The Villa follows two timelines - one is two best friends in present day, traveling to Italy to stay in an opulent villa in hopes of finding inspiration for their respective next books. The other timeline is from 1973, when a group of friends stayed at the same villa, and sadly it ended in tragedy. The modern-day main character, Emily, is inspired to tell the story of the house, experiencing her own challenges along the way.

This book really felt like it wanted to be a thriller, but it just didn't quite get there. That might have been my own misjudgment based on this author's previous books. It certainly didn't go the way I expected at the end, but ultimately I liked it. The visual imagery was good and immersive. I loved the format of each chapter checking in with each timeline. I connected with the main characters in both timelines and rooted them on throughout.

Thanks to Netgalley for this advanced copy!

This is a story that takes some time to unfold. There is a lot happening here - horror, creepy gothic castle, sisters, jealousy, writing, and more. However, I still felt myself getting bored and wondering what does the author want me to feel? It was a miss for me but I have liked the authors other work.

“Houses remember.”

“The Villa” takes place in an Italian – you guessed it! – Villa. The story is told in dual timelines, one from the 1970s, and the second from present day.

I really enjoyed “The Villa” and the dual timelines between Mari and Em. I oftentimes enjoy one timeline better than the other, but in the case of “The Villa”, both were equally enjoyable and engrossing. The plots of both timelines are creepy, dramatic and complex, and it was interesting to see how they mirrored each other.

This book had a slow start for me, but once I hit the 30% mark I found it hard to put down. There were some predictable plot twists, while others genuinely made me gasp!
Rachel Hawkins has definitely found a formula that works for her, and fans of her previous novels “The Wife Upstairs” and “Reckless Girls” will definitely enjoy this one as well.

Thank you to both Netgalley and and St. Martin’s press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Musicians. Authors. Sex, Drugs, and Murder. All of these are at the center of Rachel Hawkins most recent novel, The Villa. Hawkins does a fantastic job of weaving together two timelines- one of the events leading up to a murder in the 70’s, and the other of present-day friends vacationing in the same setting as they work on their next novels and find themselves wrapped up in the story of the villa.

This book was beautifully written and the parallels between the two timelines were seamless. It wasn’t really the twists that kept me hooked, and there were some interesting ones, but the story itself was gripping. At times, I didn’t feel the relationship between the present-day friends was fully developed and the final resolution felt a bit rushed, but overall, I enjoyed it and would still recommend this for an easy, mystery read.

"Houses Remember" wow what a line. This was my first Rachel Hawkins, but based on this read, i will be going to the back catalog. This book was a solid 5 stars for me.

The flashback chapters I found to be incredulously boring. Chess and Emily's arc was much more interesting.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this eARC!

I have been a big fan of Rachel Hawkins since reading her "Hex Hall" series as a teenager. When I first discovered her adult novel, "The Wife Upstairs" I was thrilled she had moved to adult thrillers. I loved "The Wife Upstairs" and devoured "Reckless Girls" as well so it is safe to say that I couldn't believe it when I was approved to read "The Villa." I loved the way the book intertwined Mari and Emily's stories and I felt like I could imagine the villa and its guests throughout. The plot was fast paced and kept me guessing throughout. The twist at the end involving Chess and Emily was a bit shocking, but I think it fit the novel overall. I loved how the ending wasn't a sweet wrap up but left a slightly sinister feeling for the reader. Another great Rachel Hawkins book! She has become a must read author for me at this point.

Likes: Double storyline between the villas past and current tenants, will hook you in and is a breezy read, and well written
Dislikes: Not much of a surprising thriller and unlikable characters

loved the different story lines of this book! the history of the villa combined with the letters and current day story really intertwined nicely and kept me wanting to read more.

Chess and Emily are childhood friends and authors who take a girl's trip to Orvieto, Italy, and stay at Villa, which was the scene of a brutal murder decades before. In 1974, a famous musician rented the Villa and invited friends to come and visit. But, before that summer was over, one of them was murdered. However, the two women who stayed there went on to creative success. One writes the greatest horror book of all time, and the other, a platinum album.
Emily, a writer, suffering from writer's block, begins to look into the murders, causing increasing tension between her and Chess. Dangerous secrets from the past and present come together, and it appears the Villa might claim another victim before this summer ends.

"Houses remember," the opening line draws you into this slow-burn mystery/thriller. Inspired by the events that led to the classic novel Frankenstein, the Manson murders, and the band Fleetwood Mac this was atmospheric with gothic and rock and roll vibes. Told in multiple POVs and timelines, the past and present eerily mirror each other's toxic friendships, secrets, rivalry, and betrayals. The intriguing plot unfolds using a book within the book, song lyrics, podcasts other mixed media to tell the story. The Villa came alive on the strength of Hawkins's skillful writing, which had me rapidly turning the pages to discover what would happen to these pretty dysfunctional characters. And being a Frankenstein fan, the Mary Shelley-inspired character, Mari, was fun for me to read!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to review this ARC.

Welp, I HATE reading about stupid weak women. Right off the bat, in the "older perspective" we were talking about Mari and her boyfriend who was constantly cheating on her, sometimes with her cousin (givemeafuckingbreak). Plus now in the current times, Emily is getting divorced and her husband is trying to take every last penny of hers. I had to put the book down for a minute. That just infuriates me.

