Passion Project - by London Sperry (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

"Not only a sparkling romantic comedy, but a thoughtful look at navigating grief and the hopefulness of opening yourself to new possibilities. Bennet is messy and relatable, and her chemistry with Henry is delicious, crackling, and immediate." --Trish Doller, internationally bestselling author of Float Plan

If your twenties are supposed to be the best years of your life, Bennet Taylor is failing miserably . . . with a big emphasis on the miserable. Where's that zest she keeps hearing about? She's a temp worker in New York City with no direction, no future, and no social life. And at the painful center of this listlessness is grief over the death of her first love.

When Bennet runs into Henry Adams just hours after standing him up for a first date, she makes an alcohol-fueled confession: She's not ready to date. In fact, it's been years since she felt passion for something. Not even pottery, or organized sports--not anything. Rather than leaving her to ruminate, Henry jumps at the opportunity for adventure: Bennet needs to find a passion for life, and Henry will help her find it. Every Saturday, they'll try something new in New York City. As friends, of course.

As their "passion project" continues, the pair tackle everything from carpentry to tattooing to rappelling off skyscrapers, and Bennet feels her guarded exterior ebbing away. But as secrets surface, Bennet has to decide what she wants, and if she's truly ready to move on. With emotional resonance and sparkling banter, Passion Project is a fun, flirty, thoughtful story of finding a spark--and igniting happiness.

Review Quotes

"Passion Project will charm your pants off and carve itself a permanent place in your heart. Full of deep emotion and top-tier banter, this authentic, affectionate slow burn is absolutely worth the wait."
--Laura Hankin, author of One-Star Romance

"Passion Project is not only a sparkling romantic comedy, but a thoughtful look at navigating grief and the hopefulness of opening yourself to new possibilities. Bennet is messy and relatable, and her chemistry with Henry is delicious, crackling, and immediate."
--Trish Doller, internationally bestselling author of Float Plan

"London Sperry is a breath of fresh air. I adored Passion Project and its tender and romantic portrayal of grief, guilt, and learning to love again. I was cheering for Bennet and Henry the whole way through! A witty and poignant romance that I didn't want to end."
--Ellie Palmer, author of Four Weekends and a Funeral

"Unabashed, funny and romantic, Passion Project is a deeply relatable character study and an inimitable portrait of a relationship, set on New York City's richly rendered backdrop. Sperry's debut is brimming with compassion and heart."
--Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka, authors of The Roughest Draft

"A fresh, smart, and deliciously flirty friends-to-lovers story....Bennet and Henry are the most irresistible couple I've encountered on the page in a very long time. I loved every witty, messy, achingly tender moment I spent in their world, and I dare you not to fall madly in love with them too!"
--Erika Montgomery, author of Our Place on the Island

"Moving, witty, and unputdownable, Passion Project is an ode to New York City and the people who can put us back together when everything falls apart. A clear-eyed, relatable exploration of mental health and grief that sparkles with hope and romance on every page."
--Cat Shook, author of Humor Me

"A must-read for all of us readers who love to have our hearts broken and put back together again....You will chuckle at the sharp banter, swoon over the undeniable romantic chemistry and, mark my words, you will cry. Read it now. Thank me later."
--Meredith Schorr, author of As Seen on TV

"This one's for anyone who feels adrift in life or in love and is looking for that affirming story to make them feel hopeful again."
--Paste Magazine

"A poignant exploration of grief, healing, and the unexpected ways love can reenter one's life....A skillful debut that balances emotional depth with moments of joy and discovery. Ideal for readers who appreciate romance novels that delve deeper into personal growth and healing."
--Library Journal

"Sperry crafts a poignant and deeply empathetic tale that doesn't shy away from the messiness of grief but balances the pain with humor and joy....Abby Jimenez fans should snap this up."
--Publishers Weekly, starred review

About the Author