I generally enjoyed this book. There were some twists and turns that I did not see coming. I really liked the dual timeline POV of this story, going back and forth between today and 1974 as Emily tries to unravel all that happened then.

Rachel Hawkins’ The Villa is a captivating blend of suspense, intrigue, and gothic charm that will keep you hooked from the first page to the last. Set against the backdrop of an Italian villa with a dark and mysterious history, the novel masterfully intertwines two timelines: a present-day story of strained friendships and hidden truths, and a 1970s rock-and-roll saga that culminates in tragedy.

The dual narrative is expertly handled, with each thread adding layers of tension and mystery. The modern-day storyline follows Emily and Chess, two old friends whose stay at the villa unearths buried secrets, both personal and historical. Meanwhile, the 1970s plot reveals the villa’s sinister past, complete with a murder that left its mark on the property.

Hawkins’ atmospheric prose brings the villa to life, making it as much a character as the people who inhabit it. The Villa is a gripping, atmospheric read that delivers suspense and emotional depth in equal measure. Perfect for fans of layered thrillers with a touch of the macabre.

The concept of two sets of friends experiencing parallel events in the same eerie location is a great approach to a book. The alternating chapters between 1974 and the present day keep the pace brisk and the suspense high. Hawkins vividly describes the villa and its surroundings, creating a sense of unease and foreboding. The novel delves into the creative process and the challenges faced by artists, both in the past and present.

The Villa is an enjoyable and suspenseful read. While it has a few minor shortcomings, the intriguing premise, atmospheric setting, and exploration of creativity make it a worthwhile read.

I couldn’t get into this book. I read The Wife Upstairs and figured I’d enjoy this book, but I didn’t. I’m a mood reader, so perhaps I just didn’t read it at the best time. I’d still read other books by this author. I think she’s a good author, but this book wasn’t for me.

I enjoyed the journey on this book, but boy...did I hate the ending! I don't want to give any spoilers away, but if you're someone who likes to see the full karmic circle in a book, you will not see that here.

The Emily character is relatable, and the story is told through her perspective. You're along for the ride with her emotions and can easily empathize with her bad luck that lead her to current circumstances.

The book also gives an alternate timeline in Mari's view, so as the reader, you are hearing two different stories. Mari is supposed to be akin to real-life Mary Shelley, which was a really cool idea for this book.

Several other reviews I've read mentioned the similarities between Fleetwood Mac's story, so if you're also into that, check it out! I was on the edge of my seat with both mysteries in the book, and while not happy with the entire ending, I still appreciated the story overall.

I love when a book has a satisfying ending, if you love sex, drugs and rock and roll you’d probably love this one. This was a story within a story which at times was a little hard for me to follow. Overall this was a three star read for me. Not my favorite by this author.

I unfortunately wasn’t super impressed with this one and felt a bit bored. I expected more than what was delivered and it just missed the mark for me

The Villa by Rachel Hawkins is a gripping psychological thriller that skillfully intertwines the past and present. Hawkins masterfully builds tension, blending a modern narrative with a historical mystery that keeps readers on edge. The character development is strong, making the motivations and conflicts feel authentic. With its atmospheric setting and unexpected twists, The Villa is a captivating read for fans of suspense and intrigue.

This is definitely Hawkins’ best book yet! Such an interesting premise and something that hasn’t been done before. I loved the alternating POV and trying to unravel who to trust and who to suspect. And then the twists! Oh my gosh the twists just kept coming and I’m SO here for it! Definitely a must read!

I have read a couple books by the author now and I think I’ve come to the conclusion that her work just isn’t for me. I didn’t really enjoy this one but it’s likely just a me problem not the book itself.

Alternating timelines about 2 writers and 2 close ladies at the same villa. Right from the beginning I wanted to know the whole story of what happened at the Villa. The two writers write similar stories about their memorable stay at the Italian summer rental. Murder, Love, and Friendship are all experienced thru the story.

This book had so much potential-the setting was perfect for a creepy mystery. However, this book was not what I was expecting. I wanted Mari’s story to be more mysterious and intertwined with Emily’s story. Instead, it read as a story of friendship and finding yourself amidst a murder background, which left me feeling disappointed. The end was such a jump from the build up that it felt disjointed and rushed. Sadly, this book just didn’t work for me.

This was our bookstore's book club pick. Overall, we collectively agreed that this was not good. We found the premise interesting, but we wanted more. Set in Italy, but the beauty of Italy was missing. You follow two timelines. one in the 70s and the other in the present. Two friends with secrets that you uncover along the way. But overall, it lacked.

I plowed through this book in less than a day. I loved the dual storylines and time periods. Daisy Jones with a murdery twist. So good. This author never disappoints!

The Villa tells two stories, in two time periods that give off the same vibes. It took a little bit of time for me to get into the story of Emily, but once the plot started to thicken the pace kept me going! I've been a fan of Hawkins other works, and this fits in really well with her style.

I’ve read quite a few books by this author and enjoyed each one, so I was excited to get to this one. This author writes amazing thrillers in my opinion. Also the idea of staying in a house where murder occurred always intrigues me.

I enjoyed Chess and Emily’s friendship, it seemed so pure. Having their story unfold in the gorgeous Italian back drop was an excellent choice. The backstory was a great addition as well.

I thought the parts of the book we got to read, the podcast and the rest of the multi media aspects. I will absolutely be reading everything by this author, especially if it’s a thriller.

No. The Villa was not a read for me. The book felt disjointed and truly, just odd. Not what i was hoping for in a mysterious adventure read.

This was my favorite Hawkins book. I really enjoyed the Italian villa settings and the characters were well developed and fun to follow.

3.00 stars
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TW: Murder, Child death, Infidelity, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Abortion
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For such a bright cover - the contents of this book are dark and twisty! Emily and Chess were two peas in a pod as kids, flash forward to the present and both of them are in their 30s trying to thrive as writers. When Chess offers Emily an offer to visit a villa in Italy where both can work on their latest books, Emily can't say no. As soon as the girls arrive, things seem off. We find out that the villa is well-known due to a brutal murder that took place in 1974.

As Emily tries to focus on her latest cozy mystery novel, she can't help but dive into the villa's history. This book is told via a dual timeline as we bounce between the present and the events of what took place in 1974. I wouldn't consider this one a thriller, but the plot does add an aspect of suspense.

I think what is lacking in this book is a plot. Other than the girls working on their novels and "what happened in 1974" nothing happens until the end of the novel, and even when the twist is exposed, it's nothing that you wouldn't see coming.
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I would like to thank NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Rachel Hawkins for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This book was published on January 3rd 2023

The Villa by Rachel Hawkins. This book is marketed as a psychological thriller, but I would be hard pressed to agree with that. There really wasn’t much that made it a thriller, in my opinion. It is told in dual timeline, which I generally like in books as it gives the reader the perspective from both time periods. I can’t say I liked either character, Emily or Chess, and by the end I pretty much despised Chess.

The story has a very intriguing premise, but it was super slow for me in the beginning, and by the final chapters it was super-fast, so the ending felt rushed and unfinished, leaving me very unsatisfied.

I struggled with the premise of Emily and Chess going on a vacation together to Italy. They used to be best friends but by this point in their lives, they are more enemies than friends, and I can understand wanting to reconnect or whatever, but do it a bit closer to home, in case it all blows up, yeah? Maybe Emily was just so desperate to get her writing mojo back that she was willing to try just about anything.

This story was just too slow moving in the plot department for me, and there were none of the thriller elements I expect in a book to satisfy being able to call it a psychological thriller. Sadly, this story was a fail for me.