Our Take

London Sperry's debut novel strikes a delicate balance between honoring grief and celebrating healing, creating a romance that feels both lighthearted and emotionally substantial. Passion Project avoids the trap many grief-centered romances fall into—treating the new love interest as a cure for trauma—by focusing on Bennet's journey to rediscover joy for its own sake before she can fully open her heart. The weekly adventures Henry and Bennet embark on provide both comedic set pieces and opportunities for genuine character development, as each new experience chips away at Bennet's protective walls. Henry emerges as an ideal romance hero: patient without being a doormat, enthusiastic without being overbearing, and harboring his own vulnerabilities that make him three-dimensional. The chemistry between them builds gradually and believably, rooted in shared experiences and genuine friendship before evolving into something more. Sperry writes with warmth and humor, capturing the specific anxieties of being directionless in your twenties while avoiding millennial clichés. The New York City setting provides a vibrant backdrop without overwhelming the central relationship. What makes the book particularly effective is its honest portrayal of grief—Bennet's process isn't linear, and moving forward doesn't mean forgetting. The romance delivers satisfying banter and emotional payoff while respecting the complexity of healing. Readers who loved Emily Henry's Beach Read or Christina Lauren's compassionate romcoms will find much to love here. For anyone seeking contemporary romance that balances fun and heart, that acknowledges pain while celebrating joy, Passion Project is a promising debut that proves love can coexist with grief—and help us find our way back to living fully.