Book Review: For the Record by Emma Lord

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Emma Lord strikes the perfect chord in For the Record, a vibrant, emotionally-charged second chance romance that blends the pulse of the music industry with the messy beauty of healing and starting over. If you’ve ever shipped two fictional musicians who were clearly destined to write each other’s greatest love song and greatest breakup ballad—this one’s for you.

The story kicks off with pop princess Mackenzie Waters and punk rocker Sam Blaze—once the fiercest rivals (and most electric almost-couple) on the music scene—reuniting for a high-stakes comeback album. Their bands imploded, their maybe-romance combusted, and now, years later, they’re both different people navigating different realities. Sam’s a single dad who’s left behind the chaos of tour life, while Mackenzie is battling a vocal injury that’s forced her to hide behind a stage name. Fame may have faded, but their chemistry? Still chart-topping.

What makes this book sing is how Emma Lord captures that tension—creative, romantic, nostalgic—with the finesse of someone who gets the chaotic magic of music, fame, and complicated feelings. Mackenzie and Sam’s banter is delicious, their shared past is angsty in the best way, and the behind-the-scenes look at album creation adds an irresistible layer for fans of Daisy Jones & The Six.

The romance unfolds with a slow burn that feels earned. There are moments of vulnerability that had me rooting for both of them—not just as a couple, but as individuals trying to rebuild something real from the ruins of their youth and ambition. There’s also a secret or two that ups the stakes without feeling overly dramatic.

So why 4 stars instead of 5? A few of the side characters and subplots didn’t quite get the spotlight they deserved, and the pacing dipped a little in the middle—but overall, this was a hit I’ll have on repeat.

If you love second chances, musical rivals-to-lovers, and emotionally satisfying romance that hits all the right notes, For the Record deserves a spot on your playlist (or bookshelf).

Perfect for fans of:

Emily Henry’s Happy Place The emotional angst of Daisy Jones & The Six Fake band reunions that are definitely not just for publicity

Final verdict: Emma Lord has written a love story that’s as catchy as a pop anthem and as raw as an unplugged ballad. Encore, please.