Thank you NetGalley for the eARC. This book is as very cute! Loved the whole girl/ boy group omage the author was creating! The relationship growth between the characters was great and the banter was funny. I just wish there was a little more preface for when it flashed back to past scenes of there life. Sometimes I was confused because there was no real shift into a memory it was just happening and you have to catch up. Overall a good fun quick read!

Emma Lord strikes the perfect chord in For the Record, a vibrant, emotionally-charged second chance romance that blends the pulse of the music industry with the messy beauty of healing and starting over. If you’ve ever shipped two fictional musicians who were clearly destined to write each other’s greatest love song and greatest breakup ballad—this one’s for you.

The story kicks off with pop princess Mackenzie Waters and punk rocker Sam Blaze—once the fiercest rivals (and most electric almost-couple) on the music scene—reuniting for a high-stakes comeback album. Their bands imploded, their maybe-romance combusted, and now, years later, they’re both different people navigating different realities. Sam’s a single dad who’s left behind the chaos of tour life, while Mackenzie is battling a vocal injury that’s forced her to hide behind a stage name. Fame may have faded, but their chemistry? Still chart-topping.

What makes this book sing is how Emma Lord captures that tension—creative, romantic, nostalgic—with the finesse of someone who gets the chaotic magic of music, fame, and complicated feelings. Mackenzie and Sam’s banter is delicious, their shared past is angsty in the best way, and the behind-the-scenes look at album creation adds an irresistible layer for fans of Daisy Jones & The Six.

The romance unfolds with a slow burn that feels earned. There are moments of vulnerability that had me rooting for both of them—not just as a couple, but as individuals trying to rebuild something real from the ruins of their youth and ambition. There’s also a secret or two that ups the stakes without feeling overly dramatic.

So why 4 stars instead of 5? A few of the side characters and subplots didn’t quite get the spotlight they deserved, and the pacing dipped a little in the middle—but overall, this was a hit I’ll have on repeat.

If you love second chances, musical rivals-to-lovers, and emotionally satisfying romance that hits all the right notes, For the Record deserves a spot on your playlist (or bookshelf).

Perfect for fans of:
• Emily Henry’s Happy Place
• The emotional angst of Daisy Jones & The Six
• Fake band reunions that are definitely not just for publicity

Final verdict: Emma Lord has written a love story that’s as catchy as a pop anthem and as raw as an unplugged ballad. Encore, please.

For the Record, by Emma Lord, is a cute, second-chance romance set in the music industry. Rivals Mackenzie (Mack) and Sam work together to make a comeback after different life events disrupt their paths in the music industry. Heartache, angst, and laughter kept me on my toes while reading, and I couldn't help but pull for the success of the main characters. Lord has done it again with this one!
I appreciate NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC ebook I read and reviewed. All opinions are my own.

this was so much more emotional than i thought! the last few chapters got me sobbing, i was touched beyond belief. the characters — sam and mackenzie, truly are the most adorable. i loved the elements about the music industry and the discussion of rightful rights and ownership to artists’ records. however, it was a tad bit long and i felt as if i was at little bit of a standstill in the middle. i still adored the flow of the story, getting bits and pieces of their past fused with the present to give more context.

I wanted to love this book but unfortunately I did not. It had potential but I just couldn’t connect to the characters or the story and I don’t think popstar/rockstar romance is for me, sadly. :(

I tried so hard to finish this book, but I just couldn’t.

I love music, but these characters goobed me out. Like the guy who brings out his guitar during a party and sits there strumming and singing Jack Johnson with his eyes closed.

I’ve enjoyed Emma Lord’s other books, but this one was not for me.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC. These opinions are my own.

Second chance romance between 2 former l musicians, Mackenzie Waters and Sam Blaze. Members of rival bands - Mack was a pop princess, Sam was a punk rocker. Years later both bands have dissolved. Sam is a father, no longer in the industry. Mack is still writing music, but hidden behind a pseudonym. When their label brings them together to try and reignite their careers by releasing new duets, it also reignites feelings that were long hidden.

I liked the idea of the book - enemies to lovers, second chance romance but it just fell a bit flat for me. I would have liked to read more about the two rival bands and the shenanigans on their tour, less about the aftermath / second chance.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of “For the Record” by Emma Lord.

This was a decent second-chance romance with a fun music industry backdrop and some real emotional depth. Mackenzie’s journey through identity, recovery, and rediscovering her voice stood out as a highlight, and the dynamic between her and Sam had some sweet moments, especially when it leaned into vulnerability rather than drama. The dual POV gave a fuller picture of their individual growth, and the female friendships added nice support.

That said, not everything landed. Some of the banter felt a little forced, and the romantic dialogue didn’t always hit the mark. A few references tried a little too hard to feel current, which may not age well. And while the story had heart, the pacing dragged in places, especially in the middle.

Still, if you're into musicians, emotional arcs, and second chances, there’s enough here to make it worth your time—even if it doesn’t quite reach “greatest hit” status.

