His Obsession

Empire State of Love #2

by Nicole Baker

A grumpy/sunshine, age gap, surprise pregnancy romance. I was hired to redesign his hotels. I never imagined he'd rebuild my heart along the way.

I know better than to fall for a grumpy billionaire—especially one who happens to be my brother’s best friend. I'm here to transform Roman Bertini’s luxury hotel chain, not get tangled up in the secrets behind his cold, brooding eyes.

But Roman isn’t as untouchable as he pretends to be. His sharp edges only make me want to get closer, and when his icy walls finally crack, the sparks between us are impossible to resist.

Keeping things strictly professional is the smart thing to do. We both agree this can’t go anywhere.

But I've never been good at following the rules—and the heart has a blueprint all its own.

Genres: Billionaire Romance, Surprise Pregnancy, Forced Proximity, Contemporary Romance, Romance

356 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 18, 2025

About the author

Author of spicy romance novels! Lover of dogs, wine, and coffee. Loves to write books that pull at your heartstrings but never leave out the dirty parts!





Find me!
Website→www.nicolebakerauthor.com
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Reviews

[Wendy Marie (myrisingphoenixera.reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️
3🌶️
🔥Billionaire Romance
🔥Age Gap
🔥Surprise Pregnancy
🔥Grumpy/Sunshine
🔥Forced Proximity
🔥She's Inexperienced/Innocent
🔥Workplace Romance
🔥Alpha Hero
🔥Next Door Neighbor
🔥She Lives in His Building
🔥Dual First Person POV

I am obsessed with His Obsession, it has a little bit of everything that I love in a romance. Alpha billionaire? Yes! Brother’s best friend? Yes! Work place and forced proximity? Yes and yes! Eva is moving to New York to start her own design business. Her brother gets her an interview with his best friend Roman, who is renovating his luxury hotels. Eva is a strong and independent heroine. Roman appears grumpy and cold but he is attempting to fight his attraction to Eva. Roman thinks that his attraction to her will fade with time, but nothing could be further from the truth. Between spending time together at work and their movie nights their feelings for each other grow. Roman is in denial about his true feelings for Eva until he is faced with the possibility of losing her. He does everything he can to prove to Eva he loves her by showing her and earning her trust. Their chemistry is magnetic and burns hot, hot, hot. The surprise pregnancy and how they both handled it added a level of authenticity to their relationship. The characters are relatable and well developed creating an outstanding story.

Thank you to Nicole Baker and The Author Agency for the ARC

📚All thoughts and opinions are my own📚
🐦‍🔥Follow me on socials @myrisingphoenixera.reads 🐦‍🔥

A Few Favorite Quotes:
“Mysterious. Confusing. Grumpy. Those are more fitting for the man I now call my client.”

“If it were possible to have an orgasm from just looking at someone, I think I would.”

“There’s something about the scent of a man. Sometimes, I feel like my sense of smell is directly connected to my vagina.”

“He’s a contradiction of so many competing characteristics, all bundled up in a much-too-easy-on-the-eye package.”

““I’m not here to rush you.” He grabs my hand and brings it to his hair, giving me permission to guide him. “I’m here to ruin you for anybody else.””

“She’s been my obsession since the moment I laid eyes on her. Now, I need to make her mine forever.”

“It started out as obsession—sharp, consuming, impossible to get enough. But looking down at her now, being on the receiving end of this affection, I know better. This isn’t obsession anymore. It’s love. The kind you choose.”

“Life before her was dark, gray, meaningless. She walked into my life and showed me a full range of colors that life could bring. I knew then and there she was my forever, and now it’s official. Some people wait a lifetime for a love like this. Me? I just had to wait for Eva.”

[Amy.Reads.Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicole Baker has crafted a beautiful tale where forbidden romance meets a love that feels meant to be.

The story opens with Roman, a billionaire playboy convinced he’s incapable of love—convinced he can’t give his heart to anyone. He believes he’s too much like his workaholic father, who cheated on Roman’s wonderful mother—a woman who deserved all the love she never received.

Eva is Roman’s best friend’s little sister. Her brother is fiercely protective of her and even enlists Roman to help keep an eye on her. He even suggests Roman interview Eva for a design position at his elite luxury hotel chain.

From the moment Roman meets Eva, he’s a goner. He tries to resist, but it’s inevitable—Eva is beautiful, smart, funny, and completely captivating. And Eva? She’s just as drawn to Roman. But they both know nothing can happen between them. Her brother would be furious.

Still, sometimes fate has other plans. After fighting their feelings for so long, they finally give in.

But what neither of them expects happens—and everything is suddenly out in the open before either of them is ready or has even truly confessed how they feel.

Can they survive this unexpected twist? Read to find out!

What to expect:
• Billionaire romance
• Surprise pregnancy
• Grumpy/Sunshine
• Forced proximity
• She’s inexperienced / innocent
• Workplace romance
• Alpha hero
• Next-door neighbor / She lives in his building

Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Butterflies: 🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋

[Marisa Tuszl · Rating 4 out of 5]

read in one day. quick read. cute story

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first chapter, Eva stole my heart. She’s smart, passionate, and full of quiet strength—the kind of heroine who makes you feel like you’re right there with her, chasing her dreams. “I didn’t come this far just to back down,” she says, and you believe her. She’s refreshingly real, and when she’s hired to redesign Roman Bertini’s hotels, you just know things are about to get complicated.

Roman Bertini is every bit the grumpy billionaire fantasy come to life—intense, powerful, and emotionally closed off. But it’s not long before we see there’s so much more beneath his icy surface. “Feelings are messy. I don’t do messy,” he says at one point, but Eva slowly, beautifully unravels his walls. And watching that transformation unfold? Absolutely captivating.

Their chemistry is magnetic—impossible to ignore, even when they try to keep things professional. “One look from him, and I forgot why I was trying to stay away.” The tension simmers with every touch, every stolen glance, until the inevitable happens—and it’s every bit as satisfying as you’d hope.

The forbidden aspect—brother’s best friend meets billionaire boss—is done to perfection. “I can’t want her,” Roman growls. “But I do. God help me, I do.” That push and pull, the struggle to stay away despite the deepening connection, had my heart in knots in the best way.

