The Villa by Rachel Hawkins Book Review

Summary:
Former childhood friends, Emily and Chess (both authors), have grown somewhat distant. After meeting for lunch, Chess has an idea that they should go to Italy for the summer to work on their new books. The villa they end up staying in was where a famous murder took place back in the 70’s.

The book alternates between past and present. We follow Emily in present time and Mari during her time in the 70’s at the Villa.

Emily really bothered me as a character. I feel like she was weak and should have left Chess at the villa and never looked back. Without spoiling anything, I feel like it was completely unrealistic what happened at the end with Emily and Chess. It just didn’t make sense and it really pissed me off.

This felt more like a slow burn book about messed up friendships than a mystery.

Overall, I’d give this 2.75 stars

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for sending me this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This one comes out on Jan 2, 2023

This is the second Rachel Hawkins book I read. Cozy mystery writer Emily reunites with her famous self-help guru friend, Chess after Chess invites her to a beautiful villa in Tuscany. What could go wrong? It turns out the villa was the scene of a brutal murder in the 70s. Tensions rachet up in both timelines. Emily notices Chess is snooping on her laptop. Is she attempting to steal Emily's book based on the murder? Meanwhile, back in the 70s, Mari and her stepsister Laura, are both embroiled in their own drama, as they attempt to create art of their own, while surrounded by the rock-star host and his other guests. It had a great twist ending and evoked a gothic feel.

The Villa is two (almost three) stories in one. It’s the story of two women with a complicated friendship on a trip to Italy together. It’s also the story of a group of friends staying in the same house in 1974 during a visit that turned tragic. And it’s the novel that one of those guests wrote based on her stay.

As often happens in a book with dual narratives, one narrative is more compelling than the other. The entire book is very slow moving in general but the 1974 storyline is much more interesting and dramatic. The storyline with the two friends is bland and I was left feeling like a lot of the resolution to that made no sense. There are some plot holes that never got reasonably filled in (the explanation about the husband? That didn’t work for me).

I honestly don’t know if I want to keep reading Rachel Hawkins. This is my third book of hers and they’re just sort of…fine. I’m always left feeling like the plots could have been tighter and the pacing more even. I think that if a diehard thriller reader picks this up, they need to know right off the bat how slowly the plot crawls or they will just quit. It really took until between 50 and 60% of the way through it before much happened.

Man, Rachel Hawkins knows how to write a twisty mystery! I loved the Italian setting-- romantic and evocative and really fun to "live" in for a while. Some of the plotting was a little fantastical, but boy it was FUN, and that was more than enough for a really enjoyable summer thriller.

Houses remember

Somehow Rachel Hawkins books just always work for me. I loved the vibes of the villa, the house is almost its own character. I really enjoyed the different perspectives and how the story came together. If you love gothic houses and 70s band vibes I think you will love this one!


https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4919516595

This is a story about vacations.

I liked it! It didn’t pack quit the same punch that Reckless Girls did for me (I have a thing for island settings!), but this was a really enjoyable read. The book within a book element was interesting, and I enjoyed the exploration of the dynamic between the protagonist and her best friend. The twist felt very quick, but satisfying.

Thank you so much @netgalley & @stmartinspress for the eArc!

Thank you St. Martin’s Press, Rachel Hawkins, & Netgalley for the chance to read and review this book.

Honestly…this book did nothing for me and was incredibly disappointing. While all the pieces were there - a Fleetwood Mac-esque love triangle, murder, secrets, an Italian villa - it ultimately fell flat. I never had the opportunity to really connect with any of the characters, and while I WANTED to sympathize with them…I just couldn’t.

I’m also not quite sure how this was a thriller when there really weren’t too many thrilling events.

Sadly a bust for me.

