For The Record is a novel centering around two musicians. It reminded me of Daisy Jones and the Six because of this. There are conflicts centering around the changing landscape of music, social media and music streaming rights of musicians. This is a YA book with a second chance romance and a dual point of view. The characters were well developed and the plot had some slower parts but nothing that you couldn't push through.

Thank you Net Galley, Emma Lord and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to preview this title. The opinions shared are my own.
For The Record is now available.

This was a good read!! It was fun and had great banter and chemistry, which I loved! The angsty and emotional parts really caught me off guard in the best way possible! I was expecting a light and fluffy romcom (and YES this book has those moments!) but there are some deeper themes about being true to yourself and finding your voice that had me all in my feels!

I loved Mackenzie and Sam - they went from pretend rivals to actual enemies - fast forward and they find themselves facing each other again. The original spark is still there…but is it enough?

I loved Sam! He found out he was a dad and I loved how he co-parented and really put Ben first. Ben was the cutest 6 year old. Oh Mackenzie, I really liked her too. She was dealing with some chronic health issues and that leads to a big secret!

There are also some great quirky side characters too in this book. I definitely got some Taylor Swift vibes (especially when it comes to Mackenzie’s songs!)

✨What To Expect:
💖Romantic Comedy
✌️Second Chance
❤️‍🔥Rivals to Lovers
🔥Slow Burn
💿Single Dad
🎤She’s a Pop Princess
🎸He’s A Punk Rocker
🪩Found Family
🎭Hidden Identity
🏥Hashimoto’s Rep

I was sooo looking forward to this book. I am a huge fan of Daisy Jones and the Six, so when this got compared to that; I was so down. Unfortunately, this did not live up to my expectations. I think that it was hard to root for the love interests together, which is strange because I liked them separately, just did not feel the tension or the vibes of them together.


Thank you Netgalley & the publisher for my early e-arc.

DNF at 34%

I kept sticking with this book as I was excited by the premise. Unfortunately, the pacing was simply unbearably slow. I did not feel like I was able to get to know the characters in any meaningful way. I wanted more characterization and for the plot to be more than just surface-level.

Also, the comparison of it being like Emily Henry or Taylor Jenkins Reid could not be farther off base.

This book was about 3.5/5 for me. I wish there was more flashback scenes from their time originally working together. I loved the concept of Seven and trying to find your voice again.

I just really enjoy Emma Lord's books. There's something about her writing that always draws me in, makes me genuinely care about her characters, and reminds me how great dessert is. For the Record is no exception. Former hit musicians and rivals Mackenzie and Sam are both looking for a comeback and now find themselves, for romance novel reasons, working together. Retracing their past, co-writing love songs, what could happen?

There's a little bit too much of a convoluted sideplot here with a TikTok-esque anonymous music platform and evil music label executives. I think the story drags when it gets too mired in this and really sings (lol) when it focuses on the central romance. This was funny, charming, and included the perfect amount of swoon to make for a nice diversion from all the things.

I have read this author before so when I was gifted with this book I was very excited because I had a general idea of what I was getting into regardless of the plot of this story. I've always been a big fan of contemporary romance books, and one about music sounded unlike any I have read before so I couldn't wait to see what was going to take place. Just like all of the best books in this genre this one has very few characters and mostly focuses on the sparks forming between our two main characters, Sam and Mackenzie. I loved that because it really let us connect to our characters and their journey instead of being overwhelmed with side characters that's don't have much of a backstory or importance. Not only that but the duel perspective gives insights on what's going on in their heads and what they both want but are afraid to show. At one point the world was at their fingertips as Sam and Mackenzie were leads of two of the most famous bands at the time. And while each were blowing up so was the rivalry between the bands. With the tension between their bands and the growing feelings for each other things were headed in the right direction until one day it all fizzled out. Fast forward a few years later and now the label wants them to make a come back. But can they really make it work after so long and when Sam and Mackenzie see each other the sparks start to fly again instantly however what is going to happen when new secrets get revealed? I really liked the character of this story but it was the plot that really made it magical. I was screaming at the book the whole time for the characters to wake up and finally realise what was staring them in the face from the very beginning. Cute and easy read which was a nice change of pace for me. This is the perfect beach read.

This wasn’t really for me, and that’s okay! Nothing wrong with it but I think the storyline of two ex pop stars as the main characters just wasn’t working for me.

