Thank you Netgalley & Random House for this advanced copy! I had a really fun time reading this and finished it in one day.
This book is for lovers of second-chance romances, cooking, classic rom-coms, slow burn friends to lovers—it's for theater kids, people who didn't have a loving home, found families, 20-somethings who are working towards their goals & 30-somethings who still haven't figured it out.

It's Different This Time felt like a love letter to chasing your dreams. It will forever hold a place in my heart, and I think it's the perfect debut novel. Joss Richard does a beautiful job of writing a heart-wrenchingly, beautiful and timeless love story.

I loved the dual timeline! It helps add tension through the novel and builds their dynamic, while revealing details naturally about their past without feeling like an information dump. It makes you fall in love with June and Adam, and want to root for them to give their relationship a chance. I normally like a dual POV for a second-chance romance, but Richard does such a great job at making Adam's feelings and thoughts clear through June's perspective. It's the missing piece that a lot of romance novels don't have.

I loved that the book didn't end with them just getting together, but showing June finally succeeding and getting everything she wanted. I really appreciate when authors give romance books focus on other aspects of the characters life—it makes it feel realistic. I can't express how much it meant to me that June's favorite musical was Les Mis. I saw myself in her: a young girl full of dreams listening to the soundtrack on repeat, belting On My Own dreaming of being able to be apart of that world.

I also post my reviews on my Instagram: @alavenderlibrary where this one will be up this week. I can't wait for release day so everyone else will get to experience the beauty of this book!

Thank you to Ballantine and NetGalley for this arc!

I thought this was a lovely debut for Joss Richard. It was cute and heartwarming. I loved how patient Adam was while June came to terms with certain things. I’m not the biggest fan of the third act breakup trope though. Overall it was a great book.

Oh my gosh, I just finished my ARC from It’s Different This Time and I am undone. 🥹 It was so good. It made me hate time…hate distance…hate that they wouldn’t ever talk about things they shouldn’t have had to talk about. I cried when Audrey was gone and finding out June told Sarah she was leaving…ugh😭😭😭😭

I hated the wait of it all. They deserved to be together the whole time…but ugh…being HOME was worth it. So worth it. 🥹

It was so beautiful and hard and wonderful and I loved it so much. I can’t wait to get a hard copy when it’s out because I’ll absolutely want to read it again and again. ❤️

I live in Georgia, but NYC is one of my favorites places. I was there last fall and the way you talk about the city literally made my heart ache from missing it.

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

This book hit me right in the feels—in the best way possible. I absolutely cannot wait for its official release so I can grab a physical copy and proudly display it as a shelf trophy.

It took me a few chapters to really sink into the story, but once I was in, I was in. Each chapter pulled me deeper into June and Adam’s world, and I completely fell in love with them—and with their love. Despite the challenges they faced, their relationship was beautiful, honest, and had me rooting for them the entire time.

The found family element stole my heart. Watching June be welcomed into Adam’s family was so heartwarming and made their bond feel even richer. And that third act breakup? Absolutely shattered me. But the ending pieced me back together and left me with the most satisfied smile on my face.

This story made me want to book a fall trip to New York and experience the magic all over again. A heartfelt, emotionally satisfying read that will stay with me for a long time. Highly recommend to any and all bookish theatre kids like myself 💛🎭🍂

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for this e-book arc. This review was posted to my Goodreads (@MadyGrace) on May 13th, 2025.

This book is pure nostalgia in a bottle. You can’t help but feel a lump in your throat wondering what became of these two former roommates, who once happily shared a New York brownstone, and are now completely estranged. That is, until fate throws them back together when the brownstone, shockingly, is left to them in their late landlord’s will.
I’ll admit, a few elements of the premise stretched believability, like being gifted a $6 million brownstone after six years apart by a landlord you were simply kind to felt a bit far-fetched as well as some aspects of their falling-out. That said, if you’re a fan of second chance stories, this one is charming and heartfelt. A sweet, entertaining read and very impressive debut!

[ripping off shirt] ITS DIFFERENT THIS TIME BITCHES!!!!

no but on a serious note, as someone who is often overly critical of second chance romances and can only read them when written by Sarah Hogle, please clear a space for Joss Richard beside you on the list of sc romance authors I support, Ms. Hogle!

