This was an heartfelt story about two people finding their way back to each other, and I really enjoyed this. I loved the fall setting and vibe of this, and it was a perfect second-chance romance. I liked how there was some humor as well as emotional parts, I think a lot of people will love this when it comes out!

WOWOWOWOW. I finished It’s Different This Time in one day and I’m still thinking about it. I can confidently say this is one of my favorite books of this year, and I read over 100 books a year!

There’s so much to love in this book: a second-chance romance done just right, a delicious slow burn with undeniable chemistry and tension, and a setting that feels like a love letter to New York City. It’s the kind of story that wraps you up in cozy autumn vibes and makes you want to reread your favorite passages again and again. In fact, I might just reread this book again. That’s how much I loved it.

Also let’s talk about Adam because he is perfect. Truly one of the most swoon-worthy love interests I’ve read in a long time.

I honestly can’t believe this is Joss Richard’s debut novel. Her writing is warm, heartfelt, and emotionally rich. I already can’t wait to see what she writes next!

Title: It’s Different This Time
Author: Joss Richard
Length: 432
Format: ebook arc
Pub Date: Sep 30 2025
Genre: Romance
Rating Out of 5: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

This sweeping second-chance romance is an absolute treat for anyone who loves New York City! The premise of two estranged former roommates, June and Adam, being forced back into their beloved brownstone is pure cozy magic. As the autumn leaves fall and they navigate their shared history, the book beautifully captures the essence of the city and the warmth of rediscovering a connection. The slow burn of their rekindled romance, punctuated by shared meals and late-night talks, felt incredibly authentic and drew me in completely. It's a true love letter to NYC, and the atmosphere alone makes it worth the read. And don’t even get me started on the top-notch side characters!

I'm docking one star because, for me, the epilogue didn't quite land. While the main story felt perfectly paced and resolved, the epilogue felt a little out of sync with the cozy and heartfelt tone that preceded it. Despite that minor quibble, this is a truly charming and engaging read that I highly recommend, especially if you're a fan of New York City and heartfelt second-chance love stories!

Special thanks to Ballantine/Dell and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review!

It's Different This Time is a cute, cozy, second chance romance. The NYC setting combined with the theater and chef careers by the main characters helped establish interesting characters. This book is perfect for fall reading.

This is the closest to when Harry Met Sally as it gets and yet it’s so modern and touching! You will fall head over heels for Adam, and you can’t help but want to be best friend with June! They’re both searching for a better living situation in New York, and remarkably get the chance to rent a brownstone.
From there you the story just builds, and shatters, and builds again!
I absolutely love that June doesn’t stay stuck and finds a way to grow. The whole story spans 14 years and every year feels important for these characters.

I highly recommend this, especially if you have a love for New York, musicals, tv, chefs, and the best romcoms!

Thank you to NetGalley, Joss Richard, Ballantine Books, and Dell for the advanced reader copy!

This was a great book that I read in about two days! It started off a little slow at first but quickly got exciting. I related to June in so many ways and I think that's what made me love the book even more. As the reader, you just know Adam and June are going to end up together but there were so many times I was wondering how it was going to tie all together. This was a great book for a perfect fall day.

3.75 ⭐️ - Thank you, Netgalley, for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
I enjoyed this book, but some aspects fell a little flat for me. The setting of New York is almost another character, and it really had an amazing fall aesthetic, making this a perfect October read. Joss Richard's writing is smooth and straightforward, making both the present timeline easily understandable and enjoyable. I usually do not enjoy dual timelines, but in this story, it made perfect sense knowing their history and connection.
June as a character was complex; her struggles and aspirations felt realistic, making it easy for me to relate to her and care about her story. Her background and familial situation made it easier to understand the decisions she was making, but that doesn't mean I agree with her actions.
Adam, on the other hand, is the character who felt a little flat for me, perhaps because we are in June's perspective throughout the entire book. He seemed simple and indecisive, and I truly do not understand why he did what he did; his lack of ability to communicate with June really annoyed me. Altogether, the book was well-paced, kept my attention, and I enjoyed the last chapter - the epilogue, basically. It wasn't completely traditional, but I do feel like the last chapter didn't close things off perfectly; it felt somewhat open-ended, like their story isn't over yet.


Spoilers ahead!!!

I didn't like the fact that Adam had feelings for her from the moment they met; it somewhat dampened the friends-to-lovers arc. I understand that the point of that is to symbolize the longing and yearning of the character, but it made me doubt their platonic friendship and the genuine start of their connection. I wish there had been a turning point for both of them when they started to see each other in a different light.

