Well done, Joss Richard! This is a lovely debut set in autumn in NYC. A slow burn, second chance, forced proximity romance with a terrific MMC who cooks, is ridiculously hot and thoughtful? Sign me up!

June and Adam were roommates for years in a brownstone in the West Village. They were the best of friends, encouraged each other’s dreams and did everything together. Something went wrong, they went their separate ways and they haven’t spoken in 5 years. When they are notified that they’ve been bequeathed the brownstone in their ex landlord’s will, they are reunited much to June’s chagrin.

I enjoyed the setting, the characters, both main and supporting, and the friendship between the characters told in flashbacks. The dual timeline helps us get to know the characters back when they were just starting out. Miscommunication and non communication are usually irksome for me but I forgive the author and read all 432 pages in one day.

Highly recommend for romance fans who don’t mind a few spicy scenes. If you don’t like spice these scenes are easily skipped. It’s a great read and I look forward to more by this author.

I absolutely LOVED this book. It's got friends to lovers, second chance, forced proximity, dual timelines, amazing characters! Adam, the MMC, is one of the best male characters I've read. I can't even put into words how much I love him, but he's a chef and makes dinner and pretty much any meal at any time, so like enough said, right? I loved going along with June (FMC) on her journey because she's been through a lot. She was so relatable and learning about her life growing up, I really understood where she was coming from. She doesn't fully understand what happened until the present day. She's able to reflect and understand how her past was defining her and she didn't want that. The entire time you are rooting for these two and wondering what the heck happened in the past. I love that her best friend, Chloe, supported her, but also made sure she understood when she was in the wrong. She was a true best friend and I loved that. I seriously loved this book and will 100% be recommending to everyone who enjoys a little bit of spice.

4.5 🌟 this book was absolutely incredible!!!! what an amazing debut novel!!

autumn in nyc, musical theatre, and a chef?!IMMEDIATELY YES. the most perfect setting!!!
I thought this story was done so well, friends to lovers/second chance romance but with a whole LOT of secret yearning and pining I loveeeeee. 🥹😍

june and adam’s relationship is the most beautiful and unique story. the way that they met to the way that their friendship grew into something more. I was so immersed in their story and I loved getting flashbacks of their time together in the past as well because it just showed how much they’ve grown and how far they’ve come.

tropes:
friends to lovers
second chance romance
autumn in nyc
dual timeline
musical theatre
forced proximity

this book is the perfect fall time romance book to add to your tbr 🥰 thank you so much to dellromance for the e-arc! 🤎

I went into this book not sure what to expect. I ended up enjoying it. The first half of the book worked better for me than the second, though.

The beginning totally hooked me. I love a main character at a crossroads, which June is. Her TV show has been canceled when she receives a mysterious email informing her she needs to come to New York for a meeting. It’s there that she learns her former landlord has recently died, and he’s left her and her ex-roommate/ex-best friend the brownstone they lived in five years ago. June has been estranged from Adam, the ex-roommate, since she moved to LA. She’s shocked both by the news of inheriting the brownstone and by having him back in her life. It’s clear they left things on bad terms, but not why.

The conflict intrigued me. It was a juicy setup with lots of potential for drama. However, the animosity between June and Adam fell away pretty quickly with no conversation about what happened in the past. All of a sudden they’re friends again, and soon she’s horny for him all the time. The reveal of what happened to keep them apart comes around 80% during a flashback and subsequent present-day conversation June has with a friend. It made me want to scream. It was a conflict without any of the tension that’s supposed to come from a conflict. I’m an apologist for the miscommunication trope—real people are very bad at having conversations sometimes—but this wasn’t miscommunication. It was non-communication. It was immature and silly, the kind of thing you read that makes you ask, “Who DOES that?”

As much as the non-communication element frustrated me, there were things I liked. I thought the flashbacks were well-done. The fall vibes were immaculate, and so was the New York setting. I also appreciated that June was a working actor and not a celebrity, as it was a different take on having an actor as a main character. But my frustration with the main conflict took this from a four-star to a three-star read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC, which was provided in exchange for an honest review.

It's Different This Time frustrated me. I really liked the beginning of the book. The setup had potential, and I was curious to see how June and Adam's story would unfold. Unfortunately, the book lost me at the 70% mark. The story was told in past and present chapters. The flashback chapters weren't bad; however, they did disrupt the flow of the story. I wasn't the biggest fan of June. She was overdramatic and self-centered. Once it was revealed what she did, I lost interest in her character. Adam was okay. His character could have used more substance. Adam and June's relationship didn't work for me. I never fully understood what drew them together. We didn’t get many past or present moments that really showed why they were in love, and once the big secret was revealed, it became even harder to buy into their connection. The miscommunication/betrayal didn't line up with how casually June and Adam were interacting. I just wanted more from this book: more emotional depth, more tension, more character development. Thank you to NetGalley and Dell for the ARC.

