Allow me to start this review by sharing that I truly honestly don’t believe that Emma Lord is capable of writing a bad book. This book was FANTASTIC. Everything you’d want in a “will they won’t they”, somewhat second chance, celebrity romance. I am now just crossing my fingers and hoping the side characters get their own books because the threads and hints Emma dropped were absolutely delicious.

SO SO SO GOOD! Thank you to Emma’s publishing team and NetGalley for the ARC!

I've been a fan of Emma's books for a while and For the Record was no different. Her romances are always so cute, and have relatable and interesting characters. This book was a little fanfiction-y in the beginning but I really enjoyed where the story went. I would recommend to any contemporary romance readers.

What happens when two former rivals—turned almost-lovers—are forced to make music together again? Sparks fly and secrets refuse to stay buried.

For the Record has all the makings of a swoon-worthy second-chance romance—rival musicians with a messy history, a high-stakes reunion, and enough lingering tension to keep sparks flying. Emma Lord delivers an engaging premise with a strong balance of banter, chemistry, and emotional depth, making this a solid pick for fans of music-driven love stories.

That said, the book takes a little time to find its rhythm. The opening scenes lean heavily into distinct character voices, but in doing so, some clarity gets lost in the mix. The humor, while fun, can feel a bit forced early on. However, once the story settles in, the writing smooths out, and the dynamic between Mackenzie and Sam shines. Their interactions feel layered and natural—not just in dialogue but in the way they move around each other, push each other’s buttons, and slowly let their guards down. Sam, in particular, stands out as a well-rounded character, with his carefully constructed walls contrasting beautifully against his more vulnerable narration.

The novel also does a great job grounding these larger-than-life characters by showing them post music tours, making them feel relatable despite their celebrity status. The female friendships are strong and add a great deal of depth to this contemporary romance. While some plot points feel a little contrived—sometimes for humor, though not always to clear effect—and others are a bit inconsistent, the story keeps moving forward in a way that’s easy to enjoy, and the central romance remains compelling.

For the Record delivers an entertaining, emotionally charged ride with plenty of heart. If you love high-energy romances with music-industry drama and dynamic character interactions, this one is worth the read.

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

I’m a sucker for a musician enemies to lovers. This one did not disappoint. I also enjoyed the side plots, friends and personal issues the characters were going through.

Thank you NetGalley, Rivka Holler from St. Martin's Press, and Emma Lord for the early access copy of For the Record.

For the Record follows the story of Mackenzie and Sam. Mackenzie is a pop princess who was known rivals with Sam, the punk rocker. While their two bands toured together, they showed their rivalry on stage, but behind the scenes they had incredible simmering chemistry. That was until it all fell apart suddenly for both of them. Fast forward to two years later when the story takes place. Sam traded his rockstar lifestyle to raise his son, and Mackenzie after dealing with a surgery that changed her voice is only singing anonymously. When the two are presented with the option to revive their careers, but as a duo, they must learn to work together. With old feelings, new secrets, and new antics, For the Record is must-read.

Sam is a walking green flag of a male lead. His character was flawed and beautifully written to show the growth of time and vulnerability. He falls hard and is open with communication with Mackenzie. Thoroughly enjoyed his character development.

Unsurprisingly, this book was utter perfection. The banter, the chemistry between Mack & Sam, Lord's beautiful prose weaving this gorgeous love story---and story of the ups and downs of friendship---together was magical. Forever an autobuy author for me, and if you love books like Daisy Jones & The Six and The Breakup Tour by #Wibbroka, I think you'll devour this!

Sam and Mack have been performing together for years. Before it was a publicity style feud to gain traction for both their bands. But now things are different. After two years of not speaking, Sam when totally underground after finding out he had a son. Mack has been through a lot too, having major surgery change her voice. The pair come together to start making music together. At first Mack is totally against it, not wanting to fall for Sam’s bad boy charms all over again. But maybe Sam isn’t the bad boy he was portrayed as…

This book was so fun! I usually don’t go for celebrity romances because they feel so unrelatable. But since I love Emma Lord I gave this a shot. The characters are raw real and just all around lovable. If you like enemies to lovers with fun banter this ones for you!

Dual POV
Enemies to friends to lovers
Rockstars

Thanks NetGalley and the publishers for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Great characters with the the perfect amount of tension with the rivalry. My only complaint is the story seemed to drag out a little in the middle and then quickly wrap up.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin and Netgalley for an ARC of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I’m a total sucker for novels where both main characters are famous so that alone was a major selling point for me when it came to OFF THE RECORD, but to have this book also be written by Emma Lord? I knew instantly I would love it.

Mackenzie and Sam were such relatable characters, ones any reader can see themselves in (except maybe for the insane musical talent!), dealing with struggles with relationships with friends and family members and feelings of self-worth as they both attempt their next chapters years after their respective bands disbanded.

I couldn’t get enough of Mackenzie and Sam’s trips down memory lane as they wrote their songs together. It was so fun to be able to see them create new memories from the places that were significant to them both when they were in “feuding” bands while also getting a glimpse into that past with every location they visited together.

There were a lot of moving parts that kept me invested, like fights with labels/greedy streaming services and a super cute kid, and I selfishly wish I was able to spend even more time with the pair as they fell in love.

I absolutely LOVED this book. 4.5 stars rounded up. As much as I love books like Daisy Jones and the Six, it was nice reading a book about musicians that took place after their crazy years. I was hesitant at first with the Tick Tune plot line, as I usually don't like fictional social media platforms or social media being a major plot device, but it fit into the story seamlessly enough that I didn't end up minding it. I really appreciated the book calling out the modern music industry for its shady practices, and while the conclusion felt a little too easy, it wrapped things up nicely.

