His Confession

Empire State of Love #4

by Nicole Baker

A steamy billionaire/forbidden romance.

I didn’t plan on wanting my boss.

Especially not him.

Colton Hayes is everything I should stay far away from— a brilliant oncologist, obscenely wealthy, devastatingly controlled, and completely uninterested in anything resembling a relationship.

Powerful. Intimidating. Untouchable.

I tell myself it’s nothing. That I’m immune to rich, dominant men who thrive on discipline and restraint.

That whatever sparks between us is just proximity… stress… imagination.

It’s not.

The tension doesn’t fade.

It sharpens.

Colton doesn’t make promises. He doesn’t do relationships. And he never loses control.

Until me.

And I’m not naïve.

I know exactly who he is.

I know the rules he lives by—and the risks that come with wanting a man like him.

But I’m not looking for saving.

I’m not asking for forever.

And I don’t need permission to want what I want.

If Colton Hayes thinks he can stand this close to me without consequences, he’s already lost.

Because I’m not afraid of falling for the wrong man.

I’m afraid of walking away from the right one.

Genres: Workplace

416 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 24, 2026

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!





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Reviews

[Wendy Marie (myrisingphoenixera.reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️
2.5🌶️
🔥Forbidden Workplace
🔥Billionaire
🔥Grumpy/Sunshine
🔥Emotionally Unavailable Hero
🔥Slow Burn Spice
🔥Forced Proximity
🔥Dual First Person POV

His Confession is not your typical workplace romance, instead of an office, this romance happens between a doctor and a nurse in the oncology unit. Melissa became a nurse after losing her husband to cancer. She wants to be there for patients, just like how someone was there for her. Colton is the brilliant but broody oncologist who is consumed with work. But beneath his stoic mask is a man dealing with the pressure and responsibility the only way he knows how, by retreating into himself. Colton sees relationships as an inevitable loss. From their first meeting there was an instant spark and an undeniable magnetic pull between them. Colton started noticing her which was a problem, but soon he finds it hard to keep his distance. Melissa knows he doesn’t do relationships all she asks for is honesty. Their chemistry sizzles with tension so thick you can feel it. Watching Colton’s control crack and the way he completely unravels for Melissa was so satisfying. For a while they were able to live in the moment, he learned to be present and let her in. Their patient Frank brought levity and humor with his no filter approach to life. He was there for Colton to give wisdom right when he needed it the most. Colton finally lets Melissa all the way in with his deep and meaningful confession. Things weren’t fixed overnight, his healing will take time and he wants to do it with her by his side. There were several phrases that were repeated too many times. They interrupted the flow and ability to remain engaged in the story.

🚩Be sure to read the author’s note and content warnings before reading.

Plot: 4
Engaging: 4
Character: 5

Thank you Nicole Baker for the gifted advanced copy.

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

A Few Favorite Quotes:
“Maybe wanting someone again doesn’t mean losing what I had. Maybe it means I’m still here. I’m still human, and I have urges, just like everybody else.”

“And for the first time in a long time, walking away doesn’t feel like escape because I know I’m making a choice to come back.”

“I’m going to jerk myself off tonight, thinking about how good your pu$$y feels, coming against my fingers.”

“But from now on … your pu$$y is mine. I get to play with it. If you need a release, you text me.”

“I was gentle with you last night,”
“But right now?”
“I want you rough.”

“I’m falling. Not dramatically. Not recklessly. But steadily. Quietly. In a way that feels earned.”

“No one would look at me and think I’m unraveling … because I’m not. I’m simply narrowing my world to what I can control.”

“I don’t know exactly what our future looks like,” he says. “But I know I don’t want to face it without you.”

“Everything changed the moment he stopped hiding. The moment he confessed. And in that confession—of grief, of fear, of love—we found each other.”

