Thank you to Ballantine and NetGalley for an eARC of It’s Different This Time.
I had a lot of high hopes for this book because of other reviews on TikTok and Instagram. I was also initially really excited to receive an Arc of this book because it has things that I normally really enjoy. The main one being the second chance trope, it felt almost guaranteed that I would enjoy this story. And while I did they were a few things that kept me from absolutely loving it. The first two acts of this book were a very fun read, I was really invested in Adam and Junes story. However my hang up was with the third act. The plot in this section of the story started to feel repetitive, when the same issues are being mirrored in the past in the present with no change in how conflict is solved I found myself feeling lost. Especially when, it’s problems that have simple solutions. I really enjoyed the main characters, their love story was sweet and deeply heartfelt. The novel was well written and I thought it was a fantastic debut. I really hoped to have enjoyed this more, I just think it wasn’t for me personally.

Wow, what an impressive debut! This book is a love letter to New York and Broadway. The pacing was solid. I especially enjoyed the balance of past and present chapters. However, I had mixed feelings about June. At times, her choices made sense given her circumstances, but other times she came across as selfish and a poor communicator. Her inner monologue also grew repetitive and grating. That said, I did appreciate watching her friendship with Adam develop. Their lingering feelings for each other, even while dating other people, seemed realistic. The reason for their separation made sense even if it might frustrate some readers. Adam’s family and Chloe were wonderful additions that enriched the story. However, what I found lacking was Adam’s perspective. His mixed signals toward June and his poor communication was frustrating. It was messed up how he strung Riley along for years, even proposing, while still being in love with June. I wanted to see more of his thoughts of how he processed June leaving and what it was like for him to face her again in the present. The way June and Adam reconnected in the present didn’t quite work either. I wished they had a more honest, thorough conversation to resolve their miscommunication before getting back together. Also, surprisingly, the intimate scenes contained too much dialogue, which pulled me out of the moment. Overall, this was an engaging read with strong atmosphere and some memorable characters, but the execution fell short in places. I would rate it 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars on Goodreads.

I adored “It’s Different This Time”, a debut novel by Joss Richard about ex-roommates and best friends June and Adam who are forced to live together again after six years apart when their ex-landlord leaves them their former home in his will.

Look, legally the plot is insane. There is no mention of the tax liability they would probably incur in a situation like this, etc etc. But the chemistry between June and Adam from the first time we see them together is so wonderful that it is hard to care about the plot being unrealistic.

The vibes of the book are so transportive and will really have you feeling like you’re falling in love in NYC in the fall while strolling through Central Park. I have a real distaste for romances where all the conflict seems made up to advance the plot or easily avoidable. But the conflict in this book, the reason June and Adam spent so many years apart, made sense to me. It felt plausible.

Great pacing, too, and a spice level that will satisfy true romance readers without turning off more casual fans of the genre or those who prefer closed door romance. Also, June is a Broadway actress and Adam is a chef so if you like reading about either of those professions, you’ll enjoy this.

This will be my most recommended romance of the fall and I’m looking forward to reading more from Richard in the future!!

This was such a fun read! I feel like most romance novels can feel quite unrealistic or similar to other stories I've read before, but this novel was neither of those things! I didn't know I could love friends to lovers, and second chance romance so much! I really loved the writing and the setting of New York City in the fall/winter. The relationship dynamic between Adam and June feels so real and raw; even though at times June's insecurity got in the way, it only made their intimacy more meaningful. Also, it's official, Adam is my new book boyfriend.
I didn't love the dual timelines, especially because it kind of dragged on in the past, I think maybe a few less past chapters and more in the present would have been a better balance for this story.

Fall in New York City, a beautiful brownstone in West Village, chasing your dream job, reuniting with your best friend, I mean what more can you ask for? Well, seeing a super hot professional chef who you had a will they-won't they relationship with for the first time in 5 years would be nice as well. Did I mention he's your previous, and now current roommate?

Jokes aside, I think this may be one of the best second-chance romance books I've ever read. The flashback/dual timeline unraveled at the perfect pace, in a way I haven't seen an author accomplish since Carley Fortune. The main characters are perfectly flawed and have you rooting for both of them as they grow up chasing their dreams in NYC.

