This was adorable! This was my first Emma Lord book and I'd be excited to read another one by her. The cover caught my eye but the writing was easy and nice and romantic

** A copy of Love is for For The Record was provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review **

For The Record is a second-chance romance between two musicians, Sam and Mackenzie. This was filled with banter, friendships and musings on growing up and being yourself.

My only frustration was that the lack of communication was annoying sometimes - be open and just talk about your feelings, Sam and Mackenzie! I would’ve rated this higher otherwise.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC opportunity!

I enjoyed this one and it was pretty quick and easy to get through. I liked the banter, tension, and build up, but the conflict and the end really felt like a miss or not so crucial in my opinion. I found myself disconnecting from the story at times, and that was unfortunate because i liked the characters individually and the story flow before that point.

While there were some aspects of this story I enjoyed, the addition of so many side characters and plots led to the romance feeling underdeveloped and the side plots half baked. I also wish this was a past-present timeline book as I found their original backstory more compelling than their present storyline.

2.5 stars and definitely my least favorite by Emma Lord. I thought the conflict was pretty minimal and the whole thing felt very low stakes. I also wasn’t vested in this couple in the slightest. The FMC Mackenzie was okay, but I didn’t care for the MMC Sam at all. This is told in dual POV, so the reader knows that Sam and Mack like each other which removed some of the romantic tension. Not to mention they were attracted to each other by like chapter two or something like that. It was a quick read with some comedic moments but the whole thing remained very surface level.

Great book really enjoyed the story. Thanks to the author and publisher for the advanced reader copy. All opinions shared are my own.

3.5 ⭐️ but rounding up to 4

While the ending left me wanting, I enjoyed it from the beginning up to that point. Mackenzie and Sam's dynamic was captivating. The banter, the tension, and the music aspect endeared it to me so I bumped it up a .5 star. If you love music, second-chance, and older characters, this is for you!

Thank you to Netgally for giving me an E-ARC of For The Record by Emma Lord.

This book follows two past music rivals who after their bands broke up, took a couple years off from music. Eventually both Mackenzie and Sam want to come back but with new sounds and start solo careers. However the label isn’t on board and instead would support them if they worked together, what happens when two past rivals are forced back together in a more intimate way?

I’ll be honest I did like this book, but I expected a bit more. I read Lord’s YA book, Tweet Cute and absolutely loved it, so I was quite looking forward to one of her more adult novels.

While the concept had me hooked, the characters weren’t ones I found easily connecting to. I only started to really fall for the love story in the last 25% of the book. I do appreciate all the side characters and how we knew some of them so deeply but I feel some were just as fleshed out as the MCs, which wasn’t my favorite. I wanted to know more about Sam’s background other than his family life and I feel we missed that. I feel they didn’t get too deep into the history of Mackenzie and Sam in the bands and we only caught glimpses which I would have wanted more fleshed out.

This was also more of a slow burn than I wanted. I know alot of people will like that, so it’s definitely more personal preference but I did want more of the love story fleshed out and more spice for sure. (Personal preference)

Overall this was okay, i definitely want to read more of Emma Lords work and Will in the future, this one just didn’t hook me the way I wanted it to.

3/5

For the Record is a low-stakes, second-chance romance that brings pop princess Mackenzie Waters and punk rocker Sam Blaze back into each other’s orbit after years apart. Once rivals on stage and off, they’ve gone their separate ways — Sam’s now a single dad living quietly, while Mackenzie’s reinventing herself under a new name after vocal surgery. A joint comeback album is the career-saving move neither of them wants to make... until they realize it might be the key to more than just a second shot at fame.
Told in dual POV, this book is easy to read and has a cute premise — enemies-to-lovers vibes, forced proximity, and a hint of secret identity thrown in. The idea of two former flames reuniting through music has great potential, and there are definitely some sweet moments between Sam and Mackenzie, especially when Sam’s son Ben is involved. (Ben is adorable and absolutely the scene-stealer.)
That said, parts of the story didn’t quite hit for me. Some of the tension felt more like prolonged bickering than romantic buildup, and the emotional stakes weren’t always as strong as I wanted them to be. Mackenzie’s mental health and her complicated relationship with her parents were handled well, but the flashbacks and memory drops sometimes pulled me out of the moment. It’s more of a quick, surface-level read than a swoon-worthy romance with tons of depth.
Still, if you’re into stories about music, second chances, and slow-burn reunions with a happy ending, this one might be worth a spin. Think of it like a catchy pop song — maybe not your favorite track, but still fun to have on in the background.

᪥ Second Chance
᪥ Musicians
᪥ Self-Discovery
᪥ Found Family
᪥ Dual POV

This book took me a long time to read and I almost DNF.
The premise was great, the beginning great, then it never really went anywhere. It just felt flat.
The entire book wouldn’t exist if the two mains just talked to each other like adults.
Which is annoying.
All the things that happened in the book were low stakes and just felt like silly drama, nothing that would have kept actual adults in love away from each other.
In a lot of ways this read like YA with a little spice.
I have 8 Emma Lord books but this one, while written well, just didn’t hit for me at all.