And then comes the surprise pregnancy—handled with genuine emotion and care. It adds another layer to their story, deepening their connection and forcing them to confront what they really want. “You’re not alone in this, Eva. Not anymore,” Roman tells her, and that moment… unforgettable.

Their journey from guarded strangers to soul-deep lovers is emotional, sexy, and so satisfying. His Obsession delivers everything: tension, heart, and heat, wrapped up in a love story that feels both deeply romantic and undeniably real.

Nicole Baker has crafted a slow-burn, forbidden romance that completely stole my heart. Eva and Roman are perfection together—and I didn’t want their story to end.

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was well-written and a good time. No complaints. I loved both main characters and the pregnancy didn’t come until the late stages of the book and made sense. Would recommend!

[Mags · Rating 5 out of 5]

His Obsession is a delightful grumpy billionaire romance featuring hotelier Roman, who meets his match when his best friend Walker’s sister, Eva, moves to New York and applies for the position of interior designer for his hotel renovations. And It's lust at first sight. However, Roman doesn’t do romance, and he certainly doesn’t date his best friend’s sister—no matter how tempting she is.

But as Roman spends more time with Eva, he finds her increasingly irresistible. Yet, Eva is inexperienced and unsure if Roman actually likes her; as one moment he is cold and dismissive, and the next, he is kind and building her bookshelves.

Yet, despite this, Eva isn’t discouraged. As she soon discovers that there is much more to Roman than his icy, closed-off persona reveals. And the tension builds with every touch and stolen glance, and I adored the push-and-pull dynamic between them. The chemistry and the forbidden aspect were pure perfection.

Also the surprise pregnancy added another layer to an already satisfying story, forcing Roman to confront his fears and admit what he truly wants. And I loved how he turned to his mum when he believed he wasn’t good enough for Eva and their baby.

And with the perfect combination of emotion, tension, heart, and heat, His Obsession stole my heart and kept me reading long into the night. I would happily recommend to all.

My thanks to The Author Agency and Nicole Baker for the opportunity to read an early copy of His Obsession. All thoughts expressed are my own. ☺️

[Keri Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. I wish all of the family was in it at the end, but other than that, it was good.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

As many of the other reviewers have said, I wanted to like this more than I actually did. It's a very superficial book. The characters, the plot, the backstory, all of it is only skin deep. The author kept mentioning things like she was setting us up for something deep or exciting, only to abandon those elements or resolve them in the absolute LEAST interesting way possible. And the end was very weak. It felt like things had resolved only for the story to putter along for another two chapters with nothing really happening and then it ended.



The story opens with Roman at a bar with his 6 wealthy college friends. A brunette from across the room makes eyes at Roman and he winks at her, deciding then and there to take her home that night, without speaking even so much as a word to each other. Then his best friend, Walker, mentions that his sister, Eva, is moving back to town. And in the space of 30 seconds, Roman has agreed to give Eva the open condo in his building, which usually costs $15,000 per month, and also to interview her for the interior decorator position he has open. Gee, what a nice, relatable heroine we're being given here. She doesn't need to work or fight to get by. Nepotism takes care of everything.

Now, Roman swears that he won't give Eva the job just because her brother is his best friend but, honestly, I don't know if I believe him. Walker is EXTREMELY protective of his baby sister and I just can't see him being happy with Roman for rejecting her for the role, leaving her to scrounge for clients. But, whatever. At least she won't have to pay rent, right?

The reason Roman needs an interior decorator becomes clear when a new man enters the bar and slaps Roman on the back. This is Sebastian, Roman's most hated business rival. They've both inherited chains of luxury hotels and, right now, Sebastian's chain is winning because he just finished remodeling all his hotels so they look fresh and new while Roman's look outdated. Hence, Roman has vowed to hop on the bandwagon and do exactly what his competitor just did, only better. He's so filled with RAGE at Sebastian being there, and possibly being BETTER than him, that he nearly crushes the whiskey glass in his hand. And then he sees Sebastian chatting up the same nameless brunette that Roman had intended to fuck that night and that has him running out of the bar with his tail between his legs. Wow, my hero...

Eva moves to New York and goes for the interview. She only had a week to prepare her pitch to Roman but she knocks it out of the park. He's very impressed with her ideas and how they've got a special personality to them, while all the other proposals he's received look boring, generic, and passionless. It also doesn't hurt that Roman's little soldier stands at attention as soon as she walks in the room.

Roman is determined not to have any kind of relationship with Eva, though. For one thing, she's Walker's beloved sister. That's against the bro code. For another, Roman "doesn't do love" because he's "damaged."

This is one of the things that you think is going to have some super deep backstory that'll make it all make sense but doesn't. The whole book we're told that Roman is sure he'll be a cheater just like his father. That his dad cheated on his mom with a girl 20 years his junior after decades of happy marriage. And Roman considers himself to be just like his dad and therefore the same weakness must run in his veins. You expect there to be more to this story. Like that his father was also abusive and had always taunted him by saying they were the same, etc. But there's nothing like that.

We find out at the end of the book that his parents' marriage had basically been over for years when his father found love with another woman. His mother hadn't really had her heart broken because she'd fallen out of love with him a decade earlier. And the only reason Roman thought himself similar to his dad was because he'd been the only one of his siblings who was interested in the hotel business, making him the clear choice to run it. Seriously, that's it. His parents got divorced and Roman is good at business. That's what he based his ENTIRE self-hating "I can never have love" mantra on. And what he used as an excuse to bang his way through legions of women. Sigh.

Getting back to the story, there's a ton of stuff in the first half of the book about the hotel renovations. We get in-depth descriptions of what Eva plans to do, what the color palette is, etc. And all of this gets completely dropped about 3/4 of the way through the story and never resolved. It was so lame. It's set up like it's a big part of the story and then, poof. It's gone.

Sebastian was another thing that was set up like he was going to be important and then just dropped. The opening scene with him at the bar set things up like he was going to be the main antagonist of the book. Like he might try to steal Eva from Roman, either in the bedroom or for her design talents. Or maybe he'll be the cause of a big misunderstanding. Roman's got major trust issues, after all, so all Sebastian would have to do would be to make it LOOK like Eva has betrayed Roman somehow, and Roman would fly off the handle and say something unforgivable to her. But no. Sebastian is LITERALLY NEVER SEEN AGAIN after that opening scene. WTH? So many plot threads just get dropped.

