I’m not going to lie, I was in a major book slump when I picked this book up. However, what I wasn’t expecting is for it to be so dang good that it put me into ANOTHER major book slump. Mackenzie and Sam’s chemistry is number one on the Billboard charts!! I felt like seeing both POVs made it so that I really felt like I knew them.

A fun read with some little twists along the way!

Brief overview:
Mackenzie, a former girl group pop star, is given an opportunity to re-enter the spotlight. The only catch? She has to team up with her former rival and tour mate, Sam. As Mack and Sam revisit their old haunts, they may revisit some old feelings too.

My thoughts:
This gave me bits of Honey mixed with current events and of course some cute banter and a little spice. Definitely a fun read for those of us that like rom-coms and loved choosing which Spice Girl we were with our friends.

Was I sobbing at 10:30pm finishing this book, yes. Did I love every minute of it, also yes. The banter between Mack + Sam was one of my favorites — a slowwww burn with a redemption second chance love, this rockstar romcom absolutely delivered! But also, when can I get my hands on this imaginary album?🎶

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the
ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this book!! There was so much to like. But bottom line for me was this book was all about relationships! The obvious thing was Mackenzie and Sam. Their relationship was so sweet and they had such good chemistry.
But I loved so many of the other relationships in the book. None of them were perfect and had their own flaws, but they felt real! I appreciated a bit of a redemption arc with Caspar and Sam and Mackenzie and her parents - we can only imagine that slowly those relationships will rebuild.
The only thing that could have made this book any better was an actual playlist to go along with it!

I adore Emma’s writing and always have a blast reading her books, For the Record is no exception. I’m a mood reader in the mood for a rockstar romance and this one delivered that and more. It added the complexity of a them both being famous with a second chance romance mixed in. I subtracted a star as I think some of the side characters/ plots could have been left out but the main characters needed a little more emotional depth. But overall I really enjoyed this book and would recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!!
I love Emma Lord’s writing and this book was no different. I fell in love with the characters and the world of music was so fun to explore. All the lyrics and things were so clever. I could see hints of things that reminded me of real artists but I don’t think the couple was based on a real couple. (Watch me be so wrong) It was spicier than the past books I’ve read by her so just be aware if you are not a fan of that.

For the Record by Emma Lord is another absolute gem—heartfelt, charming, and full of the signature warmth I adore from her books. With music, romance, and a journey of self-discovery, this story hits all the right notes. Emma Lord never misses, and this one is no exception!

This was pure joy on every page!

For the Record by Emma Lord leaves some of the whimsy of Lord's usual work and moves forward into the adult genre. Lord tackles hard topics like unexpected parenthood, life changing illnesses, and losing your best friend because emotions are hard to articulate. I wish we got more of the music aspect of the theme, and didn't rely so heavily on the miscommunication trope. Overall a solid 4 stars though

I loved this one! This is very heavy on the 1989 vibes (Taylor's version, of course), and as a huge Swiftie, I was loving that for me! This popstar romance is so fun! I loved both Mackenzie and Sam and I am dying to hear this imaginary album.

Emma Lord can do no wrong!

Thank you so much to Emma Lord, St. Martins Press, and Netgalley for allowing me to read the ARC for this amazing book!

Rating: 4 ⭐️
Spice: 2-2.5 🌶️ (I'm awful at rating spice level LOL)

Tropes: Rivals to Lovers, Second Chance, Secret Identity, Famous Rockstar/Famous Popstar

Let me start off by saying, I AM A SUCKER FOR BOOKS ABOUT FAMOUS PEOPLE. If you are a famous popstar/rockstar/princess/queen, I WILL EAT IT UP. This book is written in a dual POV format. We follow Mackenzie (popstar) and Samuel (rockstar), who were touring together as rival music groups. However, we are placed in the present time, when both of their bands have disbanded, but they want to sing and produce again.

Pros: Mack and Sam have history. A WHOLE LOT OF HISTORY. While they were touring, they were really trying to act and play a part that may have hurt how they were really feeling about each other in the process. I loved that we got to read about them in the present, because their feelings towards each other start UNRAVELLING at an amazing pace. THERE WAS SO MUCH ANGST AND TENSION. I kept thinking to myself "PLEASE JUST KISS ALREADY", but that's the best part. The buildup was AMAZING. I love Sam. The shit that comes out of his mouth is COMEDIC GOLD.

