Hands down my new favorite thriller from Rachel Hawkins!! I loved how this story within a story was full of unexpected twists that focused on the bonds of sisterhood and female friendship and the ways those bonds can get tested by toxic men! Excellent on audio narrated by a full cast including the amazing talents of Julia Whalen. The story included podcast excerpts and is perfect for fans of Jennifer McMahon or Simone St. James. Much thanks to NetGalley, St. Martins Press, Librofm and Tandem Collective Global for my ALC and the readalong opportunity!!

Wow. This book was on so many different levels. Two separate stories that intertwine in a multitude of ways. We have the story of Mari and Lara along with Noel, Pierce and Johnnie. And then we have the story of Chess and Emily with a bit of Matt. Both stories feature The Villa which ultimately turned in a destination of tragedy for all involved but resulted in works of art being created. Chess and Emily take a trip to The Villa to blow off creative steam as writers following Emily’s impending divorce. During this time Emily reads Lilith Rising which was written by Mari during the time she spent at The Villa. I appreciated the dual perspectives of Mari and Emily throughout these stories. From Mari’s perspective we see the dynamics of her relationships with Pierce, Lara, Johnnie and Noel and how that ultimately leads to a tragic event during their summer at The Villa. Emily finds a different perspective and gathers inspiration during this time to write her own book co-authored by Chess with their summer also ending with tragedy. I enjoyed the unique ending from Mari’s perspective as I was unprepared.

I was gifted an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Villa is an absorbing and suspenseful gothic novel set in Italy. 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. I started off LOVING this book, thinking it was going to be my favorite thriller of the year, but then something happened that took a turn that leaned towards something else…

The Villa merges an old-school gothic sensibility with modern suspense in interesting, entertaining ways. Told in dual timelines (1974 and present) with two different POVs (third person present in 1974 and first person past in present day) this novel really plays with the idea of the unreliable narrator, and keeps readers guessing as to what is actually happening until the very end. In that way, it’s a little evocative of Atonement.

As a reader, I really picked up on all of the inspirations for the novel: Fleetwood Mac, the Manson murders, and the inception of Frankenstein, and loved when said inspiration was manifested in the text.

Like a true gothic tale, the villa is at the forefront of the story. However, I think the villa actually takes a backseat to the relationships in the novel. Whether it’s Mari and Lara in the past or Emily and Chess in the present, the intricacies and perceptions in these relationships are paramount to the narrative. Author Rachel Hawkins really keeps readers on their toes about what is actually happening between these duos, and with their interactions with other characters in the story.

One thing I will say is that I think that the ending got a little bit messy. I understand the intent of what Hawkins was trying to accomplish, but I think it might have been one twist too many. I think it’s definitely worth the read, though. You can’t beat a story mostly set in Italy, after all.

Thank you to St. Martin’s and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

What a great novel! I absolutely could not put this down once I started reading it. A beautiful Italian villa. Two stories, decades apart, different yet oh so similar. Mari and her stepsister Lara in the 1960s. Emily and Chess in the 2020s. An intriguing story about writers and musicians,love, betrayals and murders. I highly recommend this one!

Overall I enjoyed this book. I felt like you got to know the characters and the villa. I liked how the author went back and forth between storylines until you could finally put the picture together. I really liked the ending. I feel like it wasn't all wrapped up in a pretty bow but it was still a satisfying ending.

I love anything Italian and mystery thrillers, so this was the perfect book for me! In addition to these favorites, this book alternates between the past and the present and centers around murder (think Charles Manson-esque) and rock music. This makes for the perfect recipe!

Presently, two best friends, one going through a nasty divorce, spend the summer at a villa in Orvieto, Italy. Both are writers and need to work on their latest books. Sounds simple, right? Oh no, there's plenty of baggage in this friendship.

The story in the past involves a young couple on the fringes of the London music scene in the 1970s who meet a rock star and are invited to his Italian villa. There are secrets and mistrust among those involved, followed by a brutal crime.

While the book was a slow simmer for the first two-thirds, it quickly picked up and tied together beautifully, just as Rachel Hawkins's previous books have. If you like the Italian countryside, are a fan of Fleetwood Mac or follow sensational murder mysteries, this book is for you.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book - 4 ½ stars. ½ star deducted because the story plot about Chess and Em seemed not quite finished. But the story about Mary, Lara and the rock'n'roll gang in 1974 carried the story through. As a child of the 70'ies, it is funny to me to start seeing that decade depicted as 'history'.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC and the chance to review this book.

WOW! The Villa is a delightfully delicious story that I devoured in one sitting!! Told in two different timelines, it all just came together perfectly. I loved the characters, loved the setting, loved the writing, loved the plot! It seems Rachel Hawkins can do no wrong!

I received this ARC from NetGalley. This was quite a unique mystery/thriller! I loved the nonlinear timelines and the history of the villa. This story tests relationships and finding out who you can really trust. Although I liked the concept of this story, I was hoping for more of a spooky mystery. I still enjoy Rachel Hawkins’ writing a look forward to more of her work.

