Rachel Hawkins does such an excellent job at making a reader feel unsettled within her stories. This is the second title of hers that I've read (Reckless Girls being the other), and I was still impressed by her talent for writing flawed characters well and her ability to create scenes that leave you feeling just slightly off-center.

The writing is what you can expect from this author, but I wasn't quite as enthralled with this story as I was with her previous work. This was more an examination of relationships rather than thriller/mystery. There was a bit of a mystery element, but more just building drama/tension toward sort-of predictable climaxes. I thought the overall premise and dual timelines were creative, but I found myself wanting to fall asleep most of the times I sat down with it. Gorgeous cover, interesting story, just not quite as exciting as I anticipated.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for approving me for this ARC!

This slow burn suspense was truly hard to put down. The dark twists will leave you wanting more, well after the book is done.

The Villa follows two storylines. The first is of Mari in 1974, where she and her stepsister Lara spend the summer with her love interest Pierce, the famous musician Noel, and his drug dealer Johnnie. This story follows the events that lead to a murder, a widely acclaimed novel from Mari, and a best selling album by Lara. While this story is mostly seen through the eyes of Mari, Hawkins also embeds articles and interviews describing this summer to gain a fuller picture of the characters and their motives.

The other storyline is that of Emily in the present. After an acrimonious divorce and a serious case of writer’s block, she accepts Chess’s, her best friend, invitation to spend a summer writing in the Villa. While there, she uncovers the hidden secrets of what happened in the Villa during the summer of 1974. Along the way, she uncovers truths about her own life that cause her to question the truth as she knows it.

While both storylines individually tell an interesting story, weaving them together is what made this a deeper and more complex read. This powerful, layered story makes you question the veracity of truth and point of view. It leaves you second guessing and wanting more.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for the advance copy!

Rachel Hawkins is one of my ‘OH MY GOD GIMME GIMME GIMME!’ authors. Both The Woman Upstairs and Reckless Girls were 5 star reads for me. If I wasn’t rating The Villa on that scale, I don’t think I’d be able to find fault with it. It was a solid story, less of a thriller than a drama really. I enjoyed the dual timeline and found both stories equally as compelling. There were a couple of plot choices that didn’t feel well thought out (the thing with Emily getting sick in the past with her husband and then once at the villa felt like a last-minute change and didn’t really make a ton of sense. It would’ve made a lot more sense if she was being poisoned.)
I did like the book overall, it just wasn’t quite up to what I typically expect from Hawkins. 3.5 stars, rounded to 4.

Mixed feelings on this one. I was very interested in the premise but it fell a little flat overall. I was hoping for a little more mystery/suspense throughout. I did love the alternating timelines, and really delving into the relationships between Chess/Em and Mari/Lara.

Overall, an ok read!

This was amazing! I was hooked from the start and finished so fast. The book is full of suspense and playful characters. I can’t wait to read more works by this author!

Villa is fine. I loved The Wife Upstairs and Reckless Girls a lot more. It’s a fun destination novel - good for summer reading.

*Many thanks to St. Martin's Press, Rachel Hawkins, and netgalley for my gifted eARC for an honest review. Publication date 1/3/23*

Famous musician Noel Gordon was murdered in 1974 in a beautiful home in Italy. Present time best friends Emily and Chess escape to the same beautiful home in Italy to spend their days writing books. They find out clues about the murder that happened in the past.

The story to me was all over the place. Present time, past time, multiple books being wriiten that us readers have to read, pod casts, newspapers articles, emails. Just so much stuff thrown into such a small book with enormous chapters. The only part that I slightly enjoyed reading was the present time. This is my first book I read of Hawkins and I will definitely give her another chance but this one was just awful! I feel bad writing this review but we are supposed to be honest and some books are just not for everyone.

Rachel Hawkins' third book publishing on January 3, 2023, is a twisty murder mystery set in different time periods telling the murders of two different people.

In present day, Chess and Emily are childhood best friends who embark on a summer trip to the Italian Villa Aestas in hopes of rejuvenating their friendship. Emily has been going through not only illness but a nasty divorce from her less-than-ideal husband. Stuck in writers block while trying to tackle life and her 10th novel, she hopes the escape is the spark she needs to finish and submit her already late novel. But as she uncovers the history of the Villa both her and Chess hope this will be the book to relaunch or continue their writing careers. In a competition for not only the book, the childhood friends uncover more than just the history of the Villa but also the history of secrets in their friendship.

In 1974 this same Villa is known as Villa Rosato and is rented for the summer by rock star Noel Gordon, as he attempts to respark his music career by pairing with up-and-coming singer, guitar player, and songwriter, Pierce Sheldon. Pierce's girlfriend Mari, and her sister, Lara, also join him on this summer vacation. In the end, the only ones to produce famous works are the girls who were just along for the ride. Mari writing a bestselling novel Lillith Rising, and Lara producing a platinum album, Aestas. But sex, drugs, and rock-in-roll take Pierce's dreams and crush them when he ends up dead. The convicted killer being Noel's drug dealer. But not everything is as the Italian courts make it seem. Or is it?