One of favorite rom-coms of the year! This was a perfect second chance trope, filled with moments of misunderstandings that set this couple back years. I found myself rooting for June and Adam from the first few chapters, and I found myself wondering what exactly happened to make their lives separate so dramatically. I love how the author went back and forth from the past to present, giving us glimmers of their lives when they were young and how their mistakes and misunderstanding took them in different directions. This book is like a warm, fuzzy blankets. I wanted to wrap myself in this story of love that left me believing in second chances!

This was such a lovely read for fall! In this story, we follow former roommates/best friends June and Adam as they navigate the legal and emotional journey of inheriting their old brownstone in New York City. Their story unfolds during present day autumn in the city, with flashbacks to how their relationship developed and changed.

Second chance isn't typically my favorite romance trope, but there were a lot of things I enjoyed about this book. The story was told in such an interesting and heartfelt way that I was invested from the start. Plus, the cozy autumnal vibes of fall in New York are just wonderful!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Ballantine for the advanced copy!!

Five stars all around! I was surprised just how much this book captivated me. The main character was so relatable and I think would be to many. Absolutely loved the flow and found it very easy to read. Looking forward to what else this author has to put out. Thank you so much for the advanced copy. Publication date September 30, 2025.

The hit TV show June was staring in was unexpectedly cancelled, and she's unsure how she's going to afford the next month's rent. When she receives a cryptic email saying she must fly to New York because of a brownstone apartment she lived in nearly a decade ago, she uses it as an opportunity to maybe get some work on the east coast. Nothing could prepare June for the meeting where it is discovered that she not only owns said apartment, but her ex-roommate Adam (and the one the got away) co-own's it, too!

To say I loved this novel would be an understatement. I found June to be very relatable and well rounded. Her dynamic with her parents was something that I found heartbreaking, but unfortunately realistic for a lot of people. The banter between Adam and June was spot on and it felt like watching old friends fall in love.

I'm not usually a fan of second chance romances or miscommunication tropes, but Joss Richard so beautifully crafted a love story I couldn't read fast enough. This was her debut novel and it was a triumph.

Huge thank you to Joss Richard, Ballantine Dell, and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. I truly loved spending my time with these characters and hope to someday see how their story progresses.

when i first got the arc of this (thanks netgalley MWAHH), i didn't have super high expectations other than, omg that cover is stunning!!! but reading it was actually so amazing :)

so this book is a friends-to-lovers set in nyc during fall-time. june and adam become roommates due to financial circumstances unforeseen. they spend years together, eventually falling in love. only something happens and now, years later, june is a struggling actress in LA and adam has moved up the ranks in the restaurant world. when she finds out the brownstone she shared with adam is left to them after the owner passes, she must go back to nyc and back to adam.

guys. this story was SOO good! the characters, especially. june was super relatable and i liked the book focused a lot on her journey of self-worth. i also liked adam!! he was a great MMC. the musical aspect was perfect too :)

the setting was amazing too. it was very cozy and i loved reading about nyc in the autumn. i felt like i was there myself!! in fact, i could very easily see this becoming a show or a movie. when i was reading the book, i felt like i was watching a movie.

overall, so happy to have read this!! i definitely recommend this and when the book comes out, i'll most likely be purchasing a physical copy.

Unfortunately I only got about 1/4 of the way into this book as I found the writing style and characters frustrating to read, as well as not feeling as though the plot (current or previous) held any water. Was not the book for me but definitely has an audience out there!

Set against the crisp, golden backdrop of autumn in New York, It’s Different This Time delivers a friends-to-lovers romance that’s cozy and emotional.

Joss Richard crafts a story of two roommates, Adam and June, whose slow burn connection simmers beneath shared spaces, late night confessions, and the kind of quiet intimacy that only comes from knowing someone deeply and loving them anyway. The chemistry is undeniable, and the early chapters glow with warmth and possibility.

But what begins as a tender, hopeful journey soon turns frustrating. Miscommunication becomes a recurring theme not just the occasional missed signal, but a pattern of emotional avoidance and repeated behaviors that feel all too familiar. Years pass, and the lack of honest dialogue between June and Adam becomes a source of tension not just for them, but for the reader. You want to shake them. You want to scream. You want them to talk.

And yet, that frustration is part of the point. Richard doesn’t offer easy resolutions. Instead, she explores how silence can shape relationships just as much as words and how love, no matter how deep, can falter when vulnerability is withheld.