Thank you netgalley for approving my wish

“The Villa” was anticlimactic at best.

This book read more like contemporary fiction than it did a thriller and I felt duped.

The first half of the book was promising and was building up some AMAZING twists but they all fell short.

This book could be amazing, the twists could have been jaw dropping but the last end of the book was tied up too fast and the explanation was blah.

Emily is a "cozy" mystery writer who has had a tough few months of being sick and dealing with a divorce.

Emily runs into Chess, her best friend since they were kids. Chess is a famous writer that had made a career in self-help motivation books.

After running into each other Chess asks Emily if she would like to go to Italy with her for the summer and stay at a villa. Emily agreed to go and was hoping that a change in scenery would help to get her out of the writing slump she is in.

The villa they stay in has a history. Back in the 1970s a famous singer died in the Villa. Emily is determined to find out what happened, so determined that she starts to write a story about what happened in the villa.

The story goes back and forth from the present, and back to the 1970s to tell the story of Mari and the famous singer.

I was a little concerned about the friendship between Emily and Chess at first. I thought Chess may have tried using Emily for her own benefit. I was happy to have been wrong. It was great seeing their bond get stronger instead.

This book was really well done with some twists that will catch you by surprise.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I love the idea of the Italian villa, the picturesque countryside, the two friends trying to reignite their burnt out friendship. Em and Chess were best friends forever while growing up but both of their lives have gone in different directions. When Chess wants to reconnect at the Villa Aestas and spend a summer together Em decides to give it a chance. Once they arrive Em can’t help but start digging into the murder house mystery that involves the villa and a murder from many years ago. The dual timeline storylines were interesting but somewhat confusing to me, I wasn’t always sure who fit where and which story I was reading until I got used to all the characters. I did like the end and thought it wrapped things up nicely.

This is my favorite Rachel Hawkins book yet!!
Firstly, it has a dual timeline and who doesn't love a dual timeline?
The present day timeline is focused around an author who is struggling to write her next mystery novel when she reconnects with a friend, Cheese. Chess takes her to a villa in Italy for the summer so both of them can focus on their writings.
The other timeline is based in the 1970s around a group of rock and rollers staying at the villa and all of their relationship drama. I promise it's nothing like Daisy Jones & The Six.
The book was well written and has lots of twists, turns and suspense!

thank you, netgalley, for an advanced copy of the villa.

This story is about Em and Chess, who goes to italy to a villa. In 1974, there was an incident at the villa, and someone died. You get a dual timeline of what happened now and then at the villa to see what led up to death.

This book was good, but I found myself at times bored, especially during the 1974 timeline. I felt like although it was nice to find out what happened during 1974, it felt almost unnecessary as I was more interested in the now timeline.

Two childhood best friends head to a villa in Italy to reconnect. A villa with a dark history. As the two attempt to repair their friendship, one finds herself sucked into the history of the house as she tries to solve the murder.

Rachel Hawkins does it again with a twisting, suspenseful thriller against the gorgeous backdrop of Italy. Told in alternating storylines that combine the pst and present, you won’t be able to put this book down.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for a fair review.

Wow, I wasn’t expecting this story! Loved the back and forth story between Chess and Em visiting the Villa and their rival author best friend dynamic, and the story they were discovering of what happened at the Villa. Or at least what was written. I really enjoyed it!

You know what they say: What happens at the Villa stays at the Villa.

Vacationing at a Villa in Orvieto, Italy sounds like a dream come true. One night in 1974, something sinister happened at Villa Aesta, and Pierce Sheldon was murdered. Now, over 40 years later, the Villa, now known as Villa Rosato, is available for rent. Best friends and writers, Chess and Emily decide to go for it, hoping to rebuild their friendship, write, and be inspired. Little do they know..

A slow/burn mystery that left much to be desired, I admit to skimming a good portion of the book when I got towards the end. I didn’t care much for either storyline and chalk this up to my not being the right reader for this novel.

A buddy read with Kaceey.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the arc and Macmillan audio and Libro.fm for the alc

This is my third book from Rachel Hawkins and I have enjoyed them all. I have to say Hawkins’ book covers are always gorgeous and definitely an attention getter. I really enjoyed The Villa. I enjoyed the different POVs and alternate timelines. Looking forward to more from this author.

There was so much potential for this slow burn thriller. I feel so conflicted with this one - while I really enjoyed the plot of the past timeline, the present one was rather boring until almost the end of the novel. I wished for more from the setting - in both the timelines. It seemed like it could have become a character on its own but was left alone.

While the twists made sense in the context of the story, they weren't surprising.

Mari was probably the most interesting to following but I found my attention waining when it switched between timelines.

Overall, this was a middle of the road read for me. I do intend to read more from this author as I could see loving something else from her in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc of this novel.