I thoroughly enjoyed how twisty and turny the story of the 1974 murders were. They, in my opinion, stole the majority of the story. I was more engaged with what Emily was uncovering about Mari than I was with Emily's story. I spent much of the book wanting to get back to Mari and not caring as much about Emily and Chess. The setting also made this story what it was, though there are not a lot of setting descriptions the idea of the Italian Villa leaves enough for readers to imagine the beautiful space where this murder took place. As the book plays out, the last quarter or so, I found myself really rooting for Emily (avoiding spoilers here) and became more engaged in her story. I wish the suspense of both Emily and Mari would have been simultaneous instead of in two different spots. That leads me to the only major concern or dislike of the novel, the pacing. When suspense was high in one plot line, it was dragging in another. I also felt that much of the rising and falling action was slow losing the suspense the novel so desperately tried to create. This is where it lost stars for me. Overall, I really enjoyed this quick read much more than Reckless Girls!

“Houses Remember.”

The Villa is described as a wickedly delicious gothic suspense novel and I think that is the perfect way to go into this one. Do not go in and expect the fast paced thrills and shocking reveal. Treat this book as more general fiction than a mystery/thriller and I think you’ll find the enjoyment I did with this one.

In this book we follow once inseparable best friends, Emily and Chess. Through circumstances and growing up their bond is strained. Then Chess suggests a girl trip to an Italian Villa, so desperate to reconnect Emily agrees. However this is not just any villa this is the famous, Villa Rosato, who in the summer of 1974 was the site of much controversy. Rock stars and writers alike gathered at the villa in hopes of a creative spark. A spark that ended in a brutal murder. Now in the present, Emily, is investigating the history of the villa and learns that maybe that fateful summer was more than sex, drugs, and Rock n Roll gone array. The closer she gets to the truth the more tensions begin to arise between Chess and her. Is history bound to repeat itself… will the villa claim yet another victim.

I will start of by saying Rachel Hawkins just has a way, her books are always ones I’m going to be stabbing at the but to read. Her synopses pull me in and don’t let go. That being said, this book had a bit of a pacing issue. There were parts where I was a little bored. That did not hinder my overall rating which sits at a four star. I loved the setting of this book, the mixed media format, and the jumping between time lines. Definitely a must read!

"Houses remember."

That is the opening line in this book... as well as the book within this book. The Villa is half about two childhood friends/ writers, Emily and Chess, who spend the summer in (you guessed it) a villa in Italy in the present day and half about some artistic and famous people who lived in that same villa for a summer in the 1970's, where tragedy befell them. The stories interlock as Emily, in the present day, becomes absorbed in the murder which took place there within the group in the 1970's. Mari and Lara from the 1970's timeline emerge from a horrific situation to write what becomes an infamous horror novel (Mari) and one of the biggest selling records of their time (Lara). Emily becomes embroiled with uncovering whether these two timeless works of art have hidden meanings to what really happened that summer day in 1974. And she also starts to wonder if she can trust her friend, Chess, who is currently at the villa with her...

There is so much subject matter and inspirations for this book that immediately appealed to me... 1970's time period, musicians and inspiration from the likes of Fleetwood Mac, murder, mystery, and Rachel Hawkins also cites influences from the Manson murders as well as the legendary summer Percy and Mary Shelley spent with Lord Byron at a Lake Geneva castle. Noting all of that, I was ready to dive headfirst into this book.

I'm used to books nowadays bouncing back and forth between different times and/or characters: it's not my favorite thing and feels tedious sometimes for me, but it's pretty standard anymore, particularly in this genre. This book is no exception. For instance, it not only bounced between Mari in the 70's and Emily in the present day (which were more clearly stated), but there were also excerpts from interviews and articles, excerpts from Mari's book, and even a transcript from part of a podcast at one point. It wasn't my favorite aspect of the book (though this is more because of personal preference), and it led to me not falling as quickly into the book until about halfway through when I got into the rhythm of it better and also when the story really started to pick up the pace in both timelines.

On another personal level, I felt myself filling more and more with rage at Chess in the present day timeline. I had a toxic friendship growing up, and her name was the same as in this book so it was a lot of unwelcome memories flaring up as the book progressed. I felt so much empathy for Emily because I *was* Emily in the past. Emily says at one point, "It's true that I haven't thought nearly as much about Lara as I have about Mari- choosing, I suppose, to be loyal to the woman I feel the most kinship with." And that exactly sums up how I felt between Emily and Chess. I was rooting for Emily stronger than anyone else in the book. Between her divorce, her insecurities, and Chess, I really wanted her to win by the end.

