Well, I really really wanted to love this book, but it did fall a little flat for me.

First, the story had so much potential to be fantastic. The secondary characters were so much fun and the entire concept of a life of living your dreams in NYC is always such a feel good read. Unfortunately, I think the layout of the book really took away from the entire experience.

The flashbacks weaved throughout the book didn't serve the purpose I think they intended to. Usually they are made to move the story along and coincide with what is happening in the current timeline, but I was often left very confused by their significance. Additionally, the characters, June & Adam, felt very one dimensional. I feel like I did not get a clear sense of who either of them were aside from the surface level details we got about their careers. Their friendship started off very strong and the banter made me excited to explore more about their dynamic, but as the story continued, it felt repetitive and it was hard to gauge how either of them felt as time went on. Due to the time jumps happening within the flashbacks, it also felt like we were missing too much of how their friendship grew and developed to end up at the point that it did.

The story finally comes to a head about 3/4 of the way through, but at that point, I had lost some interest and was more disconnected from the main characters than I was at the beginning. Because it took quite a while to get all the answers we were hoping for, the ending felt very rushed and it did take away from the feeling of a HEA.

I was really hoping to enjoy this story marketed as a second-chance romance for Broadway lovers, but unfortunately it was not for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Dell for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a great debut novel! This book was so cute and fun. I felt like the author did a really good job with the dual timeline and second chance romance. The characters definitely make human mistakes but their personal stories really kept me interested. I can't wait to recommend this book to my friends and I’m excited to see what else Joss Richard writes.

This was an outstanding debut novel!
Second chance romance set in NYC between chef Adam and actress June. The setting gave a cozy fall/autumn read & paired well with the great plot building that led us through each stage of this duo's relationship. Once I started this, I didn't want to put it down!

Expected publication September 30, 2025

Thank you to NetGalley, author Joss Richard and Ballantine | Dell for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you Penguin Random House and Netgalley for the eARC!! This debut novel was a sweet one! It takes place in an autumnal New York with dual time lines. (Which can be hard to make a story cohesive, but the author does it well!). I like that with each chapter, the MMC and FMC’s history was unraveled. And they were roommates LOL. I like that the characters come back together when the timing was right. Right person, but wrong timing at first. They both needed to experience life and become better versions of themselves before they could become friends again. It was a nice mixing of showing their individual lives - their victories and failures too. I loved it! Can’t wait to read more of Joss Richard’s work!

Ahhh!! This was my most anticipated read! The vibes were incredible, I loved the second chance romance and how we got to see the characters in dual POV flashbacks. Thank you for sending me this ARC in return of an honest review!! I will definitely be talking about this book with other friends (no spoilers ofc!) and telling them to pick it up when it comes out!

HOW IS THIS SO GOOD! I loved this book! The New York City setting in the fall was perfect. I don't always love dual timelines but Joss did an amazing job keeping the reader interested enough in both timeframes. If second chance romance is your jam, this is the perfect book for you. I was surprised to learn that this is this author's first book- it was so good!


I would highly recommend any romance readers to pick this up on Sept 30 (pub date). Thank you so much to NetGalley and Megan at Dell Romance for this advanced e-reader copy!

This was such a cute romcom! The writing was seamless, and I really felt connected to both Adam, and June. The miscommunication sometimes bothers me, but I ultimately love their journey!
Thank you to Net Galley, and Ballantine for letting me read this one!

Rating: 4/5 stars

This was a fun read! The story follows June, an actress struggling to make ends meet and out of a job when she gets news that she's inherited a brownstone in NYC that she used to live in with her now-estranged ex-roommate/best/friend/'it's complicated' love interest. They both stay in the brownstone for a month while waiting for the paperwork process to get put through, which would come out to millions of dollars for both of them if they sell it (money June REALLY needs). The story explores the tension and 'things left unsaid' nature of their complicated relationship and past, including jumps back in time to when things were good between them, including the spots where things went wrong. Now, June and Adam have to figure out who they are to each other while living together for the month - they both wonder if things really are different this time, if they've truly found their way back to each other, or if it was never in the cards for them.

I really enjoyed this book! I loved the writing style in terms of the main character's narration, the 'stream-of-consciousness' inner monologue, and the humor. There was good banter and also a good build up of the romance and tension. I think June's character was really well-developed, and I was really wanting to get a ton more about Adam! We only get to perceive him through June, and I was yearning for more about him. I enjoyed the side characters that made appearances, too, especially Adam's family. The story wrapped up really beautifully by the end and delivered good messages about love, insecurity, and taking risks. Also, the setting descriptions were great - I could really picture fall in NYC.

