I love Adam & Rachel!! I have been so excited for Rachels book since we met her in book 1! I loved the Then and Now chapters we got and how the relationship developed was so fun to read because the TENSION DUH! I'm a sucker for a man obsessed and boy was Adam! I mean come on the tattoo scene...love love love!! The Wells family have my <3 and I can't wait to read Crews story!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

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My favorite kind of book: a lighthearted and feel good romance with dual POVs. This book is amazing. Normally I would say the dual timeline is unnecessary, but it really worked in this book! Great continuation to the series.

4 Stars If you are looking for a light-hearted rom-com, then be sure to check out For the Record by Juliana Smith. It's a marriage of convenience, friends to lovers romance with a dual POV and dual timeline.

Rachel and Adam have been friends for years, ever since--post-hookup--they realized that Rachel's best friend was marrying Adam's brother and decided that they would be better off as friends than anything else. Fast forward to the present and Rachel and Adam have woken up in Vegas after getting drunkenly married. The two decide to stay married to reap his military benefits, which will support Rachel and her father with early onset dementia. But a platonic, no-strings-attached marriage won't be as easy as it seems, with the feelings they've each been hiding for years coming to light, along with some secrets.

I LOVE books where the MMC has been secretly pining for the FMC for longer than she realizes. I'm usually not a fan of dual timelines, but I loved how it was done in this one, especially as we saw Adam and Rachel each coming to realize their feelings for one another and watching those feelings grow over the years. I love the Wells family and I'm excited for Crew's book next!

Book four highlighting yet another Wells brother was a grumpy x sunshine dream!

Adam and Rachel have been close friends for years, though they have hidden that fact from all of their friends and family. When they wake up in Vegas suddenly married, no one seems particularly shocked by it, and they decide to stay married to help Rachel nd her father have better health insurance. Of course, the deep feelings both have for each other might complicate things…

Once again, I was only too happy to check back in with the Wells fam. With the dual timeline of this entry, we even get flashbacks to pivotal moments from the prior books like Luke and Layla’s wedding or Liam’s grand gesture. This family loves hard, supports one another, and isn’t afraid to tell one another the truth, and I’m going to be sad when we eventually have to say goodbye to them.

The tropes in here are fun, with the marriage of convenience and the grumpy sunshine pairing. Loved the ‘then’ chapters, as we got to see their relationship progress in a deep and meaningful way over the years. I also adored Rachel’s relationship with her father, and was brought to tears by the poignant moment they shared while Rachel crossed off one of his bucket list entries.

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing Co-op for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Adam and Rachel’s story was the best friends to lovers, grumpy sunshine ever! What a treat to read! I loved the dual pov AND the dual timeline. This is actually my first book by this author but I will be going back and reading her backlist now!

Title: For the Record (Wells Family #4)
Author: Juliana Smith
Length: 300ish pages?
Format: ebook arc
Pub Date: June 22, 2024
Genre: Romance, ChickLit, RomCom
Rating Out of 5: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Spice Level: closed door
Summary:
In this light-hearted rom-com, Rachel and Adam accidentally marry during a spontaneous Vegas trip. Instead of an annulment, they decide to stay married to benefit from Adam's military perks. What starts as a platonic arrangement becomes complicated as Adam plays the role of a doting husband, making Rachel reconsider her priorities. Meanwhile, Adam struggles with a secret that could change everything.

Thoughts:
Juliana has perfectly pulled off Adam and Rachel’s story!! This is dual POV and dual timeline and was executed flawlessly. Normally in dual timeline books I feel anxious because some “mysterious” event has happened in between then and now, but instead, we are taken on an adorable journey of their friendship over the years. Reading about all the events that have happened over the course of the other Wells family books through Rachel or Adam’s POV was so cool. Speaking of the Wells family: out of all the Wells men, Adam has to be my favorite. His dedication to loving Rachel and making her fall in love with him was super swoon-worthy. Ugh it was just so adorable all around. Read it ASAP. That is all.

Special thanks to the @netgalley and @victoryeditingngc for the arc in exchange for my honest review!

I had high hopes for 'For the Record' by Juliana Smith, and for the first 60% of the book, it seemed like those hopes would be realized. The storyline was compelling and promised a great payoff. However, as the book progressed, things started to fall apart, and the ending left much to be desired.

The chemistry between the characters was enjoyable, but their dynamic over the years felt a bit unrealistic. Both characters, being such close friends and feeling deeply for each other, had no convincing reason for not communicating their feelings. When Rachel finally did express her emotions clearly, Adam's prolonged hesitation didn't make sense. This lack of communication dragged on unnecessarily, diminishing the believability of their relationship.

The story begins with the protagonists getting married while drunk in Vegas, but frustratingly, we never learn how they ended up in that situation. Given that the book frequently shifts between past and present, I expected this pivotal moment to be explored, but it was disappointingly overlooked.

Moreover, the writing felt chaotic at times and didn't always feel realistic, making it hard to stay connected with the storyline towards the end. The 'mess up' situation that occurs near the conclusion was overly dramatic and seemed forced. Additionally, the book lacked sufficient dialogue and often felt like a monologue, making it hard to follow and less engaging.

