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Princeton Heirs #3

The Painter and His Poet

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Harlow
Stepping onto the stage at a downtown bar as my alter ego, Friday Love, I surrendered to the raw pulse of music within me. That same night, I encountered a brooding and mysterious stranger named Sterling. Our connection was instant, and the passionate night we shared felt like everything I’d ever wanted. But as dawn broke, I slipped away, leaving only a note that said: "Thank you for seeing me."
Four months later, fate intervenes at my mother’s wedding when I discover that Sterling is the estranged son of the man my mother is marrying. The magnetic pull between us is as fierce as ever, but can a single night blossom into something deeper with family ties complicating everything? Am I ready to risk it all for a love that feels both electric and forbidden?

Sterling
I see the world in colours—thanks to my synesthesia, music creates vibrant hues every time I hear someone sing. That night at the bar, Friday’s voice painted a masterpiece I never wanted to end. Our connection was undeniable, but waking up to an empty room and a note that said, “Thank you for seeing me,” left me reeling.
Now, at my father’s wedding, I’m confronted with the woman I’ve been searching for since that night—Harlow, the daughter of the woman my father is marrying. The intensity between us has evolved into something dangerously complicated. Can I navigate this web of desire, obsession and family ties? As we confront the boundaries of love and expectations, I know I must embrace the colours of our connection, no matter the cost.

What you can expect in the story:
'Her mum married his dad'
Tortured hero
Obsessed MMC
Neurodivergent representation
Forbidden love
One night stand
All the angst and tension

420 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 29, 2024

155 people are currently reading
333 people want to read

About the author

Bea Paige

66 books1,578 followers
A writer of gritty, dangerous love. A hopeless romantic. A lover of dark heroes. A drinker of red wine and a scoffer of Haribo sweets.


Librarian Note: Also writes under the name Kelly Stock.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
362 reviews
January 5, 2025
2.5 stars. I like Bea Page – Academy of Stardom is one of the RH series that’s on my re-read rotation – but this series from her has been Not It. I think it’s official: she’s a rare author who is better at writing RH than MF. Usually it’s the other way around.

Like the other books in this series, this story is set in the fictional town of Princetown, England. This is a stepbrother / stepsister story between 2 adults who had a 1 night stand a while ago. (She's 28, he might be early 30s). Their night together rocked both of their worlds, and now they’re meeting again on their parents wedding day. Neither one of them was aware that they were about to become stepsiblings, so it's a sudden shock.

That could be a solid angsty premise, but their parents both suck. So, the forbidden stepsibling "we can't be together" angst is completely unwarranted. They're both adults, they can do what they want, and who cares what their verbally abusive parents think? Just be together! All of the obstacles to their relationship were flimsy. So, they both seemed weak to treat these non-events as real obstacles.

The hero has synesthesia, which is interesting and cool, and he channels that into painting. But he was very “poor me” about it. He was kind of a sad sack vibe. The heroine is 28 and works as a personal assistant to her narcissistic famous actress mom. She even says that she knows her mom doesn’t treat her well, and she should quit. Well then, why doesn’t she? I can’t stand heroines who are “poor me” about their lives, but then don’t lift a single finger to try to change their bad situation. If a heroine has a terrible life and she's trapped for reasons beyond her control, then it's easy to like and root for her. But if she has some control over making it better and just....doesn't do it, why should I like her?

This heroine had TWO situations like that. She hated working for her mom, but did it anyway and wasn’t making any moves to get out. AND, she has a stalker that she's freaked out about, and doesn’t tell anyone about it. Like…….why would you keep that to yourself?? That’s insane! I didn’t feel bad for her when she was stressing out about either her mom or the stalker, because I was like, “you can make some moves to try to get yourself out of these bad situations, and you’re not doing it!” And sure, it's possible for someone to have a psychological block that prevents them from being proactive about their life. But this story didn't have enough emotional depth to pull off that reason for the heroine's lack of action. I think it was trying to make that her reason, but it didn't work.

It felt like I was supposed to like her just because she’s the heroine, not because this story bothered giving her a personality that's worth rooting for. Bea Paige is capable of writing much better heroines, in all of her RH series. So, something about writing MF seems to make her forget how to write decent main characters.