Anyway, things move along fairly slowly. Roman is rude and standoffish to Eva a lot at first because he's so horny for her but determined not to act on it. They admit their attraction for each other pretty early on, but agree to just be friends and not act on it. That doesn't last very long because Roman very quickly becomes insanely possessive of Eva and jealous if she is even passingly polite to any adult human male in her vicinity. Especially Drew, the project manager of the remodel. Drew is apparently a very attractive man, something that didn't bother Roman before, but now he hates both it and Drew's overly familiar and flirtatious manner. This, too, gets completely dropped by the 3/4 mark. Are you sensing the pattern yet?

Eventually Roman and Eva give into their passion and start sleeping together. The first time it was in a very "no one would ever say that" fashion. Eva and Roman are watching a movie together and a sex scene happens where the woman is screaming her orgasm. Eva says that's unrealistic and that she's never had an orgasm during sex and even if she did, she'd never scream like that. Naturally, Roman can't stand this and goes down on her until she reaches the big O.

So they start having sex on the regular, but Roman insists they keep their relationship a secret. They don't want her brother to find out and its highly inappropriate since he's her boss. And, although no one says it out loud, I think it would be pretty normal for everyone around the office to assume she got the job by shagging the boss. But Roman has also explained to Eva that he doesn't do love or commitment so theirs can only be a physical relationship, nothing more. Eva agrees to this.

This goes on for the middle 2/3 of the book. Right from the very first night they sleep together they give up on using protection because Roman only brought a single condom with him and once isn't enough for these two. But she assures him she's on the pill and they're both clean so they just dispense with condoms entirely from that point on. Which makes it pretty obvious that a baby will pop up later.

We swap back and forth between Eva and Roman's POVs the whole book. His POV is filled with him freaking out about their relationship. He recognizes that he's out of control. That he's crazy obsessed with her to the point of violence. At one point, he goes to the job site and sees Eva and Drew with their heads together looking at some blueprints. He demands Eva follow him into another room and then screws her on a desk. He even makes her squirt all over his pants, and his inner monologue is filled with how he's not even going to attempt to clean up. He WANTS everyone to see the proof that he fucked her, and he's reveling in the thought that he'll spend the rest of the day interacting with people while "covered in her cum."

Yeah that's pretty fucked up right there. Rational people don't think that way. Not to mention that it makes him a real asshole to want people to know he's fucking her, when HE'S the one who is insisting they keep their relationship a secret. He does kind of recognize that this isn't fair, but he's just so jealous that Drew was standing next to Eva that he has to do the equivalent of pissing a circle around her.

Eventually, though, they get to the point where they're seeing each other every night. Since they live in the same building, and are hiding their relationship, they mainly just stay inside, fuck, and watch movies. But Roman's college buddies, including Walker, are getting really suspicious. Roman was always up for drinking and screwing random women in the past. His continued excuses about being too tired or too busy with the renovation are starting to ring hollow.

He finally agrees to have them over to his apartment. He doesn't want to go to a bar and get hit on by nameless women anymore. He now finds that life sad and pathetic. Unfortunately, Walker brings a group of nameless women over with him. Something Roman of the past would normally have been fine with, but which he now finds highly irritating. And then, disaster! Walker also convinces Eva to come up. Which struck me as very crass, honestly. Why would you want your sister to see you and your buddies sleazing all over a bunch of random chicks, hoping for a hookup? Gross.

Anyway, one of the random chicks sets her sights on Roman and has her hand on his shoulder when Eva comes in. Roman is very uncomfortable and afraid she'll get the wrong idea. Then later when the menfolk are playing poker, this chick just plops herself in Roman's lap. He makes an excuse to get up and go to the bathroom and Eva follows him in. You might think she's pissed about this other chick, but no. She says she could tell the chick's advances were unwanted and making him uncomfortable. Then she gives him a blowjob.

Moving on, they've been talking the whole book about an impending trip to Paris to start the renovation on their hotel there. Roman is very excited for the trip because he says he can publicly date Eva there. They don't have to hide. Right, because it's not like people in France would recognize the very public BILLIONAIRE HOTEL OWNER or anything. So you think we're being set up for someone to catch them while they're there. This is where I expected Sebastian to pop up again as the antagonist. It would be pretty smart of him to grab photos of Roman fucking his subordinate and then send them to a tabloid to write a big splashy story about how Roman is a predator who forces himself on the women under him and Eva is a gold digging slut who was given the job just so she'd be around the office all day for Roman to shag. I mean, he's running a luxury hotel. His reputation would absolutely factor into whether the rich people wanted to stay at his hotel.

But nothing comes of this at all. After spending the first 3/4 of the book talking about this Paris trip, we only get to see a single day of it, in which they go to the Eiffel Tower for dinner and then go back to the hotel to fuck, and then the next chapter picks up with them back in New York. So lame.

Somewhere in all this nothing that's going on, I forget exactly where, there's a scene where, after they have sex one time, Eva makes a comment about "that's what you love about me" or something like that. This causes Roman to freak the FUCK out and he runs off to the bathroom to have an emotional breakdown. Eva mostly takes this in stride, but cautions him that she's being patient with him, but she's not going to be his "dirty little secret" forever. He swears that he's working on himself and begs her to bear with him a while longer.

Then the baby foreshadowing finally pays off. Eva wakes up and pukes. Then her alarm goes off to remind her to take her birth control pill and she realizes that she's just finished the last of her placebo pills, but never had a period. So she freaks out, calls her friend Jessie, who is being set up to be Walker's love interest, and Jessie runs over with a pregnancy test. It confirms she's pregnant, but Jessie says they should get her a doctor's appointment to verify before she freaks out. Eva is pretty much already freaking out, though, because she thinks Roman will feel betrayed. She'd told him she was on the pill and thus they hadn't taken precautions. He'd trusted her, when trust doesn't come easily to him.

She can't get a doctor's appointment for four days, and she spends that time blowing Roman off. They had been in the habit of spending every night together but she feels like she can't see him right now. She'd have to lie to him and say everything was fine if she saw him so better to....lie and say she's not feeling well instead. Roman starts to get worried about this. What if she's given up on him? What if she's gotten tired of being his dirty little secret and is putting distance between them?

