It's Different This Time by Joss Richard

 

Summary (from the publisher): 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’t -  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?

Review: I was floored by how much I loved this. June is living in LA and still pursuing her acting career when she receives a mysterious email that ultimately drags her back to New York. Five years ago, she lived with her best friend Adam Harper. But they haven't spoken since. But it turns out that they are set to inherit the West Village brownstone they lived in all those years ago. Can they repair what they once had? In alternate chapters, readers get the story of how they met, how they became best friends, and why they ultimately fell apart. Can they repair what they once had?

This is a second-chance, friends to lovers story and I enjoyed every minute of it. I am not typically a huge fan of friends to lovers storylines but it helps that in this book, Adam never really wanted to be friends. They have undeniable chemistry from day one. I love how well they know each other, how intimately they understand the nuances of each other's lives and personalities, well before anything romantic starts. 

These two drove me crazy for such a long stretch in this book, in both the flashbacks and in the present day! I was agonized over the tension between them and wondering how they would work it out. Of course, it's a little implausible that they would inherit a house worth several million dollars, but I loved that this catalyst brings them back together to where they first got to know each other. This forced reunion makes this all possible. I mostly just loved Adam and June. They were great together, both before they knew it and after. 

Some other thoughts: 

• The cover of this is giving strong fall vibes but the book is really a year-round read. If you're looking for a cozy, autumn feel, this is not it. But good news! If you're thinking about reading this at any other time of the year, it will absolutely work. 
• I would have loved a dual POV in this! Would have LOVED to hear Adam's thoughts. 
• I listened to this on audio, which was so well done. The narrator was amazing and I was immersed. Totally immersed! However, the dual timeline was distracting, and I had a hard time remembering which timeline I was in at times. This likely would have been a little bit less confusing reading this in print. Not a deal breaker but it does make me wonder why it couldn't have just been a chronological story. I found their story gripping from beginning to end and wonder if it would have been more straight forward and just as enjoyable if told chronologically. 
• This has several open-door scenes that were well done. I also just loved the tension and undeniable attraction between June and Adam. 

This was just such an enjoyable, immersive story. I loved Adam and June and was hooked on hearing their story. It's going to be hard to move on to another book since they're still so firmly stuck in my head! Absolutely one of the very top romances I have read this year.

Stars: 4.5 (rounded up on Goodreads to 5 stars).