Thank you for the ARC, St. Martin's Press. This book was absolutely fantastic. Set across two story lines, two life lines, that intertwined unexpectedly and beautifully. Half truth, half mystery, full of surprises. Another Rachel Hawkins slam dunk!

I thought this was an okay thriller. I did not enjoy the back and forth between the past and present timelines. I enjoyed the present more, and I wanted to continue reading about Emily and Chess. The past timeline just was all over the place for me, and I had a hard time following along.

I didn’t see the twist at the end, but I wasn’t shocked either. There is some missing plot holes that I would liked flushed out more as well. I enjoyed the setting in Italian and the villa, and I thought was fun to read about. Overall it was fine, but nothing mind-blowing.

The Villa is a read that gripped me from start to finish. Once I got going, I couldn't put it down. Readers are introduced to multiple storylines in the plot that all weave a twisted, yet beautiful, story. I thought I could predict what would happen, but Hawkins threw in some curveballs that I just could not see coming. I've read her work before, so I shouldn't be surprised. The backstory (inspiration) for this book is what really captured my attention. The book is well-written and is sure to keep you on the edge of your seats.

For something that was said to be inspired by the Manson murders and Fleetwood Mac, 'The Villa' has a quite a bit to live up to. And unfortunately, it was not quite up to the task. I think my biggest issue with 'The Villa' was that I was just expecting a little... more. One of the first quotes I saw from this book was the one quoted above. Creepy right? And coming off of the high of finishing another thriller/suspense novel involving a house, I was totally in the right space for a moody drama involving murder and a creepy house.

And this just didn't quite deliver for me. The villa itself was just kind of ... there. It didn’t really portray or convey the darkness and creepiness that I had been anticipating. I expected the house itself to almost contribute I guess to the events that took place, and instead it was just a place where those things happened. Which is fine, but I think it could have been much more successful if it the house itself had played a bit larger of a role versus just being a space if that makes sense.

Added to that, I think the switching timelines took me out of the story, when they were meant to help draw me in. Which is never what you want. I think it would have been more successful to have our MCs figure out the events of the past when they were staying at the villa themselves, instead of us as readers being shown through 'flashback' style tellings. But that might just be a personal preference.

Overall, this just didn't really deliver on the promises it was heralding, but that's alright. It was still a decent story, just not one I think I'd revisit.

The Villa was published on January 3, 2023. Thank you to St. Martin's Press, NetGalley and the author for the digital advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rachel Hawkins is an auto-buy for me. And she does not disappoint in this page turning suspense with fantastic characters, just the right amount of flashing back and that killer twist!!!!! ALL THE STARS

Rachel Hawkins has solidified herself as an author that I know will deliver over and over. Her stories are so engaging... and The Villa is another example of her skill. The characters are intriguing and engaging, with the villa itself acting as a character with a history. This might be Hawkins most binge-worthy book yet!

Rachel Hawkins is one of my new favorite authors. In the Villa you are introduced to many characters and two times.
In the present day Chess and Emily are best friends who have grown apart but after Emily's life seems to fall apart Chess invites her on a writing vacation to an Italian villa. It is no ordinary villa however, as it was the scene of a brutal murder in the 1970s. Sisters Mari and Lara have decided to join a rock star on a trip to an Italian Villa but what seems like an idyllic vacation ends in tragedy.

With vibes of the 70s and influenced by an actually spooky incident with Mary Shelley this was an enjoyable read. Sex, drugs, and Rock n Roll are enjoyable plot points but add in an author with a new found passion project..chef's kiss, and for me this book was just that, it had everything I was looking for in the story, as well as the characters.
The two timelines intertwine and mirror each other nicely and with an unexpected twist at the end. The characters in each timeline were all different, some were likeable while others weren't but weren't too annoying to read about. Also the twist at the end!!! Wow it made me question the whole of what I had read up until that point but I absolutely loved the twist and added great depth to one of the characters.

I liked this book however it wasn't my favorite out of all the others from this author. Although I haven't read anything from her that I haven't liked so far. I really liked the setting time period of the story in the past. The present day storyline wasn't as good as the storyline from the past. I definitely didn't see the big reveal coming.

Greetings from my kitchen. I wish I was here in the photo, maybe next month, maybe not til April or May. We shall see. Either way I hope to be back sooner rather than later!

So I’m still catching up on reviews, and I will be forever it seems. So The Villa released earlier this month from @stmartinspress I have loved @ladyhawkins previous books so I jumped at the chance to read this one. I read it as soon as I got it maybe back in August or September. I really liked it! I totally felt transported to Italy. I loved the alternate timelines, and the suspense in this one with a gothic twist.

Def recommend if you have enjoyed the authors previous books!

Thank you to @stmartinspress for my copy!

I thought the book was well written and so interesting! I loved the setting! I thought the author did a in depth job with the characters. It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time! I enjoyed the dual timelines.. I will definitely be reading the authors other books as well! Thank you to NetGallery for the advanced review copy!

Present day, Emily is a mystery writer who is spending the summer at Villa Aestas in Orvieto, Italy with her best friend Chess, a successful self-help novelist. The Villa though has a dark history; in the 1970s, it was rented by Mari, her rockstar boyfriend and his friends only for their trip to end in the rockstar’s brutal murder. Forty years later Emily begins looking into the villa’s history only to uncover some shocking secrets.

Less thriller and more suspenseful mystery with a gothic twist, the story is told from multiple POV's, both current and in the 1970s, we learn about the villa and the atmospheric details of the home make it a character of its own.

I enjoyed both timelines but in present day, the relationship between Emily and Chess was more toxic than not and as we neared the end, I was frustrated and just wanted to shake some sense into Emily! Just like Reckless Girls, I felt like the ending put a damper a story I was enjoying.

