3.75/5 rounded to 4

This was cute and fun and I love the book cover! The premise was engaging and I liked the flashbacks. I'm not usually a huge second change romance fan but I thought this one was done well, especially for a debut novel!


**some mild spoilers***
Likes: characters, dialogue, musical theater references
Dislikes: I'm never a huge fan of third act miscommunication

I am not a stay up late to finish a book kind of girlie but this one hooked me so much I just had to see it through to the end! I was shocked to learn that this is Richard's debut novel because I feel it can hold its weight among my favorite novels. The way she adds Also, she is so great at balancing the tightrope that is miscommunication so that at no point in the novel you feel like it's no longer worth the chase.
I found June to be a refreshing FMC in that while she is in her thirties, she is still trying to figure life out. Her passion for theater jumps off the page and helps show her passion in all aspects of her life. I loved Adam's calm but still flirty nature, I believe that he makes the perfect counterpart to June's zest. The romance was sweet and calm, shown through acts of love and moments of yearning. I particularly was a fan of the flashback scenes to help show us that June and Adam will always be themselves even ten years later. I also have to give praise to Richard's for writing New York in the fall with such love and attention in a way that has me looking at plane tickets right now. I highly recommend adding this one to your fall TBR and escaping to 74 Perry Street for a sweet cozy romance. (Also, as I told Joss directly, the people need a Robby book!)

4.5 rounded up, but I really liked this. Great use of back story and the back and forth timeline, plausible misunderstanding and relationship interaction, and interesting semi-famous people who were still obviously people and not a "billionaires, they're just like us!" trope. Solid romance novel entry.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley.

i'm a sucker for second chance romance and this one did not disappoint. this book was so well written and thought out, i legit couldn't believe that this was a debut novel. it was truly well done. i really enjoyed the slow burn and i thought the characters really stood out.

“It’s Different This Time” by Joss Richard
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
To say I’m impressed is an understatement! “It’s Different this Time.” Is a debut novel for Joss and I am truly baffled. The composition and organization of this story is so well thought out and flows so nicely as a story. The characters, the writing, THE COVER, are all amazing. The excitement I felt for these characters so was real that the depth to the characters and their backstories only makes me feel more connected to them. I love Adam’s and Junes sense of humor, because why was I belly laughing at words on paper?! 🤣 This is definitely a slow burn story but because it all flows so nicely I was just constantly ready to see what would happen next, I think it’s also why I was able to stay hooked while reading. The sweetest fall vibes come with this book and it couldn’t be cozier. I cannot wait to reread again in September when it releases. Thank you so much dell romance for the arc copy I adored it all! I really love the genuine friendship that the MC are able to have before anything romantic, I like the message of friendship and its importance, especially In our lives. As someone who doesn’t love time jumps in books I didn’t mind it as much in this story. The flip from past to present gave me stronger feelings towards the characters and what they were each going through. I also enjoyed her message of family! Family isn’t someone who is in your life by blood, it’s the act of choosing constantly and everyday to live your life with the people you feel closest too. Also how freaking beautiful is it them both having dreams that seem harder to reach and even though it wasn’t their time line things happen the way they’re supposed too. The cover itself is absolutely stunning!! I quite literally just want to jump into the pages…. If you can’t tell this book was so bittersweet for me, I loved it and know you will two!!
Tropes in this book
* Friends to Lovers
* Second Chance
* Roommates
* Chef x Actress
* Family Dynamics

first off thank you to the publisher and netgalley for this arc!! as well as thank you to the amazing author who wrote it!!


i read this book in one day and i don’t regret a minute of it. as someone who lives in nyc, i absolutely loved how detailed the author was with the scenery. it felt like i actually was in the subway, in the house, in the theater, in central park, etc.


i’m not usually a fan of the miscommunication trope but this book changed my mind on that. i loved how each chapter was present time and then years ago and went back and forth, until we got to present time.


june is one of the best characters. i like how it’s clear that her commitment issues and feeling worth it, is because of her parents and childhood but it’s not shoved in our faces all the time that she has mommy and daddy issues.


adam is such a caring character and has sooo much patience. i absolutely loved that he has his own restaurant and then opens a small one after his mother in LA was so beautiful.


i really enjoyed the fact that we got some background information on the side characters and we got to feel a connection with them. they felt like main characters because we got to know them.


the pacing of the book was phenomenal. the book didn’t feel too short or too long which i liked a lot. i am definitely recommending this book !! it’s a great one sitting read. you feel all the emotions while reading it and you just want more and more!


the ending was so beautiful and the little details that were put in about their relationship was so heartwarming. the book felt complete but a little part of me wants more to their story.

