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Paint the Town, Dove
"It's a beautiful thing to lose yourself in existence... so lose yourself in ours."
It's always been them.
Scarlett Emory-Blake and Ryden Spectre.
Eagle and Dove, they say.
A legacy in the making, going down in history as Spectre, the greatest rockstar of the 21st century, and his cut-throat manager - best in the business - Scarlett. But they weren't always powerful. No story ever starts that way, does it? Because underneath the glitz and glamour of stardom, interwoven between song lyrics and melodies, is a story about two people.
Two hearts, broken beyond repair, mended by impossible devotion.
Two birds taking flight, soaring like eagle and dove -
And the ballad in which they learned how to fly.
It's always been them.
Scarlett Emory-Blake and Ryden Spectre.
Eagle and Dove, they say.
A legacy in the making, going down in history as Spectre, the greatest rockstar of the 21st century, and his cut-throat manager - best in the business - Scarlett. But they weren't always powerful. No story ever starts that way, does it? Because underneath the glitz and glamour of stardom, interwoven between song lyrics and melodies, is a story about two people.
Two hearts, broken beyond repair, mended by impossible devotion.
Two birds taking flight, soaring like eagle and dove -
And the ballad in which they learned how to fly.
373 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 17, 2025
91 people are currently reading
1613 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
Want to Read
October 6, 2025I've been frothing for this book the moment it was mentioned. I'll ALWAYS eat a tragic rockstar story.
November 16, 2025
Mar does it again ppl , she hit me with the most Beautiful heartfelt book 😭 the story was everything to me , the characters were everything, their trauma, their pain , their journey to heal was everything to me and more.
Scarlet and Ryden ugh my babies i wish i could hug them both forever. Lit they have the most amazing friends to lovers story.
This book somehow reminded me of a Bollywood movie “ Aashiqui “ the main character in the movie ( male) kinda reminded me of Ryden , just their ending are different from one another. But They both struggled with traumas and the pain that comes with fame.
My dove and eagle, my new fav couple, their love was raw and I felt it through each word, through each song and especially through everything they went through together. How they helped each other, how they stuck with each other, how they found refuge and love in each other. I just love them. 🦢🦅❤️❤️❤️
“I just fucking need to breathe!” He pulled me closer, wrapping me in a tight embrace. “Be my air, please, please be my air.” ”
“She was my chosen rule.My purpose was song, she was my music. She was in everything.”
Scarlet and Ryden ugh my babies i wish i could hug them both forever. Lit they have the most amazing friends to lovers story.
This book somehow reminded me of a Bollywood movie “ Aashiqui “ the main character in the movie ( male) kinda reminded me of Ryden , just their ending are different from one another. But They both struggled with traumas and the pain that comes with fame.
My dove and eagle, my new fav couple, their love was raw and I felt it through each word, through each song and especially through everything they went through together. How they helped each other, how they stuck with each other, how they found refuge and love in each other. I just love them. 🦢🦅❤️❤️❤️
“I just fucking need to breathe!” He pulled me closer, wrapping me in a tight embrace. “Be my air, please, please be my air.” ”
“She was my chosen rule.My purpose was song, she was my music. She was in everything.”
October 18, 2025
Breathtakingly beautiful!!
Oh my, my, my… this is going on my list of all-time favorite reads. Every aspect of this story had me captivated and holding my breath (at certain moments, of course) but there were those moments while reading where I looked at the imaginary camera in shock. For such an upbringing for both Scar and Ry, I’m glad they had/have one another and I don’t wanna spoil anything because I truly believe this story deserves to be read. This is more than just a romance story, it’s a story of heartbreak, growth, and finding oneself again. I enjoyed every second I spent reading it.
Oh my, my, my… this is going on my list of all-time favorite reads. Every aspect of this story had me captivated and holding my breath (at certain moments, of course) but there were those moments while reading where I looked at the imaginary camera in shock. For such an upbringing for both Scar and Ry, I’m glad they had/have one another and I don’t wanna spoil anything because I truly believe this story deserves to be read. This is more than just a romance story, it’s a story of heartbreak, growth, and finding oneself again. I enjoyed every second I spent reading it.
