3.5 stars rounded up to 4. I had a really hard time getting into this book. The first half felt really choppy and there was a ton of backstory between the fmc and mmc and her friends, but it seemed to just lightly skim over everything and leave you asking more questions than what was answered. However, I loved the last half! It made up for the beginning. I ended up really enjoying this one. Thank you NetGalley for the arc and alc for my review.

Once notorious rivals, Mackenzie Waters and Sam Blaze are back together again trying to revive their musical careers as a duet. But will they be able to give up their own rivalry and be able to work together?

This second chance romance was perfect to listen to while doing chores on a rainy Sunday. I loved the side characters and the slow burn built between the main characters. This was definitely inspired by Daisy Jones and Taylor Swift, which I love, but the lack of character depth made the story feel a little simplistic in comparison. I did appreciate the deeper story lines and the backstories of the main characters which helped to pull the story along. While I don’t know I would classify this as a rom com, it was a good romance for a rainy day.

Rival bands, second chances, and figuring out life after superstardom? The premise had me hooked. But while there were definitely little glimmers of greatness in some moments, overall, For the Record ended up just feeling like it was middle of the road. I enjoyed that there was more going on in both Mackenzie and Sam's lives than each other. They clearly have their own individual pasts and problems, which make them more well-rounded characters. What it ultimately came down to for me was that this was trying to be second chance romance without all the twisty, complicated feelings from their pasts that should come with it. It felt a bit hollow, in that respect, because... all they ever really had was a kiss and loads of feelings that they never acted on. I wish there was more for the reader to hang onto. But if you're into celebrity romances and forced proximity, this might be the book for you!

I started out liking this book, however the more I read, the more I did not enjoy it. I just wanted to stop reading it, but I wanted to see what Sam’s reaction would be to finding out Mackenzie was Seven. This was written to me almost like a fan fiction and sometimes transitions into other scenes didn’t flow and make sense. It was like it was written was someone’s ideas came to them, but didn’t flow. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for my ARC and honest review.

I'm starting to think that Emma Lord is incapable if writing a book I wouldn't like.
This was so good!
after reading this I started seeing videos of Damiano and Dove Cameron on social media and immediately my brain screamed "It's Sam and Mac!!".. no idea if that was the inspo, but I now cannot unsee it.

Oooo boy. I generally really enjoy Emma’s books. They are cutesy reads and flirty and full of young love. Granted I do not recall reading an Emma Lord book that is not YA but this one felt very immature to me and I would have enjoyed it better if it was YA to be completely honest. Some moments between them were kinda cringe but some moments were fun and cute. I really enjoyed when he tried to teach her to swim and all the cupcake creations with Ben.

For the Record by Emma Lord is a sweet, fun romance about two former teen music stars who get a second chance. Mackenzie is trying to find her voice again after surgery, and Sam is a single dad who left the spotlight behind. When they’re asked to make an album together, old tension turns into something more. Their connection feels real, and the music setting adds energy without taking over the story. The middle slows down a bit, and some side characters aren’t fully developed, but the main romance is strong and satisfying.

This short second-chance romance was middle-of-the-road for me. It was nice to see them open up about each other, revealing their worries and thoughts, reminiscing about the past, and learning to trust each other. I really liked seeing Sam as a father and the beautiful family dynamic he and his son's mother created for him. I just wasn't completely sold on their romance and just never really came to care for the characters.

Thank you to Emma Lord and St. Martin's Griffin for the ARC.

Okay, let's start with the positives. Love the premise, love the characters (in theory), love the music industry backdrop, a good (if a little light) amount of spice.

The pacing struggled a bit, it was slow and lackluster and definitely bordering on corny at times. A bands name as Candy Shard? Two twin agents named Lila and Twyla? A music website named Tick Tune? I mean, come on. It just didn't totally hit. There were a few too many near miss communications for my taste as well.

The ending really did get me though and even though it was a bit corny, it was definitely giving me those really fun nostalgic 2000s rom com vibes with a big moment at the end and I definitely enjoyed every minute of that last scene.

ℛ𝑒𝒶𝒹 𝒾𝒻 𝒴𝑜𝓊 ℰ𝓃𝒿𝑜𝓎:
🎀 Enemies to Lovers
🎀 Pop Star / Rock Star rivals
🎀 Slow Burn
🎀 Forced Proximity
🎀 Dual POV
🎀 Self Discovery

Thanks to NetGalley and the St Martins Press for access to this eARC.

What a hilarious and darling book!! Quick, easy read that will make you smile and keep you reading! Loved it!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for your arc.

This was my first Emma Lord book and now I'm thinking I'm going to have to go back and read her entire backlist because this was so freaking cute!!!! And the plotline was so unique. Two rival pop stars who fell very unfortunately in love with each other at the heights of their careers but didn't really have the emotional maturity to deal with their feelings and now they're stuck writing a whole new album together... and they're revisiting all their "haunts" to do it...!!!!! It was literal perfection.

Their chemistry was so good, they were both so down bad for each other, the banter was top tier and I loved their songwriting sessions so much. Everything about them just felt so effortless and meant to be and their happily ever after was so incredibly cute.

Add in Sam's incredibly cute blended family and the realistic friendship between the girls, the kind where it shows how you can be upset with a friend but never stop loving or supporting them, and this book truly was one for the record books (not exactly a perfect pun but you get the idea.)

If you're looking for something sweet and fluffy and you love a second chance with a dash of found family this is the perfect book.

