4.5 ✨

June and Adam both find the perfect brownstone with cheap rent in the West Village, and neither are willing to give up this once in a lifetime opportunity in New York real estate. As a result, the two basically strangers end up living together and testing the theory that men and women can just be friends. How many chances will it take before they finally get it right?

I can't believe this is Joss Richard's debut novel! Her writing makes you feel things for these characters and sucks you into the story. I didn't want to stop reading and already feel myself missing June, Adam, Chloe, Audrey, Ford, Sarah, and the rest of the fam.

Thank you to Net Galley for the advanced reader copy of this great read!

This was such a great fall read! June and Adam have a complicated past and a complicated relationship but the love they have for each other is clear throughout the book. With flashbacks peppered in the middle, it was fun to read and get the full picture in pieces. I loved the picture Joss painted of life in New York and fall vibes that were evident in the book. SUCH a great read and I will be on the lookout for more by Joss Richard!

Thank you NetGalley, Joss Richard, and Ballantine for the eARC 💕

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I am a sucker for a romance book that takes place in NYC but NYC in Fall?! DONE! 🍁

This books was sooo good! I ate this up and left no crumbs. It wasn't a book I have seen a lot of so when I was approved on NetGalley for the arc, I didn't have high expectations but boy was I wrong!

The main characters and side characters were so well written and I felt like I could relate to them. There was a bit of miscommunication which I'm normally not a fan of but it wasn't too bad. I LOVED the dual timelines because you really got to see what happened in each of June and Adam's lives while they apart from one another. I also felt like it focused more on June and her self-discovery but I'm not mad about it. I loved watching her find the right path for herself and accepting and owning up to her past mistakes.

Overall, this book was wonderful and I truly enjoyed every second of it! So happy to have been given the arc to read this early!

I cannot rave more about this book and I am truly awe struck that this is her debut novel! It was perfection! Joss writes such a compelling, witty, and beautiful fall rom-com here. It really made me fall head over heels again for contemporary romance. I so appreciate when authors write outside what I would say is the “typical” age range. It made it easy for me to feel and relate to the issues June had. Sometimes you just don’t have your life together or not the life you pictured at the age that society has deemed you should, and that’s ok. Also the reminder that family is not always blood, it can be soul. It’s such a wonderful read that I guarantee will make you feel every emotion but is worth the ride.

Book Review: It’s Different This Time by Joss Richard ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Second-chance romances have a special kind of pull, and Joss Richard captures that magnetic tension beautifully in It’s Different This Time. This novel is a warm, atmospheric love story set against the crisp backdrop of autumn in New York City—complete with cozy brownstone charm, simmering emotions, and the ache of unfinished business.

The story follows June Wood, a former TV star whose career takes a sharp downturn, and Adam Harper, her once-close friend and roommate. When a quirky twist of fate leaves them co-inheriting the Brooklyn brownstone they once shared, they’re forced to live under the same roof again after five years of silence. The setup is perfect: proximity, nostalgia, and the unhealed wound of their estrangement. As the weeks pass, they slip back into old rhythms—shared meals, late-night talks, and the kind of tender familiarity that only comes from truly knowing someone. But the heart of the book lies in what isn’t said—the regrets, the what-ifs, and the feelings neither fully confronted when they walked away years ago.

Richard’s writing shines in its ability to balance bittersweet reflection with romantic hope. The brownstone itself almost feels like a character—grounding June and Adam as they rediscover who they are and what they mean to each other. The pacing is steady, giving readers time to savor their rekindled connection, though at times the slow-burn tension lingers just a bit too long.

June is a layered, relatable protagonist—facing the unraveling of her career and questioning who she is beyond her former fame. Adam, meanwhile, is equal parts steady and frustrating, his guardedness creating obstacles that feel both real and sometimes maddening. Their chemistry, however, is undeniable, making the payoff of their emotional reconnection all the more satisfying.

