Hmm. This is a tricky review to write because on the one hand I was really interested in the story and wanted to know what was going to happen; while on the other, I did not like a single character and felt no attachment to either story line (past or present). It felt like the Victoria storyline within Lileth Rising was kind of unnecessary as well. There were other facets that also did not work for me such as the friendship between Chess and Em, and I really disliked Matt being so toxic that he was poisoning her (insert eyeroll here). I would have been more on board with him *actually* poisoning her, honestly. The ending was also really dissatisfying both in the present and the past and left the reader with next to no closure. It held my attention, but overall I felt like there was a big build to very little payout.

I do enjoy a Hawkins thriller, she tends to hit the right mix of domestic thriller and suspense that I like to read

I thought this was interesting and enjoyed reading it. There were a few twists that I saw coming, but then there were additional twists at the end that mixed things up. If you are halfway through or even 80% and you think you know what's going on, just keep going. There might still be something surprising for you.

I have read a few books by Rachel Hawkins now and her writing is pretty consistent. I really like the way her stories play out in different directions. She seems to write a lot of unlikable characters that have just a hint of a reason to care.

I enjoyed the little additions in this book, such as blog transcripts and book passages. However, these did not translate well in audio form. I found that I had to pull up the ebook a couple of times to understand what was going on. In physical format they made sense and it was much more clear.

The audio was narrated by Julia Whelan, Kimberly M. Wetherell, and Shiromi Arserio. They did a wonderful job, but the format of the book didn't lend itself well to audio at times. I would recommend getting the physical copy of this one over the audio.

I tend to enjoy Rachel’s books, and was excited to dive into this new book! Thank you St Martin’s Press, Net Galley, & Rachel Hawkins.

Breaking my review down into a few areas.

The past - 5 young adults enter the Villa, but none really ever leave (literally and metaphorically). Lara & Mari, step sisters, have ventured off to Italy with Pierce, Noel, and Johnnie. The story that develops is pretty interesting, filled with twists and turns, and just when you THINK you have it figured out, it'll take you in a whole other direction. We’ve heard throughout the book that this Villa was infamous due to the murder of Pierce - but it was a matter of who. Although four people left that Villa physically, all of them left part of themselves there. This part of the book was the most interesting to me, but didn't necessarly love or empathize with any characters.


The present - holy moly I could not stand Chess. Chess and Emily - forever best friends who both ended up writers but live two completely different lives have embarked on this journey to the Villa was made famous back in the 70s. Chess honestly made a lot of these parts unreadable, and I know that was the point, but I didn’t blame Emily for being driven nuts by her.

The situation with Matt was also something that could’ve been explored more - or just left out. Watching Emily put the pieces together of what really happened was interesting, but Chess’ selfish ways made these parts of the book harder to get through.


Overall I give it a 3.5-4 stars. From the past and present, the characters were mostly fueled by jealousy, and this made it a bit of a tougher read since I didn't particularly like any of the main characters. I’d dedicate more space to the 1974 murder/Villa instead of present day. Thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this!


<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60784641-the-villa" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="The Villa" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1651426717l/60784641._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60784641-the-villa">The Villa</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2261547.Rachel_Hawkins">Rachel Hawkins</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4873473411">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I tend to enjoy Rachel’s books, and was excited to dive into this new book! Thank you St Martin’s Press, Net Galley, & Rachel Hawkins. <br /><br />Breaking my review down into a few areas. <br /><br />The past - 5 young adults enter the Villa, but none really ever leave (literally and metaphorically). Lara & Mari, step sisters, have ventured off to Italy with Pierce, Noel, and Johnnie. The story that develops is pretty interesting, filled with twists and turns, and just when you THINK you have it figured out, it'll take you in a whole other direction. We’ve heard throughout the book that this Villa was infamous due to the murder of Pierce - but it was a matter of who. Although four people left that Villa physically, all of them left part of themselves there. This part of the book was the most interesting to me, but didn't necessarly love or empathize with any characters. <br /><br /><br />The present - holy moly I could not stand Chess. Chess and Emily - forever best friends who both ended up writers but live two completely different lives have embarked on this journey to the Villa was made famous back in the 70s. Chess honestly made a lot of these parts unreadable, and I know that was the point, but I didn’t blame Emily for being driven nuts by her. <br /><br />The situation with Matt was also something that could’ve been explored more - or just left out. Watching Emily put the pieces together of what really happened was interesting, but Chess’ selfish ways made these parts of the book harder to get through. <br /><br /><br />Overall I give it a 3.5-4 stars. From the past and present, the characters were mostly fueled by jealousy, and this made it a bit of a tougher read since I didn't particularly like any of the main characters. I’d dedicate more space to the 1974 murder/Villa instead of present day. Thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this!

