Told from the two female narrators from two different time periods. I did have a little trouble with how the stories were being told, but I eventually got the groove. I really did enjoy how the stories were woven together, and both main characters were likeable-I was rooting for them both. Good thriller.

I was given an ARC I’m exchange for an honest review.

This one was just okay for me. It was easy to follow and interesting enough to keep me listening, but most of the plot points were predictable and I didn't care much for any of the characters. The sex drugs rock n roll setting also isn't my fave so that made that POV harder to stay engaged for. This would be an easy vacation read or something easy to listen to on a road trip. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

"houses remember"
I love that opening line and I loved this book. The tone of this book is addicting, once I started it I couldn't put it down. If you like the show White Lotus I think you'll love this book. I can see how some people may find it a little slow or boring but I loved the way it's written. I couldn't decide which POV I loved more Emilys or Maris but the way Rachel Hawkins overlapped their stories was brilliant. This was giving all the Gothic vibes you could ever want out of staying in an old Italian villa that you know someone died in.

The Villa is a slow burn mystery/thriller, with almost gothic feel, involving a past crime that lingers into present day. At first, Mari's 1970s storyline is more interesting than Emily's present day one. Mari is an aspiring writer and is surrounded by rock stars. Emily is also a writer but her stay at the villa is more calm, even though she's sharing a space with her "best friend" Chess. It wasn't until the last 25% of the book that Emily's story began to pick up. It then became very hard to put down with a few intriguing twists. I was anticipating for the villa to play more into a dark, creepy vibe. Instead it was just a place where things happened and not a place that caused things to happen. Overall, I loved the idea of the murder house. If you enjoy more of a domestic drama with a gothic vibe, this one is for you.

Although this story starts off as a slow burn, the pay off at the end is worth it. There are 2 timelines and 2 stories being told in this book. One takes place during the present time where Emily & Chess re- kindle their friendship as adults after so many years. The other story line takes place in the 1970's during the rock & roll era where rockers would party hardy. The drama that ensues between the characters in the 1970's was one for the books! Everyone was practically sleeping with one another.....

At first the book dragged for me. It wasn't until almost 60% into the story that I really started to enjoy the storylines. This book has been described as gothic. I wouldn't categorize it in that genre as a whole, but the story from the 70's did give off gothic vibes. The rainy, thunderous nights in a Villa in Italy. The way the stories connected in the end was satisfying. I thought it was bittersweet that Mari & Noel parted ways the way they did. I felt sympathy for Mari & how her and Lara's relationship fell apart of that night at the Villa.

Overall, I really loved the premise of the book. I did see one of the twists at the end coming, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story.

Hm - I really wanted to like this book, and parts of it kept me riveted, but I was turned off by the main friendship/relationship, and couldn't feel much empathy toward or interest in either character. That said, it was a quick beach read, which is what I wanted and expected.

This was my first Rachel Hawkins book and I had no idea what to expect from this author, only knowing about her success in this genre of suspense/thriller, I guess you would say. I don't particularly enjoy thrillers or suspense, but I thought I would take a chance with this one, as the setting won me over. I went in with an open mind, not sure what I would find, but curious and hoping for lush writing about the Italian villa and countryside where the two main characters were staying. What I didn't expect is not just the multiple timelines but also the shadowing of the Percy and Mary Shelly story plus the introduction of a podcast episode thrown in. In some parts, it felt bloated (esp the podcast portion) and detracted from the story.

I did enjoy it, though it was a lot in many directions. Some of my more basic questions were not answered, which always bothers me when I am reading a book where the author has chosen to be ambitious in its scope. I feel that when you take that on, the primary story must be solid first or it feels as if the author is layering on to hide the defects.

That said- I enjoyed the ride well enough to rate it a three star.

Thanks to the publisher for granting me access to the digital arc via NetGalley in return for a fair review.

The Villa read like a modern gothic, with the atmosphere oppressive, foreboding, with a stunningly described setting that makes you feel like you’re right there with the characters. Rachel Hawkins deftly explores complex friendships, toxic relationships, and creative tension in a way that was so engaging I just didn’t want to put it down. The twists had me absolutely gasping and the dual pov with shifting timelines just added to the dread and drama of each storyline.

Honestly, this book made me want to go back to Italy so badly! The setting is so well-depicted, it filled me with so much nostalgia for the Italian countryside. I actually studied abroad in a neighbouring province (Arezzo) to Orvieto and I can attest to the landscape and architecture is as described in this novel.

Thank you so much St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for a gifted copy of this gem. I loved Reckless Girls by the same author, so I was delighted when my arc application was accepted for this one—and it did not disappoint!

