The Villa is my third book that I have read by Rachel Hawkins and is by far my favorite! It is full of twists & turns and when you think you have things figured out, there is another twist! I absolutely LOVED this book!!!

This book is told from dual POV’s and alternates between timelines...Mari in 1974 and Emily is present day.

Mari starts the story off - she is an aspiring writer who is in love with a free loving musician, Pierce. When Mari’s step sister, Lara, invites them to go to Italy and spend the summer at Villa Rosato in Orvieto so that Pierce can work with the famous rocker, Noel Gordon, they jump at the opportunity in hopes that it can launch Pierce’s career Lots of drama happens that ends with a murder! After returning from that summer, Mari writes an award winning book called ‘Lilith Rising’ which loosely tells the story of what happened at the villa.

Emily is an author struggling to get her next book out while dealing with a divorce. Her childhood best friend, Chess, tempts her with a summer in beautiful Italy! Once Emily finds out that they will be staying in the murder house, she becomes obsessed with the murder. She reads ‘Lilith Rising’ multiple times and thinks there is more to the story that needs to be told. Instead of continuing her cozy mystery series she decides to go a different direction!

This book kept me on the edge of my seat! I think the characters are very well written and the story is very captivating…I finished this book in a day! I absolutely love how both timelines blend together to tell this story!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martins Press and Rachel Hawkins for the Advanced Readers copy of this book for my honest review!

The Villa a wonderfully twisty mystery about female friendship and the creation of art, and my favourite Rachel Hawkins novel so far.  

Curl up with some wine and a Carole King album, you’ll be reading this in one sitting.

The Villa is a mystery in two time periods. Present-day childhood friends Chess and Emily are staying at an Italian villa, each working on their own writing (Emily writes cozy mysteries, and Chess is a self-help guru). In the 1970s, Mari and Lara are stepsisters staying at the same villa with their rock star sort-of boyfriends, discovering their own art (Mari is a horror writer, and Lara a songwriter). 

The mysteries intertwine, of course.  

I was immediately drawn to Emily’s voice and her love-hate relationship with Chess.  I expected this one to be a typical woman vs. woman thriller but it wound up being so much more complex and thoughtful than that.  

Hawkins had a lot to say about how female artists are dismissed and pitted against each other.  At the same time, The Villa is also a quick, breezy read that took me zero effort to glide through.  Loved it.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for my review copy of this novel.

This intriguing reinterpretation of the Italian stay that birthed Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein does some truly audacious things with storytelling, as it transports that famed historical episode of 1816 to the 1970s, and further brackets it within the pages of a modern-day domestic thriller.

Here in the 21st century, Emily Sheridan is reeling from the seeming collapse of, well:

QUOTE
<i>Everything.</i>

It’s the only word that can sum up what a complete and utter shit show this past year has been for me, but it still comes nowhere close to touching it.

Career stalling out? Check.

Health suddenly terrible for no reason that any doctor can figure out? Check.

Husband deciding to leave after seven years of seemingly happy marriage?

Fucking <i>check</i>.

It’s been over six months since Matt left, and I keep waiting for all of it to hurt less, for it to be less messy, less… I don’t know. Clichéd. Humiliating.
END QUOTE

Now in her thirties, she’s single, childless and in the middle of an increasingly expensive divorce. She’s also stalled on writing the tenth installment of the cozy mystery series that made her name. The main problem is that the bulk of the series was written based on the good times of her relationship with her soon-to-be-ex-husband. Attempting to continue it in a manner that will satisfy both her agent and her fans, even while her personal life is in ruins, is an excruciating chore.

So when Chess Chandler, her childhood best friend turned bestselling self-help guru and influencer, invites her for an Italian writing retreat for two, Emily knows that she should be leaping at the chance. Sure it would put a slight strain on her budget, but the change of scene would be refreshing, if not outright inspiring. The real problem is that Emily isn’t really sure how to deal with Chess’ continuing success, even as her own star seems to be on the wane. But when she discovers that Chess has rented the Italian villa where noted horror author Mari Godwick wrote her groundbreaking novel Lilith Rising, she’s intrigued enough to finally say yes.

Back in the 1970s, Mari had traveled to the Villa Rosato with her boyfriend Pierce Sheldon and her stepsister Lara Larchmont, at the invitation of rock royalty and actual member of the English aristocracy Noel Gordon. They were all members of a bohemian set with ambitions of making their mark on history with their art. Mari, a prolific writer in the childhood she’s just barely left behind, has only recently found out that adulthood, alas, affords her less time and opportunity to write than she desires, especially after setting up house with Pierce:

QUOTE
She’d thought the words would always be that easy, that free.

That’s what life with Pierce was supposed to be about, after all. Both of them pursuing their art: Pierce through his music, Mari through her writing.

A lovely idea. An idyllic one.

The only issue was that it didn’t bloody work.

