I hope Jen Besser and Shana Feste keep writing Dirty Diana books for many years to come. This second book in the series was just as enjoyable as the first, bringing Jasper back into the picture and allowing Diana and Oliver to work out some of their history in therapy. The book realistically portrays the struggles of a marriage that is breaking up and the internal conflicts with moving on, and the steam is off the charts!

Diana is such a great character, and I love her friends L'Wren and Alicia, too. Readers will enjoy Liam's increasing role in the Dirty Diana franchise and there are several new characters introduced, as well. The evolution of Diana's website into a budding business will be fun to see (I anticipate) in the next installment. I can hardly wait!

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for the digital ARC of Diana in Love by Jen Besser and Shana Feste. The opinions in this review are my own.

I've been enjoying this short series about Diana trying to rediscover her sexuality and rewrite her dreams. The writing feels very authentic and I'm excited to see how the story ends in book 3!

Thank you to Random House, The Dial Press & NetGalley for the ARC <3

This book seemed to come into my life at the right time. Story was relatable to me, as I have a male friend going through a similar experience as Diana. In the first installment we learn about her struggles with her marriage and a past lover, Jasper, who she reunites with. In this second installment we get to see her interact with Jasper, and get lost in the relationship, but learn nothing of their past relationship and why they broke up. I hope in the next installment we learn more about Jasper.

While this book was spicy, of which I am normally not a fan, it was not overbearing or cliche, and did not take away from the story. In addition, I did not feel that this book had as much substance as the first, so I hope the next installment provides more. Nonetheless, I cannot wait for the next read.

Thank you Dial Press Trade Paperback and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this ARC. In this second book of the Dirty Diana series, Diana comes into her own. Fresh off her separation, she is free to explore who she is beyond wife and mother. The spice level is off the charts while Diana decides if her future lies in a past flame, a new romance or the pieces of her marriage.

WOW. I thought the first book of the series was good. THIS ONE takes it to the next level. I love the details in this book and Diana really listening to her body and her desires. I an fully invested in this series. Thank you so much for the ARC from Penguin Random House and thank you NetGalley.

I enjoy this story so much. Elder woman finds her groove. It’s important to hear these stories (yes fictional) but important to remember that women still have feelings after a certain age. Loved this sequel.

Diana in Love by Jen Besser; Shana Feste is a well-crafted exploration of human emotion and the complexities of relationships. The characters are flawed and intriguing, yet undeniably real.
I enjoyed reading book one Dirty Diana.

Diana In Love
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Wow. After book 1 and all the ups, downs, drama, and that cliff hanger I was so excited to dive into this ARC for book 2! Thank you to the publisher for the eARC and PRH Audio for the ALC!

While I love Diana’s story of sex positivity, exploring your deepest sexual fantasies, and trying to become her own woman after leaving her husband, this one was a bit all over the place for me. I wanted more of that drama that drove book one home and had me invested. Unfortunately, this one had lost the main plot point and instead we had several side stories intermingling that took away from Diana’s true journey.

In book 1, Diana’s best friend in Dallas, Loren, is happily married. Yet in book 2 she finds herself lusting after the local vet and quickly divorcing her husband to sleep with this guy and start a new fresh relationship. Bonding over being two divorced women was meant to be a funny joke but as it kept coming up it felt cheap to have another character seeming drop her husband. Maybe it was meant to show how Oliver and Diana aren’t truly done with their marriage as Loren and Kevin split up so quickly while Diana and Oliver kept going back to therapy? I’m unsure.

The trip to Paris was wild! Diana meets a man one day through her friend and sleeps with him only to the next day meet up with Jasper and start an international relationship? We didn’t address any of her and Jaspers history of why they failed the first time. They just fuck like rabbits and he comes into town occasionally to see her and make these wild plans without taking into consideration her life and her daughter. Clearly Jasper was never going to be a long term partner but it felt like Diana was so caught up in having a second chance with him in her 40’s while ignoring the long term hurt and distriction Jasper caused her. It just would have added more to the story if they dug deeper and rooted out Diana’s pain of their young relationship falling apart. While, I did enjoy that Jasper encouraged Diana to pursue her artist career, it only led to her being further divided from her actual life since she has not told Oliver about the website. It just seems like Diana is constantly living in limbo of this fantasy life she wants for herself.

