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Love, Off the Record
The Hating Game meets Alex, Approximately in this smart, chemistry-filled teen rom-com about two rival journalism students competing for the same position on their university newspaper.
Wyn is going to beat Three even if it kills her—or, preferably, him. Being freshmen staffers on the university newspaper puts them at the bottom of the pecking order—until a rare reporter spot opens up. Wyn and Three are both determined to get the position, starting a game of sabotage that pushes them to do their worst, from stealing each other’s ideas to playing twisted mind games. No road is too low when it comes to winning.
As Wyn’s search for the perfect story leads her to an anonymous, campus-wide dating app, she hits it off with a mystery man she thinks might be the cute RA from her dorm. But Wyn is all too familiar with being rejected because of her weight, and she’s hesitant to reveal her identity, even as she grows closer with someone who might be the guy of her dreams.
When Three breaks a story that’s closer to home than he or Wyn expects, the two must put aside their differences to expose the truth—and face their real feelings for each other, which threaten everything Wyn has built with her anonymous match.
Wyn is going to beat Three even if it kills her—or, preferably, him. Being freshmen staffers on the university newspaper puts them at the bottom of the pecking order—until a rare reporter spot opens up. Wyn and Three are both determined to get the position, starting a game of sabotage that pushes them to do their worst, from stealing each other’s ideas to playing twisted mind games. No road is too low when it comes to winning.
As Wyn’s search for the perfect story leads her to an anonymous, campus-wide dating app, she hits it off with a mystery man she thinks might be the cute RA from her dorm. But Wyn is all too familiar with being rejected because of her weight, and she’s hesitant to reveal her identity, even as she grows closer with someone who might be the guy of her dreams.
When Three breaks a story that’s closer to home than he or Wyn expects, the two must put aside their differences to expose the truth—and face their real feelings for each other, which threaten everything Wyn has built with her anonymous match.
Hardcover
First published June 11, 2024
About the author
Samantha Markum
3 books368 followersSamantha Markum is the USA Today bestselling author of Love, Off the Record, You Wouldn't Dare, and This May End Badly. She was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, where she got her great literary start writing Newsies fan fiction in middle school. When she’s not writing, she can be found playing cozy video games, attempting to revive her half-dead house plants, and getting in bed before sunset. When she is writing, you can find her staring at the wall in search of inspiration. Visit her at samanthamarkum.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 256 reviews
June 22, 2024
Love, Off the Record was a delightful read! I was intrigued by the book's synopsis and knew I had to read it because I loved The Hating Game!
Wyn and Three, two driven journalism students, compete strongly to get the top spot on their school newspaper. As they turn to mind tricks and sabotage to outsmart one another, Three discovers something that casts doubt on their rivalry, while Wyn finds herself captivated to an unknown man on a university dating app.
I adored the characters and felt that their personal experiences of managing delicate family issues, dating, friendship, and collage were so genuine. One of the best things that kept things interesting and made for some enjoyable moments along the way was the competition and banter between Wyn and Three. I was rooting for them right from the start since I could feel their tension nearly jumping off the paper.
I adored how characters supported one another in speaking and living their truths, even when it was challenging, and to prioritize their mental health.
I got the chance to listen to the Love, Off the Record audiobook. The narrator did a fantastic job, in my opinion, with pleasing expression and timing.
I have not read any books by Samantha Markum before, but this one is not the last. I was very captivated in this novel, and it was difficult to put down! I will definitely look for more of Samantha's works.
Strongly recommend to all YA readers, especially those who enjoy the academic setting's enemies-to-lovers trope.
Wyn and Three, two driven journalism students, compete strongly to get the top spot on their school newspaper. As they turn to mind tricks and sabotage to outsmart one another, Three discovers something that casts doubt on their rivalry, while Wyn finds herself captivated to an unknown man on a university dating app.
I adored the characters and felt that their personal experiences of managing delicate family issues, dating, friendship, and collage were so genuine. One of the best things that kept things interesting and made for some enjoyable moments along the way was the competition and banter between Wyn and Three. I was rooting for them right from the start since I could feel their tension nearly jumping off the paper.
I adored how characters supported one another in speaking and living their truths, even when it was challenging, and to prioritize their mental health.
I got the chance to listen to the Love, Off the Record audiobook. The narrator did a fantastic job, in my opinion, with pleasing expression and timing.
I have not read any books by Samantha Markum before, but this one is not the last. I was very captivated in this novel, and it was difficult to put down! I will definitely look for more of Samantha's works.
Strongly recommend to all YA readers, especially those who enjoy the academic setting's enemies-to-lovers trope.
March 25, 2024
A Three apologist since he first appeared on the scene in 2022, I could not wait to read a book all about him. And let me tell you, he is at his THREE-IEST in this. If you thought he and Doe had chemistry, just wait until you get a look at him and Wyn. There is fighting but also sort of flirting (when Wyn chokes him in the middle of the newsroom, oh my god), there is banter that never ends, and there is the only acceptable kind of love triangle--a two-sided one.
It's giving Tweet Cute. It's giving You've Got Mail. It's giving Alex, Approximately.
Wyn is a lot of us when we first get to college--unsure of our place, feeling like everyone else had made friends so easily while you were just kind of...there. I graduated many moons ago, and it was still super validating to read about someone else having the same kind of experience that I did, feeling like I could be lifted out of the equation and it wouldn't have made a difference.
I cannot tell you how much I love Samantha Markum. I will read anything she ever writes, forever and ever, amen. Every book of hers is my new favorite. They are so funny, so relatable, so well written. She does YA SO well, but I would love to see an adult book from her too, because honestly? There's nothing but some mild kissing in this one and it is still HOT.
