Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for allowing me the ability to listen and review this book! 4.5/5 stars this book was an amazing second chance romance. I generally don’t like reading romance stories involving 2 famous people, it just generally isn’t my cup of tea but I am so glad I got to listen to this book! This story has me in all my feels!! I was crying at parts, laughing, happy and all the things! This really was a great story and throughly enjoyed the entire story from start to finish. The narrators were great and Ben was my favorite character of everyone!! I really would recommend this book for anyone to listen to or read!!

I especially enjoyed the musician/performer aspects of this story, in addition to the MMC's cute little son and the fact that Emma Lord always seems to manage to insert a bakery into her books. I'll admit that I didn't always feel the emotions the main characters were portraying and sometimes they just felt overwrought for what was actually happening in the story. But I did like the two love interests' sexual tension and cute banter--so overall, I'd say it was a sweet story and I had fun reading it.

3.5 stars! Music icon Mackenzie Waters and punk rocker Sam Blaze were once rivals, until their bands (and relationship) imploded.

Two years later, Mackenzie is hiding behind a secret online singing identity after a challenging surgery, and Sam’s just trying to keep his child out of the spotlight. But they’re both still just as passive about music. So when their managers suggest they team up to get their old record label to give them a chance, they’re catapulted back into each other’s lives.

This book is packed with A LOT: broken friendships, band drama, secret identities, and a large, chaotic cast that keeps things moving. The slow-burn second-chance romance comes with just the right amount of spice, and the third-act hiccup(not quite a breakup, maybe a speed bump?) had me holding my breath. And the songwriting scenes? My FAV part. They were so cute and honestly made it easier to connect with both characters.

The audio is *chef’s kiss* with two narrators who perfectly capture Mackenzie and Sam’s voices.

Overall, it’s a cute, slightly messy, music-fueled romance about healing, second chances, and rewriting your story.

First read: 2/12/25-2/13/25
Second read/listen: 7/16/25

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an electronic ARC of this book.

4/5 ⭐️
1/5 🌶️

Read this story if you like:
🎵 Rivals to Lovers
🖤 Books with Rockstars/Musicians
🎵 Single Dads
🖤 Female Friendship
🎵 Second Chances
🖤 Saying goodbye to your wild and crazy 20s and welcoming your 30s with open arms.

This book follows past rival lead singers of a girl group and punk rock group. They toured together and had a will-they-won’t-they going on, as requested by the label. *Some stuff happens* and both groups break up. 2 years later, these lead singers (our FMC and MMC) want to restart their careers as solo acts. The labels don’t go for it… but put them together and rekindle the will-they-won’t-they and they’re on board. The story follows as they are forced back together to write songs to showcase to the label in order to get a record deal. They learn a lot about themselves and each other along the way. 🖤 There’s also a who crew of side characters that I’d love to see get their own stories!!

If you happen to listen to the audiobook (which I’d highly recommend), it is narrated by 2 veteran narrators: Andrew Eiden (you know him best as Teddy Hamilton) as Sam and Jesse Vilinsky as Mackenzie. They both always do a fantastic job. While this book has 2 narrators, it is not done in duet. I always prefer duet with multiple narrators. I feel like it takes you. Bit out of the story when the narrator has to do a voice for the other character.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan audio for an ARC copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

ATTN: REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR ALL WHO HAVE NOT READ THE BOOK.

I loved this book! It hit all the right notes. It was summery, swoony, and spicy, and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the ride. I enjoyed that the book was broken into different parts as if they were "acts" of their romance/story. Phenomenal storytelling.

Some of my favorite things:

The family dynamic between Sam and his son was beautiful when mirrored against his relationship and feelings with his father.

The WHOLE Seven storyline and how MATURELY Sam handled the reveal.

The POOOOOL KISS. OMG.

How the girls showed up for each other time and time again... even when things got hard. This was a true representation of how difficult true friendship can be sometimes.

Audiobook: Dual POV, Dual narration, Excellent production.

Tropes:
frenemies to lovers
celebrity/singer/songwriter
single dad
second chance

Spice: Explicit, open-door

Meet cute: Teen pop rivals before book began

I really enjoyed this book so much! I couldn’t wait to see what happened next with Mackenzie and Sam! There were definitely a few moments where I was about to yell JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER, but I think it was done well so you didn’t see it as much else than a slow burn tension! I really loved this concept! It was so original! I didn’t want the story to end, but the epilogue was absolute PERFECTION!

This cute rom-com follows two musicians as they rekindle their prior romance. With strong character development and awesome side characters, the story is a fun read. Absolutely loved the banter and chemistry between our main leads! This book touches on a couple of serious topics delicately, which Emma Lord handles exceptionally well in all her books.