He goes to a bar with his buddies, but is miserable the whole time and two of them demand he explain why he's been such a wet blanket the last few months. He finally admits that he's hung up on a woman, but that she's been blowing him off the last four days and he's worried she's done with him. She's been saying she's sick but he went to her apartment on the third night and she didn't answer the door. So he thinks she's lying and was out with another guy. His friends tell him that he's a nutcase. She probably really is sick and was either sleeping or at the pharmacy getting medicine when he stopped by. He should be there, taking care of her, if he's this hung up on her. This makes him feel better so he goes to her place the next day.

In the meantime, Eva has her doctor's appointment and confirms the pregnancy. She cries some more about how Roman is going to hate her and then tries to figure out how to tell him. But when he comes knocking on her door a few hours later, she's screaming because she's having agonizing pain in her abdomen. Roman rushes in, and she blurts out that she's pregnant with his baby but she's in such terrible pain that she's afraid she's miscarrying. He rushes her to the hospital and she passes out before he can get her there.

Forced to wait outside the room while the doctor's examine her, he finally realizes that he's in love with her and that he's been a complete ass for forcing her to sneak around like he's ashamed of her all this time. And he's terrified that he'll lose both her and the baby before they ever even realize that he loves them. He also, reluctantly, calls Walker. He doesn't confess to their relationship on the phone, though. Eventually Roman is allowed to see Eva and he immediately confesses his love for both her and the baby. Eva doesn't respond to this passionate declaration. She thinks he's just afraid and hopped up on adrenaline and will regret saying it later, since he's made it so clear he doesn't believe in love, commitment, or children.

Then Walker is there, having heard this declaration and he's PISSED. He decks Roman and then his and Eva's asshole parents rush in. This is another part of the story where you think we're going to get some depth and detail but really don't. There were some vague hints dropped about how awful their parents were and that's part of the reason Walker is so protective of Eva, but we're never told what they did. All we see in this scene is that Eva's mother is a shameless social climber who likes money. So she is OVERJOYED that her daughter has been knocked up by New York's richest bachelor.

Walker does some more shouting about Roman having the nerve to sleep with his sister and says that she doesn't know Roman like he does. He knows things about Roman that prove he's a danger to both her and the baby and definitely NOT worthy of them. This crushes Roman and he leaves the hospital. This is, yet another, place where you think there's more to the story but there isn't. Walker makes it sound like there's something really dark in Roman's past that only he knows about. Like that Roman has a hidden temper that causes him to lash out violently or something. But there's nothing. It's just the same manwhore and "I don't believe in love" stuff we've been hearing the whole book.

Roman calls his mother and tells her everything, including why he doesn't believe he should ever marry - because he's just like his father. She tells him he's an idiot. That their marriage had ended years before the dad cheated, and that Roman is nothing like his father. This fixes everything, apparently, and he goes back into the hospital room. Walker tries to bluster some more but Roman tells him that he is NOT leaving. Eva and the baby are HIS top priority and if Walker doesn't like it, he can kick rocks. Walker leaves in a huff.

Anyway, it turns out the baby is okay and Eva had an ovarian cyst rupture, hence the pain. She's brought home after a few days and Roman convinces her to stay with him while she recovers. But, instead of just saying that he wants her to move in forever, he just keeps finding excuses to extend her stay. So she doesn't really know where she stands with him. There's even a scene where they're gazing into each other's eyes with the passion and love pulling between them and he says in his inner monologue that he should tell her how he feels. To re-declare his love and show her that he really meant it....but he just says he's hungry instead. Crushing her heart, yet again.

The story limps along for a few chapters with Roman and Eva still living together but her having no clue how he really feels. Then he makes up with Walker and invites him over to their house. The three of them play poker together and then Walker leaves. Roman and Eva play one more hand and Roman says that if he wins the hand, she has to agree to "give him her heart". Then he gets a straight flush. It was so bizarre. Especially because there's a major error here and HE DIDN'T ACTUALLY GET THE FUCKING STRAIGHT. Seriously, the book makes it a point to say he's got the 10, 9, 8 and 6 of hearts. All he needs is the 7 to win. And then he pulls the 5 of hearts. Face palm.

Anyway, they exchange ILYs and live HEA. The epilogue is them with a baby girl.



All in all, is was underwhelming. So may plot threads are introduced and then dropped or just turn out to be nothing. The characters' motivations don't make sense. Just kind of dud all the way around. But it was mostly inoffensive, so that's something.

[Emily Knaus · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re into billionaire romances with a serious edge and characters that feel like they could walk off the page, His Obsession is worth picking up.

Roman is the kind of man who knows how to control every aspect of his business empire, except his feelings. With a hotel chain to overhaul and a reputation to protect, he hires Eva, his best friend’s sister and a rising star in interior design. She’s smart, creative, and unapologetically herself and Roman doesn’t know what hit him.

What follows is a tension-filled, slow-burn connection between two people from different worlds. Their late-night talks are intimate without being forced, their chemistry unfolds naturally, and their shared meals; often leftovers from Roman’s family dinners that. feel personal in a way that makes the romance believable. The spice is definitely present, and it’s balanced with emotional depth from them both.

Roman’s fear of commitment, rooted in his parents’ messy divorce, adds complexity. When Eva ends up pregnant, things get serious fast. Roman has some major damage control to do, especially in the groveling department. The payoff is immensely satisfying when Eva finds out that she is pregnant and Roman steps up in more ways than ever expected, shocking not only Eva but himself too.

His Obsession is perfect for readers who are looking for banter that actually feels witty, a broody hero who slowly gets his act together for the more than deserving FMC, and spice with tons of emotional weight.

Nicole Baker delivers a romance that’s mature, heartfelt, and just the right amount of messy. No gimmicks—just two flawed people figuring it out.

A huge thank you to the author and the Author Agency for the early copy!

[Mégan Isabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 🌟
2 🌶️

🖤 Billionaire boss
✨ Grumpy x sunshine
🖤 Bestfriend’s sister
✨ Workplace tension
🖤 Surprise pregnancy

Okay so listen… I just finished His Obsession and OMG. Roman Bertini?? Certified grumpy billionaire menace. Eva?? Literal sunshine in designer heels. And together?? Pure chaotic slow-burn perfection.

