This book felt like sunshine all the way through. There was love woven throughout between all of the characters, including between friends, which made the novel feel more like a big-love story than a traditional romance. The chemistry between Sam and Mackenzie was electric and believable, and I was rooting for them to admit their feelings the entire way. The music portion was written extremely well too--I very much believed that the two main characters were musical superstars, and this added to the overall impression that the book was easy to fall into and live in for a while.

This story was less enemies-to-lovers and more "when will they finally admit that they love each other?," and I really enjoyed the emotional journey that Sam and Mackenzie went on to get there. I loved it from beginning to end.

This was such a cute read! Both MCs are popular artists with a tragic past, but don’t you worry! MMC, Sam will get his second chance. I needed the Rom-Com, but still a tiny bit angsty read after the dark books I’ve been reading. If you want to giggle and kick your feet, laugh, and tear up: this book is for you!

4.5/5 stars. I LOVED this! Sam and Mack were so cute together and I loved the music industry setting. Also Ben was the cutest, he was one of my favorite parts of the book! Emma Lord continues to amaze me with each of her books

I cannot believe I scored this arc! I loved Tweet Cute, and once I read the blurb, I knew this one wouldn’t disappoint either. The banter was delicious, and I love a good second-chance romance as much as the next girl. The intrigue of the girl group drama subplot, combined with the rekindling romance of the two main characters, made for a PERFECT PLOT. The single dad trope was arguably the best that I’ve seen it written, and I loved that the mother was in the story + friends with the MMC. The whole book was easily devourable in an afternoon, and the pacing was fabulous. Multiple subplots on top of the romance plot to make sure you were never bored, and WELL-developed characters (you guys know I’m picky about my characters). If you like Emily Henry, this is definitely a book that you’ll like. It has a bit more depth than a cutesy romance book, but it isn’t emotionally draining and sad.

My first Miss Lord book but definitely not my last! This had me in my FEELS! This was the epitome of the pop star romance I wanted so badly to read back in my fanfic era and I LOVED IT! I loved the banter and the slow burn and the found family and the music aspect. So cute and so cozy and so happy! Will be reading the rest of Emma Lord's backlog ASAP!

- will also be uploading videos on tik tok about the book eventually as well! @sunshinesbooks!

I’m not going to lie, I was in a major book slump when I picked this book up. However, what I wasn’t expecting is for it to be so dang good that it put me into ANOTHER major book slump. Mackenzie and Sam’s chemistry is number one on the Billboard charts!! I felt like seeing both POVs made it so that I really felt like I knew them.

EMMA LORD IS THE QUEEN!

I don't think I've ever finished an EL book disappointed. I swooned so hard, I was constantly smiling while reading and fell in love with our main characters.

Absolutely adorable!

For the Record by Emma Lord is another absolute gem—heartfelt, charming, and full of the signature warmth I adore from her books. With music, romance, and a journey of self-discovery, this story hits all the right notes. Emma Lord never misses, and this one is no exception!

This was pure joy on every page!

I was really into this book from the start. Rival bands with compelling frontman/woman that are dripping with sexual tension for years come back together two years after their respective bands breakup is such a great setup for a rockstar romance. There was story and spice and tension and passion but it also had compelling sideline stories woven throughout. Family dynamics, chosen family, friendship, self-discovery, reinvention, parenthood and vulnerability are all key themes. This story played out in my mind like I was watching it on a big screen and I loved it. Read it when you can, you won’t be disappointed.

This is the book for you if:
* You like good magnetic chemistry between the leads.
* You are interested in baked monstrosities.
* You’ve worn glitter at one point in your life.
* Are a fan of the 2001 Josie and the Pussycats movie.
* Like a group of scrappy underdogs fighting against the man storyline.

Thank you for letting me read this book in advance. I loved it from beginning to end. The story of Mackenzie and Sam was so perfect. I loved their growth as people, their friendship, and their love. I liked that the author didn’t follow the typical, predictable romance book plot line. This was a beautiful book to read. It made me happy and hopeful.

I am not normally one who enjoys celebrity type romances but this book proved me wrong! I knew I would love it from the very first chapter. Mack and Sam have the kind of chemistry that just JUMPS off the page and makes you want to giggle and kick your feet. Their journey was an absolute delight to witness!