You don't have to have read Three's villain origin story (This May End Badly) before you read this. It makes sense with or without the background. But...why would you NOT read This May End Badly? It's RIGHT THERE, already published and waiting for you. Go, fall in love with Three now, so that you're ready when this is released in June!
It's giving Tweet Cute. It's giving You've Got Mail. It's giving Alex, Approximately.
Wyn is a lot of us when we first get to college--unsure of our place, feeling like everyone else had made friends so easily while you were just kind of...there. I graduated many moons ago, and it was still super validating to read about someone else having the same kind of experience that I did, feeling like I could be lifted out of the equation and it wouldn't have made a difference.
I cannot tell you how much I love Samantha Markum. I will read anything she ever writes, forever and ever, amen. Every book of hers is my new favorite. They are so funny, so relatable, so well written. She does YA SO well, but I would love to see an adult book from her too, because honestly? There's nothing but some mild kissing in this one and it is still HOT.
You don't have to have read Three's villain origin story (This May End Badly) before you read this. It makes sense with or without the background. But...why would you NOT read This May End Badly? It's RIGHT THERE, already published and waiting for you. Go, fall in love with Three now, so that you're ready when this is released in June!
June 30, 2024
Gilmore Girl girlies must read; thank me later.
Adored, it felt nostalgic & new. I enjoyed all of the banter and was giggly throughout the entire read.
(doesn’t read like a fanfic).
Shoutout to Emily for knowing me soo well & forcing me to read this with her.
Adored, it felt nostalgic & new. I enjoyed all of the banter and was giggly throughout the entire read.
(doesn’t read like a fanfic).
Shoutout to Emily for knowing me soo well & forcing me to read this with her.
June 9, 2024
ATE UP THE COMPETITIVE RIVALS TO LOVERS TROPEEEE.
I was so happy Three got his own book he was the star of TMEB fr. Really adored the banter and unmitigated annoyance he and Wyn shared.
I was so happy Three got his own book he was the star of TMEB fr. Really adored the banter and unmitigated annoyance he and Wyn shared.
June 17, 2024
I loved this book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you NetGalley and Spotify Audiobooks for allowing me to listen to an early copy of Love, Off the Record.
If I had to describe Love, Off the Record with three words they would be: angsty, funny, and absolutely important. In this YA rom-com, Samantha Markham doesn´t just give us a rivalry between lovers in college romance, but she gives us banter, friendship, angst, and a view of how difficult it can be to be plus-size and love yourself.
Wyn and Three are rivals. She will beat him no matter what and the position on the university newspaper will be hers.
And while Wyn tries to beat Three, find her voice, friendship, and maybe even flirt a little with the cute RA.
But when Three hits a story too close to home for Wyn they need to put their differences aside and try to uncover something too important to continue bickering.
The banter and angst in this book are top notch and I was engaged since the second one.
As far as internalized and not fatphobia goes this book threads the topic very gently without being too heavy, but it says what we fat girls always think. How others perceive us, how we have to hide while eating for fear of being judged, how it is not even remotely possible that a cute guy can like us when there are so many pretty skinny girls out there.
And let me tell you, I know everything about this, since I lived it.
And girls, always love yourself. Because like Wyn you are capable, strong, and most importantly beautiful, and people who fall in love with you will like you no matter what.
The audiobook is really well produced and I loved the voice actress. She did a beautiful job voicing all of Wyn´s internal struggles and not.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you NetGalley and Spotify Audiobooks for allowing me to listen to an early copy of Love, Off the Record.
If I had to describe Love, Off the Record with three words they would be: angsty, funny, and absolutely important. In this YA rom-com, Samantha Markham doesn´t just give us a rivalry between lovers in college romance, but she gives us banter, friendship, angst, and a view of how difficult it can be to be plus-size and love yourself.
Wyn and Three are rivals. She will beat him no matter what and the position on the university newspaper will be hers.
And while Wyn tries to beat Three, find her voice, friendship, and maybe even flirt a little with the cute RA.
But when Three hits a story too close to home for Wyn they need to put their differences aside and try to uncover something too important to continue bickering.
The banter and angst in this book are top notch and I was engaged since the second one.
As far as internalized and not fatphobia goes this book threads the topic very gently without being too heavy, but it says what we fat girls always think. How others perceive us, how we have to hide while eating for fear of being judged, how it is not even remotely possible that a cute guy can like us when there are so many pretty skinny girls out there.
And let me tell you, I know everything about this, since I lived it.
And girls, always love yourself. Because like Wyn you are capable, strong, and most importantly beautiful, and people who fall in love with you will like you no matter what.
The audiobook is really well produced and I loved the voice actress. She did a beautiful job voicing all of Wyn´s internal struggles and not.
July 28, 2024
4.6⭐️
Their banter, UGH. Too good. If you love rivals-to-lovers read this immediately.
Their banter, UGH. Too good. If you love rivals-to-lovers read this immediately.
July 10, 2024
I don't know if this is influenced by THG directly, but indirectly it is successful in reminding the reader of the things that worked, maybe more so because Three & Wyn are college Freshman. So I just want to say that: Markum used the parts that matter if that was an influence. (This comment is limited to the competitive office peers storyline, not the writing overall)
Wyn could not believe Three liked her while the rest of us were like "ugh catch up girl" but it was effectively done. If this fell slightly short for me, it is because they are both so aggressively cutthroat in their journalistic pursuits it is hard to reconcile satisfactorily in romance. And I do believe it's an important dynamic, but Three is definitely more cutthroat while simultaneously valuing Wyn more - and there were times that she misreads that or doesn't choose the same that hurt a bit too much.
