I am obsessed with this book! The characters were so interesting, and I highly recommend reading this autumn!!! I can’t wait to read more from this author!

This book was so sweet! The second chance romance is perfect and the jumps back give very much people we meet on vacation or happy place vibes. Loved this book!

If you love second chance romances this one is perfect, especially for fall time. This book had me hooked from the beginning. I loved getting to see June and Adam form a friendship first and know the ins and outs of each other. They were then separated for five years. Then the universe decided to put them back together.

This was a pretty emotional read for me. There were parts that I was giggling and then other parts where I was tearing up. Their relationship was beautiful. Sometimes I have a hard time with second chance romances because they missed out on so much time together. With this one it was all worth it in the end.

The writing was very good especially for a debut novel! I can’t wait to see what else she will writes!

Thank you so much Joss Richard, Dell Romance, and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review

I was immediately pulled into the story. I couldn’t stop reading and wanting to know what was next. Loved the tension and story of friendship that took place in the New York brownstone. I felt like I could picture the scene and that is usually very hard for me to do.

It’s Different This Time turned out to be a really charming and well-written romance. While miscommunication is my least favorite trope as it tends to both be frustrating and lazy, in this case the strength of the writing and the fully developed characters helped smooth that over. I especially appreciated that both leads were given depth: they had careers, friendships, families, and personal histories. So often in these types of books one character feels fully fleshed out while the other ends up more like a placeholder for the plot, but that wasn’t the case here at all.

The inherited brownstone premise was a little far-fetched worked within the world of the book and added a bit of fun, wish-fulfillment energy. This ended up being an enjoyable, easy read — perfect for a lazy afternoon by the pool — and I would happily pick up more books by this author in the future.

There are a lot of charming moments in this second-chance romance and the NYC setting shines.

I accepted the premise of two people inheriting a multimillion dollar brown house they rented together years ago (stranger things have happened!), and was excited to read about two friends with obvious feelings for each other navigate their new real estate situation. The main drawback of the story for me was unfortunately June. I do not mind unlikeable characters or characters who make questionable decisions but June seemed so stubborn and mean, and not in a fun way. She does not treat her friends very well and has ignored them for years. I can’t say I was rooting for the main couple to end up together. I do think many readers will enjoy this, and I look forward to reading the author’s next novel.

Thank you to Ballantine and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

Thank you thank you Joss Richard and Dell Romance for the ARC!

Ya’ll when I tell you I will literally be thinking about Adam and June for months after reading this, I’m not kidding. I was hooked from the 2nd chapter and could not put this down. I finished this book in 24 hours, and I honestly can’t remember the last time I devoured a book like this.

5 years since June left NYC, and now she’s back, face to face with Adam after finding out they now co-own the home they shared for 6 years. Their friendship didn’t end well and now they find themselves living together again, with all their old feelings still hidden from each other.

I’m ready to book a trip to NYC, stay in a brownstone and go see a broadway show. Joss did such an incredible job of pulling you into these characters lives, digging deep into their emotions and making you root for them on every page. Wow I am a huge Joss Richard fan now and will absolutely read anything that comes after this!

This was such a perfect fall read and I can’t wait for everyone to get their hands on this book come September!!

3.75 ⭐️’s. What a great debut for Joss Richards! This story follows Adam and June who become roommates and over 6 years grow their friendship and love for one another. They have a falling out and June moves to LA to pursue her career in TV & Film. 6 years later they find out that they inherited the brownstone they lived in together in NYC. Now they not only have to figure out what to do with the house but also resolve what happened in their past.

I didn’t love that in the beginning they seemed a little too mean to each other when they were trying to be sassy. It rubbed me the wrong way. It was only a few times and then it seemed like they settled into themselves better.

I loved the setting and the building romance and friendship between Adam and June over the years.
The transition between timelines also felt natural which I appreciated because sometimes the transitions can feel abrupt.

