I receive an ARC of this book from Bookouture via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Unfortunately, I was not really a fan. I think this is mainly because the book was advertised as suspense/ thriller, which it very much was not. This was a family drama - no thriller about it. There were many hints to a secret which was rather shocking, to be fair. The characterization was well-developed, though at the beginning I was a bit confused about which daughter, partner, and children were which. The location was also very well described - I was able to perfectly picture the south of France, the villa, the shops and characters speaking broken French/ accented English. I think the author did a great job capturing everyone's feelings about all the secrets. Despite the elements I enjoyed, overall, the book really dragged for me. It took me around 2 weeks to finish which is very long for me.

Firstly this isn’t the book I’d thought it would be. I was expecting a mystery/thriller type scenario
Secondly this is a cracking family drama and a great read
What an awful set of people! Complex family relationships that go back generations

A family drama or saga, this story is intriguing with plenty of twists and turns. Like other reviewers, I had expected more of a psychological thriller, but I love family dramas and chaos just as much, so I loved this book. Plenty of big issues addressed, and a great holiday setting. Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, this book packs a punch of emotions that left my head reeling.

When Nora treats her daughters and grandchildren to a summer holiday to remember – a fortnight in a luxury villa in the south of France, none of them realise her reasons for doing so, or how her secret is going to change them and their relationships forever. This is a difficult book to review because I really don’t want to give anything away – it is one of those reads where it’s best you fall headfirst into the shocks and emotions as the story unfolds.

This extended family with their complex relationships gives us lots of lovely characters to get to know, all very different and all with their own issues and secrets. While Libby is dreamy, her older sister Emma is organised and controlling, and their partners Conner and Patrick are also equally different. The drama that is about to unfold will test both their relationships and sisterly bond, and not everything will survive. Nora thinks she is in control of the situation, but as always in life, we can never fully imagine how those around us are going to react, no matter how prepared we are in our heads.

I would describe them as a perfectly flawed family, and it was the intrigue around how and when things would come to a head that kept me turning the pages. Unusually, despite their secrets, lies and differences, I warmed to them all, flaws and all and found myself worrying about them, even those whose actions were meant to shock.

This book does deal with some sensitive emotional issues where decisions that are made, are those that some people won’t agree with. I surprised myself by not being as shocked as I imagined, probably because of the skilful way that Clare Boyd introduces the topics and lets them play out in the book. I found this gave me more of an understanding of their point of view, rather than just an initial shock reaction.

It might not be an uplifting summer holiday read, but it was one that I enjoyed and gave me lots to think about. If there was one thing that stuck in my mind at the end it was bravery, and although I can’t say too much more, I think all three of the women proved their bravery at some point during the book.

2.5 stars. Sorry to say I really struggled with this book. I found it boring and I didn’t really like any of the characters. It didn’t really keep my attention

A slow burn of a thriller which looks at motherhood and family relationships. It starts slow but does build but by the time they get to the villa, the family are already at loggerheads. I don't have siblings so don't know but some of what they do in this book is a bit weird! Guess that's a dysfunctional family for you.

There are plenty of secrets in this family and it's quite good to sit back and seeing what is to come out in the dirty washing.

I was super intrigued by the cover and the synopsis, but I don’t think it’s fair to list it as a mystery/thriller - it’s a family drama through and through. Not what I was expecting and not a genre I typically go for, but it still hit middle of the road in my rating system.

I disliked Nora. Super narcissistic. Although she does love her two adult daughters, she time and time again puts her selfish wants and needs above all else. She’s one of those people who wants pity and attention but pretends she doesn’t. Anyone have a mother-in-law like that? Asking for a friend.

Not my favourite book of the year, but far from the worst!

A terrific thriller taking place in the most gorgeous surrounding and depicting the secrets of a mother trying to protect her daughters from some very uncomfortable truths.

Thanks to NetGalley, Clare Boyd and Bookouture for the ARC of The Villa.

Like many other reviewers, I feel that this book wasn't quite pitched correctly. From the synopsis I was expecting a psychological thriller - a dark thrilling secret risking tearing a family apart when in reality I would describe this as a family drama - more focused on relationships than the thriller genre I was expecting.

I kept thinking a big reveal and dark sinister secret would come... but it didn't With some challenging and potentially triggering subjects covered, overall, I disappointingly just found it a bit depressing.

If you go in expecting a family drama you may enjoy it far more than I did, but if you're after a gripping thriller, I'd choose a different title from the shelf (sorry).

Lucy

When Nora invites her daughters and their families on a luxurious vacation in France, she plans on revealing one of her biggest secrets--but it won't be the only secret that comes to light on this trip.

This was a bit of a mixed read for me. I found it slow to start and I kept waiting for the intensity to increase. Once I realized it was a family drama and not a thriller (something about the marketing made me think it would be the latter, but I was definitely wrong), I was able to lean into the story more. I found the characters vivid and complex, from little Eliot who tries to act like an adult to skulking Connor, a flaky wannabe writer whose presence sets nearly everyone on edge.

