Another great story by Kimberly Belle. While the characters and plot were interesting, for some reason I just couldn’t get into this book. I will not say anything negative about it because she’s a wonderful writer, I think the issue lies within my self- perhaps I’m just in a funk. I’ll definitely give it another read in a few months!

THE EXPAT AFFAIR digs deep into the seedy underbelly of the diamond trade in Amsterdam, told in dual POV of two expat women: one who moved here when she married a man from the Netherlands and one who ran to Amsterdam after a very nasty divorce ruined her life in the states. One woman’s narrative is truthful and sympathetic from the start, but the other’s is full on unreliable narrator from the start–even though you feel for her as more and more is revealed throughout the book.

Rayna has a one-night stand with a handsome man, but awakes after the drunken night to find he’s been murdered in the shower of his high-priced apartment. She flees and calls the police, but she finds herself the prime suspect for his murder as the motive for the crime slowly becomes apparent. And I mean slowly… The why’s aren’t fully revealed until the end of the book, and I enjoyed how I wasn’t sure what would be revealed next. Rayna is emotionally severely wounded by the actions of her ex-husband and her best friend, but the murder of this guy why she’s sleeping in the next room leaves her feeling like she has zero control over her life.

Willow got pregnant by a man from Amsterdam while he was in the states, so she wound up moving to Amsterdam to have her baby and join his family. The Prins family is practically royalty there due to their dominance in the diamond market, but that family is so dysfunctional it’s a bit hard to like any of them. When it comes out that the man murdered had worked closely for the Prins family, and a fortune in diamonds had been stolen from his apartment, the relationship between the Prins family and him is revealed bit by bit–and it’s not a pretty story either.

I listened to the audiobook on Spotify Premium, and the narrators (Jennifer Jill Araya and Marni Penning) did a fantastic job voicing all the characters. The plotting was tight and fluid, and listening to this book was a fantastic experience.

One of the best things about this book is how effortlessly the twists unfold. Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, Kimberly Belle throws in another revelation that keeps you guessing. But it’s not just about shock value—the mystery feels well-plotted and everything ties together in a way that’s satisfying and makes sense. The pacing is smooth, the characters feel real, and the suspense builds in a way that keeps the pages turning. It’s the kind of book that’s perfect for a weekend read—something that’ll keep you entertained without feeling overly complex. If you love a mystery that’s fun, clever, and keeps you on your toes, The Expat Affair is definitely worth checking out.

I am a loyal reader of Belle. I hesitated to request this one, as I am not really into reading books about jewel thieves/heists. I really think that is what kept me from enjoying this book. I enjoyed the setting of Amsterdam so much. I just miss Belle's classic dark thrillers. I hope she goes back to those themes again, as her last two books have just been a far fetch from her classics.

The Expat Affair by Kimberly Belle plunges readers into the glittering yet perilous world of Amsterdam’s diamond trade, where wealth and power hide a web of deceit, betrayal, and murder.

They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but for Rayna Dumont, they bring nothing but trouble. Fresh from a rough divorce, she arrives in Amsterdam looking for a fresh start. One wild night with a stranger end in murder, missing diamonds, and Rayna caught in a scandal way over her head.

Then there’s Willow Prins. On the surface, she has it all—wealth, status, the perfect life—but cracks are showing. Her husband was the boss of the guy Rayna found dead, and their already shaky marriage starts falling apart. Willow watches the scandal unfold but she’s no innocent bystander. She’s smart, suspicious, and definitely hiding something.

What really hooked me was how Rayna and Willow’s lives end up tangled together. They couldn’t be more different—one’s starting over, the other’s trying to hold on to a crumbling life—but they’re both caught up in the same deadly mess. Neither really trusts the other, but they have no choice if they want to get to the truth. 

The pacing was just right. Fast enough to keep me hooked but slow enough to take in Amsterdam’s flashy yet dangerous diamond scene. The tension stays high, with plenty of glamour hiding some serious dark secrets. The author makes the city feel real and full of mystery.

