I could not put this one down. I absolutely devoured it, reading over half in one night. I would absolutely recommend this book, though a little predictable, I did get some nice surprises and really could not put it down until I was done.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Villa! Love the premise of a story within a story. Told in the present and also in the mid 70's, early 80's, two female authors who's lives are somewhat similar, both landing themselves in a glorious Italian manor for the summer. The characters were wonderfully flawed and real and the twists were definitely not predictable. I highly recommend!

The Villa is the latest book by powerhouse author, Rachel Hawkins. Since much of my reading time has been spent catching up on a backlog of series and collections, I only recently began reading new releases again... and thanks to NetGalley, one of the first new authors on my list was this book about a woman who travels to Italy with her best friend to recharge a dreary life. Given I loved my trip to Italy, the protagonist is a cozy mystery writer (as I am), and there is an old house with secrets, it was right up my alley. The book delivered on its promises and kept my interest all day long. I would definitely recommend it to others.

Emily's recovering from a strange illness, stuck in her writing career, and divorcing a difficult husband. Chess is on top of the world, penning her next successful book and multi-media career with backing from Oprah. They've been friends on and off for years, so what could possibly go wrong on a summer-long trip to Orvieto (a beautiful place). Hawkins offers stunning settings and bold characters who know each other well. The plot, while a little light or perhaps handled a little too lightly for my taste, is memorable and layered with complexity. My only reluctance was the presence of a huge mega-reveal moment. Several shockers appeared without build-up; some were beefy and important to the plot... but the ending felt as if it were more about relationships and characters than plot. Since I'm primarily a plot guy, that could explain why I landed at 4 rather than 5 stars. But trust me, it was quite good overall and just a bit of personal taste that kept it at that rating. I'll definitely read more of the author's prior work so I'm caught up before her next release.

Of course Hawkins is a good author to look out for from her previous novels - I was ready to devour this one. This novel combines two stories in two different timelines - and it will pull you in. Definitely would recommend this one and she doesn't stray for her other novels.

Not typically a huge thriller fan, but I LOVE historical fiction, so I had to pick this up. The Villa was an INCREDIBLE read and now I need to check out Rachel Hawkins' entire back catalog. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free advanced copy.

This book was not my favorite by this author. I had a hard time connecting with the past timeline and thought those chapters drug on a bit too much. I didnt find the characters very likable. I thought the setting was done well and the details were good. The cover was gorgeous and its a good summer read.

loved this slow-burn thriller. The relationships were deliciously complex and dysfunctional. Hawkins unspools her reveals with a deft touch, packing all kinds of mini twists throughout. It was a one-sitting read.

A writer of cozy mysteries is having trouble writing. Invited by her best friend, a writer of self-help books, to Italy for the summer, she takes a vacation to try and dig up some inspiration, even knowing that the villa is famous for a terrible murder from the 70s. Once there, she ends up being drawn into the mystery of the house--and possibly solving a decades old murder.

Emily is recently separated from her husband. Said husband is awful and has somehow manipulated some of Emily’s cozy mystery money away from her. While Emily is in Orvieto, Italy, she hopes to finish another cozy mystery to add to her collection, both to satisfy her editor and her soon-to-be-ex. Orvieto turns out to inspire Emily, just not how she expects. She is inspired to write a true-crime book instead, but this has some…interesting consequences.

The writing to me was not quite as interesting as _The Wife Upstairs_ (the only Rachel Hawkins I’ve read besides this), but it was still a good mystery. It didn’t feel as tight as TWU, either, and it also seemed pretty slow. That being said, I sometimes don’t appreciate when a perspective from the novel is told from that far in the past, but it really works here.

Also, Ms. Hawkins, if you ever decide to write a full copy of _Lilith Rising_, I will definitely read it. It sounds up my alley.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

AS CAWPILE:
Characters: 5 | Atmosphere: 8 | Writing: 8 | Plot: 5 | Intrigue: 7 | Logic: 6 | Enjoyment: 7
Total: 6.57 / 3 stars

The concept of this book was really fantastic, and the way it was executed equally so. Yet, Rachel Hawkins has released another book where the ending left me feeling frustrated. Of course, I won't spoil it for any of you, but it made the entire book feel unnecessary and flat. How one manages to do this in a singular chapter is interesting, but, this is the third book from Hawkins that has left me feeling this way. I enjoyed the story greatly up until that final chapter, and I almost wish I had skipped it.
The characters are well written, and very complex. The way the two stories entwine themselves, and are fully fleshed out, takes a lot of skill. This book made me wish I could get my hands on the imaginary Lilith Rising and take a read of it myself.
I will say, though, that there were a few too many red herring's for me in this book, and I didn't love the way the relationship between our main two women went. It could have gone a darker or more interesting and unique route, and it feels like not doing so despite all the setup was a bit of a cop-out.
Despite these critiques, I did still find myself having a hard time putting this one down.

An enjoyable read by one of today's mystery leading ladies. I enjoyed the dual timelines and characters in this book, and the Italian villa serving made for a great summer read! The mystery didn't really get going until later in the story, and you pretty much figured out how everything was going to pretty out, but the are still surprises along the way. If you love mysteries, love a 70s music vibe, look no further. This one's for you!