It was hard for two people to be artists when the rugs needed hoovering, and food needed to be purchased, dishes washed. And somehow, those things kept falling to her.
END QUOTE

A summer’s stay in Italy sounds like just the thing to both refresh her and help repair the growing cracks in her relationship with free-loving Pierce. But even as she uncovers a rich new seam of creativity, the people around her begin to fall apart, resulting in a gruesome murder that will change her life forever.

Almost five decades later, Emily will arrive at the villa, looking for her own chance to recharge and forget the cares of the everyday world. But what she uncovers during her stay could change not only the accepted biography of Mari Godwick, but also Emily’s own relationship with Chess, who’s practically a sister to her. What lengths will Emily go to in pursuit of the truth, no matter how uncomfortable or even downright dangerous?

This examination of the impact of fiction on the real world is twisting and surprisingly deep. I really loved how Rachel Hawkins transposed the origins of Frankenstein to a more recent fictional, if no less salacious, milieu. While we’ll never really know Mary Shelley’s most private musings on the relationships that simmered during her famed stay at Lake Geneva, Mari’s thoughts are both believable and highly relatable stand-ins, even if the outcome of her fictional stay differs significantly from its historical model’s.

Emily’s thoughts are no less well-detailed, as she faces the collapse of her marriage and her own complicated relationship with Chess. Watching as she gathers her confidence once more, as her life intertwines with Mari’s, makes for a thrilling, compelling read.

The Villa was such an enjoyable read! It flipped from current times to past times….. where this Italian Villa is the center of love, murder, and suspense! All I wanted to do was read and discover more about these characters! Part of me felt like it gave off Daisy Jones and the Six vibes….. 70s rock stars and all the drama they seemed to attract! Then we flip to current times where two writer friends go and stay at the same villa, and end up researching the history deeper to write a book….. they discover secrets and the mystery of what may have really went on at the Villa in 1974! It’s intriguing….. I love the characters Hawkins writes in her novels and her story lines are always 👌🏼!

Thanks to St. Martin’s Trade for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“The Villa” is the first modern gothic that I enjoyed reading. Author Rachel Hawkins understand it’s the atmosphere is what creates a good gothic thriller. The backstory of the previous events at The Villa smoothly blends into the contemporary story which creates a chilling double decker plot.

Take a trip “The Villa” to warm up on a cold winter’s day..

Unfortunately this one missed the mark for me. There was 1) present day, 2) past timeline, 3) a novel, 4) a podcast … it was all just too much to follow. I also felt like there was a lot of details that didn’t bring anything to the story (Mari’s parents relationship, for one.)

I found the two present day main characters Chess and Emily to be unbearable. Toxic female friendships aren’t fun to read about. They were both petty, manipulative and cruel to one another and had few redeeming qualities.

I did like the 70s timeline and could’ve read an entire book of those events without the present day narrative!

Not my favorite book of Rachel Hawkins. I found the book to be slow and dragged out even thought it had a good plot and the capability of really drawing you in. When we finally did get to the twists at the end I found them to be a bit predictable. Still overall a good read, i just really struggle with books that are drawn out with no excitement until the end.

Thanks netgalley and st. Martins press for this ARC!

I really enjoyed this one! Told in dual timelines, this story will keep you guessing until the very last page. Just when I thought I had figured it out, the author pulled the carpet out from under me again!

The setting was perfect. A villa in Italy with a sinister past. It had all the feels, all the creepy vibes. I loved the characters from the 1974 POV, but I wasn’t a fan of one of the characters from the present day. I still feel like something is off – but maybe that was the point?

I don’t want to give a single spoiler, so I ‘m going to leave this review very vague. It’s definitely one I think readers will enjoy more going in blind to!

**Many thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for providing me with an ARC of The Villa**

Ultimately, this was a bit disappointing. I think there's a bit too much trying to happen and it doesn't feel put together enough for me. The relationship between Chess and Emily was far too toxic for my enjoyment with little to no retribution for either character in the end. I was rooting for the twist and then a reverse twist comes in and mucked it all up.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Just like The Wife Upstairs, this book by Rachel Hawkins is addicting and hard to put down. The story is told in two different decades involving artists of their time on holiday. The books quickly captures your interest as you watch the story build to the main event: the murder at the Villa in 1974. The twists will make you uncomfortable as you want to scream at the characters to run. If you’re into culty, twisty stories with creepy vibes, pick up the book immediately.

I will follow Rachel Hawkins anywhere and The Villa was no exception! I loved the way this novel weaved together multiple stories and mysteries. It’s one of those novels that you have to stay up all night reading in order to get to the bottom of the mystery. Perfect for a long winter night! I absolutely loved this book!

This book took me on a roller coaster. I found the beginning intriguing but hard to follow due to the three separate narratives but once I had my bearings - I couldn’t stop reading. It was fun throughout the book to notice the parallels between the multiple narratives. Just when everything clicks and you think you have the twist figured out, Rachel Hawkins throws a curveball. This book gained a four star from me.

