The Expat Affair

by Kimberly Belle

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?

Genres: Mystery, Suspense, Mystery Thriller, Crime, Adult

320 pages, Paperback

Expected publication June 3, 2025

About the author

Kimberly Belle is the USA Today and internationally bestselling author with over one million copies sold worldwide, with titles including The Paris Widow, The Marriage Lie, a Goodreads Choice Awards semifinalist for Best Mystery & Thriller, and the co-authored #1 Audible Original, Young Rich Widows. Kimberly’s novels have been optioned for film and television and selected by LibraryReads and Amazon & Apple Books Editors as Best Books of the Month, and the International Thriller Writers as nominee for best book of the year. She divides her time between Atlanta and Amsterdam. 

Reviews

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dear Kimberly Belle, you truly know how to keep readers on their toes with action-packed, gripping thrillers that leave them breathless—and thankfully, Expat Affair is yet another brilliant, unputdownable masterpiece that delivers a full adrenaline rush from start to finish.

The story follows two expat women whose lives become entangled after the shocking death of Xander—a highly influential businessman with deep knowledge of lab-created diamonds and the secrets of their trade.

Rayna, seeking a fresh start in the U.S. after catching her husband in bed with her best friend, scrapes by with low-paying travel writing gigs while sharing an apartment with her Dutch roommate, Ingrid—her only real friend. Determined to reinvent herself as the bold and adventurous "Rayna 2.0," she takes a chance on a date with the ultra-rich, charismatic Xander. But after a wild night of drinking, she wakes up in his hotel suite to find him dead—zipped up and choked in the bathtub. The worst part? She was passed out in the next room while the killer did their work. Now, not only is she the prime suspect, but she's also accused of stealing Xander’s priceless diamonds—especially since she drunkenly posted a photo of herself wearing one of his diamond necklaces… a necklace that has since vanished.

Willow, married into the powerful and pretentious Prins family after an unexpected pregnancy, is struggling through a strained marriage with Thomas—Xander’s former boss and the workaholic heir of a diamond empire. Meanwhile, Thomas’s ambitious sister, Fleur, is vying for her own place as CEO. After Xander’s murder, Willow starts receiving anonymous threats demanding the missing diamonds—or else her deepest secrets will be exposed, secrets that could destroy her marriage and everything she’s built. When she realizes Rayna is just an innocent bystander caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, she knows she has to find her before it’s too late. But as the two women get tangled in a deadly web of deceit, they are pulled deeper into the dangerous underworld of the illicit diamond trade—where every move could be their last.

Who killed Xander? Maybe it’s someone closer than they ever imagined—someone watching their every move.

Overall: A stunning, fast-paced, and electrifying thriller that you can easily devour in one sitting—I highly recommend it!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing a digital review copy of this unputdownable thriller in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:

medium blog
instagram
facebook
twitter

[Kayla_Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for allowing me a chance to review the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

If Kimberly Belle writes it, I’m going to read it.

Two expat women, a murder, missing diamonds, and lots of scandal. Kimberly is the queen of gripping thrillers and this one kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end. Highly recommend!

[Kimmey Harlan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kimberly Belle has quickly become a go-to author for me. She’s so good at writing twisty, pulse-pounding thrillers that grip you from the very first page. Her book, The Paris Widow, was one of my favorite books last year, so I was pumped to get the chance to read her newest book, The Expat Affair, early.

This one takes place in the diamond trade industry in Amsterdam, and the story begins with a brutal murder. A couple of the twists were predictable, but my jaw hit the floor a couple times, too. It’s fast paced, and could easily be read in one sitting. There were a couple times I had to put it down to go be an adult and I was sorely disappointed I couldn’t keep reading.

I loved this book, and highly recommend checking it out when it hits shelves on June 3rd! I’ll definitely be snagging a physical copy for my own shelves.

Big thanks to @netgalley, @htp_hive, and @htpbooks for this #gifted eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Carrie Shields · Rating 5 out of 5]

"𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒂 𝒅𝒊𝒂𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒂 𝒓𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅."~𝑫𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒐𝒏

Much like her last book THE PARIS WIDOW, the setting was so artfully done, I felt like I was physically in Amsterdam. The opening scene immediately engages the reader--Rayna, who has come to Amsterdam for a fresh start, is enjoying her 'morning after' glow courtesy of Xander, her one-night stand. She hears the shower running and decides to join him, but when she walks into the bathroom, she's greeted by an absolute horror show. Xander has been brutally murdered, and Rayna flees in terror.