It’s always lovely to read an author’s debut and love it instantly because it really feels like “wow you got it right the first time!!” and though June and Adam did not in fact get in right the first time, I really loved their journey and friendship as well as their romance, something that is often missing from friends-to-lovers “second chance” tropes for me

I even enjoyed the time jumps in this, which is another aspect of these kinds of romances that I’m usually hesitant about because it can feel jarring but I felt like this was really concisely written in the best way, and as a sidenote, I personally loved Chloe as a side character a lot even when June was doing the thing I despise in contemporary romances where a fmc’s best friend has to convince her she finds someone (who WE know she finds attractive…) attractive, so extra point for not giving me the ick even despite that!

June was a lovely character and I really found myself routing for her even when I was frustrated with her actions & choices but I think there was a good basis of her self-talk to understand her (warped) thought process which is all I ever really ask for if my character is going to be slightly chaotic interpersonally! also, poor adam suffered more than jesus but he was also a bit flawed in a way that I enjoyed him owning so ultimately I was very satisfied by their HEA

I very much look forward to reading another book from this author in the future

thank you sm to netgalley and ballantine/dell for this arc to review!

It’s Different This Time is a beautiful debut, a love letter to New York and to pursuing your passions. It is filled with heart, with loss and confusion and questioning whether you’re good enough for the life you hope to live, and it spoke to me deeply. Joss Richard knocked it out of the park with her first novel and I am eager to read her future works, as well.

If you’re a fan of The Seven Year Slip, and either second-chance, friends-to-lovers, or forced-proximity tropes, this book is for you.

You ever want to strangle fictional characters, lock them in a room and tell them to stop being idiots? Well I definitely thought about it while reading this book.

I could not put this book down the minute I picked it up and because of that I instantly fell in love with Adam and June. They both had heartbreaking situations in their life that was just so messy and raw, which made them feel real to me. I really liked how the setting was in New York, it just made it feel so magical with going through all of the seasons there. This had dual POV and different timelines as well, which I loved because it shows you how they came together and their story. I also have to mention that Chloe was without a doubt a real MVP and a true best friend. Not only was she there for June, but she was there for Adam as weIl. I honestly could go on and on how much I loved this book, but if you love second chance romances, friends to lovers, forced proximity, and a little spice, and cozy fall reads, then this is the book for you.

You also may need some tissues, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

3.5 rounded up

this story was cute. I requested it because I loooove second chance. it had all the marks to make it a great story but I think the author has room to grow. there's definitely potential there. a few times I felt I got lost in the timeline and things were happening too sporadically. some scenes could have used more heart and time spent. it also felt a little too on the nose. very predictable. but tbh that's one of my favorite things about romance. I love knowing what to expect.

I did absolutely love the pining for each other. Adam was dreamy and June was pretty admirable because I felt like she had grown since the flashback scenes. she was a lot more mature and self assured.

all in all, this was a good debut and I look forward to what else she comes up with.

Wow. What an incredible debut. I genuinely loved this book so much. The book follows June, an actress in LA who comes into ownership of a New York brownstone that she lived in years ago with a man named Adam, who she hasn’t spoken with since she moved to LA. It had all the ingredients for a perfect romcom: second chance, dual timeline, and New York in the fall. I was invested from the very beginning, and I couldn’t put it down. I loved June’s inner monologue, and I thought that both she and Adam were really funny. I loved Adam; he was witty and sarcastic without being rude, and he was such a quintessential book boyfriend. Another thing I really liked was the relationship dynamics. The book explored June’s relationship with her family and her best friends (we love a found family trope) and I thought it was done in a very realistic and healthy way. I thought that June was a funny and realistic character. It was a little bit cringe at times, but in my opinion there’s nothing wrong with that. My main issue with the book was June and Adam’s utter lack of communication skills. I think that a lot of their problems could’ve been solved if they’d just sat down and had an adult conversation about it. Also, it was a lot spicier than I would’ve liked, but this is coming from someone who doesn’t read spice so take that with a grain of salt. Overall, I really loved this book! It was funny, sweet, and investing the whole way through. I think I'm going to settle on 4.5 stars. I’m so grateful to have been sent an arc, and I look forward to reading whatever Joss Richard writes next. I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this!! It comes out on September 30th and I will be the first in line!

