Last week, I was browsing a vintage bookshop in Denver when I stumbled across an old photo tucked inside a used novel—a picture of two people standing in front of a brownstone, arms slung around each other, smiling like they owned the world. I wondered what happened to them, whether they stayed together or drifted apart. Sometimes you get a second chance to rewrite your story, which is exactly what happens in It's Different This Time. The book asks: what if fate gave you one more shot at the life you thought you'd lost?
Plot Summary
It's Different This Time by Joss Richard follows June Wood, an actress whose TV show has just been cancelled, and Adam Harper, her former roommate. Five years ago, they lived together in a stunning West Village brownstone in New York City—until a falling-out drove them apart. Now, June receives a mysterious email about the property. It turns out that thanks to an unusual legal loophole in their old lease, if she and Adam can live together in the brownstone for one month, the multi-million-dollar property is theirs. With nothing to lose, June flies to New York to face the man she hasn't spoken to in years. Over the course of four autumn weeks, they're forced to confront the unresolved past, the unspoken feelings, and the possibility that maybe love—and friendship—deserve a do-over.
Why I Love This Book
I love how It's Different This Time balances emotional depth with a warm, cozy atmosphere. Joss Richard creates a vivid sense of place—you can practically feel the crunch of autumn leaves and smell the New York City air. The romance is a slow burn rooted in genuine friendship, which makes every moment of longing and every small gesture feel earned. June and Adam are flawed, realistic characters who've both made mistakes, and watching them navigate forgiveness and second chances is deeply satisfying. The book doesn't rush the emotional work. It takes time to explore what went wrong and what it takes to rebuild trust. The New York City setting in fall adds magic and nostalgia, and the stakes—a stunning brownstone and a chance to reclaim what they lost—feel both tangible and symbolic.
Who Will Like This Book
If you enjoy second-chance romance, friends-to-lovers, forced proximity, autumn settings, New York City stories, or slow-burn emotional romances, this book is perfect for you. It's ideal for readers who appreciate character-driven stories with emotional introspection and realistic relationship dynamics. Fans of Emily Henry, Christina Lauren, or heartfelt contemporary romance will find a lot to love. The story has low angst but plenty of emotional vulnerability and tenderness.
⚠️ Trigger warning: past estrangement, career setbacks, emotional tension, references to unresolved conflict, grief over a lost relationship.
Tagged As
contemporary romance, second chance romance, friends to lovers, forced proximity, one month together, New York City, autumn setting, brownstone, slow burn, emotional, low angst, character-driven, realistic, roommates, estranged friends, HEA, sweet, heartfelt, cozy
Steam Level
🌶️🌶️ Mild
The book features a few intimate scenes that are sweet and emotionally connected to the story. The focus is on emotional intimacy, rebuilding trust, and the slow rediscovery of feelings rather than explicit content. The romance is tender and heartfelt.
