Thank you to Harper Collins, NetGalley and the Killer Crime Club for this advanced copy of The Personal Assistant by Kimberly Belle.

I enjoyed this book and don't want to.give anything away. Some twists and turns I didn't see coming. This novel is a good warning to be careful what you put on the internet and also about who you let have access to your life. Give this a read once it releases in November.

This was a VERY interesting read for me - I am an assistant in Los Angeles (see my previous review of World's Worst Assistant for a peek at what it's actually like) and have been in this line of work since my early 20s. I loved this chilling peek at an assistant gone wrong. The author, Kimberly Belle, has a very sharp insight into the depth of a relationship one has with their personal assistant. Let's just be honest - we know all your secrets, but what if we chose to weaponize them? I thought the book was thrilling and unexpected, I had a blast reading it. Many thanks to the outstanding team at Harlequin for allowing me to read and advanced copy of The Personal Assistant in exchange for my honest thoughts. Be careful who you hire, folks!

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an egalley in exchange for an honest review

I enjoy a good Kimberly Belle thriller and this one had an intriguing premise. A social media influencer, Alex. finds herself in hot water after a sensational post. In addition, her personal assistant goes missing, her husband is acting strange and her children seem to be going through hell because of it.

I read this in one sitting despite the fact that I hated most of the characters, had a lot of questions and figured out the story connections early on.


Expected Publication Date 29/11/22
Goodreads Review 10/10/22
#ThePersonalAssistant #NetGalley.

Wow!! I love the way Kimberley Belle writes her stories. I thought I had this one figured out all the way through, but the end shocked me!! I did not see that coming! I loved this dark look into the effects of social media!!!

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Interesting plot line. It is a reminder of what can happen when strangers are allowed into our personal lives and how being insta-famous can be intrusive.

Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley, Killer Crime Club, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Park Row.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

It is a compelling thriller that will keep you on the edge of the seat. The darker of the world as a mommy blogger assistant goes missing. There is more than what meets the eye.

When a post gets a toxic reaction she looks for her assistant to help diffuse the situation but her assistant seems to vanish. The mommy blogger will soon look into her assistant who knows her secrets and that she really does not her assistant at all. Who is this person who she thought she knew as a murder takes place.

A dark sinister read.

The personal assistant - they’re not just an invaluable part of a busy person’s life, they’re the keeper of all secrets!

Author Kimberly Belle kept me on the edge of my seat as I helplessly watched Instagram influencer Alex’s life spiral out of control. If you’ve ever been hacked, you’ll empathize with Alex’s feelings of loss of power. A controversial post goes viral and when she reaches out to her PA for damage control, she discovers she’s missing…then a body turns up…then a big police investigation ensues. Just what an influencer doesn’t need….negative publicity.

What would you do if the keeper of all your secrets went missing? How would you feel if your success impinged on one person and you couldn’t find them?

I loved this alternating perspective suspense that had me realizing what happens when an enemy surfaces on one’s social media presence. I felt palpable fear and couldn’t turn the pages quickly enough. We’ve all felt powerless recently with the pandemic and most of us have used the opportunity to re-evaluate our priorities. I saw this reflected in Alex’s life, too. It’s too bad that it takes a ‘dumpster fire’ to bring us to our knees and focus on what’s important.

We’ve all sold into the virtual assistant world with AI-powered tools such as Echo, Google and Siri. Do we realize the fine line we’re walking with possession of these cutting-edge tools? It reminded me that the enemy isn’t always ‘out there’...it could be within the fold.

This riveting domestic suspense needs to be on your reading list!

I was gifted this copy by Harlequin Trade Publishing, Park Row and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

This was a creepy domestic thriller that didn't have any big twists but kept you excited and glued to the pages until the very end. Belle's novel is among her strongest!

Another excellent thriller by Kimberly Belle. I devoured this exciting novel and enjoyed every minute of it. The secrets, the lies, and the joy. I would highly recommend this novel to a friend.

Whose personal assistant was AC?

We meet Alex, Patrick, their family, and AC, Alex's personal assistant, who knows everything about Alex and her family.

Alex is an Instagram Influencer, and Patrick is a financial wizard.

The night Alex's Instagram account reached a million followers, a crazy night of celebration happened.

The next morning the craziness continued when nasty comments were left on a post in Alex's account. She had no idea how it was posted.

She didn't post it and would never post anything like that.

Meanwhile AC is missing...is she the one who posted that damaging Instagram post that caused Alex to lose followers and to lose companies that supported her?

We follow Alex and Patrick as their lives turn into a nightmare.

Do we know who is causing the nightmare or who may have brought the nightmare to the surface?

Could it be someone who was seeking revenge?

Will you figure out what is going on in Ms. Belle's newest domestic thriller filled with secrets, betrayals, and lies? 5/5

This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

This is a juicy, delicious suspense thriller that had me racing through the pages to find out what in the world was really happening. Alex is a social media influencer with a lot of clout due to her million plus followers, so she hires a personal assistant to help with all of the daily tasks. Anna Claire seems to be perfect as her assistant until everything goes down the toilet with one post that is scathing against another public figure. The end result is that Alex’s name becomes an anathema in the social media world while AC disappears and Alex’s twins suffer from the fallout of the viral post. The twists were so quick in coming in this book that I got reader’s whiplash as I rode the roller coaster of emotions for Alex and her family. Patrick, her husband, is an investment advisor and TV personality who has some kind of secret that is involved in what is happening with Alex and AC, but his secret is a slow and engaging reveal. The pace is fast, the action is non stop and the plot twists are all totally unexpected. In fact, I got to the end of the book and had my mouth agape at all of the loops and twirls that I took to get there. With credible characters and a dynamic plot, this book is a winner for sure for those who enjoy domestic suspense with a touch of thriller.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