[Joud · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicole officially became one of my fav rom authors, it fun, well written and so deep in emotion 😍😍 totally recommend for fun, easy reads

[Rice Aly · Rating 3 out of 5]

الروايه حرفيا خفيفه وطريقه السرد مختلفة بالنسبه لي حبيت شخصية البطله جداوالبطل ماعليه ملاحظات ولا فيه شي مميز لكن طريقة معامله للبطله هاديه ومميزه بنفس الوقت

[Kimberly Blackburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melissa receives call to join oncology team as a nurse at Eastbridge Medical Center. Colton is the chief of oncology at the hospital. He is used to things being a certain way but Melissa is shaking things up. She is anticipating what he needs and working hard and he doesn’t know what to make of it. Then he remembers her from when she lost her husband to cancer.

Their patient sees something happening between them before they will even admit it themselves. It’s like the patient is guiding them through understanding what is going on. It’s a story of finding yourself after loss and trusting your feelings.

I loved the connection between Melissa and Colton. There’s something there from day one, maybe not feelings but common ground. The slow burn was done perfectly and made their relationship believable. I stayed up late reading and couldn’t wait to read more.

[Kiersten Tyrone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Colton Fisher thought he knew everything about life, control, and love, but his life is interrupted by a unknowing blast from the past he didn’t see coming. Dr. Fisher has to face the world as the human he left behind a long time ago. Tragedy and loss was something he could compartmentalize and store away. When a nurse brings the real world to him, he has to choose either to face the hard truths or carry on life as he’s done in the past….alone and isolated. Which will he choose? This story is a good curl up on the couch and read. It has its spicy moments, its sad moments, and happy moments. I enjoyed reading this story by Nicole Baker. It had me gasping and crying. I can’t wait for the next story. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a well written relatable story.

[Marta Galdamez · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review:

Melissa and Colton’s slow burn was everything. The tension, the restraint, the way you could tell Colton was already falling but kept holding himself back, I ate it up. Their chemistry was there from the very beginning, and it never let up.

Frank? Literally the best. His banter and the way he kept putting Melissa and Colton on the hot seat made those moments even more entertaining.

Loved Melissa’s mindset, especially when Colton closed himself off and she chose herself instead of begging him to stay. When she said, “People are choosing each other every day. They are choosing to stay, to talk, to be present, even when it’s uncomfortable,” YES!

And the fact that they both chose oncology because they wanted to help people going through something they experienced themselves… such a beautiful, meaningful touch.

This was a great addition to the Empire State of Love series ❤️

[JensBookHaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this in just a few hours, I could not put it down! Colton and Melissa’s story was so good, and I loved the patience and growth between them. The story, the side characters, the emotion…everything about it kept me hooked and wanting more.

And Frank? He was special, I absolutely loved his place in this story.

Thank you, Nicole, for the ARC! I’m already counting down the days for Sawyer’s story.

[Courtney F · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t want to book this book down. I had a love one day from cancer so this book touched close to home. I think Nicole Baker did an excellent job showing how different people process loss.

The love story that happened and the character growth was great to see. I loved seeing how far Colton came with zero push from Mel.

I thought this book was heartfelt and a quick read. Highly recommend.

[Kayla Proell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arc Review

I really enjoyed this book overall. Going into it, I’ll say I’m usually someone who likes a good amount of spice in my reads… and this one is definitely more on the vanilla side. There’s not a lot of spice here, so if that’s what you’re looking for, just know that going in.

That said, the storyline itself was really cute and easy to get into. I really liked the push and pull between Colton and Melissa. Their dynamic felt real… especially how Melissa stands up for herself, her feelings, and what she needs in a relationship. I loved that she didn’t just settle. At the same time, you can feel the tension between them and the attraction they have for each other, which keeps you invested in how everything unfolds.

What really made this book stand out to me though was Frank. I absolutely loved his character. He reminded me so much of my grandpa, which made me connect to the story on a more personal level. His wit, humor, and little bits of insight throughout the book were honestly my favorite parts.

