I loved everything about this book!

I loved the second chance vibes, the yearning, the old rivalry, the tension! Mack and Sam were so good together, and I was rooting for them from the beginning!

I loved the found family and friendships, especially between Mack, Hannah and Serena. The story was also really fun, I loved the idea of ex-rivals with history and maybe some unfinished business trying to write music together.

Other than the romance, I enjoyed all the other things going on in the background. It made for a story that feels real and honest, with complex and compelling characters.

I'm also really happy to mention the 3rd act conflict doesn't include a dramatic and unnecessary breakup. The characters need to do their own things, but they still support and care for each other.

This was my 2nd book by Emma Lord and I've loved both books! I'm excited to read more from this author and I definitely recommed this book!

I had a great time with this second-chance romance! The characters were well-rounded, and the reconnection was believable. I could see how these two were working their way back to each other, and it was sweet. The most frustrating part was actually the friendship issues between the FMC and her former bandmate. Though I guess when you know and love someone deeply, there is more you will endure and forgive, it really felt like a lot, and since we didn't see the building of the relationship, we had to just accept that their connection was worth the pain. I found it frustrating at times, and the conflict driving it didn't feel like it should have been that much, like folx really just needed to talk to each other.

‼️ARC REVIEW‼️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks, @netgalley and @dilemmalord for the opportunity to be an ARC reader on this book!I’m so glad excited for this release and can’t wait for you all to read this story.

Mack and Sam have a beautiful second chance story that shows how much both of them have grown in their years apart. I loved the hauntings that their teams created for their rebranding and how it brought them together.

For the Record is another great story from Emma Lord. I've previously enjoyed 'The Break Up Pact' by her and this one is just as enjoyable. I love a rivals to lovers to where do we go from here? It's a fun rom com and I will look forward to more from Emma Lord. Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Emma Lord has done it again, and this one was so very much fun!

In general, I enjoy a story with music as its backdrop, and this one was no different. It’s sweet and funny, romantic and full of kick your legs up moments.

At its core, this story is a second-chance romance about Sam and Mackenzie, but there are so many other fun characters in this story. My heart belongs to that sweet Ben!

Do you enjoy a story with music as a theme? If so, what’s one you love?

I am so thrilled to share my review of this book!

For the Record by Emma Lord is a rockstar romance that blends fame, heartache, and a second chance at both love and career.

The book follows FMC, Mackenzie Walters, a former pop star and former lead singer of the popular girl group Thunder Hearts. Despite her previous fame and success, Mackenzie is struggling to launch her solo career. Not only does she have her girl band legacy overshadowing her, but her voice, which is affected by a recent surgery for Hashimoto’s, has also changed. To cope with all of this, she starts writing under the pseudonym Seven, channeling her heartache into music that speaks of lost love and heartbreak.

Enter our MMC, Sam Blaze, a former bad boy and frontman of the punk rock band Candy Shard. After learning that he has a son, Sam’s life is forever changed. Despite his past fame and rebellious persona, he’s now a dedicated father, and he wants to reinvent himself as an acoustic artist. However, the music industry isn't quick to believe his transformation is real. Sam thinks Mackenzie hates him, but in reality, the tension comes from unresolved issues from their past.

Now solo artists struggling with their respective careers, Mackenzie and Same are pushed together by their managers to create a new album as a duet. Their chemistry is undeniable, and despite their best efforts to keep their partnership purely professional, the spark between them makes their journey a rollercoaster of emotions. They agree that no love songs will be included on the album, as they both think they are bad at love for different reasons. Instead, they focus on writing songs about the places that have shaped them.

What truly makes this book stand out is the playful chemistry between Sam and Mackenzie. Their enemies-to-lovers dynamic is hilarious and heartfelt. The witty banter is clever and reveals the depth of their personalities and pasts. As they reconnect, the complexity of their relationship grows, and what could have been a simple romantic plot becomes a journey of mutual understanding, growth, and support.

Emma Lord does a stunning job of immersing you in the world of music, fame, and reinvention, while also exploring themes of identity and self-worth. Mackenzie’s struggles with who she used to be, mixed with her battle with an autoimmune disease and its effects, hit close to home. Sam’s desire to prove himself as more than his past persona as a bad boy also provides layers to his character and adds to his growth. Both characters are beautifully flawed and real, making it easy for readers to root for them, whether they’re singing about heartache or exploring the world for inspiration.

For the Record is a perfect blend of humor, romance, and reinvention. It’s about taking second chances, whether in love, career, or just life in general. It is a testament to the power of music to heal and inspire. Lord’s portrayal of the ups and downs of fame and the intricacies of people and relationships makes for an entertaining and thoughtful read. Fans of romance, pop culture, and strong character-driven stories will find For the Record impossible to put down.