The strangers to roommates to something (no spoilers here) to strangers to WHAT DO WE DO NOW was done in a way that had you gripped at the edge of your seat, with your heart literally aching for them to figure things out. The insights we get into their changing relationship were so tender and intimate, that I genuinely couldn't image they wouldn't figure out a way to make it work. It felt like these were real people, with real problems (even though they're like super high level professionals in their respective fields), and real life shit that gets in the way of their plans.

Overall, I really loved reading this ARC, and thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for approving it. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to laugh, cry, experience fall in NYC, enjoys yummy foods, and wants to root for two beautifully heartbroken people to find a way back to each other.

💌 Thank you to NetGalley and Joss Richard for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! 💌


❝ “I love him.”

…. “Then love him.” ❞

This is SUCH a refreshing fall read, filled with snappy humor, a picturesque setting, and a second-chance romance that actually made my heart swell to twice its size. I’m a sucker for ANYTHING set in NYC (especially during the fall), but Joss Richard truly encapsulated the beauty of Manhattan’s West Village in this incredible story about lost-and-found love.

June Wood lives in LA, struggling to find work as a film and TV actress after her stint on Broadway. She’s abruptly called back to her New York City stomping grounds after receiving shocking news: the charming West Village brownstone that she once rented with her former roommate, best friend, and “one who got away,” Adam Harper, has suddenly fallen into their mutual ownership following the death of its owner.

Oscillating between past and present, Adam and June’s romance unfolds across two eras, both times believable and deeply touching (especially for this reader). It’s also worth nothing that June’s journey as an actress resonates, particularly with anyone who has struggled to achieve big dreams in an even bigger city (or career field!) Beyond the tender, “will-they-won’t they” romance between these two characters, it’s their rock-solid friendship that reeled me in.

I’m a harsh critic when it comes to capturing the splendor of New York City. Richard not only accomplished this feat, but successfully portrayed a sweet, memorable romance at the center of the city’s legendary magic.

Do yourself a favor: go buy this book, light a fall-scented candle, get cozy under a blanket and RELISH in this absolute harbinger of autumn! 🍂

A heartfelt second chance romance with all the cozy fall in New York vibes. I loved the dual timeline and the slow burn between June and Adam, it really showed the depth of their connection and why their past hurt so much. The actor / chef pairing was fun, and Adam’s family added warmth to the story. Some of the conflict dragged and could’ve been solved with better communication, but overall this was a charming and emotional debut.
Very grateful to the publisher for my copy through NetGalley, opinions are my own

⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️

This book has two of my least favorite tropes combined, friends to lovers and second chance romance. The problem with both of these things to me is they have a high likelihood of leading to OW drama which is what I dislike more than anything. And there was plenty of that here! Yet I had a hard time putting this book down. The characters really drew me in, and I totally understood the main character's personal hurdles in moving from a great friendship to a relationship. (Hello to our old friend, Daddy Issues.) The dual timelines and great characters made this a really fun fall romance overall.

Thanks to netgalley and ballantine for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review

I really enjoyed everything about this book. It’s a second chance romance, which I love. The writing was great. The characters and the setting were fun.

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine for allowing me to have a copy of the eARC of It’s Different This Time in exchange of a honest opinion of the book!!

This book is a second chance romance book! Although I loooove my second chance romances, and had high high hopes for this, I felt as if it was hard to get through towards the end of the book because of conflicts that felt like it could have been avoided with communication. For a debut book, I really enjoyed how it was written and loved going back in time to see more about Adam and June’s relationship. I wish I had loved it more.

This was everything!!!!!

We have
•dual timeline
•friends to lovers
•forced proximity
•autumn vibes
•forgiveness, communication, learning to trust
•actor x chef

and let’s not forget the writing style!!! I loved this so much.

Phenomenal. I stayed up until 5am finishing this book, you couldn’t pry it out of my hands. I’m still buzzed. I can’t believe this is a debut. It’s so well written, you would think she’s written dozens of romance novels. I am so excited to read more by Joss Richard.

Thank you to Dell Romance and NetGalley for the advanced reader’s copy.

easily one of my favorite reads of the whole year. I was hooked from the start on this and it’s everything I needed for fall time. I loved the New York setting and the way the author made me feel like I was right there in the scenes. I love a second chance romance especially with a dual time line and this one was written so extremely well. I loved how cozy this book was and how the characters were just made for each other.
the perfect cozy fall read!

