I loved this book! It’s a 4th in a series, but you definitely don’t have to read the first three to follow along. The way that each chapter had a song tied to it was so much fun.

What to expect:
- dual pov
- dual timelines
- married in Vegas / “fake” marriage
- lots of music

*thank you to the author and netgalley for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review

This book was so cute! I love me a sweet swoony romance and there was so much to love. Our grump Adam and sunshine Rachel were perfect for each other 🥰 All the Well’s family books have something for everyone!

Read if you like:
👩🏼‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏻 friends to lovers
💍 marriage of convenience
🌤️ grumpy sunshine
🫂 found family
👥 dual POV

This book is the epitome of grumpy/sunshine and I loved every minute of it! I liked the dual timeline and how you got the history of their relationship/friendship in tandem with their current status. Adam, the tattooed, strong, silent type gave all the swoon in the way he adored Rachel. Rachel was sunshine personified. I loved the way Juliana made her character so relatable. I’ve loved every single one of Juliana books and this one is a priceless record!

Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ARC of For the Record in exchange for an honest and independent review.

This is now the second book I've read in the the Wells Family Saga and at this point, I just love the Wells family in their entirety. Having now read books 3 and 4, I will most certainly be going back to indulge in books 1 and 2 (it's only right after all). After the conclusion of book 3, centered around Liam Wells and his wife Marigold, I was more than excited for the release of book 4, which is centered around Adam Wells and his love interest, Rachel. Never fear, if you're missing the rest of the absolutely adorable Wells family, they each play a part in the journey that is Adam and Rachel's love story! Eeek!

For the Record is essentially a love story between two best friend that spans several years, time hopping between then and now. From their adorable meet cute at a bar where Rachel tries to shoot whiskey like a champ, to a very drunken night in Vegas where they wake up to find themselves married, For the Record is a love story for the ages between two best friends that are too stubborn to admit that their relationship is anything more than platonic after a drunken one night stand.

In a fun twist, Rachel ends up to be the roommate of Luke Well's girlfriend, Layla. Being that it's clear Rachel and Adam are going to be seeing a lot of each other through their mutual connection to the Wells family, they decide to keep their acquaintance under wraps and agree to be strictly friends. That is until they find themselves married and discovering how this marriage arrangement could be mutually financially beneficial for the both of them to see it through, for awhile that is.

Adam, the broody military man of few words and Rachel, the exuberant, musically inclined, high maintenance beauty, are certainly an unlikely pairing, but something about this match works oh so well. Rachel, who never stops talking, is the yin to Adam's yang and his propensity for listening deeply to all Rachel has to say. They exist in comfortable companionship that most people would dream of and despite what they try to portray, a deep love exists between them both that cannot be quantified or labeled.

Will they be brave enough to acknowledge what each of them refuse to admit exists between them both, or will their marriage of convenience run it's course thereby allowing them to go their separate ways in the end? I highly encourage you to pick up the newest installment of the Wells family saga. I absolutely adore this family with every ounce of my being and they need to be their own TV series, like yesterday. The only thing that could have made this even marginally better is a bit of spice between the characters because the sexual tension is always high, but nothing ever comes of it, which is a bit of a letdown for readers who simply want Rachel to just finally take charge and rip his clothes off already!

While this book does not have the spice element, it does have a beautiful love story curated through years of friendship and emotional trials. The end of this book had me bawling, heart split right open, by the beauty of their relationship at the end and Rachel's relationship with her father, Jack, who has early onset dementia. This book spoke to the core of every daddy's girl and love that knows no bounds and for that, it's beautiful and real.

I highly encourage you to run out and grab this one today as it hits shelves this very day! While you're at it, you might as well also pick up the first 3 along with For the Record so you can experience the love that is the Wells family in it's entirety, as there are certainly more books to come in this family saga!

In my review for Per My Last Email, I said, and I quote, “I’m not sure if she’ll ever top the wonderfulness that was I Can Fix That. ICFT was one of my favorite books, and all future books of hers will most likely be compared to that.” Well…here we are after reading For The Record and I’m officially comparing it to ICFT. And it’s very likely that FTR has become my new favorite! There was just something magical in this story. I loved it so much, and I loved Adam and Rachel a lot!

