It’s Different This Time is a very sweet albeit unlikely story about a pair of former roommates who inherit a house together after a disastrous ending to their relationship. The characters are both rich and engaging, but it is one of those books where the conflict could have been greatly decreased if just one of them opened their mouths and talked to the other. I always find that frustrating and somewhat unrealistic. However, I enjoyed watching them fall in love in both timelines. Overall an enjoyable read. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-arc.

This was an *incredible* debut - truly, it's hard to believe this is Joss' first book, but it absolutely cannot be missed!!!

I felt this contemporary romance was a refreshing take on the second chance romance trope. I enjoyed the story and it was a compelling read. Both the FMC and MMC were likable and seemed dimensional as they grew throughout the timeline of the story. Conflict was generally believable and supporting characters added to plot development. I am happy to have read it and would highly recommend. Thank you to NetGalley and Dell, and imprint of Random House, for an e-ARC of this story.

This book is the Cornelia Street Nora Ephron crossover of my dreams. It's Different This Time is romance perfection. June and Adam are so lovable and so raw and their story broke my heart and put me back together.  This is a stunning debut by Joss Richard and it is the perfect fall read.

Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to read this!

June Wood finds herself questioning what to do next after the tv show she’s on gets canceled after one season. Out of the blue, she receives an email that forces her back to New York City and face to face with her former roommate Adam Harper.. June and Adam did not end on good terms and now they are forced back together in the brownstone they once shared.

I loved this book so much! The dual timeline and unfolding of June and Adam’s relationship in both past and present is some of my favorite I’ve ever read. It’s giving People We Meet on Vacation vibes and that is the highest compliment I can give because I am obsessed with that book.

I laughed, I cried, and I can’t wait for everyone to get to experience this book. Perfect fall read!

This is an incredibly strong debut. I really loved the overall plot and I really enjoyed the flashbacks - flashbacks don’t always work for me but I worked well for Adam and June. We had to see how they came together and how their friendship formed to understand how we got to the current timeline in which they haven’t spoken in years. It lays the groundwork to understand why June makes her decisions - it is still incredibly frustrating to see her make those decisions? Yes.

I think where this loses a bit of its pacing and overall impact is in the last 30%. It’s very quick from ok they are finally going to get together to some frustrating decisions back to okay we are good again. I wanted more time to have passed in which we see June and Adam together romantically. But I think it’s also just frustrating because it’s so real - it’s a hard pill to swallow sometimes when you’re reading a romance book and get annoyed at what the characters are doing but realize you yourself have done something very similar or are just able to understand this is something hundreds of people have done. Because again Junes rationality behind her decisions makes sense it her, us as readers are trusted because we can clearly see her like of thinking in the grand scheme of things isn’t logical and can see how Adam feels - but when thinking of her being a real person in that position? Okay yes I can see how you’re coming to these conclusions and then in turn making these decisions… as I’m typing this review I’m thinking I liked it even more than I thought… solid 4 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Dell for the early arc in exchange for a honest review!

It’s Different This Time is a heartwarming, second chance romance that completely swept me away. Joss Richard’s writing brings so much emotional depth and authenticity to June and Adam’s story. It felt honest, intimate, and full of longing. I loved the dual timelines, the slow burn chemistry, and the cozy New York City setting, which added so much charm and atmosphere.

A beautiful debut that left me both smiling and a little heartbroken in the best way.

A decent debut romance that evokes the warmth of a crisp fall day in NYC, and a familiar, achey second chance at a situationship with your soulmate - I mean, roommate.

I enjoyed this well enough as a debut from a new to me author — I thought the author wove the tension between June and Adam as they reacquaint themselves with each other well, though the pacing of the entire book, the use of then and now and really deep diving into the differences between June and Adam’s upbringings could be tightened to really heighten the emotional stakes. That said, I thought the author did really well during the critical moment where we see the wheels turn in June’s head in the past — felt like a montage in a movie as we watch June’s revelation unfurl as she experiences her heart break in real time. It’s the kind of gut punch to the chest I want to see in a friends-to-almost lovers-to-strangers.

Curious to see what else the author has in store for us. 3.5 ⭐️

I am never going to stop talking about this book. I genuinely cannot believe this is a debut, this was incredible. This was the most perfect second chance romance. June and Adam's story is told in a single POV, with dual timeline.

First of all, the writing was beautiful. This story is filled with such deep yearning and tension, and every time June and Adam were on page together - in the current timeline or flashback - you just wanted to push them together and scream "KISS!". The connection that they share is so palpable and deep, you feel instantly gutted because while the timelines are alternating, you know that it's leading up to the unknown conflict. June has so much personal growth that she needs to work through and I loved getting to see that happen on page. Adam isn't a perfect character by any means, but these two genuinely were written so perfectly for each other.

Second, the setting!! This was such a love story to New York in the fall and I loved how descriptive Joss was. You really feel like you could be sitting in a window seat at a coffee shop just watching this story unfold. I loved everything about that.

All in all, this was an incredible debut and Joss will forever be an instant-buy author for me.

Thank you so much to Dell for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

All together this was a very heartfelt story about second chances, understanding and forgiveness. I dont think June got enough crap about how self-centered, immature and hypocritical her actions were. I feel she kinda just got off with a slap on the wrist when she was doing things that seriously affected the people in her life. I wanted to wring the her neck sooooo many times throughout. I did really like this though. I would have liked there to be a bit more at the end after they figured out how to move forward.

