I think this would be a good book to read if you are in the mood for it. It’s entertaining, but the flow was inconsistent at times and I did have to reread a few sentences over again for the story to make sense. There were times where the story didn’t take hold of me like I wanted it too and secondary storylines seemed to take precedence over the love story I was craving.

While the pace of the story is a slow burn, then tension leading up to apex helped build a great foundation between Sam and Mack. I really enjoyed their interactions and how playful they were, despite their history. I loved how, as the reader, you have a better appreciation for Mack and Sam because of how the author intertwined the past with the present.

While I enjoyed parts of this story, it was missing a spark to it that I have experience with this author's past books. There were times where I would be enjoying the story, only to lose interest moments later. I am a huge fan of this author’s books, both YA and contemporary romances, but this missed the mark for me.

Thank you to St. Martins Press for the opportunity to read this ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

I love this story as it gradually progress which gives more meaning to the characters and the whole story itself.
I also like how the author presented the past and the present. It was not confusing and gave more light to the present.
Although the female character was somehow like the famous singer in writing songs, her chemistry with the male caacter allowed her to be unique on her own but was also an integral part of her past.
All characters made the story extra entertaining too because each has their important part in the lives of the characters and not just a mere addition to the story or plot
I love how it ended too. It is a story of love, friendship and family. A story of failure and success too.

i've never read a book by emma lord before but wow i devoured this one. i love stories about fictional artists, and even though they're meant to be celebrities i found their internal and interpersonal struggles so incredibly relatable, the emotions in this book were so palpable. even though it read a bit more YA than new adult, i thought the plot flowed really well and i fell for both characters (actually the entire cast of characters) effortlessly. my favorite thing was how flashbacks were interwoven into the narrative - revisiting some moments retrospectively helped me understand both characters and how they were able to experience the same situation so vastly differently. i also loved the fun addition of "seven" - i usually get anxiety reading books with huge impending secrets that i know will blow up badly in the main character's face, but sam's reaction was so. very him that it made sense, and i was somehow surprised and not at all surprised when the thing he focused on were mackenzie's lyrics rather than the fact that she kept a personal secret from him. and thankfully instead of a third act breakup the author rewarded us with honest communication and two people who experienced a lot of pain in their lives doing their best to work it out. bravo. i will say i didn't quite understand the ticktune app (i guess if a song is really good and can't be downloaded people would tune in to play it once a day and it'll prevent fake streams being filtered out?) and i do wish there was more about their fight with the record execs but i love the messaging about artistic freedom and integrity and how much these successful artists did to help and protect newer artists with less leverage. the thing that really made this story for me though, and why it was such a fast, easy, and enjoyable read, was the chemistry between mackenzie and sam. their antics, their banter, hell - even when they hated each other their relationship just grabbed your attention. it was so well done, and as a sucker for well written back and forth romance and great character arcs, i had a blast reading about them.

grateful to netgalley for the chance to read this ARC.

3.5 🌟 For the Record follows two rival musicians that end up teaming up for a comeback album together. In their heyday, their on stage performances were filled with tension and chemistry, causing their fans to wonder “will-they-won’t-they?” With this new collaboration Mack and Sam try their best to let bygones be bygones but old feelings come back REAL QUICK.

This was a fun read that fans of musician romances and second chance love stories would get a kick out of! I had a good time.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Oh Em Geee Mackenzie and Sam 🥹

Possible spoilers ahead

“ Sam has never been in love enough to stay, and I have never been good at staying loved.” WOW that line really got me. The first time I’ve ever highlighted a line from a book to reference later. Mackenzie is a Taylor Swift, Beyoncé ish (the 3 woman girl group totally fits the Beyoncé vibes) pop star who has had a flirtatious rivalry with punk prince Sam of Candy Shards. They’re known for the teasing and love hate relationship, however Mack really has some feelings towards Sam as she wonders why he never allowed them to be more. When Mack and Sam get pushed into a duet project together they visit their old “haunts” and realize there was more love than hate in their playful media relationship.

I really enjoyed this story and the characters. A major cause of strife in the book is Mack’s hidden identity as a famous “tick tune” star and when Sam inevitably finds out who “Seven” is. I appreciate how level headed he was. I was waiting for the miscommunication trope where you scream “ just TALK TO EACH OTHER” but Sam quickly realized how silly it was to be upset and immediately supported her. Immediate 4 stars for that whole section. I also loved Serena and Mack’s friendship as I feel like it was super accurate to those girlfriends we have that we sometimes lose in life. I am definitely recommending this book, absolutely loved it! Thanks for Net Galley, the author, and St Martins Press for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for this arc in exchange for my honest review!
Ok this was soooooo cute. I love an enemies to lovers and this book had the perfect amount of spice. I loved how this book managed to stay light hearted while diving into some deeper topics and Emma Lord was able to balance it very well. Just want to live in this little world of music, glitter, and love!

This book is peak Emma Lord. I feel like I saw her personality on every page. (Her personality based on my interpretation of her social media, at least!)

Thanks to the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my review.

