In her debut novel, Passion Project, London Sperry delivers a tender, compassionate romantic comedy that skillfully balances humor with the weighty themes of grief and healing. “Passion Project” introduces us to Bennet Taylor, a twenty-something temp worker in New York City who’s been treading water since the death of her college boyfriend, Sam. When she stumbles across Henry Adams—literally, after standing him up for a date—an impulsive confession leads to a summer-long adventure of discovering what might spark passion in Bennet’s life again. What unfolds is a sweet, thoughtful narrative about finding joy after devastating loss and learning that moving forward doesn’t mean leaving the past behind.
The Heart of the Story: Romance Meets Grief Work
“Passion Project” by London Sperry stands out in the contemporary romance genre for its mature handling of grief. The novel doesn’t simply use loss as a plot device but explores how grief reshapes identity and relationships. Bennet isn’t just sad—she’s stuck in a holding pattern, afraid that embracing happiness means betraying Sam’s memory.
Sperry writes with nuance about the complicated emotions that accompany loss. When Bennet admits, “I thought living in New York would be the best way to honor [Sam], but I know now that the best way is to never stop loving,” it resonates as a profound epiphany rather than a greeting card sentiment. The novel suggests that healing isn’t about “getting over” loss but integrating it into a life that can still contain joy and meaning.
Henry, with his optimism and persistence, serves as the perfect foil to Bennet’s cautious pessimism. Their chemistry feels genuine, developing not from immediate attraction but from the gradual building of trust and understanding. Their banter is delightful, particularly in moments like their “Star Wars” riff on “Pride and Prejudice” characters or their exchanges about Henry’s terrible bird drawing during the tattoo class.
Strengths: Authentic Characters and New York City Energy
Sperry excels at creating authentic, flawed characters who feel like real people. Bennet’s narration is filled with self-deprecating humor and sharp observations that make her instantly relatable despite her standoffishness. Her internal monologues capture the universal experience of social anxiety:
“I get tongue-tied and awkward, and usually I can’t think of a single thing to say no matter how far back into my brain I dig. It’s like all the words in my vocabulary fall out of my ears and my personality gets flattened into a pancake.”
Henry is refreshingly three-dimensional—not just the manic pixie dream boy who saves the sad girl. His backstory with his father’s dementia gives him depth, and his own struggles with maintaining a cheerful facade parallel Bennet’s issues with emotional vulnerability. The supporting cast—especially Sonya, Jamie, and Sal—each have distinct personalities that complement the narrative while avoiding stereotypes.
The New York City setting becomes a character itself, portrayed not as the glamorous backdrop of many rom-coms but as a complex ecosystem of neighborhoods, each with its own personality. Sperry captures both the alienation that can come from living in a crowded city and the unexpected moments of connection that make urban life special. From the tattoo parlor in the Village to the Cloisters in Washington Heights, the Passion Project adventures showcase a New York that feels authentic rather than idealized.
Areas for Growth: Pacing and Plot Development
While the emotional journey of “Passion Project” by London Sperry feels well-crafted, the novel’s pacing occasionally stumbles. The middle section, with its series of Passion Project adventures, sometimes feels episodic rather than building toward a clear climax. A few scenes, like the rage room visit, while emotionally satisfying, don’t contribute as strongly to the overall narrative arc.
The conflict at Andy’s wedding arrives somewhat abruptly, and Bennet’s decision to hide her relationship with Henry seems contrived given her earlier character development. Though this serves the plot purpose of forcing a confrontation between Bennet and Henry, it undermines some of Bennet’s growth to that point.
Additionally, the novel occasionally relies on coincidences that strain credibility—Henry working at the same restaurant where Bennet has her meltdown, everyone somehow connecting through the same social circles in a city of millions. While these can be forgiven in service of the romantic comedy genre, they do occasionally pull the reader out of an otherwise grounded narrative.
The Supporting Cast: Friendship as a Healing Force
One of the novel’s strengths is its portrayal of friendship as a vital component of healing. Sonya and Jamie provide Bennet with patience and tough love in equal measure. Sonya’s metaphor about matches and fire serves as a beautiful explanation of how opening oneself to one form of connection can lead to a cascade of positive changes:
“You’ve been pouring water over your matches to keep them in perfect order because fire is scary and you can get burned, but matches don’t want to be wet, they want to be on fire. All it takes is one thing to happen, one tiny match gets lit, and it’s like a domino effect, lighting all the other matches.”
The reconciliation with Andy is particularly moving, showing how shared grief can both divide and ultimately reunite people. Andy’s gift of the baseball with “I’m sorry. I love you” written on it serves as a perfect emotional touchpoint, connecting past, present, and future in a single object.
Style and Structure: Finding the Balance
Sperry’s writing style strikes a nice balance between conversational and poetic. Bennet’s first-person narration feels authentic to her character—sometimes sarcastic, sometimes vulnerable, always observant. The dialogue snaps with energy and humor without feeling overly manufactured.
The novel’s structure, moving through the seasons from early summer to fall and finally to the following October, creates a natural progression that mirrors Bennet’s emotional journey. The metaphor of seasonal change reinforcing personal growth is effective without being heavy-handed.
Final Thoughts: A Promising Debut
“Passion Project” by London Sperry stands out in the crowded romantic comedy field by taking both romance and emotional healing seriously. It acknowledges that grief doesn’t have a tidy resolution while still delivering the satisfying emotional payoff readers expect from the genre.
As a debut novelist, Sperry shows impressive skill in balancing humor with emotional depth. While there are moments where the plot mechanics show through, the authentic character work and thoughtful exploration of grief more than compensate for these occasional missteps.
For Readers Who Enjoyed…
Fans of Emily Henry’s emotional depth, Christina Lauren’s banter, and Josie Silver’s exploration of grief will find much to love in “Passion Project.” The novel would make an excellent book club selection, offering plenty of discussion points about grief, healing, and the courage it takes to open oneself to happiness after loss.
Strengths:
- Authentic, flawed characters with genuine chemistry
- Thoughtful exploration of grief and healing
- Engaging New York City setting
- Strong supporting characters
- Balanced blend of humor and emotional depth
Areas for Growth:
- Occasionally episodic pacing
- Some plot developments feel contrived
- A few too many convenient coincidences
“Passion Project” marks London Sperry as a promising new voice in contemporary romance. Her willingness to explore difficult emotions while maintaining warmth and humor suggests a bright future for this author. I look forward to seeing what she writes next.