Also, this heroine’s bad situation with her mom seemed like it must be leading somewhere – like, the heroine would finally stand up for herself and tell her mom to shove it. Nope! It never went anywhere! Her mom just vanished from the story.

Unfortunately I’ll keep reading these books, because Bea Paige is good at writing interesting worlds with side characters that you want to explore. I’m mildly curious about the last book, even though that will probably be a letdown too. And, this book introduced a guy in a band that I hope is the set-up for an RH story in this world. I'm glad there's only 1 book left in this MF series, and hopefully she'll then return to the stuff she's good at writing.
Profile Image for Alexandra.
173 reviews
December 29, 2024
⭐️4/5
🌶️3.5/5

I’m usually a dark Romance girlie, like the darker… the better. While this novel touches on darker subjects, it’s not the main plot.

I loved reading abut harmony and sterling, the instant attraction and constant banter between the two were lovely to read.

If youre looking for a slightly taboo read (step siblings) with plenty of spice, a captivating plot and wonderful character arcs.. this is for you.


I was given this novel as an arc by Bea and her team. All above thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Michelle.
1,771 reviews21 followers
December 29, 2024
Harlow & Sterling
One night stand
Step brother
Tortured MMC

Omg this book is absolutely incredible! I could not put this one down for anything!

There are so many emotions in this one! The writing in this is incredible and I absolutely love these two!!

I love seeing the other Heirs too ❤️
Profile Image for Maddie (Bookaholic_Dreamer).
970 reviews83 followers
December 31, 2024
“Whenever we're in the same space, the air crackles with tension and an intense attraction. Small talk is the last thing on our minds.”


In the third release from Princetown Heirs series; Bea Paige has us following Princetown Heir Sterling Blade in this Stepbrother/Stepsister, Forbidden Romance The Painter and His Poet alongside his love interest Harlow Richards through their dual POVs.

Quite the ride was this highly angst and tension filled story of Sterling and Harlow's journey. From the highs and lows of emotions, the drama from the events and situations, building on the underlying growing suspense due to the mysteries mentioned. What was not to enjoy?
Especially when you have two completely different characters at the helm to carry the story all the way through. Along with some minor help from secondary characters in the form of friends and family with he parts they played.

Author Bea wrote the characters Sterling and Harlow well from the development showcased of them throughout the book. Particularly in Sterling’s case, considering the bits and pieces made known to us throughout the series in book one and two.
He truly was a unique character given his synesthesia, which helped bring the story even more to life IMO from the great imagery it created at times.
As well as playing into their relationship, seeing as we were able to really get into Sterling’s head whenever he heard Harlow sing, from what he saw and how it made him feel towards her and not just because of his synesthesia.
The attraction Sterling and Harlow had to one another definitely played into the sizzling chemistry they shared as well, leading to quite some smoking-hot, steamy moments. Adding to their already strong connection that continued to grow.

The mystery alongside the shocking plot twists thrown in by author Bea definitely threw me for a loop to say the least. She truly caught me off guard with it, having never expected it or even seen it coming.
Adding to my enjoyment of the story, since the narrative had me thinking to know what to expect the further my reading through of Sterling and Harlow’s story progressed.

After reading The Painter and His Poet, it is definitely up there, standing level with The Rogue And His Flower as my favourites from Princetown Heirs series.
Sterling and Harlow’s story was emotionally charged from the array of emotions showcased, whilst colourful from the imagery of colours author Bea brought to life in the storytelling. Making for a pleasurable read.



