I loved the breakup pact so I had high hopes for this one. Emma totally blew away my expectations. I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK. the characters had so much depth and the story was so real. I loved every minute of this and was sad when it was over. I need more Mack and Sam! I wish I was one of those people who could hear the soundtrack in their heads because I want the music! 10/10. A million stars.

I found this one to be just fine.

I appreciate the fun rivalry dynamic as well as the tension/mutual yearning. The premise is fun and immediately intriguing.
However, struggled with the amount of characters to track as well as the writing style. The writing makes it a bit hard to really connect with the character.

But overall a solid summer read.

For the record, I loved this book! It's a fast-packed, page-turning romcom featuring two former rock star rivals forced to work together. Both Sam and Mackenzie have their struggles, demons, and secrets. The secondary characters were well-drawn, especially Mackenzie's former bandmates and Sam's family. I think this is perfect for any romcom lover as well as people who love to read "insider" books about the music industry. I had read Lord's The Break-Up Pact a few months ago, and loved this one even more. Can't wait to see what she does next.

Full review:
I went into this book with a touch of worry. Mostly because I'd read other reviews before starting this one, but also because this year has been so hit or miss for me with romcoms. And that's exactly what this book is: A RomCom.

Thankfully, it delivered in all the best ways.

"That's the problem with Mackenzie Waters -- whether she's breaking rules or breaking my heart, I'll never get enough."

Y'ALL!!! This man is down badddd for this girl. It's adorable to watch the two of them be oblivious to it all, though the third act had me in shambles. I was up way past my bedtime trying to figure out what would happen next.

The premise: Mackenzie Waters and Sam Blaze used to be the world's most talked about "almost" couple. They didn't really date, yet the tension was palpable. As musicians with huge fanbases, people followed them constantly for updates.

When life throws them both curveballs that has them leaving the music behind, everything changes. Normal becomes a new thing for them both to relearn.

At least, they try to. But old habits die hard and all that jazz.

Both want back in the music world. Their label won't let them do anything solo without enough buzz. A well timed photo of them starts back up the fan craze about their relationship status, which then leads to a whirlwind music writing, memory tracking, heart racing romance.

Things I loved in this book:
☺️ The way the past and present was woven together smoothly
☺️ How the tension and buildup felt natural
☺️ The supportive friends/side characters
☺️ The son (he's such a cutie)
☺️ Queer rep - side characters
☺️ While we do hear about his "playboy" ways, it's not overwhelming.
☺️ Banter galore
☺️ Steamy steamy goodness
☺️ Easy read. I FLEW through this.
☺️ The resolution felt realistic
☺️ Epilogues that make me grin

This is definitely a book I'll be getting in PB once it's out. The cover is adorable, and the story inside matches.

Big thanks to St. Martin's Press, Emma Lord, and NetGalley for the early ARC. It was a pleasure to read this one!!

Review in my delirious middle of the night state (lol):
Amazing. Wonderful. I need this in Pb now.
Full review tomorrow because it’s super late and I’m tired but ugghhhhh I needed to say something after this masterpiece!!

I just fell in love with Sam and Mackenzie. Both felt so real and relatable, and I found myself rooting for them to make it work together. When they decided to write songs as a team, I was completely sold. I also really appreciated the way Sam’s joint custody arrangement with both sides of his family was woven into the story—it added so much depth and heart. This book was a perfect blend of charm, music, and genuine emotion.

3.5 stars—This was a great and unique second-chance romance. I loved the lyricism of Sam and Mackenzie's relationship and the songs they wrote together or about each other. Additionally I appreciated that there was not a 3rd act breakup. This was my first book by the author, and I plan to check out others.

Thank you for the arc!

Reading For the Record felt like slipping into the kind of story that balances heartache and healing with just the right amount of backstage chaos and romantic tension. I’ve always loved stories that dive into creative partnerships, especially when there’s a romantic past tangled up in the present — and Emma Lord absolutely delivers on that front. Mackenzie and Sam are both flawed, resilient, and trying so hard to protect the softest parts of themselves. I was especially drawn to Mackenzie’s storyline — her struggle with losing (and redefining) her voice felt like such a sharp, emotional metaphor for identity, control, and reinvention. And Sam? I didn’t expect to feel so much for a former punk frontman turned unexpected dad, but his quieter moments — especially with his son — really hit me. What made this book stand out for me wasn’t just the music industry setting (though that was immersive and fun), but how real the emotional stakes felt. Lord doesn’t shy away from the complexities of forgiveness — not just between exes, but with yourself. Their chemistry had all the tension you’d expect from ex-rivals, but it’s the tenderness that surprised me most.

For the Record by Emma Lord is basically what would happen if Hayley Williams joined Atomic Kitten and got tangled in a swoony, slow-burn romance. I loved every second of it.

Mackenzie Waters is a glitter-dusted pop star with the heart of a punk rocker, and her internal monologue is chef’s kiss—equal parts chaotic, heartfelt, and hilarious. When she’s forced to work with her former rival, Sam Blaze, the tension is so thick you could cut it with a guitar pick. Their banter? Perfection. The angst? Just the right amount.

This book is full of second chances, self-discovery, and all the messy, wonderful emotions that come with chasing your dreams. If you love music, romance, and characters who feel like your best friend, this one needs to be on your TBR!