November 22, 2025
this is so bad 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
January 7, 2026
“Was thinking of getting a few more tattoos,”
“I wanted them on my fingers. Maybe the knuckles.”
“they look good around a neck.” 🥵🥵
“I’ve pictured you a thousand different ways, but me kneeling at your feet is my trophy.” 🥵
“I wanted them on my fingers. Maybe the knuckles.”
“they look good around a neck.” 🥵🥵
“I’ve pictured you a thousand different ways, but me kneeling at your feet is my trophy.” 🥵
Read
November 23, 2025DNF
October 17, 2025
this was hands down one of my most anticipated reads, probably since Mar announced she was writing a new novel.
Ryden & Scarlett will have you in love, I swear. best friends to lovers??? heck yes. these two are the literal definition of ride or die. please please check your triggers before going into it because it was a hard read but so freaking good.
this book had me in tears, it had me laughing and kicking my feet. this is a very raw, real, story with real issues out there in the world that people go through everyday. Mar has taken those and made them feel so real, and exactly how those experiences are in real life.
congrats Mar, you deserve it so much
Ryden & Scarlett will have you in love, I swear. best friends to lovers??? heck yes. these two are the literal definition of ride or die. please please check your triggers before going into it because it was a hard read but so freaking good.
this book had me in tears, it had me laughing and kicking my feet. this is a very raw, real, story with real issues out there in the world that people go through everyday. Mar has taken those and made them feel so real, and exactly how those experiences are in real life.
congrats Mar, you deserve it so much
November 10, 2025
In theory this could of been so so good but it just didn’t do it for me.
The pacing and writing style threw me off therefore, I didn’t really connect with the characters.
Don’t get me wrong, some of the dialogue was beautiful but it wasn’t enough.
Scarlett and Ryden weren’t fleshed out enough, it felt kinda surface level even with all the trauma and flash back chapters.
Here’s hoping I’ll find a rockstar troupe that hits the mark
The pacing and writing style threw me off therefore, I didn’t really connect with the characters.
Don’t get me wrong, some of the dialogue was beautiful but it wasn’t enough.
Scarlett and Ryden weren’t fleshed out enough, it felt kinda surface level even with all the trauma and flash back chapters.
Here’s hoping I’ll find a rockstar troupe that hits the mark
November 10, 2025
I just don’t think this book was meant for me…
December 24, 2025
the writing style gave 2010s tumblr poetry (derogatory)
March 1, 2026
Actually 4.2/5
I went into Paint the Town, Dove during a reading slump and somehow read it in one sitting. That alone says a lot.
This book is messy, emotional, confusing at first, beautiful, frustrating, and heartbreaking and somehow all of that works.
First Impressions (aka: confusion phase)
I’m not even going to lie the beginning had me like:
“Spectre… Spectre… okay wait, who is Spectre again?”
Then it clicked that's Ryden: the rockstar with trauma, addiction, self destructive, and a past he constantly keeps reliving.
And the little details, the fact that his mom named the guitar Harley, and he’s still using it 18 years later😭. Well her wish for him came to pass but her character 🚮
Scarlett “Dove” Emory-Blake: strong, guarded, fiercely loyal, carrying her own quiet trauma, master of boundaries 😂, learning her original name and the process of her changing her name twice and her past gave her so much depth. Sinead and flake 🚮
Their relationship?
Best friends. Soulmates. Manager and client. Protectors. Emotional anchors.
And the real tension isn’t will they love each other?
It’s:
Can two broken people survive loving each other?
One line that hit hard:
“Do you know how hard that is? To begin again, with the one person who knew the roadmap to your scars?” 💔
Emory Maria Williams: her role in shaping everything scarlett feels and does even the way she shaped some aspect of Ryden's life🥺
The writing style takes getting used to but once you adjust, it becomes easy.
The Emotional parts: (teared up a little 😭)
Ryden still using the guitar his mom told him to take care of for 18 years
Emory’s death and the emotional ripple it left
The part dove was begging Clara to do something as corban was literally pounding young ryden💔
The tattoo in honor of George and Emory these little details anchored the characters in real grief and love.
