The Paris Widow by Kimberly Belle is a fast paced thriller about the blood antiquities trade. The twists and turns throughout the story keep you wanting to find out what happens next. It shows what lengths people are willing to go to and how they will stop at nothing to own a particular object. This book is about the world of antiquities art dealers, spies, and the theft and smuggling of priceless art pieces.

Stella and her husband Adam are on vacation in Europe when a bomb explodes at the restaurant her husband returned to for his forgotten sunglasses. Now he is missing and presumed dead and Stella is the grieving widow. As the events unfold Stella finds things out about her husband that she never knew. Her real mystery begins when French police tell her that Adam has been on their radar for a long time. As Stella searches for answers, her life maybe put in danger and her own secrets revealed.

This was a page turner filled with secrets that really keep you wanting to find out what happens next. I would highly recommend this book. Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an advanced copy of this book.

Such a good, action packed thriller from Kimberly Bell! It was an unputdownable read for me because the suspenseful cat and mouse game was so riveting. The book played like a movie in my head the whole time and I feel it could be easily adapted into an actual action thriller film. The book starts out with a bang (literally) and dark secrets and revelations are constantly coming up afterwards. The international setting, the greedy & cunning characters, and the standing tension made the read so much more enjoyable. Highly recommend putting this one on your June TBR!

****Publishing June 11, 2024****

Stella thought she knew her husband, Adam, until she tagged along on a work trip to Europe. He ends up dead because of an explosion in Paris! Stella finds out his antique business is being accused of being a cover-up for criminal activity and that his death was apparently targeted. Stella is skeptical of the news. Is it what it seems? How will she handle the investigation and the info that is uncovered?

A fast-paced thriller with twists and turns that will keep you guessing until all is revealed! The manipulation, the speculation, the lies, and the deceit will have you turning the pages to find out the truth! If you want a highly entertaining book that won’t disappoint, then definitely take this one on vacation!

Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing (Park Row), I was provided an ARC of The Paris Widow by Kimberly Belle via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. #TheParisWidow #NetGalley

In Kimberly Belle's thrilling novel, The Paris Widow, what begins as an idyllic vacation in Paris swiftly transforms into a harrowing mystery for Stella and her husband, Adam. Initially, Stella believes she has left her tumultuous past behind for a stable life with Adam, who appears to be the epitome of normalcy. However, this illusion shatters when Adam disappears following a mysterious explosion in a bustling city square, leading Stella into a desperate search amidst chaos. As she delves deeper, aided by the French police, startling truths emerge about Adam's clandestine involvement in the trade of stolen antiquities. Caught in a web of deceit, Stella must uncover whether Adam was merely a casualty or the intended target of the blast, all while sensing an ominous presence shadowing her every step in the picturesque yet perilous streets of Paris.

The Paris Widow earns a resounding five stars for its riveting pace and adept storytelling. Belle's narrative prowess shines through vivid descriptions and tightly woven plot twists that make the book nearly impossible to put down. The characters are meticulously crafted, with depth and realism that pull readers deeper into the heart of the mystery. While some plot elements might feel familiar to seasoned readers of the genre, the novel's brisk pace and engaging story arc still make it a highly recommended read for fans of mysteries and thrillers. With its blend of suspense and the allure of European locales, this novel is a captivating journey through the shadows of the past and the unpredictable twists of fate.

If you’re building your summer TBR this would be a fantastic addition! It’s fast paced and begs to be read in one sitting, it’s addictive and has some high stakes for the characters and its set in Paris, so if you can’t make the trip there for your own vacation you can at least see the sights from the pages of this one. The author does domestic suspense really well and I enjoyed her vacation spin this time around. The idea of a dream trip turned nightmare was fascinating and I felt for Stella as she tried to navigate the mess her husband created on foreign soil which added another layer of tension and anxiety. Not all of the surprises were true surprise for me but this was still really fun and enjoyable for me.