*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Richelle Zirkle.
2,164 reviews12 followers
January 1, 2025
I was eager to see where this one would go with Harlow and Sterling becoming stepsiblings while having already met prior to the marriage, and I wasn’t disappointed. There is so much tension caused by their desire for one another and the household drama simmering beneath the surface. Sterling’s dad is not a good man. While he’s supportive of Harlow’s singing and praising her talents, he’s putting down his neurodivergent son’s exceptional skill as a painter. Harlow doesn’t see this side of him at first, partly because she’s dealing with her demanding diva mother and wedding details. I do love that this cast of side characters show us more about our MCs, and there was overlap in the timeline with the other stories so you could see how the those details and what was happening/playing out was affecting our characters here. Regardless of how much drama happened in the household or how frowned upon their parents might find their relationship, it doesn’t keep these two apart for long. There was a particularly steamy scene with a piano that I won’t forget anytime soon. It goes without saying that these two make it so easy to cheer them on and root for their HEA. They both have interesting backstories—a singer with no training who is essentially overlooked/ignored by her Hollywood mother and flying under the anonymous radar and a genius painter with synesthesia who fights his demons heeding the literal call of the muse. I have a feeling the final book is going to be a doozy with our last MMC stealing back the woman who never should have left his side…
Profile Image for emsreviewsandrecs.
300 reviews16 followers
December 26, 2024
Bea, I can’t stop smiling. I can’t stop tearing up. I can’t stop feeling this giddiness inside. All of this is because of the masterpiece you have created. I have fallen head over heels with every character, story, and scene you have written but there’s just something with this one that has stolen my heart. These characters are so perfect for one another. The story kept on giving and had me on the edge of my seat. The spice was so good that I had to take a breather now and then. This story was so beautiful and so perfect.

Sterling has been living his whole life in colors with Synesthesia. Every time he hears someone signing he has colors exploding all around him and he must paint. One day when his headphones are knocked off, a voice signing has him stopped dead in his tracks and he must find the person behind the voice. When he finds the person behind the voice, he can’t help but stay and watch her. When Harlow catches sight of a guy listening to her sing and fully invested in her, she sets her eyes on him. After realizing the connection between them is so real and so raw they spend a night together until Harlow leaves a note and plans to never see him again. But what happens when her mother is getting married to his dad?

Sterling and Harlow are both two beautiful and down-to-earth characters. They both feel so much all at once when it comes to doing what they love to do. Both of them have had crappy childhoods. Both have been through it. But both are so strong and just so perfect for each other. They have so much love to give and so much depth between them. Honestly, these two are my favorite characters.

This story has made me feel so many different emotions. I have cried, I have grinned from ear to ear, and I have swooned. The Princetown Heirs has become one of my favorite series. All of these characters have been amazing. I am so freaking excited for Ben’s! If you haven’t checked out this series yet, you must read it!
Profile Image for Sammie.
208 reviews5 followers
December 28, 2024
The Painter and His Poet is the third instalment of the Princetown Heirs series and it was *chefs kiss*

There's tension, there's angst, there's a scene involving a piano that I need to try out and so much more 🥵

I loved reading this book, and couldn't wait to read Sterling's story after getting to know a bit about him in books one and two. He is a very talented artist who has synesthesia and whenever he hears Harlow sing, the colours take over. And wait until you read what he adds to his paintings!

Bea had a way of writing characters that grip you from the beginning so much that you're emotionally invested long before you realise it. And I'm here for it!

“You’re a work of art, and damn, Friday, I want you. I want you so bad I think I might fùçking die if I don’t,”

Thank you so much Bea for this arc copy in exchange for an honest review. Bring on book 4!
Profile Image for The Book Junki.
45 reviews1 follower
December 31, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Star read! 🌶️🌶️ Spice rating!

This is the next book in the Princetown Heirs series and wow this book had a bit of everything in true technicolour! 🔥

Sterling and Harlow are my favourite couple so far! I adore them both. Sterling falls so hard and fast for Harlow and she is the same in return. Both have parental trauma and each helps the other heal. I love the neuro divergent representation with Sterlings synesthesia and as always Bea has written this beautifully 🤍

This book contains everything you could ever want in a book! It is forbidden, spicy with the added bonus of thriller and mystery. It truly is a fantastic read and the best way to end 2024 🩵

I cannot wait for the next in this series ❤️
Profile Image for Hollyanne.
905 reviews
December 30, 2024
The Painter and His Poet is the third book in The Princeton Heirs series. These books could be read as standalone, but I feel it would be better to read them in order, as characters from the past books come up and we see how their stories played out. This book is about Harlow and Sterling and is told from both of their points of view.

Sterling has synesthesia where he sees music in colors. Harlow is a singer but sings at local bars/nightclubs. They meet when Sterling hears Harlow singing, and instantly falls for her. They spend a night together, but she leaves during the night and he doesn't know her name.

Now a few months later her mother is marrying his father. With Sterling and Harlow living in the same house, feelings start to develop. However, both have things in their lives that work against them getting their happy ending.

