3.5/5 stars
I read this book quickly, over the course of two days, struggling to put it down! I have enjoyed some of Belle’s previous books, so I was excited to read this novel. Very well written, with a different but intriguing plot line, it was an easy and enjoyable read overall. Although there weren’t tons of twists, the main storyline was exciting enough to keep me engaged. I look forward to the next book from this author.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row for this ARC!

What a whirlwind of a book! There was so much intrigue and twists, piecing together who is who, who can be trusted and who cannot. What I can say for sure is: whenever you think you have figured it all out, you have not!

The preview format made it really hard to read this book and the plot dragged. I was through a third of the book before I had a sense of what the conflict was.

I had the honor of interviewing Kimberly Belle for the Storytime in Paris podcast. This is what I said:

Ep 77 - Kimberly Belle, “The Paris Widow”

My guest this week is USA Today and internationally bestselling author of “The Paris Widow,” Kimberly Belle. In Kimberly’s latest mystery/thriller “The Paris Widow,” Stella and Adam are married and very much in love. They have been galavanting all over Europe on vacation. In Paris, mere hours before they are set to return home, there is a giant explosion. Adam is missing and presumed dead. But with his death comes all sorts of questions: was Adam actually a notorious criminal? Was that attack meant for him? Who is following Stella and why?

In our conversation, Kimberly shares her research into the seedy underbelly of the art world, what draws her to tales of widows, and more. How did Stella surprise even her? Listen now to find out!

Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Wfmijy

THE PARIS WIDOW is a very well written suspenseful thriller. I sometimes had no idea who was telling the truth or not. There were enough twists to make the plot interesting but not too many to make it not believable.

Stella her husband, Adam are on vacation in Paris. An explosion in a café leaves her husband, Adam, missing and presumed dead. Questions start to arise about Adam’s business which leaves Stella wondering if Adam a random victim or a target. As secrets come to light, Stella wonders who was the man she married. Fast passed and could not put it down.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin and Kimberly Belle for an ARC of this book

While on a dream vacation in Paris, Stella’s world is rocked to its core. An explosion leaves her husband, Adam, missing and presumed dead. When questions start to arise about Adam’s business, it leaves Stella wondering if was Adam a random victim or a target? As secrets come to light, Stella doesn’t quite know what to think, who was the man she married? Fast paced this story shows that you can’t outrun your past, but is it too late for your future? Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

An okay suspense novel.

A couple madly in love, each with shady backgrounds that were never discussed even after marriage. The book spends way too much time describing over and over the sickly sweet romance between the two main characters. Then when one of them seems out of the picture, the one left seems to remember a long lost lover fondly. Go figure. It was also not realistic when one partner of the romance did not question what the other was doing - always on the phone, disappearing, etc.

I found the information on the blood antiquities very interesting and would have enjoyed more details about them in the book. It was not easy to separate the good guys from the bad ones in this story - which added mystery and intrigue to the story. The lies of omission that we tell was a big part of this story, telling the truth but leaving out the very important questionable parts. Then how do you learn from the mistakes that you make - do you avoid them in the future or keep finding yourself in the same bad and dangerous place.

Another good suspense from Kimberly Belle. It has a few twists and a couple slow parts, but it kept me interested.

An intriguing and fast-paced thriller that dives into the world of art & antiquities smuggling. The writing put me right in Stella's shoes and kept me guessing. I loved the contrast with the sections from Adam's point of view leading up to the current events. The slight differences in timeline and the alternating perspectives added a great layer of motive and mystery.

I did have to laugh when there was some reminiscing of how okay they are with such a basic life: frequent international travel and a 3,000 square foot house in Atlanta. In this economy?! But I guess that's modest when your besties are in le marché noir!

I would have liked to see a bit more wrap up, but I can appreciate that the story didn't linger once the intrigue settled. This was a fun read!

