It’s Different This Time by Joss Richard

There’s something magnetic about the promise of second chances, particularly when wrapped in the familiar comfort of contemporary romance. Joss Richard’s debut novel delivers exactly what its title suggests—a fresh take on the beloved trope of former lovers reuniting under extraordinary circumstances. In a literary landscape saturated with meet-cute scenarios, Richard chooses to explore the more complex terrain of what happens when love gets a second act.

The Heart of the Story: A Brownstone and Broken Dreams

June Wood finds herself at a crossroads that many thirty-something creative professionals will recognize with uncomfortable familiarity. Her hit television show has been cancelled, leaving her adrift in Los Angeles and questioning the path that led her away from New York five years earlier. When a mysterious email arrives offering an impossible opportunity—the chance to own a stunning West Village brownstone with her former roommate and best friend Adam Harper—she boards a plane eastward, not just toward real estate, but toward the unresolved feelings she left behind.

The premise hinges on a deliciously improbable legal loophole: if June and Adam can cohabitate for thirty days in their old shared home, it becomes theirs. Richard wisely doesn’t dwell too heavily on the logistics of this arrangement, instead using it as a catalyst for the emotional excavation that follows. The brownstone itself becomes more than just a setting—it’s a repository of memories, a witness to their shared history, and ultimately, a character in its own right.

Adam Harper has evolved from the culinary school student June once knew into a successful restaurateur, but success hasn’t necessarily brought him happiness. His relationship with Riley appears stable on the surface, yet the cracks become apparent as old feelings resurface. Richard demonstrates considerable skill in crafting Adam as more than just a romantic interest; he’s a fully realized character grappling with family tragedy, professional pressure, and the weight of choices made in youth.

Character Development: Flawed and Authentic Protagonists

Where Richard particularly excels is in creating protagonists who feel genuinely human rather than romance novel archetypes. June’s decision to flee to Los Angeles five years earlier wasn’t born from noble ambition but from fear and self-doubt—a distinction that adds layers of complexity to her character. She bought a one-way ticket and constructed an elaborate lie about her intentions, a choice that feels simultaneously selfish and painfully relatable.

The author doesn’t shy away from June’s less admirable qualities. Her tendency toward avoidance, her struggles with commitment, and her complicated relationship with success make her a protagonist readers can recognize rather than simply admire. Similarly, Adam’s loyalty to his family and his genuine kindness are balanced against his own capacity for poor communication and his sometimes passive approach to major life decisions.

The supporting characters, particularly Adam’s family members, feel lived-in and authentic. The tragic loss of Adam’s mother Audrey provides emotional weight without feeling manipulative, while his sister Sarah brings genuine warmth to their interactions. Even Riley, who could have been written as a convenient obstacle, emerges as a sympathetic character deserving of better than being caught in the middle of unresolved feelings.

The Writing: Contemporary Voice with Classic Sensibilities

Richard’s prose strikes an effective balance between contemporary accessibility and emotional depth. Her background in television and digital media serves her well here, as the dialogue feels natural and unforced. The pacing moves at a clip that keeps pages turning while allowing sufficient space for emotional development.

The author demonstrates particular strength in writing intimate scenes—not just romantic encounters, but moments of quiet connection that feel genuinely earned. A shared meal, a conversation on the couch while watching a movie, or a walk through familiar neighborhoods carry emotional weight precisely because Richard takes time to ground them in specific, sensory details.

There are occasional moments where the writing veers toward the overly convenient—certain revelations arrive with perhaps too perfect timing, and some conflicts resolve more neatly than life typically allows. However, these minor quibbles feel less significant when weighed against the novel’s overall emotional authenticity.

Themes: Love, Loss, and the Courage to Choose

Beyond its romantic framework, the novel grapples with themes that resonate beyond the genre’s typical boundaries. The question of whether we can truly return to something we’ve lost threads throughout the narrative, complicated by the reality that both characters have changed in the intervening years. Richard explores how grief shapes relationships, how success can feel hollow without meaningful connections, and how the fear of vulnerability can drive us toward choices that ultimately leave us isolated.

The title proves particularly apt—while June and Adam are revisiting their connection, they’re not simply returning to what once was. The novel argues convincingly that second chances work only when we acknowledge how we’ve grown and changed, rather than attempting to recapture an idealized past.

Critical Assessment: Areas for Growth

While Richard demonstrates considerable promise as a debut novelist, certain elements could have been strengthened. The central conceit of the inheritance feels slightly contrived, requiring more suspension of disbelief than strictly necessary. Some plot threads—particularly around June’s career prospects—resolve with what feels like authorial convenience rather than organic development.

The novel’s treatment of Los Angeles versus New York occasionally veers toward cliché, with LA portrayed somewhat one-dimensionally as shallow and career-focused while New York represents authenticity and connection. A more nuanced exploration of place would have served the story well.

Additionally, while the emotional core of the relationship feels authentic, some of the external obstacles feel manufactured rather than arising naturally from character choices. The strongest moments occur when June and Adam are simply talking, cooking, or existing in shared space—suggesting that Richard’s strengths lie in intimate character work rather than high-stakes plotting.

Final Verdict: A Promising Debut with Heart

Despite its minor flaws, “It’s Different This Time” succeeds where it matters most—in creating characters worth caring about and a relationship worth rooting for. Richard writes with genuine emotion about the complicated nature of love, loss, and forgiveness. The novel will particularly resonate with readers who appreciate character-driven romance that doesn’t shy away from difficult conversations about growth, change, and the courage required to remain vulnerable.

For a debut effort, “It’s Different This Time” represents impressive work that suggests Richard has the potential to become a significant voice in contemporary romance. While not every plot element lands perfectly, the emotional core remains solid throughout, anchored by characters who feel real enough to invite readers into their complicated, messy, ultimately hopeful story.

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