Thank you NETGALLEY, EMMA LORD, and ST. MARTIN'S PRESS for an ARC of this book! This is my first ARC, and I am spoiled forever now!!!

3.5 ⭐️ This book had so much potential to be amazing but it ended up just OK with an extra half star added to my rating because the last 20% of this book was so great compared to the rest of the book. This story was about Mackenzie and Sam, they are both musicians looking for their second chance at fame after their respective bands went their separate ways. They had a history of a fake will they or won’t they rivalry and were on tour together. In present day, their managers think it is a good idea to relaunch these solo artists as a duet. So they work together to write songs and possibly rekindle old feelings. Sounds like it could be so adorable, right? Well… it just does so much telling of their old days, that I wished it was a dual timeline so we could first hand see this alleged built up tension that I just didn’t feel. I think this story had good bones but the execution of it was a pretty big let down. Also, this has maybe 3 scenes of open door spice which felt completely out of place in this otherwise pretty PG story. I am fine with spicy books but the build up isn’t there! The saving grace for this was the ending, which was empowering for women and I love the chosen family themes. I really loved the side stories and kind of wish it went a little deeper with Mackenzie and Serena. I also loved that Sam was a single Dad with a very cute kid.

TLDR:
* Good bones of a story, missing something in execution
* Lacks banter and tension
* Dual narration
* Second Chance romance
* Music Industry
* MMC is single Dad
* Chosen/Found Family
* Starting over, finding your new identity

I really wanted to like this book but I just couldn’t do it anymore after 35% I had to DNF. I wasn’t enjoying the FMC and the MMC was just ok for me. So much of the past is talked about, but without a full explanation and I just felt like I was missing something and as if there was another book I should have read before this one.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. I wished I enjoyed it more and been able to finish it.

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest novel by Emma Lord, with the audiobook wonderfully narrated by Andrew Eiden and Jesse Vilinsky. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Once rivals in the music scene, pop princess Mackenzie Waters and punk rockstar Sam Blaze electrified audiences as their bands clashed on stage. But behind the scenes, their simmering tension grew into something more until both bands fell apart, and the idea of Mackenzie and Sam did, too. Two years later, Sam has given up the music world to raise a son he didn't know about, and Mackenzie lost the voice she was known for and is adjusting to the new one. With their futures on the line, Sam and Mackenzie face their biggest challenge yet: giving up the old rivalry and learning to work together.

Emma Lord always writes a good rom com, and the narration made the audiobook sing (sorry, bad pun intended). I liked this story being set in the music world, and liked both these main characters, and enjoyed having the story from both of their POV. I found myself rooting for them and hoping for second chances. It definitely leaned toward YA, but I enjoyed it!

3.75/5 ⭐️

Sam Blaze and Mackenzie Waters were both part of musical groups who went on tour together. After different reasons brought these groups apart, they are ready to come back into the industry. They used to have a "will they, won't they" type of relationship that kept the fans hooked and hoping they would get together, but now that they are going to become a duo, how will that dynamic change? Are the feelings still there?

I enjoyed this book! I liked the musical aspects of this story and how songwriting was such a large focus! But I do wish we saw more scenes of Sam and his son. I'm a sucker for a story with a single dad.

The reason this is a 3.75 is because I didn't feel as attached to the characters as I wish I would've. And as I said before, I wish we saw more scenes with Sam's son, both with Sam and Mackenzie. I also wish we would've gotten a little more clarity about what happened with the music rights/duo songs/industry stuff. Maybe it was a me problem with not understanding but the ending with the concert felt a bit rushed and confusing.

Overall it was a cute story and I really liked the epilogue!

Mackenzie and Sam used to be the lead singers of famous bands and often performed on the same stage, but two years ago, both bands broke up. Since then, Mackenzie has undergone surgery and remains self-conscious about her voice, while Sam has settled into a quieter life raising his son. They both want to perform for the public again, but that’s only possible if they join forces as a duo.

I had such a good time with this book! I loved that the characters were mature and acted reasonably despite their messy pasts. There were also so many sweet moments—I couldn’t help but smile whenever Sam’s son, Ben, appeared. He’s such an adorable boy! I also enjoyed Sam’s storyline with his own father and how deeply he cared about being a good dad to Ben.

The ending made me so happy—the characters supported each other so beautifully! This is a cozy, heartwarming read that still touches on important topics.

The audiobook was great! It’s not a duet narration, but it is performed by two narrators.

𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
✓forced proximity
✓second chance
✓single dad
✓found family
✓slow burn

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press (St. Martin's Griffin) and Macmillan Audio for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This is the first book I've read by this author and now I want to devour their backlist. The romance was great but I also loved the additional storylines and felt like it was all balanced so nicely. It was giving me a lot of the same feelings as reading Daisy Jones and the Six as far as the peek into the music industry and past drama with bands that have broken up. It was like a very fun version of Daisy Jones ha. The sense of humor and witter banter made me not want to put it down.