This book was an incredible debut from Joss Richards!

Two former roommates having to come back to their brownstone after 5 years apart and coming to terms with how they left that relationship. I loved getting the flashbacks, and learning what made them so distance from each other - but at the same time, what made them fall in love in the first place.

Adam Harper the man that you are!!!! He was so loving and patient with June. He is exactly what you would want in a partner. Every step of the way, he supported her. It was honestly all of the little details that made you realize how gone he was for her.

I often wanted to shake June because so much could have been resolved with better communication. But I also enjoyed how she had to come to terms with everything, and learn to be brave enough to fight for the things that she wanted.

I loved that it was also a love letter to New York. You got to experience June fall in love with it all over again, in the same way she was falling for Adam again. She realized that they were her home. I never thought I would mourn a house, but I think I love 74th Perry just as much.

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine for the digital ARC.

It's Different this time by Joss Richard is a beautiful portrayal of realistic young friends to lovers who live in NYC. This was a great debut novel. I look forward to whatever else Joss Richard releases.

First, I’m incredibly grateful to NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this before publication - thank you!

Second, wow oh WOW did I love this 🥹 Joss Richard has truly outdone herself in this debut novel & I can only hope she continues to share her gift of storytelling with us.

If you’re an Emily Henry lover like I am, do yourself a favor and pre-order this one NOW. Incredibly addicting, sweet and lovable characters June and Adam were exactly what my romance reader heart needed. Absolutely no notes. What I’d do to read their story for the first time again 🩷

Joss, if you’re reading this: Congratulations, my girl!!! I hope you’re so incredibly proud of this story & that everyone else who picks this up falls in love with it as much as I did. What an absolutely special story.

Add this to your TBR, pre-order, subscribe to Joss’s newsletter, and follow her on all socials, because this girl is going to be a forced to be reckoned with among the romance writers 🩷 Can’t wait for the release of this!!!

This contemporary romance novel was so adorable and addicting! I absolutely loved it! The cover of the book is so cute too! This story had balanced perspectives on the main characters, a clear thesis and was easy to follow. I feel like the minor characters stood out as well in this book. I really like that these characters felt real and were a little bit of a mess, to say the least. I also enjoyed the dual timelines, because it gave me insight into how they came together. This is for the broadway lovers that like to read about a second chance romance. One thing I found a little frustrating was the miscommunication trope between the main characters. I really liked the beautiful setting of the story. It is set in New York, during the fall season. That’s one of my favorite seasons! This book had effective visuals and I found it to be a cozy, medium paced read. It is also very emotional and uplifting!

“It's Different This Time” is a book that is about a woman named June and a guy named Adam. These two used to be roommates and friends, where things happened between them. However, it left them both with unresolved feelings for one another. This ultimately left their friendship not on good terms at all. June starts off living in LA, then ends up moving back to New York City brownstone. After five years of June and Adam not speaking together, they are now forced to. June and Adam end up with a multi million dollar property, thanks to the former owner’s will. While they have to wait a month to get all the paperwork done, they are forced to talk to one another. A bond between them starts resurfacing, the more they speak to each other. Will this end up being a happily ever after second chance romance or will this second chance romance ultimately come to an end? Be sure to check the content warnings. Overall. I rate this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars!

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

This book is set to be published on September 30, 2025!

A genuinely emotionally affecting film with dual timelines. The lead character can be extraordinarily frustrating but in such a well written way that makes sense for her traumas. It’s exasperating but it’s a credit to this author that she’s not afraid to make her character unlikable at times to ensure that it stays true to her nature.

A lovely romance and as a Broadway fan some food geek out moments.

I could not put this book down. The connection between Adam and June was so strong. I found myself blushing and giggling at every little moment between them. I loved that the story alternated between the past and present, allowing us to see these characters grow together, part ways, and grow together again. Yeah, June and Adam could have communicated, but that would have left us without the tension and angst. Joss Richard did an amazing job at creating this little pocket of New York for them.