My wasted tears for a wasted man😭
Dean’s letter (I actually teared up)
The tribute song
You told me that maybe one day... we could be rock stars together (he never forgot 😭)
The final performance and when Scarlett finally says I love you🥺
And this moment:
“How long did it take you to write that?”
“How long have I known you?”
I was not okay🥺
The whole music industry part:
Celebrities are humans too🥺
The press fallout, PR damage control, planned duet with paisley, they really covered up ryden whenever I think of all the drinking and drugs (all of it shows how fame weaponizes vulnerability and I loved that Mar gave us the whole messy industry stuff)
What I Loved:
The childhood flashbacks (confusing at first, but brilliant once the pattern clicks)
The slow-burn best friends to lovers (although to me they were never friends🙃)
That Mar didn’t rush the romance (I actually didn’t want them dating until near the end)
Scarlett being his manager and emotional shield (she really took the dove title serious😂)
The symbolism of Eagle & Dove (even if mentioned a bit too much later)
The fact that addiction was handled realistically (Ryden actually seeing a counselor)
Scarlett having a therapist all along (Sue is the best)
Favorite Moments:
Radio city meltdown: messy, painful, unforgettable
The photobooth kiss: I saw it coming but still screamed 🙈
Ryden making Dove a new guitar pick 🥺
That moment they accept what everyone has known all along (they belong together... iron love)
God didn't just give him fame
He gave him Dove🤭
Things that frustrated me:
The beginning (so confusing)
The writing style (I was like I don't remember having difficulty when I read her other books before 😫)
The whole eagle and dove thing: chapter 49 had me stressed like enough 😂
Certain characters: Yasmine, I hated that ryden worked with her on the song about his mom and Corban (valid reaction from scar), Clara (I was like why are you back but then thanks to her my couple got together 😂).
The whole music industry thing.
Ryden lyrics and memorable lines:
“What pieces can you break, when nothing’s left?”
“All I see’s red."
“…and to you, I’ll take care of you, like I was trained to do.”
“It’s a violent yell isnt it? When he pounces, when you shield me! It's a violent yell.”
"Don't worry darling. It will all be okay. But why was he always around? Why did he stay?"
And when he said:
“Should’ve called that song Paint the Town, Dove.”
The title drop? Perfect.
It's easy to love someone when they're on top of the world, harder to while they're still climbing.
Do you ever think you live too much in the past that you relive it in the present.
That stinging pain of not knowing why someone important wasn't showing up.
That was Ryden. And where I loved all parts of him, some were destructive to himself and most were destructive to me.
My life expectancy wasn't high. My parents were.
Final thoughts:
Marie- France Leger has a way of making me cry without warning and somehow I'm never mad about it 😭, she also has a way with words, all ryden lyrics even the ones scarlett had🥺, I finished the last page and immediately thought:
Wait that’s it? I need one more chapter😭
If you like:
Broken rockstars
Best friends-to-lovers
Trauma and healing arcs
Music + found family vibes
Then Paint the Town, Dove will hurt you in the best possible way😉
P.S: She started writing this since 2022 😯 (could that be why the writing style was somehow😂)
I went into Paint the Town, Dove during a reading slump and somehow read it in one sitting. That alone says a lot.
This book is messy, emotional, confusing at first, beautiful, frustrating, and heartbreaking and somehow all of that works.
First Impressions (aka: confusion phase)
I’m not even going to lie the beginning had me like:
“Spectre… Spectre… okay wait, who is Spectre again?”
Then it clicked that's Ryden: the rockstar with trauma, addiction, self destructive, and a past he constantly keeps reliving.
And the little details, the fact that his mom named the guitar Harley, and he’s still using it 18 years later😭. Well her wish for him came to pass but her character 🚮
Scarlett “Dove” Emory-Blake: strong, guarded, fiercely loyal, carrying her own quiet trauma, master of boundaries 😂, learning her original name and the process of her changing her name twice and her past gave her so much depth. Sinead and flake 🚮
Their relationship?
Best friends. Soulmates. Manager and client. Protectors. Emotional anchors.
And the real tension isn’t will they love each other?
It’s:
Can two broken people survive loving each other?
