Tropes:
*Rockstar Romance
*Second Chance Romance
*Enemies to Lovers

This was my 2nd book by Emma Lord and I gotta say, I really liked the first one but I loved this one! Emma is definitely moving up my watchlist and I am going to have to go through her back log now!

Both Mackenzie and Sam are famous rockstars known for their rivalry on stage. Some of that was played up for the audience and some of it was just the tension between the two of them. A couple of years ago, the bands fell apart and everything that might have been was lost. Now, two years later, Sam and Mackenzie are trying to restart their careers and their best shot is teaming up, despite them trying to avoid each other. After agreeing and starting to spend time together, they start to see they aren't the same people they once were and they can finally start to be honest with each other. But as some of their last secrets start to come out, their plans start to fall apart and they have to decide where that leaves them, both on and off the stage.

First off, I loved Mack and Sam together and each of them separately. Their banter was bantering! Their chemistry was palpable. But you could also tell there was a sense of comfort in being around each other even before they wanted to admit it. They were always drawn to one another. It was just always a case of the wrong time until now. Their personal growth stories and how they were learning to face their past hurts and move toward what they actually wanted for their futures was so good! Making some amends and letting some stuff go. I think we can all relate to that. Sam was a little funny and cocky, in a cute way, but underneath it he was absolutely gone for her. He put himself out there but gave her space to find a place to trust him again. Mack was playful, and strong willed, but slowly allowed herself to be vulnerable again.

I loved this and would absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a great romcom with real heart.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Emma Lord for a chance to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This was super cute. It’s the first book I’ve read from this author and I definitely will be looking at her other books. I liked the way the story flowed and that it was a slower burn filled with the right amount of tension. The rivals to lovers trope is one of my favorites and I loved how fun this one was. The banter was more playful filled with mutual pinning vs borderline actual hate. There was a lot of growth for both characters and no third act breakup which is always a plus for me. If the song until I found you was a book it would be this one.

4.5 stars!!

First things first, I was given a copy of this book as an ARC, in exchange for an honest review. A big thank-you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Griffin, and Emma Lord for allowing me to be an early reader.

This book is told in the perspective of Mackenzie and Sam, two singers who used to be rivals.

When I read that this book is perfect for lovers of “Daisy Jones & the Six” then I just knew I needed to read this ASAP!! And the fact that the book is set in New York just made it chef’s kiss.

When Mackenzie’s voice changes and Sam has some life circumstances that are in the way of his career, they are forced to work together to make an album. Now they’ll have to set their differences aside to make the most out of their careers.

The banter between Mackenzie and Sam was so cute. I also loved learning a lot about the other characters in the book.

If you’re looking for a second-chance romance book, and loved “Daisy Jones & the Six”, then I highly recommend checking this out. Releasing in August of this year! x

I couldn’t get into this book no matter how hard I tried ! Just felt like I had read something similar
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review

The angst in this book is to die for!

Mack and Sam were fake enemies on stage before life separates them. After two years of no contact, they are swindled into becoming a duet pair. Their real feelings come to light and outside circumstances try to force their way into their bubble.

Honestly this book had me kicking and screaming in the best way possible!

This is a sweet and slightly spicy second chance romance. I loved the way that the story was told in a two person perspective, giving you not only Mackenzie's point of view but also Sam's.

This is a story about love and friendship and how to find your way back to each other. It is as much about Mack's relationship with her former band mates and herself as it is about her love for Sam.

This is the prefect escape for anyone who want's a romance that is rich and full with plenty of great banter.

Thank you to Net Galley and the Publisher for an advance copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Griffin for the ARC. This enemies to lovers story of Mack and Sam was charming and fun. It felt like my favorite middle school boy rock bander and the girl from the pop group finally had their moment for a comeback and I was cheering them on. If you’re looking for tension with a hint of nostalgia, this made my millennial heart very happy.

