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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was my first Emma Lord book. A friend of mine is always talking about her writing, so I was happy for this one. I love second chance romances, and Mack and Sam had that history and tension I crave. I liked seeing how their past shaped the way they came back together. As a music lover, that setting was extra special for me! The pacing did feel slow at times, but I still cared enough to want to know what would happen between them.
I’ve been diving deeper into the audiobook world and learned that duet is my favorite style, but also enjoy some dual narration. This one is dual and I thought Andrew Eiden and Jesse Vilinsky did such a fantastic job that I didn’t get distracted by it.
All in all, I found it to be a fun and easy listen.
All in all, I found it to be a fun and easy listen.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advance copy. These opinions are my own.
I kept sticking with this book as I was excited by the premise. Unfortunately, the pacing was simply unbearably slow. I did not feel like I was able to get to know the characters in any meaningful way. I wanted more characterization and for the plot to be more than just surface-level.
Also, the comparison of it being like Emily Henry or Taylor Jenkins Reid could not be further off base.
Also, the comparison of it being like Emily Henry or Taylor Jenkins Reid could not be further off base.
If Emma Lord writes it, I read it. Even better when the plot is killer. (I'm a sucker for celebrity romance!)
I loved the Sam + Mack banter and being a part of the comeback. The Tick Tune songs and alter ego were really giving Taylor Swift vibes. Sam and Mack's second chance relationship was really well done. Their growth and development was fun and made sense. They also had their own situations to resolve that were not far fetched or "too much." Not sure Serena's part in all of it? Seemed a little overblown and like I was missing some piece of the resolution. As a result, the ending left me a little dissatisfied compared to the rest of the book.
Definitely recommend for a love story with a side of personal growth and frienship.
Perfect for...
- Enemies to lovers
- Friends to lovers
- Celebrity romance
- Girl bossing
- Sweets craving
I loved the Sam + Mack banter and being a part of the comeback. The Tick Tune songs and alter ego were really giving Taylor Swift vibes. Sam and Mack's second chance relationship was really well done. Their growth and development was fun and made sense. They also had their own situations to resolve that were not far fetched or "too much." Not sure Serena's part in all of it? Seemed a little overblown and like I was missing some piece of the resolution. As a result, the ending left me a little dissatisfied compared to the rest of the book.
Definitely recommend for a love story with a side of personal growth and frienship.
Perfect for...
- Enemies to lovers
- Friends to lovers
- Celebrity romance
- Girl bossing
- Sweets craving
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is fun, entertaining rom-com that does include some depth by exploring the past pain suffered by the main characters and its continued impact.
DNF @ 64% 8/22/25
I don't care and it's boring. I have not managed to feel a single emotion for either of these characters which doesn't bode well when the entire point is to root for them in a relationship. It didn't seem like they had a real reason to be "enemies" which is annoying to begin with but that was coupled with so many other annoying things.
Mackenzie is having a career resurgence after posting a song on TIKTUNE which is tiktok + snapchat (I think) and every time they say that stupid word a brain cell dies. They also only refer to each other by their full government name which .....you can see where this is going.
I'm sure there could've been something to be said about artists' rights which is what I think the author was going for while writing but there's so much slop surrounding that message it was unclear.
10/10 don't recommend unless you have a high tolerance for nonsense.
I don't care and it's boring. I have not managed to feel a single emotion for either of these characters which doesn't bode well when the entire point is to root for them in a relationship. It didn't seem like they had a real reason to be "enemies" which is annoying to begin with but that was coupled with so many other annoying things.
Mackenzie is having a career resurgence after posting a song on TIKTUNE which is tiktok + snapchat (I think) and every time they say that stupid word a brain cell dies. They also only refer to each other by their full government name which .....you can see where this is going.
I'm sure there could've been something to be said about artists' rights which is what I think the author was going for while writing but there's so much slop surrounding that message it was unclear.
10/10 don't recommend unless you have a high tolerance for nonsense.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My first Emma Lord book and I loved it. I will definitely be checking out her other books.
Mack and Sam are enemies to lovers. Their characters had so much history that added to the depth of their relationship. Both rock stars who took a break from the fame, they're pushed to work together. Through their song writing they learn more about each other and start to rewrite their memories of their previous rivalry. Mack's friendships with her previous band mates were also so well done! It's a love story in more ways than one. Highly recommend!
