This was such a great read! I was obsessed with both main characters and their support systems. Especially Ben the “pocket-sized punk!”

I love that the storyline about the contracts labels use to trap young artists was included because it happens in real life all the time and it’s so sad. People wonder why artists haven’t released music for years and it’s because of their record label.

I was in awe of Mackenzie’s perspective on her parents, that they way they are has nothing to do with her.

There is a critique I had that was a plot hole in my opinion:

*spoilers ahead*
The bands’ joint tour and personas seemed more likely to fit in the early 2000s and they way they talk about how it was so long ago but it had only been 2 years. The timeline didn’t flow because how is it that 2 years ago they had the award show debacle, wrote a song, and stopped talking the next day? When did they have time to record the song, perform the song on stage, bicker with each other on stage and catapult into fame if he ghosted her the next morning after writing it?

Also, grammar correction needed: “You did whatever everyone thought you were so cool doing it”

In a hilarious turn, I didn't even realize as I read this book that it was an ARC. I had downloaded it before a work trip and with two 4-ish hour flights, I was able to knock it out with no issue. And that? That my friends is the characteristic of an AMAZING book. I've read Lord's other books and this honestly may be my favorite. I always forget how much I love a good second chance romance - I think because there are some where you question why one of the characters is being given a second chance. In this case, any reservations I had were more or less covered and it was clear things had changed since they were younger.

Honestly, it was an easy read for me - I kept turning the pages because I wanted to, not because I felt like I had to get to the big moments.

Candy Shard and Thunder Hearts are two rival boy and girl groups that love to hate each other. The long-standing rivalry between front man Sam Blaze and girl gang member Mackenzie Waters sent the world into a frenzy. That was until 2 years ago when it all came crashing down. These pop stars are now crawling from near obscurity and trying to convince their labels to back them in solo careers. When the labels pitch the idea of these two rivals teaming up together in a duo, they both are willing to do what it takes to re-launch their careers. But will the old flames between them be rekindled and spark something new, or will it burn everything to the ground?

This was a fun enemies-to-lovers romance that will have any pop music lover thoroughly entertained!! It's mostly lighthearted with enough tension, banter, and interest to keep the pages turning! I enjoyed it and liked how it had some depth to it. The resolution was a little quick for me, and for some reason, the band names Candy Shard and Thunder Hearts just had me giggling. I couldn't take it quite seriously enough. Overall it was a fun solid read!

4.5 Golden ⭐️

This was a really sweet second chance romance with fun banter and a little sprinkle of spice. I really enjoyed the main characters’ chemistry and the end had me wanting to know more of how their relationship was before the events of this book (in the best way possible!) I loved how strong Mackenzie was as a character and the character development that both went through was so satisfying and believable.

The side characters were great too! Little Ben was funny and Mackenzie’s friends were just the right amount of supportive. Overall a really fun rom-com with just the right balance of romance and plot.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC

I wanted so badly to love this book based on the description and my love for Emma Lord's YA novels but it missed the mark for me. The chapters with Mack and Sam's chemistry were electric but the surrounding plot line didn't catch my attention. I honestly was also distracted by all the kitschy names of the bands and app and I couldn't move past it.

This was a fun, feel good book that's perfect for the summer. With second chance and forced proximity tropes, we get to follow Mack and Sam's lovestory from both their POVs as they go from flirtatious rivals from their former bands to collaborators who can't help falling in love. Sam is a sweet and earnest MMC and I am always a sucker when the man falls first. The third act twist was believable and not a frustrating miscommunication that we often encounter in the genre. And the epilogue ending was truly one of my favorites! Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

This was really cute! I loved the romance and the music plot. I found some of the book confusing and wish we got to see a little bit more of flashbacks to their time together before in the bands. But it's a really cute read

For The Record is a perfectly fine romance with a fun premise. I personally had a difficult time connecting with the main characters and couldn’t necessarily relate to their conflicts but I thought the romance was enjoyable and the banter was playful. While I think that most romance readers will come away liking the book, I don’t know if there’s much in For The Record that might warrant a reread.

Thank you so much for letting me read this book! Both my tween, teen daughters & i adored it. We love Emma Lord and appreciate her cute, sweet characters with a fun plot. Thank you!!

I can always count on Emma Lord to deliver when it comes to Rom-coms. I loved everything about this book. The characters show so much growth throughout the course of this book. I will absolutely read anything this author writes.

This was an enjoyable second chance romance. I like following Mackenzie and Sam in this story and enjoyed their interactions with one another. This was a quick and fun read that was easy to fly through.

Read this if you like:

📖 Second chance romance
📖 Dual POV
📖 Pop stars & rockstars

Thank you to @youhadmeathea for the gifted copy.

Cute, somewhat slow moving, and the personal journey angles seemed a bit "meh". I got lost in the weeds a bit with what they could and couldn't do with the record label, the music Tik Tok thing, etc. but it didn't really detract from the story for me. The friends' friendships were more interesting to me than the love interest. This reminds me of a fun but not particularly memorable pop song.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely! Here’s a longer, in-depth Goodreads-style review for For the Record by Emma Lord:

⸻

Review: For the Record by Emma Lord

Emma Lord delivers a beautifully written, emotionally rich romance in For the Record, a story that’s as much about second chances as it is about self-discovery. Set in the glitzy, high-pressure world of the music industry, this book goes beyond your typical “exes with tension” story. It’s about evolving past who you were, embracing who you’re becoming, and finding love in the process.