One of the things that Juliana Smith does SO WELL is creating swoon worthy moments and writing quotes (whether short or long) that pack a punch and capture the moment so well. She had some quotes that were short and sweet, but that melted me all at the same time! “Nothing could be worth more than you.” “I told you. There’s nothing out there I wouldn’t do for you.” “Yeah, that’s my wife.” Every woman deserves her own Adam who says things like this. Especially that last one. Ooff. It melted me as I read those four little words.

A wedding in Vegas…a marriage of convenience…these are not things I typically enjoy in books because they’re not things I generally like in real life. However, this book has changed that for me. When it’s Adam and Rachel, I love Vegas weddings and marriages of convenience (insert winking eye emoji here!). When they realized what they had done, the obvious first thought was “let’s get a divorce” and I’m so glad they didn’t. These two are couple goals!

I also loved, loved, loved how this book was structured. Dual points of view (Adam and Rachel) and dual timeline (when they first met and present day). This helped to tell the story so well and allowed us to see where they started and how they go to where they were to this day. I loved the family dynamics in this story. Of course, the Wells family is just incredible and I realize that more and more with every new story in this series. But I also really loved seeing Adam and Rachel with Rachel’s dad, who has dementia. Talk about sweet! I’ll say it again…#couplegoals!

But also…where can I sign up for my own Adam??

Rachel and Adam hook up after drinking too much in a bar. They later figure out that Rachel’s best friend is dating Adam’s brother. They decide to be friends and secretly communicate while Adam is deployed. While in Vegas for Adam’s brother’s wedding, Adam and Rachel get drunk and wake up married. This is dual timeline and dual POV and a sweet story.

I love the transition from one night stand, to friends, to accidental marriage/lovers. The main characters were so sweet together and had great chemistry and I love that we got to see their story from both character's POVs. In the beginning, Adam was a poor communicator, and was unable to express his feelings, and due to this, Rachel was unsure of where they stood, relationship wise. From there, the couple goes to Vegas, get's drunk, and wakes up married. Their relationship progresses from there.

Rachel's love for her dad was also very sweet, and I love how Adam fit right in as well. Also, the fact that Adam had literally shown her dad the ring and asked for his blessing before they even got married (accidently), was the sweetest plot twist that I wasn't expecting.

I will start with, I am in LOVE with Adam Wells.

They truly are the definition of being someone's person. the grumpy sunshine was just top tier. Adam being the quiet guy and Rachel understanding and being able to read between his lines. i just melt every time he opens his mouth. The tension was just perfect, especially with the dual timelines showing all the pieces of them and what led to their friendship and relationship. Adam was a huge broody grump with the the sweetest cinnamon roll center and Rachel is such a ray of sunshine. Also, i'm a suckerrrrr for text messages in books and this book really scratched that itch for me! This book truly truly truly took my heart.

this is my fav Juliana Smith book so far! I loved Rachel & Adam so much, they both have such opposite personalities that just mesh so well as friends & as partners. I loved their instant attraction, deep friendships, & deep long lasting love they have! Adam is the sweetest, softest cinnamon roll of a hero, who’s so in love with Rachel he’ll do anything & everything for her! and Rachel gives such unconditional love & friendship to Adam, always giving him comfort & love 🥹🫶

some sensitive & traumatic familial elements are handled with such grace in this story, as well as so much silly love & happiness between Rachel, Adam, her father, & his family. I loved all the familial & friendship moments of this story so much!

I also reallllyyyy vibed with her playlist for this story! so many classic favorites of mine, ESPECIALLY BILLY JOEL!! he’s one of my absolute faves 🤭 overall, this is just a truly lovely, vulnerable, hilarious story full of love & tenderness 💛

I LOVED this book! Rachel and Adam were so sweet, and I loved the opposites-attract situation they had going on. I loved how protective Adam was of Rachel and how that shined through in some of the scenes (when he bought the motorcycle? Swoon). I adored the relationship between Rachel and her dad and seriously cried at the end of the book. I’m definitely keeping my eyes peeled for Crew’s book!

