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4.41 AVERAGE
4.41 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved this one and am honestly shocked that it’s a debut! It’s Different This Time by Joss Richard is a perfect blend of second chance romance and friends-to-lovers, with dual timelines that kept me hooked from start to finish.
June and Adam used to rent a brownstone on 74 Perry Street, and even though they haven’t lived there in five years, a strange legal loophole means they now co-own it. Forced to live together for a month, they have to confront the past and reckon with the consequences of their choices.
The dual timelines, the pining, and the slow burn were so well done. I was completely invested in both their lives and their relationship. The chemistry between June and Adam was palpable, and Adam was an absolute cutie. June did get in her own way a lot, which was a bit frustrating (there were instances in both timelines where I wanted to shake her), but aside from that, this was such a fantastic read.
Joss Richard’s writing is warm and insightful, and she’s done a phenomenal job on her first book. I can’t wait to see what she writes next!
Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine for the ARC!
June and Adam used to rent a brownstone on 74 Perry Street, and even though they haven’t lived there in five years, a strange legal loophole means they now co-own it. Forced to live together for a month, they have to confront the past and reckon with the consequences of their choices.
The dual timelines, the pining, and the slow burn were so well done. I was completely invested in both their lives and their relationship. The chemistry between June and Adam was palpable, and Adam was an absolute cutie. June did get in her own way a lot, which was a bit frustrating (there were instances in both timelines where I wanted to shake her), but aside from that, this was such a fantastic read.
Joss Richard’s writing is warm and insightful, and she’s done a phenomenal job on her first book. I can’t wait to see what she writes next!
Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine for the ARC!
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was provided an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
If you're into second chance romance novels then this one is pretty great. June is a struggling actress in Los Angeles when she gets a mysterious email, turns out she co-owns a multi-million dollar brownstone with her former roomate back in New York City. The chapters jump back and forth through time (both progressing linearly, no sideways jumps and no multiverse) as we learn about our romantic leads. The supporting characters have depth without being too involved though check the tags, depending on how you feel about your family members.
I devoured this book in less than a day and would absolutely read anything else this author publishes! Here are my notes from reading, in alphabetical order to prevent spoilers:
before dinner?!, boner, cackled, chills, COWARD, CROSS THE THRESHOLD, dead I have ascended, fuck yes it does, good pacing and plausibility, jumping around in time is tough, but this is compelling, least favorite trope, mmmmm forced proximity, my heart the pacing is phenom, oblivious pining, omg, ouch bby why does this feel so real, relatable female main character, scandalous ankle touching, sobbing quietly to myself, spectacular banter, sweet home alabama vibes, swoon, ughhhhhh, WHAT
Really hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!
If you're into second chance romance novels then this one is pretty great. June is a struggling actress in Los Angeles when she gets a mysterious email, turns out she co-owns a multi-million dollar brownstone with her former roomate back in New York City. The chapters jump back and forth through time (both progressing linearly, no sideways jumps and no multiverse) as we learn about our romantic leads. The supporting characters have depth without being too involved though check the tags, depending on how you feel about your family members.
I devoured this book in less than a day and would absolutely read anything else this author publishes! Here are my notes from reading, in alphabetical order to prevent spoilers:
before dinner?!, boner, cackled, chills, COWARD, CROSS THE THRESHOLD, dead I have ascended, fuck yes it does, good pacing and plausibility, jumping around in time is tough, but this is compelling, least favorite trope, mmmmm forced proximity, my heart the pacing is phenom, oblivious pining, omg, ouch bby why does this feel so real, relatable female main character, scandalous ankle touching, sobbing quietly to myself, spectacular banter, sweet home alabama vibes, swoon, ughhhhhh, WHAT
Really hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Death of parent
Minor: Cancer, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders
emotional
funny
Loveable characters:
Yes
I don’t think a book could cater to my tastes any more than this did! You have a second-chance romance, a glorious setting of New York City in autumn, and a female main character who loves Broadway. It’s a match made in heaven for me.
It’s Different This Time centers around two friends in their early 30s, June and Adam, who lost contact five years ago for unknown reasons. June is a TV/Broadway actress down on her luck, finding out she and her ex-roommate/friend, Adam, are set to inherit an insanely valuable Brownstone in NYC. The only catch - they have to live in the house for 30 days while paperwork gets sorted, all while trying to move past whatever drove them apart five years ago.
If you didn’t tell me this was a debut novel, I would have absolutely no idea. The way the characters are fleshed out and how vividly the setting is conveyed rival well-established authors. I absolutely love dual-timeline stories, so getting to see how the timelines eventually intersect is a real treat. I loved June and Adam’s dynamic and how much love and respect they had for one another during their friendship and eventual romance.
I could write a whole separate novel on how much I loved this book, but I’ll leave it at knowing full well that Joss Richard will be an auto-buy for me from now on.
Thank you to Ballentine/Dell and NetGalley for the eARC!
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer, Grief
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I was so charmed by this book! June and Adam, former roommates, have been estranged for years, but are thrown back together when they are surprised to discover that they've inherited the West Village brownstone they used to share. Through a dual timeline, we follow June and Adam's relationship, from burgeoning friendship to eventual separation. I loved that we got to spend so much time with these characters together -- from June's auditions and acting successes and failures, to Adam's years of culinary school and time in the kitchens of various restaurants -- that their relationship feels authentic and deep. There is so much attention paid to small, quotidien details of their life as roommates and friends that I felt like I could envision them in their charming brownstone, sharing meals, watching TV, or walking the paths of Central Park. (The years-of-friendship structure reminded me of Emily's Henry's "People We Meet on Vacation," which is high praise, as that's my favorite of EmHen's novels.)
