An interesting look at the diamond industry in Amsterdam, with lots of details about mined vs lab-grown gems. Oh, and a murder or two! The expats are two women who are both connected to a handsome diamond dealer working for the famous House of Prince jewelers and gemologists. Too many coincidences, a complicated plot, and lots of characters obscured the whodunnit aspect, so I just enjoyed the (electric bike) ride (it is set in Amsterdam after all). Something for singletons, something for moms. Important warnings about social media. Narration was fine - I would have liked better differentiation between the two main female characters. 3.4 rounded down.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @HarlequinAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook for review purposes. Publication date: 3 June 2025.

Thank YOU so much to @htp_hive and @htpbooks for this ARC as a part of your influencer program! I am so thankful to be a part of The Hive! 🐝⁠
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3.5 rounded up

This one was good in theory, but ultimately not a favorite for me. The story kicks off with a bang--Rayna wakes up expecting to find her hot date from the night before in the shower… only to discover him dead on the bathroom floor. And things escalate quickly from there: not only has he been murdered, but millions of dollars in diamonds have gone missing from his safe.⁠
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The central mystery revolves around the wealthy and secretive Prins family and their diamond empire. At first, I was intrigued by the glitzy setting and high-stakes drama, but the plot quickly becomes repetitive. There’s a lot of talk about diamonds—mined diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, diamond smuggling, diamond politics—you name it. I found myself tuning out during those sections.⁠
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That said, the pace does pick up toward the end, and I was satisfied with how things wrapped up. While it felt a bit predictable overall, I still enjoyed the twists and turns enough to stick with it.

Title: The Expat Affair
Author: Kimberly Belle
Format: 🎧
Narrators: Jennifer Jill Araya and Marni Penning
Publisher: Harlequin Audio
Genre: Espionage, Women’s Fiction. Mystery/Thriller
Pub Date: June 3, 2025
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pages: 320

The story follows two expatriate aka expat women who got involved with a businessman who has a deep knowledge of lab-created diamonds.
Set in Amsterdam, a fleeting connection leads to deadly consequences when a chance encounter with a charming stranger pulls Rayna into a web of deceit.

Story is told from the POV of Rayna Dumont and Willow Prins.

Rayna Dumont recently caught her husband in bed with her best friend. So she is now into changing herself to "Rayna 2.0," and willing to take risks. She decides that this new Rayna is all about adventure so take a chance on a date with the ultra-rich Xander.
However, after a wild night of drinking and sex, Xander states he is going to shower. Rayna is half asleep and does dose off - wakes up and hears the shower still running and thinking he is waiting for her to join him. Only she finds him collapsed on the shower floor with pink water running down the drain. She soon notices that he has a missing finger and, of course the pink in the water is blood!
She has been there the whole night, of course, passed out while the killer was there. She is the prime suspect not only for his death but also accused of stealing Xander’s priceless diamonds—it seems she took a selfie of her wearing one of his diamond necklaces… a necklace that has since vanished. Not the smartest thing as soon she has every thief after the necklace that she doesn’t have!

Willow is married to Thomas Prins who is Xander’s former boss and the heir of a diamond empire. At first Willow is sure Rayna is guilty of Xander’s murder. However, once she learns more about her by reading the countless articles - she realizes they actually have something in common. Willow knows she has to find Rayna.

Soon the two women are deep in the dangerous underworld of the illicit diamond trade.


I follow the fun Facebook group “Killer Author Club’. Love the authors plus awesome when they invite bestselling authors to talk about their latest novel. So I know and love author Kimberley Belle.

I read this about a month ago and thought it was an enjoyable adventure.
However, I love audiobook and when I saw available I knew I wanted to listen to it. The narrators were great in performing the characters including accents.

My negative is that the foul language was far more annoying in the audiobook- I hardly noticed when I read it but my ears didn’t miss it! Also the two main characters came across unlikeable. Rayna 2.0 and her risks seems like an adventure in the book however the audiobook had me shouting - Shouldn’t you think a little more about that decision?

Although the foul language continued to be annoying, I ended up liking Willow.-as well as the ending.

Want to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for this audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for June 3, 2025.

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨✨ (3.5/5)

“Do you know how much smarter I am in English?!”

I did this one as an audiobook, and the audio narrator was great,perfect for this book.

The book was entertaining from start to finish. It focused a lot on diamonds, whether they’re from the mines or created in labs and a lot of family drama.

I wouldn’t say it’s very memorable, but the ending sure was. It was surprisingly refreshing, I really liked it, but felt like it just took a really long time to the end of this book.

Overall, I liked it and I’m not mad that I checked it out. I would read another book by this author.

This was pretty good, I just really did not like the style of narration (for the audiobook).