Oliver in this book has moved on apparently and begins dating a woman his mother sets him up with, and yet he suggests that they go back to therapy to work on their communication. Also- what was that almost sleeping together part in the beginning? How can that not be addressed and pushed under the rug? I think Oliver having different romantic partners was truly healing for him to get his confidence back and be open to exploring more sexually with Diana in the future, but the fact that in their therapy session Diana tells him that he could have talked to her about his fantasies seems like a pot meet kettle scenario. Sure, she tried ONCE in book 1 to share her Dirty Diana project and he shut it down but she never talked to Oliver about how she actually wanted to spice up their sex life. It was like she kept that door firmly shut to Oliver but with Jasper, she opened that box without hesitation. It made me question whether she truly even loved Oliver to begin with if she couldn’t share that part of herself.

The ending of this one threw me. Diana and Jasper break up apparently and now Oliver is being his same caring partner as before, AND in a relationship, but now he’s all Diana wants. The tension had been there forever but for him to now finally be open to more explorative sexual acts with Diana seems like a quick turn around that could have occurred without this looming separation.

While I’m excited to continue the story to see how it all plays out, it just felt like a whole lot of nothing happened only to reach a conclusion that was readily available with open communication or a more show, not tell, experience between them.

Oh, Diana! She was so so relatable. Being a woman in her forties who has been where Diana is, I could feel her emotions to my core. And why is sex such a taboo subject? We all want it, need it but we can’t talk about it? And the relationship with Jasper, right on the tips of her fingers but so far away. Everything about this book could be real life. But in the end, was that her fantasy or was he really there? I can’t wait for the final book to find out how it all plays out for Diana, L’Wren, Oliver and Alicia. Such a well written book!

I am typically skeptical of sequels, but I think I liked this better than the first book. It was more in-depth with regard to getting to know Diana, Oliver, and Jasper. It was so well written and relatable that I found myself bouncing back and forth between who I thought Diana should be with. I could feel Diana's frustrations, boredom, excitement, love, lust, sorrow, and fear. The thoughts, decisions, and feelings, of these characters are all believable. Nothing is exaggerated, repetitive, or overdone. The character development in this series is so refreshing!

As a 47 year old woman, it felt like these characters were my contemporaries. Many books like this have characters in their 20s who have silly inner monologues and make immature and irrational decisions, so I really appreciate these characters who somehow feel like friends.

I wish I had the third book in my hands to see where life takes everyone!

Thank you to NetGalley and Randon House Publishing Group for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher. I loved Dirty Diana and this series is just so good and juicy. There is something so addictive in the writing. Can't wait for the next book!

OMG THE ENDING!!!!!!
4.5/5

This book felt slow to start in the beginning but after the first maybe quarter of the book it got so good. Diana is doing a great job navigating the challenge she’s facing. It feels very real and relatable. Can’t wait for the next book!!!!

I enjoyed this second book so much more than the first. In this one, we follow Diana after her separation from her husband, Oliver and how they are working through this new family dynamic. Diana also reconnects with a past love…Could the second time be the charm?

Diana’s 2 best friends (who have not met each other), were such a good addition to this story and the authors did a great job portraying the build-up and anxiety Diana was feeling before their first meeting.

Loved this one. Can’t wait to read the third installment!

Rounded up- I enjoyed this one a lot more than the first and didn't want it to be over. At the end of Dirty Diana I disliked almost every character but the growth and reflection in this one was a fun character redemption. It's also convinced me to listen to the podcast that led to these novels. Thanks to Randomhouse Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and @DialPress for this ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

Alright, so this book picks up exactly where *Dirty Diana* left off, which is great because it jumps right back into Diana’s messy world. In this one, Diana’s dealing with a lot of emotions, and Oliver is finally putting in some work on himself through therapy. He’s starting to take responsibility, which is refreshing to see.

Now, full honesty here: I liked Diana better in the first book. This time around, she kinda got on my nerves. There were moments when I just wanted to grab her and tell her to snap out of it.

On the flip side, L’Wren totally surprised me. She’s such a great friend to Diana, and I really enjoyed their dynamic. She brought so much positivity into the story and ended up being one of my favorite parts of the book.

Jasper is back too, and wow, he made quite an impression. Every time he and Diana were in the same room, you could *feel* the sparks. The chemistry and tension between them were so well done.

Oh, and let’s talk about the spicy parts for a sec… they were *hot*. Like, seriously. If you’re into that, you won’t be disappointed here.

There’s also a new character introduced, and I fell in love with her instantly. She added something fresh to the story, and her presence made a difference in a really good way.

Now, I know what you’re probably wondering – does Diana end up with Oliver or Jasper? Well, you’ll have to read it to find out! The story took a turn I wasn’t expecting, and I’m not mad about it. It’s heading somewhere interesting, and I’m really curious to see how it all plays out.