This is a 5 star read for me because of how much I enjoyed it and how quickly I read it! I can’t wait to tell besties about this one. Perfect musician slow burn with so much character and relationship growth. I laughed and cried! Thank you so much to Emma Lord, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for this ARC!

Oh my stars! You know how you sometimes just know you’re going to love something?

From the moment Mack fell into Sam’s arms, I knew this book was going to tear me apart emotionally before sewing me right back together.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book!

Love at first sight for Sam and Mackenzie, but a rollercoaster of finding their way back to one another. I only put this book down when I absolutely HAD to.

I can’t wait to have a physical copy of my bookshelf.

I was thrilled to be given the chance to read this as an ARC and wow did it not disappoint. The push and pull of Mack and Sam had me invested immediately! I’m not usually a fan of second chance but this was done in such a way that I am scrambling for more of Emma’s works!

Sam + Mack 🫶🏼🎸🎤🎶 rockstar romance? Yes please! this book was SO cute. I loved the single dad trope! And guess what?! There’s no third act breakup 🙌🏼 I truly enjoyed this book and ate it up so fast. I love Emma Lord so I knew I would!

Thanks for the arc NetGalley!

i absolutely ADORED the break up pact by emma lord, and was so excited for this one too and OH MY GOD!!!!!!!! this one was perfect to me oh boy!!!!!!!! mackenzie and sam’s chemistry and banter was TOP NOTCH!!! as an emily henry fan, a music girl, and second chance angsty romances, THIS WAS PERFECTION!!!!!!

This was such a 5 star read! I've never read a music themed romance and it was so fresh and new, I loved it. The back and forth banter between Mackenzie and Sam then that delicious slow burn leading up to when they finally accept their feelings for each other? So perfect!
I can't wait for the next book (hopefully!).

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!

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 book made me think of Daisy Jones and the Six! Love a book about rockstars, music, and great chemistry between the characters. Definitely would recommend this one for a summer beach read this year!

For the Record by Emma Lord ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This romcom gave me all the feels. From enemies to friends to lovers, Sam and Mackenzie have undeniable chemistry. They are ex band mates who now have a second chance at their romance, if only they could be honest with each other.

I absolutely adored this novel. I only wish I could listen to the songs mentioned

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!!!

Absolutely fell in love with Mack & Sam and cannot wait to add the physical book to my shelf! This was my first Emma Lord read, and I can definitely say I will be adding more of her books to my TBR.

I love a dual POV and the banter between Sam and MacKenzie is just too good. You really feel like you're watching a movie with these two rockstars trying to navigate love, heartbreak, fatherhood, family issues, friendships and more. 🎬

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

When I say I devoured this book, I’m not even exaggerating. It had the same wit and charm that I’ve come to associate with Emma Lord’s books, but this one is now definitely one of my favorites of hers.

Mack and Sam were both such great characters and I loved how head over heels they both were. I’m also such a sucker for a second chance romance (even if the first chance was barely there) that I was hooked from the beginning and could not put it down.

Emma Lord writes romances between characters with a history better than anyone else. I got such a good sense for how Sam and Mackenzie were with each other in the past, and the way they balanced their on-stage rivalry and developed an intimacy required by the rules of the game! And their own pasts with romantic relationships and how they've changed (and know that) but still have those lingering insecurities and impressions of each other. I also love that most of the conflict between Emma Lord's romantic pairs are often more heavily external that they face together, rather than something that breaks them up (even when they have a conflict about it).

I also want to highlight Sam's family! It's refreshing to read a unique parenting situation like his - living with his ex (his best friend who he loves) and her wife and the child he had with his ex - and the platonic bonds between Sam and Lizzie. I was also invested in Mackenzie's relationships with Hannah and Serena.

Oh my god. I had such high expectations for this book and somehow they were surpassed (it’s Emma Lord so of course they were, how could I have ever doubted her). This was a great book, start to finish and I will fight anyone who says otherwise.

I absolutely loved all the characters (especially Mackenzie and Sam, and of course Ben). They all had such great depth and complexity that I could never quite predict what was going to happen, but it always felt in character.

The spice was a little higher than the Break Up Pact, but I’d still say it’s only a 2 or 2.5 out of five. There were a couple scenes, but they were not extremely explicit, and just felt like a natural part of the romance. Speaking of the romance, I don’t think I’ll ever get over Sam and Mackenzie. They were absolutely adorable and the fluff was so cute and just so them and *screams*.