I listened to this one on audio, while reading along with the book, and the audio was great! Both Julia Whelan and Kimberly M. Wetherell were excellent.

Such an engaging read from Rachel Hawkins. I loved the unique setting and juxtaposition of the beautiful, historic Italian countryside with the grunge and drama of rockstars and artists. The end was perfectly twisty, and I appreciated the ambiguity around certain events that leaves interpretation up to the reader. This felt like a summery gothic novel to me - a new genre?! Can't wait to read what Rachel writes next.

4 Limoncello Stars!

Wow! So many twists and turns leading up to that ending. This is a story that makes you REALLY examine the power of words. Hugely atmospheric. The writing was powerful and thought provoking. I did find certain elements of the execution to be a little messy, to where I had to go back and read certain sections again to make sure I'd gotten everything. I was also combo listening and reading my ARC. I think for sole listeners, this would've been especially challenging. That was the only reason I did not give it 5 stars.

Otherwise, though. I loved it. A book that explores the thin line between friendship and rivalry. And how far is too far when it comes to friendships.

One I'll be thinking about for some time to come!

Oh, and total Daisy and the Six vibes with Mari, Pierce, Lara, Noel, and Johnny. <3

I enjoyed this one quite a bit! I loved the alternating timelines, it added a lot to the story! I wasn't overly interested in the storyline, but I thought it was creative. I definitely preferred the present day timeline, I felt more invested in it. Overall it was a good read, but nothing super special in my opinion.

This was a really good book. I really liked the two timelines. I always get pulled into those kind of stories and this one really pulled me in. This is definitely a slower thriller but I does pick up. I find most thrillers get that way. But I would recommend this book. I can't wait to read more of Rachel Hawkins books.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read this ARC.

Book Summary:

Emily and Chess were the best of friends growing up. But like many friendships, theirs faded as they grew up. That didn't stop Emily from readily agreeing on a vacation to Italy with Chess. Perhaps this will be the time to reconnect that they've been needing?

Their destination is the infamous Villa Aestas, where a famous murder once happened. Staying on the grounds, Emily can't help but get sucked into the story. In turn, this investigation fuels a new novel and a new rivalry.

My Review:

Huh. There are SO MANY layers to The Villa. I'm honestly almost uncertain where to begin. It's tempting to say that this novel has two main plot lines, but honestly, it feels more like three. You probably know what I am referring to if you've read the book.

This adds a certain amount of complexity to the story, which I think was sorely needed. Emily's story could have gone the way of a stereotypical domestic thriller if not for the intervention from the past.

I had several theories throughout the course of reading The Villa. One was never technically proven incorrect, so I'm going to hold onto that one and consider it at least partially accurate. If you're looking for a mystery that'll make you theorize, this is the one to read!

Highlights:
Mystery/Thriller
Historical Fiction Elements
Book within a book
Layers

Trigger Warnings:
Illness
Affairs
Gaslighting

The Villa is a completely bingable story about secrets, lies, love, and the truths the storytellers want you to see. Told in dual timeline following stories the mirror each other eerily. Emily’s life has experienced major changes recently- an impending divorce, a health crisis, and a major case of writers block leaves her stationary until her childhood best friends invites her away to Italy. In the past timeline we meet Mari and learn of the events in her life that has lead her to the villa where her life takes a drastic turn.

I liked the story but I didn’t love it. It reads easily with each timeline drawing you in but little things in each timeline bothered me. I absolutely could not stand Chess and wholeheartedly believe she’s the villain of this story; she has no remorse for any of her actions and I can’t believe Emily falls for her act time and time again. It’s a toxic cycle that clearly neither of them are going to break. I think Mari’s storyline was more interesting but also sad. I felt for her and the situation she put herself in and although it ends in tragedy I think it was for the best.

I will say this is the best cover out of all her books.

Rankings
1. The Wife Upstairs
2. The Villa
3. The Reckless Girls



Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

While I have enjoyed previous books by Hawkins this one fell flat for me.
I truly did not enjoy any bit of it.

The two timelines? Nope.
The characters? Ugh
The ending? Cliché

So much potential but the execution was off.
I'll try her next novel but sucks I wasn't into this one.

Thank you to the publisher for the advanced copy!

Another enthralling thriller from Rachel Hawkins! Toxic friendships, ambitious artists, the dark tension of infidelity and murder in the air... all of it told in two timelines, both set at a beautiful Italian villa, over the course of two different summers.

Both storylines are relatively slow burn, with a heavy emphasis on atmosphere and the tensions between characters. The resemblance to the Shelleys and Lord Byron are pretty explicit, along with traces of Fleetwood Mac, and they work beautifully to weave this pair of entwined stories. I read it in a day, and definitely recommend to anyone who's ever wondered what Daisy Jones and the Six would be like as a thriller.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the advance review copy.

The Villa tells the story of Emily and Chess, two long-time best friends that are feeling stressed in their everyday lives and decide to take a trip to Italy for the summer. They stay in a famous villa in the hopes that they will both be able to work on their new books while there. In 1974, this Villa was rented by a famous rockstar for the summer, and over the course of that summer, a famous horror novel is written, a platinum album is written, and a brutal murder happens. The Villa intertwines the present day story of Emily and Chess, as well as the past story of 1974, even including some other pieces of media such as journal entries from the people staying in 1974, excerpts from the horror novel, song lyrics, and news articles about the murder.
The Villa does a great job at weaving together these stories. I really enjoyed both timelines, as well as reading the different multimedia, my only critique is that in the version I had, differentiating between the different perspectives was a bit difficult because the spacing was incorrect. Overall though, I really enjoyed reading this novel, and I would definitely recommend it to a friend.