Thank you St. Martins Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars

Where do I even begin? I loved this book. The banter? Amazing. The characters themselves? Amazing as well, and self aware which is something that I love in a character. I loved that not only were the main characters really well thought out and complex but the main side characters, namely her ex band mates were as well. I can’t say too much without spoiling it but there’s also a small mystery that also kept me reading and wanting to know what happened.

OMG the banter in this book is everything! It was funny, delightful, everything I hoped it would be and more! Read. This. Book. 100% recommend!!!

This was exactly what I was hoping for. Fun banter, music talk, enemies to lovers slow burn, with some spice. It was light with just enough depth to make it not feel flippant. I've enjoyed other Emma Lord books and will definitely read more in the future.

can i just say that this book was giving Daisy Jones and the Six vibes and The Bittersweet Symphony series??? this was pure magic—such an emotional, slow-burn romance wrapped in music, nostalgia, and second chances. the story follows Mackenzie Waters, the former pop princess, and Sam Blaze, the punk rock heartbreaker, whose legendary rivalry once dominated the music scene. but after their bands crashed and burned, so did they. fast forward two years, and they’re unexpectedly thrown back together for a joint comeback album—a chance to reclaim their careers… and maybe something even bigger.

from the moment Mackenzie and Sam reunite, their chemistry is electric. their history is messy—full of competition, misunderstandings, and an undeniable pull neither of them ever fully escaped. the author absolutely nails the tension between them, blending old wounds with new sparks in a way that feels so raw and real. every moment between them is charged, making their journey from reluctant collaborators to something more feel like an emotional rollercoaster in the best way. —Sam oh Sam....he's impossible not to fall for. learning he has a son he never knew about completely changes him, forcing him to grow in ways he never expected. watching him navigate fatherhood while still chasing his music career makes his character so much deeper and more vulnerable. And Mackenzie? her struggle with her post-surgery voice is heartbreaking yet inspiring. the way she fights to rediscover herself—both as an artist and as a person—hit me right in the feels. the music industry backdrop adds so much depth to the story, making every lyric, every recording session, and every performance feel like a battleground for both their careers and their hearts. Their personal and professional lives collide in the most intense, emotional way, keeping the stakes high but never over-the-top. It’s a love story, yes, but it’s also about rediscovering your voice, facing the past, and daring to want something bigger for yourself.

the ending was breathtaking. i won’t spoil anything, but it’s the kind of ending that makes your heart ache in the best way—bittersweet, deeply satisfying, and impossible to forget. if love second-chance romance, tension-filled slow burns, and stories about music and messy, beautiful redemption.

INFINITY STARS!!!!! THIS BOOK MADE ME WANNA READ ROMANCE AGAIN!!!

The Record by Emma Lord is an absolutely delightful read, blending music, romance, and second chances in the most heartwarming way. The story follows Mackenzie Waters, the former pop princess, and Sam Blaze, the punk rockstar—two musicians who were once fierce rivals on stage and off. After their respective bands fell apart, both Mackenzie and Sam went their separate ways. Fast forward two years, and they are given a second shot at their careers and possibly each other, with the idea of a joint comeback album.

I absolutely loved this book! The chemistry between Mackenzie and Sam is electric, and I found myself rooting for them from the very beginning. Their dynamic—built on a history of rivalry, misunderstandings, and undeniable attraction—was fascinating to watch unfold. Emma Lord really nailed the tension between them, balancing the angst of their past with the possibility of new beginnings.

The fact that Sam has turned his life around to raise a son he didn’t know about only added depth to his character. I loved watching him navigate fatherhood while grappling with the music industry’s demands. It was such a refreshing and touching angle to his character. On the flip side, Mackenzie’s struggle with her changed voice post-surgery was something I could deeply empathize with. Her vulnerability and resilience made her a really compelling protagonist.

The music aspect of the story—especially the idea of a joint comeback album—was brilliant. It was the perfect backdrop for both personal growth and healing. The tension between their professional and personal lives was handled so well, keeping the plot engaging without feeling too over the top. The slow build of their relationship was also really well-done, with both characters grappling with old wounds and new sparks.

