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.

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!