This was an adorable friends-to-lovers romance between two roommates who are thrust back together wthn they inherit a brownstone in the West Village. The main characters share a past—for a long time, they rented the same apartment in New York and were very close friends. But something happened between them, and June moved to Los Angeles. They haven’t seen or spoken to each other in five years, until June finds out that the owner of that same apartment has died and left it to both her and Adam. The book takes you through past and present day. I was really emotionally invested in the characters and I enjoyed their chemistry and banter. The story spanned across many years. I thought this was a great Debut novel and would love to read more from Joss. It was a well written second chance romance. I highly recommend.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Ballantine/Dell for the advanced copy. It was an excellent read.

Rating: 5/5

Spice: 1.5/5

Plot: 5/5

Primary Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

In this sweeping, second-chance romance, a twist of fate forces two former roommates to move back into their beloved New York City brownstone and face the events that led to their estrangement—and confront their unresolved feelings for each other.

Subject 74 Perry Street

So begins the email that turns June Wood’s entire world on its head. Five years ago, she lived on Perry Street with her former best friend Adam Harper. But why is the management company reaching out to her about it now?

Still smarting from the news of her hit TV show being canceled, June has nothing else to lose. She boards a plane from Los Angeles to New York City to find out more about the mysterious email and the promised opportunity it alludes to. It turns out that, thanks to an unbelievable legal loophole, if she and Adam can live together in the stunning West Village brownstone for a month, it’s theirs. Any true New Yorker knows you don’t pass up prime city real estate, and that fall in the city is magical—so what’s there to think about?

And yet, though most things have changed in the time since they last spoke, one thing hasn’ June and Adam have unfinished business. They didn’t exactly end on good terms when they each went off to chase their dreams. Now, confronted with the consequences of their choices, they must navigate the minefield of their past the best way they know together.

Every day they move closer to owning Perry Street reveals misunderstandings, long-term resentments, and long-buried feelings . . . which are suddenly feeling very, very not so buried. But they’ve already lost their friendship once before, devastating them both. Can they risk losing it again for something a little different this time?

My Thoughts:
🎃🎃

This is a lovely book that takes place in the fall. There’s dual timelines so you’re hopping back and forth between the past and present to allow you to learn how June and Adam got to the point in their relationship. This book is about two college best friends and the feelings that happened between them during the time that they lived together, how it all fell apart, and how they come back into each other’s lives. This is about growing up. How they struggle with their careers and success. Their families. The book is wrought with emotion, miscommunication, sexual tension and romance. It’s incredibly well written. For me, this wasn’t just a book. This was an experience. This is in my top ten reads of the year, it’s so incredibly good. DO NOT MISS.

‘It’s Different This Time’ is a story that snuck up on me and carved out a piece of my heart to sit in. Wow. I don’t think I have the right words to express my love and adoration for this book. The fact that this is a DEBUT novel is astounding.

This story follows June and Adam but this book is told from June’s voice/pov, and I’m so glad it was. June was a character I felt for from the very beginning. She was such a charming character that was honest and real. She had insecurities that played into the choices she made. Her heart and love was beautiful not only for the ones she cared for but for her passion. June is an actress who just wants to be and feel good enough - for others, for the screen, for the stage. This need to feel good enough came from how she was brought up and the lack of it. And, Adam. He was caring like no other person, he noticed the little things, and he loved deeply. Right from the beginning of the book he was this charming character who put so much love and thought when it came to others. Adam is a chef who finds joy and so much comfort in creating things that are filled with love and he does this with cooking/being a chef.

This story spoke to me in so many ways. Their love is so beautiful in the quiet way. A cooked meal at home, knees knocking, a knowing look, asking how your day was, knowing when something was wrong, the subtle and quiet: I got the job. It’s not this big, overdone thing and that is what truly feels the most realistic and heartfelt. It’s a quiet “I’m so proud of you” and not a big party being thrown filled with people you don’t know. Their love is soft yet grand and overwhelming. It’s what people look for and pass over because they don’t realize that this love is truly at the tips of their fingers - or in this book the roommate sleeping in the room just across from you.

In every universe, it’s June and Adam. In every universe.