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

An edge of your seat thriller that begins with a bang and never lets up.
Adam and Stella are on a dream vacation in Paris when there is an explosion in the city square and Adam goes missing.
Was Adam the target? Are secrets from their past finally catching up with them?
A fast-paced read full of twists and turns.
Highly Recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/Park Row for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

I will read anything Kimberly Belle writes because I love the roller coaster ride she takes us on. This book was no exception. Drama, intrigue, suspense, and a cat-and-mouse game kept me on the edge of my seat. The one thing that turned me off was that it took place in the world of antiquities and art. For some reason, personal preference only, I find that boring. But the high intensity more than makes up for that. This one should not be missed!

This was a fun and fast-paced thriller. I liked that this was full of secrets and lies and loved the European setting. The dream trip turned nightmare was fun to see play out through both Stella & Adam. The stolen antiquities aspect was fascinating and I loved seeing how full circle this book was.

Thanks to Park Row & HTP for my advanced copy of The Paris Widow.

I’m happy today to be part of the tour for a new suspenseful novel: The Paris Widow by Kimberly Belle. I think this book would make an amazing movie or limited series! It was suspenseful and exciting, but I also could not put it down since there were so many twists and turns.
This was my first read by Ms. Belle and I’m sure it won’t be my last. I liked her writing which flows well and has vivid descriptions. I could picture the scenes but also felt the emotions.

Thank you for my copy and for making me part of the tour!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Kimberly Belle’s The Paris Widow is a gripping domestic thriller that masterfully blends suspense, mystery, and emotional depth. Set against the enchanting yet perilous backdrop of Paris, this novel takes readers on a rollercoaster ride of secrets, betrayal, and resilience.

Stella thought she had found stability and love with her husband, Adam, after a tumultuous past. Their dream vacation in Paris, however, turns into a nightmare when Adam goes missing following a city square explosion. The French police reveal that Adam was on their radar, leaving Stella to question everything she knew about her husband.

Belle excels in crafting complex characters. Stella’s transformation from a bewildered wife to a determined investigator is both believable and compelling. Her emotional journey is portrayed with nuance, capturing her grief, confusion, and eventual resolve. Adam, though absent for much of the narrative, is a shadowy figure whose secrets drive the plot forward. The supporting characters, including the enigmatic figures Stella encounters, add layers of intrigue and tension.

Belle’s writing is crisp and evocative, painting vivid pictures of Parisian locales while maintaining a fast-paced narrative. The dual POV structure adds depth, allowing readers to see the unfolding events from different angles.

The Paris Widow explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the lengths one will go to uncover the truth. It delves into the impact of secrets on relationships and the resilience required to face unexpected challenges. The novel also touches on the darker side of the art world, highlighting the illicit trade of antiquities and its far-reaching consequences. Belle’s ability to weave a thrilling narrative with emotional depth makes The Paris Widow a standout read. It’s a perfect pick for fans of domestic thrillers and those looking for a summer page-turner.

Kimberly Belle delivers a captivating tale with The Paris Widow, combining suspense, mystery, and emotional resonance. It’s a novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat, eager to uncover the truth alongside Stella. Highly recommended for thriller enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys a well-crafted story set in a picturesque yet dangerous setting.

Kimberly Belle is one of my favorite authors, and her latest did not disappoint! From the very first page I was hooked - I felt as confused as Stella throughout the explosive beginning and as she tried to piece together the truth about her partner Adam. This was a fast-paced read that I consumed in one sitting - I highly recommend to anyone who loves an excellently written, highly suspenseful, thriller!

Absolutely recommend! I thought this was so clever - the title, her back story, how they all connect. It was a whirlwhind, and I couldn't put it down. Loved the art history element. All in all, great book, and recommended it to my reADERS!

This book had me on tenterhooks, trying to figure out if the husband was dead or alive, good or bad! I enjoyed this story and could not put it down

This was a great read! I highly recommend if you enjoy mysteries. I can't imagine finding out my spouse has a secret job and a whole secret life but this story does a good job of helping to imagine that.

I really enjoy this author’s books, including this one. However, it was hard for me to keep focus in the middle section. The ending didn’t blow me away either. Still, there were unexpected surprises, and the writing was fantastic. I look forward to the author’s next book. 3.5 stars.