"She's so pretty. Pretty like the sun setting when you're out on the ocean. Pretty like the sight of my driveway after a long work trip. She was like this compass, constantly pointing me toward her. Never wavering, never faulty, always to her. Every piece of her felt like home."

I have been reading Juliana's books since the beginning. So being on this journey to what is now her 6th book, is truly special to witness. She has grown so much as an author and I am serious when I say this. This might be my favorite of hers yet. I think I say that every time, but that's besides the point. For The Record is everything you'd want in a rom com, a little bit cheesy, a little bit swoony and a lot of bit sweet.

For the Record is part of an interconnected series, however this could definitely be read as a standalone. There are nods to previous characters, but I think that you could pick this book up today and not feel lost at all.

Rachel and Adam are I think my favorite characters Juliana has written yet. I fell in love with them rather quickly. Their story is a strangers to lovers story and it couldn't be any sweeter. It is full of a rollercoaster of emotions and written in a dual POV and dual timeline which I think is so perfect for this book because you get their whole relationship from start to finish. All in all I loved it and I think you will too!

oh. my. days.
I loved these two!! There aren’t enough words for me to express my love for this book, Rachel and Adam are right up amongst my favourite book couples.
Adams need to nurture and constant reassurance to Rachel that he’s there for her, from visits to her dad to the simpler way of just saying those words. He is an angel, and I do agree with the teddy bear assessment!
Rachel is such a sweetie, her love for dressing up and music related massively with me, most likely contributing to why I loved this book so much. She’s unapologetically her with Adam and all those around her and it makes me respect her character all that much more.
Them together as a couple makes so much sense! Their chemistry was so natural, their speech was never awkward but flowed so nicely and truly was realistic, which is one of my favourite things in books.
Juliana you are a brilliant author, your writing, character arcs and music taste deserves you a five star rating on your own!
I highly urge everyone to read this book, it’s a masterpiece, so much so I devoured it in a few hours and regret nothing. Absolutely nothing.
I’ve posted the same review on Goodreads (as of now) and I plan to post on tiktok within the next few days! The review on good reads is under Molly, (molls library) 💗

Adam and Rachel won’t leave my mind after I basically flew through this absolutely amazing book! I reall enjoyed this cozy romance that has its wit! You should read it if you like following tropes:
Marriage of Convenience
Friends to lovers
Grumpy x Sunshine
Found Family

This is book 4 of the Wells Family Series!

I was lucky enough to receive as an ARC 🥰

Smith's writing shines in this charming and witty tale, where she skilfully navigates the dynamics of a friendship that slowly evolves into something more profound. Rachel, dedicated to her career and caring for her father, finds herself increasingly drawn to Adam, whose doting husband act begins to feel more genuine with each passing day. The chemistry between the characters is palpable, and their gradual shift from friends to lovers is portrayed with authenticity and warmth.

The concept of using a marriage of convenience for mutual benefit is not new, but Smith adds her unique twist, making it fresh and engaging. Rachel’s internal struggle between maintaining her independence and embracing the potential of a life with Adam is relatable and heartfelt. Her journey of self-discovery and acceptance is beautifully woven into the narrative, making her a protagonist readers can root for.

Adam, on the other hand, is a well-rounded character whose affection for Rachel is evident from the start. His fear of losing her friendship adds a layer of tension, and his struggle to reveal a crucial piece of information about himself is both poignant and realistic. Smith handles his character development with care, ensuring that his vulnerabilities are as compelling as his strengths.

The inclusion of humorous elements, such as the sourdough starters and the antics of their spontaneous marriage, adds levity to the story, balancing out the more serious themes. The secondary characters, including Rachel’s father and their mutual friends, contribute to the richness of the plot, providing additional depth and context to Rachel and Adam’s relationship.

For the Record is a delightful read that expertly blends humour, romance, and heartfelt moments. Rachel and Adam’s journey from best friends to a married couple in love is both touching and entertaining, making this novel a standout in the rom-com genre. Smith’s engaging storytelling and well-crafted characters ensure that readers will be captivated from start to finish.