Basically, Roman hires Eva, his best friend’s off-limits little sister, to work for his hotel empire, thinking he can keep it professional. Spoiler alert: he absolutely cannot. The man is spiraling from page one and it is so fun to watch. He’s all like, “I don’t do relationships.”And she’s like, “Cool, I’m just here to design hotel interiors, not fall for emotionally unavailable billionaires.” And then their s3xual tension is like: 😏🔥🚨

Throw in forced proximity, that classic age gap tension, and a surprise pregnancy twist (yes, I squealed), and you’ve got the kind of romance that gives you butterflies and makes you yell at fictional characters like they’re your actual friends.

Eva’s the kind of heroine you root for, smart, driven, doesn’t take Roman’s bossy crap, but also has this soft, vulnerable side that makes you love her. And Roman?? Oh, he’s a goner the second she walks into his office, even if he pretends he’s too cold and broody for love. (He’s not. He’s just emotionally constipated.)

Is it tropey? Yep. Predictable? A little. But also??? WHO CARES. It hits every note you want it to, and it does it with so much tension and drama and heart that you’re basically glued to the page.

If you’re into grumpy-sunshine, billionaire chaos, and men who fall hard against their will, add this to your list ASAP. Thank you The Author Agency for this arc opportunity!

[Tori'Emma Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

This series follows a bunch of friends who all went to college together and now all work in New York City. This time it was Roman's story. Roman owns Bertini Hotels and isn't looking for love, but when his best friend asks for Roman to interview his sister to renovate his new hotel, sparks fly between the two. They think they can get each other out of their systems.

Roman is your classic brooding alpha: successful and emotionally guarded after past betrayal. Eva, by contrast, is bright, witty, and unflappable—an ideal foil to Roman’s simmering intensity. Their forced‑proximity work setting provides a steady platform for a slow‑burn romance that readers say unfolds at a believable, engaging pace.

The narrative deepens with unexpected complications: underlying family ties, mixed emotions about age difference, and a pregnancy reveal that raises the emotional stakes. Instead of running away from the situation, he takes it head on, and realises Eva and the baby are just what he needs.

Nicole Baker creates a captivating romance in His Obsession. Fans of grumpy-sunshine dynamics, second-chance tension, and emotionally deep character arcs will enjoy this. This dramatic, heartwarming, and passionate story is ideal for individuals who enjoy emotional billionaire stories.

Ideal if you're looking for something sensual yet emotionally measured, with a surprise pregnancy to keep the tension high.

I want to thank Nicole Baker and The Author Agency for the opportunity to read and review His Obsession

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Plot: 4/5
Overall: 4/5

[Melinda Barrowcliff-Reyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC READER REVIEW✨


Absolutely so, so, beautiful!!!
Roman and Eva's love story was breathtaking!! I truly loved them both so much!! Eva was such a strong and caring person just trying to fulfill her dream in New York. When she meets her brother's best friend, Roman, he offers her a job to re-design his hotels. This is the job she's been waiting for and she knows this will be the opportunity of a lifetime.
Although they both try to remain professional and just friends, things begin to heat up.

Roman, through the first half of the story, really try's to fight his feelings for Eva. Throughout his life, he's carried a lot of unresolved trauma from his father and it has made him feel like he's not worthy of having a real relationship.

But as they continue to work together, they both realize that there is something between them that they can't ignore. I absolutely loved how sweet and sexy they were with each other, and how it became more and more difficult to stay away.
Just when you think things might be over for them, a surprise comes along and makes them realize how truly in love they are with one another. And the way that Roman really stood up and proved his love for Eva was just so perfect!!

And the ending... "chefs kiss"!!

"His Obsession" is the second book in Nicole Baker's Empire State of Love series that I have been ARC for, and it just keeps getting better and better!!!

Definitely a 5 star read!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Akku · Rating 4 out of 5]

✦ 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 - 4.5✨

✦ 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 - July 18, 2025

✦ 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 -
• billionaire romance
• grumpy x sunshine
• age gap
• workplace setup
• possessive hero
• surprise pregnancy
• he falls first
• slow burn

✦ 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 -
This one was such a smooth read. Roman is that typical cold, silent type but deep down he’s obsessed with Eva and it shows in the tiniest ways. I loved how she brings light into his life without even trying. She’s so warm, and he’s just... broody and grumpy in the best way.
The slow burn didn’t drag and the tension was actually fun to read. Unspoken feelings, little moments, soft jealousy everything hit so right. And the twist? Total surprise. It added a lot of emotion and made me love Roman even more. His protective side came out like crazy.
This book was soft, intense and full of those quiet little moments that make you smile. If you love obsessed but quiet heroes, you’ll def enjoy this.
Thank you so much the author agency and author for the free ARC!

[Janelle Sequin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first Nicole Baker book that I have read and I really enjoyed it.

Eva gets hired by Roman to help redesign his hotels they both know that they should stay away from each other. But somehow Roman ends up rebuking Eva heart as they can’t stay away from each other as they have feelings for each other and wants to see how things will go.


I really enjoyed reading there story.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★★★★
𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: July 18 2025
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:

From the moment we meet Eva, I was instantly charmed. She's just so relatable, so genuine, and full of life. You can feel her passion for her work, her hopes, and her quiet strength. She’s someone you instantly want to cheer for. And when she’s hired to redesign Roman Bertini’s hotels, you know things are about to get wonderfully complicated. Watching her navigate this new professional world, especially with all the personal feelings stirring inside her, was just delightful. She’s not easily intimidated, and that’s one of the things I loved most about her. She holds her own, even when faced with a man as formidably charming as Roman.

And Roman Bertini. Wow. He starts out as exactly what you expect from a grumpy billionaire, all sharp edges and a serious, brooding look. He's got that intense aura that makes you wonder what's going on beneath the surface. But the way Nicole Baker slowly, beautifully peeled back his layers was just absolutely captivating. You get to see the real man underneath all that seriousness, and when he finally starts to let his guard down, it’s just everything you could possibly wish for. He went from being this distant, powerful figure to someone you genuinely root for, someone whose happiness you deeply crave. His transformation, spurred on by Eva, was just incredibly satisfying to witness.

The connection between Eva and Roman was truly something special to read about. Their sparks weren't just little flickers, they were like fireworks going off!