I thought that the miscommunication was handled impressively well in this one! It was sort of ‘meta’ in the sense that both main characters seemed to know there was a lot of miscommunication going on. In one sense, that actually added to the complexities of their perceptions, motives, and the overall story/relationships. Sometimes miscommunication can get frustrating, so I was very impressed by how Richard wrote it in this story!

I also do wish that we got more time jumps to the past - I feel like I didn't fully understand or get to see how June and Adam's relationship evolved to be so meaningful and close. We know they came to be in love with each other in the past, but we don't really get to 'see' how besides a few glimpses of events where it seemed like they were already at that point. I would've liked some more flashbacks that gave buildup. I wanted more of their relationship and past!

Finally, there was a bit of a lull for me around the 75-80% mark, as it *seemed* like the climax of the story was hit and subsequently anticlimactic, but things really picked up towards the end, which I appreciated! It ultimately turned out that what I thought was the turning point/climax wasn't, but it did make that section drag a bit.

I'd recommend this to any romance reader! It would be a great cozy romance for fall!

*Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine for an eARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a fun debut novel!

The NYC setting was great - perfect for fall reading (and what a gorgeous cover!). I was invested in all the characters, even the minor side ones; I'd definitely read spin-off/adjacent novels about Sarah, Chloe, Riley.
I thought the author handled the dual timelines really well, weaving everything together seamlessly. Generally I'm not a fan of dual timelines, because I forget details as I flip back and forth, but I didn't find that happening in this book. Similarly, I do not love second chance romances or the miscommunication trope, but these were both well done!

June and Adam's emotional connection was so raw & I loved how real & human they felt throughout the entire 12+ years of the book.

I look forward to reading what Joss Richard puts out next!

Thank you to NetGalley, Joss Richard, and Ballantine for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for gifting me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

First of all, a moment for the cover art. I live for the summertime and this cover made me want to just drive up to Boston and throw on a scarf with my Starbucks to walk through the brownstones on Newbury Street. PERFECT for fall.

Former roommates forced back together was so fun and this was as lighthearted as it was cute and swoony. After our main characters lose their friendship, they must come back together in the interest of some property ownership with a legal loophole that would set each of them up for a long time. All the old feelings (and frustrations) resurface and our two MCs are forced to face them head-on as they're in close proximity for the foreseeable future.

I really enjoyed this, honestly. It would make a super cute movie and any time we have a NYC setting, especially in fall, it gives you all the warm and fuzzies inside. I really enjoyed the banter and relatability of the two MCs. As someone with a penchant for burying feelings I don't want to deal with (lol), this hit me in all the right spots. I loved this and will probably read again in the fall just for the vibes!

*will post review closer to pub date* IT’S DIFFERENT THIS TIME by Joss Richard ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 First of all, debut novel, are you kidding me?? I’m so tired right now from a late night reading and I’m not even mad about it. I binged this in a little over 24 hours and absolutely loved it. Everything about Adam and June made me root for them and feel invested in them! All of the characters stole my heart. One of the dreamiest male main characters you’ll find and the side characters were all perfect. Chefs kiss! I could have kept reading this forever. There is some miscommunication which bugs me sometimes, but I’m still giving it five stars. Can’t recommend this one enough! My heart is happy!!!

After five years apart, Adam and June find themselves co-owning a brownstone they used to be roommates in together. Together again, they are forced to confront their past.

Pub. Date: Sept. 30, 2025.

Perfect if you like:
•Second chance romance.
•Perfect MMC!
•Dreamy NYC setting.
•Friends to lovers.
•Forced proximity.
•Slow burn.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Mood: 🌮🍩

🚪: Chapters 18, 23, 28.
⚠️: explicit language.

Thank you so much for this preview! This book was so different than I expected and how it began. While I found the premise a little cheesy, the dialogue read like I was watching a movie. The characters had such strong voices, and the themes explored had depth and heart. Overall I absolutely loved this- it’s not your average romcom.

While at times this book felt clunky and a bit disorganized, it was a very good debut! It’s like When Harry Met Sally, but as roommates in the 21st century. It was heartwarming, cozy, full of fall and felt like I was there experiencing New York with the characters.

The plot was well thought out, and minus the grammatical errors Richard’s writing was able to keep me invested in these characters. It brings forth all of the mess and emotions of humans just trying to get by on the chance of finding love, and packages it up in a nice fall themed package.

I was impressed with this book and excited to see where Joss Richard will go in her career!

