This was a good suspenseful thriller. I liked how it intertwined the stories of present Emily and Mari in 1974. The ending was a surprise although there were some other plot points that were a little more predictable. If you are looking for an entertaining and quick thriller, this is a good choice. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC.

The Villa by Rachel Hawkins surpassed my expectations. From the very first page I quickly realized this would be one of my favorite books of the summer. This book was a book within a book, told in dual POV from past and present with mixed media writing throughout (ex. podcasts, emails, magazine articles) I devoured this book especially Mari’s POV from the past. Her POV set in the 70’s quickly drew me into the atmospheric Villa and I became so entranced it was like I was watching a full length movie in my mind. The way Mari and Emily’s stories intertwined was genius. There were so many different avenues the ending could have gone down and while I felt slight disappointment for .5 seconds when I realized it was taking a less culty, spooky turn then I had hoped, the ending left me very satisfied. This novel would be wonderful for fans of Lucy Foley and Ruth Ware.

*Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martins Press for allowing me to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review*

Emily and Chess take a trip to Italy as an attempt to rekindle their friendship. As Emily struggles with writer’s block for her own series, she stumbles upon a book called Lillith Rising, believing the plot of the book shadows disturbing past events in the same villa they are staying in. The book unravels both present and past point of views from Emily and Mari.

While Emily’s portions of the book were enjoyable to read, I did not really care for Mari’s parts of the book, which were a significant portion. The plot twists were nothing to call home about and the ending could have been executed better

The back and forth between past and present made this book more interesting. I found myself loving the past more at some parts in the book then towards the end I liked the present. The story was interesting but it being only connected by the villa they were staying in was like reading two different stories in one. Yes, there are some connections (I won’t say what for fear of spoiling) but this book was just so different from the other books by this author.

I kind of hated this book. It was boring and jumped around, and it just wasn’t a compelling narrative to me.

There is SO much happening in this book. Best friends that are living in totally different worlds but come together to vacation. Flash backs to another story at the same locale.

It felt creepy and atmospheric, two things Hawkins does really well. The story was complex, maybe even too much so at times.

In the end I just didn’t really buy it. I enjoyed the ride, and that’s the great thing about thrillers. They keep you guessing and I think they’re still worthwhile even if they don’t work for you by the end.

Rachel Hawkins surely knows how to weave a spell and has done so with her upcoming novel set to release in Jan 2023. This novel is a wicked gothic suspense set at an Italian villa whose dark history spills from past to present.

I was captivated by the parallel stories of both sets of female main characters whose lives uniquely mirror each other's despite the time difference. The story is less about the sex, drugs and rock n roll but about the power of family, friendships and the complicated relationships between the women and the supporting male characters.

I was won over by the alternating time frames and the mystery that neatly unfolded. I love a story within a story and the culminating moral upheaval. I was brought to the brink and then relieved by the displayed compassion in the end.

Would I recommend? That's a definite yes!

Houses Remember
This story jumps from the past to the present in a villa in Italy. It asks tge question if you release yourself from one burden is it replaced with another. Becareful who you make deals with as the Devil is always listening.

I loved the main character Mari (1974) and Em (present day). Each woman have to dig deep within themselves to break free.

It's a story of love, loss, and twisted truths

Told in alternating storylines from the past and present. The story follows two best friends, Emily and Chess taking a summer long vacation in a rental house in Italy known for a gruesome past. Emily is trying to sort out her life while writing her next book, when she discovers secrets about the rental house and her own life.

I’ll admit, I was a bit hesitant to read this book given previous experience with one of Rachel Hawkins books I’ve read. I am floating between 3-4 stars for this book only because I liked the story, but some of the characters were boring and there were times where it was a little too slow burning for me. It didn’t get really interesting for me until almost 65-75% way through.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press for the ARC.

Was thrilled to receive an advanced copy of The Villa - Rachel Hawkins is one of my favorite thriller/mystery authors and I could not wait to dive into her newest book. While I wouldn't categorize this as a thriller, it was a fantastic suspense novel that I'll give 4.5/5!

The book focuses on two best friends (who are incredibly different and at very different places in their lives) who decide to spend a summer at a picturesque villa in Italy. The villa is also the location of a well publicized murder in the 1970s, so the story alternates between the two current best friends (Emily and Chess) and the 1970s murder that happened at the villa via Mari. The 1970s murder had a good amount of sex, drugs rock and roll/Fleetwood Mac sized drama, keeping you on your toes. The story is really intriguing, and the past and present timelines weave together so perfectly. The ending was just perfect, and it ended up capturing so many insights about relationships, friendship, fame, and secrets. Rachel Hawkins doesn't miss the mark for me- this one absolutely lived up to the hype!

