I've been a fan of Hawkins' YA work for years. This is my first venture into her adult fiction and I was not disappointed. There is a great readability that hooks the readers from the first chapters. I love the jumps from past and present and the integration of other features such a a podcast.

Julia Whelan is a fantastic narrator who certainly does justice to the writing and narrative.

This is told in two timelines. You have Emily and Chess in present day. Childhood best friends, both writers, they stay at a villa in Italy for the summer. Emily is intrigued by the tragedy that took place at the villa in the 70s. A story that has always held a lot of secrets. Emily tries to unravel the truth.
Back in the 70s, five young people- all creative- mostly musicians and a writer- spend the summer at the villa. In the age of sex, drugs, and rock and roll, all are present. Things are a bit too intertwined and someone ends up dead. But the survivors never talk about it and all die within 20 years.

I am not sure why, but I immediately felt like this was trying to be a thriller version of [book:Daisy Jones & The Six|40597810]. I think the era paired with the fact that the story often switches POVs- not only between the characters, but you also get newspaper articles, podcasts, blogs, etc.... So while the feel is similar, the story is not as captivating.

You would also think that the setting would have a large part in this story. It is, after all, titled "The Villa". But, nope. Other than a couple of mentions, this might as well be anywhere in the world. And even the house itself is a minor component. The windowsill and the carved "M" are about the only thing of import.

As for the 'present day'- Chess is unbearable. Emily is a doormat. Their later collaboration is utterly ridiculous.

I will say- the audiobook is above average. Not [author:Taylor Jenkins Reid|6572605] level, but good. Julia Whelan, a favorite narrator of mine, narrates most of the book. But, as previously mentioned, this often switches POVs to things like articles and pod casts. Each of those has its own narrator as well.

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I feel like... I wasted my day reading this? I have no clue how this is marketed as a thriller or gothic suspense. This story follows to childhood best friends, who decide to rent an Italian Villa for the summer to try and focus on writing their respective books. It also just so happens that this Villa had a gruesome murder happen in the 70's between a group of musicians that stayed there. This goes back and forth between both stories, and slooooowly unravels what happens to both groups in a very unsatisfying or interesting way?

I will say, I did enjoy the narration throughout this, and the experimental media that happens throughout the story. There are narrations from the present day and 70's MC's, a podcast episode snippet included, articles, and journal entries throughout the story, which did help enhance the story. There's a closed door MMF scene which was a good addition to add in. I also found the writing in this very palatable? I did not like any of the characters in this, was rooting for them all to die (whoops), yet also didn't have the urge to dnf the story. I wanted to be proven wrong with my ending guesses.

Beware - in the 1970's storyline, there's child SA. The narrator is 19 when introduced, but we learn that her and her stepsister are seduced at 16 years old and in love with the grown ass musician man. Who also had a child bride. There were too many teenage girl + adult men relationships.

I would recommend not going into this looking for a satisfying mystery or thriller, but rather as regular fiction with some interesting thoughts included into the story. The "twist" at the end was very pointless. I was debating between giving this book one or two stars. As we were marketed "a deliciously wicked gothic suspense, set at an Italian villa with a dark history" and this didn't deliver, i'm going to stick with one star. So unsatisfying.

I was provided an audiobook arc from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is an interesting story about childhood friends who grow apart because, you know, life happens. But when Chess, yes there's a story there, invites Emily away for several weeks at a Villa in Italy one summer, it seems like a great way to rekindle their friendship. At this villa, we get roped into another story, that of rock stars and their world, who happened to stay at the same villa many years ago and one of them was a writer. It just so happens that Emily and Chess are writers as well. It's interesting how the story develops and how discovering events of the past occupants help shape what the current situation becomes for Chess and Emily.

Thanks to NetGalley for an arc of The Villa. Think part Daisy Jones, part Rock Paper Scissors, part the Most Likely Club. I’m a Rachel Hawkins fan so I was excited for her newest book. I listened to the audio version and Julia Whalen is the narrator and she’s a dream to listen to; I seek out books where she is the reader.
So this book is a story within a story. The timeline goes between the 70s and present day. While the storylines are very different, they also have similar themes: Female bonds, romantic relationships and creating art. Daisy Jones vibe comes in with the 70s sex drugs and rock and roll substory. Present day, there are friends competing ala The Most Likely Club and two friends writing books a tiny bit like Rock Paper scissors in the meta nature of writing books within books.
I found it a little challenging to differentiate characters and timelines at points with the audio book. Sometimes it just took me a few seconds to catch up but I often speed up my narration so that could have contributed. I think a lot of people like that option in audiobooks so be on the lookout for this issue if speeding up applies to you!
I didn’t love any of the characters. I’m not sure if I was supposed to, though. Part of the theme of the story is how flawed the characters are and how those complexities can serve different purposes.
This book earned a solid 4 stars from me. It was an amalgamation of thriller, female friendships, and pop culture. However, because the characters weren’t compelling to me and sometimes their reactions were so far from what I would expect from most people, it took it down a notch for me. The main character’s paranoia could definitely have been played up more, too.
Overall, I am definitely going to be recommending this to my book loving friends. I devoured the audio in two days, listening at every point I could. If you have read her other books, this will rise above them.