Another thing I really liked was the conflict near the end didn’t feel so much like a usually frustrating third act break up, but more like a little hiccup that even the characters knew would be resolved soon.

The music aspect of this book (especially as it tied into the romance) was soooo good. I felt that the daisy jones comparison in the synopsis was fair, but I’d say it’s more like if they had another season of that continued after the interviews at the end of the show, which I loved (This coming from someone who has watched Daisy Jones and the Six an ungodly amount of times.)

Thank you to the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be plotting how to get to the launch of this book.

This book was a total winner. Mackenzie and Sam's chemistry is undeniable, and their emotional journey together is beautifully written. The supporting characters, especially Ben, add humor and heart, with moments like the hilarious Christmas underwear scene standing out. The growth of both their personal and musical lives is wonderfully done, and the music element brings an extra layer of depth to the story. The banter is spot-on, keeping the tone light while still diving into the heavier themes. No third-act breakup here—just a realistic, satisfying resolution. A perfect 5-star romance with humor, heart, and some seriously touching moments.

“Life is always changing colors but what we have is golden.”

I DEVOURED this. This story follows Mackenzie Waters and Sam Blaze, two former rockstars whose lives collided during their rise to fame as “rival” band members — and whose tension imploded along with their careers. Two years later, Mackenzie is hiding behind a pseudonym to deal with her changed voice, and Sam is navigating fatherhood after discovering he has a son. When a joint comeback album becomes their only shot at redemption, they’re forced to confront old wounds and the undeniable sparks that never faded.

From the moment I got approved for this ARC, it jumped to the top of my TBR and let me tell you — it did NOT disappoint. This book was so cute. Second chance romance, witty banter and a music theme that immerses you so deeply, it feels like you’re touring with the banks? Sign me up.

The chemistry between Mackenzie and Sam. CHEFS KISS. Their dynamic is equal parts fiery and tender with just the right amount of spice. The way Emma handles their individual growth as well as their journey back to each other is beautifully done. Add in an adorable cover design and this is a book I can’t wait to proudly display on my shelf.

Thanks a lot, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin, for granting me the ARC of this book!

I just finished reading For the Record by Emma Lord, and I loved it. The author speaks for herself to me, as she has written two of my most beloved books, but this one was on another level.

It’s a second-chance romance, but with a fire to it that feels alive. I had been in a huge reading slump for a month, and the first few pages completely drew me in. The book is set in the music industry, providing a very exciting and creative backdrop. I also noticed a strong resemblance to Taylor Swift’s story in the protagonist’s journey, but that might just be me—someone unfamiliar with her might not see it at all.

Mack and Sam share a love that feels beautiful but also very complicated. The way their story unfolds, blending past and present through memories rather than flashbacks, is something I really enjoyed. I’m not a fan of full chapters set in the past.

Beyond that, every character contributes meaningfully to the narrative. They all play an important role. I especially loved Ben—I honestly think it’s impossible not to!

A second chance romance. They are from rival bands (ones pop and ones punk but they toured together). Semi-slow burn. An adorable kid. Friends who are family.

Sam and Mackenzie have their own individual issues to work out through this book on top of being thrown together by their managers and record execs to write more songs together (they wrote one while at the height of fame fueling their will they won’t they vibes) and debut again as a duet. They’re chemistry unfortunately, or fortunately, makes it too easy to fall prey to old feelings that never truly came to light. Their individual issues and their relationship play out beautifully in this story.

Hello, Emma Lord’s biggest fan here. I loved her first adult book, The Breakup Pact, and I was thrilled to get an early copy of her second adult romance.

I love a good second chance romance. Sam and Mackenzie have a deep professional and personal history. It is clear from the beginning of the novel how much they mean to one another even though they made names for themselves as rivals onstage. It is my kryptonite when a romantic pairing helps each other thrive both personally and professionally, and that is absolutely the case here. Sam and Mackenzie are able to write incredible music together, and they do so quickly. Sam helps Mackenzie feel confident in her voice again after her surgery, and Mackenzie supports Sam as he meets his birth father. I throughly enjoyed reading their relationship.

At the release of The Breakup Pact, I remember Lord comparing For the Record to Taylor Swift’s album, Red, and having read it now, I absolutely understand why. Red has a darker and moodier tone than Swift’s earlier work, and I’d say that’s true of For the Record as well. I also can imagine that the music Mackenzie puts out as Seven sounds like the music from Red. Seven puts out seven songs about her exes, which certainly sounds like something Swift would do.