The emotion in this book snuck up on me and overwhelmed me. It made me feel so so much for these characters and connected me to the story even more. I just absolutely adored this book and I don’t have enough words or the right words to express how much this book means to me.

This story, these characters, will be with me forever. I guess it’s time to reread it, immediately!!!

It took me a few chapters to warm to this second chance, ok maybe third chance, romance between June and Adam but when I did my whole heart was engaged. This book gave me all the feels and I was anxiously reading and feeling along with June. I will admit that I did not always agree with June and her choices and there may have been some screaming at both her and Adam but I could not stop reading and the end left my heart happy. This is a story of friendship, found family, having it all, and finding a way to not let fear hold you back from your dreams. I highly recommend this book to readers of second chance romance books.

Boy oh boy did I love this! June and Adam's story unfolds beautifully, told in both present-day and past chapters. Each of them is pursuing their own dreams (she wants to be on Broadway and he wants to own a restaurant), which gave them personalities and goals outside of their relationship, which is always a plus. This felt like a love letter to NYC and theater and food and it really was magical because of that. The only thing I didn't like was the *shudder* miscommunication trope at the end. Everything else was amazing!

I don’t know if I’ve ever become so emotionally attached to two characters as quickly as I did with June and Adam in It’s Different This Time by Joss Richard. It’s Different This Time follows June Wood, who by a twist of fate, ends up back in New York City for the first time in years— but not only back to the city but also to the very same brownstone where she had lived with her former roommate.

I was only a couple chapters in and I was already kicking my feet and smiling at some of the interactions between June and Adam. And if I wasn’t smiling like a loon, then I was clutching my heart wanting things to get better for the two of them. Getting to see snapshots of their past living in the brownstone together and slowly watching their relationship shift and change only made watching their relationship in the present time so much harder and more beautiful. I swear I could barely put my kindle down from wanting to know what would happen next.

This was the perfect book to start off my fall reading list with. It was heartwarming and heartbreaking, sweet and the perfect amount of spice. Joss Richard wrote some of the most lovable characters I've read in awhile and I honestly am already thinking about the next time I read this book again!

Thank you Ballantine Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley!

this is the sweetest fall book. and for it to be a debut novel is CRAZY. it is so well written and i am a SUCKER for second chance romance1!!

I’m not sure how this is a DEBUT novel?! Joss you outdid yourself 👏🏻 this is definitely one of my new favorite second chance romances. I have been reading so many five star debut novels and am here for it. It’s set in NYC during the fall season… I mean say less? I have to say something about this book, from the start, just felt different than other romances I’ve read. Joss had a way of making what seemed to be a light/fluffy read initially, turn to a very emotional and touching story. It took me through all of the emotions. At times, the miscommunication made me wanna yank them but I loved it because it was done well + I felt they were normal humans. I connected with June and Adam so much due to their vulnerable stories and raw dynamics. The dual timeline was one of my favorite parts to this book, it showed a lot of perspective to their relationship but also took me along with these two. I will keep thinking about this book well after finishing it and that’s when I know a book was impactful for me!! I mean also, just look at this stunning cover?! You truly want to add this one on your fall TBR. I will be reading anything Joss writes!!

Thank you so much NetGalley, @dellromance + @joss.richard for this gifted arc in exchange for my honest review. Forehead kisses for u!!!

I loved this book! Mark my words, it’s going to be timeless. I’ll be recommending it year after year. It feels like a comfort movie you could rewatch and never get sick of. What an incredibly strong debut from Joss Richard!

I ended this book in tears, not because it was sad, but because it was so heartfelt. June and Adam’s love story spanned well over a decade, which created such a depth to their friendship. Truly, no one knew them the way they knew each other. And the way Adam’s family took her in as their own?? More tears! I don’t hear enough people talking about the found family in this book! Between Adam’s family and Chloe’s family, June created the family she never had growing up.

There were times where I just wanted to shake June and say, “hello! Can’t you see he’s flirting with you?!” But on the other hand I understood her insecurities. It made me sad how many years they lost, but the ending made up for it. That epilogue was so sweet!

Thank you Dell for sending me this e-ARC through NetGalley! I was indeed your target audience!

