Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
* Rival musicians
* Enemies to lovers
* Single dad
* Second chance romance

Thank you to NetGalley, Emma Lord, and St. Martin’s Press for this eARC! I really enjoyed this sweet, fun second chance romance! Rock star romances are my favorite, and this was definitely did not disappoint!

I really like the dual POV, and this one especially does well as it sets up a lot in the beginning to explain the dynamic between them and their past. I also like how this is organized into parts, which set up each time their romance builds into something more and more.

One moment I felt was really sweet is when Mackenzie meets his son Ben for the first time. It’s so unexpected and she’s so sweet to him, I could imagine his heart eyes when he say how they interacted with each other.

They’re so playful, so easygoing and natural around each other, so that when they begin to physically connect, that intensity just gets better and better. Their kiss in the pool is sweet and teasing, so that their first time together later on is electric because that tension and connection just keeps getting better as the story continues. Each touch, push, and pull is a way for them to remove their past regrets and issues so that they can move forward together.

Their ending is beautiful. He already has proven how selfless of a man he is with his son, but what he does for Mackenzie is going above and beyond for her, always. He puts her success above his own because he knows it’ll help heal her old wounds, and their relationship together. He lights her up so that she can shine! (And that epilogue? It had me in tears of joy 🥹). I’m so grateful to have the chance to read this book!

I also hope we get a Grayson and Hannah love story next 😉

For the Record by Emma Lord is a sweet, fun ride through fame, friendship, and figuring yourself out. With great banter, heart, and a lovable cast, it's perfect for fans of music, romance, and second chances.

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc!

3.5 stars — especially because it reminded me of warped tour and tumblr back in 2014 (although the book does not take place in 2014 but in present day)

this was my first book by emma lord and i had such a blast! there was obviously a lot of nods to singing and i hope that the audio has a narrator that will sing similar to authors like kennedy ryan!

overall this was a fun romp of life after a pop punk girl/boy group and trying to get back into the music scene!

📚 For the Record
✍ Emma Lord
📖 Contemporary Romance
⭐4/5
🌶️ 🌶️
📆 Out 8/12/2025!
➡ Once the most heated will they or won't they celebrity fodder on the market and members of rival bands, Mackenzie and Sam haven't been in touch since their bands simultaneously split up two years ago. Now living completely different lives, they're forced to form a duet if they want any shot at a new record deal. Can they put their differences aside and write their feelings into the album of a lifetime or will the music of their hearts write its own tune?

🙏 Thank you to St. Martin's Press, NetGalley and the author for an advanced digital copy of For the Record. All opinions are my own.
◾
🎯 What I loved: I really liked Sam and Mackenzie's growth as characters. They were both really likeable, hard-working goal oriented individuals who had multiple right person/wrong time and wrong person/right time situations before reconnecting but it was clear that the relationships they had had that didn't last had led to their growth as individuals. I loved the side characters in this one and felt like all of the smaller storylines fit in well with the overarching romance. The writing in this was great and transported me to some of my favorite concert experiences-- definitely a great read for music lovers! And the author's note is a must-read!! It was so cool to see that the plot was semi-autobiographical and had been driven by Emma Lord's experience writing songs in Nashville.

🙅‍♀️ What I didn't: This book took place in the present but had a lot of references to things that had happened in the past. So much of the relationship between Sam and Mackenzie was based on them pushing through what they felt for each other while touring years before the book actually took place and I think having flashbacks or more memories interspersed in the story would have helped invest readers more in their relationship. Because we didn't get as much of the tension, I didn't have as big of a 'finally' moment when they connected as I could have. I also think there was a missed opportunity to juxtapose the significant locations that they returned to to write each of their songs with the initial memories versus just light references to why they went to each spot.
◾
Read if you love:
*enemies to lovers
*second chance romance-ish
*song writers & singers
*music rights drama
◾
See also: Till There Was You, Friends Don't Fall in Love, The Love Rematch

For fans of Clare Gilmore’s Never Over or Lindsay Hameroff’s Till There Was You, a classic trope-y romance with a little more depth. It explored not only romantic love but also female friendships and familial relationships.