Ultimately, though, I felt like the use of dialogue bogged things down, with many chapters being long conversations in which the characters circled around the same topics over and over, and the secrets were dragged out for so long that the pacing lacked tension. I was looking for more closure at the end and found the epilogue somewhat unsatisfying.

This book does deal with dark themes, so readers may want to keep that in mind when going in. Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for providing this copy in exchange for my honest review.

Excellent unputdownable read.
I found The Villa completely different to the beach read I expected, the characters are all complex and multi faceted, there is much to like and dislike in each one of them.
The subject matter can be difficult to read at times and the storyline is quite stark and at times quite harrowing, I found the ending very good though.
A very absorbing read

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of The Villa.

I'm honestly not sure I was in the right frame of mind for this book. It sounded really appealing, but lacked some of the psychological twists I was anticipating. There was definitely a fair share of family drama, but a lot of reading about day to day activities that I found mundane to read about. It was much different than what I was expecting, so take my rating with a grain of salt knowing that it isn't my usual read.

This is the third Clare Boyd book I've read and the second that has disappointed. Marketed as a thriller, THE VILLA is anything but. It's more like a family drama as most reviewers like me have found out. We are lead to believe we are getting a psychological thriller with some massive secret that will destroy lives and keep us on the edge of our seats, but what we actually get is a family that does nothing but squabble and lie to each other.

Honestly, at 30% in with no real sense of what the big secret is because what Nora revealed on their first night in the villa was hardly going to be the massive secret we have been lead to believe we're getting. By that point, I didn't care what the secret was...I just wanted to escape the toxicity of the villa because honestly...none of them could be honest with each other if their lives depended on it.

I really struggled with this book, not because of the emotional tale buried somewhere in there, but because it was so slow and uneventful. I kept waiting for the promised edge of your seat thrills with this huge secret that had the potential to tear them all apart. In the end, I skimmed through to the end to find out what it was. I got a vague idea but I don't think it was worth me investing any more time than I already had.

Sorry but this one failed. I can do some family dramas, but I was expecting a thriller and it sadly disappointed. I like dark and twisty but this wasn't it. And addictive it certainly wasn't. I didn't like any of the characters and the story itself was so slow and boring that I couldn't care less what happened to any of them.

I know others have enjoyed this book but for me it was hugely disappointing and not for me. Life's too short for books we don't enjoy...

I would like to thank #ClareBoyd, #Netgalley, #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheVilla in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

Every family has a secret. This one has a secret which can destroy it all.

I though it will be some kind of thriller. Quick actions, danger, misunderstanding which leads to escalations. But this one was the opposite. I was focused on the emotions, on the relations and the history which affects us even years after.

There are secrets. There are difficult situations, decisions and information hard to cope with. There is a a great loss, but also an understand and time to just sit, talk and being together as a family.

Please, bear in mind that there are few serious trigger warnings like sexual abuse, euthanasia, sickness of the kin.

For me, it is more like 3/5. Not bad, not excellent as I hope for.

I really wanted to like this book. The cover is beautiful and the blurb was so inviting. This is a book with a family drama and a secret. I didn’t find the characters likable or the secret particularly interest worthy.
I would like to try another book by this author because I did enjoy her writing style.
I would like to thank Bookouture and Netgalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. #BookOuture #NetGalley

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'The Villa' by Clare Boyd.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Clare Boyd, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture Anonymous.

Publication date 17th March 2022.

This is the second book I have read by this author. I have also read 'The Pretty One' which I would definitely recommend.

I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis. I am a huge fan of Clare and if this is half as good as 'The Pretty One' was it is bound to be a page turner. The synopsis also stated that 'Anyone who adores Liane Moriarty, Jodi Picoult and Kerry Fisher will stay up all night reading'. I am a huge fan of both Jodi and Kerry so am looking forward to see if this lives up to that statement! I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).

This novel consists of a prologue, 38 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

'The Villa' discusses some topics that may trigger some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Clare discusses/includes a terminal illness.

This book is based in France 🇫🇷.

This book is written in third person perspective with the main protagonists being Nora, Libby and Emma. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.

This book is very well written with the power to completely draw you in. The vivid descriptions leave you feeling the sun on your skin, the sea on your feet and leave you longind for more. The synopsis fitted the storyline perfectly.

Pack your bags ready to go on holiday to a stunning villa in France and not return until you reach the very last page!!

Well done Clare on yet another addictive page turner!!!

The storyline is extremely powerful, addictive and eye opening. It was very fast paced and many times I wanted to scream at both Nora and Conner. I couldn't read the book fast enough and was flipping the 'pages' until early in the morning. I was not expecting the explosive secret and was absolutely shocked and disgusted!! I won't say any more than that as don't want to spoil it for future readers but I was absolutely shocked!! It is getting harder and harder to shock me so a huge congratulations Clare!! Clare uses French vocabulary throughout which meant I had to use Google to translate a few parts but I love that she has done this as it makes it more authentic. The atmosphere and villa was absolutely stunning and I was gutted when I came to the end and realised I had to unpack my bags as I had genuinely set off to the stunning villa in France. This book is a rollercoaster ride of emotions from sadness to joy, devastation to shock. It is filled with suspense, family, love, loss, secrets, mystery, deceit and everything you could want in a psychological thriller.

