The story features Sam and Mackenzie as a second-chance romance with strong chemistry. It includes deep emotions and personal challenges that make the characters relatable and human.

I loved that the plot moved really quickly! The secret of Seven gave a deep emotional weight to the relationship between Sam and Mackenzie. I really liked the relationships between Mackenzie and the rest of her band, Hannah and Serena. They were important to the plot! Not just side characters!

This was my first Emma Lord book and it won't be my last!! I was intrigued by the story, it was light but a little over played. I think comparing it to Daisy Jones & the Six is very generous. Still enjoyable enough that I would recommend it! Would've loved a bit more backstory and info to make it feel more complete. 3.5 stars

Emma hits it out with this cute pop star romance! Mackenzie and Sam, Emma puts their chemistry into full force and helps us feel it off the page.
This book was a hit for me shockingly, so I am not a huge pop star romance fan or second chances. This was my second second chances book of the year and well I love a book when I can escape into the plot, Emma did this with For The Record. I didn't yearn for more her recipe in this book was perfection, enough to escape and pretend I was there with Mac and Sam. The light banter/quirks and the deep feeling pieces. It's a great summer beach read romance.
Bonus Points for
+ Dual POV
+ Found family <3

For the Record is a heartfelt enemies-to-lovers romance that blends music, rivalry, and emotional growth into an engaging story. The novel follows two former music rivals who, after years apart, find themselves collaborating on a joint comeback album. As they work through their complicated history, they must also confront the undeniable attraction .

The immersive music industry backdrop added to the story. Told through dual points of view, the novel allows readers to see both characters' true feelings, enhancing the emotional stakes. While there are moments of angst, the well-crafted subplots add layers to the narrative without overshadowing the romance. The themes of healing and perseverance, combined with an underdog storyline, create a touching and rewarding read.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC but this Emma Lord book didn’t do it for me. I wasn’t a fan of either main character and didn’t get the chemistry I wanted from them.

Let me start by saying, this gave such Taylor Swift vibes and I was so here for it. The storyline was so fun to read, and the character development was really well done. The ending? SO satisfying.

Honestly, I don’t have much feedback other than it was just so good and so cute. The comparison to Daisy Jones & The Six was spot on, except I didn’t want to throw my Kindle when I finished this one!

Definitely recommend if you love music-themed stories, fun characters, and an ending that leaves you smiling.

For the Record was a cutie, quick read with all the right ingredients: ex-bandmates (tour mates?), second-chance romance, and a “once emotionally unavailable now down-bad” rockstar MMC. Mackenzie and Sam are thrown back together to make music and maybe, possibly, catch feelings again.

There were definite highs and lows. The TickTune/Serena/Seven subplot didn’t really grab me — same with the Ben storyline. In theory, I appreciated that it was a non-toxic take on the surprise-kid trope, but I didn’t feel super connected to or invested in his son. Both arcs (plus Sam’s dad stuff!) had potential, but they ended up feeling like too much and too little at the same time — ambitious, but underdeveloped.

That said, I lived for the scenes where Sam couldn’t keep his hands off Mackenzie (and not even in a spicy way — just in a “physical touch is my love language” kind of way). I was giggling. I was kicking my feet. And the flashbacks? LOVED. I honestly wish we spent more time with past them — the drama, the tension, the angst of touring while secretly pining and constantly bickering? Hot.

Not a new fave, but definitely had its sweet and swoony moments. If you’re into banter, musical settings, and a different kind of third act conflict, this might be your vibe! 💿💫

Enemies-to-lovers and rockstar tropes? I’m already all in. Throw in a second-chance romance? Say no more—I’m sold.

Once upon a time, Mackenzie and Sam were rival musicians, battling it out on stage with sparks flying and guitars wailing. Offstage, their rivalry slowly turned into something deeper... until both their bands (and their budding relationship) hit the final chord and fell apart.

Fast forward: Sam’s swapped his rockstar status for a new role—dad. Mackenzie, recovering from surgery that changed her voice, now only sings under a pseudonym. The only way to revive their public careers—and maybe settle unfinished business? A joint comeback album. What could possibly go wrong, right? (Besides, you know, every emotion ever.)

I loved getting both Mackenzie and Sam’s perspectives. Their growth felt real, the banter was top-tier, and the emotional beats hit just right. There were plenty of swoony moments, clever callbacks, and the kind of chemistry that makes you root for them from the first page.

