June was such a loving and caring person that I would love to have in my life. I cried hard when she revealed the reason she left to LA and all the quiet battles that she was fighting with herself. Adam is June's cheerleader and support, and I thought it was so sweet and moving when he poured out his heart to June. When they finally became honest with one another, I was cheering and rooting for them. There was so much emotions, chemistry, and history between the two of them.

I love this book with all my heart and can't believe this is a debut novel. June and Adam have my heart. I absolutely enjoyed the dual timeline which contributed so much to the emotional breakdown that I had reading this (good thing). It helped me understand just how far back their history goes and how deep their friendship ran. This book tugged at my heartstrings. I loved the inclusion of New York City in the book, perfectly captivating the vibes and environment. Everything about this book was just perfect- the setting, the characters, the whole premise and more!

'It's Different This Time' is a stunning debut from Joss Richard. This book captured my heart from the very beginning. June and Adam have a deeply rich history and Joss Richard wrote it beautifully. This second chance romance is set in New York City in the fall which makes it all the more romantic. June and Adam are reunited when they find out that they now own the brownstone they once rented together. They were roommates turned lovers, turned strangers when fate gives them a second chance to be lovers once more.

June and Adam's story is told in a dual timeline- present day and flashbacks through the rise and fall of their friends to lovers relationship. Their romance is so beautifully written. I laughed, I cried, and most importantly I fell head over heels in love with these characters. It takes a special kind of author to create such a wonderful chemistry between two fictional characters.

It's Different This Time publishes on September 30, 2025 and I am begging you to pick it up. This is possibly one of the best debut novels I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Thank you so much to NetGalley, Joss Richard, and Ballantine/Random House Publishing for the digital ARC!

4-Star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It’s Different This Time is a sweet and emotionally layered debut that explores the quiet complexities of love, identity, and the long shadow of childhood wounds.

This is June’s story through and through. Her voice is realistic, raw, filled with longing, defensiveness, and a desire to be seen!! So relatable. I love vulnerability in characters! Adam serves as a steady presence, a grounding force of calm and care, it’s June’s internal world that drives the emotional arc of the novel. There’s something wonderfully unpolished about her! She fumbles, she self sabotages, and at times, she frustrates. But that vulnerability is also what makes her feel so real.

The romance unfolds slowly, with a little tension rooted in shared history and missed opportunities. The dual timeline works well, giving readers insight into the evolution of their relationship from roommates to something deeper. It’s not always pretty, but it’s honest. The emotional payoff isn’t immediate… but it’s earned.

That said, the novel occasionally lingers too long in introspection. Some scenes felt repetitive, particularly in the middle, where June’s inner turmoil looped without much forward motion. Still, the strength of the writing and the authenticity of the emotional parts kept me engaged.

Fans of second chance romance, flawed heroines, and emotionally rich storytelling will find a lot to love here. This isn’t a fairy tale, it’s something messier and more honest. And sometimes, that’s exactly what we need.

Thank you to Dell for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

i devoured this book like i genuinely could not put it down!! i love adam and june and their story so so so much!! it was complicated and filled with tension but it was so beautiful to see them find their way back to each other. the flashback chapters mixed in with the current timeline were integrated perfectly and flowed so nicely with the story. these characters were meant for each other and their story was so captivating🩷

i absolutely recommend this book if you love second chance romances and i can’t wait to read more from this author!

I went into this book completely blind and was swept off my feet! Set in NYC in the Fall, it’s a story of friends to lovers and second chances. An actress and a chef? Yes, please! It’s a dual timeline story set in the present and the past when the two MCs first meet. We are taken on a journey throughout the years they are forming their friendship and careers. I just loved these two and felt like I knew them so well by the end.

This book is the equivalent of a warm hug. I am typically NOT a fan of time jumps, but this was a pleasant surprise. The book is such a pleasant twist on the second chance romance plotline. This book is fall, comfort, romance. It's like curling up with a hot tea and a hand crocheted blanket under the turning leaves.

June and Adam stoooooooop 🥹😩 This book was so freaking cute. I loved the chemistry between the characters (even when they were at odds in a forced proximity situation) and I adored the descriptions of the townhouse. The townhouse as a setting was described so well alongside the city during fall that it really added another layer to the story, and it made you want them to sort things out just to be able to keep the townhouse. As always, I do wish at some points that the characters – particularly June – had just SAID SOMETHING to each other, since many of the issues they had could've been solved if they just talked (!!!!). Overall, this was so so good and I'll absolutely be recommending it!