Overall, this was a sweet, feel-good read. Not heavy on spice, but strong in heart and sometimes that’s exactly what you need. 💛📚

[Samantha blankenship · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay first of I LOVED LOVED LOVED THIS BOOK…the FMC is who I strive to be honestly…she has went through a lot of emotionally devastating things and yet she still shows up and is present. She chooses herself and the people she loves. She doesn’t make excuses she doesn’t avoid. She simply is emotionally available something that is so hard to be as an adult trying to handle everything on your own. Her best friend Kayla I’m telling you right now I wish I had a best friend like her. She is amazing. She knows the FMC like the back of her hand. She knows what she’s thinking she knows how she’s feeling and she knows exactly how to show up for her as a friend and as somebody who’s never had a best friend that is exactly what I would want in a best friend. Their friendship is So well written and just so easy to relate to even though I’ve never experienced it myself. It was just really awesome to be a part of that while reading the story and I thought it was very important to mention that because again it was one of the things that made this book just flow together so seamlessly. I look forward to reading more stories written by Nicole not only is she amazing writer but the characters that she makes are just so relatable. And as a reader that is so important to me because if I can relate to the characters, then I can put myself in their shoes and I can experience the book in a way a reader wants to be able to experience a book. It makes it feel like so much more than just reading about something. It’s something that you can be a part of even if it’s just temporary. And I’m so honored that I was able to read this early copy before this book released. It’s the first book I’ve read by Nicole. And it can be read as a standalone in the series. Each book follows one of the friends in the group from my understanding and I look forward to going back and reading the other guy stories because I’m sure they’re just as great as this one was. And I think it’s really cool that they can be ready to standalone which obviously it kind of has some spoilers if you do that for the other stories, but I’m the type of reader that that doesn’t really bother me much.. This was a five star read for me because it made me feel so emotionally involved with all the characters in this book. I will say just a tiny spoiler here. I really wish I could’ve read about him speaking with his parents about past situations and mending those relationships however, it didn’t make her break the book that we didn’t get to read that. But I do hope that he did that maybe Nicole can tell me please tell me lol…. But anyway this book was so good. I absolutely loved it. I read it in two days. I read it just about every chance I had a free minute to read. If you’re the type of person that loves a complicated past, some tension, a few hot scenes here and there, and an FC that stands her ground and knows what she wants. Then this book is definitely for you!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

His Confession by Nicole Baker was the story I had been waiting for, and finally getting Colton’s journey was everything I hoped it would be. Having enjoyed this entire group of friends, diving into this intense billionaire workplace romance felt like catching up with old favorites while being swept away by a raw, emotional narrative. This book is a beautiful blend of grief, healing, and scorching tension that broke me and healed me all within the few hours I spent devouring it.

Melissa is a resilient oncology nurse still navigating the heavy loss of her husband, while Colton—known professionally as the brilliant Dr. Fisher—is her boss and a man entirely consumed by his work. He treats happiness and relationships as luxuries he simply doesn't deserve, burying himself in saving lives to avoid his own painful past. From their very first interaction, the magnetic pull between them is undeniable. Colton is a man built on discipline and restraint, which makes the moments where his control slips around Melissa feel incredibly powerful and earned.

The story goes so much deeper than the surface-level heat. Both characters carry significant wounds that shape their perspective on love, and watching them slowly open up to one another felt authentic and moving. The hospital setting adds a layer of humanity to the drama, particularly through side characters like Frank. He was truly special, providing the perfect amount of banter and humor to lighten the heavier moments while constantly pushing Colton and Melissa to face what was brewing between them.

I particularly loved Melissa’s mindset throughout their journey. When Colton’s instinct was to close himself off, she chose her own worth rather than begging him to stay, reminding him that people choose to be present even when it is uncomfortable. Their shared dedication to oncology, rooted in their own personal experiences with loss, added a meaningful touch to their connection. Their slow burn was filled with such patience and growth that I couldn't put the book down until I reached their well-deserved happily ever after.

