This book made me giggle and kick my feet and swoon. The yearning was so on point, and it was just an absolute delight to read. Parts were a bit heartbreaking, there was just the right depth to both the FMC’s background and the MMC’s background, but through it all I just so wanted them to be happy in their love. The setting and premise of these two stars making their comeback was so fun, and I loved that both bands had broken up without some major falling out. I delighted in every minute of this read.

5 stars

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

For the Record, the newest release by Emma Lord brings us into the world of romance and music. Mackenzie Waters, pop star queen, and Sam Blaze, her pop rock "rival", always seem to have chemistry off stage and are brought together to collaborate together on an album together. The challenge was to determine what to do with the feelings they were developing for each other, especially now that they were working so closely together. Overall, this was a good, quick read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I was interested in this book because it seemed almost like a second chance romance. Rivals to lovers, a couple in the music industry that almost got together in the past but didn’t and now are going to work together again. However, I was disappointed with how the story played out. There was some talk of their past, but their history wasn’t all that interesting. I didn’t realize this was a rom-com which I’m not a big fan of. The spice was limited. The ending was good, but it didn’t keep my interest as much as I had hoped.

This book was so cute! I loved the “enemies” to lovers aspect of it! I really enjoyed Ben’s character and the whimsy he brought to the book! This was a cute little rom-com

I always enjoy Emma Lord’s romance and this one was good. It’s probably not going to make the favourite list but it was cute and enjoyable. I liked the characters and their individual struggle and how it affected their relationship and growths I liked how this story is a second chance at love. It was interesting with this “new” app playing a big role in the story too. I don’t typically love celebrity or singer romances, so maybe that’s what stops me from fully loving it but it’s still a fun story and I am sure many will love it .

The older I get, the more picky I am about second chance romance. I am very over second chance romance where the main characters previously behaved horribly and more about romances where the characters needed time to grow up and find themselves.

Sam and Mack toured together when their bands were topping the charts, and always played off their will they/won't they dynamic. But both carried a torch for each other and when they both decide to make a comeback, their managers encourage them to team up to build fan interest.

It's hard to describe the rest of the book - there's hanging out and they write music, but so much of the book is about how they've grown up and changed and dealt with their own baggage (publicly). I found myself quite emotional by the end of it, and I really appreciated how these two behaved in a way that was really kind and supportive of each other. They both wanted the other one to be their best, happiest self and communicated about it.

If you love rock star romance and second chance romance, this is one for you. I think Emily Henry and Alicia Thompson fans will enjoy it. Thanks to St. Martin Press for the early copy.

Just finished reading an advanced copy of a book that was just released on August 12th called, For the Record. This is about a woman named Mackenzie who was in a pop band trio, and about Sam who was a part of a punk rock band. These two bands toured together and were known for their band rivalry and shenanigans against each other. But with one phone call Sam's life was forever changed and he stepped away from the music. Mackenzie's band broke up and after her own life altering situation changed her voice, she was left wondering who she is now on her own. Now it's two years later, their label has decided to take these two rival musicians and throw them together as a duet to revive their music careers. But first these two have to figure out how to get past their old rivalry, learn who each other has changed into over these last two life-altering years, and learn to trust each other while working to create music together. I really loved this story! It had my attention right from the start! It was fun and flirty but it had deep heartfelt moments too. Seeing the characters' growth, watching them put their hearts out there, learning to trust again, friendships healing, and love blossoming all wrapped around music. It was so beautifully written and such an enjoyable story! 💜📚

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for this ARC of For the Record, in exchange for an honest review.

Honestly this was my least favorite Emma Lord that I’ve read so far. The romance just did not feel real and I was simply waiting for the book to be over. It tried to be emotional but just felt cheesy. I think she hits her stride with YA.

Anything written by Emma Lord is an automatic read for me. I enjoy her writing and her characters. I had a great time reading For the Record. I enjoy reading anything with romance and music. The main characters were adorable together. Mackenzie Waters and Sam Blaze who are a pop and rockstar were very cute together. They are both rivals and are forced to work together and release an album. I enjoyed the chemistry and the force proximity. I really loved getting both of their perspectives. Emma Lord’s romance novels are always entertaining and this one was no exception.

