This novel was interesting but I really hated some of the characters. I think that may have been the point but it’s a struggle to care about a murder when the victim is given almost 0 redeeming qualities. Also I’m all for women supporting women but there is a specific point in the story where I completely lost my suspension of disbelief because of the immediate forgiveness of said woman. While we’ll written and engaging, I guessed most of the reveals well before the actual reveal with one exception. I definitely wouldn’t discourage anyone from reading but it’s definitely not what I hoped it would be.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for my digital ARC.

Another amazing cannot put down read by the superbly talented Ms. Hawkins! I normally do not like multiple narrators nor dual timelines but for the Villa it worked and I loved it. As I read a ton of thriller and suspense novels I thought I had this book all figured out, but I didn't and that twist! While the both the protagonists Mari and Emily were not women I necessarily admired I did understand them and why they were who they were and what motivated their decisions. Run, don't walk and grab the Villa as fast as you can. Thank you so much to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for an advanced copy of the Villa. The Villa has become one of my favorite reads this year and I hope everyone has an opportunity to read the Villa by the wonderful Ms. Hawkins .

Thanks to NetGalley and saint martins press for this advance reader copy in exchange for a review. All options here are my own.
This is a book of friendship, adventure, secrets and betrayal. It’s classic Rachel Hawkins and won’t disappoint her readers!
Things I liked: I love dual timeline. Best friends Chess and Emily head out on an adventure to The Villa in Italy where you know something is going to happen. Houses remember, right? Mari and Lara have been there long ago and was inspiration for their hugely popular respective works. How much of their story is in their music/book?
The book is fast enough pace and is easy to follow, so you can read it easily in a sitting or two. The characters are well developed that you can imagine them easily and not confuse them. I spent much of the book waiting for the twist and the book held me to the end.
Things I didn’t care for, and stop reading if you don’t want to know. I found this to be the most predictable of Hawkins book, and it was not as thrilling of a thriller that I would classify as a thriller. There are twists, and I especially liked the wrap up in the last chapter, but I would consider this a book to give my patrons who want a light fast read over a trippy creepy thriller. But that’s Hawkins.
Over all, I enjoyed the book a lot. I would put it on the staff picks shelf, but Hawkins has others I would pull out as a favorite.
3.25 stars.

I was intrigued by the concept of this book - two Americans get to stay in a gorgeous Italian villa that just happens to also be a murder house? And by a novelist I've loved in the past? Sign me up!

However, I found the book's dual timelines a little convoluted, possibly because of the way they ran together in my ARC copy. It was also hard to place the story of Mari and Lara in the 70's because the vibe was totally gothic and old fashioned. If it wasn't for the drug use, I would have placed it much further back in time. It also didn't seem like the characterization was well developed for the men in the house (Pierce, Noel and Johnnie).

I did like the modern story - two women who were childhood friends take off on a whim to the villa in hopes of finding inspiration for their respective novels. There was so much that didn't make sense though. It takes forever for us to find out what was making Emily sick, and it's such a letdown when we do. Then, even though she knows she shouldn't, Emily winds up sharing her story with Chess. And then the ending gets even more confusing when we are left to our own devices to figure out what happened to Emily's husband. And then we flip back to Mari's story where we find an alternative ending to her famous book, Lilith Rising.

There were parts of this book that were realistic. The way that Hawkins included snippets from Mari's novel and from Lara's anthem Aestas had me running to my favorite search engine to see if these were actual books and songs! Well played, Ms. Hawkins!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advance reader's copy.

WOW. Just wow. I am actually blown away by this one. If I could give it more than five stars I totally would - seriously, all the effing stars for this one. When I say I devoured this book, I mean I read this like I was starving for it.

This is a story about loss, betrayal, family, friendship, and twisted, toxic love. There is tension and a sense of foreboding throughout. It’s all set against the backdrop of an immaculate Italian villa, its picturesque atmosphere the perfect contrast to the horrors that take place.

There is so much to unpack in this story, so many layers within the plot. This meta-experience is a bit of a trippy mind-fuck at times. It’s stunningly detailed and the tone is so authentic that at times I found myself asking whether it was real or not. And that’s how I know I'm truly invested in a story, when it makes me start to question reality.

