Intriguing read with a whole bunch of secret keeping, misunderstandings, and side character drama. Additionally, as a second chance romance, it has that extra gut punch of emotion as the characters traverses through their past. I enjoyed this story as an audiobook and the narration performance was excellent!

This was a decent romcom, but I really wanted to love it more than I actually did based on the premise. I love a good second chance/right person, wrong time romance, but I felt like the characters were really missing chemistry and the plot itself needed more back story to help us understand why the two main characters were interested in each other to begin with and why we as readers should root for them to make it in the end.

I do think both narrators did an excellent job and they made the story enjoyable to listen to.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an early copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book! It was narrated by 2 of my favorites and it just made me feel good. I caught myself smiling more than anything. The storyline, while predictable, was fun and I will be buying a physical copy for my shelf!
Thank you for the chance to review!

This was such a cute book. I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook. I have enjoyed Emma Lord's other books and this one was a hit as well. Emma usually writes young adult books, but this book shows she can write for adults too. I liked the main characters and their love story seemed so sweet. I could see this actually happening between two singers. Thanks NetGalley for the advance copy of this book.

Mack and Sam, former lead signers in rival bands, spent their twenties in touring together and fueling rumors of a “will they, won’t they” romance. But for the past two years, both stepped away from the spotlight. That is until a chance run in aided by some behind the scenes scheming from their agents lands them back together to make a duet album that could resurrect their careers… and reignite unresolved feelings.

FOR THE RECORD has Emma Lord’s trademark banter, subtle pop culture references, and charm. While it is marketed for fans of “Daisy Jones and the Six,” I want to be clear that this book is a romcom. It pulls the best elements from both the enemies to lovers and second chance romance tropes even though they don’t easily fit into the box of each trope.

The audiobook is fantastic and performed by veteran narrators Jesse Vilinsky and Andrew Eiden. I am a fan of their previous work, and their performance on FOR THE RECORD is no exception. Both brought a strong presence to their characters that complimented the other narrator well, which made for a seamless listening experience. The transitions between chapters in the dual narration felt natural and cohesive, enhancing the emotional beats of the story. Fans of Lord, Vilinsky, and Eiden will enjoy FOR THE RECORD, and I recommend you pick it up in your favorite format!

Thank you Macmillan Audio and Griffin for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an audio copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I found the beginning of this story to be dragged out for too long but thoroughly enjoyed the ending. Regardless, I did find myself sucked into the story and rooting for the characters. I will recommend this to people who are looking for an Emily Henry readalike book. 3 out of 5 stars!

3 stars

You know that mystery chest of prizes in kindergarten? You could pull out a backscratcher. Maybe it's a fun size candy bar. Maybe it's a Garbage Pail Kids card that you can use as leverage with your brothers for a chore swap. Maybe...it's a hard, unbreakable stick of fossilized gum. You don't know what it's going to be and the answer could range from magical to horrible. That sums up my relationship to Emma Lord's books. I've read every one of them. Why? Well because I never know what I'm getting. It's a true Labubu experience, to put it in more modern terms. Will I love it? Find it just okay? Struggle to get through it? It's always a mystery I'm confusingly dying to solve.

For me, Sam and Mackenzie fall squarely in the middle of that treasure chest of prizes. This is a relatively short book but it feels long at times because the exact same predictable thing is happening all along. Are these likeable characters? Well, enough. Was I really rooting for them? Not that much. They've had this outcome in mind for a long time, and it's obvious how things will evolve.

Readers looking for a straightforward, uncomplicated romance between musicians with a past will enjoy this. I wanted something a bit more special feeling to come out of here, whether that was about the characters being more intriguing/complicated, a reveal (one I was invested in) of some kind, more passion... But it's engaging enough, for the most part.

Will this lackluster experience stop me from reading more Emma Lord? Nothing can.

For the Record by Emma Lord is a charming and heartfelt second chance romance that truly delivers. The audiobook shines thanks to the narrators, who bring Makenzie and Sam to life with warmth and authenticity. Their performances perfectly capture the emotional highs and lows of the characters, making the story even more engaging. Emma Lord strikes a great balance between humour, vulnerability, and romantic tension. For the Record is sweet, compelling, and impossible to pause.

