This was a super cute musical love story that did the enemies-to-lovers trope proud! It was well written and the characters were fully fleshed out people. It was written with a lot of love, it showed on every page. I loved this sweet story of Sam and Mack, it was just what I needed!

writing to the tiktok demographic is so demoralizing. while i love the work of emma lord, this was not my favorite book of hers. though it's being marketed as an adult romance, the characters and tone haven't broken free of the YA vernacular or decisionmaking process. i think there is an interesting book in there, but like a lot of books recently, the churn and pace of publishing makes it difficult to coax a great finished book out of a collection of mostly good ideas. the bottom line is this one felt like a messy first draft that needs more polish.

As far as rock star romances go, I think this was a fun second chance one. However, everything overall felt rather surface-level--I never felt completely attached to either character or their relationships. There were moments where I got glimpses of the possibility of that attachment, but nothing that allowed me to really dive into their stories.

I truly loved this book!

The energy of the main characters and the friendship dynamics mentioned was so good and enticing and it made it stand out from just another romance novel.

Wasn’t sure about how the music industry knowledge would be but it was played out super well!

Thank you NetGalley + Emma Lord for letting me read this lovely novel

First of all, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of For the Record. Emma Lord is one of my must-read authors, so I was excited to read this second adult installment in her collection.

What I Liked:
- I enjoyed the growth in the characters and the acknowledgement of the work it took to get there.
- I liked the friendships between the respective band members.
- I liked the idea of the music. As always happens when I read a book about musicians, I want to hear the music they sing.
- If I just sit back to enjoy the ride and don't think too much, it's very swoony.

What I Didn't Like:
- I really struggled with the names of the bands, shops, and managers. They felt a little twee to me, and by the end my eye twitched every time I read Twyla and Isla.
- Some things were too convenient if I thought too much about it.
- The happily ever after kind of glossed over the rage that the label must have felt. I know we read these books for the happily ever after, but the whole bow felt a little too easy to me.

Overall, I liked For the Record. It's definitely not Lord's strongest book, but it's still fun, "aww" inducing, and cute. The spice level was too much for my library, but I will definitely be recommending this one as an option for a mom friends book club read.

My rating scale:
5: I LOVED this so much! (Hard to achieve)
4: I liked this one a great deal and will surely remember details when I'm recommending it.
3: I liked this one, but it's going to blend in with other similar books.
2. Meh. It was fine.
1: I could barely get through this.

Once fierce rivals in the music world, pop sensation Mackenzie Waters and punk rocker Sam Blaze set stages on fire with their battles -until their bands crumbled, and so did their
undeniable connection. Two years later, Sam is adjusting to fatherhood, while Mackenzie hides behind a pseudonym after vocal surgery. Their shot at redemption? A high- stakes joint comeback album. As tension and chemistry reignite, long-buried secrets threaten everything. Emma Lord delivers a dazzling, emotionally charged romance about second chances, healing, and the magic of music. A must-read for fans of rivals-to-lovers
stories! Five stars!

4.25 stars!

Thank you Emma Lord, Macmillan and NetGalley.

I love Emma Lord’s writing style, it keeps things light even when the plot gets a little heavier or more tense. I found Sam and Mack to be endearing and fun and would love to hear more about Hannah and Serena and even Lizzie and Ben. Overall this was a really fun read and I flew threw it.

I really enjoy Emma Lord's books. This one is perfect for the fans of musical romance stories. Two old rivals who toured together with their groups have to come back together to write and perform some music together. I loved the forced proximity, and the enemies to lovers tropes of this one. I I also enjoyed the side story about her friendships with her bandmates and how things ebb and flow but ultimately your people are always there for you. There was a huge found family vibe here, and that's my favorite.
I did struggle a bit with all the side characters. Things got a little confusing there.
Another cute NYC romance by Emma Lord! Overall a great little romance read.

THANK YOU Netgalley, the Ms. Lord, and the publishers for this eARC!

