Dirty Diana is fast-paced, blending suspense with emotional depth. Diana is both fascinating and flawed, drawing me in to follow her story. The book doesn't shy away from difficult subjects, and its candid portrayal of personal struggle and recklessness kept me hooked until the very end.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I'm going to start this with HOW DID YOU END THIS BOOK ON SUCH A CLIFFHANGER!!!! I seriously need the next book NOW!

If that tells you anything, I really enjoyed this book. It felt like I was a fly on the wall watching Diana's life and marriage. This book took place in two time periods of Diana's life. First when she was a young struggling artist living in Santa Fe and older living in Dallas while she is married, with a child, and working at her father-in-law's company. Pick up this book and read it, but make sure you are ready for the cliffhanger at the end.

• diana, a seemingly normal woman with a husband & child she loves, feels like her life is missing something. she feels like she’s in a rut sexually with her husband, and the only joy she finds is listening to the tapes she makes of other women talking about their fantasies. a trip to santa fe reminds her of the life she used to have, and the artist she used to be.
• ultimately i enjoyed this story, and following diana’s journey of self discovery, even when ill advised in moments. the overall premise felt slightly too contrived, and i think would have best remained as a podcast.
• the ending does have me wanting to read book 2, so maybe my mind will be changed!

This book was incredibly raw and beautifully written, capturing the emotions of each relationship so vividly. Unlike many books that tend to romanticize situations, this one felt refreshing yet heartbreakingly real.
The ending was so gripping, I’m left NEEDING to know what happens next! I’ve already marked my calendar to download books #2 and #3 the moment they’re released—I can’t wait to continue this story.

This book is definitely outside my wheelhouse, however I thought the premise was somewhat intriguing being part of a long time married couple. I really struggled with the two main characters and how self-serving and egocentric they both were. There was definitely a lot of gratuitous content that was explicit. I just would have liked to have some sort of real plot to work with to make sense of the reason for this book other than to be graphic and explicit. This book was just OK. There was nothing special here really. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

Well, that was a lot steamier than I was expecting! To be fair, I'm not quite sure what I was expecting with a book called "Dirty Diana," but I guess I didn't think about it too much before picking this one up. I also didn't know it was based on a Demi Moore podcast, though I can totally see her playing the role of Diana in a movie!

I did find this a bit more deep and perhaps more literary than the typical romance. Diana is an artist, mom to a 6-year-old, and wife to Oliver who she's been married to for years. She still loves him, but it seems like the spark has gone out of their marriage and they're having some issues. In the meantime, she's revisiting old recordings she once made as part of an art project. The recordings detail other women's steamiest sexual interactions. Listening to them also brings back to mind an ex-boyfriend from her past...

The end had my mouth drop open and then I realized this is #1 in a series. It ends on quite a cliffhanger, but I'm undecided if I feel invested enough or not to read book two when it comes out.

I had trouble connecting with this book. Diana was just not very likable or relatable to me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

I couldn’t get into it at first but then I really got into it after about a quarter of the way. I’m looking forward to the next book because I’m living for the drama. Would recommend to girlies who like spicy and turmoil.

This book has similarities from the Netflix TV show "Sex Life". Plenty of sex, but no engagement.

Diana is floundering in her life, her marriage, and her sense of self. She is grasping at air, trying to find something, anything, to make her feel alive again. Her sense of femininity, desire, and need is buried under the weight of a mundane job and sexless marriage. The author flashbacks from present day to a younger Diana falling in love for the first time and living out her deepest fantasies.
Her husband is seemingly perfect. The perfect father, the object of envy to all the other PTA moms. When their problems weight them down to the point of no return, Oliver also unravels. It broke my heart to see him try so hard to connect to Diana, but she has put up a wall that she can't seem to be able to break down. It is only a matter of time before this relationship implodes. The end of the book ends on a cliffhanger so be prepared not find resolution to the story as this book is the first of a trilogy.

Thank you to Netgalley for the digital ARC of Dirty Diana by Jen Besser and Shana Feste. This is a fiction novel. 3*; I did go into this novel blind only knowing it was a botm pick. I truly did not know what to expect from Dirty Diana.

Synopsis:
"Dirty Diana" is a novel exploring the life of Diana, a woman who feels trapped between the stability of her marriage and her yearning for a more sensual past. Despite loving her husband Oliver and their shared life in Dallas, Texas, Diana is discontent with the lack of intimacy and excitement in their relationship. After a trip to Santa Fe rekindles her memories of a passionate affair with a photographer named Jasper, Diana is inspired to reconnect with her creative and sensual self. She starts a project where she interviews other women about their secret desires while painting their portraits, aiming to embrace her own desires fully. This journey forces her to question whether she can revive her sensuality without sacrificing her marriage.

"Dirty Diana" delves into the often-unspoken aspects of marital complacency and sexual awakening, weaving a narrative that some may find relatable, though sometimes over the top. Shana Feste and Jen Besser skillfully portray Diana’s internal conflict with descriptions and depth. The novel addresses some of the complexities of female sexuality and the struggles within a long-term relationship, enriched by diverse stories from various women through Diana’s interviews. However, the book occasionally suffers from slow pacing, particularly in introspective sections, and some explicit scenes may not sit well with all readers; no very likeable characters. Overall, "Dirty Diana" presents a blend of thought-provoking themes and character-driven storytelling, offering a clook at personal freedom and identity within the confines of modern relationships, though some may desire deeper plot development.

Fans of contemporary adult fiction may like this novel. I find this very exciting that two friends write this together.