Best-selling author Kimberly Belle’s newest novel, “The Paris Widow” is full of drama, intrigue and suspense, and I couldn’t put it down!
I loved this book so much! This was a book that I couldn't wait to finish. It all started on the last day in Paris right before flying home to the states. Everything changes when a bomb goes off and Adam come up missing and feared dead. Stella is devistated and will not leave Paris until she determines what happened to Adam. Then the police tell Stella that her husband may not be the man she thought he was. He was doing illegal things and that she may also be a target. As she searches for her husband she can't trust anyone. She is on a long journey to keep herself safe, find her husband and discover all the answers of his past.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/ Park Row for sharing this exciting book’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my review.

A thriller in Paris, I couldn’t put this one down! I loved the characters and the plot line, a solid 4 stars!

When Stella met Adam, she believed she found a safe and stable relationship—a welcome departure from her past. However, her world is turned upside down when Adam disappears after an explosion in Paris. As police investigate, they uncover Adam’s involvement in the criminal world, shocking Stella. Desperate for the truth, Stella refuses to leave Paris until she has answers about what happened and who Adam really is… even if it means putting herself in danger.

Belle is an auto-buy author for me and this book did not disappoint. I was invested in the story as it was suspenseful, intriguing, and even a bit romantic. It’s set in various European cities, and I loved reading about each place as well as the history behind some artifacts. I also enjoyed how although the story was mostly told by Stella, we were given chapters from Adam’s POV in the days and weeks leading up to the explosion, which made you want to root for him/them as a couple. My only complaints are that it felt unrealistic at times, and Stella made many questionable choices.

Overall, this was a quick and fun read... add it to your TBR!!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy!
I’ve been a Kimberly Belle fan so this immediately piqued my interest. A cat & mouse game as a woman searches for answers about her husband’s hazy business dealings/past when he the presumed target of an attack. Clearly we are getting a story with blurred lines and chaos. The setting was beautiful. As someone who travels I enjoyed the culture and foodie references. However, there were minor issues for me with pacing. Around 60 percent I started to lose interest in the back and forth. Also, Stella frustrated me to no end. For a woman with so many resources and smarts she made some silly choices. I actually at one point screamed out “girl just go home”.

Without spoilers, I’ll say I was mostly intrigued by the side characters. The meat of the story was within the others.

Oh, the authors note was educational! 3.5 stars rounded up! Great for anyone who likes a story with history and layers.

The Paris Widow is a fast-paced chase with couple Adam and Stella caught in the middle of a war within blood antiquities trade. I enjoyed the story, however, it lagged in places and there are a few plot holes. I wish a few character stories/background was more fleshed out instead of lots of time spent explaining things that did not add to the story.

I thought it was a fun read and a new story for me, as I haven’t read books having to do with blood antiquities and it prompted an interest to do some research on my own into the topic, which made this book event better.
I liked the main character, I found her interesting but also mysterious, she is an example of more fleshed out.
Overall, a decent read and I enjoyed the ending. It’s interesting and fun once it picks up.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/Park Row for sharing the digital copy for me to review in exchange for my honest thoughts.

The Paris Widow is the kind of book you want to read in one sitting! It is a fast paced story about a couple in France on vacation until an explosion happens and separates them. The twists and turns never stop throughout this story. Along the way, the reader is immersed in the world of antiquities, art dealers, spies, and people who will stop at nothing to own a particular object. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. Published by ParkRow Books.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: June 11, 2024
Best-selling author Kimberly Belle’s newest novel, “The Paris Widow” is chock full of drama, intrigue and tension, and I couldn’t put it down!
Adam and Stella are on their honeymoon in Paris, happy, young and hopelessly in love, enjoying the sights and sounds. Until the day a bomb goes off in the town square, and Adam disappears. Desperate, and alone, Stella refuses to return home until she knows something, anything, about what happened to Adam. When she finally gets news, it isn’t the news she expects- not only is Adam alive but he disappeared on purpose. Some very dangerous people are looking for Adam and Stella may be next.
“Widow” is narrated by both Adam (before the bombing) and Stella (after). Both storylines not only craft sensational character development, but they serve to add more tension to the pulse-pounding plot as we learn more about what exactly Adam was up to, and the secrets Stella herself is keeping.
There are numerous twists and turns (it wouldn’t be a Belle novel if there wasn’t, after all) and the ending could’ve gone in any number of directions. As always, Belle managed to make the storyline flow in exactly the right way, and I was left guessing until the final pages.
The entire story takes place in France, so “Widow” provides an exotic locale for a bit of escapism, too, which seems to be what I’ve been seeking, if my recent novel choices are any indication.
“Widow” starts off with a bang and kept me on pins and needles (in the best way), all the way to the thrilling conclusion (and somehow still manages to be romantic? Belle continues to impress). I’ve been a fan of Belle since her early works and she keeps getting better and better! I look forward to devouring her next book, and enjoying it just as much!

