DNF at 59%. It seems Emma Lord just doesn’t hit as an author for me anymore. I found this so boring and the romance severely lacking.

For the Record is a music-infused love story told in alternating perspectives by Mackenzie Waters and Sam Blaze. Mackenzie was a member of the pop trio Thunder Hearts, and Sam was the frontman of the punk group Candy Shard—their paths aligned on a joint tour orchestrated by their bands' twin-sister managers. Onstage, their chemistry was electric: sharp, witty, and undeniably flirty. Offstage, however, neither acted on the growing feelings simmering beneath the surface. Sam was known as a bad boy who never committed to a relationship. Mackenzie had a string of six very public breakups.

Two years later, their lives have shifted. The bands have broken up, personal lives have changed, and the two find themselves unexpectedly reunited for a duet under the careful orchestration of their record label. Agreeing to keep things professional, Mackenzie and Sam quickly discover that old sparks are hard to snuff out.

Beyond the romance, the novel explores deeper themes: Sam is confronting the truth about his biological father and a son he didn't know he had fathered. Mackenzie is hiding behind an anonymous songwriting persona that may soon be exposed, and both face pressure from a label that cares more about sales than souls. Questions of identity and values make this more than just a second-chance love story.

Full of heart and harmony, For the Record hits all the right notes.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an advanced copy!

I'm a big Emma Lord fan, so I was excited for another book! This was a fun one. I liked the setting and the history between the main characters. Sam and Mackenzie were both good characters, but I didn't love them or super relate to them. Overall, not my favorite Emma Lord book. But a great addition to her booklist and a fun read!

Love a rock and roll romance. This one was sweet - two estranged friends meeting up years later and finding something new. Would recommend!

This was my first Emma Lord read and now I’m curious about her backlist.

This was an interesting romance about two music stars. It had a twinge of Taylor Swift and I was super curious about the relationship between Mackenzie and her label. I didn’t feel super connected to the characters, but they were cute. I enjoyed the journey!

Let me start with this- I absolutely adore this cover! It instantly got my attention and made me excited for the read! Overall, though, this one was just ok for me. I had high hopes that I was going to really love this entire book, but it just fell flat for me. The writing was more on the juvenile side and even though this was intended to be an "adult" romance, I felt that it fell more into the young adult category. I didn't feel that there was a smooth flow to the story and there was very little character development, and for me, that would have made a huge difference. While this one wasn't for me, I do plan to continue reading Emma Lord's work!

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Macmillian Audio for these advanced review copies. All opinions are my own.

Cue the slow-building power ballad because Emma Lord just dropped the ultimate mic on second-chance romance. For the Record is a pulse-pounding, heart-thumping, enemies-to-lovers-to-something-so-much-more rom com anthem that hits every emotional high note and leaves you wanting an encore.

Let’s talk about Mackenzie Waters and Sam Blaze—former rival front-people of two bands that once ruled the charts and each other’s hearts. Their chemistry? Off. The. Charts. Think: pop princess vs punk bad boy, tangled in years of love, heartbreak, backstage bickering, and unresolved tension that practically buzzes off the page.

Now fast-forward two years: Mack’s voice isn’t what it used to be, Sam’s adjusting to surprise dad life (yes, he's a dilf with a guitar, swoon accordingly), and both of their careers are gasping for air. The solution? One last shot at fame—a joint comeback album that forces them back into each other's orbit. And let’s just say… the sparks are very much still there.

🎶 What follows is a rollercoaster of studio sessions, emotional confessions, secret identities, and a will-they-won’t-they tension so delicious it could headline its own tour. It’s about finding your voice—literally and figuratively—about vulnerability, forgiveness, and the beautiful mess of loving someone who sees all of you.

Emma Lord nails that signature blend of romantic tension, personal growth, and witty banter—but adds an irresistible, Daisy Jones–esque edge. This book is equal parts backstage drama and soul-baring love story, and I am deeply, deeply obsessed.

overall this was pretty good! for the record is fun, with a great cast of characters and a compelling romance. i definitely enjoyed reading it and would recommend it to friends. there were some pacing issues—some parts dragged while other parts were resolved too quickly—and as much as this was good, im not sure it was particularly memorable.

When I say this book had me in its grip, I mean it. This book is a great example of the enemies-to-friends-to-lovers trope, where, in the end, there was no one else for Mackenzie and Sam but each other. The prose itself was almost as lyrical as the music it was written about. The characters were well-written and developed, not just the main characters, but also the side characters. I enjoyed the friendship between Mack and her bandmates. Mostly, though, I just fell in love with Mack and Sam. There was something so genuine and natural about the way they fell into realizing that they were in love. I loved that there was no third-act break-up, but there was still a catharsis at the end. This book was satisfying and Emma Lord at her best. Highly, highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Publishing, and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts!

Emma Lord delivers a heartfelt, high-gloss romance that hits all the right notes. For the Record is more than a second-chance love story—it’s a sharp, emotionally resonant look at reinvention, vulnerability, and what it means to find your voice when the world thinks it already knows your song.

Mackenzie Waters is rebuilding her career after a surgery that altered her voice and identity as a performer. Sam Blaze, her former rival and now a single father, is thrown back into her orbit when their labels pair them up for a comeback album. The result is creative friction, emotional depth, and a slow-burn romance that feels both grounded and intimate. Their dynamic—part banter, part bruised history—unfolds in a way that feels earned rather than manufactured.

