The Expat Affair By Kimberly Belle Book Review

I tore through The Expat Affair by Kimberly Belle in one sitting—couldn’t put it down. Something about expat life in Amsterdam and the glitter of the diamond trade pulled me in. Kimberly Belle always knows how to hook me. If you crave a clever thriller, this one’s for you.

Key Takeaways

The Expat Affair is a quick and exciting story set in Amsterdam. It has a special diamond trade setting that makes readers want to keep reading.
The story shows the views of two different women, Rayna and Willow. Both women are complicated, which makes the mystery and trust problems more interesting.
This book is great for people who like psychological thrillers. It is also good for those who enjoy stories about tough friendships and starting fresh in a new city.

Worth Reading?

Who Should Read

I always look for thrillers that keep me up way past my bedtime. If you love stories with secrets, twists, and a bit of glamour, this book will grab you. I think fans of:

Psychological thrillers
Domestic suspense
Stories set in Europe
Books with strong female leads

will find something to love here. I also recommend it if you enjoy reading about expat life or want a peek into the diamond trade. The Expat Affair by Kimberly Belle feels perfect for book clubs. There’s so much to discuss—friendship, trust, and what happens when you’re far from home.

Tip: If you like Ruth Ware or Lisa Jewell, you’ll probably enjoy this one.

First Impressions

I’ll be honest, I started this book late at night, thinking I’d read just a few chapters. That plan failed. I ended up reading until my eyes burned. The opening hooked me right away. Amsterdam felt chilly and mysterious. I could almost hear the bikes and see the canals. The main character, Rayna, felt real. She’s not perfect, and that made me root for her.

The pacing felt quick, but not rushed.
I liked the dual perspectives. It kept me guessing.
The diamond industry backdrop added a fresh twist.

The Expat Affair by Kimberly Belle

Premise

I got pulled right into the story of The Expat Affair by Kimberly Belle. The main character, Rayna Dumont, leaves her old life behind and moves to Amsterdam with her husband. She thinks she’s getting a fresh start, but things get messy fast. Her husband works in the diamond industry, which sounds glamorous, but it’s full of secrets. Rayna tries to fit in with the other expats, but she never feels at home.

What really grabbed me was the way the story flips between Rayna and another expat, Willow. Both women have secrets. Both get tangled up in a mystery when diamonds go missing and someone ends up dead. I kept asking myself, “Who can I trust?” The dual perspectives made the story feel tense and personal.

Rayna’s marriage feels shaky from the start.
Willow seems friendly, but I never felt sure about her.
The missing diamonds add a layer of danger.

Setting

Amsterdam almost becomes a character in The Expat Affair by Kimberly Belle. I could picture the narrow streets, the chilly canals, and the old houses. The city feels beautiful but also a little lonely, especially for someone far from home. The diamond industry adds sparkle, but it also brings shadows. I felt the tension in every scene, from fancy parties to quiet apartments.

Note: The setting made me want to visit Amsterdam, but also made me glad I wasn’t caught up in all that drama!

Plot & Pacing

Structure

I have to admit, I started this book thinking I’d read a few chapters before bed. Next thing I knew, it was 3 a.m. and I was still flipping pages. The story jumps between Rayna and Willow, which kept me on my toes. Each chapter ends with a little tease, so I always wanted to see what happened next.

The chapters are short and punchy.
The dual perspectives made me question everything.
I never felt lost, even with the back-and-forth.

I liked how the story didn’t waste time. The plot moved fast, but I never felt rushed. Every scene felt like it mattered. I didn’t get bored or feel like skimming.

Suspense

The suspense in this book felt real. My heart raced during some scenes. I kept thinking, “Who’s lying? Who’s in danger?” The author dropped clues, but never too many at once. I loved guessing what would happen next.

I trusted no one, not even the main characters.
The missing diamonds added a chilling edge.
I found myself holding my breath during the big reveals.

Characters

Rayna & Willow

I got hooked on Rayna and Willow right away. Both women felt real to me, not just names on a page. Rayna tries to fit in, but she always seems a little lost. I could feel her loneliness. She wants to trust people, but her guard stays up. Willow, on the other hand, comes off as confident and friendly. I kept wondering if she was hiding something. Their voices felt different, which made the story more interesting.

Rayna’s doubts made me root for her.
Willow’s secrets kept me guessing.
I liked how both women made mistakes. Nobody felt perfect.

Note: I found myself switching sides more than once. Sometimes I trusted Rayna, sometimes Willow. That back-and-forth made the book more fun.

Relationships

The relationships in this book felt messy and real. Rayna’s marriage seemed shaky from the start. I could sense the tension every time she talked to her husband. The friendships between the expats felt complicated, too. People smiled at each other, but I never knew who was telling the truth.

Trust issues pop up everywhere.
Friendships feel both supportive and suspicious.
I liked how the author showed the pressure of living far from home.

Sometimes I wanted to yell at the characters for their choices. Other times, I felt sorry for them. The mix of trust, jealousy, and fear made every scene feel tense. I have to give props to the author for making me care about these messy friendships.

