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A review by smittenforfiction
The Personal Assistant by Kimberly Belle
2.0
Hey book lovers! I'm here with a book review for a new suspenseful and mysterious thriller by Kimberly Belle called The Personal Assistant. You might know her from The Last Breath, Dear Wife, or My Darling Husband. The only other book I've read by her is The Marriage Lie, which was just okay for me. I received an arc of The Personal Assistant from the publisher on Netgalley and the following is my unbiased review.
Title: The Personal Assistant
Author: Kimberly Belle
Publication Date: Nov 2022
Publisher: Harlequin Trade Publishing, Park Row
Suggested Reader Age: 16+
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense
Pages: 352
Synopsis
"When Alex first began posting unscripted family moments and motivational messages online, she had no intention of becoming an influencer. Overnight it seemed she’d amassed a huge following, and her hobby became a full-time job—one that was impossible to manage without her sharp-as-a-tack personal assistant, AC.
But all the good-will of her followers turns toxic when one controversial post goes viral in the worst possible way. Alex reaches out to AC for damage control, but her assistant has gone silent. This young woman Alex trusted with all her secrets, who had access to her personal information and front row seats to the pressure points in her marriage and family life, is now missing and the police are looking to Alex and her husband for answers. As Alex digs into AC’s identity – and a woman is found murdered – she’ll find the greatest threat isn’t online, but in her own living room.
Written in alternating perspectives between Alex, her husband, and the mysterious AC, this juicy cat and mouse story will keep you guessing till the very end." https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59817685-the-personal-assistant
About The Author
"Kimberly Belle is the USA Today and internationally bestselling author of eight novels, including the forthcoming The Personal Assistant (out 11.29), The Marriage Lie, a Goodreads Choice Awards semifinalist for Best Mystery & Thriller, and the #1 co-authored Audible Original, Young Rich Widows. Her books have been published in some 20+ languages and have been optioned for film and television. A proud graduate of Agnes Scott College, Belle divides her time between Atlanta and Amsterdam." https://www.kimberlybellebooks.com/about-me
My Review
› Alex wakes up hungover after celebrating one million followers on her Instagram page Unapologetically Alex. She was a single mom for a long time and values the money she's able to make on her own now. Her twins, Gigi and Penelope, are twelve. Her husband, Patrick, is a financial TV guru and a great stepdad to her daughters.
Alex's phone has hundreds of notifications. There's a post on her Instagram page bashing another popular influencer and her followers are dragging Alex through the mud. She does not remember posting it at all and attempts to contact her personal assistant AC, but there's no response. Eventually, AC is reported missing. A break-in, damage done to Alex's car, a bomb threat, and then a young woman is found dead in a building on their property. Alex's family hates her Insta page and wishes they could have more privacy.
Told in alternating perspectives from Alex, Anna Claire and Patrick, we are taken on a journey from 1994 to the present trying to piece together the truth. Who posted on Alex's page? Who killed the woman? Where is the personal assistant?
› I use the CAWPILE method to rate books.
0-3 Really bad
4-6 Mediocre
7-9 Really good
10 Outstanding
› Characters: 4
The characters are boring. This is not a character-driven story.
› Atmosphere: 4
› Writing Style: 4
The writing style is beige with good readability. The dialogue felt a little clunky in places.
› Plot: 4
Similar to The Marriage Lie, I found the last quarter of The Personal Assistant boring. Belle's books intrigue me from the start, I highly enjoy the beginning and middle, but I'm never satisfied by the ending.
› Intrigue: 4
I was intrigued throughout, however, there's no shock factor here. It was predictable for me, but a fun read.
› Logic: 4
There were some character actions that didn't make sense that I don't think I can talk about as they are a little spoilery.
› Enjoyment: 4
Average 4
1.1-2.2 = ★
2.3-4.5 = ★★
4.6-6.9 = ★★★
7-8.9 = ★★★★
9-10 = ★★★★★
My Rating
The Marriage Lie ★★
The Personal Assistant ★★
› Final Thoughts
• The Personal Assistant is an easy read good for readers looking for something quick and uncomplicated. This story is all about deception, vengeance, family, and resilience.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.
*Quotes taken from an ARC copy and subject to change*
See the best books I read in 2021 https://smittenforfiction.wordpress.com/2022/03/08/best-books-2021/