I really wanted to love this. The premise sounded great but the storyline and writing fell flat. The pacing and timelines were a bit confusing. The story would made more of an impact for me if there was chapters dedicated to what happened in the past. Sam and Mack had some moments and fun banter however I was left feeling disconnected emotionally. The push by the label for their duet felt forced and unrealistic. The band and music related content also just left me cringing. I kept imagining Disney Camp Rock rather than Daisy Jones.

If you’re looking for a music driven, quick read you may enjoy this one how you may want to skip if you want more of an emotional read.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the e-ARC.

I loved “For the Record.” It was easy to jump right into the story of Mack and Sam, 2 friendly “rival” musicians who secretly have had feelings for each other for a long time. This book has the perfect amount of rom-com-ness. Just a heads up, it isn’t a YA book like some of Emma Lord’s other books, in my opinion. #netgalley #fortherecord

This was my first Emma Lord book but definitely not my last. This book has you hooked from the first page I love the strong friendships in this book as well as the second chance romance. This story features MacKenzie and Sam who were in different bands who toured together a few years prior. Sam finds out he has a son and is navigating fatherhood and co parenting. Mack had a health issue that changed her voice and she is trying to rediscover herself. Their agents propose that they write and perform new music together. This story is told from both Sam and MacKenzie’s perspectives both past and present. It was a feel good heartwarming story that made me smile laugh and cry while reading. If you want a hooked from the first page easy read then I recommend For The Record by Emma Lord.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martins Press for the ARC copy

2.5 stars rounded up to 3

I think it's time I just admit that I've out-grown Emma Lord. This book had no sparkle or, honestly, any life to it at all.

I was looking forward to witty dialogue and a compelling story. Instead, the dialogue could have come from any booktok popular book written in the last two years. The entire plot could have been resolved in about 20 pages if the characters just talked to each other. Seriously. Mack, our FMC, just needs to actually talk to people instead of waiting for the right moment.

Speaking of the plot, it's just a disaster. There's about 5 different plots going on and Lord does not manage to make these converge at all. This book would have benefited from some serious editing and revising - the plot definitely needed to be tightened, and honestly, at least one of the plot lines should have just been dropped.

The characters aren't horrible (besides their complete inability to talk to each other), but there's nothing special there. Sam, our MMC, calls Mack "Sparkles," but nothing about her personality is sparkling. I feel like any of these characters could have been replaced by a rock (or a different character from an entirely different book), and no one would have noticed the difference.

I used to love Emma Lord. She was an insta-buy for me. However, this and her last adult novel were just disappointments. I think it's time for me to move on.

Emma Lord delivers another heartwarming YA novel with For The Record, a story filled with music, self-discovery, and all the signature charm her readers love!

🎶This novel is perfect for fans of a musical romance such as Daisy Jones & The Six. Two old rivals who once toured together with thier respective rock & roll groups, come together to create music as a duet while focusing on self-identity and healing from the past. As the reader gets further along, the enemies to lovers trope become prominent.
The storyline is entwined with the protagonist Mackenzie, and her lifelong friendships with old bandmates, sprinkling in a found family trope.

What I Loved:
🎶Compelling Charcter Growth: Both Mackenzie and Sam’s journey’s of self-identity are relatable and inspiring.
🎶Music Industry Setting: Lord captures the highs and lows of fame in a way that feels authentic & fresh.
🎶Romance and Friendship: A sweet, slow burn romance and strong friendships that make this a well rounded story.

🎶Minor Critique: At times, the pacing slows a bit in the middle, but the emotional payoff at the end is worth it.

Emma Lord does it again! For The Record is a must read for music lovers, dreamers, and anyone finding thier own voice 🎤✨

⭐️THANK YOU SO MUCH NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for this amazing ARC! ⭐️

I've always been a sucker for a good second chance romance, and this one was great! A fun, quick, easy to read story that had me finishing this one in no time! Mackenzie and Sam were entertaining main characters and I enjoyed getting to know them and hearing all their banter. Told from dual POV, which I love! If you are looking for a quick, fun read, pick this one up! Thank you St. Martin's Press for early access to this book in exchange for my honest review!