One of my new favorite things to find in a romance novel is a main character who is a parent. Sam learns about his son when he is four years old. He immediately does everything he can to be there for his son. He has a great relationship with his son’s mom and even lives next door to her. Mackenzie respects and admires this about Sam as well. It is hard not to respect Sam for the loving way he parents his child. It is just one of several things that makes Sam such a likable character.

It wouldn’t be an Emma Lord novel without some delicious treats playing a role. Sam’s son’s mother owns a bakery and Sam’s son, Ben, enjoys coming up with fun creations like “pizza muffins.” Rocket, who enjoys hanging out at the bakery, even refers to Ben as a “dessert anarchist.” Reading that scene, I couldn’t help but smile because it felt like such a classic Emma Lord moment.

Lord created an app in this novel, Tick Tune. The app combines TikTok and Snapchat and allows artists to anonymously post music that disappears after you listen to it. Mackenzie uses this app to post music anonymously as she gets used to her new voice after thyroid surgery. While there are logisitical concerns that the book raises that would reveal the identities of the artists on Tick Tune, it does sound like a fun app that I wish were real. I also would love an album of Seven’s songs to accompany this book.

I’m loving Lord’s transition to adult work. I am eagerly awaiting announcement of her next book. Her work never fails to emotionally move me…and make me laugh.

I loved Mackenzie and Sam! I was rooting for their love story the whole book, and both were real, fleshed-out characters. I enjoyed all of the music and the friendships between the girls and the other characters. I loved it.

I was such a fan of these characters! After loving The Break-Up Pact by Emma Lord, I was so excited to have the opportunity to receive an advanced copy of For The Record. Thank you, NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Synopsis: Pop princess Mackenzie Waters and punk rockstar Sam Blaze were two rivals in the music industry and their bands were loved by their audiences. The simmering tension between Mackenzie and Sam grew into something more until both bands fell apart. The two have not seen each other in two years, and have gone their separate ways. Mackenzie is learning how to use her new voice, which has undergone some changes, and is singing under a pseudonym. Sam is raising the son that he never knew he had. They're approached to create a joint comeback album and are forced to put their rivalry to the side in order to work together to revive their careers. Like their fans ask - will they or won't they?

My thoughts: I was swooning over these characters! As someone who is not a fan of the miscommunication trope, I was so happy that Emma Lord created two main characters who learned to be open and honest with each other. Both of them took chances and were not afraid to be vulnerable. The story had many layers to it: found family, health scares, a little bit of spice, and two people learning how to be vulnerable together. The descriptions of the music they were creating and sharing made me want to hear their real albums! This book did not disappoint, and Emma Lord definitely has a forever fan in me.

If you're not reading Emma Lord, you're missing out! For the Record is definitely my favorite Lord romance to date. Fans of Falon Ballard and Katie Ruggle will enjoy this. For the Record will make a great beach read this summer.

Emma Lord's novels keep getting better with time just like fine wine. I was addicted to reading Mackenzie's and Sam's stories and did not want to put it down. With the rivals to lovers trope, both deal with the consequences of fame and changes in their personal lives (Sam learning he has a child and Mackenzie's post-operation that changes her voice). You can see the natural progression of their relationship becoming more than collaborators as they work on the joint album and spend more time together. I truly enjoyed reading the novel and cannot wait for what Emma Lord has in store next.

Thank you NetGalley & St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

5⭐️

For the record (😉): whoever wrote the blurb for this book declaring it for fans of Emily Henry and “Daisy Jones & the Six” hit the NAIL ON THE HEAD. It has all the humor of an Emily Henry novel combined with the rivalry/tension of Daisy Jones and Billy Dunne but makes it a present-day rom com.

The FMC gives Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter vibes but if she got her start in the Spice Girls.

The banter between the MC’s was near flawless.

No surprises or twists here, but nor were they necessary.

This is one where I’d actually LOVE to hear The Thunder Hearts bandmates’ stories in future novels.



Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

After a surgery changes her voice, former girl-group pop icon Mackenzie Waters is navigating her return to performing when her label throws her into a project with her rival - former punk band frontman turned single father Sam Blaze.

