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.!

Easiest 5 stars ever and maybe my top book of the year. Second chance and friends to lovers are two of my favorite tropes and Joss Richard DELIVERED!!! The longing and love between June and Adam was addictive. Then add in all the musical theater goodness, the found family and the fact that he cooks for her—it was a dream! The pacing was great and I liked the jumps from the past to present. I couldn’t put it down and I’ve already preordered my copy, because I need it on my shelf ASAP.

loved the writing of this and loved the dual timeline! didn't love the source of some of the conflict but it by no means ruined the book for me.

thank you penguin random house for the early copy <3 excited for this to release in september

This story follows Adam Harper and June Wood as they are forced to reconnect back in New York after 5 years apart. It is told in a dual timeline jumping from current time to back when they first met 11 years ago (talk about slow burn). Seeing each other again and spending time together reminds them of their past- both the best parts and worst. They have to dig up and deal with the past in order to heal and move on. I loved seeing their passion and drive to achieve their dreams. June’s best friend Chloe and Adam’s family are side characters that add so much to the story and make it that much better! And loved both the NY and autumn vibes! But the one trope I really can’t stand is the miscommunication trope and unfortunately that was apart of their story. But I can understand why. June’s past shaped the way she values herself and her view on relationships. I just want to scream at her, “JUST TELL HIM HOW YOU FEEL!”. But in reality, it’s not always that easy. Their story shows the importance of loving and healing yourself and how it impacts the relationships in your life.

I love a flashback and I love a second-chances romance. This was so well written and I enjoyed it from start to finish (and definitely stayed up past my bedtime to finish this one!)

this was so cute. I needed a sweet second chance romance. I felt completely overwhelmed by June and Adam and their friendship/ relationship. Crazy how your soulmate can be right in front of you the entire time, but fear gets in the way of taking the leap. After 6 years of no contact, and clandestine moment occurs that gets them both in the same place at the same time. With one month of living in their old home, they soon realize that years may have gone by and relationships have come and gone.. but for them it's different this time. I loved it. such a good, cozy, fall read.

Loved this book. A well-done second chance romance that was able to move back and forth between past and present without fumbling. The characters had chemistry, though I did find the FMC a little irksome towards the end in the third act. Overall would recommend!

The FMC was really whiney for me. Like victim complex. Wasn’t my cup of tea unfortunately. I get she was pissed that her job ended but theater is still amazing. Soft DNFed the book and may try again after publication.

I absolutely adored this book and have nothing but amazing things to say. It's hard to encapsulate how well written, thought provoking, and emotional this book was. The difficulty in writing a second chance romance is always the dual timeline and building up the relationship prior to justify the yearning and continued feelings. Joss did that phenomenally in a way that was very believeable and realistic. I immediately was drawn into the story and was very curious how it will play out. I like the refreshing tone of Joss' writing voice it felt comfortable and casual which made me feel like these were real characters I would encounter. The pacing of the story was great I don't think things were rushed, and things were explained well vs shown. I finished this in less than 24 hours and experienced every emotion on the way. I laughed, cried, felt sentimental, sweated (because omg the spice!!) and burst into tears during the epilogue with the letter. To touch on the spice, it was placed perfectly in the story and not cringey! It felt appropriate for how the story was progressing. All that to say this book reminded me why I love second chance romances, and romances in general. I will be shouting this book from the rooftops until further notice. Thank you thank you for giving me an early copy!! Will be adding to Goodreads and instagram soon :)

“It will always be you.” 🥰🫶🏼💌🫧

I’m so incredibly grateful to have received this as my very first ARC. From the very beginning, I was drawn into a story that held my heart tightly and never let go. I have so much love and adoration for the storyline and the characters—each one felt real, layered, and unforgettable.

One of the things I loved most was the seamless connection and flow between the past and present. The way the timeline was woven together made every emotional moment land with even more weight, and it helped me understand the characters on a deeper level. The realism in this story is what made it resonate with me so profoundly—there were so many instances where I could see parts of myself in their journeys.

The MMC absolutely stole my heart. He’s everything—family-oriented, patient, understanding, loving, caring, handsome, successful, and incredibly respectful. And his family? Just as wholesome and wonderful. Their warmth and support beautifully balanced the much different, more turbulent childhood of the FMC.

Speaking of the FMC, I loved her character development. It was inspiring to watch her try—imperfectly but earnestly—to respond to life more maturely with age. I related to her so much in those moments of growth, where she was learning to meet life with strength and softness.

And don’t even get me started on their former landlord—what a touching, endearing character. Truly unforgettable. Same with their best friend; they brought so much heart to the story.

One quote that stayed with me:
“Maybe the things worth having in life aren’t supposed to come easy.”
This book embodies that sentiment in the most beautiful way.

Overall, this is one of those rare books that will stick with me for infinity.
I adored it in every possible way. ✨

This was super well written. I enjoyed so much about this. I loved the time line of going back and forth. I loved that the author keeps you in the dark. I wanted to read this and finish this until I got to the end. I just had a hard time with the leading lady. She Needs therapy so bad! The choices she makes at the end threw me and I wanted to strangle her. Man that was hard to read! In the end everything was well done and I had a smile on my face but man for a min I was worried.
This book is for adults. Adult themes. There is some drinking and swearing but not tons. There is a couple of sex scenes. There is emotional abuse by a parent and some cancer to even out this very emotional roller coaster of a story.

Thanks to NetGalley and Joss Richard for the arc of her first book! This book was super cute! I loved the characters, I loved the setting, and I loved the story overall. I absolutely love books written with dual timelines, and this one was done amazingly! This book is fun and cozy, and I would definitely recommend!

I was starting to believe the contemporary romances weren’t my genre after being let down on the last few I’ve read. But this book made me believe in love again!

The book alternates between the present timeline where aspiring actress June is returning to NYC to take care of some business centered around a brownstone she used to rent. This event puts her on a crash course to face all the things she ran from when she abruptly left NYC for LA 5 years earlier. Namely Adam, her roommate and best friend for 6 years.

In the past, we see how June and Adam met in their early 20s and ended up becoming roommates. We see them navigate fledgling careers as an actress and chef respectively, family and love. As they grow closer in the past and the present, they must deal with the hurt, grief and anger they are holding on to.

It’s been awhile since I’ve read a romance with a FMC that I found funny, relatable, flawed and likable. And a MMC that wasn’t a caricature of “the perfect man.” They clicked very well from the start and their relationship was believable. And when there was conflict in the relationship, they communicated with each other.

This is a debut novel and I would definitely read more of this author’s work. Her writing style was engaging, descriptive and quick. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC. This book will be published in September 2025.