This is such a sweet second chance romance, definitely worth the read. Once it started getting more into June and Adam's past and present relationship, it was impossible to put down.

Rating 3.5/5 - Kind of a slow start but hard to put down in the second half

Thank you to NetGalley, author Joss Richard and Ballantine | Dell for this digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review.

Second chance romances can be tricky for me for some reason but this was excellently done! Joss Richard uses a dual timeline that is done so well you really feel transported back several years with the characters. I really look for growth in relationships if they are of the "second chance" trope, and June and Adam really did show growth individually and together. June had moments of immaturity stemming from her experiences with her childhood, and Adam had to navigate a death in the family. I usually despise when characters experience a lack of communication that leads to the ending of a relationship, but I think their break was necessary for the two characters to grow both personally and professionally. AND-they both get to live out their dreams without sacrificing their relationship in the end?? THANK YOU JOSS RICHARD! It's Different This Time is set to publish on September 30th, 2025 and I could not be more excited! I am so excited for all of my Goodreads and Fable friends to read this review and add this incredible book to their tbr! Thank you to NetGalley, Joss Richard, and Ballantine | Dell for this book <3

"It’s Different This Time" by Joss Richard is an emotional, beautifully written debut that hits all the right notes for fans of contemporary romance. I was immediately drawn into the story of Adam and June — roommates turned friends, turned something more — and the dual timeline structure made their journey even more impactful.

This novel blends several of my favorite tropes: friends to lovers, second chance romance, and that nostalgic pull of reconnecting after time apart. The dual timelines were really well done, giving a clear picture of how strong Adam and June’s connection was in the past and how deeply it still runs when they reunite five years later after inheriting the NY house they once shared.

I’m not usually a fan of the miscommunication trope, but in this case, it actually made sense given the characters’ ages and the trauma the FMC had gone through. It felt believable and not just thrown in for the sake of drama. And when Adam and June do communicate? It’s honest, heartfelt, and full of emotional payoff.

I also loved how vividly Joss Richard described New York and how Adam’s family was portrayed — they added so much warmth and depth to the story. There were moments that made me smile, ache, and cheer for these characters. It’s the kind of book that leaves you with a full heart.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the e-ARC! I can’t wait to read whatever Joss Richard writes next.

ARC Review 4.25⭐️ 🍂🚕🎭🍝

It’s Different This Time by @joss.richard is a beautiful debut novel. The moment I saw “brownstone,” “broadway”, “NYC,” and “autumn,” I was already sold.

This book made me feel like I was walking through the West Village with a coffee in hand and my favorite playlist on. It made me miss home in every possible way. The friends to lovers, the way their history unfolds, a chef, a broadway star, and the second chance romance I devoured it.

Adam and June have the kind of chemistry that makes you want to scream into a pillow. Seriously at times I kept saying “omg please just say you like each other” and other times I was kicking my feet!!! Adam is a perfect fictional man. He always knew what and who he wanted. PLUS a chef he can cook for me anytime! June on the other hand I felt the honestly and self-doubt. I could relate on that and sometimes she made me want to shake her lol, but she got it right in the end. She’s fierce, flawed, and full of heart. I adored them.

Huge thank you to joss.richard , netgalley , and dellromance for the ARC. This gem comes out September 30 and it’s perfect for your fall TBR go request it now🗽🍁🍃

I LOVE second chance romances, and this book delivered all the pining, heartbreaking, will-they-won't-they vibes I look for. I feel so lucky to have gotten to read this early! I'm excited to share it with friends and family.

A New York City brownstone would probably be enough to bring any couple back together, but I appreciated the work June and Adam had to put into making sure their relationship would really, truly work this time around. So fun, thank you for opportunity to read It's Different This Time!

3.5⭐️! For this being a debut novel, I’m impressed! For anyone who loves theater and NYC, this is definitely up your alley. The reader is taken through a rollercoaster of emotions spanning over a decade when it comes to the relationship between June and Adam. While these characters are clearly flawed, I found the bond between them very endearing several times. I did find the miscommunication a bit tiring (it’s really not my trope). June also did get on my nerves with her reactions and behavior and I thought that they were both pretty immature at times despite both being grown.

