“Houses Remember.” That statement can’t be true or can it. Rachel Hawkins upcoming gothic suspense novel, The Villa, puts that phrase to the test.
Childhood BFFs, Emily and Chess, now in their thirties, are writers deciding to spend the summer at a villa in Italy. A chance to reconnect, reignite their writing and reminisce while basking in the Tuscan sun have the makings of a “perfect” summer that no one would want to miss.
People change their names for a variety of reasons, marriage, gender or for the fun of it but legacy generally dictates that homes or villas keep their original name.
Villa Aestas where Emily and Chess will spend the summer wasn’t always known by that name. In 1974, the Villa changed its name for one simple but deadly reason, Murder.
Not just any murder, but an infamous one.
A young talented musician, Pierce Sheldon, along with his girlfriend, Mari, and her stepsister, Lara, were invited by legendary rock star, Noel Gordon, to spend time at the Villa.
That tragic train wreck of a summer ends with Pierce Sheldon’s murder, Mari writing one of the greatest horror of all time and Lara composing the “ Aestas” album, second only to the likes of Tapestry by Carole King.
Emily looking for inspiration to get over her current writers block delves into the mystery surrounding Pierce’s murder. Houses remember and the Villa offers clues throughout the house as to what really happened that summer.
The Villa also reveals that there are tensions between Emily and Chess.
Was Chess’ invite genuine or is there another reason she wanted to spend the summer after all these years.
Tensions rise, tempers flare, friendships are tested and the parallels between modern day Emily and Chess eerily resemble that of Mari and Lara.
Will there be another name at the Villa.
Hawkins drew inspiration for The Villa from the real-life events including the weekend that Lord Byron, Percy and Mary Shelly spent together as well as the Manson Family murders and Fleetwood Mac.
Don’t let the bright, colorful cover fool you. The Villa is a wickedly good suspense novel with a dark twist.
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. #NetGalley #TheVilla

In a Daisy Jones & the Six meets Verity style book, Chess (a big time celebrity memoir author) and Em (a big time cozy mystery author) spend a summer in an Italian villa rekindling their friendship and working on their respective novels. The girls get wound up into the villa’s tragic past when a rock star was murdered at the villa 50 some years before.

This book was great, I somehow chose to read it while I was in Italy lying on the beach reading and the backdrop and overall vibe could not have been more perfect.

I loved Em and hated Chess and loved that the book didn’t end in a way that was satisfactory to me, I wanted to get in there and yell at everyone involved (I don’t know why I always say this, I have never and would never yell at someone in real life).

The book provided interesting commentary of friendships and relationships, and I loved that it was told through real time, diary entries, news articles and songs. It was unique and I’ll be remembering it a lot longer than most mystery/thrillers I read.

Could be great for the screen too? 👀

I was so excited to read this as I really enjoyed Reckless Girls by this author. And now I'm thrilled to say this was even better! The writing and the atmosphere really shined for me here, they were just delicious. The book was the perfect length as well, I devoured it so quickly. I'd love to own this book one day, the cover is perfect. Recommended to everyone who likes atmospheric, chilling stories.

Hawkins has been a hit or miss author for me but this was definitely a hit. I loved the dual timelines/ dual perspectives and the whole “mystery” that was the plot. Overall I really enjoyed it and highly recommend

I am usually a fan of Rachel Hawkins books but this one was a difficult read for me. It meandered and looped around in a way that detracted from what could have been a compelling story told differently. Ironically, several authors in the novel struggled with writing their books while I struggled with reading this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC.

I love so much of what Hawkins writes, and this one took a while to get ready to go for me but once it was set up and the game got going, it really went and kept on rolling. I love her writing style and was glad I got to experience this one.

