Incredibly engrossing! This book is one you won’t be able to put down. The two stories in one keep you entertained with twists that keep you reading! The #audiobook is narrated by three amazing talents:
@justjuliawhelan @voxkimberly @Shiromi.Arserio.

Thank you, Rachel Hawkins, MacmillanAudio & netgalley for my copy! All opinions are my own.

I reviewed this on Book Riot's All the Books podcast. Here is a rough transcript.

I don’t read a lot of mystery or thrillers, but I really enjoyed this.
It’s a gothic suspense story set at an Italian villa across two time periods, the present and the 1970s.
Emily is an author of cozy mysteries, she’s behind on her latest deadline.
She’s on book number ten or so in the series, and she can’t seem to get herself to write.
It doesn't help that the love interest is inspired by her now ex-husband.
So, when her best friend proposes they spend weeks at in Italian Villa together, she goes for it.
Her best friend, Chess, is a successful, wealthy self-help author — think Girl, Wash Your Face — with a devoted following.
They’ve been best friends since they were kids, but they drifted apart when Chess got famous.
She’s always been a bit of a flake, and now Emily can’t help but resent her a little for her success.
But they also love each other, and this is an amazing opportunity for a little writing retreat in a gorgeous location.
So Emily says yes, and they find themselves rekindling their friendship between writing sessions and lounging by the pool.
Meanwhile, we’re also getting point of view chapters from Mari.
I had to keep reminding myself that these chapters were set in the 1970s, not 1800s,
Which makes sense, because this storyline is partly inspired by the summer Mary Shelley, Percy Shelley, and Lord Byron spent together at a castle.
It also takes inspiration from the Manson Murders and Fleetwood Mac.
Mari is 19, but she feels like she’s lived a much longer life than that.
A few years ago, she ran off to be with a married musician, Pierce.
She’s a writer, but they’re both a little stuck in their creation process.
So when rock star Noel Gordon invites them to his Italian villa for the summer, they jump at the opportunity.
Mari imagines this as an artist’s retreat, where they’ll all be creating together.
But it’s not just the three of them.
Mari’s stepsister, Lara, convinces her to let her come along, and there’s another man there named Johnny, who Noel says is his “entertainment director”.
It turns out that means drug dealer, and Mari is disappointed that this is less of a creative endeavor and more of a never-ending party.
She doesn’t have much space or quiet to write, and she’s still stalled out.
She can’t seem to crack what the story she’s writing is really about, or what will happen next.
In the present, Emily is investigating the infamous murder that happened in this same villa back in the 1970s.
Especially at the beginning, this definitely has gothic vibes, despite being set in a sunny Italian vacation destination.
We know something terrible happened in that house in the 70s, and there’s a real sense of foreboding.
It also feels like echoes of what happened there are also playing out in the present between these two friends.
I listened to this as an audiobook and highly recommend it.
There are two main narrators, and there are also a few other pieces of media, including newspaper articles about the murder and a snippet of an obnoxious true crime podcast.
My favourite thing in books is complicated, layered relationships, especially non-romantic ones, and this book really delivers on that.
Chess and Emily have such an interesting dynamic.
They love each other, but they also both carry a ton of resentment towards the other.
Emily is suspicious and judgemental of Chess, but she’s also devoted to her.
They’d do anything for each other, but they also have the most capacity to hurt and betray each other.
This story is also exploring misogyny, and how women are pitted against each other.
Mari and Lara are brought to this villa as muses for the serious male artists,
Not recognized as artists in their own right.
They’re basically decoration.
They were used as teenagers.
And in the present, Emily is being used by her ex-husband.
Just like Emily and Chess, Mari and Lara have a tangled, thorny relationship with each other,
And they’re being pitted against each other by the men in their lives.
It's also a story about art and creating, and having someone try to take that away from you.
The vitality of creating and the cruelty of having that denied.
From a structural perspective, it was really interesting following Emily as she tries to figure out the mystery of what really happened in that Villa in the 70s just as we are.
And like I mentioned before, I loved the relationships — they’re caught in this tangled web of relationships with people that you love but are also trapped by.
And I thought the ending was really interesting. I think this would be a great book club read, because it would be fun to discuss with others.
And that’s The Villa by Rachel Hawkins.