This book had so many twists and turns, and one of them I didn't figure out until the characters figured out, and it kept me wanting to see what happened next.

Will Harlow and Sterling get their happy ending? I have enjoyed this series so far and binged them in just a few days. I can't wait for the last book in the series!
Profile Image for Marisa.
876 reviews33 followers
January 9, 2025
Decent

I love how all of these books and their stories are interwoven. Different characters going through their own hardships around the same time so each book lets you see what is happening in another couple’s story. I’m very much enjoying how this series is playing out.

In saying that, while I am enjoying the series overall, this wasn’t my favorite book. I was looking forward to this couple’s story from the glimpses we had been shown. It fell a little flat for me but that’s ok. I did like seeing the other characters and there were some parts I enjoyed. I wasn’t a huge fan of how the step-sibling trope played out, it felt… overly dramatic?

You’re going to have your favorite and least favorite when ready a series and that’s just how it goes. I am looking forward to the next book as the couple and their dilemma has been mentioned since the beginning.
Profile Image for Laura Gerez.
420 reviews12 followers
December 25, 2024
ARC Review of The Painter and His Poet by Bea Paige🎤🎶🌈🎨🎹✈️💘📚

This book is everything. Sterling and Harlow’s connection is intense, raw, and so beautifully written it’ll leave your heart aching in the best way. Bea has a gift for pulling you in and making you feel every single emotion with her characters.

Sterling is pure magic, he’s fierce, protective, and completely swoonworthy. His love for Harlow burns through every page, and his struggles are written with such honesty it’s impossible not to fall for him.

And that plot twist? I honestly didn’t see it coming, and I’m still reeling. This story is passionate, emotional, and absolutely unforgettable. I literally couldn’t stop reading it until I finished the whole book.

TROPES

✨Her mom married his dad
✨Tortured hero
✨Obsessed MMC
✨Neurodivergent representation
✨Forbidden love
✨One night stand
✨All the angst and tension

🩵My Favorite Quotes🩵

“You may create masterpieces, Sterling... But you, you are my work of art,”

“Harlow, from the moment I laid eyes on you I knew you were mine. The colours your voice conjured may have drawn me to you, but it’s you I love. I see you, every beautiful part.”


‼️Book coming out December 29th on Amazon, and I'm already so excited for everyone to read it and love it as much as I did‼️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

@ReadingLaurasLibrary
#HappyReading
Profile Image for Donna.
222 reviews1 follower
January 22, 2025
I've been loving this series, and Sterling and Harlow became my favourite couple..
Great playlist accompanies the story.
Let me tell you this couple had the best chemistry.

The writing was flawless, and I can't recommend enough.
Profile Image for Leagh.
134 reviews19 followers
January 6, 2025
I have NEVER read a book like this one.

The emotion, the way Sterling feels and sees things, the absolute adoration and love. The personal growth by both characters and the way they both came together to heal. *chef’s kiss*

I felt this entire story. The author did an incredible job of writing the emotion into the story.

Not to mention the spice…whew….I’m not kidding when I say Sterling needs a warning label. 🥵🔥 The spicy scenes are not often, there’s a lot of push and pull throughout the story but when they do connect, it’s intense and hot.

This story was absolutely stunning.

Thank you Bea Paige for giving us this gem. I will enjoy this story many times over.
Profile Image for MissWho.
258 reviews12 followers
January 6, 2025
Well Written & Decent 🌶

It is the first book I've read by this author, and it won't be the last; this book inspired me to read the rest of the interconnected standalones.

I won't recount the plot as the blurb does a good job of that.

Just know that the book is well written, the plot is intriguing and don't even get me started on the song choices, they slap!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶

Profile Image for Alwaysdarkromance.
699 reviews37 followers
January 3, 2025
4⭐️

I am absolutely loving this new world that Bea has made. Sterling and Harmony might be my favorite so far! This book had the tension and the angst. I tend to read darker books but this world has me in a chokehold. Highly recommend.
1,258 reviews
January 10, 2025
I loved book 3 of this author's M/F series in her new universe! I still think book 2 (Dalton and Daisy) was my favorite of the bunch but this was definitely 2nd of the bunch (even if Toby stole my heart in book 1 haha). I connected with Harlow right away and I loved her vulnerability and her strength. I used to sing so it was awesome to have a singer and getting to imagine her singing some great songs. When you add in Sterling's synesthesia which is great to have highlighted in this story and his neurodivergence was refreshing. I loved getting into his head and imagine all the colors when Harlow sings, how it takes over and he obsessively has to paint it all out before he can come back to his body and be Sterling again. It like like possesses him, which was a cool concept and kept me reading and wanting to know more.