And the ending? Perfection. I can’t give too much away, but the conclusion had me feeling all sorts of emotions. It was satisfying, uplifting, and just the right amount of bittersweet. It was the kind of ending that leaves you smiling, reflecting on the characters' journey, and maybe even a little teary-eyed.

I was incially drawn to this book by the cover, and I am so glad I did. This was my first book by Emma Lord, and I immediately want to read more! Mack and Sam were a great couple and I loved seeing the relationship between them bloom. The tension and banter in the book was AMAZING! All I have to say is read this book ❤️

I’d like to thank St. Martin’s Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read “For the Record” by Emma Lord. From the very beginning, I was hooked by the compelling “Enemies to Lovers” and “Second Chance Romance” storyline. The chemistry between the main characters, Mackenzie and Sam Blaze, was undeniable, and their evolving relationship kept me engaged throughout. Their banter and history added depth to their connection, making the slow burn of their romance feel incredibly rewarding.

While the pace of the book was a bit fast at the start, it slowed down in the later chapters, giving me the chance to really connect with the characters and appreciate their emotional growth. There were definitely some surprising moments in the plot that I didn’t see coming, which added an extra layer of excitement to the story. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it to be a heartwarming, unexpected journey that I would recommend to fans of romantic fiction. Thank you once again to St. Martin’s Publishing and NetGalley for this wonderful reading opportunity!

Anytime I see a book compared to Daisy Jones, I know I need to read it. I love music and reading about musicians is very intriguing to me. Lord has crafted a delightful story about relationships that deserves to be read. It was easy to get into the book and stick around for the outcome. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

3.25/5⭐

oh my WORD this was cute.

I lovedddd the setting of this story, mainly the bakery (emma lord knows how to make you crave delicious foods like pizza muffins).

The mc's were so cute together and I loved how the relationship built up- SAM!!!!

I will say though, it just wasn't a story I connected with. I didn't connect personally with any of the characters but I still really enjoyed it.

I do think that the conflict of Mack hating Sam was resolved way to fast- in a just a few sentences- they didn't ever truly hateeee each other so the romance had less tension then I wanted. And the side plots were very scattered and random in my opinion. I love Emma Lord but sometimes it feels like she adds way too many subplots and her books would be stronger if she narrowed them down to just a few that get explored vs a ton that get glanced over.

I def recommend if you want something light and fluffy with some deeper themes throughout- it's a very binge-able story!

I loved this book! I am a huge fan of this author and this book was great! Her characters are always so relatable.

For the Record
By: Emma Lord
Pub date: August 12 2025
3 🩷 🩷 🩷

This is my first book by this author and I enjoyed it, although found it a little slow at times. The story is about a second chance romance between Sam and Mackenzie. I enjoyed their banter. If you are looking for an easy read, slow burn, romance then this is a good one for you.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

Absolutely fell in love with Mack & Sam and cannot wait to add the physical book to my shelf! This was my first Emma Lord read, and I can definitely say I will be adding more of her books to my TBR.

I love a dual POV and the banter between Sam and MacKenzie is just too good. You really feel like you're watching a movie with these two rockstars trying to navigate love, heartbreak, fatherhood, family issues, friendships and more. 🎬

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for allowing me an ARC of For the Record in exchange for an honest review.

Unsurprisingly, I loved another Emma Lord book. Romance and characters are so charming. I think readers who have enjoyed Lord's previous books will love this one as well.

A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to receive and review an ARC of For the Record!

Are you looking for enemies-to-lovers rom-com driven by a love for music? You’re in the right place!
For the Record takes you on a musical journey through the lens of MacKenzie Waters, a former singer of an insanely popular pop band that recently disbanded. As she is attempting to navigate life as a former pop star and leave her mistakes in the past, she (quite literally) runs into Sam Blaze, a former rockstar who also happens to be her biggest rival.

