Mackenzie Waters was the pop princess of a girl band she was in with her two best friends. Sam Blaze was the front man of a pop punk band and both he and Mackenzie were a rivalry in the in the industry and especially on the stage they shared on their shared tour. That intense passion and chemistry they had was on the cusp of becoming real feelings but then both bands broke up and that was the end.

Two years later both their lives have slows down and they are both eager to start off solo careers but the label won’t sign them. Until they have a chance meeting at a bar that gets photographed and now the label was them as a duo. They will be forced to write songs together and it might just be a second chance to peruse what almost was.

Honestly this was so great, I love a good romance that takes place in the music industry. The chemistry between the characters was so palatable, I needed no convincing they were meant to be. The conflicts felt so real and not just a byproduct of miscommunication. Both the characters were so well written and felt so real. The side characters all had depth. It was just such an enjoyable experience reading this.

2.5 stars

For the Record by Emma Lord is a "second chance" romance following the lives of two musicians/rivals who used to tour together. Mackenzie Waters was in a pop trio and Sam Blaze was in a punk rock band. In the years since touring ended, both musicians have gone their own direction with Sam finding out he's a father and trying to go a different route with his music and Mackenzie having throat surgery and being scared when her voice has changed as a result. When they agree to team up and become a duo to get their careers going again, they also start a relationship (although I assumed it was friends with benefits but I guess it was a full on relationship). But each have their own secrets and, of course, don't quite trust each other enough to share those secrets.

I really have enjoyed Lord's YA novels. I find them to be a good mix of fun with serious topics that teens are going through and a hint of romance thrown in for good measure. I didn't really love her last adult romance but thought I'd give this one a try (honestly from the cover I assumed it was another YA and went into it blind only be surprised by the language and, eventually, the open door love scenes). Unfortunately I found that I enjoyed this one even less. I thought it was supposed to be emotional but it just fell flat for me. Each of the characters personal journeys were just fine, nothing that made me want to keep reading to see how they turned out. The epiloge was kind of cute, but didn't make up for the lack of interest I felt thoughout the rest of the novel.

This book claims to be perfect for fans of Emily Henry, et al, but it just didn't hit the same way those other romance authors works do. I encourage readers to check out some of the other great reviews and decide for themselves!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This story turned out to be everything I didn’t realize I was craving. For starters, it actually had stakes. Not the overused, low-impact “third-act breakup” kind, but real, tangible consequences where people’s art, passion, and livelihoods were on the line. That alone had me hooked.

And then there’s the magic of the music world. I am a sucker for the thrill of touring, performing, and standing under the hot lights of a stage, and this book captured it perfectly. The rush practically leapt off the page and reading about it felt almost as electrifying as being at a concert myself. And no, that’s not an exaggeration.

What surprised me most was the depth behind the characters. They weren’t just personalities on paper. They had layered backstories, relationships, and vulnerabilities that made them feel real. Sam, for example, is a single dad to a six-year-old, and seeing him as both a nurturing father and a former punk rock legend was such a compelling contrast. Mackenzie’s arc was equally moving. After a thyroid surgery sidelined her voice for two years, her struggle with insecurity about her changed vocal range felt raw and authentic. These elements made me connect with them far beyond the central romance.

In the end, this was an incredibly heartfelt read. Sweet and uplifting, but also gut-wrenching in the best way. Yes, I cried… a lot. I already know I’ll be picking it up again when it officially releases because spending time in this world was pure joy.

This one was a super short, super cute read. This was my first Emma Lord book and I’m still trying to decide how I really feel about it. I do like the fact that it was short. Sometimes books get so bogged down in the details that you get too many pages of “filler information”. That definitely isn’t happening here.

I do have to say the GoodReads tag line said it best when it mentioned that the book was a mix of Emily Henry and Daisy Jones and the Six. I can totally see this

Hopefully you’ll love the romance between Mack and Sam. I loved reading about the growth and character development

This book is perfect for lovers of: Dual POV, enemies to lovers, banter, and second chance romance..

A very special Thank You to NetGalley, St. Martin’s, and the author for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Once the most notorious 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 suddenly both bands fell apart, and the idea of Mackenzie and Sam did, too.

Two years later, Sam has traded the rockstar lifestyle for a quiet life raising the son he didn’t know about. Meanwhile, Mackenzie is dealing with a postoperative change in her voice by only singing under a pseudonym. The only way to revive their public careers? A joint comeback album.

This was a great read! Great chemistry and dynamics between Sam and Mackenzie. This is aimed at a younger audience than I was expecting, but I still enjoyed it! Great storytelling, as always from this author.

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

I was so excited for this book. The whole idea of a pop princess and a punk rockstar being forced to make a comeback album together sounded amazing, but it just didn't quite live up to the hype

The central conflict between Mackenzie and Sam felt more like a low hum than an electrifying clash. I found myself wanting more from the characters. The dramatic voice change for Mackenzie and the sudden fatherhood for Sam were interesting, but they weren't explored in depth to impact the story.

