So great! I loved every second and wished I could experience NYC this way. Fun, lighthearted, but also serious at times. Everything I like in a book! Author to watch for sure!

******Two potential typos I caught in my copy (Not included in my Goodreads or Storygraph Review!):
1. pg 123/256 (Chapter 16, second page) "Carlyle" is missing a L --> "Carlye".
2. pg 175/256 (Chapter 25, fifth page) "only" seems out of place, "..."I've been assigned to the only library since Sal....", think it maybe should be "....I've ONLY been assigned to the library since Sal...."

This was a quick easy light romance that tackled difficult topics. All in all, a very impressive debut.

In 'Passion Project' we meet a main character 'Bennet' that is periled by guilt and depression after a serious loss, living in NYC, going through the motions at a temp job, until friends/acquaintances/strangers come together to compel her to turn over a new leaf and start living again, primarily via trying out different passions.

Bennet is deeply flawed and a lot of this book is driven by her slow growth. I found her flaws realistic and, unlike some other romance novels I have read recently, they didn't feel just like manufactured plot devices to throw hurdles in the way of the romance.

I would have appreciated slightly more investment in side characters - there was a not insignificant trope of the male main character's female friends being jealous/problematic that was not fully resolved. I also wonder <spoiler> if Bennet is just as precipitously reliant on a relationship in the end as she was in the beginning, and that's what got her into this spiral in the first place. For it to be a romance, I know it had to end up this way, but if this was my friend irl, I would be a little worried. </spoiler>

Descriptions of NYC and general plot/setting was quite nicely balanced - I like this author's writing style.

I would readily pick up this author's next book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Bennet's been stuck in grief for ages after Sam's death, but instead of seeking therapy to heal, she's been making everyone around her, including Henry - miserable. I'm so done with writers romanticizing unhealthy relationships. It's clear from start to finish that Bennet will never move on from Sam. She's still calling him 'my love' till the very end FOR GOD SAKE. Her oh so 'grand' confession to Henry felt super unrealistic and stupid. It was completely rushed. Honestly, 80% of the book is just her pining for Sam. Even the sweet moments with Henry are constantly interrupted by her reminiscing about Sam. I'm convinced this relationship is doomed and Henry deserves someone way better.

Passion Project follows FMC Bennet, who’s plagued by grief due to the loss of her boyfriend. She gets set up on a date with our MMC, Henry, but she realizes she’s not ready to get back out there so she ghosts him. Unfortunately for her, she runs into him anyway and they form an unlikely friendship! Henry & Bennet go on weekly adventures to help find Bennet’s spark —aka the Passion Project, where Bennet gets pushed out of her comfort zone to do activities she wouldn’t normally do!

When I first met Bennet, she was a whole ball of anxiety. If you’re not an anxious/depressed person & you want to know what it feels like, Bennet is a perfect example. When she’s not overwhelmed with her feelings, she’s actually pretty funny! I found myself giggling and smiling at some of the things she says to Henry. But boy oh boy did I get mad at her for always thinking of the worst case scenario.

Henry “You know what. Fuck it” Adams🥹. OMMG.. the most cinnamon roll MMC I ever did meet 😭😭. He is TOOO good for this world. It’s the way he just knows boundaries & lets Bennet just *be* 🥹 ugh. Their banter is the perfect back and forth & had me kicking my feet WAITING for them to kissssss 😩.

I think I really loved this book because Bennet and Henry remind me of me and my husband’s dynamic. I’m usually the one who would say “what if something bad happens?” And he’s usually the optimist. & just like Bennet, i too, am trying to find my passion. Booksta helped me realize I LOVE making edits like this🥹.

I wasn’t prepared to cry my eyes out at the end of this but it was inevitable. London Sperry captures grief, anxiety, & depression in such a detailed, realistic way that you can’t help but share in Bennet’s emotions. Loving someone through grief is hard but hopefully Bennet and Henry’s story can help someone out there. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

I loved this book! It was a quick read, which is always nice, but I loved how the characters were so real - especially with the dialogue surrounding the topic of grief. I do love a good friends-to-lovers trope, so I was in it from the beginning based on that alone! It was really easy to fall in love with these characters and to root for them. I know other reviewers are saying this, but it's hard to believe this is a debut!! I can't wait to read more from this author.

I loved this.

A story set in New York City will always get me. I loved the way the city was described, made me feel like I was there with them through the seasons!
Bennet and Henrys first meeting was both funny and sad. The author really nailed that through the entire story. This was so sad at times but the humor that was added was amazing and made this story whole! I felt so much for Bennet and what she went through and it was so refreshing to see how everyone was there for her. Henry was the perfect mmc. He was charming and funny and so genuinely kind it warms my heart!

Bennets healing journey and how grief was described in this was so touching! I really loved this so much!!! Can‘t wait to read more from the author!
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this arc

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

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

♾️♾️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was BEAUTIFUL!!!!!🩷🩷
I can’t believe this book is a debut book because I absolutely adored the writing!!!🩷
Bennet and Henry are seriously my new favorite characters 😭 I loved the story so much and I connected with the characters instantly (which is rare for me) but I swear Bennet’s story touched my heart so DEEPLY I don’t think I’ll ever get over it. When stories involve the topic of grief, I resonate with it so much, and her feelings were literally an exact copy of mine. It’s so hard to move on after losing someone and trying to find happiness after is probably one of the most gut-wrenching feelings in the world, and the fact that Henry never judged, but understood her like no one before? 😭😭😭❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹
Henry was an absolute GEM!!! He was literally the sweetest human and I loved how we got to see their relationship flourish into a romantic one because I swear I was rooting for them the entire time 🥹🩷

The mental health representation in this book was everything to me as well, and these characters were so realistic in their choices and their situations it truly all came together in the end so perfectly.

London, I will read EVERYTHING you write from now on because how could I not?! 🥹🩷

Thank you so much to the publisher and to PRH Audio for the ALC! 🩷🩷🩷

🎧 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.

passion project was heartfelt and deeply raw, touching on themes like grief and guilt, friendship and loneliness, self-discovery and healing. i laughed, i cried, i fell in love with bennet and henry and i had so much fun reading. london sperry does a wonderful job balancing heavy themes with romance and comedy. i can't believe this is her debut novel!
even though i felt frustrated by her at times, i loved bennet and i found myself relating to her. her journey and her feelings were written really well, it shows you how ugly grief can be and how self-destructive it can make you act. watching bennet go from feeling lost and aimless to finding hope and falling in love with life again was beautiful and it touched me in so many ways.
henry was charming from the start and the more i read the more i adored him. he was so sweet and he treated bennet with such care and patience, i loved how they built their friendship first while slowly falling in love. i wish we could’ve learned more about him and about his relationship with his dad.
some scenes in the end felt a bit rushed and like it wrapped up quickly but i really loved this book. i can’t wait to read more from london sperry!
～thank you to penguin group and netgalley for the arc!

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.