Hello everyone! 💖 Welcome back to another romance ARC review.
Today’s review is about For the Record by Emma Lord, a rockstar rom-com about two musical rivals.
Emma Lord is a must-read author for me at this point. I’ve loved most of her books, both YA and adult, and I’ll pretty much pick up anything she writes. For the Record was no exception. I enjoyed it enough to stay up way too late finishing it in one night, which is always a good sign.
Still, while I had a good time with this one, it didn’t quite hit the emotional high notes I was hoping for.
Now, admittedly, I initially finished this book last September (whoops). I have been very behind on writing reviews, and with how the past year has gone, I haven’t found the time to sit down and really think through my thoughts. I reread the sections I referenced in my notes to keep things fresh in my mind, but otherwise, we are basing my review on how well I remember the overall feelings.
For the Record is currently available at most retail bookstores.
GENERAL INFO
For the Record by Emma Lord
Published on August 12, 2025
Genres: Adult, Celebrity Romance, Romance
Pages: 320
Format: ARC
Goodreads
An electrifying rom com of rivalry and redemption, perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Daisy Jones and the Six, from New York Times bestselling author Emma Lord.
Once the most notorious rivals in the music scene, pop princess Mackenzie Waters and punk rockstar Sam Blaze electrified audiences as their bands clashed on stage. But behind the scenes, their simmering tension grew into something more — until suddenly both bands fell apart, and the idea of Mackenzie and Sam did, too.
Two years later, Sam has traded the rockstar lifestyle for a quiet life raising the son he didn’t know about. Meanwhile, Mackenzie is dealing with a postoperative change in her voice by only singing under a pseudonym. The only way to revive their public careers? A joint comeback album.
With fans over the moon and their futures on the line, Sam and Mackenzie face their biggest challenge yet: giving up their old rivalry and learning to work together. But as old sparks fly and new secrets emerge, they set off a chain reaction neither of them could have anticipated — one that proves that sometimes, the greatest hits are the ones yet to be written.
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The Characters
This story follows former pop princess Mackenzie Waters and punk rocker Sam Blaze. Their bands used to collaborate, and part of their public image was clashing opposites. Offstage, though, the chemistry was very real. Just as things were starting to shift between them, both bands fell apart, and they went their separate ways.
Two years later, they’re dealing with very different versions of adulthood. Mackenzie is navigating postoperative changes to her voice and trying to figure out what her career looks like now. Sam is balancing music, coparenting his young son, and working through his own insecurities.
I really appreciated that we got dual POV. It adds depth and helps you understand where both of them are coming from. Their individual struggles felt grounded, and I liked that the book focused just as much on who they are separately as who they are together.
However, I wanted more emotional depth in certain moments. Some heavier topics are introduced, but they don’t always feel fully explored. The foundation for strong character growth is there, but the development felt rushed.
Both characters are likable, making it slightly easier to root for them. I just wanted to feel a little more of their emotional weight.
“Life is always changing colors, but what we have is golden.”
The Romance
Second-chance romances are tricky for me. If the breakup feels unforgivable, I’m out. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case here. Their split felt rooted in timing, pressure, and personal struggles rather than betrayal, which made it believable that they could find their way back.
The music collaboration comeback storyline is probably my favorite part of the book. A potential joint album forces them back into each other’s lives, and I loved seeing them reconnect. The songwriting scenes were especially strong and added a layer to their relationship beyond just unresolved feelings.
But I kept waiting for the tension to really build. There’s history. There’s chemistry. I just never quite reached that level of emotional investment where I really cared about the romance unraveling. The conflict resolves fairly quickly. It’s tender. It’s comfortable. I just wanted a little more vulnerability and a little more intensity before the happily ever after.
The writing
Emma Lord’s writing is usually readable, and this is mostly the case here. The pacing is quick and easy–the kind of book you could easily finish in a few hours. The banter is solid, and the dual perspectives keep things moving. I also loved the music industry backdrop. I will always show up for a celebrity romance, and the behind-the-scenes elements added texture to the story.
At the same time, the overall plot felt a bit lighter than the blurb suggested. Some of my favorite elements of the book were its discussions on the music industry as a whole, but I wanted it to go even further.
The one part I absolutely couldn’t stand was the use of full names. It felt so cheesy and unnecessary, and by the end, I was rolling my eyes.
Overall Thoughts
For the Record was enjoyable, but not necessarily memorable. Even if it is not my favorite by Emma Lord, I am still glad I read it. It was a quick romance that helped distract me from the realities of life, and sometimes, that’s all I really need.
If you’re looking for a light romance about two musicians reconnecting, with a sweet and predictable HEA, this is worth picking up, especially if you already love Emma Lord’s books.
I’ll absolutely keep reading whatever she writes next.
Final Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Those are all of my thoughts on For the Record! Is this book something you are interested in checking out? Let me know in the comments below!
Until next time, xx