Sometimes you have to just start over.

Jen Besser and Shana Feste's Dirty Diana left us with Diana and husband Oliver decidedly splitting ways after many years of a marriage that has lost its spark. Picking things back up with Diana in Love, we find Diana testing the waters and getting her groove back. Flitting from man to man, yet returning always to her one that got away - Jasper - Diana explores her sensual side as a newly single woman in her 40s who is not yet ready to give up on lust or love.

Diana in Love jumps right back in where Dirty Diana left off, focusing more on Diana's love interests than her "Dirty Diana" project. We find Diana vacillating between Jasper and Oliver, the latter of which has apparently gotten his confidence back after embarking on several sexual conquests post-Diana. Now Oliver is ready to tell Diana everything that he could never say when they were together, but is she open to hearing it? Her mind, heart, and body are inexplicably drawn to Jasper, but is he truly what she needs?

Diana in Love is a book for the modern woman that is here to scream and shout that life does not stop after 40. Diana is bold and sexy, and not afraid to go after what she wants and feels, even if it is scandalous or taboo. While I'll admit that I would have liked for this novel to have spent more time on Diana's "Dirty Diana" project, this is a solid second novel to the trilogy, demonstrating why Diana is the right woman to spearhead a venture that creates art and media rooted women's most intimate confessions.

A really good book in the series! I enjoyed following Diana's journey. I enjoyed the second book even more than the first!

This is how you write a sequel! From the very first page, this book felt like reconnecting with an old friend—seamlessly picking up where the story left off and immersing me once again in Diana’s world. The narrative is raw, unflinchingly honest, and utterly intoxicating, not just in Diana’s personal evolution but in the deeply compelling arcs of those around her (L’Wren, I’m looking at you).

What makes this sequel so remarkable is its ability to weave together themes of self-discovery, emotional transparency, and the complex balancing act of identity as we navigate life’s ever-evolving roles. Diana’s journey is far from over, but this installment delivers a rich, satisfying progression—particularly through her intriguing new dynamic with Jasper. While I would have loved to see Oliver directly address the "hat lady" situation (perhaps I’m projecting here), it doesn’t take away from how masterfully this book deepens its characters and their relationships.

Diana only grows more fascinating with each chapter, as do the people who orbit her world. If this book is any indication, the final installment will be nothing short of extraordinary. I highly recommend this sequel—it is everything I hoped for and more!

I will be completely honest, I liked Dirty Diana way more than I had expected I would. It was engaging and fun. This book fell a bit short for me but we still love Diana. She’s fun and wild.

This book is the second book in the series and it’s a continuation of Diana’s relationship with Oliver and trying to save their marriage even though Diana fantasizes that things could be better between them.

Honestly, I love Diana. She’s is so wild and free. She’s sensual and she doesn’t care who knows it. I don’t care for Oliver at all, I thought maybe by the second book I would change my mind but that didn’t happen.

I received this book for free from Netgalley and publisher in return for my honest opinion.

I liked this one, but not as much as the first. Nothing really happened plot-wise but it was short.
definitely continued the spicy sex scenes

This book was… HOT. I really enjoyed the re-exploration of Diana as an individual as contrasted with Diana as she navigates her new reality. I like that you are better able to know her in this book, but I do wish her friendships were explored more deeply. There’s some absurdities that occur that first made me LOL but then I found them believable given the fact that Diana is finding herself again. Sometimes you just do shit to figure out if that’s what you really like or who you still really are, and that’s okay.

Jasper’s return is nothing short of steamy and lived up to not only the expectations based on his character in book one, but also the cliffhanger.

Speaking of cliffhangers, what the hell?! Another one! Jail, immediately.

I’ve recommended Dirty Diana to my book club based on it being a good books for the girls that lean towards spicy and drama. That holds for Diana in Love. Very much looking forward to the next book and hoping to be lucky enough to get an ARC again.

3.5/5 🌟

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC!

Overall, I liked this second installment of Diana's journey. I felt that the self-discovery and having Diana be in a sort of "limbo" with her feelings was essential for the progression of her character!

I did feel like this book was slow in parts and I found myself skimming parts of the dialogue and inner thoughts, but overall, I felt that this was as strong, if not stronger, than the first book. The settings were great and the mutual respect the characters had for each other, despite their lack of romance, was refreshing to read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC of this book!

If you love books about self-discovery, second chances, and messy, real-life emotions, Diana in Love is one to check out. This is the second book in the Dirty Diana series, and it dives deep into Diana’s journey of figuring out who she really is after her marriage falls apart.

Diana is stuck in limbo—separated from her husband, Oliver, and feeling like her once-vibrant life has lost all its color. When she gets the chance to go to Paris, she jumps on it, hoping to rediscover the bold, passionate woman she used to be. But things get complicated when Jasper, the man from her past who never quite left her mind, is also there. Suddenly, she’s not just indulging in good food and beautiful art—she’s reigniting a part of herself that she thought was gone.

The Paris setting is one of my favorite parts of the book—it’s so rich and atmospheric that you can almost taste the pastries and feel the buzz of the city. The romance is steamy (definitely a book you’ll want to read when you’re in the mood for something sultry), but it’s also emotional. Diana isn’t just trying to figure out if she should give Jasper another chance; she’s also wrestling with her lingering feelings for Oliver and whether she can truly be happy.

The pacing was a little slow in places, especially after Diana returns home and has to face reality, but I still really enjoyed her journey. It’s messy, complicated, and so relatable—because who hasn’t questioned if they made the right choices in life?

