I really didn't know much about this book when I started it (I was sold by the cover!) and I enjoyed the read. It tackles some big themes and emotions without dumbing them down. You feel them. You're on the journey with the characters.

I've always loved books that dive into the intricacies of relationships and aren't afraid to explore all the angles, including female empowerment and sexuality. We need more books that don't shy away from these topics.

That said, there were a few sections that felt slightly unfinished, where I wanted just a little more. But overall a solid read.

3.5/5 - I hate that Goodreads/Netgalley doesn't let me give half stars because this book doesn't deserve the bump down to 3 or the bump up to 4.

Dirty Diana is thought provoking and interesting. What do you do when your marriage is struggling? How does sex come to play in relationships and real world life? Can two people find their way back to each other or do we all change as we get older? Exploring questions like these and others with Diana as she tries to understand her life was interesting and a read I enjoyed.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for a free ARC of this novel (but don't worry, it's out already so pick it up if it interests you!)

I went into this completely blind and was excited to see where this would take me. While I enjoyed the book, there were parts that felt predictable but also unrealistic. I felt sad for the characters but also incredibly frustrated at times.

I liked the dual timeline/flashbacks but I feel like there were some gaps that I wanted explained further.

Overall, I enjoyed the smut but I wish we got more answers + I don’t want to have to wait to find out what happens with Oliver and Diana (and the surprise at the end)!

4 stars!
As I said, I didn’t like that they edited the EXTRA spicy bits, I feel like that takes away from the message the book is trying to make: NORMALIZING women’s sexuality.

Loved it, other than that. I was staring at the wall when it was over lol.

Diana's marriage is struggling, and she'll try anything to keep the fires burning. She has enjoyed a very fulfilling life of sexual freedom, so the conventional rut she finds herself in is foreign and saddening. Meshing her past and her present lives, the author follows Diana in her struggles to revive the woman she once was.
Thanks so much to Random House Publishing Group-Random House Dial Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. The publishing date is November 19, 2024.

What a fantastic book! The first one I have read by this author but definitely can't wait to read more! The characters stay with you long after you finish the book. Highly recommend!

Dirty Diana is a bold and provocative exploration of female desire, long-term relationships, and the quiet dissatisfaction that can creep into even the most stable marriages. Jen Besser and Shana Feste take a fearless approach to topics often left in the shadows—sexuality, self-fulfillment, and the tension between security and passion.

Diana Wood has built a seemingly perfect life in Dallas: a loving husband, Oliver; a daughter she adores; and a steady job. But beneath the surface, her marriage feels stagnant. The intimacy she and Oliver once shared has faded, leaving her questioning whether “fine” is good enough. A trip to Santa Fe reignites something long buried—a memory of the woman she once was, full of passion and artistic ambition. Inspired, she embarks on a creative project, painting portraits of women as they share their deepest desires. But as she delves into their stories, she begins to wonder: Can she reclaim her own sensuality without unraveling the life she’s built?

Diana’s journey is deeply relatable, and the novel doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable truths. The dilemma of whether to stay with the familiar or chase the thrill of rediscovery is raw and real. While the book doesn’t offer full closure, leaving Diana’s fate unresolved, that ambiguity mirrors real-life relationships. Thoughtful, sexy, and emotionally complex, Dirty Diana is more than just a love story—it’s an honest reckoning with desire, identity, and the relationship choices that ultimately shape our life. I can't wait to start the next book in this series!

The cover initially caught my attention with this novel. It is stunning, artful, and creates a buzz—a beautiful choice! I found the aspects of marriage described fairly accurately and empathized with the struggle for happiness when the current station does not fulfill the desires of our main character.
I have not listened to the podcast that inspired this novel, though if it is anything like this story, it must be delicious. The way the story is old and using past recordings to help build momentum kept the plot moving for me. The book was emotionally heavy, though the characters were not always likeable.
That added a level of realism, though, as we all have moments when we are not likeable. I think what makes this novel such a stellar read is that we can all relate to the aspects of not being happy when we have every reason to be. Sometimes, the vibe is just off, and we can't explain why. And sometimes, that leads us to chase a feeling we miss. An artistic delight from start to finish!

Dirty Diana by Jen Besser and Shana Feste is a provocative and emotionally charged novel that delves into themes of fame, identity, and the complexities of modern relationships. Drawing inspiration from the world of celebrity, the novel follows Diana, a woman who is both a public figure and a deeply private person, as she navigates the pressures of being in the limelight, personal relationships, and her own internal conflicts.