The story takes place in two different time periods, as well as excerpts from a book that one of the characters wrote. It’s like a story within a story within a story and so on, and it all culminates into an explosive finale that you truly will never see coming.

I enjoyed the simultaneous plots unfolding and seeing the parallels between the two. Kudos to the author for keeping it all together, as I can only imagine the amount of work that must have gone into plotting all of the layers. And the way that they slowly unpeel to reveal the core of things is perfection, absolute perfection.

We get an in-depth look at the characters feelings and motivations. The relationships are complex and dimensional, and the dynamics of friendships are tested. It's a unique look at how trials can be overcome and differences can be accepted in one another as a way to bring people closer together. There’s a tenuous open relationship between two characters that only adds to the drama and the strange dynamics between two sisters.

We also get a unique peek behind the curtain of the life of a professional author and what the publishing industry can be like. I really enjoyed that it showed the “dark side” and that it is not always as glamorous as it may seem from the outside. The lifestyle and career of a writer isn’t always as picturesque as we sometimes perceive it to be. I like to see the open frankness that shows the gritty bits of reality.

I can’t say enough good things about this story. It’s a book you will want to read again and again, and you’ll find something new you didn’t see the first time through. It’s rare for me to be obsessed with a story, and even rarer for a book to captivate me so much that I would read it again. This one will definitely have a special place on my shelves (#preordered).

I was only recently introduced to this author when I read The Wife Upstairs last month, and I surprised myself with how much I actually liked it. (I am typically a fantasy reader but decided to branch out of my comfort zone and try new genres.) So I’m now currently reading Reckless Girls too. But The Villa is probably my favorite book by this author yet. I am officially part of the Rachel Hawkins fan club and will read anything she writes. I can’t wait for everyone to read this masterpiece and enjoy it as much as I did.

I really loved Reckless Girls from Rachel Hawkins so was super psyched to read this book. Hawkins is gifted in setting a scene where dread fills the environment as you wait for events to turn. Hawkins builds the relationship between Emily and Chess so that we side with Emily and quite possibly detest Chess - this leads to an ending that genuinely surprised me in role reversal. However, one issue I do have with Hawkins is that she is happy to conveniently dismiss facts and past points in pursuit of a shocking twist - such is the case with Emily's illness, which very clearly seemed to point towards poisoning by either her ex or by Chess. To have it be simply stress induced is eye roll inducing, as is Chess' affair with the ex to "prove" he was bad for Emily. I also wish the final chapter revealing the twist of Mari's final chapters could have been deleted. The book stands better without it, although it does pull a fun comparison to the storyline of Emily and Chess and the act they decide to commit in the finale. Overall, an enjoyable read.

Rachel Hawkins is one of my favorite. I was really excited to read this one. Emily and Chess are in love and strained by the age of 30. Enter a trip to the Villa that has a sorted past. There is writers block and a book called Lillith Rising that is found, there - was the book based on reality? Mari: In this story we learn of the first visit to the villa in Italy with her boyfriend Pierce, and her sister Lara. Lara was not one of my favorite characters in this story. In fact, I think we were supposed to feel sorry for her, but I didn’t. I didn’t have any feelings for Mari’s boyfriend Pierce either. Noel was a rock star who invited everyone to stay at the villa back in 1974, and I think he was the only one who had any sense in his head (even if he was a bit arrogant).We now come to present day, and two “best friends” Emily and Chess go to the villa for a six week vacation. I despised the character of Chess so much, I think that’s when the feelings for this book started to go down. This is also when the book took a turn to being about how girls should stick together no matter how bad they screw each other over. Sorry- but I don’t play like that! If you are an evil, conniving, manipulator, then stay away from me!

The Villa by Rachel Hawkins
“Houses Remember.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Let me begin by saying that I have JUST finished this book, and am fresh off the emotional rollercoaster that was The Villa…

“The Villa” by Rachel Hawkins follows Emily and Chess, two best friends that decide to go on a girls trip to a Villa in Italy that is notorious for a previous murder that occurred in the 70s.