I'm a little divided about this book. It's told in dual timelines and I liked the present timeline much better than the past one. That part of the story I really enjoyed and loved the storyline and the twists. I was a bit confused about the past storyline, maybe it was just me, maybe the different accents made me lose the thread, but overall, I really enjoyed tis book.

Thank you Netgalley for my free copy in exchange for an honest review.

The audiobook version of "The Villa" by Rachel Hawkins offers a delightful and immersive listening experience that complements the engaging storytelling. Rachel Hawkins' tale of mystery, romance, and family intrigue is well-served by the narrator's skillful performance, which brings the characters and the scenic Italian setting to life.

The narrator's voice is both engaging and easy to follow, making it an enjoyable experience for listeners. She effectively captures the essence of each character, adding depth to their personalities through distinct voices and nuanced emotions. This makes it easy to become emotionally invested in the story and its characters.

The pacing of the narration is well-suited to the book's plot. It keeps listeners engaged, especially during moments of suspense and discovery, and provides a natural flow to the storytelling. Whether it's the sense of adventure, the complexities of familial relationships, or the blossoming romance, the audiobook version captures the nuances of the story effectively.

The audiobook also excels in conveying the vivid descriptions of the Italian villa and the lush landscapes, allowing listeners to easily envision the settings. This sensory element enhances the overall experience, making it feel like a true escape to Italy.

"The Villa" is a delightful audiobook that brings the novel's charm, romance, and intrigue to life in a way that engages the listener's imagination. Whether you're a fan of contemporary fiction or looking for a captivating story to get lost in, the audiobook version of "The Villa" is a superb choice for those who enjoy a blend of mystery, romance, and family drama.

I read this a bit ago! It was BORING! Nothing really happens. It's actually pretty forgetable. Thank you to Netgally for giving me this audiobook in exchange for my thoughts. Sorry to say that I didn't really like it. I don't think that Rachel Hawkins is the author for me.

I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley for an honest review.

First, I absolutely LOVE the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and in the last few years more information has come out about her real life and I have delved into those biographies and so forth, thus, right off the bat I was VERY excited about this novel.

Second, if you know the history about Mary Shelley and how Frankenstein came to be, then you will sort of know how this story plays out. But only sort of because their were some AMAZING twists and turns in this novel that just made me want to keep reading until the very end.

I really like how this novel was written as well, where we have the chapter beginning with modern story, then flashes back to either the 1970s and/or different articles/podcasts and the like discussing the murdery villas history. I thought this was super unique and I do love how the two stories of the 'sisters' play out in the way it does being so similiar in the 1970s and modern times. This novel as a whole was just REALLY entertaining and enjoyable and I am excited to pick up the next one by Rachel Hawkins!

OHHHHHH The drama! Have you ever had a friend that you feel you have grown out of? But you are not sure if its you feeling some kind of way or if you really need to let go? Well Emily feels this and she is not sure what to do soooo she goes on a vacation with her high school bestie. BUT that's when the fun begins!

The narrator was excellent! She told the story in such a way that was easy to follow along.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for my copy of The Villa by Rachel Hawkins Narrated by Julia Whelan; Kimberly M. Wetherell; Shiromi Arserio in exchange for an honest review. It published January 3, 2023.
First off, the narration was top notch, which is obviously expected with the previously credited talents!
Second off, Rachel Hawkins brings another unputdownable story to the table. I think it's impossible for the books not to be devoured. Simply impossible! That being said, there were a few things that were hard for me since it was an audiobook: All the coarse language. I know that is not a problem for most, but listening to it constantly bothers me. Secondly, there was what I presume was a graphic sex scene. I do not know though, because I just skipped ahead, because that is not my jam. Something I loved about the audio was the podcast! It definitely enriched the book experience!

While I did enjoy the dual timeline storyline, I was a bit let down about the premise of the story in general.

Two best friends go to Italy in hopes to reconnect and work on their next book since they are both authors. They find out a murder took place in the Villa they are staying in and the story goes from 1974 (the time of the murder) and present day.