The story grabbed me and kept me guessing, and I really liked the way the author showed both the glamour and the danger of Amsterdam’s diamond world. The characters felt real, and the setting was fresh and interesting. There were a few spots where I wished for a little more detail, but if you like suspense with a strong sense of place, this one’s definitely worth checking out.

Jennifer Jill Araya and Marni Penning did a great job narrating The Expat Affair. They gave the characters distinct voices and captured the emotion without overdoing it, which really brought the story to life.

3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars.

This was a moderately interesting tale about the diamond industry in the Netherlands, and the Amsterdam setting was probably the highlight of the story. Amsterdam was presented in an interesting, appealing way which made me want to jump on a plane. The diamond industry, and specifically the difference between mined and lab-made diamonds was also fascinating, and opened a door I never had really known about.

The story itself was OK -- there were a couple of twists that I didn't see coming. My biggest complaint was with the characters -- there wasn't one that was likable. I didn't (and couldn't) root for anyone, so I felt a little less invested in the tale than I could have potentially been.

There is a market for this, and I think it will certainly find an audience.

Will I read the author in the future? Yes, probably.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

The Expat Affair is the latest thriller by Kimberly Belle. This story is part drama due to some majorly dysfunctional family dynamics and part mystery/thriller when diamonds go missing and a murder takes place.

This story was not my favorite due to the topic of the intricacies of the diamond trade, as well as how the plot played out. It was rather slow, mired in details about the diamond industry. It was also somewhat repetitive, therefore, not very captivating. Also, one of the main female characters was a bit clueless. The third act was more interesting, but felt a bit far-fetched, and the alliances, unlikely.

This story was clearly well-researched and gave insights into the Dutch culture, especially that of the elite. It is a mystery at its heart, atmospheric, and will appeal to those intrigued by the topic and the under-handed ways of those who strive to preserve power. I just wasn’t the right audience.

Diamond. Murder. Oh my!

Twists and turns I didn’t see coming. All the characters intertwined even if connections are not made at the beginning.

Not one but two expats make up this story.

I quite enjoyed this one by Kimberly Belle. A four star read for me the story kept me captivated until the end.

Thank you NetGalley & Harlequin Trade Publishing for this advanced copy to read.

Definitely one of my favorite authors. I always want to read a Kimberly Belle book. And I'm never disappointed.

This story is set in Amsterdam. It's about two women. One married to a very rich man. One who recently moved to Amsterdam after a divorce. This is about how diamonds may not always be a girls best friend....

When Rayna wakes to find a body in the shower she runs. Of course she does. Wouldn't you. It was just a night of drinking and meaningless sex. A man she met on Tinder. Xander works for a very rich family. He also knows how to make or grow diamonds. Perfect diamonds. Diamonds that you can't tell from the real thing. Could that have gotten him killed? What does Rayna know?

Willow is married to Thomas Prins. Thomas Prins is the CEO of the diamond company. Willow has many secrets. But would she have had reason to kill Xander. Yes they kind of had a fling. Sorta of. Yes she has kept something from her husband. But he has secrets too. Maybe he is the killer. Or possibly it's his sister Fleur. She's angry at Thomas but is she angry enough to do this?

A story of an unlikely friendship. A family who seem to only care about money and standing. Someone either killed or had Xander killed. But could it have been one of the Prins? And the diamonds. Are they fake or the real thing?

I enjoyed this book from start to finish. I loved the characters. I did figure out who the stalker was but that was ok. It didn't take away from the story at all. I didn't trust anyone they were all suspects to me. lol This story kept me guessing about some things though. Kept me turning the pages all the way. There was a secret unveiled that I didn't see coming and was so glad of the way it played out. I can't tell you what it is though. Just know the story ends good.

Kimberly Belle always delivers for me. Well written and edge of your seat thrills. Family drama. A few lies and a murder. What more do you need? It's one I do highly recommend.

Thank you to the publisher for this ARC.