‘The Villa’ followed Rachel’s formula for thrillers to a tea. There were a lot of characters and nobody was trust worthy. I liked that the book took place in NC and Italy, but I wish it was a bit more descriptive about both. The strong female POV kept me interested. This was a quick read not too scary, if you’re new to thriller books. I really didn’t like the predictable ending. The twist was fitting and a nice touch, but didn’t take me by surprise.

You know those books where you get to trust that the characters are telling the truth and you can trust in story they are telling? Yeah… this book isn’t that. The Villa was a story about a story about a book.. if that makes sense? This book was crazy in a good way and though at times the characters were a bit much, I couldn’t help but be captured into this book as I wondered just how it would end and just how much crazier it could get.

This story alternated between two timelines, 1974 and the present. I found the present story more interesting and easier to follow about two childhood friends now in their ‘30’s, Emily and Chess, and their friendship and girls trip to Italy to stay at a villa. The villa had a reputation as a murder house due to events that took place in 1974. This was a quick read that I found interesting. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

The Villa

🍋Review - ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5🍋

📘The Villa by Rachel Hawkins
🗓️Pub Date: 1/03/22 (out now!)

This story takes place over two timelines in a Villa in Italy. Emily is an author of cozy mysteries but seems to be in a writing slump since her husband, Matt, filed for divorce. Her best friend, Chess, is also a well known author and has been Emily’s best friend since they were kids.

When Chess invites Emily on a trip to Italy to stay in a famous villa, Emily agrees to go. Hoping to get some writing done on her next book in her Petal Bloom series, Emily ends up focusing on the villa she is staying in. Villa Aestas (or The Murder House) is the location of a murder of an up and coming musician that happened in 70’s. After doing some research and uncovering some letters, Emily believes she has an idea for a new book.

This story takes place over two timelines. It follows Emily and Chess during their stay in the villa but it also follows Mari, girlfriend to the man that ends up murdered in the 70’s. During Mari’s timeline, we see what happens during the summer a group of artists stayed together. Spending their time getting high, having sex, creating music, and everything leading up to the night of Pierce’s murder.

While the story really pulled me in, it fell a little flat for me. I didn’t find any of the characters very likeable. Chess really irritated me for about 95% of the book, while Emily just seemed very naive. Mari and her sister also had a very strange relationship.

Overall, I enjoyed the story and I was really invested in both timelines. The end is where it really fell short for me. I felt like there was a decent build up and then abruptly ended.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

she does it again! rachel hawkins has quickly become an auto-buy author for me and let me tell you why: she knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat! i knew something was up throughout most of the book, and thought i had guessed the twist right away (ok i kinda did) but then just like that, she throws another one in. her books never end the way you expect them to, and the villa is no different. the italian setting was *chef’s kiss* because there’s nothing that makes me more uneasy than something going wrong in a foreign country. if you’re looking for a fast-paced thriller that will throw you for a loop, look no further!

*thank you to the publisher for my advanced eARC in exchange for an honest review*

Another stunning thriller by Rachel Hawkins! I thoroughly enjoyed this suspense thriller set in a gorgeous villa in Italy. It has a few kinks - pacing, muddled plotlines and some ambitious plot points that didn't quite hit the mark - but for what it is, I really enjoyed it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author Rachel Hawkins for advance copy for honest review.

My review is a day late but this book does not run short! Rachel Hawkins is a go to author for me. She write some crazy brained ideas that all come together in the end. She just draws you in. Well written.

The Villa is about an escape, and chance of a lifetime trip to beautiful Italy. She goes with her childhood friend Jess, now Chess, to a fancy villa with historic value as it was used by a former rockstar. As we learn, there was a murder that happened decades earlier in the summer of '74. Emily and Chess now start uncovering secrets from the past and before, but there is more than meets the eye. As all the clues come to light, they have to find out what happened that summer before it happens again. Highly recommend!

Emily and Chess are childhood friends who have lead different lives. Chess has become a worldly famous self-help writer and influencer. Emily is going through a difficult divorce. She writes cozy mysteries, not what she started out wanting to write. She also moved back home with her parents after being sick and leaving her husband. When Chess offers a summer in Italy (I mean, who would say no to that!) at a private villa. Emily says yes without really thinking twice about it. The villa is the site of an infamous murder in the 70s involving musicians, drugs, women. Emily finds herself immediately drawn to the story and her writer's block disappears as she looks further into the murder.

We are also reading Mari's story about that time in the villa. The wildness of youth and the 70s with sex and rock and roll. She was so young, just 16 when she first gets involved with Pierce Sheldon. She is dealing with her relationship with her stepsister Lara too. Mari wrote a horror novel titled Lillith Rising and became famous after the murder in the villa, while Lara has a big selling album titled Aestas after.

As the stories entwine together, there are so many revelations about the time before the murder and about Emily and Chess's relationship. The ending is the icing on the cake, didn't see that twist.

A great thriller to start off the new year of reading for me. I love how Ms. Hawkins kept changing the way I viewed all the characters throughout the story.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an advance copy for review.