What I assumed would be a quick read took me a lot longer than I had anticipated. I found myself pushing through it because it didn’t have the normal swoon worthy moments you would expect to find in a rom-com. It felt flat and not exciting throughout the entire book. I appreciated some aspects, like the friendships but this book just was not a hit for me.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

🙌🏻 What worked for me:
•The electric second-chance romance and magnetic chemistry between Sam and Mackenzie, which built beautifully on their past as rivals.
•The immersive music industry backdrop that made the rockstar world feel completely believable and exciting.
•The fantastic found-family dynamic and compelling side plots that added heart and depth beyond the central romance.
•The satisfying way the conflict was handled, avoiding the typical frustrating third-act breakup.
•The incredible depth and complexity of all the characters, from the leads to the supporting cast.
•The refreshing and unique depiction of family as Sam steps into fatherhood after finding out he has a son.

🚫 What didn't work for me:
•The fact that I had to put it down to do things like eat and sleep.

🤜🏻 Would I recommend:
Yes, absolutely! This book felt like pure sunshine and I devoured it from beginning to end. It's a fantastic, high-expectations-surpassed read that I will be recommending to everyone.

Read if you enjoy:
✔️ Second-chance romance
✔️ Off-the-charts chemistry
✔️ Rockstar romance vibes
✔️ A story with cinematic flair
✔️ Witty banter ✔️ Found family
✔️ Underdog bands
✔️ Self-discovery & reinvention

I really could not get into this one. I like the premise of the story. I feel that there are a lot of books that are doing this music trope. I was hopeful but I just lost interest at about the 50 percent point.

📝 For the Record by Emma Lord
⭐️ 5 stars
🌶 2/5
Pub date: August 12, 2025

I thought I was just picking up For the Record by Emma Lord for its gorgeous cover. I didn’t realize I was about to be wrecked in the best possible way. By the last page, I was crying, clinging to Mackenzie and Sam, and staring at the wall because I couldn’t move on.

This isn’t just a romance—it’s a story about growth, finding your voice, and loving someone so deeply it changes you. Mackenzie and Sam’s chemistry burned bright, but it was their tenderness, their resilience, and the way they fit together so perfectly that truly undid me.

It’s rare for a book to feel like a song you never want to stop playing, but this one? It’s been on repeat in my heart ever since. Beautifully written, full of heart, and impossible to forget. This book is an easy 5 stars for me, I can't recommend it enough.

Thank you Emma Lord, NetGalley, and Publisher for the eARC.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
2.5 stars
I can never resist a romance novel featuring a singer-songwriter, or in this case, two. Our main protagonists are pop princess Mackenzie Waters and punk rockstar Sam Blaze. They were known to the music world as clashing on the stage, but now, both embarking on solo careers, perhaps it is time to confront those simmering tensions.

This was good. Not great. I felt the author dragged out the getting together when it was so obvious that the two should be together. But maybe that is my impatience shining through- hahaha! We get the story from both protagonists' perspectives, and there are also storylines where Mackenzie and Sam appear to confront the baggage each is holding onto. I thought that made for a good balance with the romance plot.





Expected Publication 12/08/25
Goodreads Review 11/08/25

As a forever Emma Lord fan, I found FOR THE RECORD to be a cute and fun (yet still depth-filled) romance read!

In the vein of DAISY JONES & THE SIX, we follow rival band members years after their bands broke up and they left the spotlight and the "will they/won't they" that still exists between them after years of not seeing one another.

This was a quick read and I loved getting to know Mack and Sam and all of the side characters (there were soo many great ones, including a sweet 6-year-old) and, as per any Emma Lord novel, the sweet treat mentions were divine and will have you craving a lil sugar as you read.

I have yet to meet an Emma Lord novel I have not enjoyed!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the early copy for review - out August 12!

“That’s the problem with Mackenzie Waters - whether she’s breaking rules or my heart, I’ll never get enough.”


Two former frenemies from bands who toured together, a single dad, and a hidden identity. What more could you want?

What I liked:

Pretty much every part of this book.

We love a down bad man. Sam is so gone for Mackenzie, and the yearning was so good.

Sam and Mackenzie have sizzling chemistry. You could cut the tension with a knife at some points.

I loved Sam and Ben’s relationship. A kid who likes a savory pastry is a kid after my own heart.

Mackenzie Waters and Sam Blaze were in bands with a notorious rivals...or were they?

A few years after both bands break up, Mack and Sam are brought back together again to create a joint comeback album.

I really liked the music/band aspect of this book. It was fun to get a little behind the scenes of how the music industry/writing process works.