This is perfect for beach or vacation reading. It's fast-paced, plot-driven, escapist fiction.
Things I liked about it:
The setting
The dual timeline
The "meta" ness of an author writing a book about an author writing a book
They mystery element

Things I didn't care for:
Toxic relationships
Salaciousness
Not a likable character in the bunch

The other nit I might pick - the book starts out with "houses remember" and repeats that a couple of times, but the house didn't have as much "character" as it teased that it would.

I have mixed feelings.
I loved being instantly grabbed
The muliple timelines
Povs
Twist

However it definitely dragged at points and my gripped attention faded and then went up and down.

This month the #literarylovelies participated in #GalleyMatch! We were matched with @ladyhawkins novel, the Villa. I was beyond excited because this is of the best covers ever. I absolutely love the teal color and the lemons.

Emily is going through a divorce from husband, when her childhood best friend reaches out to her with an opportunity to go to Italy for the summer. Emily and Chess haven’t been close recently, but this is a chance to bond again. The Villa they are staying in is known as Villa Aestas, but back in the 70s it was Villa Rosato and it was where a famous book and a famous album were written here. There was also a brutal murder. Emily is a cozy mystery writer who is inspired by the history of the Villa and begins to research what happened. Chess in a motivational influencer (like Rachel Hollis) who is also a self help writer.

The story flips back and forth from the present time with Emily and Chess to the 70s with Mari and Lara, who are on a trip with a famous rock star and some of his entourage. This part of the book has a sex, drugs, and rock and roll vibe. I loved both parts of the dual timeline, but I especially loved Chess. She was over the top and just a great character.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book. It was a very easy book to read and I enjoyed the epistolary chapters as well. Thank you so much to @thebookclubcookbook and @stmartinspress for the advanced reader copy. The Villa is on sale January 3, 2023!

A truly juicy, didn't want to put it down kind of read. Dual timelines with mystery, intrigue, and a sense of who-is-trustworthy, The Villa kept me awake and reading much later than I should have been awake, making it a quick read. I wouldn't be sad to see a sequel....

This book is told from two different times - current and 1974. In 1974 5 people stayed at the Villa and one of them is killed. Chess and Emily have decided to spend their summer at the villa - they are both writers and think this is a great place to continue working on their next book. Once there, Emily becomes interested in the past history of events and starts doing some digging, putting things together.

I really enjoyed reading about both storylines and how they intersect. It was a page turner for sure, but the characters were not enjoyable. It isn't that they weren't well written, and there are people like them in the world for sure. But there was no empathy/sympathy to be found from me.

was this the best thriller? no
was it super entertaining? yes
I love a book within a book and this was the perfect escape read. If you can set aside disbelief about a lot of it and just run with the plot, I think most people will find this an enjoyable binge read.

I couldn't put this down once I finally started reading it! I enjoy this author and this book did not disappoint!

The house remembers what an opening line!
Going through a difficult divorce Emily reconnects with her childhood best friend Chess, they are now in their thirties, both of them writers, needing a change they decide to spend the summer at a villa in Italy. Under the gorgeous Italian sun the Villa Aestas is where Emily and Chess will be staying. The Villa wasn’t always known by that name. In 1974 the Villa had a name and it was for one simple reason murder.
In 1974 a handsome musician Pierce Sheldon with his girlfriend, Mari, and her stepsister, Lara, are invited by the rock star, Noel Gordon, to spend time at the Villa. Noel
Is hoping to create music with Pierce. This summer is filled with drama and backstabbing and ends with Pierce Sheldon’s bloody murder. Pierces girlfriend Mari after leaving the Villa and his murder behind writes one of the greatest horror books of all time and her stepsister Lara composes the “ Aestas” album and the album turns gold.
Dealing with writers block Emily looks for inspiration and begins to research the mystery that surrounds Pierce’s murder.
The Villa offers clues as to what really happened that summer and soon it begins to show that there’s secrets and tensions between Emily and Chess. Emily begins to wonder maybe being invited by Chess wasn’t genuine. Cracks begins to show tempers flare and we see parallels between modern day Emily and Chess that eerily resemble that of Mari and Lara. Will the dark history continue is there a curse that surrounds The Villa?