Mack and Sam are enemies to lovers. Their characters had so much history that added to the depth of their relationship. Both rock stars who took a break from the fame, they're pushed to work together. Through their song writing they learn more about each other and start to rewrite their memories of their previous rivalry. Mack's friendships with her previous band mates were also so well done! It's a love story in more ways than one. Highly recommend!
For The Record by Emma Lord
Andrew Eiden (Teddy Hamilton) and Jesse Vilinsky
Standalone Rock Star Romance
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for an ALC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Andrew Eiden (Teddy Hamilton) and Jesse Vilinsky
Standalone Rock Star Romance
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for an ALC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
“People loved to watch us hate each other. It was the greatest un-love story ever told.”
I’m always up for a good rock star romance, especially when it’s well-researched and avoids the cheesy clichés. As a mom of a professional musician, I’ve seen the real-life struggles of life in the music industry, which can make me more critical of musical romances. For The Record by Emma Lord blends music, rivalry, and second chances with a contemporary setting that, despite its retro-feeling cover, is firmly rooted in the present. The FMC even feels loosely inspired by Taylor Swift.
Mackenzie Waters and Sam Blaze were in bands that toured together—hers was a girl pop group, his was a punk band. I’m not sure why those two acts toured together, but they had a flirtatious rivalry the public loved to speculate about.
Two years later, both bands have broken up and they’ve been out of the spotlight. Sam found out he had a son (now six) and has a healthy co-parenting relationship with his ex and her wife. He wants to get back into recording, but fatherhood has shifted his music to a softer, more mellow sound. Without touring and with this new style, record companies aren’t interested.
Mackenzie also stepped away from fame. After having a node on her thyroid removed, her voice changed. She’s been performing anonymously on an app called TikTunes, singing breakup songs about her exes, and is now ready to launch a solo career—but she doesn’t want her TikTunes identity tied to it.
The only way their record companies are willing to sign them is if they revive their love/hate banter and record an album together. I enjoyed their chemistry, especially in the softer moments involving Sam’s son, but the romance never quite reached that swoonworthy level for me.
“Sam has never been in love enough to stay, and I have never been good at staying loved.”
What pulled me out of the story was the overcomplicated subplot involving the TikTunes app. It overshadowed the romance at times, and the unresolved drama with Mackenzie’s old bandmate—who stopped talking to her for reasons that were never fully clear, only to forgive her later—left me scratching my head. With five distinct parts to the story, it felt like too many threads competing for attention.
Likes:
•I loved the single dad/healthy co-parenting.
•That their agents were sisters and how that tied them together.
•I liked their artistic process of writing songs by traveling to places that inspire them.
•They had good chemistry.
•The unrequited love between them.
Dislikes:
•There was just too much going on, and the whole TikTunes storyline pulled focus from the romance.
•If I heard the word “TikTunes” one more time, I was ready to throw my phone.
•Mackenzie’s backstory with her bandmates and friends was confusing.
•I’m not sure why the author used their first and last names so often.
•It felt a little like Taylor Swift fanfic.
•Candy Shard may be the worst band name I’ve ever heard.
The Narration:
Andrew Eiden is a pseudonym for Teddy Hamilton, and I always enjoy his narration. Jesse Vilinsky was fabulous as Mackenzie and really captured her emotions. The audio definitely added to my enjoyment.
The Down & Dirty:
For The Record by Emma Lord had potential, but it was bogged down by too many distracting side plots. The romance, songwriting process, and single dad element worked for me, but the confusing backstory and overuse of the TikTunes storyline kept me from loving it. With a tighter edit, I think I would have enjoyed it much more. As it stands, it was just an OK read.
Rating: 3 Stars, 1.5 Heat, 4 Narration
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
There’s something I always enjoy about a book set in the music world, especially when it involves a comeback. Mackenzie was once part of the most popular pop group. Meanwhile, Sam was a punk rockstar. Together they created chemistry, magic and chaos. Fast forward to now and they both need a comeback, badly. The issue is no one wants them separately. Their comeback now includes both of them. Their future is on the line professionally and romantically.