I couldn’t put it down! I loved each relationship and the beauty in the happiness and heart ache. I’m a fan!

I picked this because it looks like Taylor Swift on the front and that seemed so fun. I didnt expect to love it so much because the musicians are not always my favorite theme. These characters are really fun and honestly, relatable! The dual POV is everything and Sam was my favorite

Loved this one!! Such a sweet story about music and the music industry with some really sweet sub storylines about female friendship and coming into your own. It was a bit of a slow start for me which is why I knocked it down a star but once it picked up, I couldn’t put it down. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Oh wow.

This book was beautiful. I’m kind of at a loss for words after finishing it, and very tempted to just go back to chapter 1 and start over again.

I loved Mackenzie and Sam’s story. It was fun and beautiful and at times downright swoon-worthy. Just a beautiful second chance romance that doesn’t shy away from heartbreak but embraces it and makes it an empowering step forward for both of them. I also deeply loved the friendships explored in it. The riffs and repairs and found families.

This will probably stay at the top of my 2025 reads. I’m looking forward to revisiting this one and I’m sure it’s one that’s going to stick with me for a while.

Thank you so much to Net Galley & St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin for the ARC.

Once fierce rivals in the music scene, pop princess Mackenzie Waters and punk rockstar Sam Blaze captivated audiences with their onstage clashes, but behind the scenes, their fiery tension turned into something more—until both bands collapsed, taking their relationship down with them. Two years later, Sam has left the rockstar life behind to raise the son he never knew about, while Mackenzie, struggling with a postoperative change in her voice, only sings under a pseudonym. Their only shot at reviving their careers is a joint comeback album, forcing them to set aside their rivalry and learn to work together. As old sparks reignite and new secrets come to light, their reunion triggers a chain of events neither saw coming—proving that sometimes, the greatest hits are still waiting to be written.

Emma Lord’s fun and poppy writing style makes a love story between a rival punk rocker and pop star feel like a perfect match. Sam is a devoted father and a charming love interest for Mackenzie—flawed but never too much of a jerk to root against. Meanwhile, Mackenzie is bubbly and fun, yet also a fierce friend and ally. The story hits all the familiar beats of Emma Lord’s signature style while keeping the emotional moments authentic and heartfelt. This was an entertaining ride, and I can’t wait to read more from her. Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Set in New York City, Mackenzie and Sam are musicians and former rivals who work on a new duet project after being out of the industry for two years. Emma Lord is an auto-read for me, and this book delivers! While the Daisy Jones and the Six like tension was in the past, this is so much about where they are now and how they have grown in the past two years. This novel also features her two bandmates Hannah and Serena, and I loved seeing their relationship having such a critical part of this story, rather than one-dimensional side characters. I also loved how the third act drama wasn't a typical break up, especially with how Sam is trying to show Mackenzie through time that he will be there and love her. There's still tension, but more like just needing a moment to regroup and work through it together.

This includes:
🎶 Rivals to lovers
🎶 Second chances
🎶 Found family
🎶 Music industry
🎶 Co-parenting
🎶 Punk rock vs glittery pop
🎶 Dual POV
🎶 The worst dessert combinations that I would still try for Ben
🎶 Mature conversations
🎶 Fantastic epilogue

5 / 5 stars

Open door / spicy

Thanks to NetGalley and Rivka Holler with St. Martin’s Press for providing this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I love Emma Lord’s writing, and this book didn’t disappoint. I’m pleased that she has ventured into adult romance, and will be happy to share and recommend this book to friends and customers.

This book is hard to rate, because I'm learning this type of book is not my style. The writing was good and the story was fine, but I felt like the rock band scene as a romance doesn't hit as well as other plots.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily. Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this book.

For the record, I am in love with this book. Wholly and completely in love with Mackenzie & Sam’s story. From the very beginning, it drew me in and held me like a warm blanket. Fast forward seven hours and some change later, and I was finishing it without realizing I had barely come up for air. Every thing from the characters to the story line to the banter was utter perfection. Emma Lord has quickly gone from being a new author to me, to being an author whose work I will gladly read again.

The banter and chemistry between the two main characters was masterfully written. Was it a slow burn? Absolutely, it was. I was here for every second of it. Once that spark caught fire though, it was unstoppable. I could feel their connection in the words I was reading and at times, it was intense! Not only were the interactions between the FMC and MMC enthralling, but the supporting characters also had a lot of depth as well. The dialogue was fantastic and entertaining. The plot was well designed and executed. I have absolutely no complaints about For The Record.

