Passion Project by London Sperry (April 8, 2025) Thank you to PRH Audio for the gifted advanced listening copy of this emotional rollercoaster that had me laughing one minute and ugly crying at 2 a.m. the next.
Bennet Taylor has been stuck—paralyzed by grief and guilt since the death of her first love. She’s lost her spark for life, for love, for everything. Her temp job is hanging by a thread, her best friendship is on the rocks, and she’s definitely not ready to date. So when her roommate matches her with someone on a dating app, Bennet ghosts him—only to run into him hours later. Meet Henry: endlessly charming, relentlessly positive, and surprisingly understanding when Bennet confesses she’s simply lost her passion.
Instead of dating, they strike up “The Passion Project”—a series of weekly NYC adventures meant to help Bennet reconnect with life. From tattoo lessons and carpentry projects to unexpected heart-to-hearts, Bennet begins to thaw. But with healing comes guilt—and as summer fades and secrets surface, she has to choose whether to keep running from her past or finally face it head-on.
From page one, I knew this story would charm me—but I didn’t expect it to hit so deep. Bennet’s emotional journey is raw and real, and Henry is an absolute delight (even while carrying his own weight). Yes, there’s some miscommunication, but it’s rooted in well-developed emotional complexity that makes total sense for Bennet’s character.
This book is a heartfelt, laugh-through-the-tears read I’ll be thinking about for a long time.
🎧 Audiobook Thoughts
Narrated by the incredible Alex Finke, who nails both the banter and the deep emotional undercurrents. Highly recommend listening—this one shines in audio format.
Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
Audiobook: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Book Smart Kate 