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!

Thanks to Penguin Books for the gifted copy!

“Being up here makes me feel small, but being with you makes me feel significant.”

Bennet Taylor is still grieving the loss of her boyfriend two years later, feeling guilt over the circumstances of his death and unable to move on for something that gives her life. She’s just existing. Her roommate makes her a dating profile and sends her on a date with Henry Adams, who may just change her life.

A heartfelt debut, PASSION PROJECT is for lovers of the emotional, deeper romance read. Dealing with some heavy topics, Bennet and Henry connect as friends before taking their relationship further, and I think that just makes it even sweeter! I loved their Saturdays together spent on their “passion project” and how they really pushed each other and really were just two puzzle pieces. The NYC setting was fun, I loved the grand gesture, and definitely shed some tears while reading. If you enjoyed PS: I HATE YOU, PROMISE ME SUNSHINE, or Jessica Joyce books, this one’s for you!

I can’t wait for more from London Sperry!

Bennet is living in NYC, but she’s miserable and depressed, pushing away every human connection in her life. Stuck in a temporary job and feeling directionless, her future seems uncertain. When she unexpectedly crosses paths with the guy she once ghosted, a date that never happened, they start meeting every week. Through these encounters, he helps her explore her passions, leading Bennet to question what she knows and, unexpectedly, what she feels.

I loved every bit of this book, it was charming, funny, and profound. The characters were thoughtfully crafted, with well-developed backgrounds that truly enriched the story, giving them remarkable depth.

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin books for the advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review!

i LOVED the mental health representation in this book! i loved how real and relatable this story felt as someone who is in their 30’s. thank you for this book and these characters!!! will never get over it!

WOW this book was just downright good for my soul. I don’t know if it was where I was mentally reading this, but I was really moved and felt myself healing a little as I read on. The portrayal of the grief, mental health struggles, and panic attacks was so raw and real, it was incredibly well done. I didn’t love the way Bennet’s character was acting and treating Henry towards the end of the book, but honestly the truth of making a normal situation much bigger than it has to be and blowing it out of proportion was true to the story and the character. I am Team Henry forever, but I feel like I could also see how the crappy situations happened (yes they were all the making of Bennet, but I got it).

I also loved the idea of the Passion Project. As someone who has felt a little lost at times in my life, I loved the idea of having experiences to find your passion. Overall, really great read.

Absolute perfection! If I could give it SIX stars, I would! Such a fun, very emotional read. I’m officially a fan. Can’t wait to see what this amazing debut author writes next!

I absolutely loved this book. I found myself emotionally all over the place. There were parts that I laughed out loud and then cried the next. I liked how Bennett would be brutally honest sometimes without even meaning to (scene in the bathroom about Henry’s tattoo) but hated when she couldn’t be honest when it counted (how she felt about Henry at the wedding and just watched him walk away 💔). It did annoy me that she would think Andy’s family wouldn’t want her to be happy and move on with her life. It’s been years…they can’t expect you to be single forever. The best part of this book that I had a smile on my face the whole time was when they stayed the night at Sal’s. And man! kudos to Henry for being okay with her messed up self. I think that’s what I liked most about him is that he was understanding and helped Bennett through her grief. But my heart broke a little at the end when he overheard Bennett’s conversation with Sam’s mom…literally could feel the stab in the heart he was experiencing at that moment. The ending though!!! 👩‍🍳 😘 so sweet! Thank you netgalley for the advanced reader’s copy, I will definitely be recommending.

Ok ok, this book was cuteeee. I knew I was going to like it from the first few pages. Our main girl Bennet is grieving the loss of her dead boyfriend when she meets Henry. A fun, lovable, extroverted "golden retriever" type human. He sparks some life back into her and together they try to figure out what her passion is-post loss of a loved one.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one. About 70% in, I was getting a bit frustrated with how Bennet was dealing with the circumstances. It felt a little too unrealistic and immature. Luckily, things changed pretty quickly and she annoyed me less by the end. There were things I was expecting to happen and I appreciate that there were several surprises with where the story went. It felt like a new and fresh romcom instead of just a regurgitated one.