The narrator wasn't bad, I've definitely heard audiobooks with very questionable voices, but this was the accents. Since this story takes place in Amsterdam, many of the characters of this book are from there, and have an accent. The narrator would do the accents for those characters and it was SOOOO bad. So bad to the point where if you had whatever that accent was supposed to sound like, you would probably be very offended. If I was not told that this took place in Amsterdam, I would not know what that accent was supposed to be. It was horrendous. At first, it was funny, then it got annoying when I realized it was going to be happening for the entire book.

The pacing of this was also quite slow, not much really happened for the majority of the book, it was just the main character thinking about the death and the diamonds but not doing anything about it. The ending is where the pace picked up, but it wasn't the most satisfying ending. But it did keep me entertained, so I would consider that a win.

I also found the main character to be kind of annoying. I don't quite know if she's giving pick-me or she has main character syndrome, but I wasn't obsessed with her. (But that is totally a personal preference about characters, so many people probably won't care at all or will think it adds to the story in a positive manner.)

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the advanced audiobook.

Rayne Dumont thought she could find a fresh start in Amsterdam, after a contentious divorce hat left her with nothing. As she finds her footing--an apartment and roommate, as well as a job doing travel writing--her world is thrown apart when she wakes up to find that the man she'd had a one-night stand with has been brutally murdered. And it looks like the killer is now after her. On the other side of town, Willow Prins is living in a gilded cage. She's married to the son of one of the wealthy diamond scion families but her marriage has gone cold and the only person she has a real connection with is her son, Sem. When it turns out that Rayna's murdered one night stand is also the former employee of Willow's husband, both women are pulled into a complicated story of mined versus lab made diamonds and people willing to kill at any cost.

I enjoyed the new setting of Amsterdam, especially with two expat women, finding themselves in the country for very different reasons but both feeling equally out of place. The narrators did a great job of conveying the emotional distress each woman was feeling throughout the story. The story itself was interesting, but the execution was lacking for me. There were holes in the plot that kept the story from being a success. Overall, this is worth a read if you enjoy international thrillers.

The Expat Affair is out June 3, 2025.

I am such a fan of Kimberly Belle, when I was feeling in a slump, I picked this up! I can always count on her to deliver a great thriller! She does such a great job setting the scene of Amsterdam and developing these characters! I loved the multiple POVs between the two women. It helped to build on the story to see into both of their lives. This book is so fast paced and twisty and I couldn’t get through it fast enough! I really liked how she ended the book and wrapped everything up! I did a mix of audio and reading on my kindle and enjoyed both formats! The audio is well done, the narrators kept my attention and in the story!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the free audiobook in exchange for an honest review. Jennifer Jill Araya and Marni Penning does an excellent job narrating this story!!

Rayna and Willow are both American expats living in Amsterdam. Rayna is recently divorced and decided to start a new life. Willow is married to an heir of the Prins Diamond House. After a wild night out with successful and handsome Prins diamond creator, Xander, Rayna awakens to find him murdered and his safe full of diamonds empty. She is suspect #1 and also being hunted down by whoever murdered Xander. Willow Prins learns of Xander’s death and is concerned her husband may have been involved in the killing of his ex-employee. Both women don’t know who to trust in this foreign country as they strive to find who is behind the killing and theft.

Told in alternating perspectives, this is a twisty thriller set in the bike friendly Netherlands. The descriptions, setting and tension are well done. This is a fast paced thriller that should not be missed! HIghly recommend!!

A fun and thrilling read that is part domestic thriller, part jewel heist, and part traditional mystery. Set in Amsterdam, an American expat, Rayna, meets a hot local and enjoys a fun hookup without googling him too much. Apparently he works in diamonds.... but she doesn't know quite how in demand he is until he turns up dead while she is sleeping in the other room. Soon she is the prime suspect. Was the murderer after diamonds, or something else?

I enjoyed the fast pace of the plot, the glamour of the storyline (I learned a lot about lab grown diamonds!) and the international setting. The voice acting and narration were also excellent. I gobbled this one up and enjoyed every minute, and as usual can't wait for the next thriller by Kimberly Belle!

The Expat Affair by Kimberly Belle is another fast-paced thriller that defines the amazing writing of this author. Set in Amsterdam…a place that Kimberly knows and loves…it is about murder and diamonds and money nd family and I could not stop listening!!! Narrator was perfect for this book and did justice to all characters.

This is a must read/listen. Thank you NetGalley for the chance to red and review this audio.

Rayna Dumont, an American expat in Amsterdam, discovers a dead man and missing diamonds in her new lover's apartment. This leads her and another woman, Willow Prins, into the dangerous world of the city's diamond industry. As they uncover the truth behind the murder and theft, they must navigate the dark underbelly of the market and figure out who they can trust.

The captivating cover of this book immediately drew me in, prompting me to add it to my collection without hesitation! As a newcomer to this author's work, I am eagerly anticipating delving into more of their writing.

Within the pages of this book, we are introduced to the dynamic duo of Rayna and Willow, whose stories unfold in a captivating manner. Rayna is on a quest for a fresh start, embodying a carefree and easygoing persona. Meanwhile, Willow is navigating the complexities of her troubled marriage and new family, making it impossible not to root for her and her son.

