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.

For the Record hits all the right notes, literally and emotionally. Emma Lord delivers a heart-warming, music-infused romance that’s equal parts witty banter, tender vulnerability, and the kind of second-chance chemistry you can practically feel humming off the page.

The story follows Mackenzie Waters, a former pop star recovering from career-shaking vocal surgery, and Sam Blaze, her once-rival, once-love, now a single dad. Two years after a messy breakup, fate (and the music industry) throws them back together for a joint album. What follows is a delicious mix of slow-burn reconnection, playful sparring, and emotional healing, not just between them, but within themselves.

Lord’s dual POV storytelling is a standout here. Seeing both Mackenzie’s guarded hope and Sam’s quiet vulnerability makes their journey feel layered and real. The dialogue is sharp and full of warmth, the supporting cast adds depth without stealing the spotlight, and the music-industry backdrop feels authentic without overwhelming the romance.

This is very much a comfort read, you’ll laugh, you’ll get a little misty-eyed, and you’ll probably want to queue up a moody, romantic playlist by the last chapter. If you love second-chance love stories, found family vibes, and characters who grow as much as they swoon, For the Record will leave you smiling long after the final page.

My favorite Emma Lord book yet.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of For the Record by Emma Lord.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

What do Mackenzie and Sam have in common? Everything when it comes to the music scene, both having been hit music makers before their respective bands fell apart for differing reasons. They were so intertwined that they had a “rivalry” going on stage that was leaving something simmering off stage. But in the aftermath of everything that was gone as well. The only thing that could help with a comeback is if they work together for a duet. But can life move out of the way to allow this. Will Mackenzie’s secret prevent them from making music. And most of all will their anger from the previous fall out stay or fall to the way side so they can see their real feelings.

Emma Lord is quickly becoming a fav for me. She writes in a way that tugs at your heart and makes you want to come back for more all at the same time. A little spice in this one, but a good bit of the romance, enemies-to-lovers side if that’s your thing.

Picture this: a glittery popstar princess and bad boy rockstar in a rivals to lovers, will-they-won't-they romance that captures the world's attention while their rivaling bands tour the world together. But their groups disbanded, life hit them hard, and now, two years later, former popstar Mackenzie and former rockstar Sam find themselves back in each other's orbit as they collab on a comeback album together.

This book delivered everything you'd want from an Emma Lord book: It's cute, fun, a bit quirky, and incorporates mentions of unique food combos that will make you want to run to your kitchen and start experimenting. This book feels the most Emma Lord of the ones I've read. It's sparkly and full of heart (and Swiftie easter eggs, if you squint). We got a lovable girl group turned found family, a cast of enjoyable side characters, a fun setting (I loved all the scenes in Sugar Harmony, the bar Mackenzie's friend runs), and a main character with some Taylor Swift vibes without it feeling fanfic-y (I'm talking crumbs here. It's really more that Swifties will recognize that the way the world views Mackenzie's relationships is similar to what Taylor has experienced).

Mackenzie and Sam had a sweet relationship where we got to see them heal past wounds and move from somewhat enemies to friends to lovers as they learned to open up to each other through the process of making music. They had such an interesting dynamic because while they'd spent so long in each others' orbit while on tour, they avoided each other (and their building feelings) off-stage as much as possible, so in a way, they were building up a real relationship and fully getting to know each other for the first time.

This book is compared to an Emily Henry and Daisy Jones and the Six, and I get why publishers would want to market it that way, but I would NOT go into this book expecting either of those. The premise of this book was giving me DaisyBilly angsty sequel vibes, but written by Emily Henry, and that's just not the vibe of this book at all (and not in a bad way). If anything, I'd expect more of a Sarah Adams, cupcake sweet, little bit quirky kind of read.

When I started this, I almost DNF'd because the bantering was not bantering to me and I wasn't feeling the dynamic between the main characters, but I'm glad I stuck it out because it ended up getting better each section and being a fun read. Some parts felt lacking and left me with a bit of disconnect from the characters and story, and I was left feeling like something was missing. But if the premise intrigued you and you're looking for something cute and fun that feels like a rom-com movie on page, I'd say give this a shot. This was one of my anticipated releases of the year so I'm so grateful to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!