Rayna is seeking a fresh start after she catches her husband in bed with her "best friend". Rayna decides to dip her toes in the dating pool, but when her date, Xander, ends up dead-Rayna is the main suspect. And that's where everything unravels. Will Rayna's innocence be proven or will she lose everything and be charged with Xander's death?

This was a fast paced thriller with lots of suspense. I will look for more by this author.

I liked The Expat Affair, but I didn’t love it. The premise—glamour, deception, and the high-stakes world of diamonds—definitely drew me in, and the expat backdrop added intrigue and atmosphere. However, while I’ve always loved jewels, I realized the cutthroat side of the diamond industry wasn’t quite as fascinating to read about as I expected.

The writing was solid, and the characters had their compelling moments, but I found myself skimming through sections that got too deep into the business mechanics or political subplots. That said, there were enough twists and stylish settings to keep me engaged to the end. Worth a read if you’re drawn to international thrillers or behind-the-scenes luxury, but it didn’t quite sparkle all the way through for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kimberly Belle and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Something about this book hooked me right from the beginning - well something other than a murder. I just love the way Belle writes, the structure or her way with words just gets me hooked. I flew through this one wondering what kind of madness was going to occur next. Definitely recommend.

Twisty, turny plot that keeps you guessing. A real page turner! I highly recommend this book!
Looking forward to reading more of this author.

Kimberly Belle never lets me down. The Expat Affair kept me riveted, and I ended up listening to it in one day. (A first for me!) The story begins with a woman who wakes up after a one-night stand to find her date murdered in a bathroom. I could fill you in on what happens next, but I would have to kill you. I enjoyed reading about daily life in Amsterdam as well as the inner workings of the diamond industry.

This one was a little harder for me to get into. I'm not sure if it was the fact that I know nothing about the diamonds and the whole basis of the book or what it was, but once I got into it, it was a good one. Very twisty and dark. I loved the fast paced style to it though. I would definitely recommend to a thriller reader.

After reading The Paris Widow, I jumped for joy when I received The Expat Affair on Audiobook. The story kept me listening for hours, and I absolutely loved the narrator! She captured the characters so perfectly. If you are into travel, heists, affairs, and lifestyles of the insanely rich, this one is for you!

Kimberly Belle is an automatic read for me and I was so excited to receive an early copy of The Expat Affair.

I founds this pretty unique, thrown into the world of diamonds. With the two different POVs it was entertaining and engaging but it didn’t leave me super wowed. I’m glad I read it and I enjoyed it. Solid 3.5 stars.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

Kimberly Belle is quickly becoming a favorite of mine for her fast paced, popcorn thrillers, that are so bingeable and entertaining!

This one starts off with a bang, as one of our main characters wakes up to a murder. From there, the story races to find the murderer…and missing diamonds! So much is on the line for the diamond industry in this action packed chase!

I had no idea how things were going to play out, and there were several twists along the way. The ending was but much for me though. I felt like I was getting whiplash as everything was being revealed 🤣

I’d still recommend this one because it was very entertaining!

I love this author and applaud her creativity. I think it's fun that she had Paris as the location in her last book.

That said, I didn't care for this book. The location was nice, and I appreciate the real diamonds/lab-grown subplot. The story wasn't exciting; in fact, I think all the explanations about the diamond industry made the book repetitive and dampened the mood.

Thanks for the advance review copy. I appreciate the opportunity to read and give my honest feedback.

I have loved Kimberly Belle's previous books. I believe I have read all of them. Unfortunately, this one wasn't for me.

This started out grabbing me right away when Rayna finds her one night stand dead in the shower. However, after that it continued to go downhill. The back and forth between characters made the story seem very choppy. There was also a lot of description about the diamond business. I appreciate the research and info, but thats not what I want in a thriller.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. I liked this but didn't love it. The novel doesn't quite reach the heights of Belle’s previous works. Some of the plot twists felt predictable, and a few characters lacked the emotional depth needed to make their motivations fully believable. While the premise is compelling, the execution occasionally leans into melodrama, which may not appeal to all readers.