Nice way to close out the series. A bit cliched and rushed, but overall did the franchise a service.

(3.5 stars)
Diana Says Yes is the conclusion to the Dirty Diana trilogy (book one = Dirty Diana; book two = Diana In Love). I can’t say that I loved these stories but I’m not sorry I read them either. I’d never heard of the Dirty Diana podcast, upon which this book series is based, but once I heard about the books, I was intrigued and wanted to check them out. Each is pretty short, under 300 pages, so together they equal one fairly long book.

Warning: these books are NOT for the faint-hearted in terms of intimate activities. If you don’t like reading (or listening to) explicit, open door scenes, then there’s a lot you will have to skip to get to the rest of the story.

In book one, we find Diana’s marriage on the rocks; Diana and Oliver are in a rut and have grown apart. We get a lot of flashbacks to Diana’s younger years, to when she was a young artist. She started painting women’s portraits while they told her their intimate fantasies. She has an affair with Jasper, a photographer who figures in all three books. In book two, Diana and Oliver are separated and a lot of the action takes place in Paris with Diana on her own as part of a business trip for her day job. She meets up with Jasper while in Paris and they resume their relationship. Back in the States, Diana and Oliver try couples therapy. And so we get to book three - I really only read it to see whether Diana and Oliver would figure out a way to reignite their love and stay together or not. I can’t say too much without ruining the ending for you, but I enjoyed this one a bit more than the first two books. Why? Perhaps I was already invested in the characters and their lives. Diana’s project/web site has really taken off and she’s getting publicity about it. This is a double-edged sword as it creates some issues for her with the parents at her daughter’s school. It also presents an opportunity to go to California (they live in the Dallas area) to explore a possible film based on her life and her project, so part of the book takes place in and around LA.

Thank you to Dial Press (Penguin Random House) and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book and the Penguin Random House Audio for the opportunity to listen to a review copy of the audiobook, which had multiple narrators. All opinions are my own.

Diana Says Yes is the best, and perhaps “dirtiest,” installment of the Dirty Diana series, a book adaptation of the hit podcast of the same name.

In this third novel of the series, we find Diana rekindling with husband Oliver after their separation that was explored in Diana in Love. Forbidden by their therapist to have sex, Diana and Oliver feel anew with lust for each other with passion that is off the charts. It is refreshing to see Diana falling in love (and lust) with her husband once again, and this story goes a long way in changing perceptions about middle aged women and the state of their marriages.

Of course, we can’t forget about Jasper, whom Diana had a steamy affair with in book #2. Yes, he is still lurking around corners, catching Diana’s eye … but she is in love with her husband, right? When Oliver begins asking Diana more and more questions about her relationship with Jasper, this spicy story took a surprising turn that I did not see coming. Prepare to blush, ladies … this series isn’t called Dirty Diana for nothing!

Taken as an entire package, the Dirty Diana trilogy is an engaging, eye-opening look into the life of a woman who refuses to become entrapped by the stereotype that life and love ends after the age of 40.

In this third installment, Diana and Oliver trade jet-setting escapades for therapy sessions and awkward-but-sweet “old-fashioned” dates. The no-sex rule from their therapist forces them to slow down and rediscover the emotional intimacy that first drew them together, and those moments—rollerblading, movie nights, stolen kisses—are some of the most charming in the book. Their chemistry feels electric and genuine, proving that second chances in marriage can be just as thrilling as first love.
At the same time, Diana’s secret weighs heavily: her fantasy-sharing website is taking off in ways that could shake up her family, her reputation, and her marriage. The tension between her desire for stability and her drive to create something groundbreaking adds depth and complexity to her character.
While the pacing occasionally lags and some conflicts resolve a little too neatly, the novel shines in its mix of humor, steamy romance, and thoughtful commentary on women owning their desires.

Thank you to @netgalley and @randomhouse for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to @prhaudio for a free download of the audiobook.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A beautifully introspective romance with unforgettable emotional growth

Diana Says Yes is the kind of romance that lingers long after the final chapter. Jen Bessar and Shana Feste craft a deeply emotional story about love, identity, and the courage to say yes to life—even when it’s messy. Diana and Oliver’s journey is filled with vulnerability, humor, and growth, and I absolutely loved watching both characters evolve.

The introspection in this book is what makes it shine. Diana’s internal struggles and Oliver’s quiet strength are portrayed with such authenticity that I found myself completely invested in their story. Their connection is tender and real, and the way they challenge and support each other makes the romance feel earned and deeply satisfying.

🎧 Audiobook Review:
The audiobook narration is phenomenal. The voice actors bring Diana and Oliver to life with emotional nuance and perfect pacing. I could feel every moment—every hesitation, every spark, every heartbreak. The narration added so much depth to the story, making the emotional beats hit even harder. It’s one of those audiobooks that enhances the experience in every way.

If you love character-driven romance with heart, humor, and a whole lot of soul, Diana Says Yes is a must-read—and an absolute must-listen. This whole series is 5 stars for me!

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #randomhouse #prhaudio #prhaudiopartner #sponsored #dianasaysyes #jenbesser #shana feste

This is the final installment in this 3 part series. And boy was it an ending. In this book Diana and Oliver are rekindling their romance by dating again. While they are rebuilding their relationship, Dirty Diana is really taking off.

I absolutely loved reading about their romance. It was such an honest and raw story of a couple that has gone through life together and is fighting for their relationship.

I also loved getting to watch Diana grow in her newfound confidence with her role as the head of Dirty Diana. This was such a fun and highly unique story and it went in a direction I didn't expect but also felt so fitting for the storyline. I highly recommend this whole 3 part series.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

As her dirty Diana website starts to take off, Diana must realize what’s important when trying to figure out her own life. She continues to date her husband Oliver and see her therapist. Miriam all while navigating school moms who disagree with what she’s doing on her website. The final story of dirty Diana takes us to California and back and leaves us with an ending that’s tight neatly in a bow.