Thank you Netgalley for my ARC of For the Record by Emma Lord. This story is a blend of the excitement of the music world with a compelling second chance romance and a touch of enemies-to-lovers tension. I especially enjoyed the girl group aspect, which added a unique and lively energy to the story. While the themes and characters were engaging, it didn’t quite surpass some of my favorite Emma Lord novels. Still, it’s an enjoyable read for fans of contemporary YA romance and anyone who loves a backstage pass to drama and heart.

I started this and really liked it until I couldn’t keep focus. Not sure what it is but I just couldn’t get into.

For the Record by Emma Lord is a fun, quick read about music, identity, and figuring things out. Light, relatable, and easy to get into! The perfect book for a weekend escape.

I just feel like these characters were immature & I just didn’t really jive with them like I thought. I was extremely excited for this title so it was kinda a let down the vibes were cool but I just couldn’t relate to the characters at all so that’s hard for me to enjoy.

Not quite the right note for me. "For the Record" by Emma Lord, releasing August 12, 2025, didn’t quite live up to my expectations, especially considering how much I’ve enjoyed Lord’s previous books. The premise sounded fun a romance about music rivalry and redemption, but it just didn’t strike the right chord for me. The story revolves around Mackenzie Waters, a pop star, and Sam Blaze, a punk rock legend, who were once bitter rivals in the music scene. After their bands break up, they find themselves in very different situations, Mackenzie dealing with a voice change and singing under a pseudonym, while Sam has embraced a quieter life as a single father. The idea of a comeback album with the two of them collaborating had promise, but the execution left me wanting more. For me, Mackenzie felt a little too much like Taylor Swift, don't get me wrong, I’m a Swiftie through and through, but it’s hard to separate the character from the real-life inspiration. Also, the “music world” setting just isn’t my cup of tea, which made it harder to fully engage with the story. The romance and rivalry angle didn’t have the emotional punch I expected, and it felt a bit predictable. While it may be a hit for fans of music-driven rom-coms, For the Record didn’t quite resonate with me. Here’s hoping Emma Lord’s next book brings back the magic I’ve loved in her past works. Thanks to Netgalley, the publishing house and the author for the chance to read thsi book in advance.

I. Loved. This. Book. From start to finish I loved every second of this book! Redemption for 2 musicians, the banter, the chemistry, the friendships. What more could one want?! Big thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC

An enemies to lovers where the main characters are musicians? Yes, please! Mackenzie and Sam are ex-rivals with a bit of history who get stuck together in a duo by their label. For The Record was an easy read full of great tropes and an AMAZING mmc (seriously, a rockstar who is also a dad?!). My only complaint with this book is that it did feel a bit repetitive in some places, but ultimately it didn’t take away from the value of plot. Overall, this was a great read that I would definitely recommend to others! Thank you so much to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the ARC of this book!

This was delightful! As a boy band/girl band/music lover this book worked for me on many levels. The Daisy Jones and The Six meets Emily Henry comparisons are an apt description. A delightful second chance romance. Mackenzie and Sam are easy to adore. I loved that everyone in this was written to be level headed and emotionally intelligent. This story felt completely real and had me kicking my feet. I can hardly wait to read more from Emma Lord! Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I love the chemistry between Mack and Sam!! Super cute second chance romance between famous musicians who were rivals back in the day. I always love an enemies to lovers trope.

I love Emma Lord and consistently recommend her YA books to my students. I was excited to read her second adult novel and really enjoyed For the Record. I really appreciate how she concentrates on female friendships and the messy dynamics of being an adult. I appreciated how Mackenzie and Sam each needed to work through their own issues before they could be good together. This was a great read!

Mackenzie & Sam have a history as enemies in the music world from their teen years. We see flashbacks of things from their past while living in present day.

I can’t decide if I think that the characters were written immaturely on purpose or accident. I was unable to really grasp what their current age was because Mackenzie and a few other characters seemed childish and quite hoe all a hot mess. I enjoyed the aspect of Sam and his relationship with his daughter. He seemed much more mature and grown up than Mackenzie so it felt like a mismatch. Loved the MCM, but was constantly annoyed with the MCF


This didn’t hit the nail on the head for me, but it wasn’t a waste of time. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the advanced e-book copy for my honest review.

4 out of 5 stars
☆ Dual POV
☆ Musicians/Bands
☆ Rivals
☆ Found Family
☆ THE BANTER

This was my first Emma Lord book, and it did not disappoint! I was so drawn in by the premise and boy did it deliver! The FMC was so mirrorball coded and the MMC was not your typical "bad boy". Each character, not just the main characters, had a lot of depth that made me want to know more. I felt like an actual fan of these fictional bands who was uncovering the lore behind these notorious musicians. An unexpected part for me was the friendships and platonic relationships! I really appreciated how Mackenzie's friendships with her band members were portrayed and how real and honest all the relationships felt while reading. This may be niche, but if you were a huge fan during THE era of One Direction, Taylor Swift, 5SOS, Little Mix, etc. in the 2010s, I think you would really love this book!!

Thank you so much to St. Martins Press and Netgalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own :)