This novel is a dual timeline and can be considered controversial because it explores the complexities of marriage, desire, and self-discovery. The story follows Diana who is caught between the comfort of her stable life in Dallas with her husband and the vibrant, sensual person she used to be. After discovering her husband’s secret trips to strip clubs, Diana begins a journey to rediscover her artistic passion and reawaken her own desires.
The novel touches subjects of balance between safety and passion, female sexuality, and the evolution of long-term relationships.
If you’re drawn to stories about personal growth, marriage dynamics, and sensual rediscovery, this novel may be a compelling read.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC read in exchange for my my review.

A deliciously provocative novel about a woman caught between the comfortable stability of her marriage and her memories of a more sensual past.

3.5 stars

Dirty Diana is about Diana Wood, a woman who is struggling in her marriage to find the attraction to her husband. She and Oliver seem to be the perfect couple on the outside with a young daughter. Inside their home; however, Diana frequently feigns sleep so that she can avoid sex. She just doesn't seem to feel anything. While she now works in her husband's office, she was previously an artist and finds the audiotapes and drawings from a previous project in their spare room and considers doing something similar. In the project, she interviewed women about their sex life or fantasies and then drew them. She starts to attempt doing the same thing but it just doesn't work out but she knows she needs to create something.

The book is based on a podcast that stars Demi Moore. I'd never heard of it or listened to it but I'm interested in checking it out now. The story is told from Diana's POV from both present and the past. In the past, it mainly focuses on her relationship with an artist, Jasper, that was very sensual - a huge contrast to her current marriage. It does also go into her past with her husband Oliver, highlighting the differences between their relationship's beginning and now. I struggled with the early parts of the book and just wanted her to DO something but I think that the authors did a great job of making me feel like Diana was feeling at the time. I really got into it about halfway through and then YOU ARE LEFT WITH A CLIFFHANGER AT THE VERY END! This is one of the things that kills me about a series if I start reading it before they are all available but I can say that early on in the book I was thinking that this would be a one and done series for me and now I can't wait for the next installment. So if you also hate cliffhangers, I'd recommend at least waiting for the 2nd book to drop.

I really enjoyed Dirty Diana! This book focuses on the marital crisis of Diana and her husband Oliver, but delivers so much more. I felt it was a very honest portrayal of the highs and lows of not just marriage, but reclaiming yourself after becoming a wife and mother. There was also an unexpected amount of (decent) spice in this book which I didn't hate!

Overall, I really enjoyed my time reading this book. The only fallback I found was the characters were just not very likable. Looking back at my experience of being in my 20s and progressing towards marriage and kids.. I was not always likable either, though.

Dirty Diana is a raw and emotionally intense debut novel that delves into the complexities of love, betrayal, and self-discovery. The story follows Diana, a woman caught in a web of passionate yet destructive relationships, as she navigates the emotional fallout of her choices.

The writing is bold and unflinching, capturing the tension between Diana’s desires and her deep internal struggles. Diana’s flaws make her both relatable and frustrating, and the novel does not shy away from exploring the messy, often painful realities of love and personal growth.

Fast-paced and thought-provoking, Dirty Diana is a character-driven narrative that examines the darker side of relationships and the search for identity. It’s an emotionally powerful read for those who appreciate complex, imperfect characters and introspective storytelling.

Like usual, I started this book with no idea what it was about, except that Demi Moore was somehow involved. It was alright. Borderline erotica, which isn't usually my thing.
The main gist is that Diana is totally bored in her marriage, and sexually frustrated, but she and her husband suck at communicating, so things continue to get worse, not better.
I hated the ending, but it makes more sense, now that I see it's book one of a series. I'm not interested enough to read book two.
Thanks to #netgalley and #dialpress for this#arc of #dirtydiana in exchange for an honest review.

"Diana Wood has a job she likes and a husband, Oliver, she loves. Together, they have a daughter they adore. She and Oliver spend so much time together, they even carpool to work in the same office. They’re in married love, which isn’t exactly the same as love love, but it’s fine.
Or is it? Is fine good enough?
Diana and Oliver haven’t had sex in months and their intimacy seems more like a memory than a reality. The cozy trappings of Diana’s life in Dallas, Texas have become ever-more confining. She is restless, growing more distant from Oliver by the day.
A trip to see an old friend in Santa Fe prompts Diana to remember the woman she used to an aspiring artist; someone devoted to creativity, spontaneity, sensuality. In her past—especially with Jasper, the dashing photographer with whom she once had an unforgettable love affair—Diana let herself fantasize, she let her body lead the way. She was wholly…alive."

i loved this book, exploring keeping desires alive in a marriage or long term relationship along with a woman's sexuality. i am impressed that it was a debut.
This story is broken up into three parts, which makes it easy to follow the timeline.
This book was sexy without being smutty. It kept my attention the whole time & i am excited for second book. 🖤

Thank you to Jen Besser, NetGalley & Random House Publishing Group for my ARC.

Dirty Diana is a fun, sexy romp detailing one woman's disillusionment. Daydreaming of an ex, not living up to her creative potential, married to the "perfect" husband that any of the school moms would want and mother to an adorable daughter, Diana's life is in crisis. She's a likeable and relatable character, struggling with living a life she isn't quite happy with but isn't really that bad. I've never listened to the podcast this book is based on, and I recently learned this is the first book in a trilogy - I'll gladly read the rest two! Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the opportunity to read this eARC. 3.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Incredible book! I instantly fell in love with this book. It is a beautiful story about a woman stuck between her comfortable present and her sensual/exciting past. I am so excited for the next book. Thank you, Netgalley.

This book inspired by a podcast, is an alluring tale of a woman torn between the secure comfort of her marriage and the enticement of a more passionate past. Part one in a three-part series. Extra star for some of my fav mentions-Patchouli & Wizard of Oz. Thank you to Netgalley, Random House and The Author, Jen Besser for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.