This was my first Emma Lord book, but definitely not my last. Her writing is fun, heartfelt, and easy to sink into. Perfect if you're in the mood for music, messy feelings, and a love story that earns its encore.

Bonus if you’re looking for a fun plot and easy to read writing, this may be the perfect book for you.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Emma Lord for the opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions are my own.

Second-chance love blooms as old bandmates reunite and rediscover their rhythm and each other.A sweet, music-filled romance about second chances, personal growth, and rewriting your story.

Emma Lord takes the delicious premise of former musical rivals forced into collaboration. Mackenzie and Sam's transition from stage enemies to reluctant partners crackles with the kind of chemistry that makes you forget you've read this exact dynamic before—at least until the third time they have the same charged argument.

What keeps this from being just another celebrity romance is how Lord grounds the glitter in genuine stakes. Sam discovering fatherhood while Mackenzie grapples with vocal changes gives both characters real weight beyond their Wikipedia entries. The therapy-positive approach and messy family dynamics feel refreshingly honest rather than manufactured for conflict.

The book straddles an interesting line—emotionally accessible enough to feel like YA but with enough adult complications (and heat) to remind you these are grown-ups with mortgages and trust issues. Lord's supporting characters actually support rather than just fill space, creating a world that extends beyond the central will-they-won't-they.

It follows the enemies-to-lovers playbook faithfully, but sometimes the greatest hits exist for a reason. When the chemistry works this well and the characters feel this real, you don't mind hearing a familiar tune played with genuine skill.

If you enjoy stories with a music-scene backdrop, a dash of drama, and a romance worth rooting for, For the Record by Emma Lord absolutely delivers. This second-chance, enemies-to-lovers romance brings together pop princess Mackenzie Waters and punk rocker Sam Blaze—two former rivals turned reluctant collaborators—who must navigate old wounds, fresh secrets, and the tricky path back to each other.

Told over several years, the story begins with Mackenzie and Sam at the height of their musical rivalry—and a budding, behind-the-scenes romance. But just as things between them begin to heat up, both bands fall apart, and so does their relationship. Fast forward two years: Sam is now a single dad, adjusting to a quieter life after discovering he has a son. Mackenzie, recovering from throat surgery that changed her voice, has been hiding behind a pseudonym to continue singing.

Enter the record label with a high-stakes proposition: Mackenzie and Sam must team up for a joint comeback album. With their careers—and reputations—on the line, the two are thrown back into each other’s orbit. What unfolds is a heartfelt journey of rediscovery, creative collaboration, and emotional healing.

I really appreciated how Lord doesn’t shy away from the emotional weight of fame. Both Mackenzie and Sam have been shaped by the glare of the spotlight, and their personal growth felt authentic. Mackenzie’s struggle with her voice and identity post-surgery was especially poignant, and Sam’s determination to break the cycle of abandonment in his own family added real depth to his character.

There’s plenty of angst, but it’s the kind that makes the payoff sweeter. I was rooting for these two to get it right the second time around—even when the past loomed large and new secrets threatened their fragile trust. Lord perfectly captures the tension of a creative partnership with a complicated history, and the musical references throughout added a fun, immersive layer to the story.

Final Thoughts:

For the Record hits all the right notes: it’s a charming, emotionally layered romance with characters you’ll want to see succeed—on the stage and in love.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

I enjoyed the way the characters worked through their history together, rewriting their relationship, rebuilding their connection, discovering each other once again all on the guide of it being "For the record". This was a creative take on musician plots and second chances. I like Emma Lord's writing style too, feels familiar and connected.

I LOVED this book! It was so fun and cute and the plot had my on my heels the whole time. I genuinely couldn’t put this book down. By the time I finished the epilogue I was tearing up and smiling from ear to ear. I cannot recommend this book enough if you are liking for a genuine heartfelt feel good book.

What a fantastic love story! Singer-songwriters Sam and Mackenzie knew each other before. Before everything fell apart. Before they could figure out their feelings for each other. Now they have another chance. To get to know each other as they are now and to be honest about their feelings. The chemistry is obvious with these two. Their banter is perfection and the dual narrative gives much needed context and depth. All of the other characters in the book - friends and found family - were fun and added to the charm. A great plot revolving around the music industry and set against the backdrop of New York City, this new romance deserves all the stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC to read and review. All opinions are my own.