I’m a big fan of Rachel Hawkins, so when I received this copy from @netgalley to read and review, I couldn’t wait to get started! This was a phenomenal book. Gothic and dark. A mystery. Emily and Chess have been best friends since childhood. Both are successful authors but life has gotten in the way of friendship. They reconnect and Chess suggests a girls trip to a beautiful villa in Italy. The Villa has a dark past. A murder happened in the summer of 1974. While there, Emily becomes fascinated with this history and begins to see that maybe the accepted story isn’t what happened. Strange things start to happen with Chess and Emily realizes there are secrets in the present, as well as in the past. Read to find out what happened in the summer of 1974 and what happens with Emily and Chess.

First and for more most; a huge thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book!

Houses remember

A true statement that bounds sisters together and rekindles a childhood friendship.

When you think of the 70’s you think of rock and roll, drugs, sex and the complicated relationship between Mari and her stepsister Lara. Both sisters get entangled in star crossed relationships, love triangles and deceit which ultimately leaders to a horrific murder in a romantic but dark Vila in Italy.

Flash forward decades later, we meet Emily; a cozy mysteries novelist who is struggling writing her latest novel due to her ongoing illness and pending divorce from a very entitled Matt. I’m comes her on again off again best friend Chess who convinces Emily to go on a summer sabbatical to a Vila in Italy to focus on writing.

Little do these women know the true story behind the Vila nor the inspiration they will take from the famous novel that was written here.

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Once again, I want to thank NetGalley for allowing me to receive this wonder ARC. If you really into plot chasing thriller; “The Vila” is for you!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC! Honestly I was excited about receiving this book because I had heard good things about it…..but it did take me a while to get into it. There are 2 different story lines: current and the 70s, and gave just enough ‘something must’ve happened vibes’ to keep you wanting to find out what exactly happened. But it was just a really slow build. I did like the 70s story more than the current, it just seemed a little more interesting (Mari’s story) which probably was the only reason why I kept reading it. Overall I was glad I finished it….it was worth that for sure and it really was something I haven’t read before. I was hoping or maybe expecting something more of a shock value.

A special thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with an e-galley of this book to read and give my honest review.
I'm so excited that I was approved and got to read this book. Why, you ask? Because I love Rachel Hawkins and her writing and her stories. They are fun, inventive, and always have great turns in them. I will say I didn't know she was more than a young adult writer until recently when I was handed one of her adult books to read by a friend who is an avid reader. And, I must say, I'm happy I've learned of this side of Ms. Hawkins.
What drew me to the book: Villa, Italy, mystery, and suspense.
What kept me reading: all of the above!
The fun part: the main character is a writer. Because of course she is!
Emily, newly separated and getting divorced from her husband of 7 years, torn apart so much so that she cannot bring herself to write. That is until her bestie, Chess, invites her to spend the summer at a villa in Italy. And not just any villa, but one with a rich history (and mystery) of murder!
I honestly went into this thinking it would be much more bloody, but I was pleasantly surprised that it was filled with a rich back story. Two, actually. So you're getting not just one story with this book, but three! And they are woven together fairly seamlessly to help you see the true background behind all that happens. I do believe it could have used a bit more of a sinister or even spiritual twist to it, but overall it didn't really need it because it is not meant to be a paranormal book.
I will say I had things figured out somewhat, or so I thought until the author threw in a twist at about 80% in! Then the author surprised me again at the very end. It was fun watching it all unfold, and being proven wrong (even though I so wanted to be right with my theories!).
Overall, I enjoyed this book tremendously and it has solidified for me that I would love to read anything Hawkins writes in the future.

This book was a refreshing read for me. I've loved the last two Rachel Hawkins books I've read, and this one did not disappoint. I will be recommending this to all of my friends!

The Villa is a dual timeline, slow-burn thriller set in the present day and the 1970’s. Focusing on two very different women, Em (present day) and Mari (1970s), The Villa is a murder mystery about love, loss, friendship, and passion. Em is a struggling author that embarks on a vacation with her best friend to forget her worries and finally write her next novel. Mari is an adventurous teenager trying to move on from a personal tragedy. In their respective timelines, they both find themselves spending one unforgettable summer in the same enchanting and mysterious Italian villa. Naturally, madness and murder ensue for both.

