As my first Emma Lord Novel, this won’t be my last. While many people in the romance Genre now enjoy a spicy book, this one delivers just the right amount of fun and charm for me.
I am a true Enemy to lovers person and this book delivers while beings so respectful to their characters and their point of views…. Fully executing their past rival and bringing them together in a way that seems realistic

“Life is always changing colors, but what we have is golden.”

Cheesy? Yes. But did I cry and stay up through the night to finish it? Also yes.

I’ve read several of Emma Lord’s books and this one is my favourite. The characters were beautifully dynamic and relatable, from Sam and Mackenzie to the whole ensemble, that I sped through predictable conflicts to see how it ended. I especially loved the female friendships in this. There were second chances for a lot of relationships and I was drawn in and devoted to each one.

This is for fans of Daisy Jones and the Six or Taylor Jenkins Reid, with a Nashville-esque spin. It was a really fun, and sometimes emotional, peak behind the curtain of pop stars in the age of social media.

4 stars because I loved it but there were a few points (mainly in the middle of Parts that this book is broken into) where I felt myself skimming.

“It’s never too late for a comeback”. It was mentioned that if you liked Daisy Jones & The Six you’d like this one too & I agree! This was the first book I have read by Emma Lord & I found it entertaining! I loved the female friendships and found family aspects. I thought the second chance romance was sweet & the characters likable! This was an easy read that flowed nicely. A great summer read that will leave you feeling warm & fuzzy on the inside!

Thank you Netgalley & St. Martin’s Griffin for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first adult book by Emma Lord (love her YA stuff) and it was amazing. I am such a sucker for a book about musicians and this book did not disappoint. Mackenzie and Sam were such great characters and their chemistry was spot on. Their transformation from enemies to lovers was excellent, as was their banter. I also really loved the supporting characters, particularly Mackenzie's former bandmates and Sam's blended family. The perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and funny, this will be such a fun summer read!

For the Record is a dual POV romance that follows Mackenzie Waters and Sam Blaze, two former bandmates with a shared past and very different musical paths. Mackenzie, once a member of a pop girl group, and Sam, a punk rock frontman, haven’t spoken in two years. But when their careers unexpectedly intertwine, they're forced to collaborate—whether they like it or not. Sparks fly, both emotional and professional, as they confront unresolved tensions, past regrets, and the undeniable chemistry that still lingers between them.

Although some might call this an enemies-to-lovers story, it landed for me much more as a second chance romance. I genuinely loved it. This was my first Emma Lord novel, and I’m now eager to explore the rest of her work. The characters' internal monologues felt authentic and intimate, and the banter had a rhythm that reminded me of a favorite song you want to play on repeat. I found myself smiling, holding my breathe, and even catching those classic romance butterflies right alongside the characters.

Beyond the romance, the book does a thoughtful job of exploring the pressures and beuracracy of the music industry. It felt grounded in a real-world lens that added depth to an already engaging story. Lord balances this complexity with warmth and humor, making For the Record both heartwarming and relevant. Honestly, if this were to be made into a movie, I’d be first in line to watch it and download the soundtrack.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. If you love music, second chances, and a romance with genuine heart, this one belongs on your shelf.

For some reason, I couldn’t get into this. I though the premise would hook me, but the writing was a bit too all over the place for me.

Loved this new Emma Lord. Gave me some Honey meets Daisy Jones vibes all set in our more modern time period. Would have liked more depth between the Thunder Heart ladies - perhaps more time on their backstory but otherwise a solid summer beach read.

This is my second Emma Lord romance and I really loved it. Her dialogue is witty, and the characters have depth and maturity. I enjoyed the second chance romance aspect as well as the dual point of view, and while I’m not a fan of the miscommunication trope, it was barely there in this novel and resolved quickly. I got into the plot immediately and read it in less than a day. I can definitely see more Emma Lord romances in my reading future. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for this wonderful ARC

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Lighthearted, mildly entertaining and extremely corny. This book reads like a romcom from the early 2000s.

Emma Lord has created another stellar story with “For the Record.” Former pop star Mackenzie Waters and punk band front man Sam Blaze had a pretend-but-real rivalry back in the day, and while sparks flew on stage, drama brewed in the back. Now, two years later with some major life changes, they are pushed together again by their label, and a rom com for the ages ensues.

I liked the characters. Mackenzie Waters was fun and bright, while harboring all-too-relatable doubts and insecurities, making her relatable despite being a Taylor Swift pretty and Taylor Swift famous singer. Meanwhile, Sam is coping with his own mistakes and family drama, giving both characters realistic places to grow and to support one another. Emma Lord is a deft hand at plot, and she keeps the story moving with interesting twists, making a believable but still surprising storyline.

I’ve enjoyed every Emma Lord book I’ve read, and I wholeheartedly recommend this one for fans of Emily Henry, Pop Princess, and K-Pop Confidential. It hits just the right notes!

I was so excited to see the premise of this book - two rock stars reunited after the years, despite the (smoldering) “hate” that lingers between them? Sign me up!