Thank you Dell Romance for my copy!

A 5 star read!!! I love second chance and I love friends to lovers but this book was special to read as an actor. The trials June experienced and the self doubt were so real and I loved that she has a group around her that really supported her, every step of the way. I loved it so much!

3.5/5⭐️ i flew through this book!! the main characters share a past from renting the same apartment, where they quickly went from strangers to roommates to best friends to complicated. now it’s the present and they have to live in the same apartment together for thirty days in order for it to be all theirs. but there is secrets, anguish, hidden anger, jealousy and more keeping them six feet apart from each other.

this was such a heartwarming story but i found myself getting annoyed quite a bit with their lack of communication. the answers to the secrets, were disappointing and childish. plus i would’ve loved if the ending was a bit more ironed out.

overall for a debut novel this is amazing!! the writing flows effortlessly, and the author is amazing at putting you right into the scene with the characters.

I’m a huge fan of second chance and friends to lovers tropes so I knew I was going to love this!! The fall vibes to this were PERFECTION, literally the perfect fall read!!

I loved the way this story was written and how the flashbacks managed to tie in directly to what was going on in the present. That’s one of my favorite things about dual timeline romances and this one was done soooo well!!

I adored Adam and June’s friendship. I loved seeing their relationship bloom through the flashbacks from meeting as strangers to being each other’s person. You could tell how deeply each other cared for the other. I also loved how Adam’s family let June in with open arms and accepted her like she was their own.

I loved the inclusion of June’s love for Les Mis throughout the book. I’m not a huge musical theatre girl but seeing everything come full circle for her was so wonderful to see.

I honestly can’t believe this was Joss’ debut, I need more from her asap!!

This is a debut author I'm definitely going to be looking out for in the future. This was a second chance romance, friends to lover's trope. Also, there was so much growth from each of the characters. This is a slow burn from a not so perfect FMC so if that's not your type of book I would stay away. I caught myself shedding a few tears a few times during this read which is not normal for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dell Publishing for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review as always, all words are my own.

Second chance romance meets New York City - June and Adam get called back to the rental they shared for many years together in the heart of the city. Together, they have to face their past, their what-might-have-been situationship, and their state of their current lives as they navigate what to do about this new house that they've acquired. Told in dual timeline of past and present, will they figure out what went right (and wrong) about their past relationship? What will they do now, and how will the people around them react to them coming back into each other's lives?

This book is second chance romance done right (dare I say perfectly!?). This debut author beautifully depicts fall in NYC, the delicate balance of a second chance romance, and a passion that literally cannot be ignored. Highly recommend as a double feature with your favorite NYC rom-com (I personally will be partnering it with When Harry Met Sally, but another may be your preferred choice!). If you're into a second chance romance, please, please, please pick this one up when it hits shelves near you! Cannot wait for this author to come out with their sophomore novel-I will be first in line.

Thank you to the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

In this heartfelt second-chance romance, fate pushes two former roommates back into their beloved New York City brownstone—forcing them to face the past that tore them apart and the feelings they never truly left behind.

It’s Different This Time is a captivating debut that tugs at the heart and makes you believe in second chances.

This diverse best-friends-to-lovers romance strikes the perfect balance of steam and angst, keeping you hooked through every frustratingly delicious moment. Told in both past and present, June and Adam’s story is packed with chemistry that leaps off the page. Their struggles felt raw and relatable, and the tension in every scene kept me fully invested.

As a mom of two theater kids, I especially loved the way this book celebrates the magic of theater. That passion shines through the characters and adds a unique depth to the story.

Overall, this was an emotional, consuming read that made it easy to lose myself in Adam and June’s story and impossible not to root for their happily ever after..

4/5 ⭐️

June Wood, currently living in Los Angeles and still upset about her TV show being cancelled, gets a mysterious email that says she should come to New York to meet about a house she used to live in. Upon arriving to the meeting, her old roommate, Adam Harper, is also at the meeting. Come to find out, they own the old home they used to rent together. Waiting for the paperwork to be finalized, they need to live together in their old home for the next month. Will old feelings reignite? Were the feelings ever gone in the first place?

