Thank you HTP Audio for the ALC and HTP / Netgalley, #partner, for the advanced e-copy of The Expat Affair in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: Park Row / Harlequin Audio
Published: June 3, 2025
Summary:
An American expat‘s startling discovery plunges her into the glamorous but deadly world of Amsterdam’s diamond industry.
Following a nasty divorce, Rayna Dumont came to Amsterdam for a fresh start. She’s never been the type for a one-night stand, but this move is all about adventure, and Xander is handsome and successful and more than willing to go along for the ride. Until the morning after, when Rayna finds him dead on the shower floor and millions of dollars’ worth of diamonds missing from his safe.
From her lavish home in the heart of the city, Willow Prins is captivated by the news. Her husband is Xander’s former boss and heir to a diamond house, and the scandal strains their already-rocky marriage. As the house comes under scrutiny, Willow wonders if her life is about to implode—and how much of the blame she can place on Rayna. Soon, Willow and Rayna are dragged into the dark and dangerous underbelly of the diamond market, where they’ll have to uncover the truth to survive. Who killed Xander? Where are the missing diamonds? And who can you trust in a strange and unfamiliar city thousands of miles from home?
My thoughts:
Kimberly Belle has become a favorite for addicting, thrilling reads. She always manages to deliver pulse-pounding, edge-of-your seat reads that are completely binge-worthy and full of suspense and this latest one is no different!
International thrillers just hit a little differently…and this one was a winner from start to finish! A dead body in the bed next to you, two completely engaging POVs and stolen jewels – yes, please! Oh, and set it all in Amsterdam…how could I not love it? This book kept me guessing and hanging on with bated breath as I tried to figure out where it all was headed and I loved every second of it. I’m not sure how the author manages to create such unique, compelling reads every single time, but she does and she does it well.
I loved that the two main characters, Rayna and Willow, are so different from each other, yet I found myself equally invested in their stories. It would be easy to dislike them one or both of them, yet as the story progresses, I found it hard to not care for them and the predicaments they were in. I also loved the deep dive into the diamond industry, something I haven’t come across very often in books before. It was quite a fascinating study in this field, showing that you can learn a bit in thrillers!
This was such an addictive, binge-worthy read that is both highly entertaining yet informative as well. I love this author’s work and can now add another book to my list that I will be recommending.
Audio thoughts:
This was amazing on audio, with the two narrators – Jennifer Jill Araya and Marni Penning – doing a fantastic job bringing the story to life. Both added just the right amount of tension and suspense to their voice as needed and their pacing was spot on.
Purchasing from the link below supports independent bookstores and my blog!