Set in NYC, the description of iconic sites and delicious treats leap off the page under this author's hand. Dare the reader to not feel that they've been transported to the Big Apple City for June and Adam's story of heartbreak and redemption.

See how June's childhood in Toronto with a disinterested mom and an absent father shape her identity. Unfortunately, it feeds into how she relates to others. This is largely her story with Adam's POV only appearing when there's dialogue. That's not to say felt anything was missing. Her emotions, her thoughts are always at the forefront of this story and it works.

When the opportunity for June to be 'more' with Adam takes shape, the affect of her childhood rears it's ugly head. So think the following quote pretty much encompasses her

"Nothing in this world is harder than speaking the truth, nothing easier than flattery."

As it's a romance novel, there's a guaranteed HEA. It's hard won, for sure, but savored.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, Ballantine | Dell, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
#ItsDifferentThisTime #NetGalley

As a sucker for second-chance romances, this one completely delivered. June is a bit of a mess, but I saw so much of my younger self in her. There were moments that hit me so hard I had to put the book down and cry. I wanted so badly for her to realize she was worthy of love and family. Her decisions weren’t always perfect, but I understood her deeply.

Adam, on the other hand, was patient, kind and a chef! The chemistry between them was electric, and I found myself eagerly flipping the pages to see what would happen next.

I also really enjoyed the dual timeline, which beautifully tied their story together. Watching them grow from strangers to roommates to best friends added so much depth. And the secondary characters? Absolutely delightful! They brought warmth, humor, and heart, reinforcing the book’s central themes of love and chosen family.

Perfect for those that love theater, second chance romance, friends to lovers and New York in autumn.

This was an incredible debut from Joss Richards, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!

Many thanks to NetGalley & Ballantine/Dell for this digital arc.

It's Different This Time is the perfect cozy fall romance. It starts with former roommates, June and Adam, finding out that they've inherited the house that they shared from their former landlord. In addition to the present day plot, some chapters go back in time to establish how June and Adam's relationship came to be what it is in the present. They lived together for 6 years and then did not speak for the next 5.

I love the chemistry between June and Adam, even when they are at odds. However, there were a few moments where June drove me a little crazy with some of her decisions. While I understand the reason behind them, she often came off as selfish. June had trouble expressing her feelings, while Adam continued to show how much he cared every step of the way. The contradicting thoughts and feelings were described to give depth and complexity to the inner workings of June's mind. Joss Richards conveyed all of these emotions beautifully.

You should read this book if you like...
📚 Second chance romance
📚 Forced proximity
📚 Dual timelines
📚Cozy fall vibes

Thank you to Dell and NetGalley for providing the ARC opportunity in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC for “It’s Different This Time” from NetGalley. I’m not sure how this one landed in my lap but I’m so glad it did!! I absolutely adored this debut! To be gifted a brownstone, what a dream. Joss’s writing vibes is reminiscent (in my opinion) of Abby Jimenez and/or Sarah Adams. Filled with humor but also real world type characters. Some deeper interpersonal dynamics were explored as well (i.e. family discord, self worth, personal growth, etc). This is a must read for 2025. Mark Joss Richard as an author to follow in the future as well!

Loved this one! I knew from the first few pages it was going to be a 4-5 ⭐️ read. I can’t fully pinpoint what I liked most but it was a mix of the fall NYC setting, the show biz plot, the dual timeline, and ADAM 🔥

The only downside was that there were two IMO annoying fourth quarter arguments (because of the dual timeline), and I can’t fully understand why June picked up and left to LA the way she did. Felt extreme.

Oh my heart! This book was an emotional journey, and I just LOVED it! A super sweet friends to lovers second chance romance that will leave you wanting to head to NYC and watch all the Broadway shows.

June finds out the TV show she is part of is canceled, and with no new jobs on the horizon she learns she is now the co-owner of her old residence in New York along with her ex roommate/best friend/possibly love of her life. Adam was the man she had hoped to never see again, and now she finds herself once again living with him. She also learns that while she was miserable in LA he was making all his dreams come true in New York. Will living together drive them further apart? Or will it bring them back together, to the close-knit relationship they once had, and possibly even more?