You know what, normally I am not a fan of second chance romances, and I still think the reason they didn't work out the first time was ridiculous and stupid and could have easily been avoided but you know what, I still really enjoyed this story! I love the vibes of being in New York, and I loved that I got to watch them become friends first before they ever crossed the line into something more. They really truly cared about each other and loved the things that each other loved.

Adam's family was so kind. The relationship that June ended up having with them was truly so sweet and made me so emotional to see her finally understanding what it is like to be loved by family.

Thank you Joss and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my thoughts & review.

It’s Different This Time
Rating: 5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc!

After receiving an email about the old brownstone she used to live in in New York City, June decides to take a chance and fly back to New York. As it turns out, the property has been left to her and her ex-roommate/friend, Adam. So much has changed since they’ve separated and they did not end their relationship on good terms. As they take the chance of living in the same brownstone again and work through the legal issues, they find themselves wanting to fall back into their old ways. The more they spend time together, they know there’s so much they need to clear up before deciding how it’ll be different this time.

——

What? This is Joss Richard’s debut novel? Unbelievable! This book felt like a warm, comfy hug! I know I’ll be reaching for this one every autumn! Honestly, she did amazing with this one. The writing was beautiful and I loved both characters so much! This book left me in tears and I don’t think I’ve recovered!

As a certified second-chance romance girlie, this one broke me. I am still thinking about this story till this day. Seeing June and Adam’s relationship grow and change made me feel every bit of pain they had. As soon as they met again, I felt the pain and knew I was going to eat this book. This had me hooked from beginning to end!

I accidentally stayed up until 2AM to finish this book. I ATE. IT. UP. The yearning from Adam is off the charts, and suddenly I believe in love again. I'm already a sucker for friends to lovers, but throw in a second chance? Found family? I was a goner from the start.

The writing is good and engaging, I wouldnt have guessed this was a debut novel! It was well-paced, the scenery was beautiful, and I was rooting for both MCs from the beginnin (except for those times when June was doing that thing where she throws a tantrum and then doesn't let Adam SPEAK).

Big thanks to Ballentine for the chance to read an early copy of this book, I'll be adding it to my trophy shelf when it's released!

Thank you to Ballantine and NetGalley for an eARC of It’s Different This Time.
I had a lot of high hopes for this book because of other reviews on TikTok and Instagram. I was also initially really excited to receive an Arc of this book because it has things that I normally really enjoy. The main one being the second chance trope, it felt almost guaranteed that I would enjoy this story. And while I did they were a few things that kept me from absolutely loving it. The first two acts of this book were a very fun read, I was really invested in Adam and Junes story. However my hang up was with the third act. The plot in this section of the story started to feel repetitive, when the same issues are being mirrored in the past in the present with no change in how conflict is solved I found myself feeling lost. Especially when, it’s problems that have simple solutions. I really enjoyed the main characters, their love story was sweet and deeply heartfelt. The novel was well written and I thought it was a fantastic debut. I really hoped to have enjoyed this more, I just think it wasn’t for me personally.

Wow, what an impressive debut! This book is a love letter to New York and Broadway. The pacing was solid. I especially enjoyed the balance of past and present chapters. However, I had mixed feelings about June. At times, her choices made sense given her circumstances, but other times she came across as selfish and a poor communicator. Her inner monologue also grew repetitive and grating. That said, I did appreciate watching her friendship with Adam develop. Their lingering feelings for each other, even while dating other people, seemed realistic. The reason for their separation made sense even if it might frustrate some readers. Adam’s family and Chloe were wonderful additions that enriched the story. However, what I found lacking was Adam’s perspective. His mixed signals toward June and his poor communication was frustrating. It was messed up how he strung Riley along for years, even proposing, while still being in love with June. I wanted to see more of his thoughts of how he processed June leaving and what it was like for him to face her again in the present. The way June and Adam reconnected in the present didn’t quite work either. I wished they had a more honest, thorough conversation to resolve their miscommunication before getting back together. Also, surprisingly, the intimate scenes contained too much dialogue, which pulled me out of the moment. Overall, this was an engaging read with strong atmosphere and some memorable characters, but the execution fell short in places. I would rate it 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars on Goodreads.