The Villa - Rachel Hawkins
Emily feels her life is at a standstill. She has no desire to finish her book series, even though she's running behind, she's getting divorced and her ex-husband is pushing for a portion of the money she made from her books series.
When her old friend Chess suggests a getaway to Italy, she jumps at the chance, hoping to get some work done and have the chance to reconnect with Chess.
The Villa they're staying in has a history, and Emily finds herself obsessed with the murder, thinking there may be more to the story than anyone knows.
The deeper she dives into the history, the more the tensions rise between Emily and Chess while Emily tries to protect the work she has come to be proud of. The closer she gets to the truth, the more she realizes about her own life and situation. Will Emily face the wrong doings that have been done to her, possibly leaving The Villa with another story to tell?
This book was such an easy read. As much as I was intrigued by Emily and Chess's weird friendship dynamic, the villa's murder history could've been an entire book on its own. Ofcourse there is always one irritating character, and that for me was the power hungry Chess, and her ability to manipulate people into getting what she wants. Emily in the beginning came across as weak but had some of the best characters growth, realizing her own potential. This book comes out in January, and definitely needs to be added to everyone's TBR list. You won't be disappointed!
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

This is my second thriller by Rachel Hawkins and I loved it! It’s dark and complicated story that takes place in the past (1974) and the present. Though the characters are not related, the stories start to mimic each other.

Hawkins really kept me guessing the entire time, and I honestly could not figure this one out. Though the characters were unlikeable at times, I think it contributed to the storyline. Definitely a must read for all thriller/Rachel Hawkins fans!

I loved this book! It was right up my alley! It had me gripped right from the very beginning! The only small issue I had was that the ending felt confusing.

4.5 Hearts
I enjoy this story a lot. While the beginning was slow and the introduction of Mari’s story is slow as well, the two line up very well with each other. We see events happen that correlate (whether in emotion or similar actions) between the two timelines. This story really picks up towards the middle when things become more high stakes for more reason than one and leaves Emily wondering who to trust and what has really been happening to her as well as what really happened in the past with Pierce’s murder.
This is a story within a story in more ways than 1!

I was so excited to read an early copy of this book as I loved Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins! The Villa was like two stories in one, with one timeline taking place in the present with two childhood friends and another in the 70s with two sisters and a rock band. Both stories intertwining around a creepy Italian villa with a mysterious past.

I didn’t find these characters all that likeable, but I found the 70s rock band aspect reminded me a lot of Daisy Jones & The Six, which I enjoyed! I loved the Italian setting and how both storylines mirrored each other and came together in the end, but overall I was expecting something a bit more dark and suspenseful!

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is my second book I have read by Rachel Hawkins; the first being Reckless Girls, which I wasn’t the biggest fan, but after reading The description I decided to give this a try. Written in dual pov, dual timelines. This book explores the mystery of what happened during a mysterious rock-roll murder that happened during the 70s at an Italian villa, and two life long friends trying to reconnect while writing their novels in that same Italian villa. I thought that the sex, drugs and rock and roll of Maris timeline was more interesting than Emily’s. Truthfully I think I might have enjoyed reading Maris book, Litlith Rising more. I felt that the Emily plot had a out of potential, it had a great buildup but fell flat in the end. I give this book 3.5/5. Thanks NetGalley for giving me an opportunity for reading this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A mystery/thriller set in a villa in Italy that flips back and forth in time providing the reader with two separate stories that convene in the end but is sometimes hard to follow along.
   Emily and Chess: two college besties, now older and successful, come to this villa to rekindle their friendship and find inspiration for their next book projects.
   But this villa was the site of a murder forty years ago and is haunted by old rumors and stories that Emily starts researching the who and why were involved.
   Along the way the friendship that was supposed to reconnect these woman isn’t happening and tensions rise between the two……..much like what happened years ago in this “murder house”.
   The drama that unfolds slowly keeps your attention till the end.

While I feel like I liked this book, I am feeling conflicted about the ending. The ending made me drop a star because I did not care for it. I did not hate it, but it left me wanting more. I had enjoyed the dual timelines and even wished to have been able to read the infamous book and listen to Lara's album. I would still recommend to read it because I liked Mari's timeline. I just wish that Chess hadn't gotten away with so much.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Villa is my first book by Rachel Hawkins. Of course I have heard about her, but didn’t have the chance yet to read one of her other novels
“Houses remember”, I loved that line and theme from the start. I do believe myself that a house observes the essence of its owners. Why else are some houses just so creepy?

''As kids, Emily and Chess were inseparable. But by their 30s, their bond has been strained by the demands of their adult lives. So when Chess suggests a girls trip to Italy, Emily jumps at the chance to reconnect with her best friend.

I wanted to like this story a lot more, but I found it was dragging onnn. I forced myself to finish it, but 70% of the plot was not necessary. There wasn’t much development in characters, nothing that stuck out to excite me and I felt like I was left high and dry and wanting a lot more.

I received an Arc from Netgally for my honest review.

“That summer, the last good season of her life, was such a glorious one, full of blue skies and lemon yellow sun, and there was no sign of all the horror to come.”

That line- yes!! Once I read that, I just knew this would be a good one. I will admit, this book started off a little slow. I didn’t love one of the characters and it made me wonder if I would like the book. But I kept reading on and then the pace picked up and I could not set it down!! The setting was perfect- a murder house in Italy!

My first thoughts of Chess was that I was not going to like this character. She seemed fake and over the top. I do not think she’s a good friend and I’m disappointed with how she basically got a hall pass for doing what she did.

I enjoyed the premise of the book- A murder in the 70s and then present day two best friends vacationing at the same house to get some writing done. Little did they know, the historic events would pull them in and offer a lot of inspiration.