Pop star Mackenzie Waters and punk rocker Sam Blaze were once fierce rivals until both their bands imploded. Two years later, Sam is a single dad living a quiet life, and Mackenzie is hiding behind a stage name after vocal surgery. A joint comeback album is their shot at redemption, if they can move past old grudges. But as sparks reignite and secrets surface, they realize their biggest hit might be a second chance.

I really enjoyed this sweet romance about two talented singers. Mackenzie Waters and Sam Blaze, once rivals in different bands, find themselves touring together, their chemistry simmering just beneath the surface. Two years later, Sam is adjusting to life as a father to the son he never knew he had, while Mackenzie is navigating the challenges after surgery that changed her voice. When they reunite to write and sing together, they don't expect the other to have feelings-or that they'll still create such beautiful music in the process. A likable couple facing relatable, real-life struggles, Mackenzie and Sam make for a heartfelt and engaging read. If you enjoy romances set in the music world, this one is definitely worth picking up.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

FOR THE RECORD is Emma Lord’s second adult romance and I need everyone to stop what they are doing and get your hands on it if — you love Taylor Swift and had a pop punk phase.

The book is about the return of Mackenzie Waters, a member of the pop trio that made it big, only to fall apart a few years after touring with a punk band led by frontman Sam Blaze. Sam and Mack teased the crowd with their flirty tension, but both stepped away from the limelight — Sam now is a dad and Mack had her own life change she’s kept from the world. But together they hold a way to solve both their problems and get them back into the next stage of their music careers.

This duo is *so* me — I mean pop songwriter meets punk alt hottie? An actual dream. And Emma does it so well!! I *just* read Tweet Cute (which has a similar social media story line) and this is like a grown up version in the music world.

For the Record was such a great book. I have been a big fan of Emma Lord's for several year, and this book has all the signature charm that you would expect from her, but in an adult voice that really works and can be challenging to achieve from someone previously known for YA romances. It's rivals to lovers with excellent banter, but no real animosity between the two MCs.

This book is the story of two musicians, Mackenzie and Sam, who were pitted as rivals by the media when they toured together in the past. Mackenzie was one of three in the pop girl group, Thunder Heart. Sam was the front man for the punk rock group, Candy Shard. Now that they are both looking to rebrand, they decide to work together to update their image. The story is told in dual POV in a linear timeline, but with a lot of reflection on their shared history. There is a strong found family and you also get a lot of the relationship from the women of Thunder Heart.

I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it. Thank you to Emma Lord and St. Martin's Press for this ARC. I absolutely devoured this one!

Emma Lord’s newest book, For the Record, is a wonderful second chance romance. Years ago Mackenzie Waters was a massive pop star while Sam Blaze a punk rocker. Their record label had put them on tour together, playing up a rivalry that drove fans crazy until the bands broke up. Now years later, they are both planning solo comebacks. While their sounds have changed and they are not the same people they once were, the attraction is still very much there. However, if they really want to make a comeback, they are going have to put the past behind them and learn to work together. I really liked these characters, especially how punk rocker Sam has become such a devoted father. And loved how his son’s favorite artist just happens to be Mackenzie! Excellent characters with real chemistry and a fun story. This is a perfect beach read to end the summer with. I’d like to thank St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of For the Record.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/for-the-record-emma-lord/1146167646?ean=9781250845320&bvnotificationId=a5ab5530-77aa-11f0-8500-0e72ed5a5f5d&bvmessageType=REVIEW_APPROVED&bvrecipientDomain=gmail.com#review/354141462

For the Record by Emma Lord is a rivalry-filled romantic comedy.

Mackenzie and Sam were two musicians and rivals. No longer in the spotlight, Mackenzie is dealing with a vocal change that is turning her career upside down. While Sam is focusing on being a dad instead of a rockstar.