**Thank you NetGalley and Avon for the eARC! All opinions are my own.**

This book definitely reminded me of Daisy Jones and The Six, I loved that book and this book was no different. The characters were all so lovable and relatable and the love story didn’t overshadow the other aspects of the book.

Okayyy… yeah I DNF’d this at 65%. I really, really wanted to love it, but the execution just wasn’t it for me.

We’re dropped straight into Sam and Mackenzie's story with no idea what their relationship was supposed to besides the "enemies but actually super into each other” trope that give me the ick in this book. I felt like I was reading a situationship with no spark and way too much page time. I also found both Sam and Mackenzie to be really annoying and flat and not at all creative, just what fit the mold in the story while also being very very immature. I didn’t get why they’re supposedly so in love but refuse to admit it?? Like. You guys are adults??

Nothing about it really pulled me in or made me want to keep going. It just wasn’t doing anything for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC, this is my honest opinion.

I really loved watching this story unfold. It was that not quite enemies to lovers, second chance (though they never really took the first one) that can be so hard to do without it feeling tired and cliche. For the record was a light, slightly angsty read that I know I’ll go back to time and time again

This was the first book I’ve read by Emma Lord, but it definitely won’t be the last. I really enjoyed her writing style—so much so that I ended up reading the whole book in one sitting.

The story felt interesting and different from most of what I’ve read recently. I loved the second chance trope—it was written perfectly. I also really liked how the book was divided into sections named after songs Mackenzie and Sam wrote together. I haven’t seen that before, and it felt original and sweet. The idea of revisiting places that were meaningful to them in order to write new songs also really appealed to me. I especially enjoyed the flashbacks and getting a glimpse into their past.

I genuinely liked both main characters. I thought the chemistry between them was strong, and their banter was fantastic. I also appreciated that both of them had emotional depth—that’s always a big plus for me. The side characters were great too. The only one who truly irritated me was Serena—she really acted like a villain for most of the book, especially the scene where she pushed Mackenzie onto the runway in just her underwear. I’m not sure I could personally forgive everything she said to Mackenzie, but I’m glad they made peace in the end.

So why did I give it four stars instead of five when everything I’ve said sounds so positive? At times, the pacing felt slower than I would’ve liked. It gave me the impression the book was much longer than it actually was.

Other than that, everything was genuinely great. I highly recommend it!

Emma Lord is such a delightful author, and I’m so glad to get more adult fiction from her!

What I liked:
- I expected Taylor Swift vibes, based on the cover and knowing the author also loves her, and I feel like that was delivered in how honest Mackenzie is in her lyrics. It also brings up so much of the double standards and other BS that Taylor has been subjected to, and which I feel gave a lot of context for Mackenzie as a character.
- the female friendships, as always, are as important as the romance and I love that Emma Lord gets that! The girl group comradarie that connects Mack with her friends, and the grace that they give each other is lovely to read.
- the message of uplifting artists (and people) who are less privileged than you! Also reminded me a lot of Taylor with the Apple Music situation.
- Sam’s relationship with his kid - so sweet, and really added to his character.

What I didn’t like:
- I could have used more romance, to be honest. Their scenes together were great, and they were giving Daisy and Billy from Daisy Jones and the Six in the scenes from their tour days which I LOVE, and wish I had gotten more of that dynamic versus the present day “I am learning to forgive you” part of their relationship

This was adorable! This was my first Emma Lord book and I'd be excited to read another one by her. The cover caught my eye but the writing was easy and nice and romantic

** A copy of Love is for For The Record was provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review **

For The Record is a second-chance romance between two musicians, Sam and Mackenzie. This was filled with banter, friendships and musings on growing up and being yourself.

My only frustration was that the lack of communication was annoying sometimes - be open and just talk about your feelings, Sam and Mackenzie! I would’ve rated this higher otherwise.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC opportunity!

I enjoyed this one and it was pretty quick and easy to get through. I liked the banter, tension, and build up, but the conflict and the end really felt like a miss or not so crucial in my opinion. I found myself disconnecting from the story at times, and that was unfortunate because i liked the characters individually and the story flow before that point.

While there were some aspects of this story I enjoyed, the addition of so many side characters and plots led to the romance feeling underdeveloped and the side plots half baked. I also wish this was a past-present timeline book as I found their original backstory more compelling than their present storyline.

2.5 stars and definitely my least favorite by Emma Lord. I thought the conflict was pretty minimal and the whole thing felt very low stakes. I also wasn’t vested in this couple in the slightest. The FMC Mackenzie was okay, but I didn’t care for the MMC Sam at all. This is told in dual POV, so the reader knows that Sam and Mack like each other which removed some of the romantic tension. Not to mention they were attracted to each other by like chapter two or something like that. It was a quick read with some comedic moments but the whole thing remained very surface level.

Great book really enjoyed the story. Thanks to the author and publisher for the advanced reader copy. All opinions shared are my own.

3.5 ⭐️ but rounding up to 4

While the ending left me wanting, I enjoyed it from the beginning up to that point. Mackenzie and Sam's dynamic was captivating. The banter, the tension, and the music aspect endeared it to me so I bumped it up a .5 star. If you love music, second-chance, and older characters, this is for you!