Member Reviews
This book was just eh. I loved the premise, but couldn't really be brought to care much about the characters.
Had to soft dnf this as I wasn’t in the mood. I will try and pick it back up in the future though as it does sound interesting and right up my alley.
Olive O’Brien is a plus-size influencer with half a million followers and big dreams. And she’s feeling the pressure to stand out while staying true to herself. To cope, Olive finds solace in an unexpected the DMs of Jasper Rafferty, the world’s hottest movie star, where she feels safe to share her hopes, fears, and secrets because it’s not like he’ll read them. Until he does. Kind of.
Career-wise, Jasper’s younger brother, Jude, is in free fall. After an interview gone wrong, Jude now has the thankless job of managing his brother’s social media accounts to help reboot his own image. Olive’s messages are unexpected, and her wit and vulnerability catch his interest. How can “Jasper” not respond? And how long can Jude keep up the ruse?
As the DMs get flirtier and more personal, the bigger question is what’ll happen when Olive finds out she’s fallen for a fraud. It might not be what either of them expects.
I love a romantic comedy that is heavy on the emotions. I loved Olive, she was easy to relate to and you couldn't help but feel for her. Will recommend this story to others.
I must admit to being a bit of a cover art snob. The vibes that this cover gives is not one that I gravitate towards. I am really glad I stumbled on this book despite all the possible reasons I might not have picked it up. I am also hoping for a sequel about the other brother.
There are some open door scenes, ones that I skip, but they aren’t too many and not the actual focus of the book. The other noticeable point was that the primary female protagonist is a plus sized model and the focus on her body type and possible insecurities are minimal and only when it made sense in the story otherwise. This felt relatively new because usually a lot of focus is given to what makes the leading lady different from the ‘average’.
Moving on to the plot itself, it’s relatively straightforward. For some strange reason Olive has been using an actor’s Instagram account to send messages with details that amount to being her diary entries. The person who reads them turned out to be the brother who then decides to reach out.
It was a fun story with some seller introspective moments. Overall I enjoyed my reading of it. I would definitely read another with the same people in it.
I recommend it to fans of the romance genre. I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
This was my first book by Teagan Hunter so I didn't have anything to go off of as far as her typical writing style. I found the initial premise of this one fun and enjoyed the mystery of the DM relationship. However, once the characters met and got together, I thought the romance was kind of lackluster. The 3rd act breakup and conflict was predictable, but I'm glad they worked through it and got their happily ever after. Overall, this was a quick, easy read, but not necessarily anything to write home about or rush to read.
I loved this book so much!!! I didn't know Teagan had this other side to her writing outside of the hockey world but I loved this one!
This book follows Jude and Olive's love story and they were just so perfect together.
I love the character development for them as a couple but also as individuals.
So many moments in this book had me smiling so so much.
Overall, AMAZING! Cannot wait to see whats next from Teagan!
Thank you to Montlake and NetGalley for providing an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest and independent review.
The DM Diaries offers an interesting premise, but I found it a bit too slow-paced for my taste. I ended up DNFing, but what didn’t work for me might resonate with other readers. The romance took time to develop, which made it hard for me to stay engaged. I felt there was a lack of chemistry between the characters, leaving me wanting more from their interactions.
Additionally, I was disappointed by the characters’ tendency to run away from their problems instead of discussing and dealing with them head-on. Given that they’re meant to be in their twenties, their behavior felt too immature and unrealistic. While I appreciate the exploration of personal growth and relationships, the lack of direct confrontation made the story feel stagnant.
On a positive note, the writing was good, and there were moments of charm that shone through. It’s a pretty laid-back read if you can handle the slow buildup. While it wasn’t my thing, I can see how others might appreciate its more reflective approach to romance.
I love Teagan Hunter. Every single book has been a delight. This one was good, but there's nothing I loathe more than hidden identity and I struggled very hard to look past it. I'm so glad that Jude's identity came out before 50%, but I wish that there had been less lying all around! Otherwise, I really liked Jude and Olive together. This plus size rep was delightful!
THIS BOOK WAS SO MUCH FUN TO READ. I LOVE TEAGAN'S TEXTS SHE DOES IN HER BOOKS AS WELL WE THE LAUGH OUT LOUD MOMENTS BUT WHAT I LOVED MOST ABOUT THIS BOOK WAS THE CHEMISTRY AND ROMANCE. THESE TWO WERE MEANT TO BE AND NO ONE ELSE CAN CONVIENCE ME OTHERWISE.
Unfortunately after multiple attempts I have been unable to finish this one. I was super excited about the concept, but I am really not gelling with the writing sample. I was hopeful that maybe I was reading it at the wrong time for myself, but after three attempts to restart, I don't think that's the case here.
This was my first Teagan Hunter book & I thoroughly enjoyed it!!
I absolutely loved the banter between the characters. I couldn’t get enough. The side characters were also amazing. I loved seeing their relationship evolve.
I loved what the drama of someone famous brought to the book without being toxic or over the top.
Rating: 3.75/5
Thank you to Montlake and Netgalley for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
If she writes it, I will indeed read it! and overall, I really liked this one!