I really enjoyed this thriller/suspense and finished within just a few days. That's always a good sign ;)

Summary:
Dual timelines. One in the 70s, one in present day. In the same Italian villa. There are writers, musicians, and other creatives involved. All of which are messy characters. Which is a good thing honestly. In the 70s there was a murder in the villa. The convicted killer was tried and imprisoned. Or were they? Houses remember. They remember what happens in them. The ghosts that pass through. The lies told. The love shared. The blood.

What I liked:
The setting: AN ITALIAN VILLA! Main characters are writers. The horror book involved. The unsettling things that happened (both present and past).

What I disliked:
Not really a dislike, but I did want the villa to be more creepy. Maybe that was just my imagination not pulling it's weight.

I give this 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5. This is my first read by Rachel Hawkins, so excuse me while I quickly add a few more to my TBR.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
I blog over at Smalltown Bookworm

I really liked Reckless Girls, but I feel like this kind of missed the mark for me. I enjoyed the mystery aspect, but I was longing for more thriller. Which that's on me - not the author, The tag line of "Houses Remember" is something that I found intriguing for sure, and I definitely wanted more. I enjoyed the setting. The dual storyline is one of my favorite, and always makes me want to go reread. I will recommend. I found the ending rounding out the story really well.

I am going to start off by saying that this is my favourite Rachel Hawkins book to date! It is a slow burning thriller about a past crime and I couldn’t get enough of it. I am going to be honest, when I first received the ARC and I read the description, I was a little worried it would be too dark and convoluted but I was pleasantly surprised that was not the case. This story is set in dual timelines, 1974 and present day. This book was definitely a mystery and there was a twist that I didn't see coming. It’s a story of two women in two completely different generations who are both struggling with the same issues. Both Mari and Emily are in harmful relationships and trying to find not only their way out, but they are trying to find out who they really are. One thing I really loved about the book was there were snippets of podcasts and news clippings that dug into each character's rise to fame, their personal journey and the story of the villa itself. Both Rachel and Mair had their life changing moment where they were able to break free and become who they were truly meant to be.

What a crazy story! The novel goes back and forth between the 1970s & current time period at a Villa in Italy. In the summer of 1974, a famous musician, Noel rents the Villa and invites up and coming artist Pierce who brings along his girlfriend Mari and her sister Lara. There are so many secrets, love triangle etc and it ends with someone getting killed...which leads to the current day when best friends Emily & Chess rent the same Villa for the summer and start to investigate what really happened. I couldn't put this down, the only reason I am giving it 4 stars is because it felt a bit unrealistic what happens with Emily/Chess and Emily's ex. Besides that, I highly recommend- you will love it!

Vacations gone wrong with a hint of gothic suspense? SIGN ME UP!

The Villa is actually 2 stories for the price of one, and I loved all of them. When self-help influencer Chess (Jess) asks her childhood friend Emily to tag along for a 6 week vacation in Umbria, Emily jumps at the chance. Currently drowning in the drama of her divorce, writer's block and the slow failure of her 9th cozy mystery book, Emily feels that she is at wits end. Chess seems to also have some issues that she is dealing with, but Emily hardly notices as she learns more about the mysteries behind their home for the Summer.

In 1974, we learn, there was a murder that entangled several famous rock stars and authors. Emily begins to write again as she learns about the story. As she gets closer to determining what happened that fateful night, she learns more about her friend then maybe she wanted to know.

The Villa is inspired by Fleetwood Mac, the Manson murders, and Percy and Mary Shelley! The gothic vibes will haunt you just as the sunny days warm you. If you love a mystery within a mystery, vacationing with gothic vibes or are just ready for the fiction novel of 2023, The Villa is for you! #TheVilla #RachelHawkins #StMartinsPress

The Villa by Rachel Hawkins follows bffs (and authors) Emily and Chess as they take a summer-long vacation in Italy where they both try to write their next books. Emily and Chess stay at a Villa Aestas, made famous in 1974 when two famous pieces of art were created (Mari's novel "Lilith Rising" and her step sister Lara's album "Aestas") and a murder occurred at the home.
While I loved Mari and Lara's story, I found Emily and Chess's to drag a bit, especially in the first half. I was more invested in Mari and Lara until the two stories began to make sense together.
My biggest issue was the dynamic between Emily and Chess. The trope of the meek-ish MC and her self absorbed, catty, bullyish best friend is a little over used, in my opinion. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this quick read.
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for an advanced copy of The Villa in exchange for my honest review.