Cons: This book lacked some emotional depth at some certain parts of the book. Mack and Sam's growth could have been elaborated a bit more and there were some story points that I felt rushed on. Other than those minor critiques, this book was such an easy read. It felt like a YA novel that had spice.

Overall, this book was an enjoyable read. I appreciated how easy Emma's writing is, so it's an easy read for anybody. Thank you again for the ARC!

This was a cute and quick read that I really enjoyed! The main female character in particular was a great story to me and I thought it was executed well. The middle got a little slow and I wish we could have seen more back story but overall a good time!

“For the Record” is a second chance romance by Emma Lord. This was a very cute idea - former rival musicians Mackenzie and Sam agree to work together. They’re older and a bit wiser, which adds some maturity to this book. This is a sweet easy read - one that could be finished at the pool or a nice beach read. I found myself being a little bored - there’s tension between the two, but there were a number of side things that were mentioned but not really explored (and some of those side things sounded interesting to explore). I’d give this author another try - this just may not have been the book for me, but I can see others really enjoying it!

Music meets romance is always a good trope for me. The buildup of this relationship is excellent, there is so much history and the tension that has been building is very well developed. You do not get to wonder why there is beef/history etc. you get to live through it. The music writing scenes are great and I just wish there was an audio accompaniment of the songs. For one of the few times I actually really do agree with the blurb: for fans of Emily Henry and Daisy Jones and the Six. It has the music insider and the emotion through song of daisy Jones, but the quick banter, great characters and lovely romance developed by Emily Henry. A sweet and quick read for the summer. I think one of my favorite things are the savory concoctions that Ben keeps creating, I kind of want to go buy them.

This was such an unexpectedly fun read!

This book was paced really well, and the romance between Sam and Mackenzie developed at a satisfying pace- plus no 3rd act breakup?? Chef’s kiss 👌🏼

The MC’s had likeable, well-developed personalities, and the cast of side characters were really well-rounded for a relatively short book. I loved watching Mackenzie and Sam work through both their individual struggles, and their relationship. I felt like Serena and Hannah’s stories could have been fleshed out more, but given the length of the book, and the fact that they weren’t our main focus, I really can’t complain! Ben’s character of course, was the absolute sweetest.

I was pleasantly invested in the plot as well as the romance, and the resolution (as well as the epilogue 😍) were sweet and satisfying.

Absolutely recommend for a lighthearted rom-com. My first Emma Lord book, but definitely not my last 😊

I'm so happy to be reading (the) Lord's work once again! I reviewed an advanced copy of "The Break-Up Pact" last August (<a href ="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6343536575">which I absolutely adored</a>), so thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC of Emma Lord's "For the Record" :)

In "For the Record," ex-popstar Mack Waters and ex-rockstar Sam Blaze hope to revive their careers by collaborating on a joint comeback album. The problem? They're rivals (sorta) and exes (kinda), and well, there's just a whole lot of unresolved tension that they've both ignored for the past two years. This enemies-to-lovers, second-chance romance is mature and complex. Throughout the novel, Lord undertook multiple subplots and complex themes (navigating romantic, familial, and platonic relationships, health scares, parenthood, and the viciousness of the music industry) without losing sight of the plot.

Despite its breadth, "For the Record" was such a fun read! I truly enjoy the way Emma Lord writes dialogue, and I fell in love with Mack and Sam's banter in the first chapter. As a music girly, I appreciated the little Taylor Swift nuggets throughout the novel. Taylor definitely influenced Mack's characterization - she's America's sweetheart who has had a lot of bad luck in love, and her relationship with her parents definitely gives "mirrorball" vibes (iykyk, folklore girlies rise). Not to mention, the record label's contract screwing with Tick Tune users and former pop/rock-stars alike was very reminiscent of Swift's battle with Big Machine Records.

I was pleasantly entertained - my only critique was that it was a quick read. I wish there was a dual timeline to expand on the story; the chapters that took place during the prime of Thunder Hearts and Candy Shard left me wanting more, and it would've been so much fun to dive into Mack and Sam's past "will they, won't they" relationship. I also would've liked to see the early days of both bands to delve a bit more into the predatory nature of their recording contracts. Despite this (very minor) critique, this book definitely deserves five stars.

Emma Lord's "For the Record" is a mature yet light read, perfect for fans of Emily Henry, Sussman's "Once More with Feeling," and Jenkins Reid's "Daisy Jones and the Six." Be sure to pick up a copy of "For the Record" when it releases on August 12!