You could feel the strong attraction between them, even when they were trying so hard to stay professional and follow the rules. That whole forbidden touch, the intense way their eyes met, the moments where they couldn't help but get closer, it all made my heart ache in the best possible way. The brother's best friend trope combined with the grumpy billionaire was done so well here, adding just the right amount of tension and delicious forbidden desire. It felt so real, the way they fought their feelings and then ultimately just couldn't anymore. Their journey from professional distance to a deep, unbreakable bond was so beautifully written.

And let's talk about the surprise pregnancy part of the story. It wasn't just a plot point, it was such an emotional and heartwarming journey for Eva and Roman. It added such a beautiful and real layer to their developing relationship, showing how completely their lives were becoming intertwined. It made their connection even stronger and more meaningful, watching them navigate those new feelings and responsibilities together. It was just so sweet and wonderful to see how it shaped them and brought them even closer. It truly cements their "obsession" with each other in the most beautiful way.

I truly felt every emotion along with Eva and Roman. There were moments that made me gasp, moments that made me want to cheer, and so many moments that just made my heart feel full and happy. The pacing was perfect, letting their relationship grow at a believable and deeply engaging speed. This book is a warm hug, a thrilling ride, and an emotional story all rolled into one.

Thank you to Nicole Baker and The Author Agency for giving me this arc.

𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: Billionaire romance, workplace romance, brother’s best friend, surprise pregnancy, grumpy/sunshine

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicole Baker has a unique talent for pulling readers into her stories from the very first page, and His Obsession is a perfect example of her captivating storytelling. This grumpy/sunshine romance introduces us to Eva, a genuine and relatable heroine whose passion for her work is infectious. Hired to redesign a luxury hotel chain, she is a force of quiet strength, and watching her navigate the professional world while grappling with personal feelings is an absolute delight. She’s not easily intimidated, holding her own against the formidable and brooding billionaire, Roman Bertini.

Initially, Roman is the epitome of the grumpy hero—all sharp edges and cold, mysterious eyes. However, Baker masterfully peels back his layers, revealing the man beneath the untouchable facade. His transformation, spurred on by Eva’s warmth and persistence, is incredibly satisfying to witness. The chemistry between them is electric, an undeniable pull that crackles with forbidden energy, beautifully blending the brother's best friend and age-gap tropes. Even as they try to maintain a professional distance, the intense glances and stolen moments create a heart-aching tension that feels wonderfully real.

The surprise pregnancy isn't just a plot device; it's a deeply emotional and heartwarming journey that cements their bond. It adds a beautiful layer to their developing relationship, intertwining their lives in a profound and meaningful way as they navigate new responsibilities together. This development truly solidifies their "obsession" with one another, transforming it into a deep and unbreakable connection.

His Obsession is a warm hug and a thrilling ride all in one, perfectly paced to allow the relationship to grow at a believable and engaging speed. Nicole Baker makes you feel every emotion alongside her characters, crafting a story that will make you gasp, cheer, and leave your heart feeling full.

Disclaimer: I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Meghan Hancock · Rating 3 out of 5]

e-ARC

Rating: 3.5/5
Spice: 3/5


First of all, thank you to Nicole and her team for the opportunity to read this book!

When I first started this book, I was immediately hooked and enamored by the characters. There were good backstories, definitive characteristics, detailed and explanatory back stories, and all around a good plot. About half way through, the book fell apart for me. Majority of the scenes felt like smut more than plot, to the point I ended up skipping over some of them because I was so tired of it and didn't feel like it was at all necessary. And then there was the end of the book: a pregnancy trope. I am usually all over these but I did not enjoy this one at all. It felt very random and more like a way to close the plot out and get the characters to admit their love for each other rather than the characters growing up and dealing with it. The traumatic events included with the pregnancy was basically the end of the book and I felt like it end abruptly. There was such a focus on the designing of the hotels and I felt it very quickly faded away at the end. This may have been the point since the characters were now more family oriented instead of workaholics but I didn't enjoy the 180 that was shown. Also can we please talk about the poker scene between the two main characters? The MMC says he needs a 7 to get a flush (he has 9, 8, 6, and 5) then the next page says fate was smiling on them because he pulled a 5? Rubbed me the wrong way for a glaring detail especially in a turning point of the book. Not the worst book I've read but also just not all that great.

[Rebecca Kush · Rating 4 out of 5]

🚫Brothers Best Friend
👩‍💻Coworkers
☀️Grumpy/Sunshine
💵Billionaire

This book was so good and it completely unexpected. I had read the first book in the series a little bit earlier in the year and was really excited to see the second one, but I have to admit it did sit in my Kindle library for a couple days because I needed a refresher on the first story, so I ended up rereading it, remembered why I loved it, and then read this one.

The book follows Roman and Eva. Roman is a billionaire hotel chain owner and he is trying to redo his hotel to make it a bit more relevant for his high end clients and Eva is a designer, so he hires her to design his new hotel spaces. She also happens to be the sister of his best friend, Walker.

There is a really good push and pull, a “will they won’t they.” They go from strangers to coworkers to friends to lovers. It’s a really fun story and you have your grumpy/sunshine trope which I absolutely love. Roman is the grumpy billionaire who thinks he’s never going to find love because of his parents mistakes and Eva is pretty innocent and a bit of a hopeless romantic.

I really loved this book. It was a standout star for me. I read a new book about every two days and I devoured this one in just a few hours because it was so fast paced and kept everything really exciting and I just really enjoyed it. It’s also not a dark mafia romance which you know is my absolute favorite so for me to finish something in less than 24 hours when it is not that genre and trope, says something about the book. I cannot wait for the next one in the series! Here’s to hoping we get Walkers story next!

[Miancka · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨Grumpy Billionaire + Sunshine Designer = Unexpected Magic✨

This book had me absolutely hooked from the moment Mr. Tall, Dark, and Moody Roman Bertini stepped onto the page. He’s cold, calculated, and built like sin in a three-piece suit. And she? She’s pure sunshine with a spark of sass, hired to redesign his hotels—but ends up redesigning his entire world. 🫣

Think:
💼 Brother’s Best Friend (oh yes, the forbidden tension is delicious)
💥 Grumpy/Sunshine (he growls, she giggles… I melted)
⏳ Age Gap Perfection
👶 Surprise Pregnancy (cue all the feels)
🔥 And chemistry so hot it could renovate a hotel lobby with a single glance.