Emma Lord's writing is at its best here. It's both hilarious and heartfelt. I loved the history between the fictional bands and the overall focus on two former music superstars working together to jump back into the spotlight. 

The relationships between Mackenzie and her former bandmates was compelling, and their varying careers post-group were so entertaining. Sam's relationships with his son and father were also intriguing. Actually, I enjoyed all of the secondary character subplots (a lot!). 

The chemistry and emotional connection between Sam and Mackenzie in the first part of the book was amazing. However, they got together pretty early in the story, followed by forced emotional conflict.

Also, the spicy scenes were pretty detailed, which I didn't expect. That's on me, because I've previously only read her YA novels, but there was also no warning in the book description, and I found them pretty awkward.

Steamier than I’ve come to expect from Emma Lord. But so fun, so sweet and totally binge able. A pop-star romance done right. Cheesy and silly, probably unrealistic, but a good time all around.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

For the Record by Emma Lord
Narrators: Andrew Eiden, Jesse Vilinsky
Rating: 3.5 stars
Steam: 2 chilis
Pub date: 8/12

Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Romance for my advanced copy and Macmillan Audio for my complimentary audiobook.

Mackenzie Waters is a former pop princess, and Sam Blaze, a punk rocker, who were once sworn rivals in the music scene. They were always rumored to have more-than-friends chemistry, but when their bands fell apart, they went their separate ways. Now, two years later, life looks totally different for both of them.

Sam is a single dad raising a son he never knew he had, and Mackenzie is trying to rebuild her career after vocal surgery altered her voice to the point where she’s been secretly performing under a fake name. When they’re asked to team up for a joint comeback album, they have to put old grudges aside, face their history, and figure out what all that chemistry between them really means.

I loved the second-chance vibes here, both in love and in their careers. The dual POV made it easy to connect with both characters and understand where they were coming from. I also really enjoyed the dual narration! Both narrators did an amazing job bringing all of the characters to life.

I didn’t completely love this one (something was missing for me), but it’s still a really enjoyable, heartfelt read, especially if you’re into messy but sweet romances.

For the Record is delightfully quirky, full of heart, and bursting with the kind of chaotic pop-punk energy that makes Emma Lord’s writing shine. At its core, it’s the story of two former bandmates—one all glitter and pop, the other all punk and edge—who were thrown together in the spotlight with a “will they, won’t they” tension that kept fans (and themselves) guessing.

Years after their rise to fame, both characters find themselves leading lives far different from what they once imagined. When fate throws them back into each other’s orbit for another shot at success, what begins as a professional reunion slowly becomes something far more personal. As layers peel back, we see how much they both held inside the first time around—and how much they’ve grown since.

Emma Lord balances humor, nostalgia, and emotional depth with ease, making this a story that’s not just about music and fame, but about rediscovery, healing, and second chances. If you love a good character arc wrapped in sparkly stage lights and emotional guitar riffs, For the Record hits all the right notes.

I went into this book not knowing what to expect, as it was my first time reading this author, but I ended up really enjoying it. As a fan of second-chance romances, I was hooked by how the story unfolded Mackenzie and Sam's past, offering just enough context and intrigue. They were once music rivals: she, a polished pop star; he, a broody punk rocker. Their bands clashed, igniting sparks and creating off-stage drama.

Two years later, their lives had changed. Sam was a full-time dad, and Mackenzie was recovering from vocal surgery, secretly releasing music under a pseudonym. The twist? They had to make a comeback album together to save their careers. The chemistry between them was still there, but so was their history.

I loved how their relationship evolved; it felt authentic and complicated. The story had a lot of heart, with humor and moments that genuinely made me smile.

1 star. Thank you NetGalley for this eARC!

I just did not enjoy this at all! I’m not sure if it’s just me, or if I missed something, or what, but it was an absolute struggle to get through this book.

We follow Sam and Mackenzie, two former rival stars and their journey to get back into performing/singing. There isn’t much I can really touch on about either characters because I honestly didn’t really enjoy them. They both fell flat and (to me) didn’t have much of well…. Anything? It was hard to grasp their personalities in general. Their connection was just not there for me. I didn’t really see the enemies or the lovers part.

A lot of this book was corny to be honest. The names, the outfits, “ticktune” (just say tiktok or create a completely different name). I was not in love with the author’s writing and everything felt extremely fast.

I just really wasn't pulled in by this. I think maybe it just wasn't for me. I wasn't fond of the characters, they didn't really capture my attention, and I found myself yawning and wanting to put it down at several points. I really struggled with this one, which is weird because I've read this author before and had no problem getting through her books quickly, and loving them.

5⭐️

**Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the eARC**

Mackenzie Waters and Sam Blaze and music rivals. And they need each other to get back in the game. They have to face their differences and old heartbreaks to learn to be a duet. Sparks reignite as they revisit the past and look to the future.

What a fun, quick paced story! Love the characters and overall idea. I also enjoyed the full depth to each person on the page. They weren’t simply singers or enemies to lovers. They have friendships on the rocks that need repair, tense family dynamics, loving family dynamics, and so so much more. Well written, captivating read. Highly recommend!

For the Record is such a sweet, feel-good ride. Emma Lord totally nailed the whirlwind emotions of first love, big dreams, and figuring out who you are when the spotlight hits. It’s funny, heartfelt, and full of charm—with just the right amount of chaos and swoon. I smiled my way through this one.