*******

The following was commented while reading: “This seems to be a theme with Sam - negotiating for my time. Maybe it should worry me that the more time we’ve spent together, the more I’m willing to give” just to have Sam say “‘Lucky thing I’m good at keeping time’,” right before kissing Mack oooohhhhh Emma Lord pardon me I was not aware of your game!!!!!"

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

4⭐️ This was cute. Spice scenes were tastefully done and I like Mackenzie and Sam’s relationship. It’s an easy quick read and it’s a good story. It didn’t hit the mark for me for a few reasons. First being that I would have liked to see Mackenzie bond with Sam’s son since I’d imagine that’s a huge part of a relationship if the other person has a kid. I would say I don’t usually gravitate towards single dad romances, they haven’t ever really been my taste but I didn’t find this one to be bad. I do think if this had been extended 100 pages we could have gotten to see some things like Mack and Ben, more explanation on Serena, she was complex but in the end I didn’t know if I actually liked her. Another thing I’d say is that the ordeal over a song at the end was a bit of a questionable choice for a 3rd act conflict. I also don’t find it believable that in a month everything comes to the way it is but that’s my usual. Then lastly I’d say I really didn’t understand Mackenzie being in love with Sam way back when, I would’ve wanted to see more than what we got of them because it just seemed like a weird we get on each others nerves but something else is there with our chemistry but I love you. That isn’t for me, but I will say I found Sam incredibly charming, and he gets high marks from me. Their banter was fun in the beginning and it was a nice romance book despite my grievances. I’d definitely recommend this to anyone who is compelled because it is a fun read. I may check out some of Emma Lord’s work in the future because of it.

The book hooked me from the beginning and was easy to read. I did think there were so many plot points between so many characters that it got a bit convoluted, but still enjoyed it as a quick read.

Another solid book from Emma Lord! Including interesting (questionable? lol) food combinations.

Mackenzie Waters was part of a girl band until they went their separate ways. She had an operation on her thyroid which changes her voice, and she's trying to deal with that change and her past relationships by writing/singing/posting songs anonymously until she can be more confident and start a new chapter of her life. She has a supportive friend/ex-bandmate and another ex-bandmate she's trying to reconnect with.

Sam Blaze was part of a boy band and played Mackenzie's rival while on stage. Their antics are hilarious and their actions and words only increase their tension and simmering feelings. When Sam's band dissolves, he finds out he's a dad (to the cutest boy ever) and throws himself into that role, but later thinks about becoming a solo act with a different sound.

"People loved to watch us hate each other. It was the greatest un-love story ever told."
"That women's either gonna change my life, or end life as I know it."

Que their managers, who propose they work as a team to write and produce new songs to launch their new music careers. But they're still dealing with secrets, the fear of trusting the other, and their attraction. Their lust and love are written so well. You can definitely see second chance details, like the way they know each other to the point of knowing what a line in their face means. They're there for each other and want the other to be happy. I love these characters and their story! <3

I'm a sucker for characters who have a public persona that is different from their real selves.
I also appreciate the spotlight on shady people in the music industry and artists trying to make it.
I read this pop princess with exes and history with the industry as a nod to TS, but I could be wrong. I haven't read or watched Daisy Jones and the Six yet.

I love that Lord put pieces of herself in Mackenzie with her thyroid lump and trying to make it in Nashville as a songwriter. I appreciate when authors share personal details in their notes or acknowledgements.

I would definitely recommend this book!

I was really into this book from the start. Rival bands with compelling frontman/woman that are dripping with sexual tension for years come back together two years after their respective bands breakup is such a great setup for a rockstar romance. There was story and spice and tension and passion but it also had compelling sideline stories woven throughout. Family dynamics, chosen family, friendship, self-discovery, reinvention, parenthood and vulnerability are all key themes. This story played out in my mind like I was watching it on a big screen and I loved it. Read it when you can, you won’t be disappointed.

This was my first book by this author and it definitely didn’t disappoint! I ended up giving this book 3.5 stars because it felt like something was lacking throughout the storyline. This was the first book I’ve read that the main characters were musicians and I’ve come to learn that it just isn’t my favorite thing to read about. With that being said, Sam’s character development throughout the book made my heart swell, I was genuinely in awe with him. The ending was so sweet and I felt like it wrapped up the story so well! I just wish there was a little more build up to Mack and Sam’s story now. It felt like it was slightly rushed, but like I said the ending seriously did wrap it up and I loved the conclusion of it!

Thank you St. Martin press and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this title!!