Once she gets a little distance from the vicious murder, she begins wondering how she slept through it and why she was spared. Everything changes after she finds out that Xander is in the diamond business and works for a renowned family, the Prins. She realizes that not only is she the prime suspect in the murder, but she's also under suspicion of theft as she posted a photo of herself on social media wearing one of his diamond necklaces that is now missing. Even though she deleted the photo, once it's on the Internet, it's there forever, and it begins circulating.

Worried that the killer will think she's in possession of the necklace, Rayna doesn't know where to turn, and when members of the powerful Prins family reach out to her, she questions if their motives are pure.

This was a fast-paced, thrilling inside look at the illicit diamond trade set in the stunning vistas of one of the most beautiful countries in Europe, its history and culture skillfully woven into the prose. Captivating, entertaining, and exciting, THE EXPAIT AFFAIR is set to publish June 3, 2025. Many thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing for this stunning early copy.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can always count on a Kimberly Belle book to be engrossing, twisty, and action packed. This book was all of those things and more! Two American women living in Amsterdam, a shocking murder, and lots and lots of missing diamonds. Be prepared for what I think is the best first chapter of any book! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

[Dallas Strawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kimberly Belle is the queen of whiplash thrillers…. The Expat Affair opens up chapter one with Rayna in bed after her one night stand; she hears her new man in the shower… she gets up and she walks in only to find Xavier with his finger cut off and his throat wrapped in zipties, so naturally she flees the scene like a bat out of hell… and the book never slows down from there. Not only does Rayna automatically become the prime suspect in the murder; but she was sleeping with a gemologist with a safe full of diamonds…which is now empty.

The reader follows both Rayna, and Willow, a woman connected to the deceased through her husband’s family jewelry empire; on a whirlwind journey to discover the truth about what happened to Xavier and where are the diamonds….! Kimberly Belle continues to do what she does best; leave the reader breathless with their head spinning as so many theories come into play….

THE EXPAT AFFAIR; a love letter to the city of Amsterdam where the author maintains residence; is one heck of an international thriller- it’s destined for the silver screen.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Harlequin and Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rayna is living in Amsterdam after a messy divorce in the US. She has a one night stand with Xander, a rich man in the diamond business. When she wakes up the next morning, he has been murdered and she is shocked to be alive. Meanwhile Willow, also American, is living with her Dutch husband, Thomas, and son, Seb. Thomas is an heir to a diamond empire and Willow needs his money to help their ailing son.

This was a really good book I sped through in about one day. I loved the Amsterdam setting. I am going there later this year, so I was very intrigued by the scenery. I also thought the details on the diamond business were very interesting. The story alternated between Rayna and Willow's points of view and that kept the story moving along. Overall a really good read, and I love the recent European settings in this author's books. I hope that continues.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love her books so knew this would be a good one! Rayna awakens after a date to find new man, Xander dead in the shower with his throat cut! Of course his wealthy family is concerned but being diamond moguls, there are always competitors to be worried about. Then we meet Willow, whose husband, Thomas works for this family and she discovers he hasn't really been out of town where he claimed he was. How are these all connected? It's a wonderfully convoluted story of the diamond industry and what people in power will do to stay there!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

[Lynnsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a wild ride… and I loved every minute of it! I was captivated by the descriptions of Amsterdam and intrigued by the behind-the-scenes glimpse into the glamour and excess of the high-end diamond industry. The Prins family was every bit as cutthroat and conniving as you would expect a dynasty desperately clinging to its wealth and legacy to be. With a family like the Prinses, who needs enemies? I loved every facet of this sparkling thriller!

*Special thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever wake up next to a stranger and realize you've made a terrible mistake? For Rayna Dumont, that one wild night in Amsterdam turns into a nightmare that drags her into the city's shadowy diamond underworld.

Kimberly Belle's new thriller (out June 3) does what few books in this genre manage: it makes you care about the characters while keeping you on the edge of your seat. The story follows Rayna, fresh from a messy divorce, who thinks she's landed her dream job in Amsterdam. Instead, she wakes up in Xander van der Meer's bed—and that's when things really go sideways.

Belle knows Amsterdam, and it shows. The city comes alive in her hands—those picture-perfect canals hiding years of secrets, those charming cafes where deals go down in whispers. But what really sets this book apart is how real everyone feels. Rayna isn't your typical thriller protagonist who makes all the right moves. She screws up, trusts the wrong people, and sometimes drinks too much wine—just like a real person would.