Going back into it, once I got over the major character flaws, I enjoyed reading the two timelines simultaneously with the slow burn of what really happened - on the villa really knows.

So I’ve liked this authors other books but this one as just not for me. I kept waiting for something to happen and I feel like nothing ever did. Also mari’s story was really not that interesting to me and I kind found myself skimming over her parts

I could not stop reading this book! Definitely my favorite book by Rachel Hawkins. I loved the little mix of true crime added into the story. The idea of two best frenimies or are they? The mix of the two different storylines of past and present melded together perfectly. Just when you think you know the whole story, you read the last chapter and your mind is blown. Absolutely loved it. One of the best books I read in 2022!

This one, unfortunately, didn't hit the mark for me like her others. It started off strong and I really thought I was going to love it but it left some open ends and I found it just okay. I will still recommend it to others because it's only one opinion and I did love elements of this book (Mari!)

Thank you for this ARC read!

I was so excited to see an advanced copy of a book by Rachel Hawkins as her The Wife Upstairs was a fantastic read. This book was just as fabulous! I particularly enjoyed the character development. The characters captured me—even amongst the different storylines and perspectives. I was so invested in their lives and challenges and truly couldn’t put this one down.

Me: …Turns to the final page…
….reads through to the end…
**GOOSEBUMPS**
I’ve had access to this advance copy from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for over 2 months now, and - I’mma be bluntly honest - I didn’t really want to read it. I absolutely hated Reckless Girls and obviously didn’t have high hopes for this one. BUT I WAS SO WRONG!
There was mystery, suspense, a little sadness and romance, some utter despair and self-help. The story flowed seamlessly between the two timeframes, and while I had moments of thinking I had the ending pegged, the real one wasn’t even close and was so much better.

This story, while highly anticipated, fell a bit flat for me. The Villa is a dual-timeline story about a villa. In the first timeline, a group of rockstar types are staying at the villa when tragedy occurs. In the other timeline, 2 best friends/authors are staying at that same villa. They come to learn about what “really” happened that tragic night by finding clues within a book and within the villa itself. Based on its description, I was expecting a thriller and while there was a few twists, I left the book feeling like nothing really happened. There was a lot of comparisons between the 2 timelines but they rushed those comparisons at the most important parts.

An intriguing look inside the secrets that best friends or family can share. At times it did feel as though there could have been a bit more character development, but it didn't dampen my interest to learn what happened to Chess & Em or the 70's crew.

Rachel Hawkins simply does not miss for me. The characters, the timelines, the SETTING!! All beautifully developed, kept me on my toes until the end.
Characters: Honestly, none of them were overly lovable but they were all highly intriguing. The dynamic between Chess and Em was constantly evolving and kept me guessing as to what side of the line Chess was going to fall - is she ultimately going to betray Em or be on her side? Is she as selfish as we're initially led to believe or is there still the best friend that Em grew up with contained within the mask/persona of Chess' fame? Even at the end, we're not entirely sure. Mari was my favorite overall because really, without her there would be no story. She was the main driver of the lore surrounding The Villa, which continued long after her death as Em analyzed her novel "Lilith Rising" and uncovered the parallels between Mari and her main character, Victoria.
Setting: I loved the villa and the way that it transforms over the course of the book. For both Mari and Em, their first impressions of the house are that it's an escape from the mess their lives have become. Eventually, this perception starts to change and the house begins to feel like more of an oppressive entity that they're eager to get away from.
I think my favorite aspect was the way Mari left pieces of herself in the villa for someone equally invested in her story to find, which Em was then able to use to re-energize her writing career as well as her personal life. The idea that our actions can have ripple effects through time has always been an intriguing concept for me.
The ending (mainly as it pertains to Em's marriage) felt too.. convenient, I guess? Unbelievable? Like Hawkins tried too hard to make the arcs of Mari's story and Em's line up too perfectly and have them be "freed" in the same way. The rest of the ending, though, felt fitting with the trajectory of Em and Chess' friendship throughout the book - happy on the surface but with an undercurrent of unease because of Chess. The fact that the book left off on what is supposed to be a very happy time for Em, but with the idea that all might not be as happy as it seems from the outside, was a great ending.

Aw, Hawkins, there you are! After “Reckless Girls” I thought the brooding, gothic, smart storyteller I fell in love with during “The Wife Upstairs” was gone forever, but “The Villa” brought you back! I think Hawkins is at her best when she echoes classic books from a bygone era through modern characters and settings. Make no mistake though - this book is not a thriller, but rather a slow burn gothic with a few interesting but not shocking surprises thrown in. Even though the characters weren’t overly likable, their flaws made them more relatable, more human. Likewise, since the reader isn’t necessarily rooting for a particular character, she can root for the true star of “The Villa” - the creative works of the characters. Inherently meta, “The Villa” not only is a story within a story, but is also about the sacrifices necessary to produce truly great pieces of literature or music; sacrifices of love, friendship, self, and morals and wondering at the end of it all - was it worth it?

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advance electronic copy in exchange for an honest review.