3.5 ⭐️ well this was just a cutie patootie little rom com. Mackenzie and Sam rose to fame in their respective bands while playing up a rivalry between the two of them for their fans. Years later they are shoved back together by their teams to write an album together. This is a celebrity/enemies to lovers book that I would recommend reading if you are in the mood for something easy to read.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC!!!!

I love everything about this book, except that the central conflict isn’t novel-worthy. Mackenzie and Sam are in love with each other but afraid to admit it. All the obstacles could be removed with a simple conversation. Love takes courage, and these two don’t have it. I’m sure others will enjoy this book, but it’s not for me. DNF ~46%.

Cute romance with some spice. I loved the fake rivalry, frenemies to lovers. It’s filled with plenty of drama and laughs along with the swoon worthy moments.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
I love a dual POV, a second chance, and a rock star romance. This had all three! This is a great summer read and is quick, fun, emotional, and romantic.

For the Record by Emma Lord is a sweet second chance romance told with a duel POV. Throw in the forced proximity, single dad and rivals to lovers tropes and we’ve got a fun romance book with clever banter between the main characters. I enjoy a found family story and there is definitely found family here. I liked this book. I do have to admit that I got a little lost in the music industry parts of the book. I’m giving it 3.5 ⭐️ but rounding up to 4 ⭐️. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC.

This was such a fun read! The story was good. The secondary character were great and I love a good musician romance! Sam and mackenzie were perfect!

For the Record by Emma Lord
Contemporary romance.
Pop singer Mackenzie Waters and punk rockstar Sam Blaze had a flirty and fan favorite chemistry playing onstage and directed by their publicity people. Offstage and behind the curtain, they didn’t talk much. They both wanted more but it never happened. Both bands fell apart and everyone drifted away.
Two years later, Mackenzie has had throat surgery and is secretly recording under an anonymous name about heartbreak. Running into Sam at a bar is unexpected, but delightful. He’s trying to break back into the industry with a bluesy vibe and once again producers are trying to pair them up.
Family, friends, and industry contract problems add stress and everyone has secrets and decisions to make. Can dreams still come true?

🎧 I alternated between an ebook and audiobook of this story. The performances of Andrew Eiden (an absolute fav!) and Jesse Vilinsky were fantastic with clear emotions making the characters come alive. The joy of making music is obvious as the two create and tentatively begin working together.
I did speed up the audiobook to 1.5 and slightly higher to more closely match my reading along on the ebook copy.

More depths of anxiety and uncertainty than expected from successful artists even if it is a few years later. Unresolved problems don’t just disappear.
The banter is fun between Mack and Sam and adding his son is heartwarming and darling.
Second chances can be sweeter especially when goals align.
4 bumped up to 4.5 for the audiobook performances

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and publisher Macmillan Audio.

For The Record was a quick but unenjoyable read for me. I anticipated a good romance, some comedy, and even some swoon-worthy moments. Unfortunately, none of those expectations were met. The story overall read as very flat and, at some points, cringe. Sadly, I did not enjoy this one at all.
Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Emma Lord for this ARC.

OBSESSED with this book.

Second chance, "popstar/rockstar" romance, "enemies" to lovers.

Brought together by their record label, Sam and Mackenzie have to work together to form a new duet after years past sense they were a will they/won't they pr stunt for their respective bands. Both of them are confused about the past, lack of communication at its finest. Sam knows what he wants and Mackenzie is hesitant to believe it.

If Emma Lord writes it, I read it. Even better when the plot is killer. (I'm a sucker for celebrity romance!)

I loved the Sam + Mack banter and being a part of the comeback. The Tick Tune songs and alter ego were really giving Taylor Swift vibes. Sam and Mack's second chance relationship was really well done. Their growth and development was fun and made sense. They also had their own situations to resolve that were not far fetched or "too much." Not sure Serena's part in all of it? Seemed a little overblown and like I was missing some piece of the resolution. As a result, the ending left me a little dissatisfied compared to the rest of the book.

Definitely recommend for a love story with a side of personal growth and frienship.

Perfect for...
- Enemies to lovers
- Friends to lovers
- Celebrity romance
- Girl bossing
- Sweets craving

This is the second Emma Lord book I've tried to read and I just...can't do it. Something about the plot and the characters are so cringy and unrealistic. I'm also beginning to hate dual POVs, which could very well just be a "me" issue. Ultimately, I don't think her books are for me, and skew on the young adult side of adult romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.