Another fantastic book by Emma Lord! I loved the theme of this book. It was so fun! Lots of cute banter and so much fun ❤️

If you enjoyed Daisy Jones & the Six, (which was one of my five star reads from 2024) you will enjoy this new adult romance by Emma Lord. Branching away from her typical cheesy and lighthearted YA romances to bring you a dual POV, rivals to lovers, second chance romance with found family, drama, bands, and a good dose of character development and emotional depth.

After binging all of Emma Lord's books in the last month (all except The Rival which is at the top of my TBR!), I was expecting another playful, funny, coming-of-age YA book that I could whip through without having to use my brain. However, I was pleasantly surprised that I immediately noticed a difference in her characters between her previous books and this one. Besides the *typical adult romance features (wink, wink)* the major difference was that there was a depth to the characters that made them easy to connect with, which I haven't been able to before. I really enjoyed how they prioritized themselves and became more self aware throughout the story, but at different paces. There was a good measure of vulnerability to the characters that made them easy to fall in love with. Character development is always a win in my books, and immediately makes me rate a book higher based off of the fact that it exceeds the expectations of a stereotypical romance book.

Even all the side characters held significance in the story. They were each vibrant and memorable and I appreciated how each of them had a significant role in the plot. It made for a consistent storyline as there was an end-goal in sight for the characters, together and separately.

All the positives mentioned, now one thing that I did not enjoy was the !SPOILER! *almost* (?) third-act break-up. I never enjoy that trope as I feel that in adult romances, miscommunication should be avoided completely because it is frustrating and unnecessary for most readers who just want a happy ending. I say *almost* because I am not quite sure what even happened... I feel like that part of the plot could have used a little more clarification to give the reader some more understanding as to what the characters were feeling and what they were trying to achieve with the near-third act breakup.

All things considered, I can say that I fully support her transition from the fluffy and somewhat cringy (in a good way) YA romances to the now surprisingly sentimental adult romances. I rated this a 4.5 stars, and look forward to more of Emma Lord's future works!

A special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Two rival musicians try to push past their differences to work together on a new project after they both took extended absences from the spotlight. It’s kinda like hate to love, and also a little second chance, with some forced proximity.

Mack & Sam were great together but I didn’t feel the angst and longing from them that we were told was there. Also, I did not feel an emotional connection between Mack and her friends Hannah or Serena. I just wanted more. It could have been great to have some actual flash backs or some articles from when they were on tour. It felt like there was a lot of potential, and it could have been great, but in the end it was ok. Still a good pick if you’re looking for a light romance.

This was a fun and fast read. I loved the behind the scenes look at the music industry. I really enjoyed the rock star/celebrity aspect as well. I really like when books portray celebrities to be just like us with real life problems. I love Emma Lord books and this one did not dissapoint.

Thanks NetGalley and publisher for this ARC!

yoooo we are being FED with the music romcom genre right now?! on top of all these berkley romance releases this one could’ve gotten lost in the mix and yet. and YET. she was absolutely adorable and i devoured in one (and a half) sitting!!! emma lord has been hit or miss for me before but i had sm fun this time around!!

Fun and a little silly (the savory pastry creations had me intrigued)!

Musical rivals/frenemies Mackenzie and Sam find themselves reunited by their agents in an effort to boost their flagging careers. Sam welcomes the opportunity as he has been harboring a crush on Mackenzie. Mackenzie, however, is reluctant to engage. As they get to know the new versions of themselves, Mackenzie and Sam can't help but fall for one another. This had a lot of sweet moments and Mackenzie and Sam have great chemistry. There were so many subplots (e.g., absentee parents coming back, a musical app threatening to keep the rights to all music posted on the app, Hannah's thousand business ventures, Mackenzie's secret singing identity, Mackenzie's relationship with her former bandmates, etc.) and perhaps too many side characters that pulled focus from Mackenzie and Sam at times. Overall, this is a cute romance and fans of second chance, celebrity romance will probably enjoy. 3.5 stars.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

This book was a classic contemporary romance novel, telling the story of two famous musicians as they found their way to each other. It was a quick and easy read.