It was an easy read in that the writing style flowed, the side characters were interesting, and the pacing kept you involved. However, it started to lose my interest a little in the middle.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Having read a,few books by Emma Lord, I'm never surprised how good they are. There is always good character development, funny banter among love interests and just a good feeling storyline. I enjoyed this book and feel that this author knows what it takes to get all the feels of , laughter, sadness etc. I recommend the book For the Record to readers who enjoy books by Abby Jimenez, Emily Henry, Taylor Jenkins Reid and Carley Fortune

Liked the Taylor Swift vibes but couldn't connect with the characters. I have enjoyed other YA books by the same author, but maybe this one just wasn't for me.

Such a sweet second chance romance, it was fast and full of emotion. I loved how vulnerable, open, and mature these characters are. The dynamic and dialogue between Sam and Mackenzie is so delightful, and I especially loved seeing Sam when he was a father.

For some reason when it comes to second chance romance I usually prefer only one pov, so we can really connect with the main character and have only their experience, but the dual pov works really well here!

The found family is great and lots of yearning and tension. The miscommunication isn’t overly done, and made sense here. But, I wish there was a little less focus on the subplots and more of Mackenzie and Sam's personal growth to provide more depth to the story.

4.25 stars

I love celebrity romance books so much! This book was so adorable and a fun, quick read. Mackenzie is a very Taylor Swift coded character, and I love how the author portrayed her. There was a lot of chemistry between the two main characters, and the ending was satisfying.

Thank you for NetGalley for sending me an e-ARC of this book!

I love her books so much and this one gave you everything her books give you and more. The perfect books for anyone who loves romcoms.

Thank you to NetGalley and St, Martin’s Press for an advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. For The Record by Emma Lord was a good second chance romance to get me in the mood for summer reading. I love a good dual POV book so I was very happy to read parts from Mack and Sam PLUS the emotional aspect to the book was well done. At times the book seemed a bit slow and there were a lot of side things happening but otherwise I found it to be enjoyable!

Summary in Brief

Mackenzie Waters and Sam Blaze were once music rivals, until both of their bands fell apart a few years ago. Now, their paths cross again, and they decide to join forces to make the comeback of the century.

Genre + Plot

Tropes: Enemies to Lovers, Second Chance Romance, Single Dad, Forced Proximity, Found Family, Miscommunication

I’ve read some of Emma Lord’s previous novels and really enjoyed them, so I was excited to receive this ARC! What initially drew me to this book was the premise: two former heartthrob stars who played up their rivalry onstage, now teaming up to re-enter the music industry after years away. I could already sense the sexual tension brewing. This book features a lot of cozy romance themes like found family, single parenthood, second chances, and more.

Let’s start with our FMC, Mackenzie. Once a pop sensation, she was part of a band with her two best friends, serving as the lyrical mastermind and the star of every show. After the band broke up, Mackenzie faced medical issues that changed her voice. Now self-conscious and hesitant to perform again, she hides behind an anonymous persona, releasing songs sporadically. Mackenzie’s journey is one of self-reflection, rediscovering her voice and confidence, and confronting unresolved emotions. I really enjoyed her character. She may have had the chaotic pop-star persona, but underneath, she’s incredibly grounded and dealing with very real struggles. She came across as mature and authentic.

Now onto our MMC, Sam Blaze (that name though—lol). He was the lead singer of his own band until he discovered he had a son he never knew about. He dropped everything to become the kind of father he never had. In doing so, he pushed Mackenzie away, thinking it was the right thing to do. His relationship with his son, and the son’s mom, is genuinely heartwarming. They make such a lovely, supportive family unit.

When Mackenzie and Sam meet again after several years, the sexual tension is immediate. Throughout the book, there’s a lot of emotional suppression between them. It’s clear they’re both completely smitten, yet the only ones they manage to fool are themselves which, admittedly, gets a bit frustrating. There’s definitely some miscommunication, both from their past and in the present. Each holds back, assuming the other doesn’t feel the same or that it could never work for one reason or another. It’s a classic trope and one we’ve all seen before.

That said, despite the miscommunication, their emotional progression feels natural. When they do express their feelings, it’s done in an organic and heartfelt way. They’re endlessly supportive of each other and willing to fight for one another. Although there’s conflict toward the end, they’re far more secure in their relationship this time around and manage to overcome the obstacles standing in their way to get their well-earned happily ever after.

Final Thoughts

Overall, this was a fun, fast-paced read filled with enemies-to-lovers tension, second chances, emotional yearning, and a strong found-family element. It made for a cozy, feel-good romance that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Emma Lord is the only author who has accurately described and displayed those young adult relationships/friendships/etc. In all my years of reading. Not sure how, but she just catches that magic. The way she makes you feel like you are right there with them in those little moments is her superpower.

Former music rivals, once clashed on stage as a publicity stunt, but behind the scenes, their tension turned into something more—until their bands fell apart. Now, years later, Sam is a single dad, and Mackenzie hides behind a pseudonym after a career-altering surgery. Their only shot now is a joint album that forces them to confront old wounds, reignite buried feelings, and navigate secrets that could change everything. Will their reunion lead to a chart-topping success—or?

As much as I hoped I'd enjoy this book more, somehow the entire plot simply missed the mark for me, simply because i feel like the characters lacked emotional depth at some points.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.