I got this ARC from Netgalley

I really wanted to love this one, but it just didn’t hit the mark for me. The premise had potential, but the characters felt flat and the pacing dragged. The narration was okay, but it didn’t bring much extra life to the story. Hoping for more depth in Emma Lord’s future books!

To be honest, this book and these characters just are not for me (and that's okay!) Honestly this is second book by Emma Lord that I have dnf'd this year so I think that her writing style is not something I enjoy.

I could tell from chapter two that I was not going to enjoy this book because I absolutely hated being inside os Sam's mind. The drama felt really forced and honestly juvenile for these adults. I put the book down at 13% because I could just feel myself being over it already.

I feel like I am in the small camp of people that don't love her writing but don't let that deter you if you have enjoyed other recent books by Lord.

Thank you so much Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for this arc!

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC read.

At the begging of the book, I had high hopes for it. Who doesn't like a second chance romance. Yet the back and forward miscommunication was a bit annoying, I wish there was more playful banter.

The lead up and hold Seven last song had on me throughout the book was fun until the reveal happened and it was a bit anticlimactic. Overall, I did enjoy the MMC Sam, especially his realization of the relationships in his life.

Probably 3.5 stars. I loved the dual POV and the book was easy to read in one sitting. Both Sam and Mackenzie were great main characters, I liked how Mackenzie shined in the spotlight without ever seeking it out and how Sam essentially put his life on hold for his son. I enjoyed the side characters, Ben, Serena, and Hannah. The relationship between Mackenzie and Serena felt so special and I wanted to see more of that dynamic. Sam and Mackenzie's journey through some of their haunts were interesting, especially because of their past, so it was good to see how and why each place was special to them and the memories associated with each location. Their past is so complicated, it'd be hard to distinguish what's real and what's fake for a normal person and way harder for anyone living in the public spotlight.

*Dual POV
*Rivals to lovers
*Second chance (kind of)
*Music industry

I got an ARC (or ALC?) of the audiobook thanks to NetGalley. This is my first Emma Lord book, and won’t be my last.

I read almost exclusively romantic comedies and romantasy,(nothing dark), and I’ll finish an ok book and give it three stars bc I didn’t hate it. I’m giving this four stars because I enjoyed the romance - it was a tad less cliché than most. There was a lot more depth to the subplot than many have. It gave some Abby Jimenez (but not as funny) and Emily Henry vibes at times in the way that it talked through “real issues” but nothing as intense as Abby’s stuff.

I was pleased with how the third act “break up” (which often happens in rom come) went, less predictable than I expected.

There was one thing that I had a hard time suspending disbelief about, which was how/why a punk band was on the same label as a sparkle pop band??? And they tour together??? The rivals part was a big part they played up but I cannot imagine two bands so different touring together - makes very little sense to me.

Audiobook wise, I enjoyed the female narrator Jesse Vilinksy far more than the male one. I can only handle Andrew Eiden at 1.25x+ speed, otherwise his voice really grates on me.

Before I begin; I would like to thank NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advance listening copy. All opinions are my own for this honest review.

Style: Dual POV, Dual Narration.
Length: 10 hrs

For the Record is marketed as a rom-com, but I'm not sure I would agree with that classification though. Personally, I would say it leans more toward contemp romance, as I don't think here’s not quite enough chaos or hijinks to hit that classic rom-com vibe for me. It does bring is a thoughtful exploration of old wounds, and some good old fashioned longtime yearning which feels more comtemp, especially with so much deep-seated angst and self loathing, I'll continue my thought process later in the review, but I really wanna get to the most important part of an ALC-the narration!

In my humblest of opinions, one that will surprise absolutely no one; Andrew Eiden absolutely one of the best in the business. I don't think there has been one single one of performances that I Have not abosolutely loved, and his performance here is no exception. It does have his signature broody charm (this is defintiely lighter that his alter ego, but definitely in the Andrew realm) and his polished delivery. He also nails the emotional beats of a struggling single dad who really wants to do right by his son, but not entirely sure what he's doing and certainly not confident in his parenting abilities.