The story is both compelling and intense, weaving together the glitz and glamour of celebrity with the raw, often painful experiences of being human. Diana is a character who feels both larger than life and utterly relatable. Her journey is filled with moments of self-doubt, longing, and discovery, making her a fascinating protagonist to follow. The book explores her struggles with her identity, the persona she’s created for the public, and the complexities of finding true intimacy in a world where every move is scrutinized.

The writing in Dirty Diana is sharp, unapologetic, and full of emotional depth. Besser and Feste do an excellent job of creating a tense, atmospheric narrative that draws readers into Diana’s world. The novel is filled with twists and turns, keeping readers engaged as they uncover the layers of Diana’s story. The prose is bold and at times daring, reflecting the themes of self-destruction and reinvention that are central to the narrative.

The emotional complexity of the novel is another highlight. Diana’s relationships—both romantic and familial—are fraught with tension and contradictions, highlighting the often painful balance between public and private lives. The novel doesn’t shy away from exploring the darker aspects of fame, including isolation, manipulation, and the struggle for control. This adds a layer of depth and authenticity to the story, making it more than just a tale of celebrity culture.

While the novel is undoubtedly a reflection on fame and identity, it is also an exploration of the human experience, offering a glimpse into the personal battles people face when dealing with love, loss, and their own inner demons. The book’s themes of self-empowerment and the pursuit of authenticity resonate strongly, making it an engaging and thought-provoking read.

Overall, Dirty Diana is an engaging and emotionally intense novel that examines the high price of fame and the complexities of self-discovery. Jen Besser and Shana Feste have created a narrative that is both captivating and raw, with a protagonist who feels real and multidimensional. This book will appeal to readers who enjoy character-driven stories with plenty of emotional depth, dark themes, and a deep dive into the effects of living in the public eye.

Diana... I don't know if you excite me or give me the world's biggest anxiety. Diana and Oliver are going through a marital crisis - Diana is "deeper" than Oliver and totally closed off. She has a past and is an artist. He is a straight laced guy. Her past drives the crisis.

This was an attractive story, I am interested to see where it goes next.

"Dirty Diana" by Jen Besser and Shana Feste is a provocative and introspective novel that delves into the complexities of marriage, personal growth, and the quest for self-discovery. The story follows Diana Wood, a woman who finds herself at a crossroads between the comfortable stability of her marriage to Oliver and a yearning for a more sensual and fulfilling life.

The narrative is both engaging and thought-provoking, offering readers an intimate look into Diana's internal struggles and desires. The authors' exploration of themes such as desire, personal awakening, and the balance between security and passion is both relatable and compelling. Diana's journey resonates with anyone who has grappled with the tension between the safety of the known and the allure of the unknown.

The novel's structure, alternating between past and present, effectively builds suspense and deepens character development. The dialogue is authentic, and the intimate scenes are handled with sensitivity and depth, enhancing the emotional impact of the story.

As a reader, I found myself reflecting on my own experiences and the universal quest for personal fulfillment. Diana's journey serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of self-awareness and the courage required to pursue one's desires, even when it means challenging the status quo.

"Dirty Diana" is a captivating read that offers a fresh perspective on relationships and personal growth. It is a must-read for those interested in contemporary fiction that explores the intricacies of human desire and the complexities of marriage.

*Note: This review is based on an advanced reader's copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.*

Very heavy on the sexual encounters, but the writing was well done and it was a light quick read from my usual genres. It did end on a cliffhanger so I will have to follow up with the next story.
Thank you to the publisher Random House- Dial Press for providing an E-arc
3 star

Interestingly, Jen Besser and Shana Feste's Dirty Diana is a book based upon a fictional podcast by the same name. It is an unusual reversal of the creative process, and although I have not listened to the podcast narrated by Demi Moore, I am curious as to how the two differ. Regardless, the Dirty Diana trilogy opens with the eponymous first novel, which showcases a dismal Diana Wood wavering in her feelings for her husband, while reminiscing about a lover from her past.

Diana once felt so full of passion. As a young maker living in Santa Fe, she ingrained herself in the artistic community, and began a creative project of her own - one in which she recorded intimate interviews of women spilling their deepest secrets - often relating to sex - and then creating paintings based upon their stories. Diana's vibrant and rewarding life was further painted in full color by her relationship with a handsome photographer, Jasper - a man she has never been able to forget, despite how their love affair ended.

Now Diana is in a marriage that has lost its spark. There's nothing inherently wrong with her husband Oliver - he is kind, attentive, and attractive - but they seem to have lost their way. When Diana makes a trip back out to Santa Fe to see an old friend, she remembers the woman she used to be - one who was fun and fiery, and who had purpose. Fueled by her trip, Diana returns home and reinvests herself in the creative project she once loved - interviewing women as they share their secrets. As Diana becomes more and more in tune with the woman she used to be, the divide between her and her husband grows until Diana finds herself standing on a steep precipice. Will she choose the woman she longs to be or the one that is comfortable and safe?