Their worlds collide when their label forces them to make an album together. They are trying to navigate old feelings and tension while trying to figure out an album. It is nice to get both POVs in the story, at times, though the characters felt much younger than they were. There are times when the story dragged and made the pacing feel slow.

If you are in the mood for a second-chance romance with rival musicians, this book is for you!

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book! I liked the main characters. They were relatable, even being rock stars! 😉 I loved their second chance-ish romance. It was a nice read. I will say there was some legal jargon that went over my head… but other than that, it was an easy romcom read!

Thank you, Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Emma Lord for an ARC of the book for my honest opinion! Definitely will check out more Emma Lord books!

I feel like this book is perfect for all those music loving people who can’t live without their favorite artists and their music. It shows you a little how they put their whole heart into their writing.

I loved reading how Sam and Mac get their second chance. I enjoyed watching their past turn into something fun and their true feelings and relationship come out as they work together. I loved reading how supportive Sam was to Mac even when his life was changing throughout the story.

Rating ⭐️: 4/5
Spice 🌶️: 1.5/5
Release date: TODAY August 12 2025 ( RUN TO YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORE !!)

"Life is always changing colors but what we have is golden."

Duo POV ✅
Enemies to Lovers ✅
Pop Star x Punk Rock Artist ✅
Single Dad ✅

This is the first book I have read by Emma Lord and this for sure will not be the last!
I was instantly hooked. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much and were left stained with tears.

LOCK,CLICK
"Maybe you don't know what you're walking into, but the key goes in so easily that its like you're already home."

The characters were *chef's kiss* 🤌

Mackenzie. AHHH I wanted to give her a hug. She just wanted to be seen and loved. I loved her vulnerability and her strong willed personality. I appreciated the representation of chronic illness and her talking about that process.

Although I loved Mackenzie, I think Sam was my favorite character. He has been in love with Mackenzie and it's obvious since the beginning. We do not have time to question Sam's intentions. My heart broke for him because he really was misunderstood. His biggest rival was never Mackenzie, it was always himself. Sam is a walking green flag. He is a steady and supportive partner every chronically ill person deserves. The one who shows up with a Take 5 bar knowing that's exactly what she needs. Because to be loved is to be truly seen and Sam sees her and only her.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review

This was a cute story about former teen pop/punk stars trying to reboot their careers after big life changes. I've read a lot of Emma Lord's YA books, and I think my biggest problem with her adult novels is that the voice just isn't different enough. She throws in a few sex scenes for spice, but both characters still talk like they're 18...even though they are dealing with parenthood, medical issues, longtime friendships falling apart, etc. I had a hard time connecting with the characters because they seem so immature even they're supposedly in their 30s.

I actually quite like Lord's writing, and her voice is pitch-perfect for YA. I hope she chooses to go back and write more of those or better adjusts to writing for adults.

**Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review."

For the Record by Emma Lord

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5/5

I loved this book sooooo much!!!! 😭 It made my little fangirl heart so happy. I love music, I love concerts, I love live entertainment, and reading about it was so fun! I absolutely flewww through this book. It probably also helped that I was picturing Sam Blaze as a slightly tamer and more refined Yungblud and Mackenzie Waters as Sabrina Carpenter 😂 Highly recommend that approach!

There are so many amazing things about this book, I don’t even know where to start. The characters were phenomenal! So well-rounded and great personalities. Big fan of Lizzie, Kara, and Ben. His little bakery abominations made me so happy! I love the apartment being “Mom Side” and “Dad Side.” That was so cute. 10/10 for healthy co-parenting. This book is chock full of found/chosen family elements. Even with Mack and the other girls in Thunder Hearts, too. I love that they had each other’s backs the whole way through even if they weren’t always in agreement or on the best of terms.

Mack and Sam’s romance was SIZZLING! When I tell you I actually squealed … 🤩!!!! I loved the album concept of “Haunts” and their whole writing process. It was awesome getting to go through writing new songs with them while learning their history WITHOUT time jumps. It’s all done in the present, and I appreciate that so much.

