James’ love for Dahlia is true and complete.  He understands her doubts and waits for her to see he is not going to leave her.  Dahlia is afraid of being hurt, but she reflects her true feelings in their lovemaking.

The Lover’s Diary is a journal of James and Dahlia intimate events.  Dahlia Rose catalogs the sexual proceedings of two people without a background story.  I felt this was more an invasion of privacy; I have a preference for stories with a plot or a theme to hold my attention.