This was SUCH an incredibly fun time. I wasn’t sure how I would like a book set in the world of pop stars, but Emma gave these characters so much depth that I almost forgot about their stardom. They also faced every complication and conflict with so much grace and maturity, it was so refreshing when it seems that so many books rely on the characters being bad communicators. Emma was able to show us how much these characters have grown both by giving us snippets of their past, and showing us how they handle conflict in the present.

The romance was sweet, lovely, raw, and complex. You felt the love between our main characters so deeply, as well as all of the different kinds of love between the friends and family we meet along the way.

Also I have no idea how Emma managed to write a book that was SO centered around music that doesn’t exist, but still captured the essence of all of the songs we learned about. I’m just sad that I’ll never get to hear any of them in real life, because it truly feels like they exist!

This book was an instant favorite, and I feel so lucky to have read it!

Emma Lord has done it again with her latest! I had such a blast following along with this story and felt immersed in the world the author created with these fun characters! I loved getting to peak into the music world through this read and was rooting for the main characters from the start. I will be recommending to everyone!

Me 🤝 any Emma Lord book

It’s no secret that I am a huge Emma Lord fan. I’ve read most of her books and all have been big hits with me and this one is no different. I actually think For the Record might be my favorite Emma Lord book yet.

For the Record is a dual pov second chance romance. I loved seeing the characters become sorta friends and back to lovers again. I ate up every single interaction between Mack and Sam, just waiting for them to get together. When it finally happened I was screaming. I will always eat up a second chance romance.

I also really loved the whole music industry aspect of this novel. I feel like this is a really common theme in romcoms this year and I am loving it.

This book is fantastic!! It is a second chance, enemies to lovers trope! If you love, celebrities, pop stars, girl power, self discovery and romance I highly reccomend this book!! Can’t wait to read more books by Emma Lord!!

Thank you NetGalley for the arc!! Also huge thank you to St Martin’s press for letting me read this early!!

I will read anything that Emma Lord writes! I love how her characters always have a lot of depth and are multifaceted. I'll probably purchase this one when it's released just to have the honor of owning it.

I loved Mackenzie and Sam! I’m typically not into rockstar stories but this one was great. Their chemistry was perfect and their characters had great depth. Would totally recommend!

Books have always been my “happy place.” The genre that I can never get enough of is romance. Although my preferred genre is romantic suspense books, at my core I am still a fan of traditional romance. I also enjoy books where the setting is the music industry. Because of this, I was extremely excited to get a chance read this book.

I tend to be loyal to certain authors, which makes me hesitant to read books from a new author. That is because it can sometimes take me a while to get used to their writing style. I didn’t have any problems with this book at all. I liked that it was told in first person, with alternating perspectives. This is starting to become my favorite style.

I can honestly say that this book hooked me from the very beginning. I liked both of the main characters equally, which is not always something that is the case with me. I also really liked the supporting characters…also something that is not always the case.

All in all, this book was one that I truly enjoyed. I was very satisfied with the ending!

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

This book was so cozy and lovely, I cherished every second of it! I love the way Lord writes and this will not be my last from her

For the Record is a well-written, charming rom-com that had me hooked from start to finish. With great characters, a second chance, will they-won't they romance, and more than a dash of celebrity world, I can't wait to recommend this to everyone.

One of the book’s biggest strengths is its fantastic cast of characters. Sam and Mackenzie are both complex, well-developed characters with clear arcs. As former rivals in the music scene, their initial antagonism is palpable, but it’s also clear that there’s more to their story than meets the eye. Over the course of the book, I loved seeing both characters evolve—Mackenzie dealing with the aftermath of a vocal surgery and hiding behind a pseudonym, and Sam adjusting to his quiet life as a single father after stepping away from the spotlight. Their personal growth adds so much depth to the story.

The plot and romance between Sam and Mackenzie is well-paced with their will they-won't they dance creating tension and excitement throughout the book. Their chemistry is undeniable, and I was finding myself getting excited as they ventured to write each new song. I absolutely loved how the author tied their first romance to this second chance romance, without it feeling too messy. Yes, there was some level of betrayal, but it wasn't something SO huge that the characters couldn't get over it. This was beautifully done and I'm so glad I was able to get an early copy.

For the Record is a witty, fast-paced, and thoroughly entertaining story about fame, secrets, and personal redemption. The blend of humor and serious moments makes it a captivating read that you won't want to put down. It's a page-turner filled with fun and insight into the world of celebrity.