This story reminded me of her Finding Their Muse series and Anton and his condition. Not the same, but this author does an amazing job with artists and really making her stories believable and relatable. I didn't like Anton in the beginning and she won me over, and she didn't have to work as hard in this one, I connected with Sterling right off the bat. I also enjoyed the storyline with their parents being horrible human beings. I mean it's not a new concept but the author did a good job with it. I wanted to shake Harlow when she thought Sterling's dad was a good guy ewwww. I also did see the twists coming but the author did a good job throwing in some false options and I was unsure a couple times if I was right or not hahaha. I won't give it away buuuut be prepaaaaared haha.

The romance and steam was fabulous in this one. I felt their chemistry right off the bat. I loved how awkward he was in the beginning, I snorted while reading some of the scenes and how he was so in his head and Harlow helped him get out of everything. I thought the piano scene....so much fire!!! I thought about that for days. Oh and one of my favorite kinks was in this book, I won't give it away haha. I laughed so hard when we get to know Sterling's secret with his paintings haha. Whoever buys them would get a surprise if they figure it out haha. I did like when things were revealed it didn't cause a 3rd act break-up, I was worried and was gonna be exhausted by it if the author went there but thank goodness she didn't.

I think my only complaint would be that there was no resolution with Harlow and her mom. I was waiting for her to stick up for herself and to give her mom a piece of her mind and finally have a backbone. We didn't get that at all, like Sterling stood up to her but it really needed to come from her so we could see her growth and she could finally put her mom behind her and life her best new life with Sterling and his made family, since their blood families are horrible.

I am super excited for Ben and his story, his is the one I don't gravitate the most toward but he is so funny and sexy in the other books, especially this one where he got the most air time, I think his story will be even more angsty and funny. I can see lots of eye rolls coming from his lady and from the group anyway hahaha.

4.5 stars from me, author does another good job making me want to add more book boyfriends to my list/more girls for my besties list haha.
Profile Image for Erin.
3,532 reviews80 followers
January 6, 2025
OMG! WOW! This was an emotional, angsty, spicy and incredibly beautiful story that had me in a chokehold the whole way through.  

The descriptive and heartfelt imagery and poignant word weaving had my heart racing and my mind exploding. The incredible characters, Sterling and Harlow, were so beautifully written that I couldn’t help but fall hopelessly in love with them both individually and as an amazing couple.

Both Harlow and Sterling had terrible childhoods and the trauma that they experienced growing up with terrible and narcissistic parents continues to haunt them both. But finding each other will bring them the peace they deserve.

The way that Sterling falls instantly for Harlow and her incredibly beautiful voice and what it does to him had me gasping for breath. It was just incredible. And the way that Sterling’s synesthesia was explained had me seeing all of the beautiful colours and feelings he was experiencing. It literally brought tears to my eyes.

I loved the interactions between Sterling and Harlow. Their chemistry just oozed off the pages. And they gave off so much heat and desire that I was sure my kindle was going to explode. And the incredibly beautiful and filthy words coming out of Sterling’s mouth were so freaking deliciously HOT, kinky and swooning worthy! I could not get enough of it! So damn spicy!

“Whenever we're in the same space, the air crackles with tension and an intense attraction. Small talk is the last thing on our minds.”

Such a fantastic story from beginning to end with suspense and mystery woven in making it hard to put down. But the amount of emotions that this story brought out of me had me feeling everything. I laughed, cried and fell deeply in love.

Absolutely loved it and can’t wait for the next book!
910 reviews13 followers
December 31, 2024
I loved Sterling and Harlow's story!! I'll be honest that Sterling's story is the one I have been looking forward to the most. I am very intrigued by his condition and I find it fascinating. I also loved how it enhanced and deepened the connection with Harlow. It was quite an emotional story and really tugged at my heart.