I was cheering, swooning, and fanning myself through every page. Roman’s slow unraveling had me in a chokehold—the possessiveness, the vulnerability, the protective streak once he lets her in… yes please.

And don’t even get me started on the moment the “surprise” drops. Let’s just say: I gasped. I grinned. I immediately reread that chapter.

This isn’t just a steamy romance—it’s about healing, finding unexpected love, and rewriting the plans you thought your heart had. He hired her to transform his hotels. She ended up transforming him.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Five stars for slow-burn tension, delicious angst, and the softest ending that had me kicking my feet.

#GrumpySunshine #AgeGapRomance #SurprisePregnancyTrope #BillionaireRomance #HotelHeartsAndHeat #BrotherBestFriendRomance #SlowBurnSpice #KindleCrack #RomanceRecs #MustReadRomance

[Jetscarbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay.
There’s a few plots introduced in the beginning where you think it’s going to lead to some drama, but it’s never mentioned again. 😬 (possible spoilers ahead)

H is the playboy billionaire. h is the sister to H’s bff, Walker (who is the 3rd book) They start working together. Instant attraction, but H tries to stay away. That last until about 45%. H has daddy issues and he’s emotionally constipated about committing to a relationship. He’s scared he would cheat 🙃 like his daddy did.

So….its whiplash from H. One minute, he’s all in. The next, he’s ghosting her.

About 70% in, h finds out she pregnant. She scared to tell him, so she makes up excuses not to see him for a few days. He “gets into his head” about why and thinks she doesn’t want him anymore. He goes to confront her, but she is in serious pain. He rushes her to the hospital. Finds out she’s pregnant. The baby is okay.

Walker (h’s brother) finds out and acts like a total caveman. Basically, punches H. (I hate brothers who act all “flower in the attic” over their sister’s smexual relationships. It’s so creepy)

Anyway, that’s really the ONLY drama in this book. It’s resolved quickly. The MCs admit they love each other

Later, they live together and have a daughter. H proposes.
HFN

There’s a few smex scenes. It’s not overdone but I do have to say, that one part where he’s cooking while also giving oral was just bizarre.

[Yugie Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly enjoy stories about highly accomplished, successful, and wealthy men who are so afraid of commitment finally meeting the women who would upend their entire outlook about love and relationships. In this book, Roman Bertini was precisely that kind of man, one whose life experiences made him believe that love was a poison that eventually destroys any relationship, no matter how well it is going. He meets Eva Harlow, and their unique and instant connection fuels his obsession with her. He then becomes at war with himself, his heart telling him that Eva is a gift he shouldn't live without, but his mind is unstoppable in reminding him that love will only destroy them.

Of course, with that kind of premise, it was engrossing to see the rest of their story unfold. The main question being, what will it take Roman to realize how invaluable indeed Eva is to him? What needs to happen to allow him to drastically reshape his views on what love can do? Finding out the answers was what kept me glued to and enraptured by the book. The deliciously steamy scenes that emphasized the electric chemistry between Roman and Eva was a delightful bonus.

I'm committed to this series now. I can't wait for the stories that are to come next!

I received a free advanced review copy of this book. I leave this review voluntarily.

[Amy O · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review

I love me a billionaire romance and this was no exception!

Roman hired Eva to help redesign his hotels and get their hotel chain back up to the 5 star standard. But from the moment she walked into his office, he was obsessed. Being a grumpy billionaire who never dates and isn’t interested in the happily ever after, Roman finds it hard to fight his feelings when it comes to Eva. After an unexpected plot twist, will they find their happily ever after?

Roman. So obsessed (although completely in denial about it) with Eva from the very start it’s exactly what I want from my billionaire romance. I loved that he was down to earth in the way he surrounded himself with a small group of friends, had a normal family life and could do carpentry himself even though he could afford to pay people. It grounded his character. He had a lot of issues regarding his parents and how their marriage affected his outlook on relationships. I looooved when he got jealous though - delightful!!

Eva was really sharp and witty character. I like that she was strong in herself and just wanted a normal life. Roman was her weakness though - she could never say no to the guy! I like that she also took her time when it came to the full HEA aspect and she wasn’t pushed into it for various reasons.

Great billionaire romance and a fun read!

[Eviereads · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨ARC REVIEW✨

From the moment Eva is introduced, I was immediately drawn to her vibrant personality and her passion for her work. She’s determined, ambitious, and so dedicated that it drives her to start her own business. This path leads her straight to Roman Bertini, a handsome, grumpy billionaire who also happens to be her brother’s best friend. Roman owns several luxurious hotels across the country and hires Eva to redesign them. As they spend more time working together, their undeniable chemistry leads them to fall for each other but, of course, love always has its surprises.
I can truly say that the start of this book definitely captured my attention and had me completely hooked. However, around the middle I found myself losing a bit of interest. One trope I’m usually not a fan of is surprise pregnancy, since it’s often poorly executed, and sadly, this did not change my mind.
That said, I still thought the overall storyline was enjoyable. I do wish the plot had kept a stronger focus on Eva’s business and the professional aspects that initially brought the characters together, as these were key for making the story feel complete.
Overall, it was a quick read with a writing style that’s easy to follow. The author does an excellent job creating lovable characters that you can’t help but root for.

[Alexandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC review

1.5 ⭐️

I really wanted to like this book. The premise had potential. A mysterious, brooding man and a woman trying to start over in New York? Sounds like the setup for something dark, sexy, and intense. But honestly… it just didn’t work for me. The characters felt flat, the chemistry felt forced, and the pacing dragged in all the wrong places. Everything happened so fast i haven’t even had time to understand what was happening. And in my opinion, they didn’t had the chemistry I usually like to read about.

Roman is supposed to be this dangerous, obsessive presence, but he came off more cold and controlling than compelling. And Eva? She had no real agency, just bounced between scenes without much depth. And her brother was very weird, he just threw her in Roman’s arms and dissipated.