3.5 stars
I've really liked the Emma Lord books I've read before so decided to give this one a try, and low and behold, I still like her books.

It's cute and fun. I liked that there was a history that we were dropped right into, and the story of their past had to slowly unfold, but at no point was I confused or didn't understand how we got to where we were. I liked that it was a little bit enemies to lovers, but also not really, and it was a little bit friends to lovers or second chance. All tropes that I love but you weren't beaten over the head with them being tropes. They were handled delicately and in a way to make the reader enjoy the story without it being too "tropey."

There's not a third act breakup which I could kiss Emma Lord on the mouth for.
However!
I was frustrated with what was used in place of the third act breakup. It was...barely any better, and it really made me feel like the male character didn't learn anything from the entire rest of the story. He went and repeated the exact same thing he was so ashamed of doing earlier, and sweet Mac, who was getting her heart broken literally had the mind to say - I've done THIS in the past and it was wrong, and I cannot repeat that, so let me communicate, and she did, and then the dum-dum man continued to...not learn on HIS side and continue repeating these problematic things that have literally plagued their entire relationship. And it's all wrapped up as him "protecting her" when she's very clearly communicated that what he's doing is in fact, NOT protecting her. Instead he does it thinking it's what's best for her, and everyone else is constantly telling her what she's going to do, and it just really made me mad and sad for the character because dang, she's literally communicating at the top of her lungs what she wants and no one will listen to her. And that doesn't really get resolved. He never really apologizes for it or is like, sorry, I went and did exactly what I shouldn't have, and I didn't listen to you.

And let's talk about the best friend. I'm sorry, she's a bad friend. That girl needs intense therapy (who doesn't), because she keeps taking all of her problems out on her friends and that's wildly unfair and creates an incredibly toxic relationship. There wasn't much of a resolution with her either. Once again, Mac had to be the one to communicate and to mend bridges, and finally she opened up, and then everything was hunky-dory, but like, no? Because what happens when she's overwhelmed or stressed again? She's going to take it all out on her BFFs again? She's going to say awful things to Mac? Girl, go to therapy and learn to work through your issues without attacking those who care about you.

Basically everyone was kind of terrible to Mac and she continued to forgive them and still love them, and no one had to work on themselves, except for her, and that's really the reason I'm not rating this higher than 3.5.

This book is a melting pot of tropes (think second chances, hidden identities, forced proximity, single fatherhood, a FMC with a medical condition, an unforgettable swimming lesson, found family, and fabulous female friendships) that somehow melt together perfectly, hitting all the right chords (pun absolutely intended). Emma Lord has nailed it with this second chance romance starring pop rock stars who are supposedly rivals, though with all that sizzling tension, you might wonder if they really are. The main characters are quirky, lovable, and come with their own emotional baggage that they're trying to sort out. It was cool to see an FMC with Hashimoto’s, especially because someone I love very much lives with it too. Overall, it’s a good escape read, balancing light-hearted fun with just the right touch of emotional depth and spice.

The narrators were both perfect fits. Andrew Eiden's voice was a great choice for Sam. He had a certain tone and rasp that brought a rock star with a sensitive side to life. Jesse Vilinsky was the perfect Mack with a melodic and slight rasp to her voice. I actually went to Google to see what other books each of them had narrated, as I thoroughly enjoyed each of their respective performances.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for ALC of this book.
3.75 stars
Narrated by Andrew Eiden; Jesse Vilinsky
Narrators did a great job. I really enjoyed the dual narration.
I want to love this book but I felt the characters didn't really have chemistry. The book was cute though.

This was a super fun audiobook, I’m on a rockstar romance kick and this scratched the itch perfectly! I listen at 1.75 and it’s paced perfect for me. Sam & Mac do a fair amount of growing together and I’m just glad we were along for the ride. Low stress high fun- swimming lessons 🥹

I enjoyed it. The chemistry between the characters is palpable. Love good banter. Andrew Eiden is one of my favorite narrators.

This was a fun listen! I really enjoyed it, and I happened to have a long car ride while listening to this and it really helped pass the time! I liked a lot about this book, the tropes were well done, the enemies (but not really) to lovers, and years of yearning, one bed when you're expecting two, etc etc. There wasn't a true third act break up which I can enjoy, and the lack of communication was mostly understandable which was refreshing! I loved the plot having more than just romance going on and lots of family dynamics to work through and friendships and such that all tied together in a way. There was almost a perfect amount of side quests for me! My one gripe, and it's tiny and it's because it's a book and sooooo many band names are already taken up, but the names were cheesy, same with the bar name, and several other things, and the idea of those two bands touring together just doesn't seem quite realistic, but it's for the plot, I get it. The narrators did a great job and I would definitely recommend this! I rated 4.5 stars and left a review on storygraph!

Music and rom-com lovers are going to love this story. The perfect tension and banter from the enemies to lovers storyline. Mackenzie and Sam were once lead singers in their own bands and rival competitors. Their bands have broken up and Sam is currently living a nice retired quiet life raising a son he did not know about. Their record label wants them to make a comeback album together. The chemistry, tension, and their past rival story makes this such a fun story.

Audiobook is dual narrated by Andrew Eiden and Jesse Vilinsky. These two were perfect voices for Mackenzie and Sam. The personalities for the characters came to life with their voices. It was an enjoyable listen.

This audiobook was so fun! I enjoyed the dual narration very much. Loved the pop star / rock star elements of this book. I really appreciated that there wasn’t necessarily a third act break up, but instead just a conflict that they were able to resolve together!

Thank you to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for an advance listening copy of #ForTheRecord. Two recording industry rivals find love. Four stars.

I was offered an Arc audiobook of For The Record and I just want to thank the publishers soooo much!!! I never wanted an earlier release more once I read the summary of this book.

I am a 42 year old Canadian woman, I grew up with not only an eclectic taste in music but a thirst for entertainment news. It was only later in life when I realized how problematic some of the gossip columns and paparazzi are. To say this story was up my alley is an understatement.

The Author did a great job of creating a story which layered in behind the scenes of the music industry while giving you the romance we all love. While I thought the author might have cracked open my brain to see what I would like to hear in my next audiobook, please don’t be alarmed that it might be too niche :)

I loved the plot twists, not all of them were huge but they all played a part.

I will certainly be looking into Emma’s back catalogue to read more of her stories.

Just wrapped up the audiobook For the Record by Emma Lord, narrated by the fantastic duo Andrew Eiden and Jesse Vilinsky. I’m a huge fan of the dual narrator format—and Andrew Eiden is hands-down one of my favorite male narrators. He’s just SO good.

As for the story itself, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. It’s a second chance romance between two musicians, and while I typically enjoy that trope, I struggled to feel connected to the characters this time around. The emotional depth wasn’t quite there, and I found myself comparing it to other books with similar themes that I’d recommend first.

I’m still interested in reading more from Emma Lord and will never just stop with an author. I’m curious to see how her future stories evolve.

Thank you for the ACR of the audio version of this book. The narration was outstanding. Jesse Valensky and Andrew Eiden made this story come to life.

Once a part of a thriving musical group, Mackenize is trying to figure out how she fits into her world after she's had a life altering experience. Nothing is the same, not her relationship with music, her friends, and especially how she feels about Sam, the lead of a rival band. Sam had his world turned upside down, when he found out two years ago he was a father, as a member of a punk rock band, he left the music world to become 'Dad'. However, he wants something more in his life.

They were once locked in as rivals of their respective groups, they both want to find their way back to music, but on their terms, not anyone else's. Their music label has other ideas, and asks them to work together to recreate the magic they once had when they wrote songs together. This is not too hard as they still have feelings for each other. As they work and create in their old 'haunts', they find themselves falling for each other and together they start to heal from their old wounds.

To find her voice again, Mac, has been posting songs on TicTune as the artist "seven". Writing songs that represent each of her major heart breaks, she posts six, and the seventh and final one is about Sam. She doesn't want him to hear the song once she realizes her feelings for him are more complex. However, before she can post the new song a glitch posts the original full of hurt and sadness along with revealing her true identity. In the background of the love story is the story about artists and their rights posting music online, the love of music is a secondary romance in this novel.

Can Sam forgiver her, can she find a way to help artists keep their rights and finally, can she find a way to love again herself.

Where do I start about my feelings on this book?!? I love the concept of a second chance romance and I think Emma Lord did a fantastic job of perfectly encapsulating that. Is it a bit cheesy sure but I think when you’re looking for a feel good romance, this is perfect. It wasn’t overly smutty but it definitely had some smut! It was a slow burn to get there, but I think the author did a great job really encapsulating the story and setting up this narrative, making sure that we had a clear understanding of the dynamic and the characters releases to each other their background and what had happened in the past that brought them to today! When I first started the book I got to about chapter 2 and was feeling a bit discouraged. I definitely didn’t know if I was feeling as engaged with the book as I usually am so I put it down took a couple days and came back to it and I’m very glad that I did because After that I binge listen to it in a day cause I just had to finish it it was so good I couldn’t put it down! I feel like it’s the type of book that could be put towards a younger audience say early 20s really reflecting back on past relationships and how they’ve moved on recognizing their wrongs and trying to push it to a positive!