The plot moves fast—really fast. One minute you're thinking about making a cup of tea, the next it's 3 AM and you're promising yourself 'just one more chapter.' Belle weaves in enough details about the diamond trade to make it feel authentic without turning it into a gemology lesson. And just when you think you've figured out who's playing who, she pulls the rug out from under you again.

Is it perfect? Almost. Some readers might want deeper dives into the diamond trade, but honestly, the breakneck pace is too good to slow down for more details.

If you loved The Paris Apartment or The Last Flight, you'll devour this one. It's Belle at her best—smart, sophisticated, and impossible to put down. Perfect for anyone who likes their thrillers with a dash of romance, a shot of danger, and a whole lot of international intrigue.

4.5/5 stars. Clear your schedule—you'll want to read this one in one sitting.

[Cindy Bokma · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Kimberly Belle’s newest upcoming novel, the setting is Amsterdam, and the plot involves diamonds. As I always say, I enjoy a new plot I haven’t seen a million times before and this book gave me exactly that. I loved all the details of Amsterdam, especially the mention of the delicious Dutch pancakes.

Chapters alternate between Rayna, a young writer in Amsterdam, escaping something from her past in America, and Willow who is married to one heir of the Prins Diamond company. The careful pacing slowly reveals the deep secrets of both women.

When Rayna meets Xander at a bar and goes back to his fancy apartment, she has no idea what is about to unfold. Waking up to find him brutally murdered sets in motion the entire story, which features lab grown diamonds, shady deals, secrets, wealth, and choices made during difficult times.

I read this one slowly and appreciated Kimberly’s masterful storytelling. I wasn’t sure where the book was going to go, who we could trust (I didn’t trust either narrator) and how it would ultimately end.

This one gets four stars for the excellent writing (as usual, the author’s books are always great), setting, pacing and characters. I loved it.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and it reminded me of my visits to Amsterdam. In this story, the family diamond business comes with so much mystery and intrigue. Rayna, one of the main characters, wake up to hear a shower running, after a one night stand, and goes into the shower to find, Xander, dead in the shower. He had been murdered very viciously. She flees the scene. As she finds out more about the murdered victim, lots of questions come to the surface. Rayna doesn’t know why she was spared and is now the prime suspect in the murder. Xander ‘s safe was cleaned out of all the diamonds he had in his safe and Rayna is afraid the murderer will think she is in possession of a missing diamond necklace.

This thriller explores the illicit diamond trade and is very entertaining. The Prins family, who own the diamond business, has lots of secrets and because of that they get caught up in the dangerous underworld. It kept me well entertained until the very end.

[M Soh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Park Row for providing this book, with my honest review below.

The Expat Affair was a hugely enjoyable mystery that reminded me of a modern take on classic suspenseful films. Transplant to Amsterdam Rayna (who is trying to put distance between herself and a painful divorce) is our main character, though we also get the perspective of Willow, who is also a transplant hiding a huge secret. When Rayna’s one night stand is murdered while she’s asleep and diamonds go missing, Willow finds herself feeling drawn to helping her, possibly to hide her own involvement.

What follows is a lot of threads that you just know where will be satisfying to follow and a hugely shocking discovery to not only the murderer but what’s going on behind the theft. I absolutely adored this and hope Kimberly Belle has more mysteries in this style as she will become a fast favorite.

[Judy Odom · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Expat Affair is fast paced, action packed read that will keep you turning the pages to see what happens.

Murder, secrets. lies, intrigue and scandal hook the reader from the first to the last page.

Rayna and Willow are two expats living in Amesterdam who's paths cross when a friend of Willow's and a man Rayna had a one stand with is murdered visciously.

Diamonds are missing since Rayna was known to be there she is in danger.

Prime suspect for the murder and theft of diamonds.

Kimberly Bell writes so descriptively you feel that you are biking the streets of Amerstdam and all the characters are so well defined.

Characters we love and characters we love to snarl at and I trusted no one.

Highly recommend you grab your copy of The Expat Affair, clear your calendar because this bookis hard to put down.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harelquin Trade Publishing/Park Row for the privilege of reading and reviewing The Expat Affair.

[Regina Carlton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Expat Affair: A Murder Mystery with a Strong Female Protagonist in Amsterdam's Diamond Industry by Kimberly Belle is a fast-paced thriller set in Amsterdam with a diamond house family as the center point of attention. Rayna is an American who thought she was leaving a bad relationship to have a fun time in a new city far from home. Who knew so much trouble would find this American so quickly with just one date with a gorgeous man? You'll find out how much trouble found its way as you continue to read the story. Many twists within the story weaving its branches between the family and the American Expats. Yes, two! You will enjoy this book right to the end holding your breath as you turn page after page - eating the story raw! Put all your plans on hold until you finish this book!