My only critique is that the central conflict—why they fell apart in the first place—felt like it could have been unpacked more deeply. The tension builds beautifully, but the resolution comes a little too neatly compared to the raw, messy emotions that precede it.

Still, It’s Different This Time is a heartfelt, tender romance that will appeal to fans of Emily Henry and Carley Fortune. It’s about forgiveness, second chances, and the courage it takes to finally be honest—with yourself and with the one person you never truly stopped loving.

A perfect autumn read to curl up with alongside a cup of coffee and the changing leaves.

Rating: 4/5 stars 🍂💛

4.25 rounded up.

I was excited to read this advanced copy. The cover--with that Three's Company typography, those golden leaves, and the main characters' sweaters--screams cozy fall read. And this debut novel did not disappoint. It's a dual timeline story that's heavy on the miscommunication, which isn't everybody's vibe, but I thought it made a ton of sense here in the context of a self-sabotaging main character who's struggling with confidence and searching for acceptance (and everything was skillfully executed!). The juxtaposition of the "mistakes" of the characters' twenties with the reckoning in their thirties worked well and rang true in the sense that June and Adam felt like real people making real (albeit often frustrating and misguided) choices. And the nod to Stanley (Roper) was cute.

I'll be recommending this book to everybody who enjoyed The Ex Vows (Jessica Joyce), The Neighbor Favor (Kristina Forest), or Funny Story and People We Meet on Vacation (Emily Henry); fans of New Girl and How I Met Your Mother; people who can recite lines from When Harry Met Sally from start to finish; and anybody whose favorite comfort food is pasta.

Looking forward to reading whatever Joss Richards creates next!

4.5 stars!

“Adam is the only person who’s never said they’re proud of me, like being proud means he somehow doubted my achievements.”

So unbelievably good, I cannot believe this is a debut novel! I love the history between the two main characters and the way it switches every few chapters to a glimpse of the past. I love June and Adam and I’m so glad to I got to read them. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballentine for the early copy!

Thank you to Netgalley, Joss Richard, and Ballantine Publishing for the advanced digital copy!!

Returning to New York is the last thing June Wood thought she'd ever do, much less return as co-owner of the brownstone she used to rent with her estranged best friend, Adam Harper. Although much has changed in their five years apart, that time hasn't erased the tension between them. What begins as a “practical” arrangement soon stirs up old wounds and buried desires. Misunderstandings, regrets, and unspoken feelings rise to the surface, forcing them to confront what drove them apart. Set in beautiful autumnal New York, this is a picturesque second-chance friends-to-lovers story that explores how messy the past can be, and how love sometimes requires taking the risk of losing everything all over again.

Did I just finish this and immediately preorder a signed copy? Yes.

I am genuinely in shock that this is a debut. This book made me feel so many things on such a deep level, from nostalgia to comfort and absolute heartbreak. I was so invested in every part of June and Adam's characters, and seeing how both their relationship and careers developed. It's probably going to make the rankings of the top 5 books I'll never be able to stop thinking about. It was the perfect way to kick off the fall reading season... and get myself out of a reading slump.

I will say there wasn't much I didn't like about this book. Do I think it has similar vibes to other books already on the market? Yes, however, that doesn't bother me because this is the kind of book I love. One where I feel like the story, the writing, and the characters fully enthrall me. I do think it dragged a bit in some places, but again, this wasn't something that bothered me very much because I was so invested in the story and setting.

It’s Different This Time is a love letter to your 20s, chasing dreams, and coming home. Even in your 30s, it’s okay to not have your life figured out. I could relate to how lost June feels in her career, in her relationships, and how she feels stuck when everyone’s lives have continued to move on.

