I liked the whole premise of the book and thought it was very cute. At moments it felt like it dragged but overall I still enjoyed it.
Thank you Netgalley for the arc of this book, I really appreciate it.

This was cute!! Mackenzie and Sam are rivals who spent much of their careers competing before each having to take some time off for different reasons.

It took me a little while to get into this one, but once I did I was hooked. I really enjoyed the cast of characters around Sam and Mackenzie in this one. Watching them learn how to overcome the rivalry that had been part of their relationship for so long and learn how to work together to create something new and special was so fun. My one big point of contention with this one is that at times it felt like we were expected to already know their history or understand things that had happened before that weren’t written about. It made it a little tricky to fully understand what was going on the whole time. But overall this was very cute!

I loved this so much!! Music is such a big part of my life that I just absolutely eat up any book about it. Mackenzie was such a wonderful main character, I related to her so much. Mackenzie and Sam were so cute together, I would really a million more books about them.

Mackenzie was part of the group Thunder Hearts. Sam sang and played with a punk rock band that often played with Tender Hearts. Now that they are no longer in bands, Mackenzie and Sam are trying to decide how to play music and support themselves. Sam has a son, Ben, and wants to be home for him. The two plan on writing songs and singing as a duet. They have a lot of history together and most of the time it was negative. If they are honest with themselves, they have been attracted to each other through it all. It was time to learn to develop trust this time around. This story is full of competition between musicians, new artists, and record companies. I love how Sam and Mackenzie could bring out the best in each other. Ben was a delight. Great story and characters!

What a great story! Can't wait to read more by this author!
Thanks Netgalley and to the author for the ARC!

Thank you to Netgalley for this arc. I loved the FMC in this book. She was cool and funny. I really liked the storyline and plot of the book. This had me hooked.

TBH, this book took me so long to finish that I forgot what I have to say as a review 😅 however, I can say that it's nothing special. It just made my belief that books about music are not for me resolute. I mean yeah, I liked that the ML is responsible enough to step up and get involved in his son's life once he knew about him. I liked that the FL friendships are very realistic and show that every relationship has its ups and downs.

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕮𝖑𝖔𝖘𝖊𝖉 𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖗 𝕸𝖔𝖉𝖎𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖘˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

SKIP CHAPTER: 19, 24

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖗𝖊-𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

I don't have the best history with books about music/rockstars but I'm willing to try again thanks Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with this ARC 🩷

Well crap, what a disappointment. This book did not met its potential. A rarity for Emma Lord who’s writing I adore. Mack and Sam just felt like caricatures of former rock stars. Also the whole musical everything about them was such wish fulfillment. I think all of that would have been believable if I could believe the Mack and Sam love story. And I just didn’t. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

For the Record is a witty, fast-paced, and thoroughly entertaining story about fame, secrets, and personal redemption. The blend of humor and serious moments makes it a captivating read that you won't want to put down. It's a page-turner filled with fun and insight into the world of celebrity.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

For the Record by Emma Lord, had me right from the start. There is nothing I love more than a movie or book about music, song writting, and a cute romance.
Mackenzie and Sam were rivals in 2 different bands, on tour together. They spent show after show in each other's space until tour ended and both bands broke up.
2 years later, and few crazy events later, they have somehow ended up writing songs as a duo. They explore and explain their feelings from the past and present and I loved it so much.

I'm so thankful to NetGalley for the advanced copy, I will definitely be picking up a finished edition when they are out!
4.25 stars

My favorite Emma Lord book I have read! For the Record is an engaging romantic comedy that combines elements of rivalry and redemption. Set in the music industry, it offers an interesting look into what happens after artists make it big.. and then stop. I found the plot engaging and the characters relatable, though certain aspects could have been further developed. I really enjoyed (and believed) the romance between the 2 MCs. This a worthwhile read for those seeking a lighthearted romance.

3/5 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC which will be published on August 12, 2025.

For the Record has an intriguing premise, bringing together former rivals turned almost-lovers for a high-stakes music industry comeback. The forced proximity and second-chance romance tropes had a lot of potential, and there were definitely some great moments of chemistry between Mackenzie and Sam. The added layers of personal struggles—Sam adjusting to fatherhood and Mackenzie navigating her changed voice—added depth to their characters.