On a higher note, the side characters definitely stood out to me and I found that they really carried the heart of the book at certain points.

I loved the back and forth between the past and present, giving us some insight into June and Adam’s history. If you’re looking for a cozy romance with friends-to-lovers/roommates tropes, and a hot chef MMC, I’d say give this a try!

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for this ARC!

Quite frankly, I don't even have the words to express just how much I loved this book.

This is an absolutely BRILLIANT debut romance from Joss Richard. From the first page, I fell in absolute love with June. As a half-Asian woman myself, it was like an instant connection to her character. At times, it felt like her internal narration was pulling from my own direct thoughts, and my heart shattered a million times.

The chemistry between June and Adam also LEAPS off the page. From the moment June sees him again, I was absolutely dying to know what had happened between them, and the sheer yearning and emotion kept me flipping through the pages. I ripped through this book like it was on fire. I was giggling and kicking my feet, then sobbing, then screaming, then sobbing again. The dual timelines wove together so seamlessly and it was incredible seeing how they ended up in this situation, and I found myself literally BEGGING them in both timelines to please, please, PLEASE be together. And when they finally did, I was ready to run the NYC marathon and I have never run a day in my life.

Even the side characters were so beautifully written and I fell in love with every single one of them; I want Adam's mom to also adopt me.

Overall, I genuinely cannot recommend this book enough. I could live in June and Adam's world (and 74 Perry St) forever and be thrilled about it.

You know how some people are their own worst enemy? That’s this book’s FMC. This book is a well written, interesting story but I couldn’t get attached to or feel much for the FMC at all. I struggled to relate to her and her actions in any way, because I can’t imagine treating people I “loved” like that, and I’ve been in similar enough life circumstances. That’s more of a me problem though, not the book itself. To fully enjoy a book, I need to be able to feel for the main character and root for them. I recommend this book for anyone who loves a slow burn, friends to lovers, will they/wont they, who doesn’t mind very strong miscommunication / immature characters. If you can look past this, I think this book can be a really great and enjoyable read! Thank you so much for the ARC!

This book gave me nostalgic vibes of when I used to commute to Manhattan for school everyday, when I used to go see Broadway plays and musicals — so that alone was already enough to win me over. This second chance novel had me on an emotional rollercoaster, learning the backstory of June and Adam, to following their path to second and third chances. I couldn’t put it down and was rooting for the two of them to get it together. The descriptions were beautifully written and I could imagine everything vividly.

This novel had too much foul language and graphic sex for my enjoyment. I skimmed through the story of two people who parted years ago and meet again.

It's not a new plot but the writing is good. If you want a fresh start and a happy ending, this may be for you.

5 stars- this was my perfect romance. as someone who lives in the west village, this novel touched an extra special piece of me. thanks netgalley & the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I really enjoyed this book!! The meet cute in the beginning was so good. I loved the back and forth of present and past. I love a good second chance romance too. Although I know it was needed for the story the no communication was annoying because they just needed to talk it out. I like that they finally talked and figured their life out though. The story was good and the heartbreak was devastating. The best friends and family were good and added to the plot too!! But overall this was a great first novel!!

Gosh I love this book. The FEELINGS. It hit me right in them. Estranged best friends to lovers is my kryptonite, and Adam and June’s story destroyed me in the best way. The chemistry!! The heartbreak!! The pining!!!!! Off the charts. These two truly felt like two best friends who were destined to end up together.

I really enjoyed this one. Second chance romances are my favorite and I seem to gravitate towards them. They are tricky to get right, though. Whatever reason caused the breakup or distance has to be big, but not so bad that you hate either main character. I think the Author did a nice job with that throughout the story. I liked both main characters and was rooting for them the entire time.

I absolutely loved this novel. I fell in love with both characters. The banter between them was hilarious and realistic. The yearning between them was off the pages. Loved loved loved. Amazingly written and beautifully told.