I was hooked from beginning to end. The pacing in this book is perfection. I was never bored, and it felt like no time was passing at all while I was reading. It took me right back to my youth as a fan of One Direction, 5SOS and all the pop princess girlies. I wish I could listen to Mack & Sam’s songs in real life!!

Thank you to Emma Lord, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the eARC! All opinions stated are my own.

Mack + Sam’s story reads as sweet, deserved redemption. They both are and have been putting up tough fronts to the world while performing, to their detriment. Mack and Sam’s slow burn is not a will they or won’t they, but more of a how and when. The author wraps us up in their inevitability so effectively, you know they are meant for each other! And the glimpses they both get of their potential future are loveably soft in comparison to their rockstar front images. Pacing is excellent, and I highly recommend it for the screw the corporate music industry twists too!

For the Record - Emma Lord


A musician romance??? Sign me up!

Ever since I read the Words by A. Jade, I became obsessed with the trope and I'm longing for a book that gives me the same rush of excitement that I got from reading the Words. But this fell short.

For the Record follows Mack, a previous Thunder Girl band member, now trying to find her own footing solo in the music world. Her friend, and former bandmate, Hannah sets her up on the first real date she’s had to only find out it’s none other than Samuel, a man she told she’d never date in this lifetime.

It was the generic bad boy falls for the girl, but convinces himself he’s not good enough so he plays the field in hopes to forget her.

I loved the start of the book but just had a hard time connecting to the characters. It had promise, and maybe it’s just me.

I would have rated it higher, but the more I read, the more I thought to myself “when’s this gonna be done?”

If you like single dad rockstar romances, and a dislike to lovers, then this could be for you!

Personal Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

What’s a book that you thought you’d like but turned out to be something completely different?

Til Next Review,
Ally

In this heartfelt and electric rom-com, former music rivals Mackenzie Waters and Sam Blaze are forced to reunite for a comeback album years after their bands and secret romance, fell apart. Now navigating parenthood, identity, and second chances, they must set aside old grudges to reignite their careers and confront unresolved feelings. As sparks fly and secrets surface, their journey becomes a powerful duet of redemption, growth, and unexpected love.

Happy pub day to Sam and Mack! I really enjoyed Emma Lord’s most mature characters yet. After The Break-Up Pact, I was excited to see her dip back into adult romance, and For the Record did not disappoint. While I’m usually not a fan of the miscommunication trope, it was handled thoughtfully and felt true to the characters. I hope Lord continues exploring adult romance—though I’ll read anything she writes. Overall, 5/5 stars for the vibes and for releasing on the same day as a Taylor Swift announcement. The ultimate Swiftie dream.

ARC Review: For the Record by Emma Lord ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 🌶️🌶️.5

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the opportunity to read this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Something I’m learning about myself is that I’m not the biggest fan of music industry focused romances. For the Record was cute and fun, I enjoyed that it was dual POV and I enjoyed Sam’s character the most. The story starts out a bit rough, but it hits its stride by the 50% mark and the second half is much better in my opinion. I wanted to love this romance, but it fell a little flat for me, I’m not sure if it’s Lord’s writing style or just the fact that I didn’t really connect with the characters. I think if you like romances between formerly feuding musicians, second chances, single dads and secret identities you’ll have a great time with this one!

For the Record releases August 12th 2025!

This was my first Emma Lord book and it won’t be my last. This book features:

🎸pop star/ punk rocker
🎸single dad
🎸rivals
🎸dual POV
🎸It’s always been you

Mackenzie and Sam were rivals who toured together, but their bands fell apart and now over two years later they are reunited.

Sam has devoted himself to raising his son, and Mackenzie is working to regain her career after a surgery has changed her voice. When they decide to start writing songs together, the chemistry is full on.

Sam’s inner dialogue tells us that it’s always been her, and now he finally feels like he is worthy of her. I liked that both characters are separately working on their own problems and issues, which felt relatable.

If you like rock star/pop star romances with character growth, good chemistry, some spice and a bit of drama, then you will enjoy this one.

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the ARC in return for an honest review.