One line that hit hard:
“Do you know how hard that is? To begin again, with the one person who knew the roadmap to your scars?” 💔
Emory Maria Williams: her role in shaping everything scarlett feels and does even the way she shaped some aspect of Ryden's life🥺
The writing style takes getting used to but once you adjust, it becomes easy.
The Emotional parts: (teared up a little 😭)
Ryden still using the guitar his mom told him to take care of for 18 years
Emory’s death and the emotional ripple it left
The part dove was begging Clara to do something as corban was literally pounding young ryden💔
The tattoo in honor of George and Emory these little details anchored the characters in real grief and love.
My wasted tears for a wasted man😭
Dean’s letter (I actually teared up)
The tribute song
You told me that maybe one day... we could be rock stars together (he never forgot 😭)
The final performance and when Scarlett finally says I love you🥺
And this moment:
“How long did it take you to write that?”
“How long have I known you?”
I was not okay🥺
The whole music industry part:
Celebrities are humans too🥺
The press fallout, PR damage control, planned duet with paisley, they really covered up ryden whenever I think of all the drinking and drugs (all of it shows how fame weaponizes vulnerability and I loved that Mar gave us the whole messy industry stuff)
What I Loved:
The childhood flashbacks (confusing at first, but brilliant once the pattern clicks)
The slow-burn best friends to lovers (although to me they were never friends🙃)
That Mar didn’t rush the romance (I actually didn’t want them dating until near the end)
Scarlett being his manager and emotional shield (she really took the dove title serious😂)
The symbolism of Eagle & Dove (even if mentioned a bit too much later)
The fact that addiction was handled realistically (Ryden actually seeing a counselor)
Scarlett having a therapist all along (Sue is the best)
Favorite Moments:
Radio city meltdown: messy, painful, unforgettable
The photobooth kiss: I saw it coming but still screamed 🙈
Ryden making Dove a new guitar pick 🥺
That moment they accept what everyone has known all along (they belong together... iron love)
God didn't just give him fame
He gave him Dove🤭
Things that frustrated me:
The beginning (so confusing)
The writing style (I was like I don't remember having difficulty when I read her other books before 😫)
The whole eagle and dove thing: chapter 49 had me stressed like enough 😂
Certain characters: Yasmine, I hated that ryden worked with her on the song about his mom and Corban (valid reaction from scar), Clara (I was like why are you back but then thanks to her my couple got together 😂).
The whole music industry thing.
Ryden lyrics and memorable lines:
“What pieces can you break, when nothing’s left?”
“All I see’s red."
“…and to you, I’ll take care of you, like I was trained to do.”
“It’s a violent yell isnt it? When he pounces, when you shield me! It's a violent yell.”
"Don't worry darling. It will all be okay. But why was he always around? Why did he stay?"
And when he said:
“Should’ve called that song Paint the Town, Dove.”
The title drop? Perfect.
It's easy to love someone when they're on top of the world, harder to while they're still climbing.
Do you ever think you live too much in the past that you relive it in the present.
That stinging pain of not knowing why someone important wasn't showing up.
That was Ryden. And where I loved all parts of him, some were destructive to himself and most were destructive to me.
My life expectancy wasn't high. My parents were.
Final thoughts:
Marie- France Leger has a way of making me cry without warning and somehow I'm never mad about it 😭, she also has a way with words, all ryden lyrics even the ones scarlett had🥺, I finished the last page and immediately thought:
Wait that’s it? I need one more chapter😭
If you like:
Broken rockstars
Best friends-to-lovers
Trauma and healing arcs
Music + found family vibes
Then Paint the Town, Dove will hurt you in the best possible way😉
P.S: She started writing this since 2022 😯 (could that be why the writing style was somehow😂)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 19, 2026
i read this book in one sitting, im gonna yap a lot so bare w me on this one.
i first discovered marie france leger thru a hue of blu and i literally loved it. it was the first book i cried to, i think it's because i was going thru my very first heartbreak and i feel like i relate to both jace and blu in some part of ways, it was the right timing to read that book.
but w paint the town dove, it's different. ik marie france leger is the kind of author who will make a very broken sad character but 4-5 years after i read a hue of blu, im happy and i've moved past that sad phase. so i can't rlly relate to this book anymore and even listen to sad songs again for the first time this year to help myself be immersed into these characters storyline, though i must admit some of these sentences on the book is rlly deep. there is a reason i took a break from reading sad books, music, and even movies. i tend to never look at it anymore for the sake of my own thoughts.