So what really happened that fated summer in 1974? Was something more sinister than drugs in play for Pierce's murder? Are there secrets and truths hidden in a best-selling book and classic record? Will the villa claim another life between Emily and Chess in the present day? You'll have to come stay at the villa yourself on January 3rd and find out!

(A very special thank you to Net Galley, St Martin's Press, and Rachel Hawkins for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!)

*The Villa will be available on January 3, 2023.*

“Sometimes we don’t really know we’ve won until we see the reflection of that win in the loser’s eyes.”

Two friends that used to be inseparable growing up decide to take a girls trip to Italy to the famous Villa Rosato. The Villa is known for its famous history from Noel Gordon and the tragedy that happened while he was there. Told from two different point of views in time, The Villa has secrets to share, that are just waiting to be uncovered.

This book seems right up my alley. With suspense and murder throughout the books. I feel as though I struggled with it because it was dragged on and the plot was very slow. I loved the character development and was actually very surprised by the ending. However, the beginning and most of the middle of the book seemed repetitive and nothing like a thriller.

If you’re looking for a thriller that is not scary, but still has some action packed in as well as great character development, and two different view points this books is for you!

When I received this book from the publisher on NetGalley I had really high hopes. I have been a Rachel Hawkins fan since reading The Wife Upstairs. I remember when reading Reckless Girls I felt like it was lacking in some areas for me. I was really hopeful for this story, I wanted to love it as much as I did The Wife Upstairs. Unfortunately, this book fell a little short for me! It was still a solid 3.5 stars for me, but I wanted more. I would still recommend this book to anyone who has enjoyed Hawkins in the past.

Thank you to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

I really enjoyed the writing on this one, but it reads more of a contemporary fiction with thriller-esque storylines. The ending was so rush I almost thought I was missing pages in my e-copy. I really enjoy her other works, but I really did not care about the characters, even the main one. I did love the setting, and it is a quick read, but beyond that, this seems more like a rough draft than a book that is ready. I will continue to pick up her books though!

THE VILLA

Emily, a “cozy romance” writer, joins her successful best friend,Chess, at an infamous villa in Italy. A miserable divorce has Emily seeking a new perspective on her life, as well as her writing. In 1976, the murder of a rock singer makes the Villa infamous. As Emily finds clues to the earlier murder, she changes the focus of her writing. The dual timeline story, anchored by the murder, successfully weaves the two stories together. It’s an intriguing read,with interesting characters.

Taking place between the 70s and present day, this book is really two mysteries packed into one. Throughly enjoyable, I found myself getting absorbed into each story separately. It is a mixture of Daisy Jones and the Six meets Manson murders and It Girl.

Emily and Chess were best friends growing up but haven’t seen much of eachother in their 30’s. Emily is going through a messy divorce and Chess is a celebrity self-help guru. Chess offers up a girl’s trip to Italy and Emily can’t resist. The home that they are staying at was once the scene of an infamous yet gruesome murder. The story fluctuates between present day Emily and Chess and the 1974 summer of murder. I really enjoyed the beginning of the book and was sort of hoping it was a haunted house story but eventually things started to go south for me. I have read Rachel Hawkins other books and have enjoyed and I didn’t not like this book but I had hoped to like it more. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of the book.

I was very into this book for the first 80 percent of it, but the ending fell completely flat for me. It's been a long time since I've been this disappointed with a conclusion. Hawkins was trying to make it twisty and surprising, but the characters' decisions at the end didn't make sense to me.

I was thoroughly excited to read Rachel Hawkins new book, as the plot sounded promising! And I was right! I enjoyed the setting in Italy, as well as the back and forth between past and present. The parallel storylines pulled me in and kept me guessing till the end!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

Another excellent Rachel Hawkins read. I plowed through this one in a day, it was that good...I am always up for a Hawkins novel and this one did not let me down. It was a cross between Daisy Jones and the Six and Single White Female... The dual plotlines merged effortlessly and I can't wait to read her next book. Run and get this now! My only problem with it is that I can't read it for the first time again.

SPOILERS BELOW:
In this book we find a recently separated writer and her wildly successful best friend taking off for the summer to Italy to reclaim themselves, their friendship, and their career deadlines. The house they have rented has a past of its own being the location of an infamous murder in the 70s.
Emily becomes obsessed with the historical aspect of this house and decides to write a book. She is portrayed as a mild and timid type character, while the friend, Chess, is a strong, wild, free spirit. Emily is some how so loyal to her. There is no mention of a shared trauma in the past that often binds characters like this. A simple normal childhood friendship. Yet Chess continually puts her down, steals her book, sleeps with her husband while they are still married, continues to have a relationship with him and somehow Emily still goes along with whatever she says? While I could MAYBE believe this part of the story, what was not believable was that this meek character who gets physically ill under stress, somehow then just kills her ex husband and is ok with it. The reader only knows about this killing because of a newspaper article so you don't even see any conflict or anything. It literally goes from he pulls up in a car to he's dead. And the two women go off with this book about the previous murder in the house and become wildly successful.