This one did not thrill me. It was OK, but nothing special. The story and romance tried to be something, but ultimately, I was a bit bored reading it. Mackenzie and Sam, both musicians, had a pretend, yet real thing between the two of them in the past. Two years later, they are both dealing with changes in their career and try a joint comeback. The writing felt more towards a YA audience, which could be why the book did not work for me. There was very little spice, and the banter did not stick with me. I was not a huge fan of Mackenzie, but I did enjoy the Sam chapters. The characters did not feel fully developed and the plot lacked something. Oh well, on to the next.

I'm a fan of Emma Lord's romances - they read fast but they always pack an emotional punch. This was absolutely adorable and I loved the chemistry between the two main characters.

I really wanted to connect with this story more but I just didn’t. Usually, I love books dealing with musicians and hoped that would sway me but it was difficult to remain engaged with the story. I guess it just wasn’t for me. I still recommend others check it out.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc

I love a dual narration romance; it always brings the romance up a notch. I think this book was enjoyable, but I will say that the “rom-com” aspect could have been enhanced more. This book showed both individuals working on themselves before coming back and building on their bond. I would categorize this book as one I’m happy I read, but I don’t know if it’s something I would pick up again.

5⭐️ 2🌶️ 5🎧 I received this ARC back in March and I am kicking myself for not getting to it sooner! This book was so good, and the audio elevated it even more! Sam and Mackenzie had all the tension and longing I hoped for, with the spice that was unexpected and deliciously welcomed!

This story was a whirlwind of life changing events. From a former rivalry with unshared mutual pinning, to each having a life changing event, 2 years of trying to heal and evolve, just to be pushed back together and failing to keep their distance! I wish we had more interaction with Mackenzie and Ben; however the few moments we did get were so sweet, especially his obsession with her and her band. When he saw Serena for the first time have me smiling so big!

The audiobook was narrated by Jesse Vilinsky and Andrew Eiden (aka King Teddy!!). This is my first time listening to Jesse Vilinsky, but she paired very well with Sir Andrew Eiden! This was a great listen!

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced audiobook and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced eBook in exchange for honest reviews. I will certainly be moving some of Emma’s back log up on my TBR.

This was my second book by Emma Lord and her second chance. The other one I read(The Breakup Pact) was just ok but I finished. I always believe in giving an author two shots. But I did not like this one at all. I DNF half way through. I think my main issue was it was so juvenile. I know she writes YA as well and feel like this should of been written as a YA with how the characters were, which I hated both characters. I just could not get into the story of the two of them. I just disliked them so much. 2 star just because I didnt finish and feel I cannot give a real star review.

I picked this up because the blurb said “perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Daisy Jones…” Because of this I had a certain type of expectation coming into this one, and it failed to reach them. As I read this one, I was just hoping for a bit more from it. More angst, more drama, more stakes, more development, just something more. I also felt like it read young given the ages of the characters. So disappointingly, the only thing similar to a Henry book was it was a romance and the only thing similar to Daisy Jones was music.

However if you like the following, this might be just perfect for you.

🎶 sweet and simple storyline
🎶 second chance(ish), single dad, rivals to lovers
🎶 dual POVs
🎶 low stakes, low drama
🎶 a music-focused world

I loved this one--this is a second-chance romance where the first-chance never quite happened, the story of two musicians from rival bands who spent their touring time pretending to hate each other, and then backed away from performing as they coped with big life events, but who are now reassessing their relationship with music as well as their connection with each other. Emma Lord writes show people so well. Lord captures the fantasies and the tensions effectively here (and there are a lot of tensions here--a secret performing persona, two different batches of nefarious record companies, a cancelled tour, leaked secrets, and so many reasons for moving on in various directions). Mackensie's reason for leaving the stage has to do with her voice, and I did want to know more about her process of reclaiming her new sound, but I thought her backstory added a lot to the novel. As usual the large supporting cast is interesting (and I enjoyed the themes of found family and forgiveness that run throughout these side stories, though I would have liked the Serena plot to have a little more expansion).

Thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for my free earc in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are all my own.

📖 Book Review 📖 It’s amazing how fast life can change; and for former rock stars Mackenzie and Sam, whose bands toured together, their lives sure have slowed down since life on the road. And while the rumors swirled of their romance once upon a time, it seems the record is still not settled on that one as the two unite to create a comeback album. If rival rocker enemies to lovers in a second chance for all is your thing, Emma Lord’s new book is perfect for you!

A glimpse into a totally different world of celebrity musicians. Both MacKenzie and Sam were famous for being part of their respective bands in the past. The two bands used to perform together and had a media-created rivalry that the fans used to love.

Circumstances forced both these talented people to take a break from their careers. For Sam it was the changes he needed to make when he discovered he had a son and MacKenzie had to take a break from singing due to a medical emergency.

When it's time for them to have a comeback, they decide to join forces and create music as a new duet. This brought MacKenzie and Sam back together this time as partners and as a couple.

They had always been aware of the potential for a relationship between them but never crossed that line in the past. The timing finally seems to be right for them and their fans definitely agree. Good story of growth and relationship goals of supporting each other's success.

Highly recommend 👍🏻

For the Record by Emma Lord was such a fun read and gave me a nice break from the heavier fantasy and world building I usually read. The characters were fun and the banter was on point. The friendship between the bandmates was great to see even when they were fighting or disagreed with choices made they still showed up for one another. The chemistry between Mackenzie and Sam was hot and only seemed to burn brighter the further I turned the pages. The relationship between Sam and his son’s mother(s) was so great to see and beautiful to see (or read) in action. Overall I enjoyed this book. Was it the best book I read all summer? No but it did stick with me and I’ll definitely be reading more by this author and recommending to others who enjoy a good romcom.

