Really good read! Big fan of the plot and how this was written. I sped through it!

Thank you NetGalley and Emma Lord!

This was an excellent Adult sophomore album for Emma Lord! In all honesty, I liked this novel more than her adult debut novel - maybe it's the inner Swiftie in me, or that I'm a sucker for strong female friendships. The Thunder Hearts girl group truly showcased that friendships ebb and flow, but everyone is stronger together.

The pacing lagged a bit in the middle and sometimes I glazed over the intricacies of the music industry details, but Mack and Sam's chemistry and emotional journey were great. The Dual POV really elevated the storyline, as well as the deep history between the two MCs. Everything came together so perfectly - I'm always in awe of Emma Lord's talent. Emma Lord has this flawless ability to take complex topics and multi-layered storylines into fun, easy to follow, and full of banter romances.

I thought she'd bring back the "Lock, Click" motif later on in the book - but certainly the Epilogue makes up for it. (The Epilogue is possibly the best thing my eyes have ever read.)

Thank you to St. Martin’s Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC!

This was a great read! I enjoyed getting to know the characters and rooting for them as they developed throughout the book journey. Though I could see the direction Mackenzie & Sam were headed there were some surprising twists along the way.
Emma Lord takes us through Mack and Sam's complicated previous working (and almost romantic) relationship. We can see their emotional challenges and growth toward a mature future.
If you're looking for an engaging and entertaining summer read- this is it!

This was a quick, easy read. I enjoyed the storyline as it was a fresh take on enemies to friends to lovers. Told via dual POV with many secrets and good banter between characters.
San and Mackenzie are ex band members of two rival bands that haven’t seen each other in 2 years. Mack has since had vocal surgery and her voice has changed while Sam was under the radar due to finding out he had a son. Now Mackenzie and Sam are not only back to making music together, but also realizing they may have feelings for each other.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was SO GOOD! It was a take on enemies to lovers that is very unconventional, but I love love loved it. It was well paced, so I was entertained the whole time. The conflict didn’t have me ripping my hair out, but I was genuinely rooting for Sam and Mack in the end and wasn’t frustrated with either of them. I love when book characters get to be in love! I will be adding more Emma Lord to my shelves!

4.5 ⭐️ This is my first Emma lord book and it did not disappoint! I really could’ve read this in one sitting if I had the time. I loved the characters, dual POV, and the entire storyline. It follows two “former” musicians that used to work together. Such good banter too🤌🏻 I think this is will be a great summer read and I’ll definitely be looking into her other books!

*I received this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

What a stunning and beautifully written second chance romance. About love, loss, change and friendship. When this book started you could feel the tension between our two minds characters and could tell even then what they had was so special. Mackenzie and Sam have some history when two years ago Sam left, a surprise kid and a new priority it left Mackenzie hurt.

Going through her own things in the past two years were thrown back in with Mackenzie, a very strong and sure of herself FMC who has been through more than you can think. Finding herself and letting go of the hurt as her new role Seven, when the label makes an offer. Bring back the old tension and rivalry with Sam. And how beautifully done it was.

I love getting snippets of their past and how these two seemed to always circle around each other, and the push and pull of their dynamic even then. To who they are know and seeing the growth of the characters with your own eyes.

Everything about this story was layered so complex, between the romance dynamic, some friend dynamic in how change can affect your relationships, forgiveness and how the voice of an artist matters when it’s about to be taken away. I love the spin on modern technology and Tick Tune, comparing that to what we have but a way for artist to share their creativity. The dynamic between the girl group and how different their lives have been since they called it quits.

There’s so much to take away from this story. A big part of learning to forgive and that even if you hurt someone it’s never too late to fix things. About showing your love instead of saying it and realizing it’s okay if you did not have it all together.

I really really enjoyed this authors writing and how she showcased to so many complexities within the plot but also added so much romance I felt myself dying for the tension to break between these two. I laughed, I swooned and I feel like such a small piece of me was left with Sam and Mack.

I am such a fan of Emma Lord.
Seriously, I almost couldn’t believe my luck that I was able to get an early copy of For the Record.
For the Record is about two musicians who aren’t exactly exes, but they definitely are harboring some feelings for one another.
Told from both characters’ POVs, For the Record is a love story that made me laugh, cry, and swoon.

All opinions are my own.

This landed at 3.5⭐️ for me but I'll round up because I did highlight a lot of quotes and I think the general idea was great but execution was lacking. There were just way too many other storylines going on that took away from the main romance. However I did love all of the music and band aspects of this book and the connection between the leads was fantastic.

3.5 ⭐ This is a fun, dual POV, enemies to lovers slow burn, with a little spice. It follows musical rivals/frenemies Sam and Mack who find themselves back in each others lives in an attempt to reignite their respective careers. You really feel like you're watching a movie with these two rock stars trying to navigate love, heartbreak, fatherhood, family issues, friendships and more. I the banter between Sam and Mack was fantastic and I LOVED everything about the bakery. The relationship struggles between the other band members seemed forced and unnecessary. Overall, this was a fun and easy read.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the e-ARC of For the Record in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute music focused rom com. Def reminds me of Daisy Jones and the Six in a way. So if you like that then you will like this book. It's sweet and fun. A little enemies to lovers vibe.

Reviewed for NetGalley:

I usually cannot wait to read Emma Lord's books, but I found myself stumbling over this one a bit.

The back and forth between past and present tripped me up, often forgetting the timeline I was reading. And unfortunately, I never felt the spark between the two main characters.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.75. First off, Thanks to net galley for allowing me a chance to read this early. I really enjoyed this book. A cute slow burn romance set in the music world. I don’t love “rock star” romances but this was definitely a cute read that I flew through it. Really enjoyed the characters and their banter. Definitely would recommend.