nevertheless, i feel so personally close w these characters, that's just the magic of marie w her characters and the way she wrote her book. i still feel some parts of them even when i don't relate to it fully. and my advice is to always be confident and go straight for it, it saves a lot of chapters. two broken characters trying to survive. yes they succeed. but at what cost?
i would prolly go back re-read this in a phase where i relate to scarlett or ryden. but in this moment, i'd give it 3 stars, 4 if i relate to it. but i have grown so much as a person and i hopefully pray to God i won't ever relate to being broken enough to re-read this book.
additionally, i understand the fear of moving forward and losing someone you rely and love dearly it's just not worth the risk to step up with them. i understand, just not relate to it. but i can understand the familiarity between those bittersweet feelings, the characters portrayed are so well-written. not cringey, though some texts are very repetitive but that's just marie's style and i understand completely. i wish i could give them a hug and tell them both that it's okay to be happy <3
i rlly love scarlett, made of steel that one, even in her softest moments. she is so well written in the most pitiful, broken, cringe-free way. she's one of the most strongest female character i've ever read after nina riva and carrie soto (tjr; also one of my fav authors). i think i just feel genuinely happy for scarlett because in this peculiar world, it's nice that someone out there have someone to hold no matter what they've been thru tgt, and that's the best part. not everyone have that, and she's lucky to have ryden, and ryden; her.
this is a situation where i completely understand how fear and complicated relationship can be looking both of their trauma backgrounds. now reading midway of this book i can't help but find similarities between daisy jones (tjr) and scarlett blake, however, i find scarlett blake to more my liking than daisy jones for some reason? i think it's because of how both the characters were written and also daisy jones had some cheating involves which made me dislike her haha.
marie-france leger did it again with this one. i can't wait for her next release!!
i first discovered marie france leger thru a hue of blu and i literally loved it. it was the first book i cried to, i think it's because i was going thru my very first heartbreak and i feel like i relate to both jace and blu in some part of ways, it was the right timing to read that book.
but w paint the town dove, it's different. ik marie france leger is the kind of author who will make a very broken sad character but 4-5 years after i read a hue of blu, im happy and i've moved past that sad phase. so i can't rlly relate to this book anymore and even listen to sad songs again for the first time this year to help myself be immersed into these characters storyline, though i must admit some of these sentences on the book is rlly deep. there is a reason i took a break from reading sad books, music, and even movies. i tend to never look at it anymore for the sake of my own thoughts.
nevertheless, i feel so personally close w these characters, that's just the magic of marie w her characters and the way she wrote her book. i still feel some parts of them even when i don't relate to it fully. and my advice is to always be confident and go straight for it, it saves a lot of chapters. two broken characters trying to survive. yes they succeed. but at what cost?
i would prolly go back re-read this in a phase where i relate to scarlett or ryden. but in this moment, i'd give it 3 stars, 4 if i relate to it. but i have grown so much as a person and i hopefully pray to God i won't ever relate to being broken enough to re-read this book.
additionally, i understand the fear of moving forward and losing someone you rely and love dearly it's just not worth the risk to step up with them. i understand, just not relate to it. but i can understand the familiarity between those bittersweet feelings, the characters portrayed are so well-written. not cringey, though some texts are very repetitive but that's just marie's style and i understand completely. i wish i could give them a hug and tell them both that it's okay to be happy <3
i rlly love scarlett, made of steel that one, even in her softest moments. she is so well written in the most pitiful, broken, cringe-free way. she's one of the most strongest female character i've ever read after nina riva and carrie soto (tjr; also one of my fav authors). i think i just feel genuinely happy for scarlett because in this peculiar world, it's nice that someone out there have someone to hold no matter what they've been thru tgt, and that's the best part. not everyone have that, and she's lucky to have ryden, and ryden; her.
this is a situation where i completely understand how fear and complicated relationship can be looking both of their trauma backgrounds. now reading midway of this book i can't help but find similarities between daisy jones (tjr) and scarlett blake, however, i find scarlett blake to more my liking than daisy jones for some reason? i think it's because of how both the characters were written and also daisy jones had some cheating involves which made me dislike her haha.
marie-france leger did it again with this one. i can't wait for her next release!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2025
4.5 ⭐️⭐️
Well this was an interesting journey and I don’t know where to begin. First off I love a good story with a broken character that finds solace in a substance and forgets himself and people that are around them in that addiction. It hurts I know, but it’s real and all that feels so chaotic in someone’s brain and THIS book pictured it EXACTLY how it feels. I LOOOOOOOVED the way it was written, with all those quotation marks and all those internal thoughts of Ryden. Yes I loved it.