I really liked Harlow. She was sweet and so caring. I felt bad for her but also wished she would have stood up for herself. She really needed to stop being such a doormat. I liked how quickly she was accepted into the group and how she was so appreciating of their friendship.

I loved Sterling! I was enamored by him from the beginning and my heart went out to him for all he had been through. I liked that he was a bit different from the usual romance character with his neurodivergence. He was relatable for me with his aversion to people and his need for solitude. I appreciated how he handled himself and his need for peace.

I loved getting to see tidbits from the past stories and getting a slightly different perspective at how things happened. So while this could be read as a standalone it will have major spoilers for the first two books so it's best to read them in order. I'm excited for Ben's story and what is really going on with Elodie. I really enjoy Bea Paige's writing style and how easy it is to get drawn into the story and how I don't want to put it down. I would definitely recommend it!!
Profile Image for Jennifer G.
2,882 reviews54 followers
January 3, 2025
One unforgettable night and she was gone. But his obsession was just beginning. Sterling couldn't forget the beautiful singer he spent one night with. He spends months searching for her only to reappear at his father's wedding as his new stepsister. Their attraction is undeniable. Their parents, their community won't accept their relationship but it doesn't matter. He sees her like no one else has before, and she makes the colors in his life more vivid, beautiful, and erotic than ever. They are inevitable. However, he's not the only one obsessed with her.

This is the third book in the Princetown Heirs series, featuring Sterling and Harlow. They have chemistry and commonalities. Their parents are both selfish and cruel and play an overly influential role in their lives as adults. Both have suffered emotional damage at their parent's hands. Both are passionate about their art. Both want to be free to follow their passion and find happiness. Both have secrets. Sterling and Harlow were lovely. Bea Paige did a great job conveying Sterling's synesthesia. It took me a minute to get into the story but once I adjusted to the pacing, I was invested. I enjoyed this story but it wasn't my favorite in the series. It moved slowly, and I figured out the mystery from the beginning, so the tension wasn't there. Still, I love the characters and their friendships. My favorite scenes involve the heirs all together. I love the brotherhood.
Profile Image for Blair Warner.
815 reviews51 followers
December 26, 2024
This is book 3 in the Princetown series, and it runs concurrently with the other two books. This book is a stepbrother stepsister romance. And they end up meeting when their parents are just starting to date. They are grown adults they do not grow up together.
Harlow is the daughter of a Hollywood starlet. And her mother I absolutely dislike. I do not know how Harlow came out so well with a mother like her read it and you will understand because every single time her mother is in the chapter. I just dislike her.
We already know that we dislike our MMC‘s father. Sterling is neurodivergent and has synesthesia for those who don’t know what that is when he hears music, especially when he hears someone singing he sees colors and textures that are assigned to those notes that he is hearing. Like a majority of the other fathers we have heard of in the series his is also horrid.
I really love how our couple meets up. I really like how Bea played out their story. As the story goes along, you know that the twist is coming up at the end and she sets it up very well. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I did not expect the outcome. And was pleasantly surprised and very happy with the ending. I can’t wait to see how she does book 4!!
Profile Image for Jenny (jennyluvslitbooks).
773 reviews12 followers
January 8, 2025
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice-o-meter: 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
POV – Dual
Genre/ Trope: Adult Romance/ Contemporary Romance/ Small town/ MF/ Forbidden Romance/ Step siblings/ Close Proximity/ Neurodivergent Hero

Sterling x Harlow

The Painter and His Poet is the third book in this standalone, contemporary, forbidden romance. In this newest release from the author, the story centers on Sterling, the heir to a billion-worthy family business and Harlow, the daughter of a famous Hollywood actress. After one night of uninhibited pleasure, both had to separate ways but couldn’t forget each other since then. They both had the shock of their lives when they’ve discovered they were to become step siblings on the day of their parents’ wedding.

This book was a ride as we read about these two characters struggle to fight what they feel for, along with self-discovery. Ms. Paige never fails to incorporate interesting heroes with equally captivating plot, and heady dose of spice and angst.

I seriously couldn’t wait to read Ben’s book next because I bet that it would be just as explosive as it is spicy!