*A note on the reading format: I did read this book half as an ebook and half on audio, and while both formats were good, I think I preferred it in ebook form, as I wasn’t a huge fan of Mari’s narrator. That being said, Julia Whelan is one of the narrators in this cast, so for those of you who are a fan of hers, you might want to pick up the audio version based on that alone.

I really really really wanted to like this one. I have tried it on several different times with different moods. I don't think ultimately this one ended up being for me.

I’m not sure what I was expecting with this book, but it definitely surprised me!

What really worked for me was the dual timelines the book used. I loved that the story was told through current day, where the reader gets to learn about what is unfolding at the villa today, but is also told from the past where the reader gets to learn about the tragic history of this Italian villa.

Another aspect I loved was how the meaning of the title seemed to change throughout the reading of the book. This gave me an appreciation for the author, and how she was able to transform the significance the the words ‘The Villa’ from the start, to the end of the book.

Now, what didn’t quite work for me were the characters. None of the characters from either the past POV or present POV were all that likable. it made the story hard to read at some points, as I just felt no connection to the characters.

Overall, this was a great book by this author! I loved the creative story and how there was a lot going on to keep my attention. I would recommend his book to anyone who likes a good dark thriller, or who likes any of Rachel Hawkins previous books.

Thank you to St. Martin Press and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of the ARC, in return for an honest review.

The Villa is a dual-timeline thriller set in a gorgeous, Italian villa that reads like a game of cat in mouse. Emily wants to reconnect with her best friend and write again, but the house with a history only 70’s artists could imagine has other plans for them. We’re taken back in time to a famous murder, with only the doting eyes of writer, Mari, to tell us the truth of one fateful summer in 1974. Friendships, romances, and secrets tumble together for both women in this intoxicating read.
It was the perfect thriller read for me, we all know I love a good vacation murder, but my love of old rock really solidified this for me. I know there’s a huge trend in stories about famous artists in the 60’s through 80’s, but you won’t hear me complaining. This is a book I could reread and not get bored of, as well as totally see being a hit for my family, friends, and book clubs.

I really enjoy the way Rachel Hawkins writes a thriller. Her stories suck you right in and they’re hard to put down! I love how she writes her characters and their relationships and their morally grayness. Her endings leave you questioning morality and what you might do if in the same situation.

In The Villa we get to follow two timelines, present day between two writer friends and a mix of musicians and women in the 1970s that spend the summer at an Italian Villa. Hawkins weaves a tale of family, friends, love, and betrayal all combined with artistic undertones. This was a great story, but I did think some parts got a bit convoluted. Some of the plot turns didn’t seem to add to the story and seemed unlike the character we had come to know, which reminds me of Hawkins’ writing in Reckless Girls. This is a small critique and I’m still a fan of her writing and stories and can’t wait to read what she puts out next!

The Villa, by Rachel Hawkins, is a stunning novel that absolutely captivated my attention and held it throughout the entirety of this fast-paced thriller. This dark, gothic mystery is told from two points of view and two timelines that blend together seamlessly to create a complete and enthralling story of the secret events that occurred at a picturesque villa in Italy. This story is not only atmospheric, but also eerie and chilling in it’s unique plot.

We get one perspective from 1974 that tells the tale of a group of young creatives, three musicians, an author and an extra, odd-man out, who spend a summer at a Villa in Italy. We have love triangles, sordid behavior, manipulation, drugs, sex, ambition and jealousy. You know it can’t end well and it doesn’t. But you can’t help but feel empathetic towards some of the characters and their predicament.

We also have the present day perspective with two estranged friends. One, a wealthy, renowned self-help author, and one a successful, though less well-known cozy mystery writer. The two are unexpectedly drawn back together and decide it’s high time to reunite and enjoy a summer together to refresh and reignite their passion for writing at a villa in Italy…the same notorious one known as the murder house.

This story has layers, surprises, deceit and well-placed twists and turns. It’s well-written, nicely paced, creatively plotted and deliciously entertaining. The Villa is a definite 5 star read for me and Rachel Hawkins is now an auto-buy author for me!

For fans of Daisy Jones and the Six! Maybe not really, but guaranteed to be much more so than any other book blurb declaring the same.

In all honesty I’d probably read the phone book if no other material were available to me, but the original marketing for Rachel Hawkins’ new release declared it to be a Fleetwood Mac/Manson murder/Mary Shelley her hubs and Lord Byron’s summer in Lake Geneva and I was like SOOOOLLLLLLLDDDDDDDDD! Full disclosure: As soon as I saw the Shelleys/Byron thing my mind immediately went to that particular episode of Drunk History – because I'm a nerd.

