What do you think?
Rate this book
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
93 people are currently reading
1443 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 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 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
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…
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 🙂🙂.
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!
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!
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
November 26, 2025
This is one of my favorite authors. However, this book didn’t give me the same feelings as her other books, sadly!
November 26, 2025
2.5/5
Yearning is 6/5! Impeccable yearning.
The issues weren’t entirely resolved. It felt rushed. But enjoyed reading it
Yearning is 6/5! Impeccable yearning.
The issues weren’t entirely resolved. It felt rushed. But enjoyed reading it
November 30, 2025
I wanted to live it but the writing was trying too hard to be poetic and didn’t actually shed much light on the plot
December 24, 2025
the writing style gave 2010s tumblr poetry (derogatory)
December 26, 2025
The storyline had so much potential but I felt it just fell a bit flat. It just seemed a bit rushed so I wasn’t super invested in their relationship - 3⭐️
December 26, 2025
DNF; Came across this book on TikTok, where the author describes herself as someone who “writes sad books.” I’d argue she mostly writes bad ones….
December 28, 2025
🕊️❤️🦅
October 26, 2025
No f*cking notes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews