I started this and really liked it until I couldn’t keep focus. Not sure what it is but I just couldn’t get into.

For the Record by Emma Lord is a fun, quick read about music, identity, and figuring things out. Light, relatable, and easy to get into! The perfect book for a weekend escape.

I just feel like these characters were immature & I just didn’t really jive with them like I thought. I was extremely excited for this title so it was kinda a let down the vibes were cool but I just couldn’t relate to the characters at all so that’s hard for me to enjoy.

Not quite the right note for me. "For the Record" by Emma Lord, releasing August 12, 2025, didn’t quite live up to my expectations, especially considering how much I’ve enjoyed Lord’s previous books. The premise sounded fun a romance about music rivalry and redemption, but it just didn’t strike the right chord for me. The story revolves around Mackenzie Waters, a pop star, and Sam Blaze, a punk rock legend, who were once bitter rivals in the music scene. After their bands break up, they find themselves in very different situations, Mackenzie dealing with a voice change and singing under a pseudonym, while Sam has embraced a quieter life as a single father. The idea of a comeback album with the two of them collaborating had promise, but the execution left me wanting more. For me, Mackenzie felt a little too much like Taylor Swift, don't get me wrong, I’m a Swiftie through and through, but it’s hard to separate the character from the real-life inspiration. Also, the “music world” setting just isn’t my cup of tea, which made it harder to fully engage with the story. The romance and rivalry angle didn’t have the emotional punch I expected, and it felt a bit predictable. While it may be a hit for fans of music-driven rom-coms, For the Record didn’t quite resonate with me. Here’s hoping Emma Lord’s next book brings back the magic I’ve loved in her past works. Thanks to Netgalley, the publishing house and the author for the chance to read thsi book in advance.

I. Loved. This. Book. From start to finish I loved every second of this book! Redemption for 2 musicians, the banter, the chemistry, the friendships. What more could one want?! Big thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC

An enemies to lovers where the main characters are musicians? Yes, please! Mackenzie and Sam are ex-rivals with a bit of history who get stuck together in a duo by their label. For The Record was an easy read full of great tropes and an AMAZING mmc (seriously, a rockstar who is also a dad?!). My only complaint with this book is that it did feel a bit repetitive in some places, but ultimately it didn’t take away from the value of plot. Overall, this was a great read that I would definitely recommend to others! Thank you so much to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the ARC of this book!

This was delightful! As a boy band/girl band/music lover this book worked for me on many levels. The Daisy Jones and The Six meets Emily Henry comparisons are an apt description. A delightful second chance romance. Mackenzie and Sam are easy to adore. I loved that everyone in this was written to be level headed and emotionally intelligent. This story felt completely real and had me kicking my feet. I can hardly wait to read more from Emma Lord! Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I love the chemistry between Mack and Sam!! Super cute second chance romance between famous musicians who were rivals back in the day. I always love an enemies to lovers trope.

I love Emma Lord and consistently recommend her YA books to my students. I was excited to read her second adult novel and really enjoyed For the Record. I really appreciate how she concentrates on female friendships and the messy dynamics of being an adult. I appreciated how Mackenzie and Sam each needed to work through their own issues before they could be good together. This was a great read!

Mackenzie & Sam have a history as enemies in the music world from their teen years. We see flashbacks of things from their past while living in present day.

I can’t decide if I think that the characters were written immaturely on purpose or accident. I was unable to really grasp what their current age was because Mackenzie and a few other characters seemed childish and quite hoe all a hot mess. I enjoyed the aspect of Sam and his relationship with his daughter. He seemed much more mature and grown up than Mackenzie so it felt like a mismatch. Loved the MCM, but was constantly annoyed with the MCF


This didn’t hit the nail on the head for me, but it wasn’t a waste of time. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the advanced e-book copy for my honest review.