This might be in my top romances.. ever!? Dual timelines, second chance romance, friends to lovers, set in NYC in the fall. When I finished it I immediately started reading again. Wow wow wow

I really enjoyed the fact the main characters of this one has a bit of different careers than many romances choose these days and I found the way they met to be unique and compelling. The dual timeline was executed with care and provided insight into their relationship without distracting from the current timeline was well placed throughout the storing. A really, great romantic story for fans of You Again and those who love romances set in New York!

Thank you so much to Ballantine for this Netgalley ARC!

It’s Different this Time is such an enjoyable second chance romance. Adam and June were roommates for about 6 years in a beautiful brownstone in New York before June left to pursue film and TV acting in LA. She comes back when she learns that the brownstone was left to Adam and June by the landlord after he passed. It was told in alternate timelines from the first time they lived together (and what went wrong) and today.

June and Adam’s story was beautiful. Each of their characters had such depth. I loved getting to see June’s relationship with Adam’s family as well as details of each of their career goals and aspirations. I loved how it was laid out as the reader doesn’t know what actually happened between June and Adam the first time until later in the book so it was fun to be left questioning.

This book was so enjoyable and perfect for fall! It publishes on September 30, 2025 and I would highly recommend! I’m honestly so surprised that Richard is a first time author, it was that well-done.

4.5 stars from me!

June and Adam unexpectedly inherited a brownstone in New York City where they lived as roommates 10 years before. June has been living in LA as a semi-successful actress and has come back to New York to audition for her dream job, a musical. Adam is now a successful chef in the city. The novel goes back-and-forth between the past and present, and stories how their relationship has changed over time. This is a slow-burn romance with a nice Fall in New York setting. Thanks to NetGalley and Dell for the advanced digital copy.

(4.25 stars) How cute!!! I loved the atmospheric fall (and winter) vibes, and Joss Richard’s writing style is phenomenal. It’s baffling to me that this is her debut. This book made me realize that it’s my dream to live in a brownstone in NYC with a hot chef…alas, I think I’ll have to just keep dreaming…anyway. The reason I had to dock some points from my rating is because I am the miscommunication trope’s #1 hater, and sadly that was a large chunk of the end of this book. However, I really liked the ending, and the epilogue certainly made me cry. :’)

The biggest thank you to Dell for allowing me to read and review an e-ARC of this book!!! <3

Writing a second chance romance is never easy, and neither is writing a debut novel. Joss Richard takes on both challenges and does so beautifully.

One of the highlights of this book is its dual timeline, written so captivatingly that it's nearly impossible to put the book down. With every chapter, you’re eager to uncover the next piece of June and Adam’s past and present, and the slow disclosure of their journey is both satisfying and deeply touching.

June and Adam are incredibly well-drawn characters, and the Brownstone at 74 Perry St. is a unique character in its own right. Together, they tell a heartfelt tale that will stay with you long after the last page.

There’s something about June and Adam’s story that reminds me how messy, beautiful, and complicated love can be, and why second chances are worth fighting for. I couldn’t help but devour it in one sitting and keep wishing it wouldn’t end.

It’s Different This Time is a touching, beautifully written debut that proves Joss Richard is an author to keep an eye on.

Title: It’s different this time
Author: Joss Richard
Publisher: Dell
Publication Date: September 30, 2025

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐️/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Holy cow. If I didn’t have to write this review because I NEED you to read this book, I’d just stay speechless. I could not believe this was a debut novel. It ranked as high for me as some of the books by the “seasoned” authors like Emily Henry and Elsie Silver I read this year. The second chance romance has always been one of my favorite tropes and the author does a great job with it in this novel. The story of June and Adam spans a decade of heartbreak, angst, longing and the realest of feelings. I loved the dual timeline of the past and present. The setting of the brownstone and autumn in New York definitely adds to the story making it more colorful and wistful. June and Adam are both flawed, they’ve made mistakes, but they continue moving forward even when it seems impossible. I cried, I laughed, I wanted to hug June, eat at Adam’s restaurant and hang out with Chloe. What a great cozy fall read. Highly recommend!!