Do not pick this up until you have cleared your schedules as you will not be able to put it down!!

The characters are absolutely solid, realistic and compelling. I had such mixed feelings about Nora from frustration and anger to concern and some empathy. My feelings for her were extremely mixed but sadly by the end I did find her to be quite selfish and definitely narcissistic. I won't say anymore as not to spoil it for future readers. I liked both Emma and Libby for different reasons. Emma seemed to be very head strong whereas Libby seemed to wear her heart on her sleeve and I could see myself in both of them. My heart really went out to Libby who was deeply betrayed as were Amber, Hazel and Eliot. I could not stand Connor immediately and that feeling remained the same, in fact it increased throughout the book. I absolutely adored Patrick who was such a loving genuine person and I also felt sorry for him when I found out a certain something. It can be hard to portray your feelings for characters without giving too much away and spoiling it for future readers but I have done my best. Each of the characters had very different personalities which worked perfectly for the storyline.

Congratulations Clare on another fantastic page turner and here's to your next success 🥂

Overall an unputdownable, rollercoaster of emotions that will keep you turning the pages until the end

Genres covered in this novel include Psychological Thriller, Suspense, Mystery, Family Drama and Psychological Fiction amongst others.

I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Jodi Picoult, Kerry Fisher and anyone looking for a page turner with a bombshell surprise!!

348 pages.

This book is just 99p to purchase on kindle via Amazon (at time of review) which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

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A family drama full of past secrets, misplaced love and family dynamics!
Nora, mother to two grown up daughters had planned an extravagant villa holiday to France for her daughters and their families, she had an ulterior motive for the holiday and was planning on discussing her terminal illness and how she was planning on dealing with it, however things don’t go to plan and other secrets are revealed causing much angst and emotional distress!
The daughters Emma and Libby are both very different and have had a rather unique upbringing that had moulded them into the women they are today, during the holiday as things are revealed they finally have more insight into their mothers character and why she plans to manage her illness and demise in the way she has chosen even though it impacts upon them and the much loved grandchildren.
Although heartbreakingly sad at times it was refreshing to see illness and death portrayed in a different manner and the person involved taking ownership of their own destiny even if we personally don’t agree with it or the ramifications it causes for those left behind.
Thank you netgalley for this early read.

The Villa by Clare Boyd

Published: March 17, 2022
Bookouture
Pages: 348
Genre:
KKECReads Rating: Psychological Fiction
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.

Clare Boyd lives with her husband and their two daughters in Surrey, where her little green shed at the bottom of the garden provides a haven for her writing life. Before becoming a writer, she enjoyed a career in television, as a researcher in documentaries, and then as a script editor in drama at the BBC and Channel Four, where her love of storytelling took hold.

“You only live once.”

Libby and Emma have always known their mother wasn’t like other mothers. She was eccentric, loving on her own terms, and unabashedly lived for herself. When their mother drops a surprise family vacation in their laps, they immediately know it is something more than just a dream holiday. It’s about confessing truths.

There was a genuine, raw element to this novel. The familial bond was genuine, with all the rifts and bumps exposed.

The characters were all so different. And it was interesting getting to know them. Nora loved her life for herself. As her daughters got older and had families of their own, she made space for those changes. But ultimately, Nora lived for Nora.

Emma has spent her life being responsible. She looked after her sister and, even as a child, understood that their mother wasn’t going to be the emotional safe space they needed.

Libby was so eager to have a connection and relationship with their mother that she would often forgive Nora for her shortcomings.

The pacing of this novel was slow, but each word was packed with feelings and emotion. This slow-burn revealed the truth, harbored wants, and released the past.

It’s not just another family vacation, at least to Nora. No, she pulls her family together and they spend two weeks in a gorgeous setting. While this family vacation might be a time to pull everybody together, instead it tears them all apart.

Nora has something to tell her two daughters and she knows that once she tells them her secret that she has been hiding that it is only the beginning of the end. Emma and Libby love their mother and these two weeks and plan on spending together should be idyllic. Instead, it proves to be nothing like they had imagined. Instead, they hear news that totally destroys them and other news that Nora has in mind is even more devastating.

Meanwhile, there are some deeper and broken facets within their family structure that could really destroy them. This devastating story takes more than one turn, showing that life can truly be a game of delicate balances. Will Nora, Emma and Libby be able to navigate these difficult waters and come out of this even stronger than they were before?

They were parts of this book that were difficult to read and assimilate. As a reader who has the tendency to try to fit into a book, I could not imagine being in the place of any of these women. With sadness and regret I continued on hoping to find that they would all come to peace with the secrets, lies and decisions each of them had to face. With a lovely setting, interesting points of view and intense family drama, The Villa proved to be a captivating read.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion

Clare Boyd is becoming my new favourite author.

The cover didn't give much away to eat the book would be about which always peaks my interest.

It is a story with dual point of views from the mother and the two daughters.

It's classed as a thriller but it has quite a bit of romance in it too which was a surprise.

Recommended