I know you will all fall out of your chairs, but the texts were the least successful in creating a conflict this book may not have needed - although during the "reveal" my heart certainly seemed to go through some emotions.
Markum also once again successfully portrayed friendships. I can't wait to see what more she does! This is a 4, but just.
Wyn could not believe Three liked her while the rest of us were like "ugh catch up girl" but it was effectively done. If this fell slightly short for me, it is because they are both so aggressively cutthroat in their journalistic pursuits it is hard to reconcile satisfactorily in romance. And I do believe it's an important dynamic, but Three is definitely more cutthroat while simultaneously valuing Wyn more - and there were times that she misreads that or doesn't choose the same that hurt a bit too much.
I know you will all fall out of your chairs, but the texts were the least successful in creating a conflict this book may not have needed - although during the "reveal" my heart certainly seemed to go through some emotions.
Markum also once again successfully portrayed friendships. I can't wait to see what more she does! This is a 4, but just.
June 3, 2024
This was SOOOO good omg the banter and tension was fantastic!!!
Thank you so much to Simon Teen for providing me with an ARC!
Thank you so much to Simon Teen for providing me with an ARC!
March 18, 2024
WE KNEEL AT THE ALTAR OF SAMANTHA MARKUM!!!!
For real though, this book was everything I've ever wanted. Set in the universe of THIS MAY END BADLY, this book is Three and Wyn's story and it is *so good.* Sam is such a gifted writer and does YA SO well. She crafts real, relatable characters and deep emotional resonance in stories about teens and manages to make the reader feel seen, understood, and utterly captivated. LOVE, OFF THE RECORD is also hilarious and HOT!
Also, as a former editor-in-chief of my high school newspaper and total journalism nerd, this book scratched a major itch. I love everything about this and want--nay, need--EVERYONE to read it.
All the stars!
For real though, this book was everything I've ever wanted. Set in the universe of THIS MAY END BADLY, this book is Three and Wyn's story and it is *so good.* Sam is such a gifted writer and does YA SO well. She crafts real, relatable characters and deep emotional resonance in stories about teens and manages to make the reader feel seen, understood, and utterly captivated. LOVE, OFF THE RECORD is also hilarious and HOT!
Also, as a former editor-in-chief of my high school newspaper and total journalism nerd, this book scratched a major itch. I love everything about this and want--nay, need--EVERYONE to read it.
All the stars!
July 19, 2024
4.5 stars
College journalist hopefuls, Wyn and Three, are immediate rivals for a coveted position at the University paper. Out scooping the other means everything. But between their rivalry, classes, Wyn's insecurities with her weight, and a potential love interest through the campus' anonymous dating app, Wyn has a lot to juggle as a Freshman.
My nerd came out big time. The title is so stinking clever and once it clicked (within the first chapters), I just got sucked into it and had the best time. I loved the banter and epistolary elements. Samantha's coming of age stories are delightful and I will keep coming back for more.
I won the book in a giveaway and tandem read it with the audio. Either format was an equally enjoyable experience.
Thank you to the author for the giveaway win and to Spotify and NetGalley for the alc. All thoughts are my own.
College journalist hopefuls, Wyn and Three, are immediate rivals for a coveted position at the University paper. Out scooping the other means everything. But between their rivalry, classes, Wyn's insecurities with her weight, and a potential love interest through the campus' anonymous dating app, Wyn has a lot to juggle as a Freshman.
My nerd came out big time. The title is so stinking clever and once it clicked (within the first chapters), I just got sucked into it and had the best time. I loved the banter and epistolary elements. Samantha's coming of age stories are delightful and I will keep coming back for more.
I won the book in a giveaway and tandem read it with the audio. Either format was an equally enjoyable experience.
Thank you to the author for the giveaway win and to Spotify and NetGalley for the alc. All thoughts are my own.
June 11, 2024
Such a classic and well-done enemies-to-lovers academic rivals love story! I was hooked from the start and couldn't put it down the more I read. I seriously had such a fun time throughout the entire story. I read most of it during an 8-hour car ride and had to literally contain my smiling, giggling, and almost crying as best I could lol. Wyn and Three’s banter was so fun and so very addictive. I highlighted almost everything they said and every interaction they had because it was just THAT good. Samantha Markum somehow created a couple that could hate each other, love each other, not stand each other, AND YET have so much sexual tension—all at once. I mean that tension was *chefs kiss*.
I commend Markum for including various heavy topics on top of the adorable love story. And, while I loved them and they didn’t diminish the overall storyline in any way, I felt they could’ve been better elaborated on or had a bit more closure to really make everything feel more cohesive. However, Wyn’s personal experience and growth were areas where I think Markum absolutely nailed it. Almost every time I read Wyn discuss her emotions, it felt like I was reading about my 17-year-old self. At times it felt like I was Wyn and Wyn was me. Wyn’s anxiety, insecurity, and growth felt so raw and real, reflecting how I, and many other women, have felt. I could physically feel my heart breaking when Wyn felt a certain way, said words she didn’t mean, felt mistreated, or negatively interpreted someone’s face or body language. She was by no means a perfect person, but that made her feel so much more real. She had her flaws, managed to grow in many areas, and reached out for support through her friends, therapy, and family.
I have to admit, I was unsure I’d like Three at first, but he surprisingly grew on me. Now, I can’t stop thinking about him (literally send help!)
I absolutely loved this story, and if I could, I’d read more and more stories about Three and Wyn or erase my memory and read this book all over again. I also think a story about Madison would be really cute!
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for providing me with an e-arc! All opinions shared are mine and mine alone. Love, Off the Record publishes June 11, 2024!