Special thanks to the author for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Emma Powell.
38 reviews1 follower
January 9, 2025
I love Bea’s writing style and so far have enjoyed all of her books - I’ve read a fair few at this point.
I liked the premise of this story and the neurodivergent representation is great! I’d not heard of synesthesia before so it was interesting to read and learn about it. Bea approached it in a careful and considered way.
The two main characters were loveable and I found them easy to empathise and gel with. Sterling is equal parts squishy marshmallow and possessive protector and it works. Harlow is desperately in need of someone to see her and love her, perhaps a little naive in parts, but perfect for Sterling.
I can absolutely see the need for it in this book, but for me there was so much focus on description of scenery, the environment, feelings that it did take me out of the story slightly. With Sterling’s condition, it was absolutely warranted and it was done really well without being repetitive or overdone. It’s just not something I am used to or found easy to digest.
Outside of that, the story is well developed, the angst is angsting and the spice is spicy - I won’t look at a paintbrush the same again, IYKYK. I’ve read the previous books in this series and I will absolutely be reading the last one too when it’s released.
Profile Image for Brandi Augustine.
913 reviews26 followers
December 31, 2024
Does it again

This book is phenomenal. I really love Sterling and was so looking forward to his story. Sterling and Harlow together is just chef's kiss.

Sterling has neurodivergence and always felt different from others. I love how it's explained things popping in colors. He has had a rough life and childhood because his father would just not accept him for who he is. When he's out and hers a voice singing he just had to see who it was.

Harlow is the daughter of an actress but loves singing so she sings at a bar but hides her looks and goes by a different name. When singing she notices this guy and is just captivated and can't stop singing to him. They start talking and things happen.

Sterling is obsessed with finding this woman. When he sees her again it's when his dad marries her mom.

So many emotions felt in this book. There's a bit taboo with step-siblings but they were not raised together. Such a beautiful story. The banter between the two and the angst, just love. Also enjoyed getting bits of the characters from the first two books. Just love this and Sterling has to be my favorite!
Profile Image for Clare Baeriswyl.
113 reviews6 followers
January 2, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved loved loved this!!

The romance, the story, the characters, the twist, the spice, the chemistry, the world building was amazing.

The Painter and the Poet is the first book I have read by Bea Paige and will I be going back to read everything in her catalog? Absolutely yes!

The story follows 2 main characters: Sterling (MMC) and Harlow (FMC) two people that cross paths at a random bar in New York and loose that connection, only to meet again months later in the strangest reunion possible. You’ll fall in love with both of them and their heart wrenching stories that bring that even closer. Also…..that office scene….or maybe the piano scene? I can’t tell which one’s better…both?

When a book makes you love not only the main characters but also the side characters/best friends you know it’s got you hooked for the rest of the series.

I highly recommend reading this book, it’s part of the Princetown Heirs series but can be read as a standalone.

What you can expect in the story:
* Her mom married his dad
* Tortured hero
* Obsessed MMC
* Neurodivergent representation
* Forbidden love
* One night stand
* All the angst and tension
Profile Image for Michelle Ann.
713 reviews30 followers
December 28, 2024
Bea Paige honestly can do no wrong when it comes to writing a book that is flooded with chemistry ridden characters. Academy of Stardom remains to be one of my all time favorite books. Here she's taken a male character with a sweet AF mom and d-bag of a father. Honestly this man is just plain garbage. Honest to goodness garbage. Sterling and Harlow have that reach for the stars kind of love. It's one and done. Sterling's muse has been waning lately. You see, he's an artist. Then one night he heard Harlow sing and it was all over. Sterling's muse is back and her name is Harlow. They share a night together and Sterling puts all his efforts into locating her after she leaves. She did the ole wham bam, thank you sir and high-tailed it out. But his muse and artistic presence has not wavered. And he puts forth so many beautiful pieces. What I absolutely loved was the emotional feelings that were projected. We got to see harlow's side as she battles with wanting Sterling, dealing with her See You Next Tuesday of a mother. We experience Sterling's emotions as we see Harlow through his eyes, experience the colors he sees when he sings, as he deals with his garbage father and watch him be a good friend to Drix, Dalton and Ben. And I, for one, am excited for Ben's story.
Profile Image for Booktokqutiepie.
217 reviews30 followers
December 29, 2024
Wow Harlow and Sterlings book was great! This is book 3 of the heirs books and while you can read the, as standalone you do see characters from other books in this book so I would recommend reading them in order. The banter between the two kept me constantly engaged in the story. I would suggest checking the triggers on this one even though it isn’t nearly the darkest book I’ve read it does have some triggers and some taboo topics (step brother).