Set against the backdrop of Europe, this novel offers a refreshing change of pace. As someone who embarked on a whirlwind European adventure in just one month, I can attest to the allure of international settings. The author's meticulous research shines through, creating a believable and immersive environment.

This fast-paced read was a delightful experience, as I had the pleasure of reviewing both the eBook and audiobook versions. The narrators truly brought the story to life, keeping me engaged and eager for more. If the book doesn't quite hit the mark for you, I highly recommend giving the audiobook a try!

If you have a penchant for murder mysteries, unlikely friendships, and rich family drama, this book is sure to captivate you. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this intriguing tale - let me know what you think!

Thank you, Harlequin Audio and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

ALC review • pub date 06.03.25
narrated by Jennifer Jill Araya + Marni Penning
length: 10h 34min

This book had a really strong start! With a beautiful setting in Amsterdam - Rayna wakes up in a heavenly penthouse after a night with a tinder date, Xander. She is blissfully unaware of the dead body in the room next to her. Told in dual POV of Rayna and Willow - the wife of one of the largest diamond houses in the area - who employed Xander.

The story quickly turned into so. many. details about diamonds that was a bit repetitive. I honestly am not sure I would have finished the e-arc alone, having the audio with great narrators saved it for me. I’m still a big fan of Belle’s books and will continue to read them! This one just wasn’t a favorite.

book ⭐️⭐️⭐️
narrators ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to HTP books / Park Row Books for my ARC and Harlequin Audio for my ALC.

What a fabulous thriller! The first pages of this book kick off with a bang and the twists kept me on the edge of my seat and desperate to know what happened. Plus the gorgeous Amsterdam setting didn’t hurt either. And for better or worse, I’ll think twice anytime I see diamonds now.

Kimberly Belle is at the top of her game! Thank you so much HarperAudio & NetGalley for audiobook copy! I'll be recommending it to my audience and all my friends.

Thank you Park Row and Harlequin Audio for my gifted ARC and ALC!

There is at least one certainty in life: You can count on Kimberly Belle to put out a bingeable, juicy thriller. I love everything she writes, and The Expat Affair was no exception.

I learned a lot about the diamond industry in this book, both lab grown and mined, and I can sense a new hyperfixation coming on. This lesson was cleverly woven into an intricate plot with twists and turns, set in atmospheric Amsterdam.

I couldn’t get enough of this book and the diabolical things the characters did for compressed carbon. It was a blast.

I struggled to get into this one via print so I was excited to try out the audio. I had a much better experience when doing so. If you’re looking for something fast paced and not super character driven, this is a good choice. I don’t have much interest in diamonds but it still managed to keep my attention for the most part. I think if I had any more interest in that world, I’d have enjoyed this a lot more. The mystery aspect was solid and pieced together well. I love a good con story but it got a little repetitive. I’ll still read whatever Belle writes, this was just a miss for me based on the integral focus of the storyline. I need my rich characters to be much more psychologically damaged instead of just plain greedy LOL

This novel set in Amsterdam is ONE HECK of fun one!

Who says divorce can’t lead to a fun ADVENTURE?

DIAMONDS, MURDER, KIDNAPPING and Amsterdam!!!

Rayna is heading to Amsterdam for a new lease on life. She is not one to jump into things but when she meets Xander, a handsome stranger she is open to the possibility and after a steamy night she wakes up to find him dead. He is not only dead, but the scene is set for murder!

The police discover he also had diamonds that were stolen.

We follow both Rayna and Willow. Willow has connections to a family jewelry business with dangerous connections. This novel is fast paced and takes you into a world that will ENTICE you, but also make you wary of who you let into your life. WAY TO GO Bell!

Cat burglars, jewel, thieves, and more, race through the pages of this novel. While there is nothing surprising, or stand out about this novel, it’s still a great deal of fun.

I didn’t really care for this book. Rayna is with a guy in his hotel when he’s murdered. Turns into a jewel business. People making fake ones. Screwing people over. Didn’t finish it.

3.75 stars

This newest effort from Kimberly Belle is well paced and features a compelling setting: Amsterdam! There are diamonds, lies, and jilted partners, and readers will be glad to experience it all from a safe distance!

Readers first meet Rayna, an expat who is absolutely pulling a geographic and who loses herself in an at first very enjoyable night of carefree fun. That sentiment changes dramatically when she awakens to something quite different than what she last remembers. Nearby, Willow, another expat, learns of Rayna's predicament and immediately becomes interested in the situation. Willow's wealth, the vulnerability of her young son, and her growing distrust and dislike of her extended family all put her attention into question. It's clear these two characters will converge, but how that will happen or what that will mean only becomes apparent piece by piece. Fortunately, that journey is pretty enjoyable.

I found this read engaging though in some ways more predictable than I hoped for. It's a fun ride that requires little from the reader but pays off nicely overall.