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

His Confession by Nicole Baker pulled me in from the very first page and did not let me breathe until the end. This is one of those books where the tension is so thick you can feel it in every glance, every word, every moment they are in the same room.

Colton Hayes is that dangerously irresistible kind of hero. Controlled, powerful, and completely used to being the one in charge. The fact that he is a brilliant oncologist adds this extra layer of depth to him because beneath all that wealth and restraint, there is a man carrying weight and responsibility that shapes everything he does. Watching that control start to crack was everything. The shift from untouchable to completely undone had me hooked.

Melissa is just as strong in her own way. I loved that she knew exactly what she was walking into. She is not naive or chasing a fantasy. She owns her own, stands her ground, and refuses to be intimidated by a man who is used to people falling in line. That balance between them made their dynamic so addictive because neither one of them truly holds all the power.

The chemistry is intense in that slow burn, simmering way that builds and builds until it feels like it might explode. Every interaction carries weight. Every touch feels like a line being crossed. It is not just attraction, it is tension, conflict, and undeniable pull all wrapped together.

What really made this story stand out for me was the emotional layer underneath the heat. This is not just about wanting someone you should not. It is about control, vulnerability, and what happens when you meet the one person who makes you question everything you thought you needed to protect yourself.

Nicole Baker did such a beautiful job creating a romance that feels both powerful and intimate. It is steamy, yes, but it also has heart, depth, and characters that stay with you long after you finish.

Five stars without a doubt. This one is for anyone who loves a forbidden romance with a strong heroine, a dominant man who finally meets his match, and a connection that refuses to be ignored.

[Whitney Cruthird · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t even know where to begin with this one… this story didn’t just pull at my heart, it wrapped around it and refused to let go.

He’s the closed-off doctor who’s built walls so high no one can reach him. She’s a nurse carrying the quiet weight of loss and heartbreak, still choosing to show up and care for others every single day. And somehow, through the most unexpected connection, their worlds collide in the most beautifully fragile way.

What makes this story unforgettable is how their journey unfolds. It’s not rushed. It’s not perfect. It’s real. A patient unknowingly plays Cupid, weaving their lives together in a way that feels both heartbreaking and healing at the same time. Watching Colton and Melissa slowly open up, piece by piece, felt like witnessing two wounded souls learning how to breathe again.

There were moments that made my chest ache, moments that had tears blurring the pages, and then those quiet, powerful moments where love spoke louder than words.

Nicole Baker wrote this with so much emotion and care. You can feel it in every chapter, every conversation, every silence between them. This isn’t just a romance… it’s a reminder that life is fragile, that everyone we meet carries a story, and that sometimes love finds us when we least expect it but need it the most.

Colton and Melissa’s story is filled with heartache, yes… but also with hope, healing, and a love that feels earned.

And that line? It will stay with me:
“Not only did I let you,” he says. “I chose you.”

I’m so grateful I got to read this early, because this is one of those stories that lingers long after the last page. One that truly touches your heart in a way you don’t forget.

[ReadMeRough · Rating 5 out of 5]

His Confession by Nicole Baker is an intense, emotional billionaire workplace romance that blends grief, healing, and scorching tension into one unforgettable story.

Melissa is an oncology nurse still carrying the heavy grief of losing her husband. Colton — known to everyone as Dr. Fisher — is a brilliant oncologist, her boss, and a man completely consumed by his work. Saving lives is the only thing he allows himself to care about. Sleep, happiness, and relationships? Those are luxuries he believes he doesn’t deserve.

From the beginning, the tension between them is undeniable. They’re both aware of each other in that quiet, magnetic way that makes every interaction feel charged. Colton is a man built on control, discipline, and restraint, which makes the moments where that control slips around Melissa even more powerful. When he calmly says “Why don’t you let me decide what’s too much?” you can feel the shift between them.