4 out of 5 stars
☆ Dual POV
☆ Musicians/Bands
☆ Rivals
☆ Found Family
☆ THE BANTER

This was my first Emma Lord book, and it did not disappoint! I was so drawn in by the premise and boy did it deliver! The FMC was so mirrorball coded and the MMC was not your typical "bad boy". Each character, not just the main characters, had a lot of depth that made me want to know more. I felt like an actual fan of these fictional bands who was uncovering the lore behind these notorious musicians. An unexpected part for me was the friendships and platonic relationships! I really appreciated how Mackenzie's friendships with her band members were portrayed and how real and honest all the relationships felt while reading. This may be niche, but if you were a huge fan during THE era of One Direction, Taylor Swift, 5SOS, Little Mix, etc. in the 2010s, I think you would really love this book!!

Thank you so much to St. Martins Press and Netgalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own :)

This book was long and hard to follow. Not genuinely interesting and hard to keep reading. I found myself skipping over portions and trying to fill in the pieces in order to finish it. I wouldn’t recommend to readers.

ARC Review: For the Record by Emma Lord
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.25/5)

For the Record was such a delightful, heartfelt read! Emma Lord delivers a story that feels like the literary equivalent of hearing your two favorite artists release a nostalgic collaboration—years after their prime, but somehow better than ever. It gave me all the feels.

I absolutely adored the dynamic between the main characters. Their chemistry was so natural, and the exploration of timing in relationships was beautifully done. You could really feel that this was their moment, and that made their story all the more satisfying.

I also really appreciated the refreshing take on the MMC’s relationship with his child’s mother. It wasn’t your typical portrayal—it was mature, layered, and honest, which added a nice depth to the story.

Another standout for me was the depiction of female friendship. The book doesn’t shy away from the messy, complicated parts of those relationships, especially during times of conflict. Instead, it leans into them with authenticity and heart.

Overall, For the Record was a charming, emotionally rich read that I’d absolutely recommend—especially to fans of music-infused stories and second-chance romances with a twist.

[ARC from NetGalley // Opinions all mine]

Sometimes I really dig a YA book and I generally love Emma Lord’s books and this one was… okay. Like - it was worth a read, if you’re needing a bit of brain candy and you don’t want to think too hard about why she named the boy band “Candy Shard.” (What is that even about???)

Thank you to NetGalley for the free ARC!

✨️ Rivals to Friends to Lovers
✨️ Glittery Pop Star & Punk Rocker
✨️ Dual POV
✨️ Second Chance Romance
✨️ Found Family
✨️ Mutual Pining
✨️ No Third Act Breakup
✨️ Medium Spice

Mackenzie and Sam toured together with their bands as rivals when they were younger. Now, after not speaking for two years, they are both trying to move on to the next chapter of their careers. They are thrust together by their managers and have to face old and new feelings to find the songwriting chemistry they once had.

I have a few of this author's books on my tbr but haven't read any yet. The synopsis on this one sounded cute and like something I'd enjoy. I've just finished it and thinking it over, I don't think their is anything I'd change. Through the flashbacks and them reminiscing on the old days, you can see how the characters needed time away from each other to mature and come together with a new perspective. I liked the way the theme of their new album led them back to places that had been significant in their past.

I also really appreciated the side arcs of family and found family. Mack and Sam connected over their challenging relationships with their parents. They also both built their own little families as adults, Sam, after finding out about the son he had and Mack through her band mates. It touched on both the highs and lows of these relationships and the work that goes into making them last.