I loved that when the FMC was met with a difficult situation in the present day, she didn’t do what I expected. For example finding the photo in Adam’s apartment (and what that entailed) didn’t make her run. She still planned dinner and wanted to talk about it rather than run, which I feel like she would’ve done when she was younger. And running would’ve been what other authors might’ve had the FMC do.

I didn’t like the miscommunication trope. I think after the first 6 years they could’ve just waited a little longer to figure out how they felt about one another before talking to other people. It almost seems like it all could’ve been avoided. I think knowing early on that the fall out between them had something to do with them dating other people pulled me out of the story a bit. It was almost like I was dreading the reveal. I think it’s just a trope I don’t enjoy.

But overall, I still enjoyed this book, the theatre love, and the found family. I will definitely read her future books!

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review 🥰

June’s life in LA hits a major roadblock when the TV show she has a role in is suddenly cancelled. Back trying to figure out how she is going to pay rent, she has nothing preventing her from flying back to New York City after a cryptic phone call from a law firm. The news they have for her is surprisingly and potentially life changing, she has inherited the brown stone that she lived in years ago. The downside is that she is not the only inheritor, so is her former roommate Adam. She and Adam were once the closest of friends but they haven’t spoken since she abruptly moved across country. They have a lot of hurt to entangle as they decided what to do with their new property.

I am so torn about this book! I was definitely invested in June and Adam and finding out what had happened that resulted in years of their not speaking. Reading about their friendship before and the clear bond they still had made me think that it must have been monumental. When the reveal came it was like a sad trombone that just irritated me beyond belief. Solid writing, characters that I really liked, but the plot just seemed secondary and that never works for me. I will most definitely read what Joss Richards writes next because I can see her the promise in her work.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Debut romance author…..and brought up Grease 2 in the first chapter?! Well now you’ve got me hooked!

June, after her acting gig in a L.A. series goes south, can’t decide if going back to New York to give it a go in Broadway theater is the right move. She’s been gone for 5 years; removed from the heartache that was leaving her roommate Adam Harper behind, though she brought all the feelings with her. But now her and Adam find out that they’ve been made owners of the brownstone they lived in together after their landlord left it to them in his will. Before making the choice to sell or rent, they agree to figure it out over one month….by moving back in together, and possibly seeing if it’s different this time…..

***Friends to lovers
***Second chance love
***Dual timeline
***A love story about New York
***The slow burn is burninggggg

Let me start off by saying, friends to lovers is usually one of my least favorite tropes in romance novels. Sometimes the chemistry just doesn’t seem to fit, or it’s too instalove. I LOVE how Joss Richard did it in this novel. So believable from the very beginning that June and Adam instantly felt that physical attraction, but stayed in the friend zone as to not mess up what they had. They absolutely were soulmates from the beginning, and their journey was messy and beautiful.

This was really a perfect debut; I cannot wait to read what the author releases next! Grab this one in September when it debuts!

Thank you to Ballantine/Dell, and Netgalley for the ARC of this novel; all opinions are my own.

Adam and June were two imperfect 20 somethings that just couldn’t get it right. From strangers to roommates to best friends, these two were trying the best they knew how to navigate life and love while trying to make their dreams come true in NYC.

After becoming estranged, they are thrust back together in the brownstone that started it all. While they try to sort through a decade of feelings, mistakes, and struggles, can they figure out if it will be different this time?

I loved this story because it felt so real. These characters are messy and confused and just trying to make the best choices that 20 somethings - turned 30 somethings - can make while trying to follow their passions after college.

It felt like watching a Hallmark movie with the magic of NYC in the fall, Broadway, a hot chef, and raw emotions. This was such a beautiful story even when I did want to reach through the page and shake them!

Also, I lived in upstate NY for 8 years of my life and never once wanted to live in the city. After reading this, I want to live in a brownstone and pursue theater dreams I’ve never had.

Thank you to Ballantine/Dell and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I read this right after I returned from a trip to NYC, and it made me want to turn right back around! The magic of the city was captured so well. I can’t believe this is her first book - it was so well-written and the chapters flew by. Can’t wait for her next novel!