The writing wasn’t terrible, but the plot felt recycled and full of clichés I’ve read a hundred times before, only done better. If you like surface-level obsession and don’t mind minimal character development, this might work for you. But for me? It lacked heart, build-up, and emotional impact. I kept waiting for that moment where it would hook me… and it never came. Not the worst I’ve read, but definitely not memorable.

[Cindy Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

** 5 stars **

His Obsession is my first book by this author and it was absolutely amazing. It has everything you love in a romance.

Tropes:
* Alpha billionaire
* Workplace romance
* Brother's best friend
* Age gap
* Surprise pregnancy

Eva moves to start her own company. Her brother is friends with Roman. Roman and Eva have never met since Eva is his little sister. Eva goes to the interview and meets a grumpy Roman. He is so attracted to her even from the beginning. He knows he shouldn't be so attracted to her so he tries to fight it. Eva and Roman are forced to spend a lot of time together due to their jobs. Eva was hired to help Roman redesign the hotels he owns. Roman fights his feelings for her until can't fight anymore. He finally gives in and they are explosive together. Eva brings out a lot of feelings for him. He is no longer the grumpy billionaire that she first met.

When Eva discovers she is pregnant she is scared that Roman won't accept it. But he is even more overjoyed when he finds out. Theirs is a beautiful love story that I thoroughly enjoyed. I look forward to more from this amazing author.

Thank you to the author for an advanced copy for an honest review.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Workplace romance with grumpy billionaire is always a win win, and this book is a fantastic one using those tropes. Roman, grumpiest grumpy starts working with Eva after her brother (and Roman's best friend) got her an inerview.
Eva is independent, strong (maybe a little stubborn? maybe just a little) a God, I love well written modern and fierce FMC!! And Roman seems to be cold, stubborn and distant but we all know the truth, he's fighting agains the attraction he feels for her.
I love how their relationship evolve and, although surprise pregnancy is not one of my favourite tropes, in this book it came naturally, and the timing the author chose was flawlees.
The movie nights!!! Oh! I loved them!

Tropes you can find in this book:
- Workplace romance
- Billionaire romance
- Brother's best friend
- Grumpy/sushine
- Age gap
- Dual 1st person POV
- Surprise pregnancy

This book is certainly an open-door one. The spicy scenes are detailed and well written. And,well, the surprise pregnancy isn't not out of nowhere...

My ratings:
4/5⭐2,5/5🌶️

I’ve received this book as an ARC and I’d like to thank Nicole baker and her team at The Author Agency (thank you Shauna) for letting me read this book in advance and allow me to give my honest opinion.

[Lila Danisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good. Medium pace book with good spicy scenes.
However, it was not a 5-star book for me. There was/were something missing but I can't pinpoint what it was/they were.
Maybe it was the story that I think only covered the surface of whatever the plots were. The plots were decent but the delivery was kinda flat.
Maybe it was the title. His Obsession. I expected MMC to be all out obsessed with the FMC, but for me, Roman was not that obsessed with Eva. My definition of obsession is so different from what happened in this book.
Maybe because I wanted more heart-to-heart conversation between Roman and Eva. They had their whole portion of miscommunication and that's why I think they didn't have enough talk with each other. To be honest, I hate the miscommunication trope, but since in this book the miscommunication was "light", it didn't bother me much. I just wish there were no miscommunication at all since both MMCs were grown-ups.
Despite everything, I enjoyed reading this book. I would love to read the previous book in this series and the next book(s) coming up.

Thank you to Nicole Baker and The Author Agency for the ARC.

[Sassy Southern Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

His Obsession is the first book I have read by Nicole Baker, and I was obsessed. I loved the storyline; it was intriguing and original. The characters were complex and had an intense and undeniable chemistry. I enjoyed the angst and push-and-pull of the characters throughout this book. Their story was nail-biting and kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next. This is part of The Empire State of Love series, and can be read as a standalone. I loved the tropes of this book. There is the forbidden brothers' best friend/best friend's sister, a little age gap, an Alpha that is obsessed and possessive, the touch her and...!!!

Roman is broody, stubborn, and a total Alpha. He was protective and trying to do a solid for his BFF Walker. I loved how he slowly became obsessed and possessive of Eva. It was smoking hot. Eva was independent, determined, and a firecracker. I loved how she wanted to prove herself capable of more than just being a trophy wife. Their chemistry was scorching hot and was epic. I can't wait for Walker and Jessie's book, and I am so going back and reading His Temptation.-By Brooke

[Ashley Bolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was such a sweet and fun read. I have never read this author before but I truly enjoyed this book and will definitely read more from this author. This book had a lot of my favorite tropes. Brothers best friend, alpha billionaire, and work place romance. I enjoyed the push and pull between Eva and Roman. Roman is scared of relationships due to his parents relationship and doesn't want to entertain more. That only got him so far. Then Eva showed up in his life and she turned his world upside down. When we first meet Eva she is moving to be in New York and start her own company. Luckily for her she has a brother who loves and wants to help her. He not only gets her an apartment in his friend Roman's building but also a job interview with him. She blows him away in more ways then one. He tries to resist his attraction and ultimately his obsession with her. He fails miserably. There are a few surprises for them thrown in but it definitely gives the book more to love for. I cannot wait for the next book in this series. The author did a fantastic job with character development and making reader want to know more about the world she has created.

[Gina DiGiovanni · Rating 5 out of 5]

brothers best friend & billionaire romance?? yes pls. i loved this book.. the pacing was good, the spice was there & the the tension between them was palpable—that “I can’t want you, but I do” energy that makes your chest ache. forbidden vibes + magnetic chemistry = pure perfection.

roman is the definition of emotionally unavailable...the billionaire who swears he’s incapable of love and determined not to turn into his father. he’s built his life on control & letting someone in just isn’t part of the plan.

then there’s eva— his best friend’s little sister. she’s talented, ambitious & wayyy too tempting for her own good. her brother asks roman to look out for her and even bring her on as a designer for his luxury hotel chain, which only makes it harder to keep his distance.

from the moment they lay eyes on each other... roman’s fighting a losing battle. eva’s everything he’s been avoiding—bright, beautiful, and impossible to ignore. instant chemistry on both ends. they both hope it will fade so it doesn't interfere with their working relationship... but it doesn't & when they finally give in, things take a drastic turn neither of them saw coming...

huge thanks to the author agency & nicole for the arc <3