If you liked *Dirty Diana* and need to know what happens next, definitely give this one a read. It’s a rollercoaster, but one worth taking if you want to see where Diana’s journey leads her.
4.25 Stars!

‘Diana in Love is the second book in the sensational Dirty Diana series—based on the #1 fiction podcast.
Traveling to Paris, Diana Wood reconnects with the man from her past who’s haunted her memories and ignited her imagination. Will this trip help her to reclaim the wild, sensual woman she used to be?’

Why these books bring me so much joy and delight, I couldn’t fluckin say. They also make me wanna run a supermarket sweep through Cupid’s Closet, but that’s neither here nor there…..

Lady Besser, miss ma'am, how could you leave me hangin again dammit!? I hadn't even packed my mountain-climbing gear. Gahh! I don’t think I’ve been this invested in anything since Ross rolled over the juice box and Rachel forgave him for 'finishing' before they'd even began.

Please just put me out of my misery and gimme book 3. I can't live life in the dark ffs.
Does Oliver get his sink fantasy? Meow. Does the delicious & elusive Jasper continue his wanderlust? Meowwmeowwwpurrrrrrr. And Diana, where's your heart gurhhh?

I’ll just be here waiting, treading water and anguish till July.
(Feel free to call me if you want my fantasy for Dirty D. I'm so damn down.)

The relationship between Diana and Jasper is lacking all kindsa depth. In book 1, I thought it was intentional, a mere delve into the past. Now, after finishing book 2, I know I was wrong. In book 2, they're in the present and their connection is still without depth. I mean, when they're together, Jasper's only mission is laying pipe and Diana's is only to recieve it. There's just not much else happening between them. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for them doing the laundry 85x a day, because it's evident they're both smelling colors and seeing sounds every single time they get their hands on each other.
But I feel like it's gotta be said, they reek more of fork buddies than once in a lifetime loves.

Regardless, I loved these books. Relatable, fresh and sexy as hell.

Big thanks you Random House Publishing Group | Dial Press Trade Paperback and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for review.

Pub Date: Feb 04 2025.

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc!

ugh the first book ended on a cliffhanger that had me scrambling for book two, and now THIS book ends with a cliffhanger😩

i devoured the second book just as quickly as the first, and loved it just as much, if not more.

full of female friendships, female sex positivity, creativity, divorce and marital therapy, this series is really shaping up to be one of my new favorites.

i need book three ASAP

I am so honored and was so excited to get this book, Book one left me on the floor, I did not know how I was going to ever get up, and this book did damn near the same thing. Diana and Oliver are separated, she is managing her life, and of course Jasper pops up! And I am loving everything that happens in this book for her (the good & the spicy thangs). We can’t forget L’Wren who reminds me so much of own best friend with amazing and fun self, she also goes through something in this book.

There is being unpacked when it comes to Diana and Oliver, and some parts were very heartbreaking to read, but I love how real it is, because these type of things do happen in marriages. I also love how Diana’s art work is being presented here and how her friends are accepting at how she creates, which is very different lol. Let’s not forget how Diana has developed and has grown as a character, and the way this book LEFT ME!!! Because that END AINT THE END! WHERE IS BOOK 3!!!! I need it TODAY!!!

After years of feeling like a stranger in her own marriage, Diana and Oliver have officially separated. The problem is, she has no clue what the future looks like. Diana feels trapped working for Oliver’s wealthy family, every other the weekend her house feels empty and minutes feel like hours. Diana is asked to take a work trip to Paris and thinks maybe a change of scenery is just what she needs. Accompanied by her two closest friends, she journeys to the City of Lights where, amidst the bustling world, she reunites with Jasper, her boyfriend from 15 years ago—the one who had slipped away. Jasper remains unchanged, still capable of leaving her breathless. When Diana returns to Dallas she and Oliver continue to struggle through therapy. While she imagined they were there to learn the most effective parenting methods, Oliver is traveling down memory lane of their intimacy issues, ones she doesn’t care to face. Diana realizes she can no longer hide her passion or her art - a website she created combining women’s fantasies with illustrative paintings. This fabulous read is the second book in a passionate, raw and steamy trilogy (originally a podcast starring Demi Moore). One page in and I was hooked! Counting the days to book three!

Diana is coping as best she can with being a single working mother after the end of her marriage but she's still embracing the spice. It's an interesting portrait of a woman learning who she is. This is the second "Diana" book and I think it helped to have read the first one. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Will there be a third?