This was a great book. I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece! I read it in 12 hours, which is a lot for me to do! It had everything and more laid out in the novel! I sure hope she writes more! I am totally hooked!

I was hoping for a bit more from the latest Rachel Hawkins. The build up of the two stories was good, but the end left me confused and wanting. Weirdly, I also think Emily's story could've been a bit longer or more fleshed out. Especially her time at the villa with Chess. There was room for more suspicion between the two.

I read this very quickly! Pacing was good although I was a bit disappointed in the Chess/Emily story. The Mari/Lara story was quite good though! Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced copy.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the #AdvanceReviewCopy

A story within a story about another story and all set in Italy...it is set up for success off the bat!

Emily and Chess have been best friends since childhood. After drifting apart, and Chess' found fame over her nonfiction books and Emily's mediocre writing career and failed marriage, the two spend a summer in Italy at the house known as the 'Murder house'.

While there, discoveries about the murder of a famous person decades ago surfaces, and Emily abandons an overdue project and begins a secret book, writing about the truth of that horrific day in an attempt to liberate herself. How will the events of July 29, 1974 impact decisions made in present day? And does one ever really know the truth, despite what they find?

I absolutely loved this one right up until the last chapter. And then I was like, 'Dang it! Why?' Why did that last chapter have to be there? The entire book would have had more of a lasting impact had it ended without it. Hard to talk about without spoiling anything so, let's just say this is the case of too much info!  These characters were all messed up, untrustworthy, at times reckless, just as I'd expect in a mystery/thriller, and the plot kept me guessing and wanting to know more! I was sure it was going to be a 5 star read, despite hating most characters, but I couldn't let go of the final reveal, so I landed on 4 stars.
This read somewhat, more like women's fiction than a thriller, so keep that in mind and you'll surely truly enjoy this one as much as I did!

“The Villa” is a literary thriller that is set in a beautiful Italian home - and the house remembers. In the 1970s a young writer Mari, her rock musician partner Pierce, and half-sister Lara are guests of famous rock star Noel at this villa. The events that take place inspire Mari to write a haunted bestseller. This story is revealed within the greater plot of “The Villa” and inspires present day Emily, now staying at the villa with her influencer best friend Chess, to write her story based on the secrets held within. This plot is a story, within a story, within a story. The structure of the novel is unique and impressive, but at times got confusing.

Such a fast and easy read. The two stories blended together so well and the ending totally threw you off.

It gives off “The Family Upstairs” vibes.

THE VILLA has cemented Rachel Hawkins an an #autobuyauthor for me. Having really enjoyed THE WIFE UPSTAIRS (but yet to read RECKLESS GIRLS) I was super excited to get my hands on an #arc of this one. Plus, I'm a total sucker for the "book within a book" trope.

THE VILLA is definitely a Gothic style slow burn, so don't expect too much action until near the end. I enjoyed the dual timelines (past and present) as well as the ...weird? interesting? toxic? ..friendship dynamics between Emily and Chess.

Cause y'know...what happens at The Villa, stays at the Villa.

Thank you to Netgalley for my #arc

5 star read!! In The Villa, you get to experience love, heartbreak, beautiful scenery, and of course, an binge read worthy thriller. I loved how throughout the book you experience what’s happening in the past and the present. The main characters in both timelines have you feeling like you are walking right beside them. The twist at the end will leave you speechless. I will honestly be thinking about this book for days!! Thank you Rachel Hawkins for this book, and for sharing Emily and Mari with your readers.