The Expat Affair

This was an excellent audio. Dual narrators made this audio even better. Jennifer Jill Araya and Marni Penning were the perfect choices for Willow and Reyna.The International diamond trade in Amersterdam is savage. Reyna, an American expat living in Amsterdam, meets a handsome diamond broker named Xander. Xander works for the famous house of Prins, known for their diamonds going back decades. Reyna wakes up in Xander's bed one morning and shortly thereafter she finds Xander murdered in his own bathroom while she was sleeping. Diamonds are missing and Reyna is in danger. The only one who can help her is Willow. Another American expat married to one of the Prins.I recommend this title in audio form if you have the choice.

This is a fabulous book, you just can’t put it down!

A compelling novel with a unique plot line, filled with surprising twists and sinister characters. It takes place in Holland and is told from dual perspectives, enhancing the story. The 3D printer and jewelry technology was both intriguing and unsettling.I would have preferred a different voice for the audiobook, so I chose to read while listening.Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity to read/listen to this complimentary advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I could not imagine waking up and finding my one night stand dead but somehow the killer didn't know I was in the bed! Omg the emotions. I'd need counseling! I would feel like the luckiest person on the planet. I would live each day like it was my last always afraid that the person would be out there waiting to strike. Having this mentality while reading the book helped make me a little more anxious which in turn made me like the book more.I really enjoyed the first half of the story. I wasn't sure, but I thought that the detective was in on the heist. The ending was good. I was surprised by Thomas’ reaction but so happy for the child, Sem. All in all, the story/book was good!

The Expat Affair kicks off with a bang—murder, mystery, and a missing fortune in diamonds. I was instantly intrigued by the premise: an American expat in Amsterdam wakes up after a steamy night only to find her lover dead in the next room and millions in jewels gone. Add in a second narrator tied to the same diamond dynasty, and you’ve got all the makings of a sleek, high-stakes thriller. Or so I thought.What followed, though, didn’t quite match that opening energy. The plot meandered, the tension fizzled, and the characters, while interesting in theory, didn’t fully connect. Rayna’s choices felt oddly naive for someone supposedly street-smart, and the supposed twists were more soft curveballs than jaw-dropping reveals. I kept waiting for the moment that would punch me in the gut or make me gasp—but it never came.That said, the setting was rich, the writing smooth, and the premise had real potential. Belle does a great job capturing the allure and danger of Amsterdam’s glittering underworld. The diamond lore, while excessive at times, added a unique angle—though it sometimes slowed the pacing. It’s a fine read for a weekend getaway or rainy afternoon, just not the thriller knockout I was hoping for.Three stars. Stylish and solid, but emotionally underwhelming. Like a beautiful diamond that doesn’t quite catch the light.