Overall, 'For the Record' had a promising start and engaging moments, but ultimately, it fell short in delivering a satisfying and coherent narrative.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

I have adored every single book in this series. This one has to be my favourite though. It literally has everything you could want in a RomCom from swoon worthy romance to the incredible hilarious back and forth.

Thank you Juliana Smith, for another amazing read ❤️

For The Record review 🎶

“You’re the only person I’d ever want to marry. Why would I argue?”

What happens when two secret best friends get drunk and then married on a whim in Vegas? They fall in love of course. 💍

I have been loving the Wells Family series and so when I found out that book four was a marriage of convenience, I about lost my mind from excitement. Knowing how much I love Juliana’s books, I knew I would love this one too. 💞

Adam was the biggest undercover sweetheart/golden retriever, “my wife” mmc ever and he’s absolutely gone for Rachel.

“Don’t you think, in some way, you’ve been mine since the night we met?”

Like come on!! He’s pure gold. 🥹

And then there’s Rachel who’s tough and a little bit spunky and just honestly a good person. She deserves the world and a man that can support her in chasing her dreams.

I just loved this book to absolute pieces. It’s dual pov and dual timeline to you get Adam and Rachel’s relationship start to finish which is so stinkin’ sweet. It’s closed door/no spice too!! Highly recommend! I gave it 4.5 stars but after writing this review I almost feel like I should bump it to 5!

I love when the duo timelines catch up with one another, although it was a little distracting having alternating Now/Then chapters throughout the whole book. Didn’t leave room to explore the convenience part of the marriage.
A timestamp of how far back their friendship began would have been useful because I calculated 2 years and when it was revealed at the very end I was wrong.
This is the first book in the series that I have read, Adam and Rachel are great together, they have great tension and resilience.

Juliana Smith's books never fail to put a smile on my face. And this one might be my favorite of hers that I've read so far!

Rachel, our FMC, is sweet and relatable and very much a giver. She goes out of her way for the people that she cares about and basically wears her heart on her sleeve, maybe except when it comes to her best friend (her real best friend, a.k.a. Adam).

Adam, our MMC, is sweet in his own way. He's a provider and a protector and it's pretty obvious from the beginning how much he cares for Rachel. It's pretty clear that there's nothing that he wouldn't do for the sake of her happiness.

I absolutely loved their relationship arc. From a one night stand, to best friends, to accidental marriage to a marriage of convenience. And then somewhere in the midst of all of this, they've also had to the other person fall in and out of love with others, while constantly quelling their feelings about the subject. And based on the way that they act around each other through all of the many stages of their relationship, it makes you wonder if they've been in love with each other all along.

There's no dramatic transition from friends to lovers for these two. The progression is incredibly realistic and they're both aware of how much the other person cares about them before the actual words are said. This can be attributed to the deep understanding and trust that they've shared over the years. And that might be the most beautiful aspect of their entire relationship.

Now, the only reason why this story doesn't get the full 5 stars is because I'm personally not a fan of stories that switch back and forth between timelines, instead of being told in chronological order. Now, I do see how some parallels were drawn between past and present, but it would've been more enjoyable for me as a reader to see those captured in simple flashbacks with a time jump between the past and the present.

Overall, I'd definitely recommend this as a sweet summertime read!

4 ⭐️

I absolutely loved the sweet friends to lovers romance story! Both characters were super relatable and reminded me of myself and my husband. This story was so swoony and romantic all throughout.

Super cute!! I was bored at the beginning, but it sped up fast, and I liked it a lot more. I love a good flour fight, what can I say?

What to expect:
☀️He’s grumpy/she’s sunshine
👥Friends-to-lovers
🔥Mutual pining
🧠Dementia rep
🦾Veteran/active duty rep
🫂Found family
🥐A sourdough starter named Myrtle
💍Marriage-of-convenience
🥵Tattoo and biker MMC
🎧Music lover FMC

I adored this book just like I did all of Juliana’s other books. For the Record is a sweet, swoony, and tender romance that will make your heart flutter and your stomach fill with butterfly’s. Adam is the sweetest, cuddliest man. His relationship with Jack is perfect and everything he does for Rachel is perfect. I relate to Rachel so much. She is unapologetically herself, patient, caring, and high maintenance just like the best of us romance girlies. I enjoyed my time with these two, as well as with the Well’s family again. Can’t wait for Crew’s book!

Don’t forget to pre-order this book!

Thank you Juliana for the ARC.

SWOON. I’m such a huge fan of Juliana’s. Her books always give such a warm & fuzzy feeling and this one was no different. I loved the dual pov and timelines. Adam is absolutely the perfect man and I found myself relating so heavily to Rachel. This book is now my new favorite of the Wells Family series but I cannot wait for Crew’s story!

For the Record is book 4 in a series of standalones about the Wells brothers.

Adam and Rachel have secretly been friends for years after their one night stand. They get married in Vegas while drunk, and they decide to stay together for the mutual financial benefits.