I love the dual timeline of past and present, how we follow the character growth and changes between June and Adam. In the past, June (21) is a struggling theater actress who works at a bookstore, while Adam (23) is attending culinary school. In the present, fate brings them together after their friendship has become estranged. June’s (32) TV career has stalled as the show has been cancelled in LA, while Adam (34) owns a successful restaurant in SoHo. I fear this may be my favorite meet cute and second chance romance. I’ve always preferred enemies to lovers over friends to lovers, but this made me question what I like.

June is flawed and insecure. She is relatable and has never known what it’s like to have a family until Adam. Adam’s storyline with his mom broke my heart. It was so hard to control my tears. Loss and grief is near impossible for me to put into words, but I’m glad he had his best friend next to him.

Adam Harper is THE standard. He yearns and misses June, even when they live together. When this man casually lifts her up to reach a pot on the shelf, I may have melted into a puddle. He loves her natural curls because he never gets to see it. This man has a photo he took of her in his restaurant. When her dreams come true, he’s the first person she thinks of, running to him to share the good news. Her favorite musical is HIS favorite musical. He has always loved her, even when she was scared of taking a risk, that change could ruin their friendship. I have so many favorite moments in this book that it is impossible for me to name all of them, so you’ll just have to read it to understand the intricacies of how Adam raised the bar to the sky.

New York City comes alive as Joss paints the city under a nostalgic lens. It immediately transports me to a time over a decade ago, when I used to live in NYC in my early 20s. The struggle of finding an affordable apartment in the city that is not a shoebox is so realistic, even to this day.

I am so floored that this is Joss’ debut novel, and I am highly anticipating her next books, because she has to keep writing. This is a mesmerizing romance that I see myself rereading over and over again. I have told five different people to read this within 12 hours of finishing this masterpiece of a book at 239am on a week night because every romance lover needs to experience the fragility of a love that never goes away no matter how much time passes. I am enamored with the theme of home being a person and not a place, as it is poetically woven throughout the story. June and Adam’s love story is a warm blanket on an autumn night. It’s the feeling of spending your whole life looking for something but it’s been right in front of you the whole time. Don’t be afraid to reach out and hold onto it.

This was a sweet and realistic second-chance romance set in New York City during the fall. When June gets an unexpected email about her old Perry Street apartment, she returns to the West Village and reconnects with Adam, her former best friend. The twist is that if they can live together for a month, the brownstone becomes theirs.

This book is a good fit for readers who enjoy contemporary romance with believable characters and a strong sense of place. It has the tension of friends-to-something-more, emotional baggage that feels real, and just enough nostalgia to make you root for them. The West Village setting was one of my favorite parts because it added so much charm and atmosphere.

Between the two leads, I liked Adam more. He felt grounded and easy to connect with, while June could be frustrating at times. Their flaws made the story feel authentic and engaging. By the end of the book I was really starting to connect with June and also appreciated the friendship with Chloe. I wish more books would put friendships center stage. Impressed that this is a debut.

Okay, let’s just get this out of the way: the title isn’t lying. This book? It really IS different this time. I went in expecting a cozy little romance to keep me company for a few nights, and instead I ended up with my emotions shaken, stirred, and straight-up hijacked. Like… Joss Richard, how dare you wreck me and heal me at the same time??

The Story: So here’s the deal: this isn’t just another second-chance romance. Nope. This one takes the “what if” of rekindled love and turns it into a full-blown rollercoaster of emotions. The way the story unravels, the way the past and present crash into each other, the way every chapter peels back a layer you didn’t even know was there, it’s addictive. I literally told myself, “One more chapter before bed,” and then at 3AM I was still flipping pages with wild eyes like a gremlin who needed answers.

It’s heartfelt and swoony, but also messy and real. The characters don’t just fall back into each other’s arms like nothing happened, they have to WORK for it, and the journey is what makes it so good.

The Characters: The leads?? Ugh. PERFECTION. Joss wrote them so vividly that they felt like real people, like old friends I wanted to sit down with over coffee and yell at for being so stubborn. The chemistry? Off the charts. But it wasn’t just the tension and sparks (though trust me, there’s plenty). It was the vulnerability. The little moments. The stolen glances and half-finished sentences that said so much more than words ever could.