The world so beautifully painted in vivid color in this book was done quite well by Bea in my opinion. I loved seeing the other heirs in this and am glad we finally got to see Sterlings story up close. That scene with the piano was chef’s kiss loved every second of that, I’m from down south USA and there’s a dueling piano bar in my home town that I will never be able to enter again without thinking of that scene.

I am looking forward to the next heirs installment book 4!

I would rate this a solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and the spice was so nice at 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Profile Image for Anne Darcy.
200 reviews
January 8, 2025
Because everyone knows that an artist needs a muse, and ever since that fateful night, that person for me is Harlow Richards. My goddamn stepsister.

This book was simply perfection I love the way that Bea Paige isn't afraid to find a medical condition and make it real and into something you will love to read.

The painter and his poet is the third standalone in the Princetown heirs book and follows the story of sterling and Harlow and this book is quickly becoming my favourite in this series.

When sterling is bombarded by colours when he hears the voice of someone singing he doesn't expect to fall so quickly but when she leaves he can't stop painting her and wants to find her.

But what do you do when the voice that haunts your dreams and brings colours to your life ends up belonging to your new step sister what can you do but make her yours. This book has a twist that honestly makes you go wtf and message your friend saying did I read what I think I just read. But it's amazing and you revisit your faves from the previous series.
Profile Image for Sharon McMaster.
309 reviews3 followers
January 27, 2025
This book gave you all the emotions and angst between both characters especially when they connect on the level that they both feel with all their hearts only to find out later that their connection is taboo-ish. When you have a step sibling situation it always feels taboo and people are quick to judge however when the people are grown adults and not raised together I never really understood the issue. This story was beautiful and I just wanted to give Sterling a hug throughout 90% of the book and Harlow needed that extra attention too. The chemistry between them was off the charts and I loved the banter between the guys from the prior books (Dalton, Ben and Toby). This story felt so relatable and the author always does an amazing job of making her characters feel like people I could run into on my everyday adventures. 100% recommend and give this 5/5 stars - - can’t wait for Ben’s story and hopefully we get a little closure for Harlow and her mom because I didn’t get that in this book and definitely feel like its needed.
Profile Image for KelsBookstagram.
735 reviews24 followers
December 23, 2024
Breathtaking. I am struck with so many emotions with this book! Sterling & Harlow's intense connection honestly will send punches to your heart. But have no fear, their passion, intensity, and connection is captured so damn beautifully.

I am always in awe of Bea's writing. She really has a way with emotionally tying you to the characters and keeping you hooked with each damn page. 😍

Sterling is a phenomenal artist, and he falls fiercely for Harlow, and I absolutely adore how the intensity remains throughout the pages. Sterling's protectiveness and dirty mouth are swoonworthy! But his battles for me are beautifully executioned and written with immense raw and real emotion.

That motherfrigginendin... i never saw that coming, and damn, my heart is in my mouth. But Sterling, honestly, i am unarmoured with...

This series is just gripping, and although I'm new to it, I will be devouring all ❤️
250 reviews1 follower
December 29, 2024
I don’t think I’ve ever had such a visceral reaction to a book before but Bea Paige’s Painter and his Poet brought out such an emotional reaction from me I could not put this story down. Sterling you can’t help but fall in love with from page 1 and Harlows background is so heartbreaking you can’t help but will them to be together to mend one another.
I loved the neurodivergent representation for this story; it made every reaction, motion and decision much more heightened and meaningful and the way Bea describes Sterlings synesthesia is so vivid and beautiful, it makes you wonder what it would be like to see life through Sterlings eyes. His obsessive behaviour towards Harlow Isn’t creepy and possessive as you would think, instead it comes from a place of deep adoration, love and respect which only makes you yearn for these two to overcome their obstacles and finally get their happily ever after.
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