It's Different This Time by Joss Richards was very enjoyable. I was very iffy at the start because I don't usually read contemporary, but the plot and the romance really pulled me in. I was giggling and kicking my feet because the tension and pining is out of the world, but at others I was shocked and screaming and wished I could open the characters eyes so they can see whats right in front of them.

It's awkward, it's cute and it's steamy. June and Adam are the perfect pair. I wish I could have went into the pages of the book and knocked common sense into both of them, so they would have gotten together sooner unlike being friends for years before dating.

The reason I gave it 3.75 stars was because I zoned out a couple times while reading. It was interesting during a lot of parts where there was tension, but outside of that, the plot and characters on their own didn't really WOW me.

𝑪𝑶𝑵𝑪𝑳𝑼𝑺𝑰𝑶𝑵:
This was a very enjoyable read and definitely for people who are into the friends to lovers and New York vibes. I loved the characters, the romance, the passion, the TENSION and PINING. I wished there was a bit more 'oomf' to the characters outside of romance. I will be recommending this book to many people and I really am so amazed by this book.

It's been five years since June moved from NYC to Los Angeles to try to pursue an acting career in film and television. She gets an email calling her to New York about the brownstone she used to rent with Adam, her former best friend and roommate. It turns out that the owner of the brownstone left the property to June and Adam. All they have to do is wait for some paperwork to process and the place is theirs in a month. June decides to stay in New York until the paperwork is signed, not admitting to herself how difficult it might be to see Adam again. As she reacquaints herself with the New York City lifestyle she didn't know she missed, the sparks between her and Adam reignite.

THIS BOOK WAS INCREDIBLE! It is astonishing that this is Joss Richard's debut novel. Richards had me from the first page of this novel with her writing style and story. Her voice is easy, cozy, and emotionally powerful all at the same time. You know that feeling when you're reading a book where you want to devour a book as fast as you can but then you don't want to go too fast because you don't want it to end? This book was that for me.

Second chance romance is one of my favorite tropes and mix that with some friends-to-lovers? I was a goner from the first time that June and Adam met. If you like a slow burn with friends who have a thing for each other, this book is for you!

Joss Richard did a stellar job with the dual timeline in this book. While telling the present part of the story, she teased us with glimpses into the past of when June and Adam were living together. Along the way, Richard hinted at what caused for June and Adam to part ways, but it was done so well that I was chomping at the bit to know what happened.

As pieces of June and Adam's story was revealed and as they navigated the tensions of the current times, I was on the kind of emotional roller coaster that I love to go on when reading a novel. There was joy, there was tension, there was sadness, their was grief...I felt wrecked while reading this book and I loved every minute of it!

This book was a love letter to New York City and musical theater. Having gone to New York for the first time in April, I was able to recognize a lot of the places referenced in the book. It made me want to plan another trip to New York so I can experience all of the magic described in the book!

Pick up this MUST-READ
for a fantastic friends-to-lovers/second chance romance that will make you feel cozy and warmhearted but will also get you in your feels in the best way!

Steam level:🔥🔥🔥
⚠️: cancer, grief, death of a loved one

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Star Rating
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Spice Rating

Review:
This book absolutely broke me in the best way. I fell hard for June and Adam — their chemistry, their flaws, their growth — everything felt honest, layered, and achingly human. I cried more than once over how bittersweet some of their moments were. The emotional pacing reminded me of The Last Five Years, but with a rhythm entirely its own.

Joss Richard crafted a romance that’s equal parts tender and devastating, with a deeply satisfying payoff. The ending left me full — not in a tied-up-with-a-bow way, but in the earned-it way. If you're looking for a romance that aches while it heals and gives you all the spice and the soul, this one's a must-read.

Content Warnings: grief, emotional trauma, relationship strain

Amazing book about roommates to lovers and getting a second chance or a chance to do things differently than before. The two lead characters are amazing and the chemistry between them just jumps off the page.

This book was AMAZING!! I have recently become a huge fan of second chance romances and the stories they tell, and the emotion they hold! This book was no different, I was OBSESSED!!

June and Adam became roommates accidentally years ago. And after their long time friendship June leaves and doesn’t come back. This is the story of them reconnecting in the place they began to know each other best, and learning that maybe they aren’t so different all these years later.

I love the dual time periods in this second chance story, it helped show the characters growth and the progression of their chemistry in such a real way. The writing was so good and the story was quick and fun as well as deeply emotional.

I recommend so much, this is set in New York and the setting is enveloping.

4.5 stars and great debut!!