And let’s not forget the side characters, they weren’t just filler. They added depth, perspective, and those little bursts of humor and heart that made the world feel full.

The Emotional Ride: Oh my GOD. This book had me laughing one page, crying the next, then kicking my feet in full fangirl mode right after. It’s one of those stories where you feel everything, nostalgia, hope, heartbreak, joy. I legit caught myself clutching the book to my chest at one point because it was giving me all the feels.

Second-chance romances can sometimes feel predictable, but this one kept surprising me. The push-and-pull was masterfully done. Every setback made the payoff that much sweeter. Every wound made the healing that much more powerful.

The Writing: Joss Richard has that magic touch. The prose is smooth and immersive without being overcomplicated, the banter is sharp and natural, and the pacing is flawless. You know those books where you forget you’re reading and it just feels like you’re living the story? Yeah. That’s this.

The way Joss balanced angst with warmth, heartbreak with hope, it gave me whiplash in the best possible way.

Final Thoughts: It’s Different This Time isn’t just a romance. It’s a story about timing, growth, forgiveness, and what it means to choose love even when it’s complicated. It’s messy, it’s beautiful, and it feels so real that I swear my heart grew three sizes while reading.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: This is one of those books that leaves you with a goofy smile on your face AND tears in your eyes. Original, heartfelt, addictive, and so worth every second of lost sleep. If you love second-chance romance done RIGHT, add this to your TBR immediately.

- Nathalie ✨ (still recovering, still swooning, still screaming “I KNEW THEY BELONGED TOGETHER”)

Thank you to NetGalley, author Joss Richard and Ballantine | Dell for this digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Wow, I am thoroughly impressed by this book. June and Adam are our main characters are offered a second chance at love when a home falls into their shared laps. While we figure out why June and Adam have not spoken and how they will navigate their current situation, we are getting the backwawrds timeline from first meeting to the last goodbye.

This story was well-written and easy to get through each page. The characters were well-developed and seemed real. I adored June's BFF, Chloe, every girl needs a Chloe in their life. I knew from the cover and synopsis of this book, it was going to be right up my alley.

This is a slow burn
Not too smutty-one or two tame scenes
Character driven storyline
Pacing was a bit slow around the 60-70% mark. I would have loved to work backwards on their "cute meet" timeline in larger junks. We went back 11 years, and we went year-by-year-by-year.

I was able to finish this book in one day and I highly recommend.

““I guess we were lightning in a bottle,” I say. “Cheers to that.” Chloe holds up her glass and I give it a clink. The thing about lightning in a bottle is that it’s a fleeting moment in time, a spark that’s rare and special … but it’s also impossible to re-create.”


ARC PROVIDED BY NETGALLEY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW

Omg what a way to debut!!! I loved live loved it so much.

If I had to uses a song to describe juneadam it would be dress by queen Taylor because omg like “all of this silence and patience, pining in anticipation my hands are shaking from holding back from you ” or “say my name and everything just stops I don't want you like a best friend” orrrr “inescapable I'm not even gonna try and if I get burned at least we were electrified”

seriously go and give all your love to juneadam, all their fantastic side characters, and to Joss. I can't wait to read your next book (please be Robbie or Sarah or both?)

Now I'll leave you with my favorite quotes so beware of spoilers below please




“What Adam and I shared was few and far between. It’s a bond that happens once in a lifetime, if you’re to be so lucky. Friendships like that take time and effort to build. Relationships like that require trust, openness, and honesty. They’re like beautiful trees with deep roots. You don’t cut them and expect them to keep growing. It’s impossible.”


“For the first time since reuniting, I’m seeing him. I didn’t realize all those years ago, but he was just a boy. I was just a girl. We were kids in our twenties who felt like we knew everything, and somewhere along the way from then to now we grew up.”


