Music meets romance is always a good trope for me. The buildup of this relationship is excellent, there is so much history and the tension that has been building is very well developed. You do not get to wonder why there is beef/history etc. you get to live through it. The music writing scenes are great and I just wish there was an audio accompaniment of the songs. For one of the few times I actually really do agree with the blurb: for fans of Emily Henry and Daisy Jones and the Six. It has the music insider and the emotion through song of daisy Jones, but the quick banter, great characters and lovely romance developed by Emily Henry. A sweet and quick read for the summer. I think one of my favorite things are the savory concoctions that Ben keeps creating, I kind of want to go buy them.

This was such an unexpectedly fun read!

This book was paced really well, and the romance between Sam and Mackenzie developed at a satisfying pace- plus no 3rd act breakup?? Chef’s kiss 👌🏼

The MC’s had likeable, well-developed personalities, and the cast of side characters were really well-rounded for a relatively short book. I loved watching Mackenzie and Sam work through both their individual struggles, and their relationship. I felt like Serena and Hannah’s stories could have been fleshed out more, but given the length of the book, and the fact that they weren’t our main focus, I really can’t complain! Ben’s character of course, was the absolute sweetest.

I was pleasantly invested in the plot as well as the romance, and the resolution (as well as the epilogue 😍) were sweet and satisfying.

Absolutely recommend for a lighthearted rom-com. My first Emma Lord book, but definitely not my last 😊

I'm so happy to be reading (the) Lord's work once again! I reviewed an advanced copy of "The Break-Up Pact" last August (<a href ="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6343536575">which I absolutely adored</a>), so thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC of Emma Lord's "For the Record" :)

In "For the Record," ex-popstar Mack Waters and ex-rockstar Sam Blaze hope to revive their careers by collaborating on a joint comeback album. The problem? They're rivals (sorta) and exes (kinda), and well, there's just a whole lot of unresolved tension that they've both ignored for the past two years. This enemies-to-lovers, second-chance romance is mature and complex. Throughout the novel, Lord undertook multiple subplots and complex themes (navigating romantic, familial, and platonic relationships, health scares, parenthood, and the viciousness of the music industry) without losing sight of the plot.

Despite its breadth, "For the Record" was such a fun read! I truly enjoy the way Emma Lord writes dialogue, and I fell in love with Mack and Sam's banter in the first chapter. As a music girly, I appreciated the little Taylor Swift nuggets throughout the novel. Taylor definitely influenced Mack's characterization - she's America's sweetheart who has had a lot of bad luck in love, and her relationship with her parents definitely gives "mirrorball" vibes (iykyk, folklore girlies rise). Not to mention, the record label's contract screwing with Tick Tune users and former pop/rock-stars alike was very reminiscent of Swift's battle with Big Machine Records.

I was pleasantly entertained - my only critique was that it was a quick read. I wish there was a dual timeline to expand on the story; the chapters that took place during the prime of Thunder Hearts and Candy Shard left me wanting more, and it would've been so much fun to dive into Mack and Sam's past "will they, won't they" relationship. I also would've liked to see the early days of both bands to delve a bit more into the predatory nature of their recording contracts. Despite this (very minor) critique, this book definitely deserves five stars.

Emma Lord's "For the Record" is a mature yet light read, perfect for fans of Emily Henry, Sussman's "Once More with Feeling," and Jenkins Reid's "Daisy Jones and the Six." Be sure to pick up a copy of "For the Record" when it releases on August 12!

*******

The following was commented while reading: “This seems to be a theme with Sam - negotiating for my time. Maybe it should worry me that the more time we’ve spent together, the more I’m willing to give” just to have Sam say “‘Lucky thing I’m good at keeping time’,” right before kissing Mack oooohhhhh Emma Lord pardon me I was not aware of your game!!!!!"

Thank you to NetGallery and St. Martins Press for the lovely opportunity to read this eARC!

4⭐️ This was cute. Spice scenes were tastefully done and I like Mackenzie and Sam’s relationship. It’s an easy quick read and it’s a good story. It didn’t hit the mark for me for a few reasons. First being that I would have liked to see Mackenzie bond with Sam’s son since I’d imagine that’s a huge part of a relationship if the other person has a kid. I would say I don’t usually gravitate towards single dad romances, they haven’t ever really been my taste but I didn’t find this one to be bad. I do think if this had been extended 100 pages we could have gotten to see some things like Mack and Ben, more explanation on Serena, she was complex but in the end I didn’t know if I actually liked her. Another thing I’d say is that the ordeal over a song at the end was a bit of a questionable choice for a 3rd act conflict. I also don’t find it believable that in a month everything comes to the way it is but that’s my usual. Then lastly I’d say I really didn’t understand Mackenzie being in love with Sam way back when, I would’ve wanted to see more than what we got of them because it just seemed like a weird we get on each others nerves but something else is there with our chemistry but I love you. That isn’t for me, but I will say I found Sam incredibly charming, and he gets high marks from me. Their banter was fun in the beginning and it was a nice romance book despite my grievances. I’d definitely recommend this to anyone who is compelled because it is a fun read. I may check out some of Emma Lord’s work in the future because of it.

The book hooked me from the beginning and was easy to read. I did think there were so many plot points between so many characters that it got a bit convoluted, but still enjoyed it as a quick read.

I was really into this book from the start. Rival bands with compelling frontman/woman that are dripping with sexual tension for years come back together two years after their respective bands breakup is such a great setup for a rockstar romance. There was story and spice and tension and passion but it also had compelling sideline stories woven throughout. Family dynamics, chosen family, friendship, self-discovery, reinvention, parenthood and vulnerability are all key themes. This story played out in my mind like I was watching it on a big screen and I loved it. Read it when you can, you won’t be disappointed.

