🎤 For the Record by Emma Lord – A Fun, Music-Filled Rollercoaster of Feels 🎸✨
Alright, besties, let’s talk about For the Record, a book that basically grabbed me by the heartstrings, played a killer guitar solo, and then threw me into a chaotic whirlwind of band drama, slow-burn romance, and self-discovery. Emma Lord is the queen of giving us relatable, heartwarming stories, and this one? A total encore-worthy performance.
🎶 The Plot: One Last Shot at Fame (and Maybe Love?)
Meet Lucy Green—former reality TV singing competition star turned almost famous musician. After her career takes a nosedive (yikes), she gets a final chance to prove herself as the new lead singer for Nick & the Knacks, an up-and-coming indie band with serious talent and even more serious fan expectations.
Sounds like a dream gig, right? Wrong. The band already had a lead singer before her (ouch), the fans are not thrilled about a newbie crashing the party, and, oh yeah—there’s Nick, the band’s swoon-worthy but very emotionally unavailable frontman, who might just be the best-worst thing to ever happen to Lucy’s heart.
As Lucy tours with the band, she struggles with impostor syndrome, media scrutiny, and trying to not fall for Nick (spoiler: she fails). But this isn’t just a love story—it’s about finding your voice, chasing your dreams, and learning that sometimes, the journey is more important than the destination.
🌟 Why This Book is a Whole Vibe
1. Lucy’s Voice is Hilarious and REAL
Lucy is such a chaotic mess, and I mean that in the best way. She’s witty, sarcastic, and so deeply relatable. If you’ve ever doubted yourself, overanalyzed a text message, or dramatically stared out of a car window while listening to sad music, congratulations—you and Lucy would be besties.
2. Nick is a Broody Soft Boi™ and We Love Him
Nick is the classic “I’m emotionally unavailable but secretly have a heart of gold” book boyfriend, and honestly? I’m obsessed. He’s grumpy, mysterious, and ridiculously talented, but also the type to notice when Lucy needs a break or encourage her when she feels like she doesn’t belong. Their chemistry? Insane. The tension? T H I C K. The slow-burn romance? Absolute torture (but in a good way).
3. The Found Family Vibes Are EVERYTHING
The rest of the band—Iris, Holden, and Eliza—are the definition of chaotic sibling energy. They bicker, they support each other, and they create the kind of makeshift family that makes your heart feel warm and fuzzy. They’re also so protective of Lucy, which adds another layer of depth to the story.
4. Behind-the-Scenes Band Life = Chef’s Kiss
If you’ve ever wanted a VIP pass to the wild world of being in a band, For the Record delivers. We get everything—behind-the-scenes songwriting, tour bus bonding, frantic last-minute performances, the pressure of social media, and of course, fans who have very strong opinions about Lucy joining the band. The way Emma Lord writes about music is just so immersive—it makes you feel every high and low along with Lucy.
5. Emma Lord Sprinkles in ALL the Feel-Good Moments
This book is filled with classic Emma Lord charm—inside jokes, heart-to-hearts, awkward but adorable flirting, and moments that make you laugh out loud. But it’s also so real about the struggles of feeling like you’re not enough, and that balance of humor and heart? Flawless.
🎤 The Romance – Slow-Burn Torture (and We Love It)
Nick and Lucy’s dynamic is the definition of will-they-won’t-they (spoiler: they will, but oh boy do they take their sweet time). There’s angst. There’s longing. There’s that moment when one of them finally admits their feelings and you just want to scream “ABOUT TIME!”
They go from mild enemies ➝ grudging respect ➝ I might actually like you ➝ oh no I have FEELINGS ➝ LET’S KISS ALREADY. It’s slow-burn romance at its absolute finest.
đź“€ Favorite Moments (AKA Scenes That Live in My Head Rent-Free)
🎸 That first moment Lucy and Nick duet together? I swooned. Swooned.
🎸 Every time Lucy stands up for herself and shows that she belongs in the band? ICONIC.
🎸 The Nick secretly cares moments—like when he makes sure she’s okay even when he pretends not to? A whole meal.
🎸 The big romantic moment at the end? Perfection. No spoilers, but trust me—you’ll be grinning like an idiot.
🚨 Tiny Nitpicks (Because Nothing is Perfect)
- There are a lot of music industry terms, which I personally loved, but if you’re not into the behind-the-scenes music stuff, it might feel a little overwhelming at times.
- The slow burn is really slow. Like, “I’m screaming at these characters to just KISS ALREADY” slow. But honestly? The payoff is worth it.
🎧 The Final Verdict – 5/5 Stars, No Notes
This book is for you if:
âś… You love books about music, bands, and behind-the-scenes drama.
âś… You live for slow-burn romances with just the right amount of angst.
âś… You want a book that makes you laugh, swoon, and feel things.
✅ You’ve ever doubted yourself but secretly hoped you were capable of something amazing.
Emma Lord always delivers, and For the Record is no exception. It’s fun, emotional, and packed with all the heartwarming moments. If you need me, I’ll be over here, listening to indie music and pretending I’m on tour with Nick & the Knacks. 🎶✨
đź“Ť Available August 12, 2025
🎤 Let’s Chat!
Have you read For the Record? Do you have a favorite book with a music setting? What would your dream band name be? Drop your thoughts in the comments! 🎸💕