Dirty Diana is a revelatory novel of marriage and how romantic feelings grow and change over time. I have never seen the struggles of marriage written so starkly and honestly. This book reads as if written under a bare bulb, exposing everything that is unseemly and disagreeable about supposed wedded bliss. On the flip side, this is also a story about a middle-aged woman reclaiming her identity and purpose, all while standing in her own truth and rediscovering her passion.

This is a book that is a midlife crisis story of sorts that many women will find relatable, especially those prone to letting their minds wander to their youth and the women that they once were.

I admit to not knowing that Dirty Diana the book was based on Dirty Diana the podcast, which I have not listened to. I think maybe it’s the reverse engineering from podcast to novel that didn’t totally work for me. I appreciated that this book was a quick read, but there are a lot of time and location jumps with very little character development. I acknowledge that this might be an unfair critique of a book that certainly isn’t aiming to be a literary masterpiece. If I compare this to a movie like Magic Mike, my critique of that movie would be that it needed less plot and more stripping, so in that regard Dirty Diana delivers on exactly what I believe it’s supposed to be - fast-paced erotica that hooks you enough to read the second book. Onward to Diana in Love! Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for my ARC.

Dirty Diana
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Pub date: 11/19/24

Diana and her husband Oliver have a daughter. Their marriage goes through ups and downs and so does the lack of intimacy. They have a comfortable marriage but Diana reflects on intimacy in the past. This book was definitely full of steam 🔥 It definitely had some unlikable characters but was thoroughly entertaining! I didn’t like the back and forth timeline as it was confusing but overall really enjoyed!! And that ending!!! I think I will have to pick up book 2!!!

Thank you @netgalley and @randomhouse for this eARC in exchange for my honest review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | A Bold, Gritty Exploration of Love and Desire

Dirty Diana is a raw, unfiltered dive into marriage, intimacy, and self-discovery. Jen Bessel doesn’t shy away from the messiness of love, infidelity, and longing, crafting a story that feels deeply personal and painfully real.

Diana is a flawed yet compelling protagonist—one you’ll empathize with even as she makes questionable choices. Her journey is filled with vulnerability, emotional weight, and an honest exploration of female desire that’s rarely depicted so openly. The writing is sharp and evocative, delivering gut-punch moments that make you pause and reflect.

While I loved the book’s brutal honesty and rich character depth, at times, the pacing felt uneven, and I wished for a bit more resolution in certain areas. That said, the emotional impact is undeniable.

If you enjoy stories that don’t hold back—ones that challenge and move you—this is definitely worth picking up. And with that ending, I’ll be eagerly awaiting the next part!

I’m not even sure why I requested this book, but I’m glad that I did. It was sexy as hell while realistically painful in regards to marriage. I honestly didn’t care so much about Diana, I was way more interested in her subjects that she would paint after interviewing them about their sexual past and/or fantasies. I think I’d like to read the next one in the series. It was a super fast read - done jn 1 day - and I’m invested enough to want to know what happens next.

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

A highly sensual novel based on the hit podcast, Diry Diana. I listened to the podcast prior to reading the book. The podcast was definitely too short, so I'm glad these books were written to see where life takes these characters! Listening to the podcast isn't necessary to enjoy this book, as this first book in the series mirrors the podcast so you won't miss a thing.

The characters are so well written. Their mature decisions, thoughts, and feelings are very relatable. As a 47 year old woman, it was refreshing to read realistic erotica with well-developed, rational characters who are just good people.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Genre : Contemporary Fiction
Rating : 4.5/5

Just finished Dirty Diana, and WOW—this book is raw, bold, and so beautifully messy. It dives straight into the complexities of marriage, intimacy, and self-discovery in a way that feels so real and unfiltered.

Diana is such a flawed, layered character—you’ll probably want to hug her and shake her at the same time. Her journey is super vulnerable, and the way it tackles female desire and emotional baggage is just chef’s kiss. 💔✨

The writing is gorgeous, too. It’s the kind of book that punches you in the gut with a line and makes you sit there for a second, rethinking your life. That said, it’s not always a light read—this one will get under your skin in the best way.

If you’re into deeply emotional, no-holds-barred stories about love, lust, and figuring your shit out, definitely pick this up. It's a short story I flew by!
After finishing it, I realized it's a two part story. Eager for the next part!

And interesting look at marriage, sexuality through the perspective of a middle aged mother. I went back and forth on whether I liked Oliver or not... but it was binge-worthy enough to keep going. Had no idea it would be left on a cliffhanger- book 2 will be interesting!! Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.