Speaking of Ryden. He seemed a lot like Joey Lynch (when it came to that horrible family situation) and like Loren Hale (with the tabloids and media driving him to alcohol again and again). In the beginning I didn’t know why he started drinking, but then I found out it was from Emory’s death. WHICH by the way I didn’t expect to happen that way. And it was soooo sad to see her lose herself in drugs. I hate drugs by the way. Loathe them.
And Scarlett. She is a very difficult character I have to say, and I do relate to her about the name thing and the inability to find herself close to the actual things and PERSON she wanted. And that also came out of the blue, because what do you mean you like him and then you don’t and then you are surprised when he tells you about how much he loves her. I mean that was a bit… weird.
AND THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE BOOK. POLLY AND DEAN. Good God I need a book for them😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 THEY ARE SOOOOOOOOOO HOT. AND DEAN IS SOOOOO HOT AND POLLY AND TOGETHER OH GOOOOODDDDDDDDDD😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭. I can imagine the sex and the romance oh good God. I have no words and get A LOT to say about them. Do you know how fucking hot it is to know of a couple where the woman is ew I don’t want to date and the guy is a fucking rock star and a lead guitarist who is described as fucking HOT and mature and private and soooooo HOTTT😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭. I want that. Dare I say I found Dean hotter than Ryden😏😏😏. and when Scarlett said how they were going at it so loud and trying to make their relationship known to the others by it. I am dead, just thinking about it. I LOVE DEAN AND POLLY.😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭. I need a Dean in my life. I just need one😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
And the ending. It was rushed. I didn’t like it. NOT ONLY THAT but it was also too cheesy. So ew. I mean what do you mean we were talking about Ryden’s addiction throughout the whole book and in the end it SUDDENLY disappeared? Like what? I feel like this was a book about mental health and addiction and halfway through the book the author decided to make it a romance book. I don’t like it, that’s why I gave it a 4.5 stars.
I don’t know what else to say really, besides I NEED A ROCKSTAR BOYFRIEND 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 (I NEED A DEANNNNNNNNNNN😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭). I really do though 🙂🙂.
Well this was an interesting journey and I don’t know where to begin. First off I love a good story with a broken character that finds solace in a substance and forgets himself and people that are around them in that addiction. It hurts I know, but it’s real and all that feels so chaotic in someone’s brain and THIS book pictured it EXACTLY how it feels. I LOOOOOOOVED the way it was written, with all those quotation marks and all those internal thoughts of Ryden. Yes I loved it.
Speaking of Ryden. He seemed a lot like Joey Lynch (when it came to that horrible family situation) and like Loren Hale (with the tabloids and media driving him to alcohol again and again). In the beginning I didn’t know why he started drinking, but then I found out it was from Emory’s death. WHICH by the way I didn’t expect to happen that way. And it was soooo sad to see her lose herself in drugs. I hate drugs by the way. Loathe them.
And Scarlett. She is a very difficult character I have to say, and I do relate to her about the name thing and the inability to find herself close to the actual things and PERSON she wanted. And that also came out of the blue, because what do you mean you like him and then you don’t and then you are surprised when he tells you about how much he loves her. I mean that was a bit… weird.