I commend Markum for including various heavy topics on top of the adorable love story. And, while I loved them and they didn’t diminish the overall storyline in any way, I felt they could’ve been better elaborated on or had a bit more closure to really make everything feel more cohesive. However, Wyn’s personal experience and growth were areas where I think Markum absolutely nailed it. Almost every time I read Wyn discuss her emotions, it felt like I was reading about my 17-year-old self. At times it felt like I was Wyn and Wyn was me. Wyn’s anxiety, insecurity, and growth felt so raw and real, reflecting how I, and many other women, have felt. I could physically feel my heart breaking when Wyn felt a certain way, said words she didn’t mean, felt mistreated, or negatively interpreted someone’s face or body language. She was by no means a perfect person, but that made her feel so much more real. She had her flaws, managed to grow in many areas, and reached out for support through her friends, therapy, and family.
I have to admit, I was unsure I’d like Three at first, but he surprisingly grew on me. Now, I can’t stop thinking about him (literally send help!)
I absolutely loved this story, and if I could, I’d read more and more stories about Three and Wyn or erase my memory and read this book all over again. I also think a story about Madison would be really cute!
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for providing me with an e-arc! All opinions shared are mine and mine alone. Love, Off the Record publishes June 11, 2024!
May 26, 2024
4.5⭐️
This is the kind of book that reminds me why I love reading, and why I’ll probably always love YA even if I’m out of range of the target demographic. This was such a satisfyingly terrific read. It was a quick story and super easy to get into. The characters were really relatable and I felt like the book captured the overall essence of being in your first year of college so well.
I loved the rivals to lovers romance. Wyn and Three are freshmen journalism students who’d rather see each other fail spectacularly than share a byline. When a coveted reporter spot opens up, their rivalry explodes into a deliciously devious game of sabotage. From idea theft to mind games, these two stop at nothing to come out on top, making their feud wildly entertaining. The interactions between Wyn and Three had me literally giggling and kicking my feet. The banter was so good and their relationship had this spark of joy to it while also having an undercurrent of competition that made the tension amazing.
I really enjoyed the uncovering of the news story and seeing Three and Wyn come together as reluctant partners.
This was a really fun read but also covered some heavier topics like difficult family relationships, negative body image and mental health struggles. I thought all of these subjects were handled very well and helped in creating a story that's both thoughtful and endearing.
Packed with sharp dialogue, heartfelt moments, and a plot that keeps you hooked, Love, Off the Record is a smart, funny, and utterly delightful read. Samantha Markum’s storytelling shines in this absolute gem of a book.
This can totally be read as a standalone but it also serves as a companion to This May End Badly, the author’s debut novel, and I definitely recommend reading that one too!
This is the kind of book that reminds me why I love reading, and why I’ll probably always love YA even if I’m out of range of the target demographic. This was such a satisfyingly terrific read. It was a quick story and super easy to get into. The characters were really relatable and I felt like the book captured the overall essence of being in your first year of college so well.
I loved the rivals to lovers romance. Wyn and Three are freshmen journalism students who’d rather see each other fail spectacularly than share a byline. When a coveted reporter spot opens up, their rivalry explodes into a deliciously devious game of sabotage. From idea theft to mind games, these two stop at nothing to come out on top, making their feud wildly entertaining. The interactions between Wyn and Three had me literally giggling and kicking my feet. The banter was so good and their relationship had this spark of joy to it while also having an undercurrent of competition that made the tension amazing.
I really enjoyed the uncovering of the news story and seeing Three and Wyn come together as reluctant partners.
This was a really fun read but also covered some heavier topics like difficult family relationships, negative body image and mental health struggles. I thought all of these subjects were handled very well and helped in creating a story that's both thoughtful and endearing.
Packed with sharp dialogue, heartfelt moments, and a plot that keeps you hooked, Love, Off the Record is a smart, funny, and utterly delightful read. Samantha Markum’s storytelling shines in this absolute gem of a book.
This can totally be read as a standalone but it also serves as a companion to This May End Badly, the author’s debut novel, and I definitely recommend reading that one too!
June 13, 2024
I'm a huge Samantha Markum fan and I absolutely loved this enemies to lovers college romance between rival school paper grunts fighting for the same position. Throw in an anonymous online friendship, great #ownvoices fat and mental health rep and a fun undercover drug ring story and this was all kinds of entertaining! Perfect for those who enjoy authors like Rachel Lynn Solomon or Emma Lord and good on audio too. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!
CW: internalized fat phobia
CW: internalized fat phobia
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June 27, 2024dare i say that samantha markum is my favorite contemporary YA author?? (i mean contemporary as in she's actively publishing/writing right now). i have never been an enemies to lovers girl but this hooked me completely- the banter, the angst, it was perfect. i was screaming and crying and kicking my feet, there were SO many great moments between wyn and three, i love them forever. i also normally hate hidden identities/you've got mail but i thought it was done so well here. her books always make me a shed a singular tear :')
i picked this up because: i LOVE this author's books!!
i picked this up because: i LOVE this author's books!!
January 30, 2024
This book made me miss writing for the daily and for that she deserves 4 stars
June 18, 2024
3,5 * — This was a fun and quick read. This book had A LOT of things going on, which on one hand is great, because it means the story is fast-paced, and the MC feels realistic and well-rounded. On the other hand, I don’t think all of the different plot-lines were fully actualized, since there were SO MANY of them… This book has waaaay too many things going on, and some of those were very well developed! Others, however, left me feeling like something was missing…
This book has: rivals to lovers; competing for the same job; MC juggling a job + school + an internship; MC’s personal struggles (friends, parents, body issues); teaming up with your enemy for an investigation/mystery; online secret identities…… 😵💫😵💫😵💫 This abundance of tropes and plot points makes it hard to have them all be fully realized.