This book felt like sunshine all the way through. There was love woven throughout between all of the characters, including between friends, which made the novel feel more like a big-love story than a traditional romance. The chemistry between Sam and Mackenzie was electric and believable, and I was rooting for them to admit their feelings the entire way. The music portion was written extremely well too--I very much believed that the two main characters were musical superstars, and this added to the overall impression that the book was easy to fall into and live in for a while.

This story was less enemies-to-lovers and more "when will they finally admit that they love each other?," and I really enjoyed the emotional journey that Sam and Mackenzie went on to get there. I loved it from beginning to end.

I'm a big Emma Lord fan so I was very excited to read this ARC. It was fun reading an adult romance from her and I really loved it. The characters were fun and charming and I would happily read more books in this same universe. Hoping she does more adult romances!

This was such a cute read! Both MCs are popular artists with a tragic past, but don’t you worry! MMC, Sam will get his second chance. I needed the Rom-Com, but still a tiny bit angsty read after the dark books I’ve been reading. If you want to giggle and kick your feet, laugh, and tear up: this book is for you!

Mackenzie and Sam are old musical rivals who were pitted against each other to stir up drama and publicity during the height of their careers. Years later, they are thrust back together by their old record label to create new music. As they retrace their steps and old haunts, while writing new music, buried feelings and secrets begin to come to light.

While slow in some places, I enjoyed seeing both POVs. It’s a reminder that we don’t always know how much pain or anguish we’ve caused to another. Mackenzie and Sam toed between what was real and what was contrived for their personas and those feelings got lost as life happened and their respective bands changed direction.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.

4.5/5 stars. I LOVED this! Sam and Mack were so cute together and I loved the music industry setting. Also Ben was the cutest, he was one of my favorite parts of the book! Emma Lord continues to amaze me with each of her books

I truly adored this book!! Mack & Sam had a backstory that carried through to present day and it just worked!

Mack felt like the free spirit, while Sam clearly became more grounded after finding out he was a father.

The two made magic happen together before and seemed to find that magic again when deciding to collaborate.

I like the storyline from Mack’s former band members woven into the main plot!! I was iffy about Serena but came around BIG TIME!

Emma Lord strikes gold once again with For the Record, a heartfelt, music-fueled second-chance romance that hits all the right emotional notes. Packed with nostalgia, tension, and undeniable chemistry, this novel beautifully explores fame, identity, and the transformative power of music and love.

Mackenzie Waters and Sam Blaze were once the biggest names in their respective genres, their on-stage rivalry and off-stage tension captivating fans. But after their careers—and their almost relationship—fell apart, they went their separate ways. Now, two years later, they’re both at crossroads: Mackenzie is recovering from a postoperative vocal change, hiding behind a pseudonym, while Sam has traded in his rockstar lifestyle to raise the son he never knew he had. The solution to their stalled careers? A joint comeback album.

What Worked:

✔ Second-Chance Romance with Depth – Mackenzie and Sam’s history is layered with unfinished business, past heartbreak, and a genuine emotional connection. Watching them navigate their rekindled relationship—both professionally and personally—was deeply satisfying.
✔ Music-Industry Authenticity – Emma Lord captures the energy, pressure, and chaos of the music world, from songwriting to fan reactions, making this a compelling backdrop.
✔ A Refreshingly Mature Approach to Growth – Sam’s transition into fatherhood and Mackenzie’s journey reclaiming her voice and identity were handled with care, adding layers beyond the romance.
✔ Fantastic Banter & Chemistry – Their witty back-and-forth, unresolved tension, and slow-burn romance create the perfect balance between angst and swoon.

