The Personal Assistant by Kimberly Belle

Published on July 17, 2023

Reviewed by Marybeth Ginsberg

The decision to hire a personal assistant seemed to make perfect sense. As a rising social media influencer, Alex needed help managing the burgeoning demand of her online presence. In fact, Unapologetically Alex had recently catapulted to internet success and made Alex an overnight sensation. While Alex’s motivational messages and seemingly picture-perfect life attract a huge following, things begin to unravel when a single social media post goes viral, and Alex’s personal assistant, known as AC, suddenly goes missing.

Alex’s husband, Patrick, is a self-made financial guru with an evening spot on WXBA, a local television station in Atlanta. Impeccably dressed, Patrick knows how to turn on the charm with his viewers, his family, and women. Yet, a controversial viral social media post, a missing personal assistant, and an unidentified dead body lead to more questions than answers, and the pressure is on as Patrick’s ability to maintain his steely exterior amid relentless questioning from his wife and the authorities becomes increasingly difficult.

A lack of trust, is at the heart of this riveting tale of deception and intrigue. Things are not what they seem, and people are not who they appear to be. A chilling story that predates the six years of marital bliss that Alex and Patrick have shared unfolds as tenuous circumstances are exposed. Only later do readers learn that Alex and her teenage twin daughters are still threatened by events that included violence, drugs, money, and murder some twenty-five years ago after a fateful chance encounter at the Starlux Motor Lodge, not far from a swamp filled with alligators.

Author Kimberly Belle is the USA TODAY and internationally bestselling author of eight novels. The Personal Assistant touches on the modern world of social media where things are not always what they seem, and people are not often who they say they are. Suspenseful and provocative, this novel is a page-turner. 

Star Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