What I liked the most were Wyn’s personal struggles. The way she dealt with fatphobia was very interesting to read about, and I’m glad to see this type of rep from a fat author. I also deeply related to her loneliness and lack of friendships.
I do think the friendships she made in the book could’ve been better developed, but overall I enjoyed that plot point, and I especially appreciated Wyn’s apology at the end, and how she acknowledged her faults. I like how that conflict was wrapped up.
The romance was… alright. Wyn was instantly attracted to Three, and kept thinking about him even when they hated each other, which was annoying to me. She was way too into him, way too quickly. I wish this attraction had been built up a bit more, and I wish Wyn didn’t spend half the time thinking about how attracted she is to him, and how she wants to touch him, and kiss him, etc. She was soooo hot and bothered. Like, girl, c’mon. Aren’t you supposed to hate him? Be serious for a sec. 🙄 I just don’t think their initial attraction was very well developed, and I wish it’d been a slower burn. At the end of the book Wyn admits that she actually got a crush on Three *the moment* they met!!!!!!!!! 🫥🫥🫥 So… yeah… I wouldn’t call this book insta-love, and they definitely take a long time to get together, but it’s not surprising at all that Wyn liked Three from the very start, because even when they were enemies, she kept thinking about him in a romantic/sensual way.
With that said, I do think their dynamic was entertaining (though not my personal favourite). Their bickering was definitely amusing. What I liked the most, however, was their banter ONLINE. Their online secret identity thing was SO FUN!! Unfortunately, though, it wasn’t fully actualized, in my opinion. Their online romance wasn’t developed enough, which made Wyn’s struggle picking between Hayes and Three fall completely flat. The author should’ve developed their online romance more, so we could’ve had more of a love triangle (between Hayes, Three and Wyn, of course). Missed potential. 🙁
And because Wyn and Hayes’s romance wasn’t very well developed, it made Wyn’s relationship with Lincoln fall flat, as well. I wish the author had made Hayes’s identity more of a mystery (even if us, as readers, can definitely guess Hayes is gonna be Three lol). But Lincoln was barely in the story, so Hayes’s identity wasn’t really a big deal. Again: missed potential.
I did end up enjoying Three and Wyn’s romance, once they admitted their feelings. I appreciated that they openly talked about things, and that Three had been helping Wyn since he found out she was the girl he’d been talking to online.
Another thing I don’t think was fully actualized in this story was the drug ring mystery. Three and Wyn team up to find out who’s dealing hard drugs at their college, but there isn’t much investigating there. We see them snoop around like, twice, and then just talk about things, and that’s it. I think the author missed an opportunity to have them really solve a mystery, and bond throughout it. Oh well. That whole plot point just felt a little underwhelming, to me. 😕
Some other small things I don’t think were fully realized in this story: her relationship with her parents (what we got was good, but it was just so little, in a sea of 1000 other things, that, in the end, they feel irrelevant); her love for webcomics (it’s mentioned a couple of times that she LOVES webcomics, yet we never see any of this in the story lol).
Overall: a nice book, but with way too much going on, to the story’s detriment.
This book has: rivals to lovers; competing for the same job; MC juggling a job + school + an internship; MC’s personal struggles (friends, parents, body issues); teaming up with your enemy for an investigation/mystery; online secret identities…… 😵💫😵💫😵💫 This abundance of tropes and plot points makes it hard to have them all be fully realized.
What I liked the most were Wyn’s personal struggles. The way she dealt with fatphobia was very interesting to read about, and I’m glad to see this type of rep from a fat author. I also deeply related to her loneliness and lack of friendships.
I do think the friendships she made in the book could’ve been better developed, but overall I enjoyed that plot point, and I especially appreciated Wyn’s apology at the end, and how she acknowledged her faults. I like how that conflict was wrapped up.
The romance was… alright. Wyn was instantly attracted to Three, and kept thinking about him even when they hated each other, which was annoying to me. She was way too into him, way too quickly. I wish this attraction had been built up a bit more, and I wish Wyn didn’t spend half the time thinking about how attracted she is to him, and how she wants to touch him, and kiss him, etc. She was soooo hot and bothered. Like, girl, c’mon. Aren’t you supposed to hate him? Be serious for a sec. 🙄 I just don’t think their initial attraction was very well developed, and I wish it’d been a slower burn. At the end of the book Wyn admits that she actually got a crush on Three *the moment* they met!!!!!!!!! 🫥🫥🫥 So… yeah… I wouldn’t call this book insta-love, and they definitely take a long time to get together, but it’s not surprising at all that Wyn liked Three from the very start, because even when they were enemies, she kept thinking about him in a romantic/sensual way.
With that said, I do think their dynamic was entertaining (though not my personal favourite). Their bickering was definitely amusing. What I liked the most, however, was their banter ONLINE. Their online secret identity thing was SO FUN!! Unfortunately, though, it wasn’t fully actualized, in my opinion. Their online romance wasn’t developed enough, which made Wyn’s struggle picking between Hayes and Three fall completely flat. The author should’ve developed their online romance more, so we could’ve had more of a love triangle (between Hayes, Three and Wyn, of course). Missed potential. 🙁
And because Wyn and Hayes’s romance wasn’t very well developed, it made Wyn’s relationship with Lincoln fall flat, as well. I wish the author had made Hayes’s identity more of a mystery (even if us, as readers, can definitely guess Hayes is gonna be Three lol). But Lincoln was barely in the story, so Hayes’s identity wasn’t really a big deal. Again: missed potential.