To be honest, this book wasn't really for me. That isn't to say that others won't enjoy it! It had vibrant characters and a fun setting. I enjoyed seeing the way the author portrayed the music industry- it was interesting and pulled me in.

This will definitely be other people's cup of tea, even if it wasn't mine.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. :)

I enjoyed this book. The characters are developed and likable. I always love a happy ending in a romance book. The flow and pace of the book kept my attention and I kept lookin g forward to the next time I could read a few more chapters.

I devoured this book. It is just the kind of sweet celebrity/rock star romance I adore.
Swoony characters, just the right amount of angst and interesting side characters.

Now I must go read everything else this author has written immediately.

In true Emma Lord fashion, this book is sharp and swoony. This second chance romance of rivals to lovers hits all the right notes (pun absolutely intended). Without ever actually hearing their music, I finished this book feeling empty inside knowing that the musical duo Mack & Sam will never exist beyond these pages. I want that album,

great book was not my cup of tea . didnt like the language . it was okay. it was fine . great job thiugh

For the Record is a slow-burn romance set in the drama-filled world of pop music. Mackenzie and Sam were in feuding bands for years and entertained their audiences by flirting and feuding on and off stage. All of their conflict hid their true feelings. Since they met years earlier, both Mackenzie and Sam have strong romantic feelings for each other. Their respective bands broke up a few years ago, and both artists have taken some time off. Right before they went their separate ways, they started a fling, but that ended when Sam disappeared. They reunite to make an album together with a new name and a new sound. As they write and record songs together, their spark is quickly rekindled. They spend more time together and as their feelings deepen, old secrets come to light and they face many challenges as their relationship grows. The author, Emma Lord, creates a world where the reader is immersed in the world of music, with conflict between former band members and issues with song rights, agents, and executives. Lord even creates an imaginary app that is a combination of Tik Tok and Spotify, which I found clever and very creative. Artists are able to post their music anonymously, so Mackenzie posts as Seven, but soon her friends find out and the situation gets very complicated. Mackenzie and Sam grow closer and get to know Sam's family and Mackenzie helps him navigate several issues with his family. It doesn't hurt their situation that Sam's son is crazy about Mackenzie.
The book description online states that For the Record is "perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Daisy Jones and the Six", and I couldn't agree more. This book has complex characters who are vulnerable and emotional, and their relationships evolve with the contemporary music industry as their backdrop. This story has a great love story with two characters who have deep feelings for each other set in the drama-filled world of music. I really enjoyed this book and found the subject and setting to be refreshingly different. I will definitely be reading Emma Lord's other work!
Thanks to St. Martin's Press/St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for an advance reader's copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

Mackenzie y Sam eran los cantantes de sus respectivas bandas, las cuales fingían ser rivales para generar controversia y ganar popularidad. Sin embargo, ambos se gustaban, aunque ella sabía que él era un mujeriego y no quería ser solo otra de sus conquistas. Durante mucho tiempo intentaron ocultar sus sentimientos y mantuvieron su distancia, hasta que ya no pudieron más. Pero las cosas parecían estar en su contra, ya que cuando todo parecía alinearse para que pudieran comenzar una relación, ocurrieron hechos que los alejaron, y no se volvieron a ver durante años.

Dos años después, ambos intentan regresar a la escena musical, cada uno como solista, pero su disquera los quiere como dueto, y esa es la única manera en que podrán cantar juntos, por lo que aceptan. No obstante, antes de hacerlo, ponen reglas para evitar que resurjan viejos sentimientos.


~

Honestamente, disfruté del libro, aunque hubo tres cosas que no me gustaron: 1. Que Mackenzie, a pesar de lo que había pasado anteriormente, no estuviera enojada y cayera tan rápido ante Sam. 2. Que Sam no hiciera nada para ganarse su confianza, o al menos que se notara su arrepentimiento. 3. La razón por la cual él, a pesar de tener sentimientos por ella, no hiciera nada me pareció molesta, ya que prácticamente fue porque no estaba listo para algo serio y quería divertirse, por lo que se alejó de ella para poder acostarse con otras.




Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.