Loved:
- The cover
- Mari and the 1970’s storyline
- Major Fleetwood Mac vibes
- RH’s writing style

Why 3 Stars:
- Em’s storyline was a little predictable
- Ending felt unfinished and too open-ended. I wanted more!
- Chess and Em’s relationship was way too toxic

For my first Rachel Hawkins novel, I really enjoyed it! It was a quick read because it instantly drew me in. I really liked how RH used clippings of newspaper articles, podcasts, and interviews interspersed within the larger story to shed light on the murder and lives of the people involved. It was a cool way to see different perspectives and reveal more behind the mystery. Would I categorize it as a thriller? Eh, maybe not. But it kept me guessing (for the most part). I would recommend it to anyone who likes Fleetwood Mac, Italian history, and strong female leads. If you need me, I’ll be at an Italian villa.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my very first ARC!

Emily, a cozy mystery author, and her bestie and self-help author, Chess decide to spend their summer in Italy. Due to the fact that she has the tenth book of her series to write, a soon-to-be ex-husband breathing down her back about money and an unknown illness lingering, Emily reluctantly agrees to go on this vacation. After all, she just really needs to get out of her writer's block and get the book done. However, Chess talks her into it when she tells Emily where they are staying - the infamous Villa Aestas. Channeling the story of a rock-and-roll murder at Villa Aestas in the 1970's, Emily decides cozy mysteries just aren't for her and sits down to write the truth about what really happened the night rock-and-roll died in Villa Aestas.

I was in a rut and could not find a book to read. Thankfully, the first chapter of this book sucked me in. I was drawn to both stories of Emily and Mari, neither one taking over the book too much or too little. I loved it. This book may contain murders and mysteries and haunts, but it is mostly about sisterhood and secrets. The descriptions make you feel like you are there and a part of the Villa yourself. 5 stars!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity for reading this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed The Wife Upstairs, so I was eager to dive into Rachel Hawkins' new thriller, and The Villa did not disappoint. The atmospheric story features dual-timelines and dual-points of view, switching between Emily in the present and Mari in the 1970's. Dual-timelines don't always work for me in books, but I tend to enjoy them in thrillers and psychological suspense and I loved it here. I also thought the ending worked really well. I would definitely recommend this for fans of thrillers, and I hope that Rachel Hawkins continues to write more psychological suspense so I can keep reading them!

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for granting me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Villa by Rachel Hawkins is psychological suspense novel with a dual storyline and timeline - a story within a story told decades apart.

The present-day timeline: Emily, a successful author of cozy mysteries, has been going though tough times due to her pending divorce, a mysterious illness, financial difficulties and pressure to finish her book. Chess is a popular author of self-help books and is also Emily’s lifelong best friend. Lately, Emily and Chess’ friendship has been unsteady. To rekindle their friendship and to work on writing their books, Chess invites Emily on a summer trip to Orvieto, Italy at beautiful Villa Aestas. Emily agrees to join her on this 6-week vacation, hoping that this is what she needs to escape her personal problems and to help overcome her writer’s block. However, there’s a slight problem. Villa Aestas is well-known for the brutal murder of a famous rock star that took place in the summer of 1974.

1970’s timeline: This story takes place at the same Villa and it leads up to the brutal murder that occurred there. The main narrator in this timeline is Mari. She is the author of a popular horror novel that was written about her stay at the Villa during the time the brutal murder took place. Her stepsister, Lara, was also staying at the Villa during this time. Lara is a musician who eventually creates a best-selling album named “Aestas.”

The two timelines intertwine and get more interesting when Emily begins to find secrets and clues inside the Villa about the murder that took place there in the past. These discoveries lead up to an unexpected turn and a few surprise twists in the story.

Some pros about ‘The Villa’:
It was a fast-paced and intriguing read.
It had enough suspense to keep me engaged throughout the book.
The way the two storylines weaves together was creative and well-written.
The ending was satisfying.