I did end up enjoying Three and Wyn’s romance, once they admitted their feelings. I appreciated that they openly talked about things, and that Three had been helping Wyn since he found out she was the girl he’d been talking to online.
Another thing I don’t think was fully actualized in this story was the drug ring mystery. Three and Wyn team up to find out who’s dealing hard drugs at their college, but there isn’t much investigating there. We see them snoop around like, twice, and then just talk about things, and that’s it. I think the author missed an opportunity to have them really solve a mystery, and bond throughout it. Oh well. That whole plot point just felt a little underwhelming, to me. 😕
Some other small things I don’t think were fully realized in this story: her relationship with her parents (what we got was good, but it was just so little, in a sea of 1000 other things, that, in the end, they feel irrelevant); her love for webcomics (it’s mentioned a couple of times that she LOVES webcomics, yet we never see any of this in the story lol).
Overall: a nice book, but with way too much going on, to the story’s detriment.
June 21, 2024
Love, Off the Record (LOTR - if you caught that dual acronym meaning) was the epitome of the type of book I want to write as a writer and read as a reader (and literally tell anyone who is a writer/journalist to read this book). For me, this story was perfection and extremely relatable as someone who was on their school newspaper staff from middle and high school and then college, and now working as a freelance journalist).
I loved that the book jumped right into action, introducing our academic rivals Wyn and Three, and WHEW the tension was tensioning right away. Because it was the first semester of college, it was really cool to see the friendships/roommates development from the get-go. There’s several plot points going on in the book, one of which I especially enjoyed was the campus dating app Buckconnect. It was a very “You’ve Got Mail” vibe story.
I personally deeply related to Wyn, from her plus size struggles as well as her drive for journalism and scooping Three for the best story. I truly felt like I was reading about myself! Watching their rivalry grow to working together was absolute catnip to me. The banter made me genuinely LOL.
Even though this book is classified as YA, I would say it ventures a little more into the new adult range, but it’s a clean romance (honestly the romance wasn’t even the main plot but I’m not mad because it didn’t need to be for the book to be good). There are no sex scenes.
LOTR covers so much in just 400ish pages: journalism, the college experience (and being unsure what you want in many aspects), dealing with fatphobia, self-love, family issues, and mental health struggles.
This book is the kind of book that makes me fall in love with reading more than I thought possible. Perfect for fans of Rachel Lynn Solomon (literally you can’t tell me Rowan Roth and Wyn aren’t meant to be bffs).
I didn’t realize LOTR, while a standalone story, is a companion book to This May End Badly. I will be reading it next for Three’s villain origin story! SAMANTHA MARKUM OR SIMONTEEN IF YOU’RE READING THIS FAR PLEASE GIVE US MORE WYN AND THREE!
I loved that the book jumped right into action, introducing our academic rivals Wyn and Three, and WHEW the tension was tensioning right away. Because it was the first semester of college, it was really cool to see the friendships/roommates development from the get-go. There’s several plot points going on in the book, one of which I especially enjoyed was the campus dating app Buckconnect. It was a very “You’ve Got Mail” vibe story.
I personally deeply related to Wyn, from her plus size struggles as well as her drive for journalism and scooping Three for the best story. I truly felt like I was reading about myself! Watching their rivalry grow to working together was absolute catnip to me. The banter made me genuinely LOL.
Even though this book is classified as YA, I would say it ventures a little more into the new adult range, but it’s a clean romance (honestly the romance wasn’t even the main plot but I’m not mad because it didn’t need to be for the book to be good). There are no sex scenes.
LOTR covers so much in just 400ish pages: journalism, the college experience (and being unsure what you want in many aspects), dealing with fatphobia, self-love, family issues, and mental health struggles.
This book is the kind of book that makes me fall in love with reading more than I thought possible. Perfect for fans of Rachel Lynn Solomon (literally you can’t tell me Rowan Roth and Wyn aren’t meant to be bffs).
I didn’t realize LOTR, while a standalone story, is a companion book to This May End Badly. I will be reading it next for Three’s villain origin story! SAMANTHA MARKUM OR SIMONTEEN IF YOU’RE READING THIS FAR PLEASE GIVE US MORE WYN AND THREE!
July 5, 2024
4.5 ⭐
By far one of my favorite contemporary Romances I've read this year. This is also one of the first books that reminded me of my university experience, including the crazy roommate getting kicked out of our dorm. The romance felt so realistic and cute. I loved all our characters and the writing was really easy to read. Overall it was really easy to fall in love with the story and the characters. I think it's a really cute read!
I really liked the narrator! Ellen Quay really brought the story to life.
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for an audio copy for an honest review!
By far one of my favorite contemporary Romances I've read this year. This is also one of the first books that reminded me of my university experience, including the crazy roommate getting kicked out of our dorm. The romance felt so realistic and cute. I loved all our characters and the writing was really easy to read. Overall it was really easy to fall in love with the story and the characters. I think it's a really cute read!
I really liked the narrator! Ellen Quay really brought the story to life.
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for an audio copy for an honest review!
July 9, 2024
This book was such a delight! I loved Wyn’s character so much! Being a plus sized woman, I could relate to her insecurities a lot, and even though I’m a lot older than her, I found her very inspirational. Three was my favorite character though. There’s something I love about a snarky male protagonist, and Markum hit his character on the nose. I’ve read in other reviews that he’s a character in one of Markum’s previous novels so you know I need to go back and read that one now.
I love when love interests are competitive in romance novels, and Three and Wyn take the cake on this trope! The banter between them was spot on! The setting of a college newspaper worked perfectly, and I really liked the use of mixed media and including the dating app as a mode of communication. It worked so well, and even though I knew what was going on, I loved when Wyn figured it out and how the author wrote this part of the story.
