The narrator did an excellent job of bringing the characters and story alive, but I just could not get into this novel by Kimberly Belle. The story is told from alternating viewpoints of two protagonists. Rayna, a recent divorcee who finds her one night stand murdered and Willow, a wife who is married into a prominent diamond family in Amsterdam. These two women find themselves interconnected when it is revealed that Rayna's one stand worked for Willow's husband.

I typically enjoy Kimberly belles thrillers but I have to say that was not the case with this one. I’m not sure if it’s because I listened on audio instead of reading it, but I felt like I got very lost in the second half and had no idea what was going on. I think I would have enjoyed it more had I read it. It was hard for me to keep track of the different characters on audio.
She’s still a great thriller author and I would recommend her books, but I don’t necessarily think I would recommend this on audio.

As an audiobook, The Expat Affair delivers a thrilling, immersive experience—ideal for fans of international suspense and layered mysteries. It's best enjoyed when you're ready to lean into the city’s atmosphere, follow two complex women on intersecting quests, and absorb some glossy-crime flair. Yes, it dips mid-story and asks for some plot faith—but the payoff is a clever, fast-moving thriller that keeps enough surprises to make it well worth the listen.

I really enjoyed "The Expat Affair" about the diamond world in in Amsterdam. Kimberly Bellle's writing kept my hooked until the end.

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

I listened to the audio version of this one. The narrators did a great job. Kept me entertained and wanting more.

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.

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 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.

This book started out really good but then I lost intererst and really didn't care about the rest of it.

I would give this a 3.5. I thought it was a good plot and a good story overall. However, I felt like there were times that dragged and unneeded. I started to get a bit bored around 2/3rds of the way through the book. I did like how it all ended, though!

Listening to the audiobook is like a movie! Action and drama from the start. Felt like a real story with all the details about Amsterdam, diamonds, and 3D printing. Great character building as well. My only complaint about the audio format was the volume intensity. I get you need to portray feelings, but anytime a character got slightly dramatic, the voice actors got so loud and then would be practically whispering. I was constantly adjusting the volume.

A perfect thriller! I loved the Amsterdam setting and the two protagonists, Willow and Rayna. The diamond market—and the controversial development of lab-grown stones—provided a lot of danger and intrigue, which made this audiobook exciting. The family drama also set up some great twists. The two narrators were fantastic and I loved every minute! Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this audiobook.

The Expat Affair by Kimberly Belle

This book a fast-paced thriller set in European cities. When an American expat begins a life abroad, things begin to unravel and lies begin to come to the surface. The author blends suspense with betrayal and reinvention. This book is well paced and keep you guessing until the ending. It is a good psychological thriller from beginning to end.

The narration is good and enjoyable.

Thanks to NetGalley and thr publisher for the alc.

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.

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 is a great listen, and the narrator was superb.

The Expat Affair is a twisty, fast-paced domestic thriller set against the backdrop of glamorous European cities. When American expat Charlotte’s picture-perfect life abroad begins to unravel after her husband’s mysterious disappearance, secrets and lies bubble to the surface. Belle expertly blends suspense with emotional depth, exploring themes of betrayal, identity, and reinvention. With short, punchy chapters and well-placed red herrings, the novel keeps you guessing until the final reveal. A gripping beach or vacation read for fans of psychological thrillers with a jet-setting edge.

I really enjoyed this book. It kept me on edge and I couldn’t stop listening at all. I flew through this book in less than 24 hours. Enjoyed the characters and first book I’ve read from this author I will definitely pick up another one of hers.

A story that starts with murder and just keeps twisting the until we get to the end. It's a thrilling ride that includes stolen diamonds, secrets from everyone you meet, and pieces I never saw coming!

I was confused at points during this story as there was a lot happening, but Kimberly Belle did a great job of tying it all together and making it make sense.

The ending was unexpected and slightly crazy, but I loved it. Everyone gets exactly what they deserved, whether they wanted it or not.

Jennifer Jill Araya and Marni Penning did a great job narrating this novel and navigating the alternating points of view.

✈️ARC REVIEW ✈️ 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
When steamy nights turn deadly, Amsterdam's glimmering secrets aren't just in the diamonds.

I traveled with Kimberly Belle as she traded Southern suspense for Dutch intrigue, whisking us away to a world where allure and danger stroll hand in hand along the picturesque canals. 💎 It blows my mind that diamonds can be lab-grown. I need to learn that trick! 💥💎

Meet Rayna, a newly divorced American woman who wakes up to find her date dead after their first night out. Ouch! Then there's Willow, the polished society wife peeling back the layers of her husband's secrets within Amsterdam's glittery elite. Two women, incredibly different yet suddenly entangled by one murder and a whole lot of secrets.

Belle weaves in themes of reinvention, cultural challenges, and the shiny lies people tell to survive. As a fan of dual narratives, I found the exchange between Rayna and Willow riveting.

I'll admit, the first part of the book didn't quite rev my engine like Belle's previous thrill rides (I'm still swooning over Dear Wife! 💓); however, the originality of the plot and the shocking finale kept me guessing.

If you want an international escape with a side of scandal, "The Expat Affair" is your passport to a world of deception, diamonds, and dangerous liaisons. It may not top my Belle favorites, but it showcases her fearless exploration of new horizons. Can't wait to tuck her next thriller into my travel bag! 💼

Thank you to the author and Harlequin Audio for the opportunity to listen to this gifted ARC provided via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Diamonds Diamonds and more Diamonds. When a Rayna's date turns up dead and his priceless diamonds missing, she becomes the main suspect. Willow is the wife of Thomas Prins, the CEO of Prins Diamonds, gets caught up in the missing diamond murder case. A very twisty and curvy thriller. Very fast paced and the ending caught me off guard.

The narrator was great.

Thank you for the ARC. I liked the narrator. I would have liked male narrator for the male voices. I find it difficult to follow when this happens. The book itself was an interesting read. I quite enjoyed it.