Two former famous musicians decide to form a duet to revive their music careers. Except they have a torrid past with unresolved conflict. The tension and slow burn between Mack and Sam was exceptional. Though this wasn’t a dual timeline story, I felt like I understood past Mack and Sam and their motivations. I adored seeing them fall in love as much wiser versions of themselves.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

One of the reasons I love ARC reading is its ability to push me a bit out of my comfort zone. I've never read a rockstar romance that I particularly loved, but Mack and Sam (Sam and Mack) changed that. After their respective bands broke up after touring together, they've each been on their own for a while. No one quite forgot about their on stage chemistry, though, including Sam himself. Mackenzie was truly "the one that got away" to him, and what better way to rekindle their friendship (rivalry) than to agree to do an album together? Lines are crossed, pacts are made (and broken). Will they/won't they, the chemistry, the spice. A secret almost no one knows will nearly tear them apart.

I loved the chemistry between Sam and Mack. I could tell from the beginning how deep Sam's feelings for her actually went, and why he left in the first place. I loved hearing about Ben, his pieces in the story were pure sunshine-y goodness. The secret portion gave it a bit of that "mystery" feel too. It hooked me from the first page!

I highly recommend you read this one when it publishes in August!

4/5 stars

this was a strong romance element to it and worked well as a concept and from the storyline. I enjoyed the way the characters were written and how it was used in this plot. I thought the use of the rivalry element worked well to tell the story and was glad it was so well done. Emma Lord has a strong writing style and am excited for more, each book has worked in the genre and was glad I read this.

This was an easy, quick, and very cute read! Exactly what I’ve come to expect from this author! I didn’t quite connect with the characters and the story generally felt a little surface level, but that’s part of what made it a breeze to read through. I could see this being a super cute Netflix movie, that’s the vibe it gave!

fun romcom with some interesting vibes and fun character building. the insta love is definitely there but also feels pretty realistic. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

If Daisy Jones & The Six were reimagined as a sharp, heart-fluttering romance, it might look a lot like Emma Lord’s For the Record. Set against the electric backdrop of the music industry, this novel blends the backstage drama of creative collaboration with the fizzy charm of a second-chance rom-com.

At its center is Mackenzie—a whirlwind of chaotic energy and unshakable determination—who’s re-entering the high-stakes world of band life, all while dealing with the unresolved tension of an old flame. There are laugh-out-loud moments and deeper emotional beats, as secrets unravel and Mackenzie and Sam are forced to confront what’s holding them back. It’s a story about growing up, owning your voice, and learning that sometimes the changes we fear most are the ones that push us toward who we’re meant to be.

3.5 rounded up, thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

It took me a very long time to get through this. Very unlike me! It was so slow going - at one point, I thought I was near the end and I wasn't even halfway. I liked the characters but didn't particularly care what happened to them. The story didn't quite have that "romantic" feel. A couple of the side characters felt completely useless to the story. I did enjoy the epilogue, though. Would I recommend it? Eh, probably not.

This book was fun! The banter and tension were the best part! I thought the relationship between the characters was fun and kept me turning the pages. I loved Ben’s character and thought he added a nice element to the story.

This would be such a good Netflix series!! I really really enjoyed it. It was like… cheetah girls but grown up lol. I just loved it.

This book was adorable from start to finish. Although they have a tumultuous past it’s easy to root for Sam and Mack as soon as you are introduced to them. The intertwining of music with their stories is picture perfect. Add in that this book is marked safe from the third act breakup and we have a winner. Sam Blaze is a top tier book boyfriend and the longing he’s had for years is evident from the start. I was overall very impressed and thrilled to receive an ARC. Definitely put this on your TBR. You won’t regret it.