I was so impressed by the audiobook narrator, Ellen Quay as Wyn. She voiced this book flawlessly and brought this story to life. This was the first audiobook I’ve listened to with her as a narrator, and I look forward to listening to her again. This book is a young adult romance, and I really think Quay is perfect for this genre.
This was my first novel by Markum, and I will definitely be checking out her backlist. If you’re a fan of young adult novels, like I am, then I highly recommend adding this one to your TBR.
Thank you Spotify and TLC Book Tours for an audiobook copy in exchange for my honest review.
I love when love interests are competitive in romance novels, and Three and Wyn take the cake on this trope! The banter between them was spot on! The setting of a college newspaper worked perfectly, and I really liked the use of mixed media and including the dating app as a mode of communication. It worked so well, and even though I knew what was going on, I loved when Wyn figured it out and how the author wrote this part of the story.
I was so impressed by the audiobook narrator, Ellen Quay as Wyn. She voiced this book flawlessly and brought this story to life. This was the first audiobook I’ve listened to with her as a narrator, and I look forward to listening to her again. This book is a young adult romance, and I really think Quay is perfect for this genre.
This was my first novel by Markum, and I will definitely be checking out her backlist. If you’re a fan of young adult novels, like I am, then I highly recommend adding this one to your TBR.
Thank you Spotify and TLC Book Tours for an audiobook copy in exchange for my honest review.
May 20, 2024
THIS was sooo much fun big on the rivals to lovers of it all (did not know this was set in a universe of an already existing book sooo i’m on it searching for this may end badly as i’m writing this) THANK YOU NETGALLEY wyn and three are cuckoo in the best possible way
this kind of made me miss highschool a bit (and MY rival i’m gonna call him😔) anyway 4.5 because this was so fun , easy to read and also! SAY NO TO DRUGS KIDDIES
this kind of made me miss highschool a bit (and MY rival i’m gonna call him😔) anyway 4.5 because this was so fun , easy to read and also! SAY NO TO DRUGS KIDDIES
June 17, 2024
there are so many elements of this book that i really
enjoyed, but overall i just could never fully connect with the characters or get on board with their rivalry. i think maybe this book just reminded me a little too much of the rowan & neil books, which i read/reread recently and are some of my all-time favorites. i did love the investigative journalism elements of this book, and i think this is some of the best and most realistic (or, at least, most true to my own experience) fat rep i’ve read in fiction.
enjoyed, but overall i just could never fully connect with the characters or get on board with their rivalry. i think maybe this book just reminded me a little too much of the rowan & neil books, which i read/reread recently and are some of my all-time favorites. i did love the investigative journalism elements of this book, and i think this is some of the best and most realistic (or, at least, most true to my own experience) fat rep i’ve read in fiction.
June 26, 2024
I loved returning to the world of This May End Badly in a story about Three Wellborn, the guy you THOUGHT was going to be Doe’s love interest. I’ll admit, I wasn’t a Three apologist in TMEB, but I did like his character growth in here. His upbringing will always remind me of the Hawthornes from the Inheritance Games and the pressure associated with that, and he’s got a lot to work through. The dynamic between him and Wyn is a little too combative for my taste, but I still really enjoyed it. (Three made my blood boil sometimes with the way he egged Wyn on.) Wyn is a great character, and I understood deeply how she felt like no one would want to be friends with her and so she assumed that even though people were hanging out with her, it wasn’t because they wanted to be around her. The arc she had with her suitemates and the reconciliation made me cry.
One major thing is I did not expect this book to be about drugs. Not in a bad way. But there was a fairly large plotline about drugs on college campuses and how dangerous they can be, and they even bust a drug ring. I feel like drugs should’ve been mentioned in the synopsis somewhere. XD Samantha Markum is great at tackling difficult topics in her writing—I think of TMEB with the pedophile teacher—and she handled the drug plotline very well. Always love reading her books!
One major thing is I did not expect this book to be about drugs. Not in a bad way. But there was a fairly large plotline about drugs on college campuses and how dangerous they can be, and they even bust a drug ring. I feel like drugs should’ve been mentioned in the synopsis somewhere. XD Samantha Markum is great at tackling difficult topics in her writing—I think of TMEB with the pedophile teacher—and she handled the drug plotline very well. Always love reading her books!
July 10, 2024
I really enjoyed this one. It's got an enemies/rivals to lovers situation going on with a fat MC.
I feel like there's a little bit of a disconnect with what age group this book belongs in. This is a college-aged book which means that it is a new adult. This is NOT young adult. I see some things in the reviews that make me believe people don't quite get that. There is hinted at explicit sexual content in this book as well as a bullying / humiliation kink kind of thing going on. None of it is like explicitly stated in those terms except in a joking way but there's definitely submissive vibes from the male love interest which I was here for. I fucking love submissive men. Something about saying fuck you to patriarchal standards of masculinity. I'm here for it.
Anyway, this book is about these two college freshmen who are working at one of the college newspapers as grunts or like interns. They both are vying for a paid position at the end of the semester and spend the semester trying to one up each other on their stories and then realize maybe they need to work together. There's also an internet connection at the same time via a campus selective dating app.
I really liked every element to the story. I liked both of our main characters, I loved the newspaper article element, I loved the dating app conversations, I loved the fat representation, I loved the friend group and the discussions about what friendship means etc. This book has a lot going on and it all works.