So the story here is about lifelong friends Emily and Chess. Emily has made a name for herself penning a cozy mystery series, but Chess has made a mint writing self help novels. When Chess offers up the summer of a lifetime/impromptu writer’s retreat/BFF catchup at an Italian villa, Emily is all in. They are planning a summer where they will “drive a fucking Fiat, wind in our hair, full Under the Tuscan Sun shit, bitch.” Under the Tuscan Sun? Oh that's a you had me at hello!

Readers then get to timehop back to the summer of 1974 and the summer Mari spends at the same villa which has been rented out by rock star Noel, along with her significant other (relatively unknown but hoping to make it big) musician Pierce and her stepsister Laura that ended in murder . . . .

Told via the two female narrators and interspersed with various news articles and podcast episodes, the two timelines eventually come together into a new release that I REALLY dug. Please note you have to be in the mood for little action and a lot of atmosphere (is this what makes a novel “gothic”? probably not, but to me it is) as this story unfolds.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!

The Villa is a dual timeline, gothic mystery that is quintessential Rachel Hawkins. Told in the summer of 1974 and present day, it follows the tragic events that led up to musician Pierce's demise, and the tale of two frenemies who vacation at the Italian villa where Pierce was murdered.
This story is complex. Mari and her sister Lara's relationship mirrors that of the modern day Chess and Emily, in terms of jealousy and betrayal. I'm always fascinated by authors who can take a contentious relationship between two women and give them a common adversary that brings them together. Take this intriguing story and add in a mysterious old house, dueling artists, lover betrayals, and drugs and you have a good old fashioned murder mystery with a very sinister twist.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review this title.

Chess and Emily have been friends forever. They’re both writers and setting off to Italy for the summer following Emily’s divorce. The House Remembers - a haunting reminder of what happened in the Italian villa in the 70s.

I enjoyed the dual timeline between Mari and Emily. Chess annoyed me as a friend, but that may have been on purpose! Overall, I liked this book and didn’t guess the twists or ending. 4 Stars!

Thank you to Net Galley and St Martins Press for an advanced copy!

My third Rachel Hawkins novel, The Villa, was so addictive and fast-paced that I was thrilled it was one of my very first books of the new year. I was captivated by both the current drama between Emily her old best friend, Chess, as well as the nearly 40-year-old mystery with sisters, rock-stars, and wannabes set at the same Italian villa. One of my favorite tropes is when a book can carry two separate mysteries set in two different time periods and both be engaging. That was the case here. While every reader will have a favorite of the two mysteries, no one will be saying Hawkins short-changed either one. I found the resolution to both storylines satisfying, though the older mystery offered one too many twists for my preference. The last twist almost took me out of the story a bit, but that was The Villa's only flaw in my opinion.

I would recommend The Villa to anyone wanting to quickly get hooked on a book but who doesn't want to be tied down for too many pages. The Villa is the perfect vacation novel and will make readers want to rent their own mysterious villa to get away!

*Arc provided by Netgalley and St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review.*

"Inspired by Fleetwood Mac, the Manson murders, and the infamous summer Percy and Mary Shelley spent with Lord Byron at a Lake Geneva castle––the birthplace of Frankenstein––The Villa welcomes you into its deadly legacy."

The Villa is a story within a story. Emily and Chess two distant best friends and writers decide to spend the summer in an Italy villa with a sordid past. In 1974 Villa Rosato was the scene of both inspiration and tragedy. Famous musician Noel Gordon invites Pierce Sheldon, Pierce's girlfriend Mari and her stepsister Lara to the villa to create music for an up and coming album. The summer ends with Pierce murdered, Mari producing a horror novel the likes of Shelly, and Lara producing a platinum album. Dealing with her own complicated relationship with Chess, Emily can't help but compare her life and relationship to Mari and Lara.

There were times this book felt really slow and times it just felt like a speeding train. Emily was likable, but man I could not stand Chess from the moment she was introduced. The dual prospective of Emily and Mari was a bit jarring at first. because so much of their stories parallel it was hard to remember who was narrating at times. I definitely felt more drawn into Mari's parts of the story and had mixed feelings about Lara. Frankly, Pierce was trash. Not saying the man deserved to be murdered, but I wasn't sad when he was killed. I enjoyed the twist to the twist ending.

This novel has two storylines. Today, mystery author Emily suffers from writer's block. She goes to Italy with her friend Chess to spend the summer at Villa Aestus, where a murder took place in 1974. The 2nd timeline is a summer of sex, drugs, and music in 1974 as Mari writes a horror novel, her stepsister Lara works on music, and someone is murdered. Although a bit predictable this was a decent three-star read.

I loved this book and will be back to leave my full review as soon as possible.

Thank you #NetGalley for this ARC…

5 huge stars and I do highly recommend.