My favorite aspects of the book (without giving spoilers):
- The banter between Mack and Sam
- The way Emma Lord gives backstories on Sam and Mack without us having been there firsthand (you know someone is a good author when they don’t have to overly explain or force you back in time to give backstories on characters!)
- The character growth amongst Mac, Sam, and some of Mac’s former bandmates
- Sam’s son (literally a bundle of joy and energy)
- The unexpected commentary on the negative side of the music industry
- The endingggggg!!!

Although I loved the book, it did take a while for me to really become interested. The pacing at the beginning with Mac’s relationship was a little weird for me, but it got better as we went on!

Hopefully I’ll be able to come back to this in August with a full review (& spoilers)!

4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

3.5⭐️


Fue una lectura rápida, ligera, con romance y un final feliz garantizado


Mackenzie y Sam eran los cantantes de sus respectivas bandas, las cuales fingían ser rivales para generar controversia y ganar popularidad. Sin embargo, ambos se gustaban, aunque ella sabía que él era un mujeriego y no quería ser solo otra de sus conquistas. Durante mucho tiempo intentaron ocultar sus sentimientos y mantuvieron su distancia, hasta que ya no pudieron más. Pero las cosas parecían estar en su contra, ya que cuando todo parecía alinearse para que pudieran comenzar una relación, ocurrieron hechos que los alejaron, y no se volvieron a ver durante años.

Dos años después, ambos intentan regresar a la escena musical, cada uno como solista, pero su disquera los quiere como dueto, y esa es la única manera en que podrán cantar juntos, por lo que aceptan. No obstante, antes de hacerlo, ponen reglas para evitar que resurjan viejos sentimientos.



Gracias NetGalley por el ARC.

This book! I’m an Emma Lord fan, but this book is something special. Mack and Sam are pitch-perfect (see what I did there?) and the banter is fantastic. The way I could see these characters so clearly in my mind is a testament to the way they are fleshed out on the page. The supporting cast is given enough to do that they don’t feel like an afterthought. There are cinematic moments here that would be so great in a movie or limited series. Someone make this!

There was great banter between Sam and Mack as well as strong chemistry. This was a fun second chance romance that had me laughing, and rooting for this couple it even brought me to tears at one point. I loved the dual point of view as well as the secondary storyline with the band and their music. All around good story.

For the Record felt like a love note to anyone who burned a CD in the 2000's that contained both Ashlee Simpson and Fall Out Boy (and not just because Ashlee and Pete Wentz were married). Pop star and former vocalist of the band Thunder Hearts, Mackenzie, and pop punk frontman of the band Candy Shard, Sam, were pitted against each other as rivals while touring together years ago. Screaming fans were enraptured with the will they-won't they dynamic, but nothing materialized; Sam wanted anything but commitment, while that was all Mack truly wanted. Years later, Mack is posting haunting songs about heartbreak anonymously to Tick Tune (a music-specific TikTok-esque app), and she and Mack's shared manager wants to re-launch both of their careers. Will they be able to put rivalry and heartbreak aside and create something new, or is there nothing there after all these years?

This is a fun story about growing up and the evolution needed for that growth. The cast of characters is loveable and you can feel the nostalgia throughout the story (without it being cringe). Mack and Sam were easy to root for both individually and together. I definitely recommend this book and will re-read in the future. Until then, I'll be enjoying the acoustic version of Montauk by Bayside and raiding my ancient iTunes inventory.

3.5/5 stars

A nice and easy read that was fun all the way through (with a few bumps along the way) with some Daisy Jones & the Six vibes thrown in. I really liked the other Emma Lord book I've read, The Break Up Pact and this book just moved her up on my list of Auto Buy Authors.

✨For the Record by Emma Lord 🎤

Out August 12th!

Put it on the record, I thought this book was absolutely amazing! The banter of Veronica Mars 🔎 + the music industry drama of Daisy Jones 🎸 + the female friendship of Pitch Perfect 🎶= a really good time!!!

I was up all night reading this book because I simply could not put it down! The same thing happened when I read Tweet Cute so I was not surprised.

The main characters were so witty and lovable and their chemistry was literally buzzing off the page. I was immediately drawn into their world and there were so many fun settings (a fashion show, a masquerade party and more!!)

Can’t wait to read more by Emma Lord!