This was a delight. Friends-to-lovers, the slowest of slow burns with interesting main characters and delightful friends and family. I enjoyed this one so much!

5⭐️
╰► 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄!

❰𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐜 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰!❱

lıllılı.ıllı.ılılıılıı.lllııılı.
Now Playing:
[Strange - Celeste]
0:26 ———♡——— 3:31
◁◁▐▐ ▷▷

“𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕'𝒔 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒊𝒔—𝒘𝒆 𝒅𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒅𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆'𝒔 𝒏𝒐 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒇 𝒘𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒊𝒄𝒆. 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆'𝒔 𝒏𝒐 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒂𝒖𝒈𝒆 𝒊𝒇 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒇 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉- 𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒐𝒓 𝒊𝒇 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒔𝒐 𝒘𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈.”

₊˚ʚ ➼➻❥𝙨𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨📋
╰┈➤ when a twist of fate reunites estranged former roommates june and adam in their shared new york city brownstone, they're forced to confront the unresolved past that drove them apart five years ago. with just four weeks until they finalize ownership, the pair must navigate lingering feelings, old wounds, and the possibility of a second chance. as autumn settles over the city, june and adam discover that maybe love—and forgiveness—deserve a do-over.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷𝙢𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨💭
╰┈➤ i am in absolute disbelief that this was a debut book. the writing style was just so good and easy to follow. this usually wouldn’t be a book that i’d typically go for, but the cover and the description intrigued me. i don’t read a lot of second chance romances, but MY GOD—this book was amazing.

₊˚ʚ ➼➻❥𝙟𝙪𝙣𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙤𝙙 + 𝙖𝙙𝙖𝙢 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙥𝙚𝙧💌
╰┈➤ usually, i’d do a separate analysis of the two main characters, but in this case, it just makes sense that i do an analysis of june and adam as a whole. first of all, i loved june and adam’s story. i feel like dual ownership of a house as the plot for a book seems plain, but this author made it to where it was so interesting, that you couldn’t help but want to be more invested into the lives of adam and june. for me personally, i don’t enjoy dual timelines because each one i’ve read, i didn’t like as much as i’d hoped. however, i loved it in this book because you really got to see the foundation of what june and adam’s relationship was built upon. there was a lot of miscommunication involved in the story, but it was so relevant to the plot. i feel like usually, when there’s a fallout between the characters in a book, the author makes it a big deal, and then once the reason behind the fallout is revealed, i’m just like… oh…okay….but not with this book… no no no… i felt like the reason behind their fallout was valid and interesting, and the way june and adam ended up communicating the problem was mature (kind of). in general, adam and june were just such a good pair for eachother and they worked so well. they went from strangers to friends, to bestfriends, to strangers again, to friends again, and then to lovers. this book was a roller coaster and it’s one of the best that i’ve ever been on.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣🔒
there’s so much more i want to write about this book, but it’s more than i can type and i want to keep this review somewhat short. i loved these characters and i loved the passion inside this book—romance and dreams. my second 5 star of the year was an absolute banger!

I can’t believe this was a debut novel! I literally loved this book from start to finish. A friends to almost lovers, second chance storyline that shows past and present timelines. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC and I am dying for more from this author. Well done 🫶🏼

Second chance is my absolute favorite. I was so excited to read this book and it didn’t disappoint. Its set in New York in the fall. It was really cozy and a cute read. I think the vibes will make it a really good autumn book! I really rooted for the couple. I love duel timeline and felt like it really added to the story. The only issue I had was some miscommunication but overall I would recommend this book to anyway looking for a cute & cozy book!