While a few pacing issues crop up midway and some side characters don’t get their due, the central love story shines. Mature conflict resolution, believable growth, and an authentic musical backdrop make this an easy recommendation for fans of character-driven romance.

Review: For the Record by Emma Lord

Emma Lord delivers a beautifully written, emotionally rich romance in For the Record, a story that’s as much about second chances as it is about self-discovery. Set in the glitzy, high-pressure world of the music industry, this book goes beyond your typical “exes with tension” story. It’s about evolving past who you were, embracing who you’re becoming, and finding love in the process.

The story follows Mackenzie Waters, a former pop girl group star whose vocal surgery has changed not only her voice but also her identity as an artist. She’s grappling with the fear that everything she’s built could fall apart—and that the world might not accept her as she is now. Sam Blaze, her former labelmate and public “rival,” is now a single father trying to find stability in a life that used to be anything but.

When their labels team them up to make an album, it’s a forced reunion full of creative tension, unresolved feelings, and a lot of emotional messiness. But it works—really works. Lord does a phenomenal job balancing the glamour of the music world with the very real vulnerabilities of her characters. You feel every bit of Mackenzie’s anxiety, her frustration, and her desperate hope. You understand Sam’s need to protect his son while trying to reconcile with the love he once ran from.

Their chemistry is fire—rooted in past flirtation, rivalry, and an emotional connection that neither of them ever truly got over. The way they write music together is intimate in a way that goes beyond romance; it’s trust, it’s vulnerability, it’s two people literally finding their voices again.

What also stands out is the maturity with which conflict is handled. There’s communication. There’s personal growth. And while there is a third-act conflict (as with all good romances), it’s grounded and realistic—not overblown for drama’s sake.

Other highlights:
• The side characters are strong, especially Sam’s son and Mack’s old bandmates.
• The musical setting feels authentic and surprisingly emotional—even though the songs don’t exist, they feel like they do.
• The theme of “showing love” vs. “saying love” is explored beautifully.
• Mack’s journey with self-worth, body image, and creative identity adds real emotional weight.

Minor critiques: There are a few pacing issues in the middle, and some threads (like Serena’s character arc or Mackenzie’s bond with Sam’s son) could have used more depth. The resolution might feel a touch too quick, but it’s emotionally satisfying enough to forgive that.

All in all, For the Record is more than just a romance—it’s a story about voice: finding it, reclaiming it, and using it. Whether you’re a music lover, a second-chance romance fan, or just want a book that hits you in the feels with depth and swoon, this one’s worth your time.

This was a cute musician, enemy to lovers/ second chance romance story. I absolutely loved that there was a issue but didn’t lead to a third act breakup. It was a bit too perfect of a story throughout but made it enjoyable for a light book.

This was a very fun, sweet romance set in the music industry. Sam and Mackenzie made a great pair and formidable sparring partners. I loved their banter and watching their story arc unfold. I could definitely see this being made into a movie! Emma Lord never disappoints with her love stories and this was a great one. Thanks to Emma Lord, St. Martin Press, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

For the Record is a syrupy sweet romance that pulls at the heart strings. It is told in alternating POV’s from our main characters, Mackenzie and Sam. It’s also told in alternating timelines, 10 years prior when Sam and Mackenzie were in rival bands and at the height of their stardom and currently. This enemies to lovers and second chance romance gives you all the feels. At the same time there were some amazing secondary characters and other themes woven into the story that make it a great read.

I gave it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 and look forward to reading other work by this this author.

This book was a delight! I love a music-themed novel, and also love a second chance romance, so was excited to dive into this book. It delivered — very fun read and would recommend!

4.5 stars honestly! I was kicking my feet, giggling, and laughing the entire time.

This was SUCH a fun read! This is what I want when I want a quick read that just makes me feel good. I want a romance with characters that are witty and Sam Blaze, commmeeeonnnnnnnn. How can you not love him?!

I also LOVE Mack, so unapologetically herself and quick on the comeback. The chemistry was insane! I just ATE this up! I loved the music storyline, and surprisingly, I did really enjoy the music app side as well! It all wrapped so nicely in a way that felt like the warm hug I needed without feeling too rushed or pushed.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the eARC to review for my own opinions.

This was a fun second chance love story. Mackenzie and Sam have undeniable chemistry but their shared past is complicated.
When they come together again, they are charged with working together, which they are both reluctant to do. Once they work together the past feelings resurface but the two have some big secrets between them.
This was a compelling story with lots of heart.

This was a cute rivals to lovers book. I enjoyed the musical elements and character growth between our MC’s. However I didn’t feel especially connected to either character so it was hard for me to really feel invested in their romance. Overall, this was fine but probably not something that will stick with me for long. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC!

I think that I'm officially an Emma Lord fan!
This book had so many good things: second chance romance, dueling bands-one pop and one punk rock, enemies to lovers, single dad, finding yourself after a big life change, etc. There's just something about the way that Lord writes her characters that really appeals to me.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for my honest review.

Emma Lord has done it again! Thank you Netgallery for the chance to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I loved this one and the second chance, enemies to friends to lovers type aspect was done well! There were some parts that seemed to be too fast-paced but overall, this was a quick and easy read!