[Brittney · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Expat Affair is a twisty, fast-paced thriller set in the glittering world of Amsterdam’s diamond industry. The story alternates between two women: Rayna, a recently divorced American trying to reinvent herself in a new city, and Willow, the American wife of the CEO of one of the Netherlands’ most powerful diamond companies, House of Prins.

Rayna’s fresh start takes a wild turn when she wakes up after a one-night stand to find her date, Xander—an executive at House of Prins—dead on his bathroom floor. Oh, and the safe in his apartment? Completely cleaned out of millions in diamonds. From there, things spiral fast.

Told in alternating perspectives, the story keeps you guessing as Rayna and Willow’s lives start to collide in ways neither of them sees coming. There’s plenty of glamour, secrets and high-society drama mixed in with the suspense, and the Amsterdam setting gives it all a moody, stylish vibe.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

[Desiree Mosley - A Love Affair With Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Expat Affair" was my first Kimberly Belle book and I can say it will not be my last. This was a solid three star read for me with intrigue and suspense from the beginning of the story until the end. You could make yourself sick with all the twists and turns delivered throughout the pages.

Basic premise without giving away anything, the House of Prins is a diamond family and our MC's Willow and Rayna have a somewhat "unhealthy" connection. There are diamond heists, murder, affairs, and so much more.

I loved the Amsterdam setting and the inclusion of the language and mannerism.

Thank you to Net Galley and Kimberly Belle for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Melissa DeLong-Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kimberly Belle is the queen of the JARRING open, and the beginning of this book was very much giving me The Paris Widow vibes (one of my favorites from last year, so this is a compliment!). I loved the setup of this story with the interwoven, complicated rich (like monetarily rich) family dynamic and the way you’re wondering throughout if Rayna is a reliable narrator.

This was another single sitting read – I pretty much sped straight through it over the course of a few hours!

*Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row and NetGalley for the ARC!*

[Amanda Alviz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read many books set in Amsterdam, and I absolutely loved the setting. The author did a great job at being descriptive of the surroundings. The story starts out with quite a bang- Rayna wakes up to find that her date from the night before has been murdered in his shower. The plot has a lot of depth to it and a satisfying amount of twists and turns. The ending was shocking and unexpected. Overall, this is a suspenseful and entertaining thriller.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Patty Abarno · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is told through the perspectives of two different female expats. Rayna, who is recently divorced and has moved to Amsterdam to start a new life and Willow, who is married to the heir to 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. Now she finds herself not only a suspect in a murder investigation, but also being hunted down by whoever murdered Xander. Meanwhile, 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. As the story progresses, the two find they may have to trust each other to try and stay alive and solve this murder and find the diamonds before it is too late.

[Smoke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Divorce can having you out here doing ANTHING‼️One wild night can turn into CHAOS AND DRAMA!!!!!! Had me biting my nails !😂 I loved it !!! Murder secrets lies everything you want in a thriller ! I wanna go to Amsterdam 😩willow and Reyna will be on my mind for a lil while Thankyou Net Galley & harlequin for the Arc and the realization that I like this author !!! Make sure you put this one on your TBR guys !!! Kimberly I'm looking out for you now.

[Mehva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, the stories of two women, strong in some ways and hurting in others, whose lives become intertwined in Amsterdam, when a one night stand leads to a murder and danger and no one you can really trust. Fast moving absorbing, wish they finished Rayna's story with a final chapter but overall a very good read 4.5

[Sydney Hoppe · Rating 5 out of 5]

DIAMOND WIN for Kimberly Belle!!!💎

I loved the mystery, characters, dialogue, & plot!! I especially loved Sem being a deaf child wearing cochlear implants as I am a person wearing those too. I loved the two female MCs and how their stories were interconnected.

I would definitely recommend this book to others💛✨

Thank you NetGalley & Harlequin Trade Publishing for the digital copy.

[Autumn Hanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity of early access.

Such a good book. Definitely filled with exciting twists and suspense!

[jlynmac · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Kristi Housman Confessions of a YA Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

rtc for blog tour

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my earc.

[Molly Graves · Rating 4 out of 5]

I devoured this one start to finish! I loved the setting in Amsterdam.