However, the execution didn’t fully live up to the premise. The pacing felt uneven at times, with some plot points dragging while others were rushed. While the tension between Mackenzie and Sam was well-built, their emotional development sometimes felt underexplored, making their eventual resolution less satisfying than it could have been. Additionally, some of the secondary characters and conflicts felt predictable or underdeveloped.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read with some fun, dramatic moments, but it didn’t fully hit all the right notes. If you love music-centered romances and second-chance stories, it’s worth a try—but don’t expect a chart-topping hit.

The premise had potential, but the story just didn’t draw me in. I struggled to connect with the characters or their relationship. They fell flat, making it hard to care about their journey. The plot also lacked the pull to keep me engaged. As my interest faded, I found myself putting the book down more often until I eventually couldn’t bring myself to finish it. While this book might resonate with other readers, it simply didn’t work for me.

This was such a sweet love story! It felt like a Taylor Swift song in book form, which made it so fun to read! The weaving timelines sometimes made it hard to keep track of what was going on, but it was easy to overlook that when Mack and Sam took center stage, learning each other for the first time all over again, in an entirely new way. It was particularly exciting to see how lyrics about their relationship formed in various points in time -- I loved the scene where they exchanged tidbits of lyrics that were based on each other. The overarching Tick Tune story sometimes lost its way, for me, but I did love getting to see the Thunder Hearts girls find their way back to each other. Oh, and I loved Ben so much. So, so much.

This was a really fun read! The characters developed nicely and were very sweet. I enjoyed it so much and will recommend to others.

this gave what needed to be given!! my first emma lord and certainly not my last!! If you love music, entertaining characters, second chance, angst, fun plot, easy-to-read writing – this book is for you. i literally binged this so hard that i didn’t even realize time was passing. I was relly entertaining, loved all about the story, it was unique!

Emma Lord is one of my very favorites. I've loved all her YA and now I've loved her adult stories as well.

This was such a fun popstar/punk rock romance. It wasn't as gritty (ie, there's not really a crazy rock and roll lifestyle happening) but I liked that it was a continuation of their past relationship. I loved that they had both matured now. It was a perfect rom com with a sweet ending.

Thank you so much to Emma Lord and St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin for the eARC. This one was a bit hard for me to get through. Im not the biggest second chance romance trope person. But if you love them give this book a chance. It is a great story but just not my cup of tea.

Emma Lord’s For The Record is a charming, cheesy romance that blends humor, emotion, and just the right amount of spice. While it took a little time to find its rhythm, the story quickly pulled me in with its irresistible enemies-to-lovers dynamic and the magnetic chemistry between its leads.

The novel centers on Mackenzie Waters, a former pop sensation navigating a career crisis after vocal surgery forces her to sing under a pseudonym, and Sam Blaze, an ex-punk rockstar who’s traded the spotlight for a quieter life raising his young son. Once fierce rivals in the music world, their explosive on-stage clashes hid a deeper connection that never fully materialized. When they’re brought together for a joint comeback album, old tensions resurface, but so do the sparks they thought they’d left behind.

What makes this story stand out is its balance of wit, warmth, and emotional depth. The banter between Mackenzie and Sam is sharp and entertaining, making their transition from rivals to collaborators to something more utterly satisfying. Their journey is filled with moments of vulnerability, growth, and undeniable chemistry, and the dual POV allows readers to connect deeply with both characters.

Mackenzie’s character is a highlight—she’s quirky and relatable, with a journey of self-discovery that feels authentic and inspiring. Her struggles with identity and self-worth, paired with her determination to reclaim her voice, make her a compelling heroine. Sam, on the other hand, is the perfect grumpy-yet-tender counterpart. His dedication to his son and his internal conflict as he reconnects with Mack add layers to his character that make him impossible not to love.

The supporting cast, particularly the strong female friendships, adds warmth to the story. These relationships highlight themes of found family and the importance of having a solid support system, making the narrative feel even more grounded and heartfelt.

The emotional payoff is well worth the wait, with moments that will make you laugh, swoon, and maybe even shed a tear or two. The spice is subtle but effective, adding just enough heat to complement the story’s sweetness.

For The Record is a celebration of second chances, personal growth, and the transformative power of music. It’s a story about finding your voice, embracing vulnerability, and discovering that the greatest hits in life are often the ones you never saw coming.

The only negative to this book was the very cringey band names! I couldn't take them seriously and had to ignore them throughout the book.

Shared review at Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7397445057