What debut!! I really liked this, I was so invested in this book and read it in a day.! I love a dual timeline, and this book did it so well! It really kept me turning the pages to find out what happened in the past that leads June and Adam to being where they are in the present.

The chemistry between our two MCs is palpable from the start, but it doesn't ever feel like instalust/love and it makes the slow burn of this both painful and satisfying. There's miscommunication in this book, but it feels realistic to things that would actually happen-- especially when you're unsure of where you stand in a relationship and are scared of being vulnerable.

I also appreciated Joss Richard's commentary on being multiracial through her FMC, it's nice to see this sort of representation just casually in a contemporary romance. It's not central to the plot but it does inform how we move about the world.

I do think there were some lines that felt weird to me, like internalized misogyny (a line about how good someone looks without an ounce of makeup, a line about a high-pitched voice being related to someone's intelligence or lack of) and there were two Harry Potter mentions (in the same conversation, so could count as one mention-- however that's one mention too many!! It's 2025!! I beg authors and publishers to not include HP references!!!)

Talk about a slow burn romance!! (But an amazing one🤭)
This was such a fun, yet emotional read, and there was never a dull moment. I actually read more than half of it in one sitting! (not a common thing for me).

We follow June and Adam on their life journey, and their second chance love story. They first meet and decide to become roommates to help with rent. While they faced a lot of challenges, their relationship continued to grow every single day and it was beautiful! The story is dual timeline, past and present, done exceptionally well. We have so many tropes in one story: found family, forced proximity, he falls first and hard, second chance, friends to strangers to finally lovers!!
It was such a rollercoaster of emotions, but one that I don’t regret following.

This is the authors debut novel, and I cannot wait to see what she comes out with next!

Thank you Netgally for this ARC!

Second chance, strangers to friends to lovers story about a girl with major insecurities and a boy who loves her anyways. There were times the main female lead ruined something good because she kept thinking so negatively about herself. It was sort of frustrating to read but it still ended well and the guy was pretty amazing.

It’s Different Thjs Time is a master class in second chance romance. If you’re looking for a sweet, spicy, and funny read that will also crack your heart open, here it is.

Reading this book feels like watching a 2000s romcom: NYC in the fall, a headstrong but hurting FMC, and a kind, driven MMC dealing with his own demons. As a reader you experience the initial spark of June and Adam’s young love, the deepening of their bond throughout their 20s, the devastation of watching it fall apart, and the page turning suspense of “will they fix it?!?! They have to fix it!!”

To me, this book is a 5 star read: an expertly executed 2nd chance romance (gives you enough backstory to believe in the couple while also keeping you on the dark about certain elements so you want to keep reading), a richly developed FMC who you root for throughout her ups and downs, rich language about food, and a dreamboat book boyfriend who plays the long game to win the love of his life back.

A must read for anyone who loves any of the following:
-Running (literally) for one last chance to talk to the person you love
-Moments where the characters JUST miss each other (physically and emotionally)
-NYC in the fall
-“I got off the plane” energy (iykyk)

It’s Different This Time was such a cute read! I absolutely loved the characters and how their relationship slowly but beautifully developed. If you love a slow burn romance, this is it! Even though it’s a bit of an emotional roller coaster, I highly recommend!

Expected Release Date: 09/30/2025

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the early access. All thoughts in this review are my own.

This book is the cutestttt fall romance. I haven’t read any romances that are so fall coded. It releases on September 30th so it’s the perfect book to add to your TBR this fall!! It’s a solid 4⭐️ from me!

What I liked:
🍁I loved the main characters jobs - the unknown of the acting world for the FMC and the chef for the MMC? Lovedddd
🍁the real deep friends to lovers and the tension was stronggg
🍁the cozy fall in New York vibes?? 👌

What I didn’t love:
🎃the ending was slightly confusing and I had to read it a couple times - some major questions still linger for me - maybe it was done on purpose to leave it up to the imagination, but I need answers! Especially in a romance
🎃the miscommunication was the main trope throughout the entire book - time after time - and it did get a little frustrating at times

Overall, it was a solid read! Especially because Joss Richard is a debut author! Definitely a cozy read to get you in the fall mood.

Thank you Net Galley and Random House Publishing for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

This book was so good! I loved the characters and the storyline. It was a fairly light, easy read perfect for summer!

This was everything I wanted out of a second chance romance. I'm classically a sucker for this trope and I loved how this was done. This is a debut novel for this author and wow was I surprised it was her first! June and Adam were lovable cuties and I love the dual timelines we got from this story showing how close they were/are and you are unveiled why they stopped being friends. This made me cry, I'm in love.

Thank you Netgalley and Ballantine for the opportunity to read this ARC!