The thing that is so great about a Rachel Hawkins novel is the mystery that surrounds the characters in it. Emily and Chess have been lifelong friends. Both are now authors and, when Emily's husband decides to divorce her, Chess suggests a summer away to reconnect and write. The villa they stay in has a murderous past and Emily falls down the rabbit hole of learning about the people who stayed their one summer years ago and the real story of why one of them never left alive. I loved the intricacies of the friendship that Emily and Chess have. There are several times you don't know who or what to trust. The book flips back from present day to the past. Hawkins does a great job of blending the two timelines and keeping you entwined with both stories. The villa provides a great setting and the twists and turns that lead up to the ending are intriguing and satisfying. I really enjoyed this one and will continue to look forward to more captivating stories from Hawkins in the future.

The audio for this book was done particularly well. Three separate narrators take on the characters which helps the listener switch back and forth from one timeline to the next. I would definitely recommend the audio for The Villa.

This slow-burn suspense novel will keep you intrigued and interested throughout the entire book. The book keeps it interesting by switching back and forth between the past and present all focusing on an Italian villa where a crime was committed in 1974. “Houses remember” and the murderous history infiltrates a six-week girls’ trip for childhood friends Emily and Chess.

Emily and Chess have grown apart, but when Chess decides to rekindle their friendship on a writing retreat to Italy, Emily decides to join her at Villa Aestas. Both former friends are now authors, so this beautiful rental will be the perfect escape to clear their minds and allow them to work on their writing and their friendship. However, Villa Aestas has a very dark past that slowly begins to unravel. The plot is complex and features several twists. It all converges neatly toward the end for a surprising finale.

It is an engaging and fun read. Thank you Net Galley for the advanced copy!

💭Thoughts:
I was drawn to this book after reading the blurb that the book was inspired by Fleetwood Mac, and the Manson murders.

This was my second book by Rachel Hawkins this month. I recently finished Reckless Girls. I really liked the story, but like with the Reckless Girls the pacing seems off. The progression is slow, very slow then suddenly boom everything happens right at the end.

I did really enjoy the dual timelines and dual POVs. Two of my favorite things in thrillers. Two very different stories intertwined by the Villa and tragedy. Sadly, I never really connected to any of the characters.

The narration was fantastic! It really brought the different stories to life. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook version!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator did a fantastic job. It wasn't my favorite book by this author but I'm a big fan of Rachel Hawkins and I can't wait to read what the author writes next!

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for a review!
This is my first Rachel Hawkins book, and it was not what I was expecting! I did really enjoy it. I love novels with multiple POVs and this one uses a few different ones; a current day narrator, a narrator from the past, and some snippets from a novel and music that are all tied together by the same house. I liked reading the progression between the characters in both periods of time. The past POV was very reminiscent for me of Daisy Jones and the Six, but less romantic, and the current day one was also interesting the way Hawkins wrote these two characters who are navigating what its like to have a "best" friend for that long: the complicated history and the uncomfortable present. However, each POV had a moment near the end that I just didn't really buy. One of them I think is just trying hard to be like one specific author's popular thriller, but I dont want to give that away and spoil things. I do think it's worth the read, just not the best thriller I've ever read. The audio was great quality, there were a few different narrators and they all were great to listen to. There was even one part that had two narrators mimicing a true crime podcast and it made me cringe so hard, I loved it.

This was a FUN read/listen! Someone described it as Verity meets Daisy Jones and Six and I couldn't agree more. The Italian villa setting added to the mood of the book which at times was sunny and inviting, but could quickly turn dark and mysterious. The alternating timelines, plus the addition of the podcast script and the novel excerpts, made this fast-paced and exciting. I had to pause the audio often to grasp what was happening and to think about how everything was connected before moving on to read and learn even more. I loved The Wife Upstairs, but didn't enjoy Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins. She definitely redeemed herself with this mystery thriller and once again, I can't wait to see what she writes next!

Life has taken Chess and Emily, childhood best friends, down different paths, but now in their 30's, they have decided to reconnect during a summer girls trip to Italy. They stay in Villa Aestas, the home where a murder too place in 1974. Emily is a cozy mystery author who is stuck in a rut, but as she digs into the history of the villa, she finally becomes excited about writing again. Chess, a nonfiction author and social media influencer, finds herself interested in the mystery even though Emily would like to keep the project to herself. As Emily gets closer to the truth about the murder that happened during the summer of 1974, tension grows between the two friends. Betrayals from both past and present come to light and it looks like another murder may take place in the villa because "houses remember".

I don't know if it's possible, but this felt like a fast-paced, slow-burn thriller. It was a quick read/listen (under 300 pages and less than 8 hours) and kept me entertained from start to finish. The narration of the audio was amazing! Thanks NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and MacMillian Audio for the advanced digital and audio copies of The Villa!