This book begins as a very slow burn, but slowly turns into a heart racing emotional thriller. It is a 2 point perspective focusing on past and present events, and in the beginning, I honestly had a really hard time getting interested in the present day POV, but quickly changed my tune about half way in.

I found the plot of this book incredibly creative and refreshing. It definitely gave me Riley Sager “Home Before Dark” vibes, however in my opinion, it was much more well done. The style of writing included different media perspectives throughout, which made it fun an interesting. The atmosphere was incredible, and although it started a bit slow, by the end, I was completely attached to all of the characters and the story. My personal favorites were Emily and and Mari, and I have a love hate relationship with Chess and Pierce which I’m sure will be the general consensus with most readers.

I was able to guess some of the twists early, but that didn’t even take away from the rush that I had when the big moments came. This one made me emotional which for me is so rare for a thriller. In a way, it was super relatable, and in an even darker way, it was empowering to read about these women’s strength and endurance.

I absolutely LOVED this title. I often. Found myself yelling out loud, smiling, grimacing, and making all the kinds of faces people make when they’re really invested in a story!

Thanks to Netgally and St. Martin’s Press for the galley of this incredible book.
This titles current publish date is January 3, 2023.

Another Rachel Hawkins book that was incredibly easy to devour! I love that her books are so easy to binge - I read this one in about two days. This book was like if you took Daisy Jones and the Six, added a dose of murder, then sprinkled in a modern timeline on top. Which makes for a very compelling story!

This book is told in dual timelines where one consists of a group of musicians and artists who spend time in an Italian villa one summer in 1974, where their time is described by outsiders as filled with “sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll”, but it ends with a gruesome murder. Then the present timeline has similarities where we see two best friends (or frenemies…?) Emily and Chess, who share the exact same villa to get some writing done on their books. But is the present destined to repeat the past? Is this house filled with bad memories that it won’t let go of?

This book was very binge-worthy, but my main complaint is I wish it had gone darker! The ending started down one path and I wish it had continued that way. But I loved the parallels between both timelines, plus the book excerpts and a podcast clip. I wanted more of the podcasts segments revealing more info about the murder - that was great, and I imagine would be even better in the audiobook!

I think my favorite Rachel Hawkins book is still Reckless Girls, but this is a close second!

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's press for the advanced copy!

The pace of this thriller starts a bit slow, but the setting in Italy is so pleasant that I didn't really mind. By the half way point the pace picks up and I was not able to put this story down. Characters in two timelines are using the gorgeous setting of The Villa to inform their artistic works.

This reminded me a bit of Daisy Jones and the Six... with murder intertwined.

A villa, a summer in Italy, need I go on? The Villa goes back and forth between now, with two friends that need a get away, and the 1970’s, when a group of young friends, get invited by a popular musician.This is a book that you can’t put down, and you don’t want it to end. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy.

This book reminded me a bit of Jane Green's Sister Stardust,

When Chess asks her former best friend Emily to join her at an Italian villa for the summer the hope is that they can find their way back to the strong friendship they had as children, and each work on their respective books. The villa is stunning, it's Italy after all! but holds dark secrets. A murder happened here in the '70's involving a world famous rock star. Chess finds a book that helps unlock the secrets of that murder, and the two work to find out what really happened all those years ago. I must admit I preferred Sister Stardust better, but this book was enjoyable. Recommended for all public libraries.

The Villa is a dual timeline story of present-day Chess and Em's and past Mari's story. I like the concept of the murder house and the story that draws everyone together. There was a little mystery and some great character development. Overall this was a quick, good read and I enjoyed it from start to finish.

The Villa- Another great book from Rachel Hawkins! I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this book when I started but once I was a few chapters in it really got my attention! The story being told from ‘Em and Chess tying into the past with Mari & Lara really worked well in this story and it all came together easily. Loved the ending……… Thank you to Rachel Hawkins, St Martins Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. Highly recommend this book.

As soon as I saw the cover for "The Villa" and realized Rachel Hawkins had a new book coming out, I knew I had to read it as soon as possible. I was so excited to see I was approved for an arc! I was pretty much hooked from the start, and even though I had a bunch of other things going on that day, I felt compelled to keep going and finished it within the day (rare for me).

