Passion Project

Sperry’s big-hearted debut finds Bennet Taylor grieving the death of her first love two years earlier. She feels like a shell of her former self, with no interest in her career or hobbies and no desire to date. “It’s like my grief has tethered me to myself,” she muses, “the walls of sadness like shrink-wrap surrounding all sides of me until I can barely breathe.” Her friends insist she get back out there, however, and arrange for her to go on a blind date. On the way there, she has a panic attack and bails on the guy to drink her feelings away, only to later end up vomiting on the very stranger she was being set up with. Henry Adams sees a woman in distress, not in need of pity, but of compassion and friendship. He offers to help her rediscover her lust for life by taking her on a series of excursions throughout New York City until something sparks a passion. 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. Henry’s patience and steadfastness make him a swoonworthy hero, while Bennet’s rich interiority invites readers into her heavy emotions. Abby Jimenez fans should snap this up. (Apr.)