REVIEW: Darling Obsession by Jaine Diamond

Darling Obsession by Jaine Diamond: Harlan is a man who controls everything; his empire, his emotions and defiantly his future. But when his late father’s will demands that he marry within the year or lose his inheritance, Harlan is forced to do the unthinkable: fake a relationship! Enter the one woman who got away, Quinn. The only woman ever bold enough to call his bluff and read him like a book. Quinn agrees to play the part of his doting fiancée, the only problem being there is nothing fake about the fire between them. With the spotlight on their every move and old emotions resurfacing fast, pretending becomes the hardest role they’ve ever played. With wealth, lies and loyalties being tested, should falling in love really be part of the plan?

Darling Obsession is everything that you could ask for in a steamy billionaire, fake turned real romance. There was just the perfect combination of steam and heart that made rotting on Harlan and Quinn just so easy. While this is the second instalment to the Bayshore Billionaires and I would highly recommend reading the first book, this can be read as a standalone just as easily.

I really liked both of the main characters in this book, Quinn and Harlan balanced each other perfectly while still delivering on the saucy banter and steamy spice that I love from a romance. Quinn was such an amazing leading lady, I just loved the fact that she was the kind of girl that stood her ground and wouldn’t allow anyone to walk all over her. I just loved the way she meet him wit for wit and did not allow him to have the last say. She does not shy away from calling out Harlan when he is wrong or if he has pushed his luck to far, and this is one of the things I really liked about Quinn, she was definitely no wallflower. I really enjoyed getting to see her stand her ground with Harlan, while still being her bubbly happy self. Now lets just talk about our hero,

Harlan was just something else, while he really knows how to work the whole alpha-hole vibe, I actually really enjoyed getting to see the different side to him that Quinn brought out. We got to see less of the control freak and more of a playful Harlan. Grant Harlan knows how to be a crafty fox and get his way whenever he wants, I really enjoyed getting to see him really think about his moves and consider his growing feelings for Quinn. I actually really enjoyed getting to see Harlan go from this rough grump to embracing his warm soft cinnamon roll centre.

Good gosh did this book deliver on some intensely steamy moments! I just loved getting to see these two banter and seeing their connection reach this steamy peak. While their journey had a few complications along the way, the rewards were way sweeter than any of the risks and hurdles that they faced. We got to see them test each other limits but also provide a safe place to be completely open and judgement free. I just loved the fact that Harlan was so completely obsessed with Quinn and that he was willing to cook up any sort of plan to win over his girl. More than this I loved the fact that these two helped each other realise that it is okay to be imperfect.

All in all I really enjoyed reading Darling Obsession. If you are looking for a really well written, consuming and oh so steamy fake turned real, billionaire romance than this is definitely the book for you!

Book Info:

Publication: May 30, 2025 | DreamWarp Publishing Ltd. | Bayshore Billionaires #2

When billionaire Harlan Vance blackmails me into being his fake date, I know I’m in trouble.

He’s a grump. A control freak. A gorgeous liar.
And unfortunately… my new boss.

They say he hates everyone.
That he’s cold as ice.
But the way he looks at me could burn a city down.

He touches me like he’s already claimed every inch of my body.
And when he kisses me, I forget every rule I’m supposed to follow.

I can’t afford to fall for a man who could cost me my job.
But I might already be in too deep.
He says he’ll protect me, that no one touches what’s his.
But with Harlan, everything is secrets and lies.

And the closer I get to the truth behind his lies, the more I realize—
He’s not in control.
He’s obsessed.
And I’m about to find out just how deep his obsession goes.