But this story is more than just the heat. Both characters carry deep wounds: Melissa’s grief and Colton’s painful past with his parents shape the way they see love and happiness. Watching them slowly open up to each other felt raw and real. Even the hospital moments — especially with patients like Frank — bring humor and humanity to an otherwise heavy world.

This book made me cry more than once. Colton’s complexity, his quiet devotion, and the way Melissa becomes his safe place make their relationship incredibly compelling.

Emotional, addictive, and beautifully written.

[Lenerz Reads by Ear · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars - i’ve been listening to this series and the last two have been under the Kindle unlimited assistive reader style. It’s been hit or miss it seems after reading Julia Wolf billionaire stories. This one hits a little differently than the rest of her books because it wasn’t as smutty as it could be but more emotional than romantic. I can’t say this as much of a romance, but a good communication between the two without so much drama of how the characters felt emotionally toward each other. Melissa going through grief made her more aware. I like that she was not so closed off as you would think she’d be and had no expectations of him feeling that he had to fix himself even though maybe therapy might have worked for him. The problem more was of Colton kept these walks for a reason, (who didn’t really talk about the parents in the epilogue. It felt and unfinished there.) I thought communication between the two and their acknowledgment of the problems between them was very healthy and very different from how other stories would work this angle. It would be playing more towards the angst and drama that would get very irritating. I appreciate that. Which is why probably give us more of 3.8 stars. 😅

[Candace Munoz · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars ⭐️
Kindle

I love these series; each book is a different guy in the friends group. This book is Dr. Colton Fisher- MMC and an oncologist. Melissa - FMC, loses her husband to cancer and decides she wants to be an oncologist nurse. She applies at the same hospital and under the same doctor who cared for her dying husband, which is Dr. Fisher. I loved the tension between Melissa and Dr. Fisher. I truly loved the banter between the two and the wittiness from a cancer patient, Frank. Frank saw the tension between the two and called it how he saw it. I love him! There are so many great quotes and messages in this story that I can see can be helpful for someone going through grief.

Quote: “ I’ve learned that grief doesn’t mean stopping. It means carrying what mattered forward. I care enough about myself to not unravel over someone else’s silence.”- Melissa.

“But from now on … your pussy is mine. I get to play with it. If you need a release, you text me.”- Dr. Fisher 🥵

[Lou Li Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was deep. This is book 4 in the Empire State of Love series, a standalone with interconnected characters. We’ve met Colton earlier in the series and you could already tell his was a closed off workaholic, and this is his story behind his emotional unavailability. A billionaire doctor in Manhattan- that right there is grump personified. He’s complex, he’s closed off and he’s emotionally scared but none of that scares away Melissa. A nurse in his department who has gone through the most tragic trauma of her own and survived - she just wants to help Colton but his walls are sky high. This read is high on the emotional pull, a slow burn with undeniable chemistry and all the feels with a protective Alpha MMC.

I voluntarily reviewed a free advance copy of this book provided by the author. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Jill Godzilevsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love when I am wrong about the big reveal/plot twist. This book has everything a great love story should have! Complicated pasts, even more complicated family, forbidden workplace romance, cupid disguised as a patient, a grumpy emotionally stunted MMC, and the most patient and kind FMC!

I was hooked on this book from day one and the only reason I didn't read it straight through is because I had to be a responsible adult and get sleep so I could go to work.

Without giving too much away I really thought Colten's guillt and behavior was due to being involved in Melissa's husband treatment and subsequent death - I eventually figured it was someone close to him...after the painful family dinner.

Looking forward to Book 5!

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review

I thought this was going to be scandalous; I ended up crying instead.

This is a story of loss, grief, and finding your way back to love through Colton and Melissa, co-workers in an oncology unit. It had me emotional more than once.

Frank might’ve been my favorite part, an older patient with zero filter and zero shame, bringing humor and unexpected wisdom exactly when it was needed.

There were so many lines I had to highlight, the kind that just stick with you.

I’ll admit, I expected the “confession” to be something dramatic, but it was actually deeper, more meaningful, and central to Colton’s journey.