Omg so good. I can't stop thinking about Adam and Rachel! Adam is ultimate book husband! such an easy 5 star!

I love this series so much and For the Record did not disappoint! I absolutely ate up the grumpy x sunshine trope in this book! Adam is from the Navy and has a grumpy mysterious vibe whereas Rachel is a ball of sunshine with an outgoing personality. They first meet at a bar and have a one night stand but then they find out they have friends in common so they decide to become friends and nothing more. Until one drunk night in Vegas, they spontaneously get married and then decide to stay married so Rachel can receive better health insurance for herself and her father who is battling with dementia. There were so many cute moments in the book: the tattoo scene, Adam meeting Rachel’s dad, and of course we can not forget when Adam learns about Myrtle. One of the funniest scenes! Also I can’t wait for Crew’s book, hopefully it’s the next one 🥹

What to expect:
Marriage of Convenience
Friends to lovers
Grumpy x Sunshine
Found Family

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the opportunity to read the ARC of For The Record. This was an overly cutesy friends to lovers, military romance. A nice quick HEA read! Adam and Rachel were so cute, but infuriating at times with the miscommunication trope. I almost thought I’d get through without a third act breakup vibe but within the last 30 pages it snuck in there.
Rachel’s dad is in a retirement home because he is suffering from dementia. She is his sole caretaker and financial responsibility because her mother left when it got too tough to take care of her dad. She is working at a record shop in town that is under new ownership, to help care for her dad’s medical bills and insurance. Her and Adam elope in Vegas after a drunk evening celebrating her friend’s wedding. They stay married for the benefits, but Adam is all for it because he really does love Rachel. They both care for each other but due to her best friend being Adam’s new sister in law they decided to not make things messy…until their feelings become too messy to hide any longer.

Tropes
Grumpy x Sunshine
Military Romance
“Forbidden” Love
Strangers to Friends to Lovers

I will begin by saying that I really wanted to enjoy this book, I thoroughly enjoyed another novel from this author and couldn’t wait to try this one, but unfortunately this one didn’t do it for me. I got halfway through and couldn’t read any further. I didn’t connect to the characters or the story, the writing felt a bit plain to me and the overall plot just felt quite cliche. At points I had to skip pages due to unnecessary paragraphs of writing that didn’t matter to the story, also scenes with the main female character made me cringe so hard I had to skip it. In truth, I couldn’t read any further and therefore decided to DNF at 50%. I am just not the right audience for this book, but that is not to say that another person will really enjoy it, as I said, I have enjoyed this authors work previously.

Thank you to NetGallery and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Huge thanks to Juliana and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy of this book!

I absolutely adored this book, it's definitely my favourite in the series. When I saw this book was vegas wedding, I was itching for it, that has to be one of my favourite tropes. The "oh shit, we accidentally got married." This book was filled with the pining of friends to lovers, I absolutely adored their dynamic. Adam was down bad and I loved him. The things this man did for Rachel, he loved her from their very first meeting and never stopped. It was definitely if he wanted to he would energy and we love that. Every trope in this book just worked, ugh it was perfect.

I highly recommend this series but especially this book, but the series does follow a family. Which genuinely might be my favourite type of interconnected series, where each sibling get a book and we have huge scenes with the entire family. I cannot wait for Crew's book.

"For The Record" by Juliana Smith is a delightful and heartwarming romance that explores the complexities of love, friendship, and unexpected commitments. Rachel and Adam's accidental Vegas marriage, initially a scheme to secure military benefits, evolves into a captivating tale of genuine affection and growing emotional bonds.

Smith expertly portrays the dynamics of a platonic marriage transforming into something deeper. Rachel's internal struggle between her career, familial responsibilities, and burgeoning feelings for Adam adds depth to the narrative. Adam's journey to reveal a significant secret to Rachel heightens the tension and emotional stakes.

The novel is filled with charming moments, tender interactions, and the evolving realization that sometimes, love is found in the most unexpected places. "For The Record" is a must-read for romance enthusiasts looking for a story that beautifully balances humor, heart, and the journey to discovering true love.

Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book.