Dirty Diana: A Novel
A deliciously provocative novel about a woman caught between the comfortable stability of her marriage and her memories of a more sensual past—the first book in a three-part series based on the #1 fiction podcast
“Diana Wood’s quest to reignite her sensual past while navigating the confines of her current marriage is funny and sexy. Dirty Diana is wildly seductive—perfect for anyone who loved The Idea of You.”—Renée Carlino, bestselling author of Before We Were Strangers and This Used to Be Us
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 that 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 be: 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.
Returning to Dallas, Diana decides to rediscover the deeply feeling woman she once was. She begins interviewing other women, painting their portraits as they speak. She encourages them to give voice to their secret desires as she captures their deepest, innermost fantasies. But is it possible for Diana to reclaim her more sensual self and maintain the marriage she committed to? What if connecting to her own desires means dissolving the safe life she’s so carefully cultivated?
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Community Reviews
Dirty Diana by Jen Besser and Shana Feste wasn’t a book on my radar until last week. I didn’t even know the backstory. I went into the story blind, which was a good thing. Diana has a decent enough job and a husband, Oliver, whom she loves. They have a daughter named Emmy and they both cherish her. Their life seems good on paper. However, they have begun to live as best friends, partners, and roommates. Diana wonders if there’s something more, or if they can get back what they once had. Diana also used to paint and draw and has not done so in years, adding to her discontent.
The book flips back and forth between the past and the present. On a trip to a local market with her girlfriends, Diana sees a framed photo by an old boyfriend named Jasper and spontaneously buys it. She remembers the intense relationship they shared. She can’t help but compare that relationship to her marriage now. Both Diana and Oliver’s characters seem frustrating, selfish, and one-dimensional. It was a difficult read for me as sometimes it seemed the story wasn’t going anywhere. On the flip side, I feel that is also a positive because when you’re going through marital struggles or divorce, you do feel like you aren’t going anywhere.
Overall, I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars. I am curious about the second book but still uncertain if I will read it. Thank you to Random House for providing this book for review consideration via Net Galley. All opinions are my own.
The book flips back and forth between the past and the present. On a trip to a local market with her girlfriends, Diana sees a framed photo by an old boyfriend named Jasper and spontaneously buys it. She remembers the intense relationship they shared. She can’t help but compare that relationship to her marriage now. Both Diana and Oliver’s characters seem frustrating, selfish, and one-dimensional. It was a difficult read for me as sometimes it seemed the story wasn’t going anywhere. On the flip side, I feel that is also a positive because when you’re going through marital struggles or divorce, you do feel like you aren’t going anywhere.
Overall, I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars. I am curious about the second book but still uncertain if I will read it. Thank you to Random House for providing this book for review consideration via Net Galley. All opinions are my own.
If the TikTok trend of "we listen, and we don't judge" were to be represented as a book, it would undoubtedly be this one. The experience of reading it is absolutely enchanting, especially when you can set aside any preconceived notions and allow yourself to fully engage with the intimate and raw narrative presented. The book delves deeply into the essence of human experience, revealing the darker secrets we all harbor.
As you read, you are invited to immerse yourself in the complexities of the characters’ lives, particularly that of Diana. The unfolding of her journey is not just a simple plot; it is a captivating exploration of identity, struggle, and revelation. Each moment is richly detailed, drawing you into the emotional landscape and making you feel as though you are living through her experiences right alongside her. The climactic ending took me by surprise—my reaction was a gasp! It's a powerful moment that left me craving more. If we don’t receive a second book, I know I will be haunted by the multitude of possibilities for how the story could continue.
While the book does contain explicit content, it is much more than just smut. There is a significant backstory that enhances the narrative, allowing readers to connect with the characters on a deeper level. Every action they take is rooted in their experiences, and when motives are unclear, you can’t help but be on the edge of your seat, eager to uncover the truth behind their decisions.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who approaches literature with an open mind and a willingness to understand. Remember, we read, but we don't judge. This is a journey worth taking for anyone willing to embrace a rich, thought-provoking narrative.
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