This novel follows an artist and mother who creates portraits paired with women's erotic fantasy stories for a website, all while attempting to save her marriage after working to reignite passion with her husband. The premise has potential, combining art, sexuality, and the complexities of long term relationships, unfortunately, the execution feels elementary in many places. While Besser manages to get the story across, the writing lacks the sophistication needed to fully explore such themes. The characters never quite come alive, making it difficult to become emotionally invested in their journeys.
I lost interest early on and, honestly, didn't care enough about the characters to continue reading. For a book dealing with intimate relationships and personal awakening, the emotional connection just wasn't there for me. The concept had promise, but the execution didn't deliver the depth or engagement I needed to make this a compelling read.

Hot damn. #TeamOliverForever 🙌🏻
This was such a fun series to read.

I love the communication. I love the openness and vulnerability. The sexual tension throughout the whole book 🥵🤌🏻
Diana got her groove back and Oliver is here for it. 😮‍💨

I know this won’t be everyone’s cup of tea but I throughly enjoyed every single page and I’m kinda sad it’s over.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for this digital arc in exchange for my honest review.

This book was a mix of cute, messy, and a pinch of frustration. Diana and Oliver have to figure out their marriage again while her website takes off. I liked seeing Diana navigate therapy, her website, and all of the chaos in her life. I really enjoyed the sweet and funny moments with Oliver. Some parts moved too fast, but I enjoyed seeing her character grow and the way the story handled love, trust, and mistakes. Really glad to have gotten the chance to finish this series, and it’s one that definitely taught me a few things. It turned out to be a series I would absolutely recommend in the future to anyone who was interested.

A witty, heartfelt rom-com about love, self-discovery, and the courage to take chances. Diana is a relatable heroine you’ll root for, and the humor and charm woven throughout make this such an enjoyable read. Light, funny, and full of heart—perfect for fans of contemporary romance.

This was such a fun, quick read! Even though I skipped book two, I didn’t feel like I missed anything—I was able to jump right in and enjoy it. I laughed out loud at a few parts, loved the reconnection between Diana and Oliver, and wow…the steamy scenes did not disappoint. Catalina was absolutely wild and made things even more entertaining. Perfect pick if you’re in the mood for a light, spicy romance!

Diana Says Yes is a satisfying end to the Dirty Diana trilogy, but it felt less fun than the first two books. I might need therapy for thinking so, but I enjoyed the chaos of Books 1 and 2, and Book 3 fell a little flat in comparison.

I received an ARC from Random House | Dial Press Trade Paperback via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this satisfying conclusion to the Dirty Diana series in exchange for my honest review.

This final installment gives Diana Wood a compelling journey of self-discovery, emotional growth, and rekindled intimacy. The therapy scenes and “no sex” rule brought an interesting dynamic that deepened Diana and Oliver’s connection beyond the physical. I appreciated how the story balanced steamy moments with thoughtful exploration of marriage, desire, and identity.

The introduction of Hollywood and Diana’s rising business added fresh energy and stakes, while Jasper’s return complicated things in all the right ways. Diana’s multifaceted character really shines here, grappling with what she wants versus what others expect.

While some plot points felt a bit rushed near the end, overall, it was a passionate, engaging, and well-rounded conclusion that fans of the series will love.

I just finished Diana Says Yes, the final book in the Dirty Diana trilogy, and honestly—it was such a satisfying ending. This one picks up with Diana and her husband, Oliver, back in therapy, trying to rebuild things after all the messy, beautiful chaos of the first two books. And here’s the twist: they’ve agreed to no sex. Wild, right? Especially for Diana.

But what unfolds is even more intimate—emotional vulnerability, trust, and actual dating again... with your own husband. It’s real, awkward, sexy in a different way, and genuinely moving. Meanwhile, Diana’s secret project (remember her Dirty Diana website?) is starting to blow up, and it adds this fun layer of tension between passion, purpose, and partnership.

What I loved most is that this finale doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff. Diana is bold, brilliant, flawed—and watching her figure out what she really wants, not just in love but in life, made this such a rewarding read. It’s smart, grown-up romance with real heart. And yes, it’s still plenty steamy.

I so enjoyed this series. I’m so happy Diana got a happy life after uprooting it and all the changes she had to face. It’s never too late to live .

Diana Says Yes by Jen Besser and Shana Feste is the final book of the Dirty Diana series. Diana returns to her new/old life while trying to rekindle the spark with Oliver. This was a fun read and finale to the series. I loved how this book explored female sexuality with the story being relatable to women, wives and mothers. I would have liked for the book to have focused more on the Dirty Diana business and marriage rehabilitation.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group, and the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I didn't realize that this is a conclusion to a series. I enjoyed it. I was a little lost but it was well rounded.

This ending did not disappoint!!! I've loved this series from the start because of how authentic it feels and the writing really brings me into each moment. I had no expectations for how this would end and i'm so glad because I was happily surprised. Diana is finally living her best life and I love that for her. I hope the authors continue to put out more books because I really enjoy their writing style and how they've broken free of the formulaic romance novel.

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

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this ARC. In the final book of the Dirty Diana series, Diana returns to her new/old life. She is trying to rekindle the spark with Oliver while figuring out what where the Dirty Diana website fits into her future. Will the moms at school make her secret not so secret or will Hollywood calling tempt her to share it all with the world? Just when you thought the spice couldn’t get hotter, Catalinaaaaa. Whoa.