The third act of the book did feel a bit rushed, and some of the motivations behind June and Adam's decisions were perhaps a bit underbaked, but because I cared so much about these characters, I didn't let that overcome my overall enjoyment of this delightful story.
I received this book as an advanced reader copy from NetGalley. The book is set to be published in September 2025, and is sure to be great for a cozy autumn-in-New York read.
Thanks for Ballentine/Dell and NetGalley for the ARC.
The third act of the book did feel a bit rushed, and some of the motivations behind June and Adam's decisions were perhaps a bit underbaked, but because I cared so much about these characters, I didn't let that overcome my overall enjoyment of this delightful story.
I received this book as an advanced reader copy from NetGalley. The book is set to be published in September 2025, and is sure to be great for a cozy autumn-in-New York read.
Thanks for Ballentine/Dell and NetGalley for the ARC.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death of parent, Abandonment
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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!
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!
emotional
hopeful
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
June and Adam are interesting characters, and watching them find their way back to each other was very sweet and satisfying. I love a romance with a deep, emotional connection. June's actions didn't always make sense to me, but there was some effort to explain them. The pacing also felt a little strange, because it felt like the climax was hitting in the middle of the book, and I wasn't sure what the next 100+ pages would hold. I liked that it wasn't as predictable as expected, though.
Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for the ARC!
Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for the ARC!
if you’re a second chance superfan like me, let me tell you right now: run, don’t walk to pick this up when it comes out on september 30th! i requested this on a whim and i couldn’t be happier that i took a chance – i completely devoured this in one day, and it was so hard to put it down even for the sake of a meal. i was that locked in.
in particular, i found myself reminded of books like happy place and the ex vows, which are two books that i absolutely adore. one of my biggest pet peeves in second chance and/or friends-to-lovers plotlines is when the author doesn’t make me believe in their history. if this foundation is so completely vital to the storyline, and to this couple’s love story, i need to feel it! joss richard did an incredible job with this exact thing – the flashbacks really brought that part of their story to life, and made me believe in both their friendship and the potential for more that always haunted the narrative. the slow burn was perfect, each flashback was perfectly placed, and even though june was so unbelievably wrong to leave the way she did, i was still rooting for them the whole time. it was perfect!
thank you to netgalley & the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
First of all, the cover is gorgeous and gives the best fall vibes; it would be the perfect book to read in the autumn season.
It’s Different This Time by Joss Richards is a beautifully written, deeply emotional second chance romance that completely swept me away. I devoured this book in a single day and went on a full rollercoaster of emotions; I laughed, I teared up, I fell head over heels. This story just got me.
The book is set in New York City, and is packed with all the autumn vibes I love. The city feels like a character in itself because it feels so alive, vibrant, and brimming with memory and meaning. The dual timeline format was so effective at unraveling June and Adam’s past while slowly rebuilding their present. Watching their connection shift from estranged best friends to something more again had me hooked.
June is a TV actress who has been feeling the sting of change and loss, and Adam is a chef with a steady, quiet kind of devotion that made my heart ache. Their unexpected inheritance of the brownstone they once shared forces them to confront everything they’ve left unsaid, which is years of heartbreak, longing, and unresolved feelings.
This book was such a rich blend of tension, tenderness, and hope. I especially loved the theme of returning, not just to a place, but to yourself, your passions, your people. The chemistry between June and Adam was perfection, and the pacing of their emotional journey felt so natural and real. Yes, there’s a third act breakup (which normally is not my favorite trope), but here, I felt like it worked well. To me, it feels earned, and the payoff is so worth it.
Read if you love:
🍂 Friends to lovers
🍂 Second chances that make your heart hurt (in the best way)
🍂 NYC in the fall
🍂 Banter, Broadway, and a cinnamon roll chef love interest
I’ll be picking up anything Joss Richards writes next!
Thank you to NetGalley, Joss Richard, and Ballantine/Dell for the eARC of this book.
It’s Different This Time by Joss Richards is a beautifully written, deeply emotional second chance romance that completely swept me away. I devoured this book in a single day and went on a full rollercoaster of emotions; I laughed, I teared up, I fell head over heels. This story just got me.
The book is set in New York City, and is packed with all the autumn vibes I love. The city feels like a character in itself because it feels so alive, vibrant, and brimming with memory and meaning. The dual timeline format was so effective at unraveling June and Adam’s past while slowly rebuilding their present. Watching their connection shift from estranged best friends to something more again had me hooked.
June is a TV actress who has been feeling the sting of change and loss, and Adam is a chef with a steady, quiet kind of devotion that made my heart ache. Their unexpected inheritance of the brownstone they once shared forces them to confront everything they’ve left unsaid, which is years of heartbreak, longing, and unresolved feelings.
This book was such a rich blend of tension, tenderness, and hope. I especially loved the theme of returning, not just to a place, but to yourself, your passions, your people. The chemistry between June and Adam was perfection, and the pacing of their emotional journey felt so natural and real. Yes, there’s a third act breakup (which normally is not my favorite trope), but here, I felt like it worked well. To me, it feels earned, and the payoff is so worth it.
Read if you love:
🍂 Friends to lovers
🍂 Second chances that make your heart hurt (in the best way)
🍂 NYC in the fall
🍂 Banter, Broadway, and a cinnamon roll chef love interest
I’ll be picking up anything Joss Richards writes next!
Thank you to NetGalley, Joss Richard, and Ballantine/Dell for the eARC of this book.