Tropes in this book include:
Enemies to Lovers
Second Chance Romance
Slow Burn
Rockstar/Pop Princess

For the Record might just be my favorite Emma Lord book yet. Her characters draw me in so much, and she’s just so good at building a cast of fleshed out characters. Mackenzie and Sam had such good chemistry, and there was so much longing from both of their perspectives, which was just perfect. Their first real kiss… so good.

Additionally, the whole music related storyline was so easy to get invested into. From Sam and Mackenzie’s songwriting together to her antics under her pseudonym, I was hooked.

I can’t wait to read the next one from Emma Lord, as always.

I really enjoy Emma Lord's adult romances. I think her writing is fun and exciting. While this is a story that I have definitely read before, Emma's characterization of Mack and Sam made this book really stand out for me. The rivals to friends to lovers story was everything I wanted. 4.5/5.

I absolutely loved Emma Lord’s second adult novel! For the Record explores themes of friendship, parenting, second chance romance, and embracing change, with the perfect balance of angst, banter, and steamy romance.

I adored both Mackenzie and Sam - they are both extremely well-developed and multilayered characters. I loved how their history was conveyed without the addition of a dual timeline, instead filling in the gaps with their differing POVs. The depth of their relationship is clear from their very first on-page interaction.

In typical Emma Lord fashion, the side characters also play a huge role in the plot, with distinct personalities and relationships. I loved each of them, but Ben, with his “anti-dessert agenda,” was easily my favorite. It was so refreshing to read about such a healthy, blended family!

For the Record is not only a top-notch romance, but also includes important messaging around the intricacies of the music industry. I enjoyed the creativity of Tik Tune and how the former pop icons were using their platform to advocate for younger and unsigned singers. I also appreciated the inclusion of thyroid disease. This story will easily pull you in from the very first page - I highly recommend adding to your TBR!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks for the review copy. I’m always excited when I get to read an Emma Lord arc. I love her writing and how diverse her characters are.

5/5 stars. My favorite Emma Lord book yet. I enjoy stories featuring musicians. I absolutely loved all of the characters. They had great depth and complexity everything they did felt on brand for that character. Thank you netgalley and at martins press

Thank you NetGalley and Emma Lord for the chance to read this ARC.

Sam, swoon.

Normally I am not a fan of miscommunication, but there’s something about the relationship between Mack and Sam that makes me not hate it as much. The flash backs and the current relationship growth between them and the banter make this story great. And the spice, while not much, was spicing.

The side characters are also great, I really didn’t line Serena at first but she grew on me. Be with his nasty desserts might have been favorite though.

*chef’s kiss*
This book is filled with a former punk-rock MMC, a pop-princess FMC, sparkly outfits & secret identities, enemies to lovers and second chances, found family, emotionally mature conversations, and a super cute ending. This book gave me everything I wanted without being Daisy Jones & the Six. I love when two people seem like they’re made for each other and you get to watch them figure it out for themselves.

I will read more from Emma Lord, thank you for this ARC!

For the record... this was my first Emma Lord book, but certainly not my last!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It gave all the music vibes I was hoping it would give, and I love Sam and Mackenzie💗

I can't say much without spoiling, but basically, Sam and Mackenzie are ex band members of two rival bands. They haven't seen each other for over 2 years until Mackenzie suddenly ends up falling into Sam's arms.

This is a dual POV book, I loved seeing both sides of everything! And watching the secrets get spilled out all over the pages!

If you are a fan of romance books with hilarious main characters who love music, then when this book comes out on August 12th, 2025, don't hesitate RUNNING to the bookstore to pick it up!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishing company of this book for giving me an ARC to review! I am hoping to have a blurb on the book when it's published... but I don't know!

My YouTube channel where I will review 'For the Record':
https://www.youtube.com/@liliankay09

My GoodReads where I will review 'For the Record':
www.goodreads.com/liliankay09

I am the biggest sucker for popstar/punk rock boy romances. Like, I will devour it every time. This was no exception. I absolutely loved it. While it kind of started out feeling enemies to lovers, the way it transitioned didn't feel forced or inauthentic or even rushed. I thought it was a quick fun read that had me giggling and kicking my feet and wishing they were real a popstar and punk rock boy.

I am a fairly consistent Emma Lord fan but I think this might be, dare I say, my favorite of hers yet. To be fair, I say that almost every time she puts out a new book but I really think she’s nailed it with this one. Having read both her YA and adult books, it’s been interesting to palpably feel the tonal and linguistic shift between them, but this one, for me, hit all the notes. While not as cozy or baked-goods heavy as some of Lord’s other works, I enjoyed the more serious subject matter and the nuanced side characters who really built up the story so it didn’t feel like just a romance.

Emma Lord is an author I know I can count on for a great book. Her latest, For the Record, was a very enjoyable read.