Jesse Vilinsky was the surprise star for me! I had to go back to my audible to see if I had listened to anything of hers before, but looks like not. I loved her deep, rich male voice and though it was really well done. I think it really helped to create clean, distinct transitions between POVs and as much as I would love to always be listening to Andrew, I didn't find I was missing out terribly during Jesse's chapters. I’ll definitely be keeping an ear out for more of her work!

I'm going to go ahead and give more bonus points, because I loved the music that was featured for the the beginning and at the end. I think the music they had selected really set the mood for a story rooted in the music industry.

I've seen people say this is an enemies to lovers and I'm definitely of the rivals to lovers camp of thinking. The characters come with baggage, past betrayals by others and from each other, as well as plenty of unresolved feelings and lingering resentment. It's a non-linear second chance romance that bounces back and forth in timelines, mainly through memories, which leads us to the common miscommunication trope. Because we spend a lot of time in memories, I found it to be even more satisfying with the resolution.

That said, the “third-act breakup but not really breakup” didn’t quite land for me. I was kind of confused with where things were really left during that time, where it was kind of a pause or a break or just kind of no-mans land, I really wasn't all that clear. It didn't feel like a breakup, but It also didn't NOT feel like a breakup. I undersstand what Emma was aiming for with the situtation, but to me it felt more like a backslide from Sam’s side and it just felt...a little off. He had so much growth and then for him to back away in the way he did, didn't really feel authentic and didn't really feel true to the character (in the way I had had grown to understand him). He was trying to look out for her, but the martyrdom just didn't work.

Even with that third act "hiccup", we'll call it, I really enjoyed the story overall. I absolutely found myself rooting for them and was really excited when they were able to get over themselves and out of their own respective ways. I haven't done a deep dive to see if there are any more books planned, but I do hope we can expect more to come from this world!

As mentioned in the beginning, I received an ALC of this audiobook from NetGalley and Macmillan Audio in exchange for an honest review. Having said that, all thoughts are my own.

Am I crazy, or did I keep seeing Taylor Swift lyrics written into the book?

They were members of two popular bands—turned into rivals for PR—but they secretly loved every second of it… until it all fell apart. A few years later, Sam and Mackenzie reunite to write a joint comeback album as solo artists?

For the Record sounded good, even though I’ve grown to dislike celebrity romance books.
And you know what? I freaking loved this one.

It was full of angst—the kind where the MCs have that delicious unresolved tension. I loved the flashbacks to their band days the most.
There were a lot of side plots—like, thinking back, maybe too many?—but I didn’t care. I was having way too much fun listening to the audiobook, which was narrated deliciously.

A huge thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing me with early access to the audiobook!


˙⋆.˚୨ৎ tropes ୨ৎ˙⋆.˚

🎤 Rival musicians to lovers
📝 Second chance
🏃🏻‍♂️ Single dad

I don’t know, it’s all just so high school.

I really like Emma Lord’s YA work, but it just doesn’t translate to her adult stuff. It lacks so much nuance; there’s no banter, stakes, or exposition. The characters just weren’t connecting and it all felt so forced.

Last year I read Emma Lord’s August release and felt the poor communication was awful between the leads, and the chemistry was forced... And here I am, again… experiencing the exact same complaints. Perhaps this is just where we part ways.

🎧ALC REVIEW🎧
📚FOR THE RECORD by Emma Lord
🎤Dual narration by Andrew Eiden & Jesse Vilinsky
💘Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC.


5⭐️- This felt very healing for the girl I was growing up - romanticizing what’s it’s like to be in a touring band and getting famous.. and then make it a second chance rom-com. I was sold.


**scroll down for my 🎧 audiobook notes too!!

—

📚general review📚

My love for reading really blossomed out of fan fiction for different bands.. (P!ATD, One Direction.. to name a few). And this felt like that but so much better!!

