad and painful.

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Books for the ARC!

I laughed, I cried, I fell in love with these characters and their story. Bennet’s story of finding her love of life again, was an incredible journey to go on. Henry was such a kind and patient man. The characters had their flaws, but that’s what makes them human! Especially with what they are going through. But I really enjoyed the character development in this story and am looking forward to more London Sperry books in the future.
4.5 ⭐️

Thank you for Netgally for providing a copy of this book!

Witty banter and light but also very emotional relating to grief/loss. The writing pulls you in and you really feel what the main character is going through. I enjoyed exploring NYC through their outings. I loved how the relationship formed very naturally.

Bennett Taylor has lost her passion. She is a temp worker in New York trying to find it again. She finds some courage to go on a blind date after a long time grieving the loss of her first love. She looses her courage and stands him up and then of course runs into him later.

After speaking with Henry about why she stood him up, they come up with a plan to find her passion. One new thing, every Saturday. She finds new friends and experiences with Henry with this plan.

This project has them going all around my favorite city. This book gave me ideas of things to do while in the city.

I loved reading this book. I’m a slow burn person, this was perfect for me. Seeing Henry be so patient with Bennett as he helps her, not realizing, she is also helping him.

I read this book right before my trip to New York. I visited some of my favorite places and found new ones. It’s always a great time.

oh i LOVED this one sooo much! 🥲 i didn’t want it to end. this story had so much grief and although heartbreaking at times, it was so beautifully written! i adore henry’s character and the bond he and bennett grew so quickly! this story had me laughing, crying and even reflecting in my own way as i was reading. definitely a favorite this year!

this is the authors first novel and it did not disappoint in any way! i cannot wait to see what other stories she writes in the future.

Passion Project is a sweet, emotional slow-burn romance with strong character development and charming banter. Bennet is stuck in grief and going through the motions until she meets Henry, who challenges her to rediscover joy. Together, they take on weekly adventures that push her boundaries and open her heart.

It’s funny, hopeful, and full of heart. I loved the chemistry, the emotional growth, and the message about rediscovering your spark—even when life doesn’t go as planned.

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Fresh, fierce, and utterly addictive—Passion Project is everything I crave in a modern romance: whip-smart dialogue, sizzling chemistry, and characters that leap off the page with all their glorious flaws and fire. London Sperry doesn’t just write a love story—she writes a vibe.

This isn’t just a workplace romance. It’s a battle of ambition, emotion, and undeniable attraction that feels like watching two brilliant stars collide. The banter? Sharp enough to slice glass. The slow-burn tension? Chef’s kiss. And underneath all the sass and steam is a deep, heartfelt exploration of passion—not just for another person, but for yourself, your work, your purpose.

Sperry’s voice is confident, bold, and refreshingly honest. She writes like someone who knows her characters inside and out—and invites you to love them just as fiercely.

After reading the first half of this book, I was ready to give it 5 stars. But once the characters got to the wedding, I was ready to light it on fire. It really made me dislike Bennet and I was just kind of disconnected from that point.

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

Passion Project, a beautiful debut by London Sperry, follows Bennet, who is struggling big time - having no direction, no social life, and dealing with the grief of her first love passing. Bennet runs into Henry after standing him up for a first date, and they strike a deal for an adventure: Passion Project, where every Saturday they will try a new activity in NYC.

I was blown away by how London Sperry weaved complex emotions, friendships, humor, self-discovery, and the depth of grief all together into such a beautiful, perfectly-paced story. The grief and mental health rep was incredible - it showed the messy, raw parts of grief and finding yourself after loss. She perfectly emulated the self-discovery and identity struggle so many of us have felt in our 20’s.

Bennet is easily one of my favorite FMC’s! She is so caring, funny, loving, and complex (in the best way). Watching her explore all different stages of grief and mental health was done in the absolute best way, with the most beautiful balance of light-hearted humor, and deep, dark, confusing emotions. Henry is the sweetest man, and their love story made my heart so happy.

Swoony, joyful, inspirational. For lovers of Promise Me Sunshine, finding yourself in your 20’s, and exploration of grief, love, and mental health. 5 beautiful, juicy stars!!!!!!