I think this book was Rachel Hawkins' best one yet. I loved the backhanded idea of holing up in a villa in Italy and writing a book--which is reminiscent of Mary Shelley's writing of Frankenstein. SPOILER ALERT: I appreciated that she did not go into the murder of Emily's ex-husband, she just announced it in a media announcement, because actually the story is about Emily and Chess. I did like the back and forth of the two storylines and although they did not necessarily reflect each other they tied together. I listened to the audiobook, thanks to Net Galley and the narrators were all very good.

I have had mixed feelings about previous Rachel Hawkins books, so when I started the Villa I tried to make sure I was going in with an open mind.
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This story is actually two stories in one. The first story is in the present, and is about Emily’s struggle with her divorce and being in a writing rut. When her best childhood friend, Chess, recommends that they go to Italy for the summer, Emily is excited for the change of scenery. They will be staying in a beautiful Villa, with a crazy past.
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The second story takes place decades before in the same Villa. One summer, Mari is staying at the Villa with friends. There is a brutal murder, which leaves everyone wondering what really happened. Fast forward to the future, Emily is writing her own book about Mari’s story, and using clues she is finding around the house to discover the truth.
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This was a really interesting book. It kept me on my toes. I was confused, because during the book, Mari has written her own book with a storyline that is hard to follow with the other two story lines taking place. I had the audio version of this book, and wondered if it would have been easier to keep up with if I had the physical or ebook copy.
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After talking about this book with some friends, it occurred to me that this book has Verity vibes. When you get to the last few pages, you are left wondering what really happened. While I love the mystery aspect, I also wish I actually did know what happened. There are a few other things in this story I did not love, and wish that had ended a little differently. I am giving this book a 3.5, but would round it up to a 4.
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I will be posting this book on my Instagram and on Goodreads on January 3. 2023!

Thank you MacMillan Audio for the ALC of Rachel Hawkins upcoming book The Villa. This audiobook was narrated by Julia Whelan; Kimberly M. Wetherell; and Shiromi Arserio which was excellent. I was easily able to differentiate the characters while listening. Julia Whelan is a favorite narrator- the other 2 although I was not familiar with their previous work I do think they did a good job. The book is about 2 lifelong best friends - both authors who stay in a Villa in Italy for the summer to reconnect their friendship. Not just any Villa though - it was a "murder house" back in the 70's. The book is also a "book within a book". I did find myself enjoying Emma and Chess' story more than I did the flashbacks to the story from the 70's.
Overall this was a good book even though it was somewhat predictable. It is worth your time reading, but not a book I would consider remarkable or unforgettable.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this audiobook. The audiobook itself was great. I really enjoyed the narrator, and I thought she really did justice to the characters and the story.

This was so so so so so close to being a 3-star read because of how mad I was by the ending but then Rachel Hawkins hit me with that last chapter and holy shit. I can’t get too much into anything because it’s truly best to go into the book knowing as little as possible.

Both storylines were great, although personally I liked the past better than the present. As always, the narrators are phenomenal.

Thank you MacMillan Audio for the ARC!

This one is definitely not a thriller by any means. The cover is very eye catching and it’s marketed as a thriller, but you’ll be disappointed in the storyline of that’s what you’re expecting. I didn’t really like the flashbacks from the 70s and found myself zoning out during those chapters and definitely enjoyed the current day pov better. The “twist” at the end was predictable and not very memorable.

Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy of this book on audio in exchange for an honest review.

“Houses remember.” This eerie statement sets the vibe for Rachel Hawkin’s latest novel, The Villa. The audiobook was well done and easy to follow, utilizing three narrators. That is saying a lot for this particular novel, as it follows various timelines and realities (past, present, and passages from a novel written by one of the book’s characters). The various perspectives were woven together really nicely. I thought the novel flowed well and had a nice pace. I listened to it quickly and it easily kept me engaged the entire time.

There were a few plot points that I felt were unresolved, or maybe not resolved as fully as I would have liked. And one of the developments towards the end of the novel felt rushed. Otherwise, I really enjoyed The Villa and would recommend. 4 stars for me.

The audiobook of The Villa by Rachel Hawkins is narrated by Julia Whelan, Kimberly M. Wetherell and Shiromi Arserio and is currently set to publish on January 3, 2023.

Special thanks to Macmillan Audio for the digital ARC via NetGalley.

The audiobook for Hawkins’ The Villa was captivating! The cast is all star and Hawkins has crafted another twisty thriller.

The story goes back and forth between a modern friendship and 1974 rock stars in an Italian villa. The plot unwinds through secret journals and hidden backstories. This kind of plot blends with dark secrets and unreliable relationships.

The audio was marvelous and well suited to the format.

A generally compelling, multi-layered, slow-burn thriller set in an Italian villa. Focus is on estranged best friends in present time, with flashbacks to stepsisters, a rockstar, and a vaguely Charles Manson-esque figure in the 70s. A quick read...the ending is a bit too much.