I loved the way this was written - it’s a second chance romance but it’s really only told in current day. There are some callbacks to the past without fully flipping the timline, and I think it was done so well and really focused on the current aspect of their relationship. The love they had for each other was so beautiful and even heart wrenching, the way they’re willing to sacrifice everything for each other. Sam is so flirty but he’s not like annoying and cringe, it was cute and he was just so down bad for Mackenzie I looooove them!!!

This was such a lovely read and I listened to it in one day really, I was unable to put it down. I thought it was the perfect length and I was VERY satisfied with the ending (ugh the found family!!!). I have no notes, I’m so giddy - that feeling when you find a book that feels like it was written for you is so special.

🎧audiobook review🎧
-dual narration by Andrew Eiden & Jesse Vilinsky
-dual pov, single timeline

Wow Jesse was such a phenomenal narrator!! I cannot wait to hear more of her, her voice is soooo soothing. And then Andrew Eiden (AKA Teddy Hamilton) I mean do I need to say a thing? Teddy is and will always be an s-tier narrator.

I would have loved to see this in duet, but regardless this was such a great dual with excellent narrators that it did not take me out of the story as much as some duals do. What a TREAT!!

3.5 rounded up

Both narrators did a good job bringing their characters to life and telling this story.

Emma Lord typically writes YA, but For the Record is a more mature story with low spice. I did enjoy this story, but nothing stood out about the story. This story read like any other romcom and wasn't as captivating as her previous work.

For the Record follows Sam and Mackenzie two years after their separate bands split up and their initial meeting. Now they are working together to write music and maybe pick up where they left off. This story is told in dual POV, which I always enjoy. Both the main characters and the side characters were written to feel like real people.

The writing had a good flow and the transition between Sam and Mackenzie's POV was way to distinguish. Including lyrics in the story would have improved the story, and the songs could have been played in the audiobook, Even if it was just a verse. .Readers get a glimpse into the music industry through this story, with one topic being artist rights. I would have liked this idea to have been explored more throughout the entire story and possibly what brought Sam and Mac together.

I have been a fan of this author for years and will continue to read what she writes. Unfortunately this one just didn't work for me.

Thank you MacMillian Audio and NetGalley for the ALC.

This was so so cute!
It’s definitely been inspired by Taylor Swift, especially all the songs about her ex-lovers, but the relationship between the two bands reminded me more of Sum 41 and Avril Lavigne or that era of punk and pop. I also got Josie and the Pussycats vibes. I loved the love story. I also loved the other relationships (friendships and family ones); she managed to pack a lot of growth arcs into a short time period. If you like celebrity romances, especially singer-songwriter ones, you will probably love this.
I was going to give it four stars, but bumped it to 5 because I really did enjoy it and would love this as a movie!

3.75 stars. This was a cute, spicy rivals/antagonists-to-lovers, sort-of second chance adult romance from Emma Lord. I had the ebook and the audiobook. The audiobook was dual narration from Andrew Eidan and Jesse Vilinsky. It was well done and made for an enjoyable reading experience.

Mackenzie and Sam were in rival bands who toured together when they were younger and would ham up their antagonism on stage to feed the dynamic and get the crowd worked up. Now, a few years after both bands are no more, they’re both working on solo projects and get roped into becoming a duo in order for their label to put any power behind the project. Their “almost”, “what if” chance at a romance finally gets its opportunity as they work closer together.

Mackenzie and Sam were both individually interesting characters with a lot of depth to their stories. I enjoyed learning more about Mackenzie as she grew into her new self and let go of her past hurts. I also enjoyed Sam’s relationship with his son, Ben. Without having a dad in his life, he seemed to be doing a great job to put his son first and be the kind of dad he would have wanted. As a couple, I thought Mackenzie and Sam worked well, though I felt like they often — in both the past and present — continually got in their own way. The third act conflict was especially frustrating because it felt somewhat forced.

There were things going on for both Mackenzie and Sam on the periphery of their relationship with secondary characters that simultaneously added to the story yet felt a bit underdeveloped for me. I could see what the purpose was but the focus could have been narrowed and more effective.

Overall, I enjoyed this one. Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin and Macmillan Audio via NetGalley for the eARC and ALC respectively.