Thank you to Penguin Random House for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

3 ⭐️ - Any book set in NYC is an immediate yes for me. This debut novel explored grief, passion, and love in such an approachable way. I loved the concept and the writing, but I found it hard to fully embrace the FMC. At times she came off as immature and selfish, but I was ultimately still rooting for her to find her way. Also OBSESSED with the cover.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

messy in the best way! good depiction of grief and the journey to finding passion again, no matter how hard the first step may seem

⭐Solid 4⭐ Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Group Viking and London Sperry for allowing me to read an advanced complimentary copy of the book. Opinions and thoughts expressed are completely my own.
My Lord what a debut novel! Also another spell bounding performance by Alex Finke. I have no idea how Finke is able to transport me to NY and leave no rooms for me question my emotional baggage Passion Project brings. Tears were shed on MULTIPLE occasions. Happy tears, sad tears, and suddenly angry tears that almost caused me to throw my Kindle at the wall based on Bennet's second half performance. HENRY DESERVES BETTER!!!
Sperry does a stellar job exploring the idea of finding love after loss and the deep seeded grief that somehow sticks to everything in the process. The romance was a mix of sweet and funny and yet tender and heartwarming all in one story. Gah! I loved this story and I just know Henry's and Bennet's adventures will capture and captivate the hearts of many readers out there. ❤

This was so cute! I really enjoyed the passion project of it all and watching them do all the different fun stuff around the city. The only thing is that i questioned some of the things Bennett did especially towards the end but at the same time I understood why she did everything. It’s literally what she was working on but overall such a fun book

Passion Project is a sweet and hopeful debut from London Sperry. Grief and depression are often difficult to depict in a way that is honest without being overwhelming to the reader, and Sperry gives these emotions space on the page without making these the only emotions the characters (and reader) experience. The friendship that develops between main characters Bennet and Henry is sweet, and while the ending feels rushed (I wish the wedding and following grand gesture had been given more time to develop), it was an overall enjoyable read.

Passion Project completely caught me off guard—in the best way possible. I thought I was just signing up for a cozy little romance, but I ended up getting a story that felt like a soft emotional hug. At its heart, it’s about Bennett, a girl navigating grief and guilt after losing her ex, and Henry, the charming, emotionally intelligent man she once ghosted (gasp I know!). Their reunion is nothing short of serendipitous, and the way he re-enters her life? Gentle. Patient. Ugh, Henry is the definition of a walking green flag. He introduces her to the idea of a "passion project"—basically mini missions to help her rediscover joy, piece by piece. And watching their connection rebuild through shared vulnerability, little stolen glances, and so much quiet affection? Absolute chef’s kiss.

What really made me fall head-over-heels was how emotionally safe this book felt. There was no unnecessary drama, barely any miscommunication (thank you), and the pacing was just…delicious. Henry never tries to save Bennett—he simply stands beside her while she saves herself, and something about that hit so hard. The story didn’t rely on plot twists or tension to keep me hooked; it relied on care, emotional growth, and the kind of romantic chemistry that simmers instead of explodes. I highlighted so many quotes I wanted to tattoo on my soul. By the time I finished, I felt full—in a good, tearfully-sighing-on-my-couch kind of way. This book isn’t just a romance, it’s a warm, healing experience. A very solid 4.75/5 from me—would reread just for Henry’s presence alone.

— Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a delightful, fast read for me. Bennet, the female MC who is dealing with grief over losing her college boyfriend, struggles to get back to "normal." Watching her journey-two steps forward, one step back- was hard at times (especially choices she makes 3/4 of the way in) but felt very realistic. Mental health can look like self-sabotage from the outside, but I think the author did a great job explaining the WHY so you at least understood the MC. The male MC was amazing, and I wanted to be one of the ones he talks to! The supporting characters were all so fleshed out and added depth to the story. This was a sweet romance with a happy ending (albeit maybe a little rushed on the mental health side of it.) I think fans of Cara Bastone will appreciate this one. (Open door, not too spicy)

Bennet is a lost 20 something trying to navigate how to start her life in NYC while being lost in her own grief.
She meets Henry, a tinder date she tried to ghost but their paths cross and a mutual friendship and passion project ensue.
I loved the way this book handled friends to more while still showing the guilt of grief and all of the other emotions.
It weirdly didn’t pull my heartstrings too much, no tears were shed by me, but I was rooting for Bennet and Henry the entire book.
Im shocked this book is a debut! I will look forward to future releases from this author.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had actually already selected this for my Book of the Month box when I got the ARC copy. The cover is gorgeous and had me intrigued! After finishing, I can't believe it's just a debut from this author. Bennet could have been any of us trying to find ourselves again after a loss. I wish everyone had a Henry to help them through it! I recently read Promise Me Sunshine and this had some similar feels to that. I can't wait for more from this author! I'm debating between 4 or 5 stars for this, so I'm just rounding up to 5!

Thank you to Netgalley, London Sperry and Penguin Group Viking for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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

This is a heartfelt story, where you can't help but 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 had a Henry, Sonya and Jamie in their lives!

This one was so much deeper than I was expecting! Ahhh but I loved it. Bennet is grieving the loss of her boyfriend and closed off to the world. She had high hopes for moving to a new city, but it has only made things worse: she meets Henry, a stranger who challenges her to find her passion. They go on adventures together and slowly, she opens up. This was a beautiful portrait of love and grief: I was frustrated with Bennet at times, but that was kind of the point. She’s human. I’d love to read London Sperry’s next novel!