5 star narration

I enjoyed this as a light romance- calling it a rom-com is a stretch, but maybe a second chance? Felt very low-stakes and predictable but I enjoyed Mac finding herself and the duet seeming to rediscover their history through another perspective. I will say at times it felt like there were too many side plots thrown in, but it was enjoyable.

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc and an alc!

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 books written with a musical background like kennedy ryan’s reel!

as for the audio, i always love a dual narration; i loved sam's narrator

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

I can’t help but using a pun – this one’s harmony hits all of the right notes. Haha! The edginess of this one is very refreshing. Most romance books are pretty fluffy and are sticky sweet pretty quickly into the story – even if they are enemies-to-lovers. There is history with these two, lots of history. The angst. The drama! What I love is that, despite these two being celebrities, they are relatable. You are rooting for them the whole time. The FMC has depth and is very likeable given her personality in the book. As for the MMC, he is a punk turned acoustic softy – who now is a dad. You cannot help but melt at his bad-boy-to-supportive-dad evolution. Together, they have so much chemistry. There is some spice in this one, but it is tasteful and sweet.

Despite the romance in this one, what I love the most is that it is about being yourself. It is about owning your voice and who you are. It is about your life in the spotlight, out of it, and how you keep both your autonomy and authenticity. In short, this is your feel-good summer read.

That being said, listening to this one as a duet is a must. Given that the lovers are musicians who essentially are trying to make it in music again as a duet, The narrators did a great job. It was easy to pick up on the transitions between characters. It all fits together well.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

An electrifying rom-com of rivalry, redemption, and rhythm, "For the Record" by Emma Lord hits all the right notes — and then some.

This was not my first Emma Lord book, and let's just say, it won’t be my last! I’m usually a bit hesitant about celebrity/popstar romances (they can veer into cringy or stereotypes territory), but For the Record manages to avoid all the usual pitfalls. Instead, it delivers a heartfelt second-chance romance that balances fun and feels in equal measure.

The Premise
Mackenzie Waters and Sam Blaze: once music rivals, always complicated. She’s a rising pop star grappling with a sudden vocal shift that threatens to derail her career; he’s an ex-rockstar who’s swapped tour buses for toddler toys. When their labels strong-arm them into recording an album together, old sparks start to fly — and not just the combative kind.

What follows is a story that blends banter, emotional vulnerability, and that delicious tension only ex-rivals-to-lovers can deliver. Forced proximity + musical collaboration = fireworks. There's also a really thoughtful exploration of female friendships when you go from being best friends/attached at the hip with your girlfriends to individuals figuring out how to lead their own lives without leaving each other behind.

What I Loved
🎶 Second chance romance with actual stakes.
🎶 Dual POVs that peel back the public personas and show you what’s really going on inside.
🎶 Found family and strong female friendships that ground the story beautifully.
🎶 A thoughtful arc of self-discovery, especially for Mackenzie.
🎶 That cozy, bingeable writing style that makes hours disappear. (I genuinely blinked and was at 80%. IYKYK.)

The chemistry between Sam and Mackenzie? Chef’s kiss. Watching them rediscover their connection, both musically and emotionally, was incredibly satisfying. And their creative process — messy, vulnerable, and electric — was a highlight.

Final Thoughts
For the Record gave what needed to be given. It’s a heartfelt, easy-to-devour rom-com that hits all the right beats for fans of Emily Henry or Daisy Jones & The Six. If you're into:

🥁 Second chances
🎤 Music industry drama
💘 Angsty, slow-burn chemistry
🎶 Pop meets rock energy
👯‍♀️ Solid female friendships
💡 A satisfying redemption arc

...then For the Record deserves a spot on your TBR.

4 starts because it left me smiling and swooning — and really, what more can you ask for?

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Sam is was trying to chance his dream of singing. The first time he's paired with a second band and they go on tour. Now its been years and he is again paired with MacKenzie to try and kickstart his career again. But this time they don't have to pretend to be rivals, they can be friends.

MacKenzie is keeping secrets, of her feelings, who she sings under, why she stopped singing for years. And now that she's paired with Sam again she can't keep her secrets forever.

Rivals to Lovers
Second Chance
Slow Burn

I received an advance review copy audio version. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, for the opportunity to listen to this book. Andrew Eiden and Jesse Vilinsky did an amazing job narrating this audiobook.

For the Record is a sweet, tender, and romantic story set in the world of record labels and musicians. I had a lot of fun while reading it, and I'm grateful I had the opportunity to listen to Andrew Eiden and Jesse Vilinsky bring Sam and Mackenzie to life.

Andrew Eiden is always a pleasure to listen to. I appreciate the depth and sincerity he brings to his characters. And he did just that with Sam. He brought the levity while also allowing for the character to show his vulnerable side as well.

Jesse Vilinsky truly was Mackenzie. Her infectious joy was palpable as was her anxiety and apprehension about the new road life was taking her on. And while I wish For the Record would have been a duet, the duel narration was fantastic.

One of. my favorite aspects of For the Record is the backdrop of the recording industry. Although there were several plot points that felt as though they were taken out of the headlines, they worked as engaging and realistic moments that Mackenzie and Sam found themselves in. I appreciated the insight that Emma Lord provided, and it was easy to imagine these situations as they have been prevalent in entertainment world the past few years.

For the Record is a fun, entertaining Rom-Com with lovable and memorable characters.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to this ALC.
This was cute, but overall a bit too corny and childish for my taste. I believe this is my first book by this author, and in hindsight, I should’ve expected the overload of pop culture references just from looking at the cover (TS fans this one is for you). The pacing was quite slow, and not much really happened. Unfortunately, the romance didn’t land for me either. I think this book should have been marketed as YA.
Narration:
Listening Speed: 2X
Narrators: Andrew Eiden; Jesse Vilinsky
Feedback: I absolutely adore Andrew's voice, he has been one of the first voices I listened to when I started listening to romance audiobooks and I just love his warm tone so so much!

I really enjoyed this second chance romance story. I thought the characters were well written. I really enjoyed the banter and chemistry between the two main characters, Sam and Mackenzie. There were some really emotional parts to this story, and they were really well done. The story also had a found family element, that really tugged on my heartstrings. I think everything about this book worked really well.
The audiobook was dual narrators, and they did an excellent job!


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