Such a fun lighthearted, humorous read it was romantic and just the perfect beach read. I was so happy to get away from reality for a little bit and enjoy this book. Excited to read more titles from this author soon.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC copy of this book.

This is a debut novel by this author, and I hope it won't be her last because I enjoyed it very much.
June and Adam were roommates and friends who never crossed the line into any other territory, despite both of them developing feelings for one another. June, who is actress on Broadway, escapes New York City for LA to try to break into TV and movies and breaks off all contact with Adam. Six years later, their landlord leaves the brownstone June and Adam lived in to them, and they move in together again for the month, while the estate is settled.

Old feelings are brought to the surface while June and Adam settle into a new routine. June is offered a role in a revival of Les Mis (I LOVED this detail as a Broadway fan and this musical in particular) and has to decide if she is going to stay in NYC or return to LA.

It’s Different This Time is a lovely second-chance romance that drew me into the world of Adam and June. Their story is told in dual timelines, the present-day timeline in which these estranged best friends inherit a New York City brownstone, and the past timeline which progresses from their initial meeting eleven years earlier and then takes us through various milestones of their relationship.

I enjoyed the development of their friendship (they’re truly just roommates in the beginning, but it soon grows to become something much deeper). Adam and June are there for each other through career highs and lows, grief, and potential relationships.

This book really delivers on the feeling of yearning, which I think is so essential to any romance, but especially second-chance stories. There were a few points at which I kind of wanted to yell at one or both main characters to tell them they didn’t have to be so miserable, but the separation was necessary for the story and it made the payoff that much sweeter.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dell for the advance reader copy of this novel! I loved it!

Thank you to Netgalley and author Joss Richard for the opportunity to read this ARC 💕

FMC - June: 5 🌟
MMC - Adam: 5 🌟
Spice: 🌶 🌶

Words cannot describe how much I loved this book! You know a book is really good when you start reading and lose track of time. I read the whole thing in half a day and almost missed dinner because I didn't want to put it down!

My heart was hurting through the whole story because of the intense longing between Adam and June. Both timelines were written so well, had me dreading the countdown to their falling out in the past, and had me so eager to see how things would work out in the present. They are so perfect for each other, and I just wanted to knock some sense into them for wasting all those years as "just friends".

Second chance romances are my favorite trope, and this didn't disappoint one bit. I'm already anxious to order a copy for my shelf and gladly experience the anguish and the pining all over again!

This was a great roommate, second chance romance. The writing style was on point. The dual timeline was handled well with no clunky skips in style. I thoroughly enjoyed June's journey and I loved the couple's chemistry. The romance was swoon worthy and the ending was what I was hoping for

For a debut novel, this is wildly impressive. The writing is seamless and with this book bouncing back and forth between two timelines there are never abrupt breaks in momentum or pacing. I think Joss Richards will be a force in the romance genre (or really anything she touches!).

There was depth behind the characters, the setting was immersive, and although predictable in parts of the storyline, it never takes away from the reading experience. From an objective standpoint I would definitely give this book a four star. For me personally, this would be more a three star. It wasn't even that it was bad, I just found myself lacking to fully connect with the main characters. If I struggle to connect with characters the reading experience isn't as gripping for me and because of that it rated a bit lower.

From the start of June and Adam's meeting there was an instant connection that had you gripping on to find out where it could go, yet where it all fell apart. June, a TV/Broadway actress, and Adam, a chef, had such similar drives and passions for their respected career. This day in age it's sometimes so hard to find a passion strong enough to pursue a career in and reading about their passions to live a life pursuing their dream careers from both these characters was refreshing.

This book was very dialogue driven, which was amazing. It adds an extra leeway into getting to know character that some novels just lack. You get to pick up on tone, their quirks, their mannerisms. When English teachers would always get on you for needing to "show don't tell" in your writing, this books does an exemplary job at that. I'm so excited for this novel to reach the world of readers because I believe it will be so well received and so loved. Just such a nice cozy autumn read and I can't wait to see Joss Richards flourish as an author.

Thank you to Ballantine and Dell for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group for this ARC!