This was my first book by this author and it definitely didn’t disappoint! I ended up giving this book 3.5 stars because it felt like something was lacking throughout the storyline. This was the first book I’ve read that the main characters were musicians and I’ve come to learn that it just isn’t my favorite thing to read about. With that being said, Sam’s character development throughout the book made my heart swell, I was genuinely in awe with him. The ending was so sweet and I felt like it wrapped up the story so well! I just wish there was a little more build up to Mack and Sam’s story now. It felt like it was slightly rushed, but like I said the ending seriously did wrap it up and I loved the conclusion of it!

Thank you St. Martin press and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this title!!

Loved Mackenzie and Sam’s chemistry and banter. Such a fun read !

Think Daisy Jones without the infidelity and rehab.

🩷 forced proximity
🤜🏼🤛🏼 enemies to lovers
🎸rockstar romance
🌶️low spice

Skip chapters 19 & 24 to keep the doors closed.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.
All opinions are my own.

Sam and Mackenzie used to be in rival bands, there was always a simmering tension between them. When both bands suddenly break up so do all the chances for Sam and Mackenzie to be together. Two years later Sam and Mackenzie are both trying to make a comeback in their careers, but the only way forward is to work together.

This was an enemies to lovers romance, there are some sweet moments between Sam and Mackenzie and I enjoyed seeing them work together. The book alternates perspectives between Sam and Mackenzie, which was fun to read from both perspectives.

Not my favorite book by Lord but, overall and enjoyable, quick read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the St. Martin's Press for providing this digital ARC. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is my first time reading a book by Emma Lord and I really enjoyed it!

Sam and Mackenzie were in rival bands years ago but their careers were sidelined and life took unexpected turns. Now they're both ready to revive the music careers and they need to work together to make magic happen.

Sam and Mackenzie have excellent banter and chemistry, and I love a good rivals to lovers trope.The book occasionally felt a little disjointed and slow but overall it was a fun and worthwhile read.

3.5/5 stars

I'm always a sucker for an enemies-to-lovers trope (though this is not *quite* that) Super cute, unique story and fun to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the underbelly of the entertainment world.

Very cute, slow burn, "enemies or frenemies" to lovers romance about two musicians from different bands who try and rebrand their careers by working together as a duet.
Lots of angst, some miscommunication (not my favorite trope), and a HEA. It was a little slow but I think it was a sweet read and a good palette cleanser after reading several darker books in a row.

This was my first Emma Lord book and it won't be my last. I loved the writing style and dual POV. Mackenzie and Sam both had their own back stories and issues to work out, but it came together so beautifully and not in an annoying way like some other books do. I don't usually tear up often when reading romance books, but there were quite a few scenes where I did! ❤️

The epilogue was similar to another book I read recently, but other than that, I loved this book!!

Unique plot of a second chance celebrity romance! It was refreshing to have a FMC/MMC who engage in mature communication and actions, and I'm a sucker for a sweet MMC who is down bad from the start! Some of the side characters and their storylines seemed a bit ... unnecessary or cumbersome to incorporate with overall plot, perhaps, to me, and some of the terms (band names, social media platforms) made me cringe.

I enjoyed this book! I enjoy Emma Lord’s writing style and I really liked this book. It sucked me in and I had difficulty putting it down. I enjoyed the second chance friendship and romance. I liked both Mackenzie and Sam and that they both had to find themselves before they could be in a relationship. The idea that the timing wasn’t right until they had become the people they needed to be.I found it a sweet romance with a little spice. i thought for sure it was going to have the miscommunication trope derail everything but liked that they were able to put their relationship ahead of the drama. It was refreshing! 4.5 stars

3.25⭐️

This was not a favorite of mine it kind of felt all over the place in some moments and like there was just too much going on and so many plots and characters to keep track of at once. I did like the actual romance aspect of it there was some cute moments between Mackenzie and Sam. i’m also not the biggest fan of singer mc books so that might have to do with how i felt as well!

This was so much fun. I feel like versions of this concept have been done so many times before, but this story still felt fresh. The characters felt real and it made sense once I read the author’s note at the end. This will make a great summer read.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

This is the book for you if:
* You like good magnetic chemistry between the leads.
* You are interested in baked monstrosities.
* You’ve worn glitter at one point in your life.
* Are a fan of the 2001 Josie and the Pussycats movie.
* Like a group of scrappy underdogs fighting against the man storyline.

Mackenzie and Sam are two lead singers of their own successful rock bands. Once star-crossed lovers to play into their shtick for the audience, they’re asked to do so again for a final tour together. How far can they go before feelings get complicated?
I loved this rom-com! I would liken it to a lighter Daisy Jones and the Six in some ways but it’s definitely wonderful in its own right! Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC.

*received an digital copy from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press so thank you so much*

This book comes out August 12, 2025.

*4.25* I really enjoyed this book. I loved Mac and Sam. They're such a cute couple and really love the song writing duo. We see their growth through the book and see that they don't hate each other. They liked each other back then but didn't assume a relationship because they didn't communicate with each other back then. Really like how Serena admitted what she felt to Mac and they finally talked it out near the end, becoming close again. Don't see a lot of romance books where two best friends makeup and get close again. I really appreciate that. Hannah is also great best friend cause she loves Mac and Serena. I gave it 4.25 out of 5 stars because there were some moments where I was like, "Let's move on please. " I also felt Mac and Sam were little immature in the beginning and I wish we could go more in depth with the characters. More emotion. Just felt like I didn't get to know them enough. But this was still a great book. Highly recommend it.