I really enjoyed this novel; the characters felt real, and the well-paced plot kept me engaged from start to finish.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I love a rockstar trope. Mackenzie Waters is a former pop star (alongside her best friends) and Sam Blaze is a former rockstar. Their bands had a manufactured rivalry for years. Then Sam dropped out of the spotlight to raise the son he didn’t know he had, and Mackenzie had health issues that changed her voice. Now they’re starting over as friends and music partners. Sparks, of course, flu.

I liked the concept and I liked the characters. There was just something missing in the middle 1/3 of the book. They just sort of came together suddenly and without much explanation. The pacing was a little uneven throughout.

But it was a quick read and for the most part, I enjoyed the story.

If you love music, romance, and second chances, you have to pick up For the Record! Mackenzie Waters and Sam Blaze were once music’s biggest rivals—pop princess vs. punk rocker, always at each other’s throats. But behind the scenes? Let’s just say there was more to their story. Now, years later, Mackenzie is struggling with her voice, Sam is adjusting to life as a single dad, and the only way to revive their careers is a joint comeback album. Awkward much?

This book has everything I love—fiery chemistry, music industry drama, and a romance packed with history and heart. If you’re a fan of Emily Henry or Daisy Jones & The Six, trust me, you’ll eat this up. Let me know if you pick it up—I need to talk about it with someone!

I’ve read a few novels by Emma Lord and I always come away, glad I spent time in whatever world she has created. For The Record introduces us to Sam and Mackenzie, lead singers from rival bands. Both group have left on good terms, but Sam and Mackenzie have some left over business.

This book was enjoyable to read! The protagonist, Mackenzie, was especially lovable and well-written. Mack and Sam made a fantastic couple, and I enjoyed watching their bond grow. The book's banter and tension were fantastic! excited to read more by this author!

I loved this book, it was beautifully written. I loved how Mack and Sam’s relationship grew throughout the book. This was my first Emma Lord book and will not be my last. 4.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.

I am screaming and kicking my feet! I really really loved this book! Emma Lord does NOT miss on writing these sweet and steamy romance novels. The book immediately grabbed me at the beginning and kept me interested throughout. I highly recommend this.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book!

Thank you Net Galley for this ARC. This romance tells the story of Mackenzie "Mack" and Sam who are rival musicians with a past. Both are at a point where they need something fresh to revitalize their careers. They then begin to work together to recreate the magic of song writing they once shared. As they work together, old feelings and issues resurface. It was sweet watching both characters realize what is important and what they want from life and each other. The side characters in this book were perfect as they gave the story humor, depth, and a feeling of cozy sweetness. I really enjoyed and would recommend this fast paced romance.

This was an cozy second chance romance between rivals - a pop star & a rock star. I thought the main characters had great chemistry and banter, but I wished some of their past was explored more. I think it would have given a bit more depth to their love story.

All in all I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a fun, sweet, and engaging romance.

If there’s one thing Emma Lord is gonna do it’s take you on the emotional ride of your life!!! This book was all-consuming and frankly a love story for the ages.

This story follows MacKenzie and Sam, former bandmates who once played the “are they dating?” game. They both leave their bands but find their way back to music—together, or in MacKenzie’s case, definitely not. The plot was fun, though not earth-shattering. The characters were cute—dark, handsome guy and spunky girl—but there were times I felt lost due to some over-explaining of details. Still, the main story was sweet, with plenty of swoon-worthy moments. I really liked MacKenzie’s journey through loss and heartbreak. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

If you're after a cute, easy romance, this one’s for you—it’s cozy and hard to put down.

Have you ever read a book that gave you butterflies? That’s when I know it’s going to be good.

For the Record follows Mackenzie and Sam as they reconnect after the push and pull of their onstage relationship two years prior. Both are at the point now where they want to revive their singing careers and they agree to do it together as a duo. This book had the best angst and slow burn with the most perfect ending. It gave me Daisy Jones and the Six vibes and I couldn’t put it down!

This was my first Emma Lord read and I can’t wait to read more!