What I did enjoy: family/sibling relationships, nyc settling and the coffee truck. Olivia's journey as a fashion influencer/model. great banter and text chains. amazing plus size rep. I was routing for this couple to work!
Here's what I didn't love: the whole third act break up x2...and generally the whole DM situation9/who am I really talking to thing. I am generally not into the whole catfishing thing and it gave those vibes for a bit. The pacing was a tad off for my liking.
Do I think this was her best book/the new one I am raving about? No, but I adore Teagan and I can't wait to see what she gives us next!
"The DM Diaries" by Teagan Hunter is a fun, flirty, and thoroughly modern romance that perfectly captures the excitement and unpredictability of love in the digital age. Hunter's witty and engaging writing style makes this novel a breeze to read, with characters who are as relatable as they are charming. The story unfolds through a series of hilarious and heartfelt direct messages, bringing a fresh and contemporary twist to the romance genre. With its clever dialogue, playful banter, and just the right amount of drama, "The DM Diaries" is a delightful escape that will leave readers smiling and eagerly awaiting the next message. Perfect for anyone who enjoys a lighthearted, tech-savvy love story.
4.5 stars - This is my new favorite Teagan Hunter book!
There's so many factors about this story that I love, and listening to it on audio made it even better. From the witty banter, to the mistaken identity (think You've Got Mail with a little spice thrown in), topped off with a curvy FMC and a cinnamon roll hero...you can just put a fork in me, I'm done.
I laughed so hard through most of this book and didn't want it to ever end. The best friends and siblings are supportive and hilarious, making each moment fly by while putting a smile on my face and counting down until they next appear on page.
Most of all, I appreciate that the author made Olive such a genuine character, and my plus-size heart adored watching her stand up for her beliefs and values while facing scrutiny by the public eye.
Once Jude called her "Sunshine", I knew that I'd love their journey from beginning to end. If you're looking for a cute romantic comedy that will get you out of a book slump, or just make your day a little brighter, add this to your TBR!
A hilarious and steamy take on the pen pal trope.
I found the premise so unique and couldn't help but immediately fall and root for our main characters.
Their romance was fun and the dynamic hilarious.
I am sad to know that this is a standalone because I did like the side characters a lot but still happy that I got to read it in the first place
The DM Diaries by Teagan Hunter is a delightful and heartwarming romantic comedy that kept me engaged from the first page to the last. Olive O’Brien, a plus-size influencer, is a relatable and endearing protagonist with big dreams and an authentic voice. The dynamic between Olive and Jasper Rafferty, the charming movie star, is cleverly crafted and full of unexpected twists.
Hunter skillfully weaves together the themes of authenticity, vulnerability, and self-acceptance in the age of social media, creating a story that feels both modern and timeless. The development of the relationship between Olive and Jude, Jasper's brother, adds an intriguing layer of complexity that keeps the reader invested in the outcome.
The humor and chemistry between the characters make this book a joy to read, and the exploration of the consequences of internet personas and the complexities of modern romance is both thought-provoking and entertaining. The DM Diaries is a sweet, funny, and emotionally resonant story that I wholeheartedly recommend to fans of contemporary romance.
Super cute. Who doesn’t dream of having a Hollywood hunk date them? Add in a plus-size model as the heroine and you were always going to win me over, especially with the spunk and personality that Olive has. Loved the vulnerability they both have but the strength they provide to each other. Few little spicy scenes but the banter and humor is what my rom-com dreams were made of. Thank you to NetGalley for a chance to read and review this book.
I really really wanted to love this book, as i have with all other Teagan Hunter books.
There is just something charming about the charming silly way she writes characters even if it’s just too cheesy to believe.
This book however just didn’t have the magic all her other books had and at multiple times while reading it i had to check about the writer as it just didn’t have the same tone as her other books.
The characters in this were bland and basic caricatures and just not pleasent to read about.
Unfortunately a completely forgettable experience.
A well executed and fun to read book that had me both laughing and crying!
Olive is the perfect amount of sassy, while Jude has major cinnamon roll mmc, but make him famous, vibes. I love that he fell first and hard; and that Olive called him out on all of his BS.
A perfect summer read with "You've Got Mail" vibes.
I recieved a free ARC of this book, this is my unbiased opinion.
Hmm, I was a bit disappointed with this one even though I usually like Teagan's writing. I don't know if I just wasn't in the mood for it at the time of reading but I just didn't really have any interest in the story. I kept dropping the story and then forcing myself into picking it back up again because I don't love DNF'ing books and I wanted to edit and review this one for my ig. I've held off on reviewing for so long though because it is TH's FIRST trad published book and I'm happy that bigger things are coming for her.
For me personally, something about Olive just didn't have me hooked, there were a few times at the start in particular where she annoyed me and I just couldn't seem to change my opinion on her. And whilst I didn't mind Jude, I still wasn't fully invested. I was actually more invested in his brother having an enemies to lovers style relationship with Jude's PA, or their sister getting a story. Unfortunately, TH has already said that this is a standalone and won't become a series though, so my dream is shattered lol.
One thing I did really like though was the sibling relationship between the Rafferty's. They were fun and charming and I enjoyed seeing them interacting with one another.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review.