This book took me by surprise. I love second chance romance books, so I was hoping I would enjoy it, but I connected so deeply to these characters in a way that I wasn't expecting at all.

First, this book is a love letter to New York City. My goodness, I have never lived there (or particularly wanted to) but I was ready to pack my bags by the end of it. As a theatre kid though, the progress of June's career and her absolute love for the stage hit home to me. What theatre kid has not made their friends sit through their rendition of Les Mis in the car, lol. June was such a complex, interesting FMC. I'm usually a dual POV person, so I was a little nervous to live entirely in June's POV, but I ended up really liking it, especially within the context of the story.

Now this was a slowww burn, and I was happy for it. It is a miscommunication trope story (so if that leaves you banging your head against the wall, prepare yourselves for it), but I think in the context of the story, it made sense to me. It wasn't just a misunderstanding, it was an intentional choice by both of the characters to try and keep themselves safe from heartbreak, which I feel like is a common human mistake, not just in romance books.

Overall, I loved this book and would highly recommend it. I can't believe it's a debut!! Can't wait to see what comes next from Joss Richard. Thank you to Joss Richard, NetGalley, and the publisher for the eARC.

First off, the cover of this book is so cute! I thought the storyline was great and I enjoyed the dual timeline. The dual timeline really helped us to get to know the characters and how things started, plus how they got where they were today. I felt like the transition between chapters was great, but I did struggle with the transitions in the actual chapters. I felt like they kind of jumped around a bit. I always struggle with a third act break-up over some small communication issues so that is just a personal thing that made me cringe a little in the book. Overall, it was a cute second-chance romance and it was a cozy setting which the author portrays the settings very nicely.

Thank you Dell for my gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

I feel so lucky to have gotten a widget for this in my email. I saw Sarah Adams rave about it and then chat with the author and then I knew I had to pick it up.

I loved so much about this! I’m a big fan of flashbacks and loved how Richard told June and Adam’s story in the past and present. We know they were/are roommates, but we don’t know why their friendship/relationship ended and I think that kept me turning the pages. I was so swept up in their story. Their affection was so clear for each other despite their relationship often being a roommate only relationship.

This had so much angst, slow burn and pining and I was here for it. I also loved the peaks at the theater and restaurant scene (June and Adam’s respective careers.)

I hope this is only the first of many books we get from Joss Richard! This was absolutely a five star read for me and one I’ll want to reread and keep on my shelf.

This contemporary romance novel was so adorable and addicting. I loved all the characters and the dual timeline in the story. I also really feel like the side characters stood out as well. I feel like this was on the medium spice level and It had a slight miscommunication trope in it. However will recommend

This was such a good read! I picked it up a few hours ago and ended up reading it in one sitting. I love a good second chance romance, and this one delivered. The author wrote the timeline of their relationship in the past and present, giving us the context we needed to root for them again. I thought the reason they parted ways in the past wasn’t that strong, but it still worked. This book also just was so romantic in how it described NYC, autumn, and theatre.

Arc Review !!

Tropes: dual timeline, friends to lovers, forced proximity, and second chance

This book was beyond incredible to say the very least and exceeded so many of my expectations. This is a cute and cozy contemporary romance between a chef and actress through a dual timeline as you follow them through their journey of before (two roommates chasing their dreams in nyc as they start to get closer) and after (where they explore their relationship together after a conflict resulting in years of not seeing each other). This book was simply realistic with themes showing normal everyday issues of self-doubt and the pain of losing loved ones. I especially enjoyed the added mystery of trying to figure out just what happened to cause this conflict between the two of them as you alternate between the two timelines.

This book is perfect for anyone who enjoyed The Seven Year Slip or People We Meet on Vacation!

Thank you so much to Dell and NetGalley for my gifted eARC!

It’s Different This Time by Joss Richard

When June Wood’s TV show is abruptly cancelled, she’s left without a backup plan, until an unexpected message from a lawyer in New York turns her life upside down. She’s inherited the brownstone she once called home, the same place filled with memories she’s spent years trying to outrun in sunny LA.

Back in New York, June’s agent lands her the chance of a lifetime: an audition for her favorite play ever. But she’s now stuck needing a place to stay, and when she steps into the attorney’s office, she comes face-to-face with the last person she ever wanted to see: Adam. Old wounds resurface, memories collide with the present, and June is forced to decide what, and who, she really wants.

It’s Different This Time was a solid 4-star read for me. It took a little while for the story’s pieces to click together, and I struggled at times to fully connect with the main characters, but once things fell into place, I was invested. If you enjoy second-chance stories with a side of self-discovery, this one is worth a read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read It’s Different This Time!