Overall, Diana in Love is a sensual, emotional, and beautifully written book about love, passion, and personal growth. If you enjoy books with a strong sense of place, an introspective heroine, and some seriously swoony moments, this one is worth picking up!

***Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC ebook.

If there’s one thing, I told myself before starting Diana in Love, it was this: “There’s no doubt about it, I’m ready to get hurt again.” And without a doubt, Diana in Love delivered—wrecking me completely.
Diana’s journey continues right where we left off, and we see her push further into her art and try to rekindle the spark she’s been missing within herself. She remains one of the most compelling characters—a woman you can both admire and shake your head at in equal measure. Diana is complex, struggling with the remnants of past love, personal growth, and the demands of motherhood. Throughout this novel, her evolution is clear—she’s no longer the disconnected woman we met in the first book. Now, she’s trying to balance the messy realities of life while nurturing her daughter and rediscovering herself through her art. Authors Besser and Feste remain consistent with their portrayal of the characters, making them feel real and empathetic in a way that tugs at your heart.
One of the highlights of this book was getting to see Jasper again. Their romance picks up with familiar chemistry and passion, but the conflict between their past and present selves makes the reunion both exciting and bittersweet. A key part of Diana’s continued growth in this novel is her ability to recognize that while she still loves Jasper, the same issues that ended things the first time are still present on her side. Although it’s heartbreaking for their relationship to end—especially as Diana is going through so much—it’s vital to see her confront the truth. Unlike in book 1, where she struggled with honesty, Diana has made significant strides in being real with herself. I appreciated that, even though she obviously loves Jasper, their relationship isn’t the all-consuming one it once was. Her focus is now more on her daughter, her art, and her inner self. In the first book, Diana’s disconnection was clear, but now, her presence is tangible, and it’s refreshing to see her prioritize what she can handle, particularly in her long-distance relationship with Jasper. This shift felt like a sigh of relief, especially since it could have easily gone in a different direction.
Meanwhile, Oliver is having a great time dating, and the return of therapy sessions between him and Diana was absolutely intense. He’s totally happy quitting his life—his job, their marriage, etc. When things get real in therapy, he speaks VERY openly about dating other women and the passionate encounter’s he’s having, and both of them end up hurting each other in these sessions. This is a work of fiction, but I felt the emotional weight of those moments as though I were right there with them. There were also tender moments between Diana and Oliver, showing that their friendship and love still run deep—even though they are no longer romantically involved. I especially loved seeing their mutual enchantment over their daughter, Emmy, and the strong co-parenting relationship they have.
The way the story ends left me hopeful, but I know Diana’s journey has only just begun. When Oliver shows up at her house, planting her favorite flowers and mentioning that he’s there to act on a fantasy from therapy, it’s a moment full of possibility—and a little uncertainty. However, Diana is only beginning to be honest with herself, both in therapy and in her relationships. Her ex, her Dallas friends—they still have no idea about the "Dirty Diana" website or what her art truly means to her. There’s so much still to uncover in her story, and I’m excited (and a little apprehensive) to see how things unfold in book 3.

While I hope Diana works things out with Oliver, it’s crucial to note that Jasper, her first love, was a recurring fantasy later in her marriage when things weren’t working out. In this book, Diana pursues other men but still finds herself thinking about Oliver. She’s able to let Jasper go after trying again (and honestly, that was tough for Diana—well done, girl!), but there are still many unresolved issues that have yet to be fully explored.
The pacing of the book is spot-on, with real-world issues handled without hesitation, and the writing keeps you hooked with its genuine, raw emotion. Well-placed cliffhangers leave you eagerly anticipating the next chapter, and I don’t know what to expect in book 3. It may not even be a happy ending with her marriage or anyone else, but I’m ready to see Diana come clean with herself—and excited to see where the story goes from here.

This is the second installment in the Dirty Diana series. What a surprise this series has been. I wasn't sure what to expect and I have been pleasantly surprised.

This book follows Diana as she travels to Paris with her friends and learns more about herself as she grapples with being separated from her husband. She explores more of her creative and sensual side.

There is something about the writing that is just so compelling and captivating. I cannot seem to put the book down. Such a raw and real look at how we discover parts of ourselves. This book, like book 1, ended on a cliffhanger and I am desperate for book 3 and see what happens next in Diana's life.

Thank you to NetGalley for my eARC. All opinions are honest and my own.

Diana in Love picks up right where Dirty Diana left off. I was probably most excited about the idea that Diana was going to head to Paris to find herself and maybe have a rendezvous (or two) to get her groove back. However, I found it difficult to invest in or support her rekindling a romance with someone so selfish who treated you so poorly earlier in life. The girlfriends Alicia and L’Wren are the unsung heroes of the series. Extremely spicy - maybe even more so than the first book. Will I read book 3? Maybe. But only because I want to know how her art project culminates. Thank you to Random House Publishing for my ARC.

Didnt love this one as much as book 1. Too many insignificant plot lines along the way. Want more of Dianas monologue and more varied responses to Dirty Diana. Would also love some LGBTQIA and BIPOC representation in some way as these communities are often left out of important sex positive conversations

Spicy, male female, 1st person single point of view, contemporary romance. This is the 2nd book in the Dirty Diana series. I really enjoyed the writing style and the emotional rollercoaster of this story. I am VERY invested in Diane's life and can't wait to see what happens in the next book.

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.