I am so thankful to Dell Romance and Penguin Random House for the advanced copy of It’s Different This Time!

What a treat this book was! A perfect debut novel from Joss Richards.

This is a second chance romance set in NYC with a timeline that starts in the present and jump back 11 years to tell you the beginning of Adam and June’s story.

I really loved these characters. June was born in Toronto and moves to NYC to attend Columbia University to pursue studies in theater. While she’s not in classes, June works part-time at an independent bookstore. This is where June first meets Adam. They have a brief convo as she helps him choose a book and while he’s checking out he mentions he’s looking for a place in the city. June tells him about a brownstone that’s available, one that she desperately wants but can’t afford. She doesn’t think anything of it, but the next day when she goes back to talk to the owner of the home, she sees Adam just leaving. She is annoyed that he is trying to steal the place from her, and ends up proposing they be roommates.

The friendship they form is so special. Adam is a chef and is always cooking up meals for the both of them. They are both so supportive of each other and over time their friendship turns to something more. They both know it’s something more, but no one makes a move to change their relationship status. June is terrified of deciding to date in the chance they break up and she loses her best friend.

I loved when Adam’s dad gave June some advice about this. He said:

“You’re going to lose it either way.” He looks at me with intent and my skin prickles as if I’m full of tiny balloons that are being popped. “Either you or him are going to find someone else,” he says like he’s reading it from a crystal ball. “You’ll go your separate ways, naturally, and you’ll lose it. Or you both take a chance on this, you break up, and you lose it.”

There were times I was super frustrated with the choices June made. June’s upbringing and life experiences affected how she viewed herself & she made some poor choices as a result. She ran away instead of being honest about her feelings. I really loved watching her find her way back to Adam and even her best friend, Chloe.

This book has made me want to go to NYC and see a show on Broadway! I loved the setting and the theater storyline. If you love Broadway, I think you’ll enjoy this sorry.

I highly recommend this book!

The debut novel by Joss Richard was absolutely breathtaking.

Everything about Adam and June make me swoon but this isn’t just the story of a second chance romance and finding love. It’s about growing up and figuring out how to find yourself along the way. It’s about growing apart and finding your way back to each other. It’s about (accidentally or maybe intentionally) taking the long road to the life you want. There are bumps and bruises along the way, but in the end, you are where you should be.

After witnessing five or six years of Adam and June growing together, Joss breaks my heart and glues it back together as I witnessed the inner turmoil of June and losing her best friend. Most of us have been there at some point. Where the person or people who made you feel most secure in the world are no longer that safe place for you. Everything June went though, it felt real and brutal and heartbreaking.

Yes, this is a romance book, but know it’s so much more. It’s a coming of age book for the 20-something who isn’t sure what she’s doing in life. It’s for the 30-something who doesn’t know if she’s made the right decisions along the way. It’s for everyone who lost someone along the way (romantic or not) and knowing that maybe finding your way back to them can help heal not only your heart but your soul.

Thank you to Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC copy!

Rating: 5/5
Spice: 2/5

4.5/5
So in summary, this book follows 2 estranged roommates who are forced to have joint home ownership over their old brownstone apartment after having not seen each other in 5 years. Using their house as a plot point was so fun and different and really made the story line realistic! The chapters are so intriguing and engaging because the POV jumps between past and present, slowly revealing the reasons why the couple broke up the first time around and builds a lot of suspense by revealing certain plot points in the past POV. The 2 main characters, Adam and June, met when June found the perfect apartment but needed a roommate for financial purposes and they were forced to live together. They live together for years and the evolution of their relationship is shown in the past POV chapters, they go from strangers to friends to best friends to lovers to strangers to friends to lovers, which may sound confusing but was easy to follow and super entertaining and realistic. June is a struggling actress and Adam is a chef, and I loved their career trajectories as a side story and plot point. Also, I liked that their dynamics and personalities were actually appropriate to how people their age should be acting and the relationships, both platonic and romantic, were complex and raw. I loved that this book had a bittersweet feeling, when it switched between how they used to be and how they were in the present it showed the realistic portrayal of a falling out and the forgiveness that follows.

The book is set in NYC during the fall and is set to be published September 30th, 2025 which fits the vibe perfectly and would really get me into the fall mood, the scenarios and imagery were 10/10. I loved how the story showed communication, the characters had a lot of miscommunication but it was done in a realistic way and was necessary for the plot. Both characters were relatively mature and authentic and their whole situation, while complicated, was written beautifully and easy to follow. Usually at least one character in a romance is unrealistic or annoying but I loved all the characters and loved how appropriately they handled real life situations. Overall, I thought this was an ammmmazing debut and so addictive, even if this isn't your typical style of book it was such a unique story and so well written!

Tysm to random house publishing and net gallery for the arc!!!
(posted to Goodreads)

First I have to say how grateful I am for being given this ARC and how much I absolutely adored reading it! I really loved the slow burn, second chance romance and couldn’t put it down. I can’t believe this is a debut novel because it was so beautifully crafted and blew me away. Absolute perfection :)

i love when books set in nyc make me want to move to nyc. this was so cozy while also being heartwarming. second chances are hit or miss but this second chance was done soooo well. i usually find it hard to get connected when we jump between timelines but it was needed for this book and served its purpose.

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.!