I feel like there's a little bit of a disconnect with what age group this book belongs in. This is a college-aged book which means that it is a new adult. This is NOT young adult. I see some things in the reviews that make me believe people don't quite get that. There is hinted at explicit sexual content in this book as well as a bullying / humiliation kink kind of thing going on. None of it is like explicitly stated in those terms except in a joking way but there's definitely submissive vibes from the male love interest which I was here for. I fucking love submissive men. Something about saying fuck you to patriarchal standards of masculinity. I'm here for it.
Anyway, this book is about these two college freshmen who are working at one of the college newspapers as grunts or like interns. They both are vying for a paid position at the end of the semester and spend the semester trying to one up each other on their stories and then realize maybe they need to work together. There's also an internet connection at the same time via a campus selective dating app.
I really liked every element to the story. I liked both of our main characters, I loved the newspaper article element, I loved the dating app conversations, I loved the fat representation, I loved the friend group and the discussions about what friendship means etc. This book has a lot going on and it all works.
June 8, 2024
This is the type of book that gets better the more you read. The first half was pretty rough because I really did not like our protagonist Wyn. I found her to be so rude and arrogant and hypocritical. She just annoyed me and frustrated me so much. By the end, I still don’t really like Wyn, but I came to understand her and empathize with her.
With academic rivals, there is a tendency for the two leads to do rather childish things to get back at each other and that was the case with this book. I’m personally not a fan of that so I was glad that aspect was mostly gone in the second half of the book. The romance was also decently paced and I liked the bickering and bantering between Wyn and Three. There is a bit of a mystery aspect added to the plot as well which I enjoyed and made it different from other college romances. The resolution of that plot line was a bit rushed in the end though.
I’ve very much enjoyed the author’s previous releases, but this one was just alright for me.
Thank you to Edelweiss for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
With academic rivals, there is a tendency for the two leads to do rather childish things to get back at each other and that was the case with this book. I’m personally not a fan of that so I was glad that aspect was mostly gone in the second half of the book. The romance was also decently paced and I liked the bickering and bantering between Wyn and Three. There is a bit of a mystery aspect added to the plot as well which I enjoyed and made it different from other college romances. The resolution of that plot line was a bit rushed in the end though.
I’ve very much enjoyed the author’s previous releases, but this one was just alright for me.
Thank you to Edelweiss for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
May 25, 2024
With a charming cast of characters, witty dialogue and a moving rivals-to-lovers romance, this was a delight to read.
The journalism investigation brought a surprisingly addictive mystery to the plot, the positive therapy representation was great to see and the discussions surrounding body image and self worth were absolutely wonderful. I thought Samantha did such a beautiful job of exploring and discussing Wyn’s relationship with her size and body. It was sensitive, honest and empowering and the kind of narrative I wish my teen self could have read. All in all, had a lot of fun with this book (and can’t help but think it would make the best Netflix series???)
TW: internalised fatphobia
The journalism investigation brought a surprisingly addictive mystery to the plot, the positive therapy representation was great to see and the discussions surrounding body image and self worth were absolutely wonderful. I thought Samantha did such a beautiful job of exploring and discussing Wyn’s relationship with her size and body. It was sensitive, honest and empowering and the kind of narrative I wish my teen self could have read. All in all, had a lot of fun with this book (and can’t help but think it would make the best Netflix series???)
TW: internalised fatphobia
June 18, 2024
This was an entertaining college rivals to lovers, with themes of friendship, body image, and family dynamics. The story was cute and the banter between Wyn and Three had me chuckling. I also appreciated the friends that Wyn made and how they were so different and brought various strengths to the relationship.
This is well paced and I appreciated that Wyn sometimes made mistakes and had to learn to navigate adult life and her personal feelings of self worth.
I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator was a great match. She really embodied Wyn and made the listening experience great. This was another hit from Markum for me!
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Spotify Audiobooks and NetGalley for the copy.
This is well paced and I appreciated that Wyn sometimes made mistakes and had to learn to navigate adult life and her personal feelings of self worth.
I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator was a great match. She really embodied Wyn and made the listening experience great. This was another hit from Markum for me!
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Spotify Audiobooks and NetGalley for the copy.
June 22, 2024
4.5 stars. Read this in under 24 hours and was giggling and kicking my feet the entire time. The Novel Neighbor described this book on TikTok as “the vibes of Paris Geller from Gilmore Girls in a rival to lovers with Logan Huntzberger at the Yale Daily News and all of this is structured like Hilary Duff’s A Cinderella Story.” Absolutely spot on and convinced me to read it immediately. Only not 5 stars because sometimes I got annoyed with the miscommunication but seriously loved loved loved this.
June 13, 2024
Being a college student is hard. Making friends is hard. Moving away from home and not having the support base you need is hard. Having self-esteem issues because of your weight makes it all even harder. You get all of this through the writing in this story and it’s so well done that you feel all the anxiety and anguish that Wyn goes through. But you all get the highs – the chasing of a story, the stirrings of first love. I enjoyed getting to know Wyn and Three, watching them slowly fall for each other and follow a story for the paper that was bigger than they could have imagined.
I received a copy from #NetGalley and #SpotifyAudiobooks for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley and #SpotifyAudiobooks for an honest review.
July 8, 2024
I am officially a Markum fan! 🥰 really enjoyed her other book, This May End Badly, and have been looking for something similar to it since then. So I was completely surprised when this one turns out to be in the same universe as that book! 🎉
July 4, 2024
Incredibly cute and incredibly relatable.
❤️🔥 slow burn
🏫 college
🤭 rivals to lovers
📱 text messages
👏🏼 no third act breakup
4.5/5 stars ⭐️
❤️🔥 slow burn
🏫 college
🤭 rivals to lovers
📱 text messages
👏🏼 no third act breakup
4.5/5 stars ⭐️
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