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. I am so bummed! I liked this one so much until the ending!! Ugh! With that being said, this was probably my favorite of Hawkins’ books. I think the more atmospheric, gothic thriller suits her better than the popcorn thrillers I have read from her in the past.

Could not put this book down. I loved the intertwining stories of Mari and Em. I loved how engrossed you become with the characters and can feel every emotion they do. Plenty of twists.

In 1974, a murder takes place at Villa Rosato and sisters, Mari and Lara, are the only two to come out of it somewhat unscathed. Fast forward to the present and the renamed mansion, Villa Aestas, and long time friends, Emily and Chess, uncover secrets about the 1974 murder that no one has ever found.

I found The Villa to be an intriguing read and really enjoyed how the two stories at the same mansion wove together and influenced each other. I have enjoyed everything I’ve read by Rachel Hawkins and this book was no different. This story wasn’t exactly what I expected when I picked up this book, but I loved it just the same. I really loved the creativity in the way the two stories wound together and influenced each other. In my opinion, if you are a mystery fan and what to discover the secrets behind two different stories, this book is definitely worth checking out!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!

Can a place be evil? Two thirty-something friends are about to find out in The Villa, an Italian mansion haunted by memories of sex, drugs, rock & roll, and murder…

The plot is split between two timelines. In the present, two childhood friends try to deal with their issues as grown women. In 1974, a famous rock star brings together a group of acquaintances for a house party that goes horribly wrong. Parallels are drawn with perhaps a hidden ending for the present-day story left unsaid.

Plot-wise, The Villa hits it out of the park. However, I didn’t enjoy the writing style and disliked most of the characters too. I think an opportunity was missed to create an unforgettable novel like Gone Girl. Instead, we get this. Read literally anything else by this author first. Or reread Gone Girl. 2 stars.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a digital review copy of the book.

Another excellent book from Rachel Hawkins. Like her previous books, this one locked me in from the first page and didn’t let me go until I had read it straight through. Great characters developed over two separate timelines with a seriously unexpected twist at the end. Highly recommended

Thanks to NetGalkey and St Martin Publishing Group for an advanced reader copy

This is hovering between a 3 and 4 star read for me. The story is told in two main parts, which actually turns out to be three but not really? I ended up liking the 1974 plot a lot more than the modern one, I just felt the characters were far more interesting, even though they are a direct parallel to Lord Byron and Mary Shelley's stay at a lake house while she wrote Frankenstein. The modern setting with "best friends" Chess and Emily was exhausting because they honestly should have just been lesbians instead of the plot they eventually find themselves in. There is a bit of poetic justice at the end which I appreciated but ultimately I was left with the feeling it could have been more.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I thought I knew where this book was going the entire time, but then we took a turn. I'll be honest, I'm not sure I liked that turn. The ending didn't seem to fit with the rest if the story. There was a lot here and it didn't all feel well thought out to me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks so much for the Arc!

Rachel Hawkins writes another twisty and dark novel. The Wife Upstairs had me on the edge of my seat, Reckless Girls had me shocked and The Villa had me wondering.

Author, Emily, takes up her old best friend, Chess, on a spontaneous trip to Italy. She’s having major writes block, health issues and her marriage just crumbled. Although she seems to have a challenging relationship with Chess an escape might be exactly what she needs. Chess (also an author but very successful) books “The Villa.”

In 1974, The Villa was occupied by a famous rockstar and some companions. The book jumps back and forth in time to the story of Noel, Pierce, Mari and Lara and to the best friends Emily and Chess. We start to put the pieces together that whatever Mari experienced was major. She too, being an author, wrote about her wild summer living with musicians. She also left clues as to what went wrong when one wound up dead.

We uncover a lot about Emily and Chess’ relationship throughout the book- never quite knowing who to trust. Emily begins to write about Mari’s experience in The Villa and he world totally changes because of it.

This book had a slow build. I didn’t see all the twists coming but they weren’t quite twisty enough for me. I also felt like the ending was sort of rushed. There was alot of build up behind both stories and the mysteries wrapped in them- then their truths were quickly glossed over. I still really love Hawkins writing and how each of her books are so different.