This isn’t a perfect romance. It’s messy, real, and at times maddening. But it’s also a reminder that growth requires more than time, it demands courage, clarity, and the willingness to break old patterns.

If you love emotionally driven narratives with flawed characters and a strong sense of place, this one might be for you. Just be prepared to feel everything; the sweetness, the ache, and the longing for something more.

Thank you to NetGalley, Joss Richard and team for allowing me the pleasure of sharing my own honest review of this book.

Spoiler Alert




Absolutely loved this book. I’m officially a fan of Joss Richard. I loved everything about the story but especially June’s relationship with Adam’s mom. Her relationship with her mom broke my heart and made me sad for her but I’m so glad she had a great relationship with Adam’s mom. When she got sick my heart broke for Adam. I loved that they did end up together and June ended up having her dreams come true of being of the stage. The letter from Stanley at the very end was a beautiful finishing touch to the story.

What a beautiful book! The slowest, sweetest burn — I adored how Adam and June’s love story unfolded. Joss Richard’s writing style is thoughtful and poignant, with vivid imagery — I not only felt as though I could taste, see, and feel New York City, but my heart ached with every fear, regret, and missed opportunity these characters faced. I want this story to become a movie, and I can’t wait to buy Richard’s next novel; highly recommend!

This is such a sweet second-chance romance. I loved the dual timeline, it worked really well and added a lot to the story, especially in showing how the characters have grown. The focus stays on the two main leads, which I appreciated, and the minor secondary characters show up just enough to add flavor without taking over the story. The pacing felt natural, the romance was satisfying, and it all wraps up with a happy ending that leaves you smiling. Definitely a solid, feel-good read.
Thanks to Ballantine for the arc.

This story had such cozy vibes just like the cover - it felt like the perfect Fall/Autumn read.

It’s truly my kind of love story - a roommates-to-lovers second chance romance but at its core it’s a friends to lovers story. The dual timeline is such a great tool to portray a second chance romance because it really makes you eager as a reader to find out why they broke up in the first place.

Though the story is set in both NYC and LA, this book is indeed a love letter to New York! I loved the juxtaposition of the differing worlds of theater (Broadway in NY) vs film/TV (LA).

Meet Adam, my new book boyfriend - a man who can cook (he’s a chef after all!) and grew up in a healthy, loving environment unlike June, who has parental abandonment issues. This contrast plays a very key role in their relationship.

In conclusion, this is undoubtedly a remarkable debut about two people chasing their dreams!

oh yeah i loved this so much 🥹🍂🤎💫

I ADORE THIS BOOK!!!!! the musical theater, roommates to best friends to lovers, new york city, second chance romance of my dreams!!!!!! i genuinely do not know how to adequately write how precious & swoony this book is !!! i am realizing that i am a roommates to lovers trope fanatic, because there is something so deliciously tender about living with someone and slowly but surely finding yourself helplessly in love with them. PLS!!!!

the yearning & just absolute LONGING between adam & june 🥹 across BOTH timelines !! oh my word these two love each other!! speaking of adam, i love him so much!! he's playful and flirty but also one of the most reliable men you've ever met. he will be there for you in whatever capacity you need, and that right there is a MAN. & he's a chef!!!! june's journey to feeling loved and cared for and enough was powerful. my heart broke for her time and time again, and i'm so glad she was able to find herself and let herself be loved the way she deserves.

i got lucky & read this RIGHT after visiting new york city & let me tell you, it enhanced my reading experience so much. i felt like i was THERE, but that's also a testament to how well joss richard wrote this book. if i didn't know this was her debut, i would never have known. it's written like a seasoned pro.

thank you so much Dell Romance for the arc! this is my honest review.

4.5⭐ rounded down
Well-written and engaging second chance romance with achingly real characters, especially the FMC. After 5 years of being best friends and roommates, June fled to LA leaving Adam behind. When circumstances throw the two of them back together, we see them dance around each other melting the walls between them. But what caused their estrangement and can they overcome it?

It’s Different This Time is a witty, insightful, and deeply relatable contemporary novel that explores love, personal growth, and the messy realities of modern relationships. The story follows characters navigating heartbreak, self-discovery, and the often hilarious—but sometimes painful—lessons that come with dating and life. The author’s voice is sharp and engaging, blending humor with moments of genuine emotional depth that make the characters feel real and relatable. With its clever dialogue, well-paced plot, and heartfelt exploration of connection, It’s Different This Time is a must-read for anyone who enjoys contemporary fiction that is both entertaining and emotionally resonant.

I really enjoyed this romance novel! Friends to lovers and set in NYC! It was such a cute read. There were times that it felt liked it dragged on. I would have loved to see the point of view from the MMC.

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.