Thank you so much for allowing me to read this. Can’t wait to buy the physical copy! Will post a review on my TikTok soon!

This book went down SO easy. I mean, two people chasing their dreams and falling in love in a cozy NYC brownstone… what’s not to love?

June was such a relatable mess in the best way. She worked her ass off for a seemingly impossible dream, and even when I wanted to shake her for some of the decisions she made, I got it—she was just doing what she felt she had to do to protect herself. And Adam was an actual dream man. Kind, patient, charming, quietly smitten for YEARS. We love a cinnamon roll / golden retriever / yes chef all rolled into one.

The dual timeline was super effective, and watching their situationship slowly bloom and then break and then maybe bloom again?? Beautifully done. And the New York City setting was so lush and detailed and cozy. There were so many gorgeous descriptions of their brownstone, various neighborhoods and landmarks, and the food (!!!). It was lovely and made me feel like I was right there.

And the ending… dreamy. Like I closed the book with a sigh. I’m honestly kind of blown away this is a debut. Joss Richard is definitely one to watch.

It's Different This Time is a refreshing second chance romance! We meet June & Adam, who by a chance encounter end up as roommates in NYC. They were inseperable as best friends... until they weren't. Five years later, June has returned to NYC and learns that she and Adam will own the property they previously shared. They must wait 30 days before the paperwork can be signed and while they contemplate what they'd like to do with the property, they decide to stay there. All of the old wounds from unresolved feelings and conversation resurface and forces them to confront their choices of the past.

June & Adam's story is told over a dual timeline. We are able to see how their friendship/relationship foundation was laid, while simultaneously watching how they navigate this new circumstance. There is some angst, but June & Adam quickly and seamlessly fall back into old routines. There are still hiccups and rational fears that paralyze them, but they are able to find their way back to each other.

Joss Richard does a phenomenal job of storytelling. As a reader, I was able to absorb the story without feeling like my head was spinning. The pacing of the book flowed well, the spice was not overdone, but honestly for what we did get, it was perfection! The chemistry of the characters with the slow burn build-up, was chef's kiss!

My review is posted in full on StoryGraph here:
https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/mrslittle143

Also posted to Threads
https://www.threads.com/@justsandraaaaa?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

It may have taken me a little time to really get into the story, but once I did—oh, I was hooked! I absolutely loved the dual timeline structure, with the countdown of years woven in with the present day—it added such a unique rhythm to the storytelling and kept me completely engaged. The whole book had me in suspense, eagerly anticipating the moment when we’d finally uncover what really happened between June and Adam. I found myself so emotionally invested—not just in their relationship, but in their family life too. I was rooting for them every step of the way!

There were definitely moments when I was dying to know the truth already (seriously, the suspense!), but that just made me want to keep turning the pages even more. The story had the perfect balance of laugh-out-loud moments and heart-tugging scenes—I definitely chuckled and teared up more than once. Overall, it was a truly enjoyable and heartfelt read that stuck with me after the final page!

Thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine, and Random House Publishing for my digital copy!

*4.25/5 Stars
I'd ABSOLUTELY recommend this book. This is Joss Richard's first book and I’d love more from her. I will honestly be shocked if it doesn't become major on booktok/bookstagram. The writing style was great, the second chance romance was done well (and I'm not always a big fan of that trope), while also doing flashbacks really well. This is set to come out in September of this year, and I'm definitely buying a physical copy when it does!

I don’t give out many 5-star ratings, but this book absolutely earned it!

I was completely charmed by the story and the way it made me feel—warm, giddy, and totally invested. I can’t believe this is Joss Richard’s debut novel!

This is a romance through and through, and it’s utterly adorable. June and Adam meet by chance, and before you know it, they’re taking a leap of faith as roommates in a well-priced New York townhouse. What follows is a delightful journey through their on-and-off "friendship" that keeps you smiling the whole way through.

If you're in the mood for an easy, heartwarming read that feels like a cozy romantic comedy, this one is for you!

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC. I’m officially a big fan of Joss Richard and can’t wait to see what she writes next!