A reminder that even when you feel stuck in the past, there’s still space for healing and love after loss.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I could rate it 4.5 ⭐️! His Confession is book 4 in the Empire State of Love series. It is a standalone with interconnected characters. I had not read any of the other books in this series but I have definitely added them to my TBR.

The story is about Colton Hayes a brilliant, wealthy, broody oncologist who does not do relationships. Melissa, a newly hired nurse to the unit has lost her husband and isn’t ready for love.

The main characters are engaging and will have you rooting for them from the first couple of chapters. The endearing side character who plays matchmaker had me shed a few tears.

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

[Dewey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Chapter 12 and, so far, this feels like reading chart notes. I understand the plot. It's all just bland. The writing is simplistic. The plot is predictable. I can't read 400 pages of this.

Melissa instantly is attracted - the spidey sense vibes - whenever her new doctor boss is near. He is also attracted to her but backs off once he remembers her now dead husband whom he treated. New patient Frank and his wife, Diane, are mirrors for what happened to Melissa and her husband. Literally after meeting them for the first time, Frank is teasing the doctor (forgot his name) about his attraction to Melissa.

Spare me. I had to stop. DNF

[Khou Yang · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was sooo good!

I love a book with an emotionally closed off man and a woman comes in and breaks his walls down! Colton and Melissa don't fall in love the traditional way. It's quiet and patient. Melissa grew from her loss while Colton buried it. She brought him out before he even realized she did it. Their tension in the beginning was sooo good! I could not stand it. Definitely recommend you read this one!

[Diedra Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

💖💖💖

Melissa and Colton story was emotional and sad. I figured out from the beginning Colton's coldness probably had to with the lost of a loved one. However it's sad to know all the years he's been suffering with his grief. Goes to show how 2 people deal with their grief differently. One don't forget about her loss but manages to move one and embrace life. While the other buries his grief in work, self control and distance

[Ellaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know what to write — I just finished one of the best books of the year 🥹🥹 Colton and Melissa’s relationship is tender, beautiful,I can tell you that I cried a lot while reading. They both went through painful loss and learned how to live again,, I loved how their relationship developed, and their chemistry was strong and beautiful ❤️❤️

[DomsLitCorner · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️

I didn’t expect this book to deliver such an emotional gut punch, but it absolutely did…and I loved every minute of it.

Melissa, a lighthearted oncology nurse, is quietly carrying the weight of an unimaginable loss. Though her future looks different than she once imagined, she’s still determined to find joy and brightness where she can. Colton, the hospital’s Chief of Oncology, has also endured devastating grief, but his way of coping is to shut everyone out and keep his heart firmly guarded.

When their lives begin to intertwine, Melissa challenges Colton’s beliefs about love, forgiveness, and moving forward. As they navigate their shared grief, they slowly discover that healing might be possible—especially if they face it together.

What stood out most was the honest portrayal of grief and how differently it shapes each person who experiences it. Both Melissa and Colton are still living in the aftermath of their trauma, and some days are harder than others. Melissa’s patience and steady presence give Colton the space he needs to confront his pain without pressure, making their connection feel deeply authentic.

This slow-burn coworkers-to-lovers romance was tender, emotional, and full of heart—it definitely hit me right in the feels.

[Calm Your Pits · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked Melissa and Colton's story. The will they/won't they, the drama (self-made) and the sad back stories tie everything together. And of course, their amazing patient Frank that makes everything fall into place lol He is actually the star of the show.

[Nic29 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dead spouse troupe isn’t my go to. If this were book one in the series I wouldn’t have even started it. I didn’t find either MC particularly likeable. The only thing I liked about this was the lack of OW drama as this author usually writes a**hole MMC’s

[Brit (BritBooksALot) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

[Camille Arr]

DNF 16% still enjoying the writing however the story line in this one is not for me.
Will be on the look out for the next one.

[Michaele · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️