If that is your vibe, then definitely give this one a try!

Light hearted, second chance romance, and it’s dual point of view!! Such a a cute summer read! Absolutely loved it!

Loved the concept but I felt like the plot and characters meandered too much. I love music and loved their rivalry and then falling in love.

My first Emma Lord book and I loved it. I will definitely be checking out her other books.
Mack and Sam are enemies to lovers. Their characters had so much history that added to the depth of their relationship. Both rock stars who took a break from the fame, they're pushed to work together. Through their song writing they learn more about each other and start to rewrite their memories of their previous rivalry. Mack's friendships with her previous band mates were also so well done! It's a love story in more ways than one. Highly recommend!

This was a cute and quick second-chance romance about two musicians navigating the music industry years after their groups broke up. The MCs were both likable and had the classic Emma Lord character depth that continued to unfold chapter after chapter. I would have liked a little more connection between them but it was overall enjoyable. My favorite Lord books are still her YA books,

I love a good music romance. Throw in a little second chance and single dad and I'm hooked. For The Record features Mackenzie Waters and Sam Blaze whose bands use to tour together. Their on stage hatred fueled the fans until one day it all fell apart for both of them. But did they ever actually hate each other? Now, they just might need each other to make a comeback.

For The Record is delightful and while I liked the relationship building between Sam and Mac, I really enjoyed the plot line of the Tick Tunes app for independent music artists. I also really loved cute Ben and the way Sam co-parents with Ben's mom.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the fun romance read

I love a good rom-com. This was so cute! I really enjoyed this book. The characters were well developed. The plot was a unique. It was good overall.

There’s something I always enjoy about a book set in the music world, especially when it involves a comeback. Mackenzie was once part of the most popular pop group. Meanwhile, Sam was a punk rockstar. Together they created chemistry, magic and chaos. Fast forward to now and they both need a comeback, badly. The issue is no one wants them separately. Their comeback now includes both of them. Their future is on the line professionally and romantically.

4 stars for Emma Lord's latest rom com novel! For the Record was a fun beach read type romance from beginning to end.

Sam and Mackenzie are both famous pop stars who's careers have been put on hold for the last few years. Mackenzie's band split apart and she's recovering from surgery that's changed the sound of her voice. Sam found out he has a young son and has stepped back from the spotlight so he can focus on being a parent. In the past their bands toured together and they had a well known rivalry that was filled with pranks and public teasing. Now, their agents want them to work together to make a comeback album where they debut new music and put themselves back out into the music scene.

This was very much an enemies to lovers romance with some misunderstandings thrown in to keep the plot interesting. For the Record was a fun read and I couldn't put it down. I'll say I'm a sucker for an enemies to lovers trope and the pop star antics were entertaining. I also liked all the side characters in Mackenzie and Sam's lives. Ex band mates, co parents and managers all added to the layers of the book. Would recommend!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Really enjoyed this one! I loved our main characters and really loved seeing their journey, sprinkled with some friend and music industry drama. I am normally not a fan of the rockstar trope, but felt this one was grounded in a lovely way. I will absolutely be checking out Emma Lord’s other books!

Thank you to St Martins Press and NetGalley for a copy of this ARC. Although I was a little interested in what was happening with some of the characters, overall they felt flat and uninteresting to me. I liked the integration of music throughout the book but I just didn’t find myself having the urge to continue to read this book at this time.

For the Record by Emma Lord came out earlier in the week. This rom-com is about pop princess Mackenzie and punk rocker Sam. Their bands toured together and they were known for their pranks and clashing on stage. It's now 2 years later and both want to launch solo careers but their label wants them to perform together.

This was cute. I liked seeing them revisiting their past as they cowrote songs and tried to fight the chemistry and tension that's been with them for years. I loved Sam's kid and his bakery creations. I thought this did a nice job at looking at some of the legalities and lessons musicians go through with labels and contracts and that was a nice add.

Overall this was a cute book but not memorable. I like Emma Lord's YA books better than her adult romances.

This was a cute book, I am a music lover, so this was right up my alley. I think the plot was good overall, but I also think there could have been more of a detailed look into the lives of most of the characters, especially since so many played big parts in the story. I think flashbacks could've been really good in this book. I am glad there really wasn't a third act breakup and that Sam chose to fight for Mack.