June’s character growth was incredible. I loved her messiness and her insecurities. She felt so real! Seeing her grow into herself and rediscover her dreams was fantastic.

I recommend this book to anyone looking for a romance with LOTS of tension. 

Also, I will never forget Adam. What a man.

" We're all just people looking for love and doing the best we can."
It's Different this time by Joss Richard is a beautiful portrayal of realistic young friends to lovers who live in NYC. Joss' description and imagery painted a beautiful landscape of autumn in NY.

Adam and June, they're not perfect but they do love each other! The miscommunication was miscommunicating and even I was frustrated at times! I wanted to throw this book across the way in a good way!

June had so many insecurities and it's just a little frustrating to think that if Adam and June had that connection... that meant to be story book vibe.... why was there soo much MISCOMMUNICATION. UGH! My anxiety.

Adam loved June and just wanted to be with her but instead of June communicating how she felt she just UGH! leaves. She is however completely justified in feeling how she was feeling and making those decisions which was good for building tension but my poor nerves how they suffered.

The pining for years is crazy. And then repeating the same mistake years later really upset me and when i tell you i just wanted it to finish the book but i couldn't put it down. I was happy that I didn't break my book by throwing it against the wall because glad with the ending. .

After reading It's Different This Time some readers will completely understand my frustration with June & Adam due to their own annoyance. Just pull through because it's worth it after all that anxiety. They seem like realistic characters in the sense that this actually happens to people everyday.

The side characters were a strong supportive cast of friends and family that added to the dynamic of the main characters and story.

The transitions between time lines was done beautifully and left no room for confusion and was easy to follow along with.

This was a great debut novel. I look forward to whatever else Joss Richard releases.

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

An outstanding debut.

When reading a romance novel, especially one with a dual timeline, the first thing I look for is how the author handles transitions. Are they abrupt? Do I feel strain in the tone? Well, listen up, Joss Richards has written a masterclass that was seamless. ‘It’s Different This Time’ blew me away, and I know readers are going to simply adore June and Adam. Two roommates become friends, but they fall in love while living in their New York brownstone (Perry, the brownstone, is a literary character in this novel). Throw in Alden (the glorious restaurant that I wish I could visit), the reality and struggles of being a working actor, and so much more.

Not only does Joss Richards encapsulate the unspoken glimmer of New York during autumn. She infuses a love of Broadway (Les Mis lovers rise up!), the urgency of young people wanting to have purpose, and meaning in a relationship. Questions that linger: is this love or friendship? Can it be both? June and Adam are the most realistic romance characters I’ve read the entire year and I yearn for books like this.

Now the final act of this book? It had me teary-eyed (I had a lump in my throat, gah). The conversations in this book are so level-headed. It’s not ostentatious, but you simply live in the moments with June and Adam. If an author has the ability to recognize these moments and then build on them? That right there is beauty.

Joss Richard's debut novel is the start of something beautiful, and I can’t wait for whatever she writes next. Ain't it obvious? Honey, this is a 5-STAR READ.

Thank you so much Ballantine/Dell for the digital arc.

I loved this book!! Such a lovely second chance romance. I really enjoyed the flashbacks to the past that show us how their relationship grew. Adam and June are such lovely characters. They were dealing with their own things but they also had such a great connection and you could really see that they loved each other so much. I’m glad they got a second chance!! This was a great read and I felt so many emotions, I really recommend! Thank you Netgalley for the arc, I really appreciate it.

This is for the readers who love second chance, pining and the miscommunication trope isn't the bane of their existence. June & Adam's decade long relationship will make readers yell and swoon.

The love story here is reminiscent of Seb & Mia in La La Land but with a HEA. The characters felt real and their insecurities too. They way June and Adam communicate felt like how real people do. There's miscommunication that makes you want to pull your hair out at times, but makes for good drama and story. I found the characters' journeys compelling. Adam and June's connection was simply undeniable and they were like magnets. Their love story is hard won but gosh the journey getting there was it great.

This book is a big love letter to theater and New York. I felt transported there while reading. It felt very immersive. Richard did a great job writing the descriptions.

For readers who love the second chance trope for it's sweeping romance and mutual pining are going to devour this book.