4.25

I’d like to thank NetGalley and St.Martin’s Press for giving me an advanced reader copy. I can’t wait till this book comes out later this summer! I was hooked from the start and found myself so invested in the characters lives. Would definitely recommend for anyone who loves a good slow burn romance.

For the Record is a dual-POV romance that follows Mackenzie Waters and Sam Blaze, two musicians from two famous bands that had a famous rivalry. Mackenzie and Sam were central to playing up the rivalry, but their tension both on and off the stage grew into something more--until both bands went their separate ways, and Sam and Mackenzie experienced separate life events that rocked their worlds. Two years later, both Mackenzie and Sam are interested in making career comebacks as solo artists, but their record label has other plans and force them into being a duo. With their careers on the line, Mackenzie and Sam have to learn to work together, even as the sparks between them start to fly and emotions and secrets make their fresh start as a duet more complicated.

I thought the premise of this was cute. I loved the idea of old music rivalries that always harbored a flame for each other getting forced into working together, and Mackenzie and Sam's songwriting journey as they put an album together was really fun and sweet to follow along with. I also adored Sam's son, Ben. Every time he popped up I thought he was just the cutest, quirkiest little thing!

Truthfully, though, I had a hard time with the way this story was executed. The first half of the novel frequently cut between present-day situations and conversations and scenes and situations from the past, which made everything feel disjointed and hard to follow. It almost feels like the narrative would have been better served by having a "Before" part and a "Now" part, or at least chapters solely focused on the past or the present, so that way everything read a little more clearly and we got more full and helpful insight into Mackenzie and Sam's relationship, but also the relationships with their bands. There were also, in my opinion, far too many subplots being juggled in such a short novel, making it hard to fully grasp or be invested in any of them. Knowing very little about the inner workings of the music industry, the "Tick Tune" storyline was especially difficult to understand or really care about, particularly once the legal/contract aspect got brought in. I also felt like Mackenzie's relationships with her friends were extremely underdeveloped. I couldn't really find myself to care about the Serena subplot when we were given so little about Mackenzie's time with her bandmates and her friendships with them.

This book definitely had a lot of promise, but I think it could have benefitted from some serious restructuring to make it flow better, as well as some trimming out of subplots so others could have been fleshed out better.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC and the chance to read/review early! All opinions are my own.

This is a 3 star read for me. I can see others really enjoying it. I personally just didn't connect in the way that I had hope for this read. I am excited to read more from this author though!

This is now the 6th book that I've read by Emma Lord between her YA and adult novels - and this quickly became my favorite. For the Record is a great romance featuring two musicians who after hitting world-wide success with their own bands / groups need to find a way to return to the music world again with a fresh start. A mix of enemies-to-lovers and second chance romance - this novel has top-notch banter with Sam and Mackenzie. After a false start romance two years prior while their bands were touring together ended quickly and painfully - Sam and Mackenzie are paired together by their managers as a duet to test out their previous success as songwriters and to take advantage of their undeniable chemistry. Mackenzie had plenty of friendship drama and support on her side. But I kind of wanted to see more on Sam's side - more moments with his son (Ben was adorable) and more with him having a support system of his own, other than his manager (Lizzie and Kara maybe to get advice from?). Overall - this was a fun summer read - definitely recommend! Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the chance to read this novel.

This was a super cute musician romance with a mostly compelling plot line.
I enjoyed the ending.. but the beginning and middle sort of dragged along and I wasn’t sure what the plot was doing for most of it. It felt repetitive in the beginning and the climax didn’t hit until like 85% through.

The characters were fun and I really liked Sam - Mack was a bit of a mixture of personalities and I wasn’t sure never quite sure who she was throughout… I think I couldn’t wrap my brain around the Mack we meet in present time to the Mack she was in the girl band… they felt like completely different characters but maybe that was the point?

Serena was a bitch through and through and I stand by that. I didn’t like her from first to last page and I don’t think their reckoning was big enough for the shit she had put Mack through… her reasons were stupid and there friendship was surface. If I was supposed to feel empathy towards her, it missed.

Overall, I think it was a really cute easy read. Not horrible by any means, but probably not one I’d personally pick up in stores.

Books where music is its own character is so hard to express because you need the music to really understand. I think similarly to Daisy Jones and the Six - this would be more compelling in tv or movie form where we get to hear the songs too.
The author did a good job with not having a soundtrack!