This is a unique and enjoyable read with dual time periods. I loved the Italian villa setting and the murder mystery which was interwoven with a present day examination of a friendship gone awry. Hawkins deliberately reveals secrets throughout, adding intrigue and suspense.

The Villa is such an interesting read with a unique suspenseful plot. I enjoyed the twist, which I didn’t see totally coming. It was interesting to see where this story was going and I was pleasantly surprised.

I’m a big fan of Rachel Hawkins books. And once again she did not disappoint. This is a dual time line story going back and forth between the 1970’s when a murder took place and current times. It’s mainly told from the point of view of Mari in the 1970’s and Emily in current times. It is a bit slow paced for my liking and I didn’t feel like it picked up until about halfway through the book. But it did hold my interest. Also, given the title of the book, I thought the Villa itself would be the main focus of the book. I was expecting more of a creepy haunted house vibe. But the Villa itself didn’t really have much role in the book. It was just the location where the lives of the characters intersect. Overall, a good read.

“The Villa” by Rachel Hawkins is a novel about two friends who decide to stay in Italy for the summer in an attempt to reconnect their friendship. The place they are staying at is a historical Villa home to famous writers and musicians, some who were murdered in 1974. While they chose the location to get inspiration, they start to get a lot more than they bargained for when artifacts from the past start showing up. What really happened that lead to the murders 1974?

This review contains spoilers.

What it got right: I really enjoyed the dual timeline in this book. It added depth and I love the idea of picturing a location in both the present and the past to get a sense of history.

Chess and Emily’s friendship is one that most people will be familiar with. It was well written and it really captured the dynamic between old friends who have grown somewhat apart while they’ve aged. There’s still the fond memories and inside jokes, but there’s also a competition of sorts, and harmful comparisons to each other.

In terms of Emily’s undiagnosed chronic illness, I would say her symptoms could definitely be caused by an acute reaction to stress. It also seemed that it could be a very mild form of a conversion disorder, but the symptoms of acute stress reaction fit better. In times of stress the mind controls the body, so with everything going on in her life this is a plausible condition for her to develop. This would also appear as a lack of physical findings that are causing her illness (which was stated by her doctors). Therefore I would say all medical / psychological information in the novel seemed accurate to me.

What it could improve on:
I did find some swaps between the past and present to be a little abrupt or confusing. For the most part they were distinguished by headings which helped, but a few transitions seemed a little rough. I loved the inclusion of quotes from ‘famous’ magazines, books, documentaries and podcasts within the book itself.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC of this book!

I read The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins in 2021, and I really enjoyed it. How much I enjoyed The Wife Upstairs mixed with the super iterating synopsis of The Villa, I knew I had to read it.

I'll try my best to briefly explain what the book is about, but I also want to say - this book is all over the place. It's a dual timeline story, with different characters and POV for both timelines. The story centers around a Villa in Italy. At one point, there was a brutal murder that took place at the Villa. In one timeline, we meet a group of singer/songwriters that vacation at the Villa to spark creativity in their writing. There are two girls (teenagers), and three young adult men. In the present timeline, two best friends are visiting the Villa for a best friend reunion trip. Both friends are authors. One starts researching the history of the murder that took place in the past during the trip.

I usually enjoy dual timelines, but this one was too all over the place for me. I also didn't love the fact that Mari and Lara, the two girls from the past, were teenagers - and there was quite a bit of sex, drugs, and deception going on between everyone that stayed at the Villa in the past.

I enjoyed it enough to continue to the end, and I ended up being satisfied with the ending.

It's definitely a slow-burn mystery with a lot of character focus.

Overall, it was a good read in my opinion.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for sending me an ARC on Netgalley.

This was way too predictable and I’m wondering what the reason was for everything. Why the flashback scenes? Why the quick explanation for the murder. I don’t think I can give this author another chance

*Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced audiobook copy*

Rachel Hawkins novels are always interesting and original. She writes her settings and characters with a uniqueness that instantly appeals to me.
The Villa is no different, considering that it won't be released until 2023 and I've already finished reading an advance copy of it. The Villa is less of a thriller and more of a moody, atmospheric thriller which is different from her prior thrillers. Think of Ruth Ware's novel The Turn of the Key.

The story's narrative includes a story within a story as well as a number of various time periods of focus. Childhood best friends Emily and Chess have drifted apart, but when Chess intends to revive their friendship on a writing retreat to Italy, Emily resolves to do the same.

Chess convinces Emily to go to Villa Aestas with her. As authors, they will use this lovely apartment as a getaway to unwind, get some writing done, and strengthen their friendship. However, Villa Aestas has a highly troubled past that is just now starting to come to light.

