⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5 stars

This was a super cute, yet still tugged so damn hard on your heart strings, kind of romance. I usually don’t like the idea of second chance romances but this one was actually really good.

This story focuses on Mackenzie and Sam, they were both in bands and they were rivals that at one point went on tour together. Years later fate has brought them together and we learn about their “what if” romance and their new relationship together. I don’t want to give away too much but if you enjoy second chance romances, hilarious banter, enemies to lovers, dual POV, and strong fire then this is definitely the book for you.

🌶️/5

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

For the Record by Emma Lord was everything I hoped for and more. I’ve been a fan of Emma’s writing for a while now, and this book just solidified my admiration for her storytelling. She has this incredible ability to create characters that feel like real people—people you want to root for, laugh with, and sometimes even cry for.

In this book, the way Emma weaves humor with heartfelt moments is just perfect. I loved how the story balanced lightheartedness with more serious, emotional beats. It’s not just about the romance (which I adored), but also about finding your voice, learning from your mistakes, and figuring out who you really are—something Emma captures so beautifully in her writing.

The characters felt so real and relatable, and I loved how they grew over the course of the novel. The storyline kept me hooked, and I couldn’t put the book down once I started. Emma has this knack for writing stories that are both comforting and inspiring, and For the Record was no exception.

If you haven’t read Emma Lord’s books yet, you’re missing out. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next because her writing never fails to leave me feeling like I’ve experienced something special.

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Thank you to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for the advanced E-ARC of this title.

As a huge Swiftie, I loved the singer/songwriter aspect of this book. It was really well done and felt rooted in reality. I appreciated the author making the characters grounded and not over the top or diva-like. Each character is trying to find their own path outside of the limelight and the machine that created them.
This book is so well paced, it's easily a one sit read. I read this so fast and loved every page. The story is simple, but extremely endearing.
Second chances, single dad, and flailing friendships are weaved throughout. Its a sweet and simple romance full of fun banter and colorful characters with low spice.

I would recommend to anyone who loves second chance and the fame trope.

If I could give this story 500 stars, I would. 
The tension of so many missed chances both purposeful and accidental, Mack and Sam's off the chart chemistry and Emma Lord did such a great job of taking the musical inspiration around this book and putting it into the story and the characters way of speaking and thinking.  
It's no secret that I'm a sucker for a second chance romance, but this might be the best one I've read in a LONG time. 
I'll be thinking about Mack and Sam and wishing their album could be real for a long time coming.

This book was just right! Mackenzie and Sam were great characters with excellent dialogue between each other. I love their relationship! This was a quick read for me that I would totally read again.

Loved this!!! No notes! Great story about famous musicians without turning them into a sleazebags. Heartwarming story and Ben was so cute with his weird bakery items! Loved it. 5/5 stars for sure.

So this book made me smile. A lot. It is adorably sweet and [like Sam’s nickname for Mack] it sparkles with energy, and palpable chemistry between the two leads. The supporting characters are not well-developed, but they don’t need to be, because this story is Mack and Sam’s story. (Although Ben is an absolute scene-stealer).

Emma Lord gets better with each book and it is a joy to watch/read. ‘For the Record’ has so much heart and warmth and emotional maturity. I appreciated that no one was ever made out to be a true villain. Instead, they treated each other with gentleness and consideration. And so I loved watching their relationship develop as it did. It’s emotionally satisfying.

I was drawn to this book by the catchy title and cover art – and I’m glad to say it delivers on all the promises of its cover and description. A really solid, feel-good romance. My sincere thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for early access to this gem of a book!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Pop princess Mackenzie Waters and punk rockstar Sam Blaze have a history of being rivals but now their paths cross again. They still have off the charts chemistry but Mackenzie has a secret life and Sam is a single dad. Can they make music and be together this time around?

Ok I loved this one. The writing was great, the characters had amazing chemistry, the side characters were memorable, loved the music piece and additional info on the music industry, overall it was a great read!

Recommended

This was an enjoyable second chance romance with a compelling rock star backdrop. While I appreciated the journey the characters took, I found myself wanting to feel a bit more of the emotional connection and romantic pull between them. At times, I struggled to fully understand what drew them back together, but I was still invested in their story. The music industry elements added an interesting layer, even if some aspects were a bit hard to follow for me. Overall, I liked the book and am definitely looking forward to exploring more from this author! There's a lot of heart in their writing, and I’m excited to see more.

he banter, the chemistry, the tension between Mack & Sam was perfect! This was SUCH an incredibly fun time!!!!!!

I loved this story so much. There was this consuming sense of inevitability between Mackenzie and Sam that I adored. Both Mack and Sam were easy to relate to. They cared about their chosen families, showed their hearts and feelings—even when they didn’t really want to—and tried hard to do the right thing, with honesty and integrity. I liked that they consciously thought about how their own behaviour would affect those around them. The reader could tell right from the start that there was something unresolved between the pair and watching it unfold and blossom was wonderful. The friendship between Mack, Hannah and Serena was a backbone to the story but not without bumps. I struggled a bit with Serena’s attitude and secrecy but I liked how the situation resolved. The story has a satisfying blend of the past, present and future. The music industry references were woven though multiple characters and situations and for me was very compelling. I will be buying my own copy of this once it debuts in August and recommend it to everyone, especially those who love music and second chances.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Griffin and Emma Lord for an advanced reader copy (eARC) in exchange for an honest review.

ummm taylor swift coded? i LOVED this so much! adorable, swoony, romantic, everything i needed at just the right time

This was a fun and entertaining read, I binged my way through it in an afternoon.