This is such a cute rom com! Mackenzie and Sam had so much chemistry, I was OBSESSED. The dialogue was beautifully wrotten and left me wanting more and more of their banter. The yearning was immaculate. Overall, a beautiful story, with more depth than I was expecting!

Mackenzie Waters is one pop princess I was OBSESSED with! Add in her punk rock nemesis Sam Blaze, and you have one of my favorite reads so far of 2025! These two have to learn to do the impossible: work together on a joint comeback album and if you ask me - I'd listen to it FOR SURE. From navigating surprise fatherhood, dealing with the aftermath of an operation that changed Mack's singing voice; both of them have some strong feelings to add to this mix.

I loved this book so so much! It was for sure one I couldn't put down.

This was a great title and a very engaging story of two former pop/rock stars who have been at odds for decades. The love story is sweet and filled with respect and concern for their partners. The female friendships are complex and powerful.

I really really enjoyed this. This was cavity worthy sweet, and I’m not usually one for a second chance but this was done really well. for being a book about singing/ songwriting I’m so freaking glad that there wasn’t pages of lyrics- we got hints / lines and that was perfect. this did feel like a YA book that has some spice, just reads younger than i would’ve expected. definitely some slow moments that felt drawn out, but not to the point that it was unbearable almost added a tension instead.

First I would like to thank Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press, and St. Martin’s Griffin for the arc! This story was funny, sweet, and even emotional at times. Mackenzie is a former pop star and Sam is a former punk rocker who are forced to join together to make an album to help restart their singing careers. I loved their chemistry. This book has second chance romance and dual POV. It was a quick easy read, I would recommend this book.

This was a super fun, colorful second-chance romance read, that I could not put down. Both the bands and the characters felt so vivacious and life like that I felt myself wishing to be able to listen to their discographies and track down their Instagrams. My only critique of the novel was at times it felt slow which did take me out of the story for a little bit and some things just weren’t developed or resolved in a way that I liked (i.e. Mackenzie’s relationship with her parents). Overall, I think this was a fantastic romance that was just so bright and full of life; I could feel the glitter and neon coming off of the pages! A 4.75 stars rounded up to 5.

This one was an easy and fun read filled with sizzling chemo and fun banter! Perfect for anyone that’s a fan of Music. Short review but there’s not much to say!!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Emma Lord for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a ride! This book was wonderful. It had excitement, drama, yearning, and a second chance romance to swoon over. Mack and Sam were magnetic as main characters and their arc felt so believable and so consuming. It was easy to place myself within the context of the story and truly see everything going on during the entirety of the plot.

This was my first Emma Lord book, but it won't be my last. I enjoyed it way too much! She has a way with words and creates chemistry that just sizzles.

I really liked this book! It was easy to root for these characters (important in a romance, in my opinion) and I loved the way the author gave us backstory as well. The book was easy to read, and I found myself absolutely binging this one. It wasn't super cheesy, but I was still kicking my feet at various points. A great read for fans of music and anyone that has ever had anything to do with a band!!

First Emma Lord book and it didn’t disappoint! Ahhh! Loved the banter and chemistry between Sam and Mackenzie.

The MMC was in a punk band. Need I say more?

Okay, I shall. This was fun. A bit of enemies to lovers with two famous singers but also enough side plots to keep the story moving. Also the main characters are in their 30s which I love.

It got spicy around 2/3 of the way through which I should have been prepared for since it’s not one of her YA books, but I wasn’t.

This feels like a quintessential summer read.

This was such a fun experience! Mackenzie and Sam, two musicians who were in rival bands and have the chemistry of a lifetime. On stage, while amping up the rivalry, but also offstage. I could fully feel the tension between the two of them. And the slow burn??? Chefs kiss.

Both have their own secrets but want to open up to one another and some points had my stomach hurting for them. I enjoyed seeing snippets of their past while they try and work together years after not talking to each other. There were a few points I had a little trouble figuring out if we were in a flash back right away but it eventually became clear. Overall, it didn’t take away from the story and I truly love the concept of the story.

I cannot finish this review without mentioning Ben and Rocket. Ben, Sam’s son, loves making weird treat combos at his mom’s bakery. It was fun finding out what he’d come up with next. And Rocket, a quiet teenager who wants to make music. His arc on the side of our main story was emotional too. I kept rooting for him throughout the entire book!

Thanks so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

4.25⭐️ the fmc is named Mackenzie and is blonde so of course I loved it (but really it was so good)!

This is a second chance romance between two famous singers. It follows Mackenzie a former girl group popstar and punk rockstar Sam Blaze who used to tour together and clash on stage. Now years later they are tasked with writing together as a new duo.

I will say I am always skeptical going into romance books with musicians because I get second hand embarrassment very easy, but this was everything I ever wanted in a popstar x rockstar romance! There were no lyrics or singing moments that made me cringe which was such a relief.

The romance in this was great but I have to applaud the plot because that had me hooked! The talk of the music industry, friendship, band mates, song writing, it was truly captivating. Especially the last 30% of this book, I was glued to my kindle because it was so addicting! I was full on grinning at the end and definitely shed a few tears.

Highly recommend this romance!

Thank you St. Martin’ press and netgalley for an e-arc!