Best friends Chess and Emily are both published writers--Chess is famous for her self-help books, while Emily is in the middle of writing a series of cozy mysteries. However, as Chess becomes increasingly popular and rich, Emily suffers from a bout of writer's block--at least in part caused by the fact that her MMC is more-than-loosely based on Emily's husband, who recently left her. Despite the resentment and jealousy Emily harbors toward her friend's success, she can't help but agree when Chess offers an opportunity to spend the summer together, writing and relaxing at a secluded Italian villa.

I enjoyed how this book featured multiple stories within stories--all the layers really enhanced the mystery aspect and kept me engaged the entire time. I loved reading the parts about Chess and Emily as well as the parts about the group of artists/musicians who stayed in the villa one summer in the 70s (some of whom suffered a tragic ending), The theme of female empowerment present throughout the book, and the reversal of the tradition of women as muses and men as artists, was also intriguing.

I highly recommend this to anyone who is a fan of Rachel Hawkins's books and thrillers in general! It is incredibly twisty and I definitely could not have predicted the ending!

Thanks so much to Rachel Hawkins, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for this Advanced Reader Copy!

Present day: best friends Chess and Em go on a vacation to Italy staying at a notorious villa. Chess is an unfortunately named (I digress) self-help author and Em writes cozy mysteries. Em’s been in a bit of a writing slump during her contentious divorce from Matt.

Past: a group of rockers and hangers-on flock to the Italian villa for music, sex and writing. One of them won’t be coming home…a permanent Ciao.

This is a dual timeline book that really does need to be discussed. There’s a lot of subtle themes here.

The notorious nature of the villa sparks Em’s writing and uncovers some hard truth about the villa’s colorful past.

The Villa is slower to get going but compelling the whole way through. Do houses remember or do they deceive?

3.5 stars.

I loved Rachel Hawkins young adult books so i was really excited to read one of her adult novels and sadly i just didn't like it.
This book confused the crap out of me don't get me wrong i love when a story has a back and forth timelines when its done in a way that its easy to read without getting confused, but this book was just all over the place.

I didn't really feel for any of the characters except for Pierce's "Wife and child" read the book and might or might not know what i mean.

I might give Rachel Hawkins other adult novels a try but i din't know.

Thank you to Rachel Hawkins, Netgalley, and the publishers for an ARC of "The Villa" in exchange for an honest review.

Emily and Chess are both authors and childhood best friends who take a spontaneous trip to stay at Villa Aestas in Italy. Both intend to use the time to dive into writing their latest books in a location that was home to a famous murder. In 1974, famous rockstar, Noel Gordon, invites new friends Lara, Mari, and Pierce to stay in this summer Villa. While the summer sparked the artists' creativity, it also ended in a brutal murder with the death of Pierce. Emily dives into the history of the 1974 events and believes she has cracked the case (if it were that easy)...

I thoroughly enjoy Rachel Hawkins' thrillers, and this was no exception. She has an easy-to-read writing style that make for quick yet capturing reads. This was partly inspired by Fleetwood Mac as well, so that idea pulled me in too. I was hoping the Villa itself would display more spooky characteristics, but the house itself was no more than a symbol of creativity and the past. I appreciated the thoughtful lines such as "Houses remember" and "She's inevitable". There were a lot of holes found in the plot that she also shores up at the end.

If you like music, thrills, drama, and the 70s Era, this one is for you!

This is a suspense story that will keep you wondering what the twist is. I knew there would be one, but which one of the several possibilities that I kept generating in my mind kept me guessing. In the end it wasn't any of the possibilities I had thought of. The dual timeline is easy to follow and the Gothic feel teeters on the haunted. I enjoyed the characters, both past and present, but I feel like Chess...ahhh no spoilers. You'll just have to read it for yourself. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.

The characters of Emily and Chess with their years friendship and divergent writing careers hooked me immediately. I loved the murder house premise and the secondary storyline from the 70s, especially all the creative types that make up the cast of characters. I was left wanting a little more toward the end. A little more suspense, a little more darkness, a little more twistiness.