This was such an incredible debut novel! Contemporary romance with the best slow build…I loved every minute of it. The relationship between June and Adam was so special and you could feel their true connection through the pages. The references to the Broadway shows were amazing and if you are a theatre lover, you will find yourself singing out loud! Highly recommend

⭐️⭐️
I was sent this to read in trade for an honest review.
"There's no way to preserve anything forever. Trust me, I know. You win, you lose ... but you can't do either unless you take a chance." i love a chef mmc but just maybe not this one. June ran from her life in New York. But now she’s back because of a house she was never meant to inherit. What makes this worse? Her ex roommate, Adam, also inherited the house. The problem? They haven’t spoken since June left 5 years ago. Tensions are high, kisses are had, and maybe it just might be different this time. OK guys here’s me being honest. i did not really enjoy this book. IM SORRY. but it just wasn’t the book for me. i liked the beginning and seeing june and adam talk for the first time in forever, but the more they talked the more i disliked the book. Adam to me had no personality other than the fact that he’s attractive and can cook. and i LOVE A CHEF. but omg u are NOT A CHEF IF YOU DISRESPECT SOMETHING THEY WAY HE DID. anyways. june felt like rachel berry from glee where she was just like. this victim all the time. i was intrigued in the story but not interested in the characters.
Songs i thought of while reading:
green light - tate mcrae
why did it have to be me - josh dylan and lily jamesi’m

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending this debut novel my way. This was not on my radar but it sounded good so I picked it up and wow, I really enjoyed it.

This is a second chance romance set in New York City and centering around a brownstone which becomes a main character itself. Adam and June (two basic strangers) end up roommates in Perry, the brownstone of their dreams. June is an aspiring performer, Adam is a chef in the making. This story is told in dual timelines so as they come back together in Perry after no contact we follow along on their now journey while flashing back to see what the heck happened to these two roommates/best friends. I just was drawn in and thought it was well written and mature and a delight to read about the food and Broadway productions. I can’t wait to see what this author does next.!

Easiest 5 stars ever and maybe my top book of the year. Second chance and friends to lovers are two of my favorite tropes and Joss Richard DELIVERED!!! The longing and love between June and Adam was addictive. Then add in all the musical theater goodness, the found family and the fact that he cooks for her—it was a dream! The pacing was great and I liked the jumps from the past to present. I couldn’t put it down and I’ve already preordered my copy, because I need it on my shelf ASAP.

loved the writing of this and loved the dual timeline! didn't love the source of some of the conflict but it by no means ruined the book for me.

thank you penguin random house for the early copy <3 excited for this to release in september

This story follows Adam Harper and June Wood as they are forced to reconnect back in New York after 5 years apart. It is told in a dual timeline jumping from current time to back when they first met 11 years ago (talk about slow burn). Seeing each other again and spending time together reminds them of their past- both the best parts and worst. They have to dig up and deal with the past in order to heal and move on. I loved seeing their passion and drive to achieve their dreams. June’s best friend Chloe and Adam’s family are side characters that add so much to the story and make it that much better! And loved both the NY and autumn vibes! But the one trope I really can’t stand is the miscommunication trope and unfortunately that was apart of their story. But I can understand why. June’s past shaped the way she values herself and her view on relationships. I just want to scream at her, “JUST TELL HIM HOW YOU FEEL!”. But in reality, it’s not always that easy. Their story shows the importance of loving and healing yourself and how it impacts the relationships in your life.

I love a flashback and I love a second-chances romance. This was so well written and I enjoyed it from start to finish (and definitely stayed up past my bedtime to finish this one!)

this was so cute. I needed a sweet second chance romance. I felt completely overwhelmed by June and Adam and their friendship/ relationship. Crazy how your soulmate can be right in front of you the entire time, but fear gets in the way of taking the leap. After 6 years of no contact, and clandestine moment occurs that gets them both in the same place at the same time. With one month of living in their old home, they soon realize that years may have gone by and relationships have come and gone.. but for them it's different this time. I loved it. such a good, cozy, fall read.