5⭐️- Literally could not have asked for anything else. I wouldn’t change a THING. I loved this so much.

The short:
Told in dual timelines, June and Adam are left a beautiful brownstone they used to live in back in the West Village when the owner passes away. They have to wait 30 days to get the deed to the house and spend that time living in the brownstone, where old memories start to flood back.

-Single POV
-Dual timeline

Tropes:
-second chance
-friends to lovers
-chef x actor
-its always been you
-roommates
-diversity rep - fmc is filipina
-New York City!!! (This is a trope in my mind, there’s a FEELING)

Review:

I think there are times I just get a feeling up front - that a certain book is going to be a 5 star read for me. I could tell pretty early on that was the case for this book. It definitely checks all my boxes- I love second chances and I absolutely love friends to lovers. Add in a dual timeline with suspense due to not knowing all the details of the past - and I’m SAT.

I cannot believe this is Joss Richard’s debut novel. I am so impressed with the story and every single detail. The way the flashback chapters complemented the current day story was done SO well. The dynamic between our two MCs is so wonderful. There’s insane chemistry, friendship, love. It’s two people who couldn’t get it right despite them being soulmates in every sense of the word. It took them a few tries, but this time it’s different and they sure do learn a lot along the way.

The writing is stunning - there’s something to be said about how she writes the 5 senses in this book. When she’s describing the brownstone or the streets, I see New York. When she’s describing Adam’s cooking, I taste the food. When she talks about the seasonal coffee drinks, I smell the cinnamon and spices. The tension leading up to the spice - I felt it so viscerally.

I think it can be easy to be frustrated with the FMC and the choices she makes, but that’s why I love this story. She comes to realize the mistakes she made and there’s clear growth on her end. I don’t want perfect characters, I want them to mess up. And the redemption is so worth it. I couldn’t put the book down because I had to know what was tipping point of their relationship the first time. In my opinion, that’s the best way to do second chance. Keep me guessing and then hit me with the pain! The pacing of the story was top tier - all of the big moments crashed together in both timelines for a perfect ending.

At times I was giggling and kicking my feet because, excuse me - ADAM? What a man. But I also spent a good chunk of time actually sobbing. I love angst and I LOVE when a book can do both so effortlessly. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions and I never want to get off. It was the kind of crying that forced me to put my kindle down so I had two free hands to blow my nose.

I cannot wait to get a physical copy to proudly display on my shelves. The cover, the art, the title. I am so excited for everyone to read this story and I’m even more excited to see what else this author has in store!

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book! I was sucked in right away because if there is a trope I love - it's roommates! Loved the characters and the flashbacks (they were done well!). This book is definitely worth a read!

Second chance romances are a hit or miss for me. I usually either hate it or absolutely love it and there’s no in-between. It’s Different This Time is a perfect example of how to write a second chance romance! Everything about this novel was perfect. The characters, the plot, the third act, EVERYTHING.

June and Adam’s chemistry was so believable from their first interaction even after not seeing each other for 6 years. The tension they had was award winning and needs to be studied.
I cried multiple times during this book because I was so attached to these characters and their story.

The two main things I look for when reading a second chance romance are a good mix of current and past chapters and the “big thing” that happens that tears them apart in the past. Joss Richard does a great job of blending the current and past chapters so check! And the initial big thing was believable and not something so atrocious it can’t be forgiven so check!
I highly suggest picking this up in the end September when it releases.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc for my honest review!

4.5/5 (rounded up to 5)
Joss Richard delivers a beautifully written friends-to-lovers, second-chance romance that’s both heartfelt and engaging. The dual timeline is handled seamlessly, allowing readers to witness June and Adam’s relationship develop over the years while also showing how their careers and identities evolve. Set in New York City with June pursuing an acting and Broadway career and Adam pursuing a career as a chef, the setting adds an extra layer of charm to their story. Richard does a great job of balancing both characters’ perspectives, giving almost equal weight to their emotional journeys. The writing is smooth and easy, effortlessly pulling you into their world. Overall, It’s Different This Time is a touching and memorable read that I’d definitely recommend.