I typically love all Emma Lord books. Tweet Cute and Begin Again are probably my all time favorite books. So when I tell you I went in with high expectations for this one, I am not exaggerating.
This book however, I wasn’t able to really connect with either Mackenzie or Sam. I found some of the drama a little tedious and didn’t find myself really invested in what happened next.
Emma’s books are typically all heart and for some reason I found that to be missing in this book.
But I would continue to read anything she writes! ❤️❤️
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC!

For the Record is my first Emma Lord book, and I get the hype now. The book follows two once-famous musical artists who have a history with each other. This was such an easy and fun read- it would be perfect for your next vacation.

Oh my god, this book is so good! Hands down my favorite Emma Lord (adult) novel, by far. I wasn’t thrilled with The Break-Up Pact, so I put off starting this one but now I wish I hadn’t! The longing! The angst! The misunderstandings! The song lyrics as an expression of real feelings! And so much more! I just can’t say enough good things. Thanks to St. Martin’s for the ARC.

🎧✨ Bookish vibes alert! ✨🎤
Just finished For the Record by Emma Lord and OMG — I’m obsessed 😍

🎶 Enemies-to-lovers (with a musical twist!)
💔 Past drama, present sparks
🎸 Ex–pop princess + ex–punk rocker = FIRE 🔥
💬 Banter that had me grinning the whole time!

This book had me feeling like I was front row at an emotional concert 🎵❤️
So if you love second chances, iconic duets, and slow-burn romance… add this to your TBR like, yesterday!

#ForTheRecord #EmmaLord #Bookstagram #RomComReads #MusicAndLove #BookRecs #EnemiesToLovers #ReadWithMe 📚🎧💘🌟

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced reader copy of For the Record by Emma Lord!

At first, this book started a little slow for me. I found myself picking it up and putting it down, and honestly, I almost DNF’d it around the 30% mark. But with such great reviews surrounding both the book and the author, I decided to stick with it—and I’m so glad I did.

Once the story finds its rhythm, it really takes off. The slow-burn romance between two rising rock stars—centered around music, fame, and identity—had me completely hooked. The tension between the characters builds so beautifully, and the emotional payoff is worth the wait. Emma Lord does a great job weaving in themes of self-discovery, creative expression, and the pressure of being in the spotlight.

By the time I finished, I was already looking forward to what Emma Lord writes next. Add this to your summer TBR when it releases in August—especially if you love music-infused YA with heart and heat.

For the Record is a steamy enemies to lovers romance with a musical bend. What’s not to love? Sam was such a great character- I fell in love right away. And Mackenzie was extremely likable and relatable. Some of the music industry drama was a little much for me, but it’s likely just my reading preferences. Also the one dramatic bandmate (I forgot her name already, thank goodness) was really annoying to me. Just like not a great friend I’d say. All in all this is probably a 3.5 for me, but I’m rounding up because Sam was a dreamboat. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-arc.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was an engaging read! I enjoyed the plot and would read it again. Can't wait to read more from Emma Lord.

[Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.]

I always enjoy Emma Lord’s books, and this one was no different.

Mackenzie and Sam were pushed together back when their bands were at the height of their careers. When they’re brought together again, their lives are wildly different. There’s an undeniable chemistry between the two of them, but until now, the timing has never been right.

While music is a big part of their identities, Mackenzie and Sam are rounded out thanks to the relationships we see with friends and family. And thanks to time and being able to focus on themselves, Mack and Sam are able to give themselves a chance. It was fun watching them explore old haunts while writing new songs.

This is a fun and flirty romance filled with lots of fun banter. There are a few slow or repetitive parts, but overall the book was a fast read. I think it’s a low-drama romance and just the perfect Summer read.

Emma Lord you have Done. It. Again. For the Record may be my favorite EmLord release yet. My celebrity-loving heart grew three sizes when I received this ARC—it’s been on my most anticipated releases of 2025 and it definitely lived up to the hype. It was fun, flirty, and just the right amount of depth. Emma Lord writes characters you can’t help but fall in love with, and Sam was no different. I need him desperately, but in the meantime I’ll settle for another reread before its August release date.

Remember your favorite boy and girl band groups from the 90s and 00s?? Then remember how you wanted both the lead singers from each group to fall in love with each other?? Then you need to read For the Record!!! This was an amazing second chance romance book which also has a dual point of view that was beautifully written.
Mackenzie and Sam used to hate each other while in the prime of each of their bands’ career. Then just when maybe something was going to happen between them, Sam disappears. In present day, both of their lives are dramatically different – Mackenzie has had a vocal change and Sam is trying to be the best dad he can be, but both want to be back on stage, and the only way they can be is to work together.
The story goes through major self discoveries for each of our main characters, what family really means and the importance of female friendships.
This book will have you smiling and laughing the whole time. A great summer read!
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martins Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.