This one has a then and now timeline, so we get to see how Rachel and Adam met as well as how their friendship has progressed to where it’s at today. I personally felt like there was too much back and forth between the two (every chapter was a change of timeline) so I was having to constantly remind myself of where I was at in the story and timelines. I liked getting the Then storyline, however I feel like it could’ve been shortened a bit so that we could stay in the Now more.

Overall this one was cute, but as with most friends to lovers books, I hated how long it took these two to just actually admit how they felt. They would sleep together or kiss but then never discuss their feelings, which just felt super frustrating and unrealistic to me. BUT there were also some really cute parts, like the tattoo scene and the parts with Adam and Jack, Rachel’s dad who has dementia.

Tropes:
Grumpy x sunshine
Marriage of convenience
Friends to lovers
Found family
Biker MMC / book girly FMC

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

For the Record by Juliana Smith
(Wells Family #4)
Rating: 4/5
Release Date: 22 June 2024

After accidentally tying the knot with her best friend during a spontaneous Vegas getaway, Rachel decides against an annulment, opting instead to capitalise on the marriage for Adam's military benefits. This arrangement, devoid of romance, seems simple on paper. But as Adam embraces the role of a devoted husband, Rachel finds herself drawn to the idea of a genuine partnership. Despite her focus on her career and caring for her father, the allure of a life with Adam becomes increasingly tangible.

For Adam, having Rachel as his wife seems like the missing piece to his perfect life. However, there's a crucial secret he's withholding, fearing it could jeopardise their bond. Overcoming his fear of losing Rachel as a friend, he realises that honesty is essential, even if it risks their relationship.

As they navigate the complexities of their unexpected marriage, Rachel and Adam must confront their feelings and fears, knowing that keeping secrets will only lead to further complications.

Tropes:
Grumpy x sunshine
Marriage of convenience
Friends to lovers
Found family
Biker MMC / book girly FMC

I adored the narrative choice to begin the morning after their wedding, allowing us to witness both the aftermath of their nuptials and the journey that led them to that moment, falling in love along the way. Rachel and Adam's journey is heartwarming and unforgettable, as their relationship blossoms organically and sweetly throughout the story.

While I read this book as a standalone, I'm now eager to delve into the rest of the interconnected series. Don't pass up the chance to embark on this charming and romantic adventure!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley, and the author, Juliana Smith, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

Title: For The Record by Juliana Smith

Release Date: June, 22nd, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars

Wedding bells ring in this marriage of convenience, friends-to-lovers, light-hearted rom-com full of heart, laughter, and sourdough starters.


Rachel and Adam, best friends, accidentally get married during a spontaneous trip to Vegas. Instead of opting for an annulment, they decide to take advantage of Adam’s military benefits by staying married. It’s supposed to be a simple, platonic arrangement.

But as Adam starts playing the doting husband, Rachel finds it harder to keep her feelings in check. Meanwhile, Adam is hiding a secret that could change everything between them.

What I Enjoyed:

* Unique Premise: The accidental marriage trope combined with military benefits makes for an interesting and fresh take on the friends-to-lovers storyline.

* Character Chemistry: Rachel and Adam have a natural, easygoing chemistry that makes their transition from friends to something more feel authentic and heartwarming.

* Humour and Heart: The book is filled with laugh-out-loud moments and touching scenes that balance perfectly, making it a delightful and engaging read.

* Emotional Depth: Beneath the light-hearted exterior, the book tackles deeper issues such as fear of losing a loved one and balancing personal dreams with new realities. Adam’s secret adds tension and keeps you turning the pages.

While the story is enjoyable, some plot twists are fairly predictable. However, the journey is so entertaining that it doesn’t take away much from the overall experience.

"For The Record" is an absolutely beautiful rom-com that will have you laughing, swooning, and wishing you have a man like Adam!

Rachel and Adam’s story is endearing and memorable, with their relationship evolving naturally and sweetly over the course of the book.

If you’re a fan of friends-to-lovers, marriage of convenience, or just need a heartwarming read that’s light yet filled with genuine emotion, this book is for you. Juliana Smith has crafted a tale that will live rent-free in your head for a long time. Don’t miss out on this delightful, romantic adventure!

Thank you to The Publisher Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op ,The Author Juliana Smith & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book so much! I love everything Juliana writes and I am always excited for her to come out with new books!

I’ve especially been loving the Wells family series because I love seeing the whole family and the characters from previous books show up in this one. I really love Adam and his sweet soft love for Rachel. And I loved Rachel and her love for music. (and the songs at the beginning of each chapter!!) And also her relationship with her dad 🥹 so so sweet

Also an accidentally marriage trope???? I ate it up!!! This was just so cute and sweet and I just loved it!

Also it’s closed door which I always appreciate!!

I can’t wait for the next and last book in the series 🤭

forever going to be obsessed with this book, it deserves infinite stars! it’s absolutely BEAUTIFUL and PERFECT. Adam and Rachel’s story is going to live rent free in my head for a longtime. if anyone needs me I’ll be listening to Rachel’s playlist on repeat. 🌻💛💍🍯

*special thank you to Victory Editing and Juliana Smith for allowing me to read an ARC*