✨Enemies To Lovers
🎸Musicians
💞 Second Chance
🗣️Witty Banter

I've read a few of this author's books and find her romances to be cute and quick reads, "For The Record" felt very true to that. I enjoyed the storyline, characters and overall thought the pacing was done really well.

I'd recommend checking this one out, it would make a great beach day read!

Thank you Emma Lord, Net Galley and St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin for providing me with an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

Rating: ★★★★★

Emma Lord has done it again! For the Record is an absolute delight—full of heart, humor, and the kind of emotional depth that makes you want to hug the book when you’re finished.

From the very first page, I was hooked by the story of a girl trying to navigate the pressures of fame, identity, and the messy, beautiful parts of growing up. The characters felt so real, their struggles and triumphs jumping off the page in a way that made me deeply invested in their journey. Lord has a way of writing friendships and romance that feels authentic, filled with just the right amount of banter, tension, and heartwarming moments.

The music industry setting was immersive and added a fresh, vibrant layer to the story. I loved how it explored the highs and lows of chasing your dreams while balancing personal relationships and self-discovery. And as always, Lord’s writing is sharp, witty, and full of emotion.

For the Record is perfect for fans of heartfelt YA contemporaries with strong character development, swoon-worthy romance, and themes of finding your voice—both literally and figuratively. Easily one of my favorite reads of the year!

This was a fun read! I would definitely recommend it to a friend. I've read a few of Emma Lord's YA books, and I enjoyed that the characters were older in For the Record. Mackenzie and Sam are both former members of a girl band and punk rock group respectively. Their bands toured together, and Mackenzie and Sam had an on and off stage rivalry. Two years later, circumstances lead them to reunite and make a comeback album together. Mackenzie and Sam also go through individual journeys; Mackenzie's with self discovery and her friendships with her former bandmates, and Sam with his estranged father.

I enjoy romances with celebrities so I really liked that aspect of For the Record. The book includes frequent mentions of baked goods and a prominent storyline involving an app, both of which often appear in Lord's books. Some aspects of For the Record felt a little too quirky to me, like Sam and Mackenzie's eccentric twin sister managers and the mentions of many bizarre baked good creations. Overall, it was a quick and entertaining read.

What a fun and unputdownable book! Mackenzie and Sam were the perfect band rivals and I loved the chemistry! I don’t think I’ve read a book like this before and it really kept me interested and it was so witty and charming! It might have been a bit long for what it was but I still really enjoyed and will be adding to our library!

I LOVED THIS BOOK. I could feel the chemistry between Mackenzie and Sam and was finding myself so enthralled by their relationship. I wish we could relive more of their past touring days!!!

This whole book felt like a daydream to me. It’s like I just got lost in my head it was amazing. So cute, so sweet, so easy. loved

I really enjoyed this book! I felt an immediate connection to the characters of Mackenzie and Sam—each dealing with their own struggles while facing the pressure of their careers and personal lives. I found their backstory as rival musicians fascinating, and I loved how the tension between them simmered throughout the story, creating a perfect mix of drama and chemistry.

I appreciated the way the book explored themes of reinvention and second chances. I felt deeply for Sam as he adjusted to life as a father, and Mackenzie’s journey of rediscovering her voice through singing under a pseudonym resonated with me. Their joint comeback album gave the story a unique and creative angle, and I loved the insight into the music world and the complexities of fame. I found myself rooting for Mackenzie and Sam as they navigated their tumultuous relationship and tried to set aside their rivalry. I felt their struggles to work together were so authentic, and I appreciated how the story balanced moments of hope with underlying challenges. As the secrets unfolded and old sparks reignited, I couldn’t put the book down—I was invested in seeing how they would handle the twists in their lives.

Overall, I thought this book was a captivating and heartfelt read. I loved the mix of drama, romance, and the creative spark of the music world. It’s a story that stayed with me and made me reflect on how second chances can lead to the greatest hits in life.

Mackenzie and Sam, band rivals from the start. What was suppose to be a fun feud during the band tours, wasn't just "fun" for Mackenzie. She really didn't care for Sam. But when both bands break up around the same time. Mackenzie forced to go undercover to get use to her new voice. When an opportunity arises for both Mackenzie and Sam.
The kicker, their managers are twins!! So when Mackenzie gets locked in a closet looking for her friend and finds no other than Sam locked in as well.
This was such a quick, fun read. I enjoyed how the characters were sort of thrown together right from the start. They seemed to fit well together. I enjoyed Sam's smug character, he was confident and knew what he wanted. Having Ben join in and they all just seemed to flow together with ease.
I don't think we needed as many parts in the book as there are. Just seemed unnecessarily long. But I overall enjoyed the story and would read more from this author.