“Looking at Adam is like watching one of my favorite comfort movies— I already know every line like the back of my hand, so now I look for the smallest details I may have missed the first time around.”


“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 nothing, or if it’s so we can have everything.”

Thank you NetGalley, Ballantine and Joss Richard for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I binged this book, just couldn’t put it down. I never would have guessed it’s a debut novel.

The yearning, tension and deep connection between these characters is so palpable. It was almost heartbreaking because you were seeing them so close in the past timeline and know you’re working towards some kind of conflict that brought them to where they are in present day.

In both timelines I just wanted to scream, “shut up and kiss”!

June, the FMC, has some major flaws due to some trauma responses she has developed. It was not fun reading about her making those decisions but the author did a beautiful job making you understand her impulses.

Adam, the MMC, also makes some boneheaded decisions that you just want to shake him for but because of how it’s told I didn’t end up disliking him for them.

Overall, the writing was great and made me want to go experience fall in New York. I’ll be keeping an eye out for future books from Joss Richard.

What a beautiful story of second chances, love, and found family. I fell in love with Adam and June and their story. I loved the dual timeline and how things from their past were slowly revealed. Highly recommend reading if you’re looking for your next fall romance read!

Thank you Random House Publishing, NetGalley, and Joss Richard for the ARC!
My review was posted on Goodreads on 9/26/2025.

It’s Different This Time is one of those books that quietly pulls you in and stays with you after you finish. From the first chapter, I found myself completely invested in June and Adam’s story. It’s a heartfelt, second-chance romance that feels honest, emotional, and very real.

The story follows June, an actress whose career isn’t going as planned. She returns to New York City after inheriting a brownstone and finds out she has to share it with Adam, her old roommate and best friend from years ago. They haven’t spoken in a long time, and there’s a lot of unresolved tension between them. As they start living under the same roof again, their past slowly comes back, along with feelings they never really dealt with.

What I loved most is how natural everything felt. June and Adam are both a little messy, a little guarded, and still trying to figure things out. The book switches between past and present, which helps you understand their connection and why things fell apart before. Watching them find their way back to each other was emotional and satisfying.

The writing is simple and clear, but still full of feeling. And the setting, nostalgic cozy NYC in the fall, adds a perfect touch of charm.

If you enjoy stories about love, timing, and second chances, It’s Different This Time is definitely worth reading. It’s romantic, warm, and very easy to connect with. I finished it with a smile on my face.

I’m a sucker for stories that include New York City as a lovely background character, so this was right up my alley! The story moves easily between the past back to the present to see this relationship through the time they first met to this second chance. It is a love letter to following your dreams and your heart, no matter what they may be or how long it takes.
**Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC early!**

4/5 stars: This is Richard's BIPOC Steamy Romance stand-alone which follows two former roommates, an actor and a chef, who are forced by fate to move back into the beloved NYC brownstone they lived in together for seven years ago five years ago and finally have to face the events that led to their estrangement and confront their unresolved feelings for each other. Written in dual time-lines, Richard's heartfelt and witty writing and character work are excellent; the characters are well-rounded, complex and yet remain likable with a cast of diverse characters. This second chance romance is lovely; the banter and slow burn's on high and will have you swooning and OPS scenes are incredibly steamy. I great read and I look forward to reading more from Richard's in the future.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine | Dell in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

Thank you netgalley and publisher for this arc.

This was an enjoyable quick read. I enjoyed the flash backs as they actually helped move the story along and were well placed.

This was a solid debut romance. It has a dual timeline where you don’t know what went wrong the first time. I don’t love the miscommunication trope, but it worked ok for me in this story in how it was based on insecurities. The physical descriptions of Adam were a bit numerous - we get that he has a great body already - but I did love the way he believes June deserves the best. A few open door scenes and a great cast of side characters moved the story along.

Thank you Ballantine | Dell for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.