The story follows Mackenzie Waters, a former pop girl group star whose vocal surgery has changed not only her voice but also her identity as an artist. She’s grappling with the fear that everything she’s built could fall apart—and that the world might not accept her as she is now. Sam Blaze, her former labelmate and public “rival,” is now a single father trying to find stability in a life that used to be anything but.

When their labels team them up to make an album, it’s a forced reunion full of creative tension, unresolved feelings, and a lot of emotional messiness. But it works—really works. Lord does a phenomenal job balancing the glamour of the music world with the very real vulnerabilities of her characters. You feel every bit of Mackenzie’s anxiety, her frustration, and her desperate hope. You understand Sam’s need to protect his son while trying to reconcile with the love he once ran from.

Their chemistry is fire—rooted in past flirtation, rivalry, and an emotional connection that neither of them ever truly got over. The way they write music together is intimate in a way that goes beyond romance; it’s trust, it’s vulnerability, it’s two people literally finding their voices again.

What also stands out is the maturity with which conflict is handled. There’s communication. There’s personal growth. And while there is a third-act conflict (as with all good romances), it’s grounded and realistic—not overblown for drama’s sake.

Other highlights:
• The side characters are strong, especially Sam’s son and Mack’s old bandmates.
• The musical setting feels authentic and surprisingly emotional—even though the songs don’t exist, they feel like they do.
• The theme of “showing love” vs. “saying love” is explored beautifully.
• Mack’s journey with self-worth, body image, and creative identity adds real emotional weight.

Minor critiques: There are a few pacing issues in the middle, and some threads (like Serena’s character arc or Mackenzie’s bond with Sam’s son) could have used more depth. The resolution might feel a touch too quick, but it’s emotionally satisfying enough to forgive that.

All in all, For the Record is more than just a romance—it’s a story about voice: finding it, reclaiming it, and using it. Whether you’re a music lover, a second-chance romance fan, or just want a book that hits you in the feels with depth and swoon, this one’s worth your time.

I love when characters in a romance novel are famous, and in this book the two leads are famous singers from former rival bands. I loved learning the history between the two characters and learning their rivalry may have been something else in disguise. I enjoyed this book and enjoy a lot of what Emma Lord has written. Can't wait to read more of her in the future.

2.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mackenzie (think TSwift) and Sam (punk rockstar) reunite for a second chance romance that doesn’t completely come together. This is more adult than Lords previous YA novels. That part I didn’t mind however the characters fell a bit flat and underdeveloped. I found myself struggling to get through some parts and was a bit relieved to finish the book altogether.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the arc.

I'm a sucker for a good second chance romance so For the Record definitely worked for me. I devoured this! I fell in love with the characters, music scene and romance.

This is a second chance romance and let me tell you it delivers on angst. Mackenzie and Sam had a lot of messy history and have to work together again on new music. The forced proximity and history between these two brought so much great tension. I gobbled it up.

The plot was fun. The side characters were great, especially liked the female friendships shown here. Plus we also get found family which is another trope I love. There were a lot of great elements blending together nicely.

A fun book, especially for the angst lovers.

i love how cute this was. the cover is perfect and if you love romcom you will want to check this one out. emma lord has amazing books

3.75 Stars

This was my first novel by Emma Lord and she will be going on my immediate read list! I am a sucker for a good second chance romance and this one delivered.

If you love music, rivalries, angst and some snark you will love this book. I think the FMC had some good growth and development throughout the book, but there were times where the characters fell kind of flat. The friendships in this novel were amazing and very much give off the "
found family" vibe, which I absolutely love to see.

The novel is dual POV, which gives us a great balance between the two main characters. But I felt the tension between them was gone too quickly; I would have loved for it to simmer on a bit more.

Overall this was a decent, quick read and I would recommend it!

Thank you to NetGallery and St. Martins Press for the opportunity to read this eARC!

Unfortunately I did not like this book. It was completely unrealistic to what the music industry is actually like, and it made it hard to comfortable suspend my disbelief. It reminded me of the way I thought the music industry worked when I was 12 writing Jonas Brothers fan fiction, but somehow it knew less than I did at that age. It felt very strange to me and it just made it unenjoyable.

I received an advanced-reader-copy in exchange for an honest book review. Thank you, NetGalley.

Marketed for fans of Emily Henry and Daisy Jones and the Six (both of which I am avid fans of), I was very excited to get an early copy For the Record! I wouldn't exactly say it lived up to the hype though...

I just might market it as something more akin to The Spanish Love Deception (lovey dovey) or Tessa Bailey's novels (loose interpretation of "enemies" to lovers).

Don't get me wrong, the writing was great, the characters were likeable (though wish there we got to know them a bit better), the plot was cute (though perhaps a bit rushed). Call me pessimistic, but I'm personally not a fan of super lovey-dovey, cutesy, sunshine-y characters. And that's what this felt like. Sure, it wasn't always positive, there was some growth - but they were just a little too set in their love and not enough angst for me. I like those raw negative emotions (because hello, I deal with those every day and that's what realistic for me), but that's just me! That's not to say another reader wouldn't enjoy this novel :)