The writing style was easy to read and the pacing was quick, the romance itself didn't quite land. The "old sparks flying" felt a bit rushed, and the emotional connection didn't feel fully convincing.

Ultimately, it was a fine read, but it had great potential that wasn't fully realized. It might appeal to readers who are looking for a light, quick romance, but it just didn't hit the right notes for me.

No one is sadder about this DNF than me!!!! Emma Lord is one of my favorite authors and I loved her adult debut last year, but this one was just not it. The premise was promising- I love a celebrity romance- but the execution was lacking. A second chance romance needs way much more nuance than this book gave us and the dual POV actually made it worse!! And don’t get me started on the pacing- it was all over the place!

A solid 3.5 read. I love a rivals to friends to lovers mixed into a rockstar romance where they have to work together. I also really enjoyed the subplot within thus story of the singing app and how Mack handled it. I honestly jusr really liked Mack and Sam in generally. Very cute story.

For the Record takes readers into the world of rising music stars, behind-the-scenes drama, and the complicated relationships that come with chasing dreams. Following characters who are each navigating their own personal struggles alongside their public personas, the story blends romance, friendship, and a love of music. With plenty of references to today’s music scene, it aims to capture the excitement and chaos of modern fame.

While I enjoyed the music-industry backdrop and appreciated that both main characters had individual challenges and personal growth outside of their romantic arc, I couldn’t help but feel I was reading a Taylor Swift-inspired fanfiction. The inclusion of fictional pop culture elements, like the “TickTune” app, often came across as forced attempts to be trendy, which pulled me out of the story.

Additionally, there were several side plots that had potential but never felt fully developed. The moments I connected with most were the behind-the-scenes looks at artistry, songwriting, and the pressures of performing. Unfortunately, the frequent pop culture name-drops and uneven pacing didn’t do it for me. Overall, while For the Record has charm and energy, it wasn’t quite for me, landing at 2.5 stars.

Thank you to the publisher for the arc through NetGalley! All opinions are my own honest opinions.

Mackenzie “Mack” Waters had an amazing career as the singer and songwriter in the pop trio Thunder Hearts. A few years after calling it quits, she’s ready to make a comeback with a new sound, new genre, and new outlook on life. Through music, unlucky in love Mack has finally made peace with her past heartbreaks and poor choices, except for the one man with whom she never really got a chance. Sam Blaze, former punk rock god and lead singer of Candy Shard, quit his thriving career to give his young son a normal life. Now he’s ready to dip his toe back into the music scene. The label isn’t really eager to launch either Mack or Sam’s solo careers until their managers suggest they become a duo and capitalize on their past. Mack and Sam’s “will they, won’t they” dynamic lends buzz to their new project and gets them a green light to start working on new songs. While their previous “relationship” was just for the hype, Mack & Sam’s chemistry has always been explosively real. As they work together to relaunch their careers, long hidden feelings start to resurface. But things are never simple. Family dramas, past traumas, and music label manipulations keep throwing roadblocks into Mack & Sam’s burgeoning relationship. Can Mack & Sam tune out the distractions and finally get the great, big love they’ve been waiting for?

Emma Lord’s For the Record is a flirty, poppy fun time. Lord uses the high pressure, high risk, high reward music industry and constantly changing, content driven world of social media as a backdrop for this hot, swoony frenemies to lovers story. It’s fast-paced and zippy, full of sweet moments and charming characters. Mack and Sam have a magnetic attraction. They can’t help but come together as they’re given a second chance at a romantic relationship. The banter is oh so good as they bicker back and forth. Their feelings for each other are so intense that they are inevitable. There are also fabulous side characters with their own problems and passions. Lord lays down some groundwork for other characters to possibly have their own stories. While an absolute blast, For the Record also touches on hard topics like health issues, parental abandonment, and bad business practices. It’s fluffy goodness with a rock solid core.

I decided to DNF this one about 20% in. The characters felt overly described without any actual depth. The plot wasn’t interesting enough to hook me, although I was hoping for more due to the music-industry setting.

It’s one I may eventually go back to, but it just isn’t doing it for me right now.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the digital ARC.

This was really cute! It felt really long and I do feel it could have been shorter but overall it was an easy, cute read.

✨ARC Review✨

For the Record by Emma Lord
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you @netgalley & @stmartinspress for the early advanced copy in exchange for my honest review! 🎶📚

This dual POV musical romance set in NYC had me hooked from the start! I loved the rivals-to-lovers tension, the swoony single dad trope, and the sprinkling of steamy scenes 💦 that gave it an extra spark. The city setting, music industry drama, and heartfelt moments made this such a fun and fast read.

It did have a bit of a YA feel at times — which is why I’m giving it 4 stars — but if that doesn’t bother you, you’re going to fall in love with this story.