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author!

thanks to NetGalley for the eARC

⭐️=4.25 | 😘=5 | 🤬=4 | 18+

summary: two musicians who have been like kinda-semi-rivals feat. chemistry and One Amazing Kiss for years are now collaborating and there’s lots of drama and stuff!!

thoughts: very good! had actually reasonable third act conflicts—external AND internal AND interpersonal, almost to the point of like too many external conflicts?? or twists?? but maybe not???? either way, Emma Lord definitely has her finger on the pulse of how character development works in a romcom. I will say that Tick Tune (this fake music app that plays a large part in the book) was a jumpscare literally every time because it’s such a silly sounding name and I could not take it seriously but like besides that I did like this a lot!!

such a fast, cute second chance?? romance read.

former band stars sam blaze (candy shack) and mackenzie waters (thunder hearts) set the stage for years as teasing rivals who always took their role a step too far but never crossed “that line”. fast forward 2 years and their paths cross again and throw them into the mix of coming out as a duet together by their shared label (their agents are twin sisters) with their new and self improved sounds. they want to leave the loudness and chaotic band energy and switch it for something more slower paced that feels more like themselves after band life.

begrudgingly, to write the songs they need within the month they set rules, plans and the biggest one is “no love songs” but as mackenzie fights the feelings being back around the one who truly broke her heart even though they never were together and as they both separately realize they will never truly be over the other, can they allow themselves this little sliver of happiness in their crazy lives?

I loved the music industry jargon and background to the main romance plot between Mackenzie and Sam. Can we talk about them? They were rvials, with a lot of classic enemies to lovers banter, which was fun! They slightly reminded me of Sonny and Chad from Sonny with a Chance. LOL. Years prior, Mackenzie was in an all-girls pop band and Sam was in a punk-rock band — and their bands toured together. But then due to external circumstances, their bands disbanded. They moved on. Sam settled down to raise his son alongside his son’s mother and her girlfriend, while Mackenzie had throat surgery due to an underlining medical issue with her thyroid that affected her vocal cords. Because she felt alone, she turned to writing songs, and she later recorded and published them under a pseudonym “Seven” on the popular music app “Tick Tune” (a fictionalized version of TikTok).

When their old label proposes that Sam and Mackenzie team up to drum up press and reignite their careers, they start to write songs together (for the record) … and the spark between Sam and Mackenzie, that was always there, harboring underneath the surface, blossoms again.

It ended up being a story also about the music industry and owning your music … and ultimately, your voice! Really loved that — especially with Taylor Swift’s re-recording projects. But overall, the romance was great! Lots of banter and fun pop culture references — which I don’t typically mind (if it’s not overdone), like what I expected from this author.

Overall, I’d recommend! Such a cute romance. It genuinely put a smile on my face and uplifted my mood. Only one spicy scene, but other than that, pretty much closed door. If you’re looking for a fun, contemporary romance to put a smile on your face but also that carries a bit of emotional depth, that has a good story, then pick this one up.

For the Record is a second-chance romance set to a soundtrack of nostalgia, secrets, and slow-burning feels. Mackenzie and Sam used to be rival rockstars (and more than a little something offstage), but after their bands fell apart and life threw a few curveballs—hello, vocal cord surgery and surprise fatherhood—they went their separate ways. Fast forward a few years, and they’re teaming up for a comeback collab that brings back all the tension... and all the unresolved stuff.

I really liked the premise—two former enemies-to-lovers turned musical exes trying to find harmony again (literally and figuratively). The dual POV format worked great for seeing both sides of their story, and I loved the little peeks into their emotional baggage and what’s driving them now. Plus, the epilogue? Super cute and satisfying.

That said, I was hoping for a bit more spark. Some moments dragged, and while the characters were fun, I didn’t always feel super connected to their emotional arcs. There were a few missed opportunities to really dig deeper, and I didn’t get that full swoon-factor I’m usually chasing in a romance. No butterflies-in-my-stomach or “OMG just kiss already!” moments.

Still, it’s a sweet, easygoing read—perfect if you’re in the mood for something light, music-tinged, and low on drama. Predictable? Sure. But sometimes you just want a feel-good story with a happy ending—and this definitely delivers on that front.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC!

Loved this read! So fun and easy I zipped through it without being able to put it down. Loved the story line and the realism with “tick tune” and the struggles of the music industry. The love story, similar to Daisy Jones & the six, but with such a uniqueness to it on its own.