This book had so much heart. I loved the dual timeline that gave us pieces of their past, how they became friends, and how they ended things. While intermixing with the present time of figuring out where they stand today. There was so much emotion, times when I thought I could feel their heartbreak and couldn’t take it anymore, to times of such joy. Such an incredible debut by Richard, I can’t wait to read more from her!

It’s Different This Time
by: Joss Richard

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is the debut book for author Joss Richard, so if you’re looking for a fresh new voice in romance, look no further! June and Adam were such a realistic portrayal of what it feels like to develop deep feelings for someone who you consider your best friend. Told in a dual timeline, this story did an amazing job of creating tension and causing so much yearning!

This book is a must read if you like:
🍂 Friends to Lovers
🍂 Forced Proximity
🍂 Dual Timeline
🍂 Second Chance Romance

Thank you to Megan Whalen at Dell Romance for sending me an eARC via email in exchange for an honest review.

This story completely swept me off my feet. From the very first chapter, I was pulled into June and Adam’s world and couldn’t stop turning the pages.

June’s journey was powerful. Watching her navigate life fresh out of college and grow into the woman she dreamed of becoming was inspiring. Her decisions may have been extreme at times, but they were driven by fear, love, and the very real emotions that come with holding something precious too tightly.

Adam was such a standout. He chased his goals with quiet determination. His love for June never faded, and when their paths crossed again, his only goal was to do things right this time. His bond with his family added even more depth to his character. I couldn’t help but root for him.

The story of June and Adam felt incredibly real, full of raw emotion and authenticity. I found myself laughing, crying, and feeling everything right alongside the characters. It’s one of those rare books that truly gets under your skin and leaves a lasting mark.

Joss Richard has delivered a beautifully written, emotional story about love, timing, and second chances. I feel lucky to have read it early, and I can’t wait for others to experience this incredible book.

I really loved this book and am blown away that it’s the author’s first!! Adam and June had such good chemistry, and I loved all the angst. Thanks to the publisher for this arc!!

Oh to be in your early 20s and plagued by a ferocious combination of yearning and self-doubt.

Watching these two pirouette around each other for a decade!!!! Watching everyone else watch these two pirouette around each other for a decade!!!!

Their friendship is so domestic and comfortable and steady, and while I’d like to say I would have handled it differently, I understand having Fear of the Unknown fr and June has waaaay more relationship trauma than I do, so she has an excuse (kind of).

I do love how determined Adam was to just be like “remember how good we were? I have elected to ignore the rest” because same, dude.

And who would have thought, sitting down and having a real conversation changed so much!!!!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC! This was just ok for me, but your mileage may vary! I don’t love second chance romance in general so it has to be stellar to stand out for me

This was just a wonderful and compelling second chance romance from a debut author! June, a struggling actor, and Adam, her former best friend and talented chef, used to live together at 74 Perry street. They are both shocked to find out that their former landlord has died and left the brownstone to them as joint new owners. June and Adam haven't spoken for 5 years after a friendship breakup that left them both hurting and angry. They move back into the brownstone again and finally talk about what happened and what it means for their relationship going forward.

This book skipped between the current timeline and the growth of their relationship in the past. At times, I was so frustrated by the behavior of both Adam and June in the flashbacks, but that was the point. At that point neither was emotionally mature or confident enough to take the leap from friend to something more. In the present time, they are both so compelling and kind and struggling to meet in the middle. Also, the backdrop of NYC was almost like another character it was so vivid. Overall, a really great book.

A cute, easy read - 3.5 stars. While relatively predictable, it was a cozy story, good for a rainy fall day. Especially if you love NYC.

Joss Richard shows a lot of potential in her debut novel. It’s somewhere between a friends to lovers and second chance romance. June and Adam were best friends for six years only to not talk for the last five years. Now thrown together for a month, they fall back into their old relationship only this time with a different ending.

My biggest issue with this story is June herself. I’m bothered by how she treats her friends - being careless with Adam’s feelings, keeping things from Chloe, turning her back on everyone in her life for five years, etc. Additionally, she feels juvenile and her character arc la is the growth I was expecting (I.e., the third act miscommunication was more fitting for a 20yr old than a 30yr old).

Thank you to Richard, Dell, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.