The Personal Assistant is a psychological thriller about a media influencer and her personal assistant. Alex began posting family events and motivational messages online and overnight, she became an online sensation. With that fame, she hired a personal assistant, PC to manage her online presence. But, in a moment, everything goes up in flames, when posts that Alex made regarding a 16 year old celebrity are deemed controversial. Overnight, things get crazy and her personal assistant (AC) is unable to be located. Eventually, AC is found murdered. Did Alex even write that post? Who is responsible and why has AC been murdered. Alex and her husband have to go to great lengths to protect their family and daughters. There are plenty of twists and turns in this novel. I can’t wait to read more novels by this author. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.

Alex, a popular social media influencer, might have posted an extremely hateful rant when she was drunk. It's odd though her personal assistant AC is not answering her phone. Her neighbor also saw Alex’s husband Patrick having a heated exchange with AC. Were they having an affair right under her perfect nose or is there more to this story than Alex knows?
How much does she really know about her assistant or her husband? With her career and her whole life blowing up around her, can Alex get to the bottom of this treacherous tale?
Chapters alternate between Alex, Patrick, and AC as the puzzle pieces are slowly revealed. There is one plot point amongst all the craziness that I just couldn't wrap my head around. Other than that, I did not see the major reveal coming. And an entertaining page-turner that will make you question what is hiding under anyone’s perfect facade.

Alex, a social media influencer has a very unfavorable post go viral.📱She doesn’t remember writing it, and when she calls her assistant for damage control, AC is radio silent. 🤫 Alex becomes very suspicious of AC because she’s the only other person with access to Alex’s accounts. Then you find out that Alex’s husband, Patrick, and AC might have their own relationship. 😮 AND THEN the police come asking questions about AC’s whereabouts because she’s officially missing. 👮🏻‍♂️

Okay WOW. I was not expecting that ending! 😳 I loved how tension filled and full of surprises this book was. I really liked the multiple POVs, and I LOVED that Alex was a Social Media Influencer. 💻 I don’t know why I was so slow to pick this book up, because as soon as I started it, I was HOOKED! 👏🏼

Thank you to NetGalley, Park Row Books, and Kimberly Belle for the advanced copy of The Personal Assistant in exchange for my honest review.

If you enjoyed My Darling Husband last year, I think it's safe to say you'll also like this book! Belle has proven she is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to the art of misdirection and writing from alternate view points. I could not put this one down until I figured out what on earth was happening.

The whole concept of the female MC being an influencer was not only timely, but I found it interesting that she was an adult. A lot of us hear "influencer" and think teenager or young adult, so it was unique to have a mom of two 12-year-olds be the influencer.

Belle has herself a lifelong fan in me... I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

The Personal Assistant will be on US bookshelves November 29!

This book was okay. Naming the character the same name as the author was really getting to me. I think the social media plot line has been done a lot lately. For that reason, I didn't love the book. I didn't guess the twist so that was good.

Book Title: The Personal Assistant
Author: Kimberly Belle
Publisher: Harlequin Trade Publishing ~Park Row
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: November 29, 2022
My Rating: 2.5

I have read only a few Kimberly Bell novels. I really liked both "Dear Wife and The Stranger in The Lake"; so I have been looking forward to reading another story by her.

This story is told in dual time periods and the POV of Alex, her husband Patrick, and AC her Personal Assistant.

Alex is a social media influencer who has just hit 1 million followers on Instagram so has a party to celebrate along with her husband, Patrick and Anna Claire aka AC her Personal Assistant.

Alex has been known to reveal personal things about her husband Patrick and her twelve year-old twins: however, when Alex wakes up the next morning after the party where she drank too much tequila, she finds out that she posted some very nasty comments about Krissie Kelly a super popular sixteen year-old and former Disney star. She is in a panic to reach AC as she needs her to help resolve this nasty situation only it appears her personal assistant is missing.

I was curious so kept at it!
Yep I was fooled.

I like this author and wanted to like this story but it left me disappointed as well as an emotional wreck.
The social media situation was too close to the awful nasty things that are happening especially to teens.

I found the characters unlikeable and their foul language got annoying.

I know I am in the minority but I didn’t love it!
But --
I like this author and t I am sure I will read her next novel!

Want to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing ~ Park Row for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for November 29, 2022

Everyone know two are company and three’s a crowd, but this twisted tale puts that famous love/ hate triangle in a whole new light.

This is a fast read told from the three main characters perspectives, propelling you ever forward in a deadly triangle of cat and mouse with lots of collateral damage, and of course the thrill of the hunt.

Highly recommended for lovers of thrill novels, hidden agendas, unexpected plot twists, and anyone who just loves a good old fashioned run away novel. This will have you flipping pages well into the night!

A little slow but the mystery and the characters really pull you in! I liked the modern addition of an Instagram influencer but found myself getting confused, especially trying to piece the ending together.

Kimberly Belle knocks it out of the park again!

Alex is a social media influencer whose whole life blows up when a boozy post goes viral. But who is responsible for all of the fallout? Her? Her missing assistant, AC? Her secretive husband? Or someone else?

Why is someone hellbent on destroying Alex's family? I COULD NOT put this down until I knew and the ending was all I hoped for, as usual.

Thank you to the publisher for gifting me a copy. It was my pleasure to write an honest review.