While the premise was a good one, it fell quite flat for me and there were even times I didn’t really care to find out what happened.

I did enjoy the audiobook narration by Julia Whelan.

The Villa by Rachel Hawkins was delightfully atmospheric--as someone who longs to spend a summer in an Italian Villa, I loved the setting of the book. I also appreciated the back and forth between the journal and the main narrator. The story isn't completely shocking, it was definitely predicatable, but it was a good read. I loved reading it and couldn't put it down. It was a book I kept talking about & couldn't forget.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest and fair review.

This was a great story. I loved the sort of gothic setting and the alternate timelines. The main characters were great, and I thought I knew where the story was going but I was wrong, there were plenty of twists to change and evolved the story. I could not put this one down and I have read all the author's books and I believe this is my favorite one hers yet. The narration was clear and easy to fall. It made the story immersive.

I got about halfway through before I stopped listening. It just didn't capture me. I didn't connect with any of the characters or care about the story.

I highly enjoyed and recommend this high pace thriller! I loved the past and present scenes and didn’t predict the twist ! A memorable read.

This was my first book by Rachel Hawkins. I had actually read the blogs and say how Popular this one was. It took me a week to finish. I had a love hate relationship with this one.

While the premise and the setting of this book are very intriguing, ultimately, it didn't deliver.
I wish the author had picked a lane and told the story of the first group of people at The Villa in the 70s. It would have given the characters the time they deserved and would have been much creepier and more compelling. The present day story was sort of weird and random in comparison to the story in the past. The present day people were kind of terrible and too away from the very interesting historical situation.
I will read Rachel Hawkins again, but I think her previous novels were better summer reads than this one!

Villa Aestas was the site of a brutal murder of a musician fifty years ago. In present time, Emily and Chess are childhood friends who spend a summer writing at the villa. Chess is successful self help guru and Emily, the writer of a cozy series. However, her recent illness and messy divorce have caused her to fall into a slump. She uses the mystery of the villa to revive her creativity. Chess is hiding something though, and as we follow their story, we come to realize that things are not necessarily what they seem. I was shocked by the ending but also satisfied. I enjoyed that the story is about writing. Its amazing how people keep secrets. Very enjoyable and entertaining.

*4.5 stars* Thank you Netgalley for the arc and audio arc! Rachel Hawkins delivers again! I have loved every mystery/thriller from this author and I will continue to support them. Highly recommend.

The Villa is a quick popcorn thriller about two best friends (who are also both authors) who stay the summer at an Italian Villa. The catch? A high profile murder took place there in the 70s. But maybe it’s exactly what these writers needed for inspiration.
…
Look, I wanted to like this book so much more than I did. I mean - look at that gorgeous cover! It’s not bad, the storyline flows and the bouncing back and forth in the timelines makes sense. I didn’t trust any of the characters which is something I generally like in a thriller. I listened to this on audiobook and very much enjoyed the narrators’ reading style. But when it comes down to it, this thriller was just lacking in thrills. The things I didn’t see coming weren’t even much of a surprise and at the end I felt the lack of umph. I keep giving this author a chance and I think for me, she’s middle of the road. But just remember- that’s just one reader’s opinion! This book is out now so check it out for all the murder and limoncello. |Brit|
…
Thank you @macmillan.audio for a complementary copy in exchange for an honest review!

This was my 3rd novel by Rachel Hawkins and it was my least favorite. It was a slow burn that I would not classify as a thriller. Told in duel timelines of the present and the past it intertwines a crime. Former best friends who are both writers, Emily and Chess, spend the summer in an Italian Villa in the hopes to each get some writing done on their new books. The villa they are staying at is where the famous murder in the 1970s happened, involving a rock star. Emily researched this murder once they arrived at the villa and was intrigued to write her own novel of the occurrences. I preferred the storyline set in the present as I was a little bored with the storyline of the past. I also didn’t find any of the characters particularly likable.

The Villa was by far much more enjoyable than her last writing, Reckless Girls. I really enjoyed the disection of the time spent at the villa and what the complicated relationships that transpired there really indicated for the characters in that time and in the present day. I really enjoyed it, and was captivated by the plot all the way to the end.