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Love, Off the Record

By Samantha Markum

About The Book
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.

About The Author
Photograph courtesy of the author
Samantha Markum

Samantha Markum is the author of This May End Badly, You Wouldn’t Dare, and Love, Off the Record. 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.

Why We Love It

“The chemistry between Wyn and Three radiates from the first page and is what immediately drew me into the story. But it’s the compelling exploration of what it means to be a freshman in college, starting over socially as well as academically, with so much humor and honesty, that really won me over. I love these characters and their journey to discovering who they want to be, and who they want to share those experiences with.”

—Nicole F., Editor, on Love, Off the Record

Product Details
  • Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (June 11, 2024)
  • Length: 416 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781665955744
  • Grades: 9 and up
  • Ages: 14 - 99

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Raves and Reviews

"Markum caters to die-hard genre readers in this banter-rich love story...Parental pressures and friendship drama add classic teen vibes while a sensitively balanced portrayal of Wyn’s body image elevates this journalistic-rivalry-turned-romance narrative."

– Publishers Weekly, 3/18/2024

"A headline-worthy romance that addresses topical subjects with gravity and gaiety."

– Kirkus Reviews, 4/15/2024

“Sources are saying Love, Off the Record is Samantha Markum’s best book yet! (It’s me, I’m sources.) Wyn and Three will scoop readers’ hearts, not only with their newsroom antics and fight-flirting worthy of the enemies-to-lovers hall of fame, but also with their relatably messy journey through the first year of college. Markum’s signature wit and characters who come alive off the page put this story on the record as one of my new favorites!”

– Kaitlyn Hill, author of Love from Scratch and Not Here to Stay Friends

“Love, Off the Record is the perfect example of why we love enemies-to-lovers romance. The chemistry was absolutely delicious, and I adored spending time in Wyn’s world.”

– Jenna Evans Welch, author of Love & Gelato

“Love, Off the Record is a sweet romance that serves up hard-hitting themes along with swoony banter. A rivals-to-lovers story full of honesty and heart!”

– Michelle Quach, author of Not Here to Be Liked

”The perfect blend of heart and heat, Love, Off the Record is the rivals-to-lovers romance of my absolute dreams. The tension between Wyn and Three crackles like a bonfire, every pop and hiss of rage bringing us one lick closer to the inevitable, delicious combustion point. I so sincerely love Wyn—who refuses to give credence to toxic narratives about her own body, whose loneliness is achingly palpable, who I want to wrap in a handmade Middle-earth blanket and hug forever. I loved watching Wyn unbury her own self-worth as she opened herself up to receiving love from the people around her. Truthfully, I’d read Samantha Markum’s grocery list; witty, hilarious, heartrending, and swoony, Markum’s is one of my very favorite voices in YA.”

– Ellen O'Clover, author of Seven Percent of Ro Devereux

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Love, Off the Record

By Samantha Markum