This is a great book to pick up for your contemporary romance!

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin books for the advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review!

I loved this! It reminded me a lot of losing my best friend, in my mom and is special and near and dear to my heart. This is a special book and can be hard to write about grief and coming through that but I feel like our author did an incredible job

Passion Project by London Sperry totally caught me off guard in the best way. Bennet and Henry were funny, flirty, honest, and refreshingly real. Their banter had me smiling constantly, and their deeper conversations hit me right in the heart.

This gave me *Promise Me Sunshine* vibes (a grieving FMC meeting a hopeful MMC who helps her rediscover meaning), but with its own twist! Bennet is grieving the loss of a boyfriend, and the story explores how complicated moving forward can be. The portrayal of grief and depression was beautifully done: raw without being overwhelming. 👏

I loved the NYC backdrop, the mix of humor and heaviness, and how their friendship grew into something more. My only tiny gripe is that the ending felt a bit rushed and frustrating, but overall, this was such a moving, joyful, and thoughtful read. Can’t wait to see what London Sperry writes next!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This was a winner! I am usually more critical of romance novels, and tend to be hard to please, but I really enjoyed this one. It was refreshing, charming, funny and life-affirming, which are some of the key themes I love about this genre of novel.

I thought the NYC story setting was immersive and so easy to read. Henry was a real gem of a MMC, and, unlike some other reviews I’ve seen, Bennet did not bother me. I thought her actions were justifiable for someone who had been through real grief as a young adult, and I did feel like she reached her character growth by the end. I loved watching her and Henry’s storyline develop and I will happily read anything Sperry writes next!

An excellent debut that is worth the hype it’s getting!

Passion Project was an absolute gem—equal parts heartfelt, hilarious, and quietly profound. Bennet Taylor’s journey through grief, quarter-life confusion, and self-discovery felt so honest and relatable, it hit me right in the feels. Her dry humor and emotional walls made her instantly endearing, and I was rooting for her from page one.
The “passion project” premise was such a charming, clever way to structure the story. Each Saturday adventure brought Bennet a little closer to rediscovering who she was, and watching her chemistry with Henry bloom through these moments was nothing short of delightful. Henry was the perfect balance of goofy, patient, and swoony, and their slow-burn connection built so naturally that I couldn’t help but grin through most of it.
The author also handled themes of grief and emotional paralysis with a really light but respectful touch—never too heavy, but still impactful. The writing had a breezy rhythm, the banter sparkled, and the emotions snuck up on me in the best way. By the end, I didn’t just want to cheer for Bennet—I wanted to go out and start a passion project of my own.
Warm, witty, and full of heart, this was a standout romance that reminded me how beautiful it can be to start again.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Bennet & Henry. New York City is a character throughout the book. We start off in a really bad place in Bennett’s life. She’s depressed and nothing is working out for her. The most debilitating thing is her grief over Sam. She shared an apartment with her best friend Sonya who loves NYC which only makes her feel that much more lonely and pathetic.
When we first meet Henry, he is first meeting Bennet but in an absolutely hilarious way (not for Bennett). Henry is cheeky, funny, and lighthearted; even with everything he has going on in his life.
Grieving the death of her boyfriend has left her life without passion. Henry’s goal is to help her find it again. The way their relationship starts and grows and blossoms throughout this book is realistic, lovely to be a part of, and honest. I loved falling in love with their love. This book also handled very serious subjects in a beautiful way.
I absolutely loved this book! This was an amazing debut book by this author and I absolutely fell in love with her writing! She gives her characters so much detail that you feel connected to them which makes the read that much more enjoyable! I will def be reading more by this author!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/159013247

This was an incredible read that was incredibly relatable. I adored Bennet and Henry and how this handled grief after losing someone you love.