The Manson Murders, Fleetwood Mac, and the setting of Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein served as inspiration for this work. We learn about the villa across the two timelines (both the present and the 1970s), and the house has a distinct personality. More than Hawkins' earlier works, the novel is incredibly engrossing and atmospheric, and really changes up her tone with this one in a great way. However, it did drag on a bit and the ending wasn't as twisty as I was expecting. However, I feel that was intentional as this book is very different from Hawkins' previous work

I thought this was written well but the Mari storyline I just was not into as much. Then I had predicted much of the book so no real thrills for me. I just thought it was okay. Didn’t feel that I wasted my time, but wouldn’t say it was an amazing book. A good read but nothing spectacular.

Thank you St. Martin's Press, NetGalley and Rachel Hawkins for the ARC!

This was a twisted, secrets filled, historical thriller that had you guessing until the end. Two besties go on a girls trip to Italy when they find out that the villa they are staying in is well known for a murder from decades ago. We cross timelines from then and now. Rachel manages to make it all work into the present and has that murder mystery at the forefront of the plot. But it's not without other pressing issues that start to become unraveled. I really enjoyed this one and loved the twist at the end!

Such a fun read! I loved this! I enjoyed the back and forth of the timeline back to the 70s. I think i preferred the present days story tho, even tho it was less drama. Sooo much craziness tho in the backstory. I liked the mystery of it all and wondering what happened back then and solving that puzzle with the MC and being surprised by it too in the end.

I wasn’t totally shocked by all the twists tho. Some i suspected. Some evil characters here. Maybe just a couple. But it was a fun popcorn thriller that was a quick read and i couldn’t put it down!

Emily and Chess were inseparable growing up, but their friendship has drifted and is strained. Emily jumps at the chance to have a girl's trip to Italy when Chess suggests one. Their location, Villa Aestas in Orvieto (once known as Villa Rosato) has a dark past. In 1974, rock star Noel Gordon, invited an up-and-coming rocker, Pierce Sheldon to join him at the Villa along with his girlfriend, Mari and her stepsister, Lara. The trip ended in murder.

Emily, a cozy mystery writer, who has been ill and dealing with her soon to be ex-husband's greedy demands, needs the time away. Chess is a famous author of self-help books. They both will use their time at the Villa to reconnect, write and get their creative juices flowing. Emily is inspired to learn more about the Villa, it's murderous past and history. While at the Villa, Emily, and Chess, are having issues/tension/strain in their relationship. Secrets are about to come out not only about the Villa but about the women's lives.

This book is told in two timelines. Mari went on to be the author of the feminist horror novel masterpiece, Lilith Rising. Mari was at the Villa that fateful summer when a murder took place. Emily is telling the present day. Both women have a connection in that they both spent time at the Villa, both are inspired by their time there, and both are dealing with issues with men in their lives.
I enjoyed both the past and the present storylines but at times enjoyed the past one more. I thought it was a nice touch having both Mari and Emily sharing details. I did enjoy the tension between Chess and Emily, former best friends who have a strained relationship as adults.



I thought this book was very nicely done and enjoyable. I look forward to reading more of Rachel Hawkins books in the future!

QUICK TAKE: didn't love the flashbacks, but I enjoyed the cat-and-mouse friendship at the center and ultimately enjoyed the twist ending. Hawkins doesn't always stick the landing, but she did here.

I loved this book! It had it all for me— friendship, secrets, relationships, lies, love, deceit. I loved the writing, the story and the characters. Emily and Chess are best friends, or are they? Can we love people and not trust them? A great story told in 2 timelines— both equally intriguing. Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the ARC copy.

⭐️: 4/5

Emily and Chess have been best friends since they were kids, and when Emily’s marriage ends and she’s facing writers block while working on her next book, she jumps at Chess’s suggestion for a girls trip for the summer to Italy. They stay at a villa with a storied past, where a group of five artists go to stay for the summer in 1974 and only four make it out alive. While searching for the truth about what happened back then, Emily finds out some difficult truths about her own present.

This was the first book I’ve read by Rachel Hawkins (at least, writing as Rachel Hawkins), and it was a really good one, and definitely makes me want to go back and read Reckless Girls, which has been one I’ve been wanting to read for a while. There were two main storylines in this book, one following Emily in the present day, and the other following Mari in 1974. Additionally, there was another almost secondary storyline, of the book within the book, Lilith Rising, which was written by the character of Mari. All three of them paralleled each other, so part of the fun of the book was figuring out what happened at the end of Lilith Rising, because the reader was led to believe a similar end would come to both Emily’s and Mari’s stories. I was a little confused about the genre of the book at first, because I think I went in with the impression it was going to be a psychological thriller/maybe haunted house story, but it was…kind of neither of those? It was more of a portrait of female friendships and the art produced out of those relationships, with maybe a few twisty parts. I particularly liked the extra material that was present throughout the chapters, whether it was excerpts of biographies of Mari or Lara, emails from our characters that revealed a new plot point, or conversations between podcast hosts about the events at the villa in 1974. This was a fun and pretty quick read, and I definitely recommend picking it up!