I could not put this down! So many twists and turns, I loved every bit of it! Thank you NetGalley and Park Row for providing me with an arc in return for my honest review.

The mysterious underworld of art theft has always interested me (blame it on growing up near Boston after the Isabella Stewart Gaarder museum theft). This book fed that interest as it traveled around Europe with Stella, whose husband, she believed, bought and sold antique architectural elements. There's tons of suspense as the story rolls out and there's a bombing, a break-in, a murder, & more. Stella's a flawed person, but I rooted for her throughout.
Thanks to NetGalley & Kimberly Belle for an advanced copy for review.

Thanks Net Galley for a free copy of this book to review.

The premise of this book was so intriguing — the black market for buying and selling of stolen antiquities. Unfortunately it was poorly executed.

The biggest problem I had was in an effort to deliver twists and turns a lot of the story was hidden until there was a scene near the end when the characters made long speeches to explain the whole story. I prefer when the nuances of a story unfold in action and not in speeches

I felt the characters were transparent and predictable. No surprises in the story.

A twisty physiological thriller that takes place in Paris (with little checkins all over Europe). Loved it!!! And loved the combo of a European (mostly Parisian) vacay with a good thriller.

A beautiful, handsome and fawning married couple (yawn) become torn apart (well, not literally) when a bomb goes off in a cafe while they are shopping for antiques in Paris. The wife, who had left the cafe while her husband returned to retrieve his sunglasses, believes her husband either died in the explosion or escaped. Either way, nothing will be the same again.

The suspense is very good, although I'd have preferred more about the antiquities trade and less about the unrealistic love story. I have never read this author before, so I didn't know what I was in for, but this book reads as half suspense and half romance novel. The latter dragged it down for me, I'm sorry to say. If you want a real thrill ride through the world of art, nothing is better than L.S. Hilton's Maestra series.

Recommended for a suspenseful read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

The Paris Widow is a fun mystery with a unique premise. While at first the plot was a little cliche, as you learn more about the characters, particularly Stella, the story gets a lot more interesting. Stella does come across as a little naive for someone in her situation, but it doesn’t take away from rooting for her to figure out what happened to Adam. The pace of the story starts out very slow, but picks up a little over halfway. If you’re looking for a fun Parisian adventure/mystery read, I’d recommend this one. (4/5)

**This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

First half very interesting, but lost some steam in the third quarter.

A husband and wife, madly in love with each other and enjoying a vacation in Europe, face tragedy when a bomb goes off. As XYZ, who comes to be know as “The Paris Widow” in the news media, tries to uncover the truth behind what happened to her husband and why. Will she survive or become the next target?

I’m a huge fan of Turkish culture and language, and loved that there was some of that mixed in to the story. I struggle with characters who do things that are likely to get themselves killed. It’s also a peeve of mine when there are obvious red flags that the heroine is somehow completely blind to.

But I enjoyed the fact that the story wrapped up in a happy way, because who doesn’t love a happy ending

This was a quick fun read! Perfect to get you out of a slump. The characters were easy to follow. It was interesting to see how they intersect! The setting was fabulous,you could really feel the Paris atmosphere..