I loved the characters, I loved the chemistry, and I was hooked by the plot. The romance was so sweet, and watching the characters come to trust both each other and themselves was lovely. Most of the side plots did well to fill in the gaps throughout the story, and I couldn't help but fly through this book to find out what happens next.

Mackenzie Waters and Sam Blaze were once part of two hugely popular bands, forever linked by their legendary rivalry. Years after stepping away from the spotlight, their record labels pitch a surprising comeback—this time, not as competitors, but as a duo.

As they collaborate on new songs, Mack and Sam begin to see each other in a completely different light. They never truly knew one another back in the day, but through honesty, vulnerability, and the creative process, they start to form a connection that was always missing. There’s no reason to hold back—the water’s just fine.

Though this isn’t a trope I typically gravitate toward, I continue to be blown away by Emma Lord’s writing. This book had just the right amount of escapism, never feeling overly tense or dramatic. Mack and Sam’s chemistry felt effortless, and once they finally understood each other, their love story unfolded naturally. Lord masterfully balanced their individual growth with their evolution as a couple, making every moment feel earned.

I also adored the New York City setting—it’s the kind of place where ex-band members can own bars and put on runway shows, and it brought a layer of magic to the story. The imagery of city streets, towering buildings, and casual strolls down the block made me nostalgic for urban life.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Rivka Holler at St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts!

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Griffin, and Emma Lord, and for an ARC in exchange for a honest review!

I've had to sit with this book for the last two days. First, I want to say I adore the main characters, Mackenzie and Sam, their dynamic, and ultimately I did end up with a favorable outlook on this book. However, I couldn't help, after maybe 45–50% to feel dissatisfied with the way things were going. At times, everything felt slap-bang together. The in-and-out of the past and present was confusing with the weird way it was portrayed in tense. There felt like there was six hundred things happening at once with no real build up (except the for romance, perhaps). You were introduced to a problem, it dragged its feet a bit, and then BANG! It was solved. Or came to a strange conclusion. Some parts of the book were fully fleshed out, others felt tucked into the overall plot for the sake of attempting to keep us on our toes. Which was sad cause I felt like had this been more fleshed out (again, overall) it would've been truly wonderful.

YESSSSS 5 ⭐️ BB

Pleaseeeeee, this was so good!! The banter, the chemistry, the tension between Mack & Sam was perfect! I loved every single bit of this book. This is my first Emma Lord and it most certainly will not be my last! Her writing is beautiful and I felt it on such an emotional level, I can’t even put it into words. I was so blown away by this, what a start to the month.

Thank you NetGalley & the publishers for an ARC of this! Running to pre order to have this on my shelf when it releases in August!

The banter, the tension! I couldn’t put it down and read it one day. I really enjoyed this second chance romance and hearing about the main character’s perspectives on their past. But what really hooked me was their present!

I may be of an unpopular opinion that did not love this book as much. I have loved her other works that are ya, but I’m not sure her adult romances hit the same for me as the ya ones do. A huge thank you to Netgalley for this arc, as it was a fun time and easy read among some of my longer books!

Thank you St. Martin’s Press | St. Martin’s Griffin and NetGalley for this advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

For the Record follows Mack and Sam when they reunite after a few years. After playing the role of rivals while touring with their respective bands they are thrusted together as a duo and set off writing an album while confronting their history and exploring a future. True to Emma Lord fashion there are quirky but endearing characters and fun scenarios all while addressing serious issues related to self identity, careers, friendship and love.

For the Record was an easy, fun read. I love reading a books set in the music scene! I enjoyed the MCs a lot. Mack and Sam were really well written, you understand their motives and why they are the way they are. They also had a sweet relationship. It was almost like a second chance romance but also not really haha.
My only real issue with this book was the pacing and that might just be a me problem. I wish there had been two different timelines - past and present - just so that we could’ve read about their days in the band, the behind the scenes, band conflicts, touring, etc. I know it gets touched on in the present/current timeline but I wish we could’ve read about it in a Past POV, if that makes any sense.
Also, the Tick Tune plot line wasn’t my favorite, but that’s okay.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Mackenzie and Sam made music headlines for years—she was the powerhouse pop princess adored in Thunder Hearts, while he was the rebellious punk rocker from Candy Shards. Their rivalry was legendary until both bands broke up and went (radio) silent. Now, Mackenzie is slowly emerging from a hiatus, relearning how to sing after a health scare, while Sam is trying to reinvent his sound and attract label interest. When a manager throws them together, sparks fly—in more ways than one.

Oh, this book is fun! I love the music angle, the close-knit group of friends, and how life inevitably gets in the way of relationships, forcing people to reassess how they connect. The setting is immersive, and the writing feels like a love letter to the music industry—its magic, its chaos, and everything in between. The ensemble cast is likable, and the exploration of music, social media, sharing culture, and record labels adds depth to Mack and Sam’s journey.

Everyone should read this—a super fun romcom set in NYC with characters you’ll absolutely fall for!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

3.75 - An overall easy read that kept me entertained. I love the history between our MCs without them having officially dated before. It showed how their banter and relationship grew organically and picked back up when they were together again. I enjoyed most of the characters but found some of them to be too superficial and only necessary to drive the plot vs bringing value.
I did receive this ARC for my honest opinion/review. I think it will make a great summer read.

Emma Lord has done it again. Such an impactful, beautiful second chance love story. Refreshing to see such growth from both the FMC and the MMC.
The only thing that would have made it better would have been including the song lyrics.
Crazy to me how underrated Emma is in the romance industry.
Thank you St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.