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

A story of intrigue, friendship, suspicion, and murder. Now this ain’t my favorite Rachel Hawkins ever but I still felt the urge to keep reading and find out what happened next! A mystery filled with drama and questioning relationships. I can’t wait to see what she comes out with next!

The Villa is a dark suspense novel that’s loosely based on Mary and Percy Shelley’s history, and the events leading up to Mary writing Frankenstein. The dual timelines follow Mari in 1974 and Emily in present day, as they both travel to a gorgeous villa in Orvieto, Italy. Both women face heartache and tragedy in their personal lives, mixed up with complicated relationships and the desire to rise above the men in their lives to make their professional and creative mark on the world.

The villa, although idyllic and serene, brings its own darkness to the stage. In 1974 when Mari visits, a horrific murder takes place. Decades later, Emily finds herself trying to uncover the hidden details of that fateful night, piecing together Mari’s words from her famous horror novel to uncover the truth. But when Emily’s best friend and fellow writer Chess becomes interested in Mari’s story, Emily soon realizes that her current situation at the villa is precarious, as well.

This was a quick read, and I immediately loved the setting. I enjoyed the dual timelines, but I definitely enjoyed Mari’s story more, especially since it parallels the story of Mary Shelley. I do think that some parts were a bit predictable, and I don’t agree with some choices that were made towards the end. There is an additional twist towards the end that I did not expect, and it left me unsettled, but in a good way. If you like a slow burn suspense with a gothic feel, you’ll enjoy this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this advanced copy.

3.75/5 stars

"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 love Fleetwood Mac, true crime, and just spent time on Lake Geneva and saw where Lord Byron penned his famous poem, so this should have been a winner right?

Sadly it was not. I did not care for the past story line with sex, drugs, and rock n roll.

I have mixed thoughts on this one. It probably wasn’t the type of book I would go for voluntarily but it was sent to me by Net Galley and St Martins Press to read in exchange for my honest review. Maybe it was my fault by reading it throughout a vacation so I had to stop and start it many times so it was a little hard for me to follow. Going from two time frames was fine but then the book Mari was writing just made it a little more confusing. I hated Chess as a character and I hate that she was able to convince Emily to forgive her after what she did. She made it out to be “for her benefit” which I just really hated and disagreed with. I was probably at a 2 star until the last few chapters when it all came together, then I was way more into it. But still, it was good but I think I was just too confused most of the time (which again could have been my fault). Good story, a solid true crime novel, but just not my favorite

I have always enjoyed Rachel Hawkins books - so was very excited to be approved for her. next book coming out in Jan 2023! I really enjoyed the villa and the two connecting stories. it’s set in Orvieto, italy and follows two POV’s - one in 1974 and one in present day. A terrible murder happened at the house in 1974, which inspired a book and album, and Emily and Chess become fascinated by what happened and try to find out the truth, while also dealing with their own problems. This may be. my favorite of all her books so far! and. enjoyed the audio version that I read along with the written book
Thank you to St. Martin's Press & NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this digital arc

This was a fun, suspenseful novel from a tried and true author for me. I have enjoyed all of Rachel Hawkins' thrillers and this is probably my favorite! I really enjoyed the timeline switch between present and past. I felt the tension between Emily and Chess grow throughout the book, and then was surprised by the twist at the end in regards to their relationship! I would say that this book isn't super murderous or shocking, but I don't expect that from Rachel's books. I expect a fun, suspenseful ride that keeps my turning the pages and this is what that was. I do wish the characters were more fleshed out because some of their decisions at the end did not make sense based on the character arc they had throughout the book. Thank you St. Martin's Press for a gifted e-book in exchange for an honest review!


See below for Goodreads Synopsis:
As kids, Emily and Chess were inseparable. But by their 30s, their bond has been strained by the demands of their adult lives. So when Chess suggests a girls trip to Italy, Emily jumps at the chance to reconnect with her best friend.

Villa Aestas in Orvieto is a high-end holiday home now, but in 1974, it was known as Villa Rosato, and rented for the summer by a notorious rock star, Noel Gordon. In an attempt to reignite his creative spark, Noel invites up-and-coming musician, Pierce Sheldon to join him, as well as Pierce’s girlfriend, Mari, and her stepsister, Lara. But he also sets in motion a chain of events that leads to Mari writing one of the greatest horror novels of all time, Lara composing a platinum album––and ends in Pierce’s brutal murder.

As Emily digs into the villa’s complicated history, she begins to think there might be more to the story of that fateful summer in 1974. That perhaps Pierce’s murder wasn’t just a tale of sex, drugs, and rock & roll gone wrong, but that something more sinister might have occurred––and that there might be clues hidden in the now-iconic works that Mari and Lara left behind.

Yet the closer that Emily gets to the truth, the more tension she feels developing between her and Chess. As secrets from the past come to light, equally dangerous betrayals from the present also emerge––and it begins to look like the villa will claim another victim before the summer ends.

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.