Solid 3.6ish so I’ll round up to four. I didn’t realize this was a dual timeline, and those books just aren’t my favorite. I think the story is good, I thought the timeline was sad of how long it really took to get an HEA. Not a fan of 3rd act breakups, but the FMC had to display growth at some point over 12 years.

Thank you so much to Ballantine/Dell & NetGalley for this ARC, this is my free and honest review.

4.5⭐️ and a fantastic debut from Joss Richard! This was such a joy to read, a perfect romcom for the fall and winter. I’m a huge fan of MC couples who go through longggg yearning and pining stages, and this had plenty in TWO timelines! Sometimes the dual-timeline structure can feel jarring or forced, but Joss Richard flowed between the time periods seamlessly and truly made a cohesive, satisfying story. My favorite aspect of second-chance romances was also constant- the obvious love and care the MCs have for each other even when struggling or apart. I was rooting for them separately and together the whole time. Absolutely loved this story and am so excited to read more from this author

I absolutely loved this book! It was very well written and I really enjoyed the storyline and the characters. The past and present timeline was done so well and made the story flow perfectly. I can’t wait to read more from Joss Richard in the future!! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

What a debut! I absolutely loved this book. Second chance trope is so good, and I enjoyed the dual timeline as well. Adam was so swoon-worthy, and I wanted to shake June a few times with how frustrating her actions were in certain scenes. This is most likely gonna be in my top 5 reads of the year.

Thanks as always to NetGalley for the ARC.

5 stars
From the very first chapter, I knew this story was going to be something special. Joss Richard has a quiet way of drawing you in—not with flashy plot twists or over-the-top drama, but with characters that feel deeply real and emotions that hit a little too close to home.

The title says it all. This isn’t your typical second-chance story. It’s raw, honest, and full of those small, intimate moments that stick with you long after you've finished reading. The characters are flawed and complicated in the best way, and their growth feels earned, not forced.

What I loved most is how emotionally grounded the writing is. The dialogue feels natural, the pacing never drags, and there’s this quiet tension running through the entire book that keeps you turning pages, even when it hurts. And yes, my heart physically aches after reading.

If you’ve ever loved, lost, or wished you could do it all differently, this book will resonate with you. Thoughtful, tender, and beautifully written—It’s Different This Time is one of those rare stories that feels both deeply personal and completely universal.

Second chance stories are usually not my cup of tea but this was witty and cozy. I love the way the timelines flowed I know most people don’t like going back and forth in timelines but I love them. Perfect for a quick read.

It’s This Different This Time by Joss Richard is a second-chance romance set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City. The novel follows June, a struggling TV actress with Broadway roots, and Adam, a famous chef, who once shared a beautiful brownstone in the West Village. They supported each other through the messy realities of building their careers, but something — which remains a mystery until the very end — caused them to suddenly cut ties.

Years later, fate forces them back together, giving them a chance to confront old wounds and see if they can rebuild what they lost. While the book has a slow start, it rewards patient readers with a touching story about forgiveness, growth, and rediscovering love.

Adam is a particularly compelling character — easy to love — and June’s growth throughout the novel makes the ending feel well-earned. Overall, It’s This Different This Time is an enjoyable read for anyone who loves character-driven stories about second chances and the magic of New York City.

Thank you SO much netgalley! 4.5 / 5 stars for me
This is my kind of trope story: a second chance romance between two friends bordering on lovers, told in dual timelines. It has a slight career storyline (the FMC June is an aspiring actress/broadway star) and a total Yes Chef plotline for the MMC Adam. There's even a ton of forced proximity, as Adam/June of the past and present live together in the same brownstone in NYC. Check check and more check.
How Adam and June get back together requires a bit of suspended belief: after 5 years apart, they decide to live together again while determining what to do with an inherited piece of property with significant emotional baggage. You have to be willing to let these two just be forced back together without asking too many questions. And honestly? Completely worth it.
These two are EVERYTHING. The chef vibes on absolute golden retriever Adam are superb. I love that he's really made something for himself in the current story line. The slightly damaged, hard to believe in taking a leap of faith June is completely believable and someone I can connect with. Their tension and chemistry is palpable. Also Chloe is A++. I'd be ALL for a Chloe story.
Where this shines though is the friends to lovers section in the past. As someone who has lived this delicate balance: its SO nuanced, so voicey, so REAL that its completely understandable how these two are drawn to each other but also so easily fall apart. I was so completely mesmerized by this.
Their 'third act breakup' in the current storyline wasn't my favorite, but seeing the HEA made it completely worthwhile.
The spice is spicing, the tension is perfection: ugh. just pure adoration.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc.

I’m sorry- what?! After finishing this book, I am shocked that this is the author’s debut novel. It was- chef’s kiss ***

I loved everything about this book. 2nd chance romance is my jam but there was so much more. So much yearning, and slow burn, and character growth all around. I loved June in her journey to find herself in her acting and even though she grew up without a support system, was able to create her own family through friends and Adam’s family. I am not always a fan of going back and forth to past and present- it can often be irrelevant and boring. The way this was written was perfect and truly helped shape their story. I loved it!

Reviewed for NetGalley:

When life—or a meddling twist of fate—throws former roommates and best friends, June and Adam back into close quarters, old wounds and even older feelings resurface. What begins as awkward proximity quickly stirs memories of late-night talks, unrealized love, and the comfort of being truly known. Their second-chance romance unfolds with tenderness and tension, balancing witty banter with emotional vulnerability.

This is a story of timing, growth, and the magic of reconnecting with someone who once felt like home. It’s cozy, bittersweet, and deeply satisfying.