This was a cute rivals to lovers and somewhat of a second chance romance. Once musical rivals on stage,Mackenzie, a former pop star, and Sam, a former punk rocker, reunite as a musical duo to revive their careers after both of their bands broke up.

Time had passed, Mackenzie went enough a career altering surgery, Sam is a single dad and recording an album together forces them to spend time together and confront unspoken words and feelings from the past.

Although I did enjoy Mackenzie and Sam’s story, I didn’t get the feeling of longing and angst from the characters that I wanted. With that being said, if you’re a music lover and like the element of music, entertainment, pop culture references, and celebrity in a romance, you should definitely give this book a read.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this early copy. I look forward to reading more from this author.

I enjoyed reading For the Record by Emma Lord. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

THIS WAS SO CUTE!!!! As a music nerd, I really enjoyed the rival rock band aspect. It was giving me Nashville (tv show) vibes. The tension and yearning was lovely. I had a fantastic time reading this!! Emma Lord just knows how to GRIP you 🙂‍↕️

Thank you St Martins Press for my e-ARC and finished copy!

I'd like to thank Emma Lord, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

For the Record is a romantic comedy that follows two main characters; Sam and Mack. Mack our female main character was the lead singer of Thunder Hearts two years ago, but has since tried to go solo after the band split. Sam was the lead singer of Candy Shard a punk band that joined Thunder Hearts on tour, and became the labels best selling point, only to disappear off the grid two years ago. Sam and Mack did not get along, he was a flirt with a new girl every week, and Mack put too much trust into the wrong guys.

Now, both wanting to go solo and having no luck, their label decides to set them up together as a duet much to Sam and Mack's dismay. Unbeknownst to Mack, Sam has a 6 year old son named Ben that he learned about two years ago and set his career aside to be a father, until now. Unbeknownst to Sam, Mack has been posting music under a pseudonym on a website similar to TikTok so that she can work through some trauma that she went through after a change in her voice.

They can create great music together and change their futures forever if they can just set that old rivalry aside.

I had a great time reading this book, it really lightened my mood and I flew through it so fast. While it was easy to read I loved how much depth there was to it. From struggles of abandonment and yearning to be needed by a family, and wanting to be loved, to dealing with major fears and insecurities after a dangerous incident that caused Mack's voice to change. Throughout the book you can feel a current of first loves and how they hurt you, but clearing up misunderstandings and actually having communication between each other as friends. The romance is a slow build through feelings that already exist, and coming to terms with the fear the other person maybe not being fully ready for anything yet.

The blurb says for fans of Daisy Jones and the Six, but I disagree. For fans of Wreck the Halls, with it's musical competition, and Boyfriend Material with the set up of working together to help their image as well as dealing with absentee parents and being with each other through hard times.

For the Record is out on August 12th, 2025!

Trigger Warnings I Gathered: Abandonment, Sexual Content, and unsure of the correct term but Emotionally Absent/ Absent Parents

3.5 stars! I read the ARC and thought it was really cute. It was funny with a little bit of spice. Lots of pop culture references but that’s to be expected in a book with two famous main characters. There were def some cheesy lines (especially in Sam’s chapters) but by the end of the book I had embraced it and couldn’t stop smiling at the sweet HEA.

Two years after their push and pull relationship played out on stage, singer Mackenzie Waters and punk rockstar Sam Blaze come back together to write some songs that are meant to reignite their careers and maybe their secret feelings.

I loved this one! here's what I loved:

Mackenzie and Sam: These two were perfect! I loved Mackenzie's strength. She went through so much and came out stronger even though at times she was so unsure. I loved that give and take with her on her journey. Sam, he's a dream. I really liked the fact that he was open about just not wanting anything serious and how that really changed when he found out about his son. He's literally the pop punk guy of my dreams.

The music of it all: This one is fully in the music world and I loved it. From up and coming artists to those waiting a comeback to flashbacks to Mackenzie and Sam touring, you really get pushed into the music world and will fall in love with it.

The writing: Lord is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Her writing is sharp and so incredibly funny. I loved everything about it.



All in all, this was an amazing rockstar romance!

Thank you to the author and publisher for the gifted copy!

Emma Lord’s writing always grabs me, and For the Record is no exception. This second-chance romance between rival musicians-turned-reluctant collaborators is full of emotional depth, slow-burn tension, and personal growth.

Thanks netgalley and the publisher for the arc. .

Cute, above average romcom. This was a good palate cleanser for me.


Thank you NetGalley and St Martins Press for my arc in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own

Book Crush 😍: Mackenzie Waters and Sam Blaze in FOR THE RECORD

thank you to st martins griffin and netgalley for the arc!

this came out yesterday!

i adore emma lord’s YA so obviously when she started writing adult romance i was giddy and kicking my feet.

this author usually writes single POV and i was so excited to see this was dual POV! i loved seeing the mutual pining from both perspective. these two were such rivals to lovers!

i thought they both had their own challenges. the best kind of books have characters with flaws and i enjoyed seeing them work their way through it. and come together 🥹

this gave swiftie vibes for real! i’ve loved books about musicians lately. some others are Never Been Shipped and Sounds Like Love.