AND THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE BOOK. POLLY AND DEAN. Good God I need a book for them😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 THEY ARE SOOOOOOOOOO HOT. AND DEAN IS SOOOOO HOT AND POLLY AND TOGETHER OH GOOOOODDDDDDDDDD😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭. I can imagine the sex and the romance oh good God. I have no words and get A LOT to say about them. Do you know how fucking hot it is to know of a couple where the woman is ew I don’t want to date and the guy is a fucking rock star and a lead guitarist who is described as fucking HOT and mature and private and soooooo HOTTT😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭. I want that. Dare I say I found Dean hotter than Ryden😏😏😏. and when Scarlett said how they were going at it so loud and trying to make their relationship known to the others by it. I am dead, just thinking about it. I LOVE DEAN AND POLLY.😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭. I need a Dean in my life. I just need one😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
And the ending. It was rushed. I didn’t like it. NOT ONLY THAT but it was also too cheesy. So ew. I mean what do you mean we were talking about Ryden’s addiction throughout the whole book and in the end it SUDDENLY disappeared? Like what? I feel like this was a book about mental health and addiction and halfway through the book the author decided to make it a romance book. I don’t like it, that’s why I gave it a 4.5 stars.
I don’t know what else to say really, besides I NEED A ROCKSTAR BOYFRIEND 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 (I NEED A DEANNNNNNNNNNN😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭). I really do though 🙂🙂.
January 19, 2026
I have been waiting what feels like forever for this book. I have to say it was everything I wanted.
Scarlett built walls so high no one could break through. Growing up she never knew what it was like to love and be loved. Alone. Always alone. Until one day the boy with green eyes and plucking grass changed her forever. Navigating feelings that were never normalized, Scarlett had to decide if she willing to break down her walls to let in the one person who’s always loved her.
Ryden wore his heart on his sleeves. After losing his father, he’s forced into a childhood of pain. Coward. That’s all he could think of when he the one person who was meant to love him forever left him. Drowning in alcohol and drugs everyday helped him get through. But what happens when that’s not enough to quiet the voices and thoughts?
My heart ached for Scarlett & Ryden the entire story. Just two kids who wanted normalcy and love. The world was cruel to them in so many ways.
What I adore about this author, are the different ways the stories are told. Each book varies, though it’s not for everyone. We only get glimpses into the romance shared and because of how private the characters try to, this makes sense. So if you’re looking for a 3+ spicy rating this isn’t it. But if you’re looking for 2 sad souls who just want to be loved and climb out of the hole they buried in, then definitely give this a read.
Scarlett built walls so high no one could break through. Growing up she never knew what it was like to love and be loved. Alone. Always alone. Until one day the boy with green eyes and plucking grass changed her forever. Navigating feelings that were never normalized, Scarlett had to decide if she willing to break down her walls to let in the one person who’s always loved her.
Ryden wore his heart on his sleeves. After losing his father, he’s forced into a childhood of pain. Coward. That’s all he could think of when he the one person who was meant to love him forever left him. Drowning in alcohol and drugs everyday helped him get through. But what happens when that’s not enough to quiet the voices and thoughts?
My heart ached for Scarlett & Ryden the entire story. Just two kids who wanted normalcy and love. The world was cruel to them in so many ways.
What I adore about this author, are the different ways the stories are told. Each book varies, though it’s not for everyone. We only get glimpses into the romance shared and because of how private the characters try to, this makes sense. So if you’re looking for a 3+ spicy rating this isn’t it. But if you’re looking for 2 sad souls who just want to be loved and climb out of the hole they buried in, then definitely give this a read.
November 15, 2025
If Mar knows how to do one thing well, it is definitely make you cry your lil eyeballs out.
I loved this story, and the rawness of it. I loved Scarlett & Rydens passion that fueled every page of this story. Their past was in no way easy, and I'm sure their future won't be either. However the way they kept going when they could've easily given up was something I truly admired. And now they've found a home in each other and the people around them and as survivors of trauma I think that's the most beautiful ending they could've gotten.
Trauma is always so tricky to navigate but I find this was written about so well, moments I thought a little too well because I found myself so immersed in this story.
I loved this story, and the rawness of it. I loved Scarlett & Rydens passion that fueled every page of this story. Their past was in no way easy, and I'm sure their future won't be either. However the way they kept going when they could've easily given up was something I truly admired. And now they've found a home in each other and the people around them and as survivors of trauma I think that's the most beautiful ending they could've gotten.
Trauma is always so tricky to navigate but I find this was written about so well, moments I thought a little too well because I found myself so immersed in this story.