Themes

Expat Life

Living far from home always sounds exciting, but this book made me feel the loneliness and confusion that come with it. I saw Rayna and Willow trying to fit in at happy hours and language classes, but sometimes they just felt lost. The story covers a whole school year, so I got to see how friendships change and how people try to reinvent themselves in a new place.

The book shows expat life as a mix of adventure and struggle.
I noticed a lot of cultural misunderstandings, which made the characters feel real.
Flashbacks to life before Amsterdam helped me understand why Rayna felt so out of place.

I’ve read that researchers study expat life and Third Culture Kids in places like Korea, Japan, and Singapore. Books, comics, and even language guides help people deal with the ups and downs of living abroad. This story reminded me of those resources, especially when the characters faced awkward moments or tried to find their place.

I felt a little wistful reading about the city. The author’s descriptions made Amsterdam feel both beautiful and a bit lonely.

Betrayal & Friendship

Trust gets tested in every chapter. I watched friendships form at parties, then fall apart when secrets came out. Rayna and Willow both want to belong, but betrayal always lurks in the background. Sometimes I wanted to warn them, but I also understood why they took risks.

Friendships in the book feel supportive one minute, suspicious the next.
Betrayal doesn’t always come from where I expected.
The tension between trust and fear kept me turning pages.

I have to give props to the author for making me care about these messy relationships. The mix of loyalty, jealousy, and doubt felt honest. I finished the book thinking about my own friendships and how easy it is to misread people, especially in a new place.

Writing Style

Strengths

I have to admit, the writing in this book felt smooth and easy to follow. Kimberly Belle knows how to pull me in with short, punchy sentences. I never felt lost or confused. The dialogue sounded real, like something I’d overhear at a café.

I loved how she used details to set the mood. I could almost feel the chill in the Amsterdam air and see the sparkle of diamonds at those fancy parties.

Some things that stood out to me:

The pacing kept me flipping pages. I never got bored.
Each chapter ended with a little tease, so I always wanted to read “just one more.”
The dual perspectives made the story feel fresh and tense.

I found myself reading way past midnight, just because the writing flowed so well.

Areas to Improve

To be fair, sometimes the descriptions felt a bit repetitive. I noticed a few scenes where the author told me how Rayna felt instead of showing it. I wanted more moments where I could sense her fear or excitement without being told directly. The dialogue worked most of the time, but a few lines sounded a little stiff.

Here’s what I wished for:

More “show, don’t tell” in the emotional scenes.
A bit more variety in how the characters reacted to stress.
Sometimes the setting details slowed things down, especially in the middle.

Overall, the writing style in The Expat Affair by Kimberly Belle made the story easy to read and hard to put down, but a few tweaks could have made it even stronger.

Strengths & Weaknesses

I have to admit, this book made me stay up way too late. I kept telling myself, “Just one more chapter,” but I never listened. That’s a good sign for any thriller. Here’s what stood out to me:

Strengths:

Fast pacing: The story moves quickly. I never felt bored or lost. Each chapter ends with a tease, so I always wanted to keep going.
Atmosphere: Amsterdam feels chilly and mysterious. The diamond industry adds a cool, glittery edge.
Dual perspectives: Switching between Rayna and Willow kept me guessing. I liked not knowing who to trust.
Relatable characters: Both women make mistakes. I saw myself in their doubts and fears.

Weaknesses:

Repetitive feelings: Sometimes, the book tells me how Rayna feels instead of showing it. I wanted more moments where I could sense her fear.
Dialogue: A few lines sounded stiff. Most conversations felt real, but some pulled me out of the story.
Setting details: I love a good description, but sometimes the city scenes slowed things down.

Comparison

Similar Thrillers

I’ve read a lot of psychological thrillers, and this one fits right in with some of my favorites. If you liked “Gone Girl,” “The Silent Patient,” or “Behind Closed Doors,” you’ll probably get the same rush here. These books all have:

Twisty plots that keep you guessing
Characters who might not be telling the truth
That feeling where you start to question everyone’s motives

I noticed that lists of top thrillers always mention these titles. They’re popular for a reason. Each one has a mix of secrets, lies, and big surprises. I felt the same tension and suspicion in this book. The expat angle reminded me of stories where people feel out of place, like “The Paris Apartment” or “The Expats.” If you enjoy books with a glamorous setting and a dark side, this one fits the bill.

What Sets It Apart

What made this book stand out for me? The Amsterdam setting felt fresh. I don’t see many thrillers set in the diamond industry or with expat characters. The dual perspectives added a personal touch. I got to see both Rayna and Willow’s struggles, which made the story feel more real.

The expat friendships felt messy and honest
The diamond world added a bit of sparkle and danger
The city’s chilly mood gave me goosebumps

I’d say this book is perfect for readers who want a psychological thriller with a twist. If you like stories about trust, secrets, and starting over in a new place, you’ll want to pick this one up.

Dionysus Review Rating: 7/10