The cons:
I wasn’t fond of any of the characters.
Chess’ personality, in particular, was somewhat annoying.
Certain parts of the story were predictable.

Overall, ‘The Villa’ would be a great summer read if you’re wanting something quick, easy to follow, and suspenseful. It’s about friendship/sisterhood and it makes you think about the lengths you might go for that certain bond.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this EARC of ‘The Villa’ in exchange for my honest review. It is very much appreciated.

🍋 WOW 🍋
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Storytelling + suspense + mood for dayssss. It’s kind of hard to explain, but the feel of this book, the flow, was perfect to me. It’s described as a “gothic suspense” and that fits it well. There’s a lot going on in this book but I’m going to try to break it down real quick 🤪
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It’s basically a then/now timeline, with some articles, book excepts, and podcasts thrown in. Our now timeline follows Emily, who’s staying at an Italian villa for the summer with her best friend Chess. She becomes interested in the history of the villa, where a budding musician was murdered in the 70s. As she researches, we get flashbacks to the same villa in 1974, where Mari, an aspiring author, and four others in various stages of rock stardom spent the summer. It’s sex, drugs, and rock n roll. (Major Fleetwood Mac vibes and I flipping loved it!) As the summer wears on, relationships deteriorate and eventually one of the five is murdered. Back in present day, the relationship between Emily and Chess begins to deteriorate as well. 😏
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Did you get all that? 😅 It’s a lot to explain, but everything ties together seamlessly and it really just worked. I loved it. My favorite by this author. I hope you’ll give it a try! Out 1/2/23!
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Thank you so much NetGalley for the early copy!!

The Villa is Rachel Hawkins' best book yet. The story unfolds while switching points of view from the present (Emma) to the 1970s (Mari). At the book's beginning, the two are unconnected. When Emma's best friend Chess invites her to a villa in Italy for the summer for them both to work on their next books, Emma discovers Mara's book "Lilith Rising." As she reads, Emma begins to connect the villa's sordid history to the book which may not be as fictional as its audience originally thought.

This story begins, as all stories written by Rachel Hawkins do, with an opening line that draws you in immediately and leaves you wanting more.

“𝙷𝚘𝚞𝚜𝚎𝚜 𝚛𝚎𝚖𝚎𝚖𝚋𝚎𝚛.“

Atmospheric, sometimes creepy, & always clever, this read was everything I love in a book: shifts in time and POVs, a lovely gothic vibe, and a story within a story. Through a brilliant use of mixed literary media, Hawkins creates an experience that we weren’t expecting.

“𝚂𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚜 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎 𝚍𝚎𝚙𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚗 𝚠𝚑𝚘‘𝚜 𝚝𝚎𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚖.“

I went into this read expecting to find a suspenseful delve into a decades old murder. I did find that. More importantly, however, I was treated to an exploration of love, loyalty, & sisterhood.

“𝚂𝚑𝚎‘𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚍, 𝚘𝚍𝚍𝚕𝚢. 𝚂𝚑𝚎 𝚑𝚊𝚜 𝙻𝚊𝚛𝚊, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙻𝚊𝚛𝚊 𝚑𝚊𝚜 𝚑𝚎𝚛.“

Our female MCs all find a strength that they didn’t know they had. Each of these women had
previously given up control in their lives in one way or another but all learn to take that control back. This is the true triumph of this story. Not the twists & turns, but the women who take back what belongs to them. Themselves.

“𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚖𝚊𝚢𝚋𝚎, 𝚜𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔𝚜, 𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚝 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚓𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚗𝚊𝚕, 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚋𝚎 𝚜𝚙𝚊𝚌𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚍𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚖𝚜.“

It’s been a few days and I still can’t stop thinking of this book. I loved the atmosphere of it, how it twists the normal concepts of stereotypical horror. It goes back and forth between two women in different eras within the same Italian villa. I was rooting for both characters and both of their stories were well thought through. There were many twists and turns and just when I thought I knew what was happening, the book flipped the script. The ending was great and still has me thinking about it! This might be one of my favorite books of the year!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60784641