November 24, 2025
I really loved this book Scarlett and Ryden were such beautiful complex characters who fought for their love tooth and nail. From meeting up as kids coming from broken homes to being together in their adolescent years and supporting each other through their adulthood and darkness. Forming a one of a kind soul connection and love story Being each other’s Dove’s One of my favorite lines from the book that I believe sums up Scarlett and Ryder’s relationship is Sometimes you are not addicted to drugs sometimes you are addicted to another person. This was one of my favorite reads of 2025 I highly recommend it for those who love love stories set to music with hot rockstars.
October 18, 2025
I knew before she released this book that I would love it but my lord did she somehow manage to exceed my expectations. After 2-3 months in a reading slump unable to touch anything i just spent several hours unable to tear my eyes away from this book. How does she always manage to write my favourite books ❤️
I am obsessed with Ryden and Scarlett. The slow burn is burning the tension is tensioning. I quite literally struggled to put this book down!
I am obsessed with Ryden and Scarlett. The slow burn is burning the tension is tensioning. I quite literally struggled to put this book down!
October 26, 2025
A hue of blu broke my heart and this one put it back together. I related to Scarlett so much and how vulnerability scared her because of her upbringing. As someone who came from a toxic home I appreciated the author yet again tackling the hard topics I don’t read about in many books. Ryden broke me. Scarlett broke me. There story was a five star since 50%. Need to read more from this author
November 13, 2025
Mar, I fell in love with this book, actually with all of the books you have wrote . The wait for this book was so worth it! This book had so many emotions that the way it ended was worth it. Your writing is so good! Can’t wait to read with whatever you have coming next! Amazing job on Paint the town, Dove. Probably another favorite on my list that I will recommend to people!
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January 6, 2026This has so much potential and at times the writing is incredible. The amount of times I just thought, damn that’s a good line. I am a sucker for this type of story. It had all the pieces but was just too short. I wish the author would have expanded on some of the different storylines and just made it more.
March 18, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️5
Reading Marie’s books always feels like reading a prolonged passage from my diary or journal. Reading words has never felt so familiar to me as her work does, it feels like reading my own. But not only did she pluck the thoughts and emotions that have been swirling through me out of my body, she only wrote down the ones I’ve been too scared of to put on paper myself, for once I do that it truly becomes reality.
Reading Marie’s books always feels like reading a prolonged passage from my diary or journal. Reading words has never felt so familiar to me as her work does, it feels like reading my own. But not only did she pluck the thoughts and emotions that have been swirling through me out of my body, she only wrote down the ones I’ve been too scared of to put on paper myself, for once I do that it truly becomes reality.
October 8, 2025
Paint the Town, Dove was such a beautiful and real story that made you connect so deeply with the characters and their personal struggles. It’s emotional, raw, and just so well done. I couldn’t put it down and didn’t want it to end. Easily one of my favorite reads this year!
October 23, 2025
This book is absolutely amazing! I found myself completely drawn into the story and truly connected with both main characters. The author made me feel every emotion - their pain, struggles, and heartbreaks.
November 16, 2025
DNF at 56%. Sorry, the pacing of the book and plot I just find boring. Hue of Blue was the most beautiful book and I expected the same level of pull into the plot. Wonderful concept but just wasn’t for me.
November 19, 2025
I really wanted to love this book but the writing style completely threw me off I just couldn’t get into a flow with reading. The idea of the book was great I’m just disappointed in the writing style but that’s probably more on me than the author so no hate to them!
January 12, 2026
i wanted to dnf this book so badly but forced myself through it because of how much i enjoyed reading hue of blue. it's shocking just how terrible the plot turned out to be, the story stays flat and feels unnecessarily dragged out. would not recommend.
October 22, 2025
3.75 🌟
October 24, 2025
Ryden and Scarlett’s story has been a joy to read, their evolution and growth had me inspired ‘till the last page. What a way to capture a grand love story.
November 14, 2025
it was so good! The description of the pain of the characters, the going back betwewn past and present, and the character development - all of it was just so perfect. Wonderful work, author
November 25, 2025
this book was too short i need more of them !!!!
also the writing could use a little improvement
also the writing could use a little improvement
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