If you love:
🎤 Rivals-to-lovers
🗽 NYC romance
🎶 Musical settings & backstage drama
💖 Single dad trope
🔥 Steamy, heart-fluttering moments

…then you’ll definitely want to add this to your TBR!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

The story was very refreshing- I love that the characters are older than in Lord's other books. Although I am not musical at all I was able to engage with the storyline and characters. An excellent read.

I really liked this! The chemistry between Mackenzie and Sam was palpable right away and I was rooting for them both as a couple and a musical duo. They had good banter, continuing the rivalry they played up on stage, but it was clear that there was an attraction as well. As they start spending more time together, the barbs become more gentle and a true friendship forms.

This is dual POV, so we know early on that Sam feels like Mackenzie is the one that got away. Life circumstances got in the way of them pursuing something more and Sam isn’t sure how Mackenzie feels about him. Plus, he has a son, Ben, to think about now. But his admiration and care for Mackenzie is evident and I loved the tension that built as they initially tried to keep things professional.

Mackenzie for her part is still healing from a surgery that affected her voice and she’s nervous about how people, especially Sam will receive it. Plus, there’s the added complication of her secret.

There’s some side drama with one of the old band mates and a music app, but I wasn’t nearly as invested in that as I was the romance. Mackenzie and Sam shared some really romantic and tender moments, including a scene in a swimming pool that reminded me of Felicity.

This was my first Emma Lord book and I would definitely be interested in reading more.

Read if you like:
Rivals to lovers
Musical romances
Single Dad
Healthy co-parenting
NYC setting
No third act break-up

First, thank you to NetGalley for the e-ARC.

I just don't think I care for Emma Lord's adult writing. Other than the spicy parts, everything feels like it could be a YA novel, where the misunderstandings and drama feel so much more understandable.

The overall plot of this one is cute and fun, I like the musical influences and band drama (although if you mention TickTunes one more time, I swear to god). But the pacing is both so slow and also skips so much at the same time. For a less than 300 page novel, it just drags in sections and feels so repetitive. Yet there seems to be such a swift skip from enemies to lovers that just feels like whiplash. There's a whole scene in Hannah's apt with Serena and Mackenzie that just gets summarized later, but seems like it should have been a much bigger deal to the plot.

I liked the characters, especially the side characters (I'd read a whole novel about Ben and his moms), but overall this was just OK for me.

4.5 stars

He is the one she always wanted. She is the one he never let himself have.
Mack and Sam are trying to restart their music careers after their super successful bands have broken up and life has thrown some surprises their way.
They were forced to play up a rivalry and sexual tension when their bands toured together. That tension is still there years later. I love it!
Their agents decide the best way to generate buzz for their new careers is for Sam and Mack to write together and be seen doing it.
This has those nostalgic vibes of your favorite band from your teenage years going on a reunion tour but fans want these two to finally get together!
It's so fun!
Both characters are also dealing with their own stuff. Mack has to overcome insecurities about her voice not sounding like it used to. Sam is dealing with the father he's never known coming back into his life.
Loved this!!

Forced proximity
Rivals to lovers
Single dad

Emma Lord's first adult romance didn't disappoint. From the moment the story started, I was in on Mack and Sam. The second chance, celebrity romance that dreams are made of. Emma writes her characters with such heart and depth, and I just loved this story.

Happy pub week (assuming you count Sunday as the first day of the week!) to For the Record by Emma Lord. I’m so grateful to @stmartinspress for an e-arc and to @macmillan.audio for an ALC. This one comes out August 12!

This dual POV, second chance romance about notorious music rivals—with tangible will-they-or-won’t-they tension—Mackenzie Waters and Sam Blaze, who now need each other to resuscitate their careers, weaves a lot of elements together. A music app where artists can post anonymously, a secret kid, an adult trying to reconnect with a parent who abandoned him, a singer trying to deal with changed vocal chords and a different sound after surgery, strained post-band friendships, musicians who signed and now can’t get out of bad contracts. And, as always with Emma Lord, baked goods.

A couple of Emma Lord’s YA books are among my favorites. She always packs her characters with a lot of quirk and a lot of emotion. But I’m not sure her adult romances hit quite the same way for me. This one had all the right elements, and I think readers who love second-chance musician romances will find a lot to love about For the Record. Lord does a fabulous job threading the story with music imagery that really brings home the themes in the book. But I never completely fell head over heels, and I’m not entirely sure why.

I was a huge fan of Emma Lord’s last adult romance, so I was very excited to get an ARC of For the Record. This book did not disappoint! I loved everything second! The storyline was unique and fun. Mackenzie and Sam had fantastic chemistry! I could just feel these characters struggle and grow together. There was so much emotion and heart in this book. It hit me in all the feels!! It was easily a five star read for me. The writing was great, and the conflict gave the reader a great ride. I enjoyed reading the journey of bringing these two second chance lovers together. I appreciated that we got the POV of both Mackenzie and Sam. It just deepens the book. Adding in the spice made this book top tier for me! I received this book from St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley. All opinions are my own!