What Could Have Been Stronger:

✖ Pacing Slows Midway – While the first half crackles with energy, the middle lags slightly as the story shifts focus from music to introspection.
✖ More Exploration of Past Rivalry – Their previous music scene rivalry is referenced often, but I would have loved more flashbacks or deeper exploration of how it impacted their careers and personal lives.

Final Thoughts:

For the Record is a lyrical, emotionally resonant novel about second chances, self-discovery, and the courage to embrace the next chapter—both in music and in love. With its engaging characters, rich music-industry setting, and undeniable romantic tension, Emma Lord delivers a must-read for fans of rockstar romances, slow-burn love stories, and heartfelt journeys of reinvention.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5)

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Former music rivals Mackenzie Waters and Sam Blaze once clashed on stage, but behind the scenes, their tension turned into something more—until their bands fell apart. Now, years later, Sam is a single dad, and Mackenzie hides behind a pseudonym after a career-altering surgery. Their only shot at a comeback? A joint album that forces them to confront old wounds, reignite buried feelings, and navigate secrets that could change everything. Will their reunion lead to a chart-topping success—or a final curtain call?

For the Record is a fun, easy read with an engaging premise. Told through dual points of view, the book gives insight into both characters’ journeys, which adds some depth to the story. The characters are entertaining, and the epilogue was delightful!

However, the book fell a bit flat for me. While enjoyable, some parts felt slow, and the emotional depth of the characters was lacking at times. Their personal growth could have been explored more, making their arcs feel somewhat stunted. I never quite reached the level of excitement that makes a romance truly swoon-worthy—no kicking my feet or giggling moments here.

Overall, if you’re looking for a light, low-drama romance with a satisfying (but predictable) happily ever after, For the Record might be worth picking up. But if you’re hoping for deeper emotional stakes and a more dynamic journey, this one might not hit all the right notes.

This was such a great second chance romance book! The author did a great job balancing emotional, tense and funny moments. The FMC was quirky but not in an annoying way, I found myself laughing quite a few times reading the banter between Mackenzie and Sam. The ANGST. Gosh I loved it!! There was so much tension between them but the payoff was so good! I typically don't read celebrity/popstar books as they tend to be cringy but this one was done really well! Loved Mackenzie's journey of self-discovery and the female friendships in this book! I wish we got to see some more scenes between Mackenzie and Ben as she seemed to really love him but we barely got to see interactions between them.

This was cute , simple and not that much going on, but cute. it does need some work and maybe some chapters need to be looked at. The characters do need a little more development and some work to make them a little more likable.

This was a fun story about friendships, music and self-discovery. If you love pop-star romance this book is perfect, you get dual POV which was so nice to see both perspectives. There were a lot of sweet moments, and overall this book was just a nice light read. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this arc.

I’m a sucker for a rockstar romance. While I loved the chemistry and history between Mack & Sam, I definitely wanted more depth at times. Overall great read and I would definitely recommend!

This was a nice, light hearted story. I enjoyed that Emma Lord took the time to have her characters fall in love prior to the more open door scenes and not just creating a plot full of instant lust. I thought the characters were fun and I was invested in them and cared about the outcome. I think this is a perfect beach read and will be recommending it to other romcom fans.

I cannot believe I scored this arc! I loved Tweet Cute, and once I read the blurb, I knew this one wouldn’t disappoint either. The banter was delicious, and I love a good second-chance romance as much as the next girl. The intrigue of the girl group drama subplot, combined with the rekindling romance of the two main characters, made for a PERFECT PLOT. The single dad trope was arguably the best that I’ve seen it written, and I loved that the mother was in the story + friends with the MMC. The whole book was easily devourable in an afternoon, and the pacing was fabulous. Multiple subplots on top of the romance plot to make sure you were never bored, and WELL-developed characters (you guys know I’m picky about my characters). If you like Emily Henry, this is definitely a book that you’ll like. It has a bit more depth than a cutesy romance book, but it isn’t emotionally draining and sad.