Once again, Emma Lord brings her compelling writing style and banter-laden stories to the page with For the Record, in what I would describe as her spiciest romance yet. Because yes, it goes there -- if that offends your delicate sensibilities. Not mine, but everyone's preferences are different. It's not overwhelming and overpowering to the plot, though. It's a pretty even and authentic mix. I was so intrigued by the summary alone, and the rest of the book didn't disappoint. Told in dual points of view, Lord's quippy language draws me in. The end, while completely earned and deserved, does feel a tad abrupt pre-epilogue. It was like, 'Boom all works out, here's the HEA.' Just needed a tad more transition to get there.

Thank you St Martin's Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This was a fun, romantic read though some of it was a bit cringey.
I did like the FMC and MMC's growth both personally and professionally. The author does go over some of the crappy things musical artists go through in terms of contracts.

The sizzle and steam were great - on brand for the Waters/Blaze dynamic.
I do sort of wish there had been an added layer to the story, everything was sort of laid out too clearly.

Otherwise, a nice quick read!

Emma Lord is moving away from the YA space, and I love it! Though, this time around the food references were maybe NOT something I'd be down to try... for which I'm mildly disappointed.

For the Record is set in the music world - 2 bands that in their hay-day was each managed by 1 twin (Isla or Twyla) and were often paired together. One way for them to stand out was to create a "rivalry" between the bands. But at the end of the day they were for the most part friendly with one another, except for the 2 lead singers Mac & Sam. Well, more Mac than Sam if we're being honest. And a will-they-or-won't-they fandom evolved.

But that was a long time ago, and now they're both interested in getting back into solo careers that yet again, bring them together in the duet space. And from there we have all the trappings of a 2nd chance romance. And I'm not complaining! Also, I enjoy that there's no big misunderstanding 3rd act breakup - there's a secret that was discussed like adults and a differing of opinion that is handled the way adults should handle things. I'm here for this.

On top of Sam and Mac we have a solid bench of side characters: Mac's band mates: Serena and Hannah; and Sam's family Ben, Lizzie & Kara. Ben is a total scene stealer and I love him. There's also a bit of a tik-tok-esque side story that is probably more akin to the record world than most of us know. Man I wish artists were paid correctly (whatever that means) for their work.

So maybe come for the rock and role vibe, stay for Ben, and avoid the mushroom funfetti cupcakes?! Unless that's your thing - I won't judge!

Ugh. I love Emma lord. Always such a good read. With every book I read, she never disappointed! I give this book 4 out of five stars. It checked off all my required boxes. 1. Make me laugh. 2. Make me smile.

I LOVE Emma's adult novels and her second one in this category is no exception. For the Record is such a fun, feel-good read! The banter is spot-on, and the behind-the-scenes music world made it extra fun. I flew through it and loved every second. If you're into heartfelt stories with a lot of charm (and a great soundtrack vibe), this one’s a must-read!

Likely one of my more favorite nods to pop culture since the Taylor Swift references were minimal (No offense to the Wibbroka fandom, just a bit much).

Mack and Sam were former band rivals (I think? They might have been in one, big Fleetwood Mac-esque thing?) before drama I don't remember drove them both to leave music entirely. I think Mack's was because of a health related issue, and Sam's was because he suddenly found out he was a dad (even the mom didn't realize he was the dad until a DNA project in school-- I was glad when I found it out wasn't something malicious). Then their record labels want them to reemerge into the music scene. One issue: Mack never left-- she's just been publishing music under a fake name on a TikTok like app.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think Emma Lord can write anything poorly. However, I didn't love this one as much as I wanted to love it. I didn't find Sam the cinnamon roll bad boy I think I was supposed to find him. But again, give me an Emma Lord book that has nods to NYC, and I will be pricing the best way to get there faster than you can recreate whatever dessert the Dessert Gremlin of NYC chose to focus on in her book.