Thank you St Martin's Press for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for the ARC of the Villa!

I give this one a solid 4 stars. Fans of the author will enjoy this latest thriller. What I enjoyed: I enjoyed the dual timeline and of course, the setting of Italy. Like others, I found the characters to be a bit under developed, but I did enjoy the character of Mari. The Villa was a little light on the “thriller” component and I could have used a bit more atmosphere and creepiness. But overall, I really enjoyed it and read it in one sitting!

This book wasn’t jaw dropping or mind blowing but it was entertaining. I’ve read reckless girls and the wife upstairs and this one fell right in the middle of those. Better than reckless girls by far but not as good as the wife upstairs. The twists in this were okay but semi predictable. I loved the story within the story and thought that was done well. The characters were well written and overall the writing kept me interested and wanting to keep going. Definitely a book worth picking up and reading!

I was given an Arc copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I have read Rachel Hawkins before and wasn’t the biggest fan but this book changed by mind!

I can honestly say I didn’t see the twists coming in the end and was pleasantly surprised.

This book follows two best friends as they vacation in Italy for the summer in a murder house. And it switches back and forth to the past where two sisters and some musicians vacationed in the same house.

I love how they switched back and forth from Mari’s point of view in the past to Em’s point of view in the present.

I did think the chapters were too long and that was probably the only negative I could see.

4/5 stars and will be buying a physical copy for my shelf!

I liked this book. It reminded me of my best friend and I, we have been to Italy and have known each other forever, but that's where it stops-lol.
I'm a fan of her writing, it was an easy read. I'd recommend this to lots of people.

This book in 3 words. Twisty. Unreliable. Juicy.

Emily heads to The Villa, a beautiful home in Italy (also the setting of a murder in the 70s), with her best friend Chess. Chess is an extremely successful self-help author while Emily is writes cozy mysteries, going through a messy divorce, and trying to stay afloat.

The story is all encompassing and an easy read. A creepy plot, atmospheric setting, complex female friendships, and dual timeline that hits the right notes. I view this one more as a mystery with some dramatics… not necessarily a thriller, but still enjoyable.

Throughout the book, we get pages from a story, snippets from interviews, and pieces of podcasts. I love a story with mixed medium details that WORK and push the plot.

I’ll say it - I’m into anything and everything “murder house”. I think thrillers/horror/mystery with a house, personified at times, is such a win. Also, adore books about a book, while someone is writing a book. LOL

I couldn’t STAND some of these characters. BUT they were terrible by design and were consistent.

I could definitely pick up on some Manson/Helter Skelter vibes. Rumor has it this also was derived from when Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein… LOVE THAT.

This was an enjoyable read and I recommend.

I absolutely adored this book! The flashbacks to the Villa from years ago had me on the edge of my seat. It is a wonderful story about love and women's success. I was not expecting to enjoy this as much as I did and was so sad when it ended!

Very good! Hawkins does a great job setting the scene in Greece. Everyone has a secret and you spend the book figuring them out along with who died and why. Told from multiple points of view, this plot was so quick! I was flipping the page so fast trying to figure out what was happening. Highly recommend this for an easy yet thrilling read. It reminded me of the Guest List Lucy Foley!

Thank you to netgalley and st. Martin’s press for giving me an advanced copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

I quite enjoyed this book. I loved going back and forth between the history of the villa and present day. This was another hit by Rachel Hawkins. Look for it in early 2023.

An excellent read that I would recommend to my friends. I couldn’t put it down. Five stars for this Rachel Hawkins. I will be looking for more of her books.

Thank you to Netgalley and publishers for this arc of The Villa, these are my honest opinions.

This was a slow starting book. I wouldn't call it boring, but it was just very slow to start. Around the 30% mark it started to get more interesting and the story started to pick up. However, I never got really excited by this book or story line. The story was well written, just didn't really hit the mark.

There really was no mystery to it. I did like the changing between present and past. I enjoyed Mari's story more than Emily and Chess'. Mari's ending was the biggest twist the book had, and it was that the truth was the truth all along. I did not like how Chess and Emily's story unfolded and ended. I'm not sure if it was meant to show female empowerment, and strength of friendship - but it didn't. It just was a toxic friendship based on jealousy and Emily gets forever tied to Chess.