Thank you St. Martins Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars

Where do I even begin? I loved this book. The banter? Amazing. The characters themselves? Amazing as well, and self aware which is something that I love in a character. I loved that not only were the main characters really well thought out and complex but the main side characters, namely her ex band mates were as well. I can’t say too much without spoiling it but there’s also a small mystery that also kept me reading and wanting to know what happened.

OMG the banter in this book is everything! It was funny, delightful, everything I hoped it would be and more! Read. This. Book. 100% recommend!!!

This was exactly what I was hoping for. Fun banter, music talk, enemies to lovers slow burn, with some spice. It was light with just enough depth to make it not feel flippant. I've enjoyed other Emma Lord books and will definitely read more in the future.

can i just say that this book was giving Daisy Jones and the Six vibes and The Bittersweet Symphony series??? this was pure magic—such an emotional, slow-burn romance wrapped in music, nostalgia, and second chances. the story follows Mackenzie Waters, the former pop princess, and Sam Blaze, the punk rock heartbreaker, whose legendary rivalry once dominated the music scene. but after their bands crashed and burned, so did they. fast forward two years, and they’re unexpectedly thrown back together for a joint comeback album—a chance to reclaim their careers… and maybe something even bigger.

from the moment Mackenzie and Sam reunite, their chemistry is electric. their history is messy—full of competition, misunderstandings, and an undeniable pull neither of them ever fully escaped. the author absolutely nails the tension between them, blending old wounds with new sparks in a way that feels so raw and real. every moment between them is charged, making their journey from reluctant collaborators to something more feel like an emotional rollercoaster in the best way. —Sam oh Sam....he's impossible not to fall for. learning he has a son he never knew about completely changes him, forcing him to grow in ways he never expected. watching him navigate fatherhood while still chasing his music career makes his character so much deeper and more vulnerable. And Mackenzie? her struggle with her post-surgery voice is heartbreaking yet inspiring. the way she fights to rediscover herself—both as an artist and as a person—hit me right in the feels. the music industry backdrop adds so much depth to the story, making every lyric, every recording session, and every performance feel like a battleground for both their careers and their hearts. Their personal and professional lives collide in the most intense, emotional way, keeping the stakes high but never over-the-top. It’s a love story, yes, but it’s also about rediscovering your voice, facing the past, and daring to want something bigger for yourself.

the ending was breathtaking. i won’t spoil anything, but it’s the kind of ending that makes your heart ache in the best way—bittersweet, deeply satisfying, and impossible to forget. if love second-chance romance, tension-filled slow burns, and stories about music and messy, beautiful redemption.

INFINITY STARS!!!!! THIS BOOK MADE ME WANNA READ ROMANCE AGAIN!!!

The Record by Emma Lord is an absolutely delightful read, blending music, romance, and second chances in the most heartwarming way. The story follows Mackenzie Waters, the former pop princess, and Sam Blaze, the punk rockstar—two musicians who were once fierce rivals on stage and off. After their respective bands fell apart, both Mackenzie and Sam went their separate ways. Fast forward two years, and they are given a second shot at their careers and possibly each other, with the idea of a joint comeback album.

I absolutely loved this book! The chemistry between Mackenzie and Sam is electric, and I found myself rooting for them from the very beginning. Their dynamic—built on a history of rivalry, misunderstandings, and undeniable attraction—was fascinating to watch unfold. Emma Lord really nailed the tension between them, balancing the angst of their past with the possibility of new beginnings.

The fact that Sam has turned his life around to raise a son he didn’t know about only added depth to his character. I loved watching him navigate fatherhood while grappling with the music industry’s demands. It was such a refreshing and touching angle to his character. On the flip side, Mackenzie’s struggle with her changed voice post-surgery was something I could deeply empathize with. Her vulnerability and resilience made her a really compelling protagonist.

The music aspect of the story—especially the idea of a joint comeback album—was brilliant. It was the perfect backdrop for both personal growth and healing. The tension between their professional and personal lives was handled so well, keeping the plot engaging without feeling too over the top. The slow build of their relationship was also really well-done, with both characters grappling with old wounds and new sparks.

And the ending? Perfection. I can’t give too much away, but the conclusion had me feeling all sorts of emotions. It was satisfying, uplifting, and just the right amount of bittersweet. It was the kind of ending that leaves you smiling, reflecting on the characters' journey, and maybe even a little teary-eyed.

I was incially drawn to this book by the cover, and I am so glad I did. This was my first book by Emma Lord, and I immediately want to read more! Mack and Sam were a great couple and I loved seeing the relationship between them bloom. The tension and banter in the book was AMAZING! All I have to say is read this book ❤️

I’d like to thank St. Martin’s Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read “For the Record” by Emma Lord. From the very beginning, I was hooked by the compelling “Enemies to Lovers” and “Second Chance Romance” storyline. The chemistry between the main characters, Mackenzie and Sam Blaze, was undeniable, and their evolving relationship kept me engaged throughout. Their banter and history added depth to their connection, making the slow burn of their romance feel incredibly rewarding.

While the pace of the book was a bit fast at the start, it slowed down in the later chapters, giving me the chance to really connect with the characters and appreciate their emotional growth. There were definitely some surprising moments in the plot that I didn’t see coming, which added an extra layer of excitement to the story. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it to be a heartwarming, unexpected journey that I would recommend to fans of romantic fiction. Thank you once again to St. Martin’s Publishing and NetGalley for this wonderful reading opportunity!