Present day - Emily and Chess are both authors and childhood best friends. Their current relationship is a little strained as Chess' career is soaring while Emily is struggling both professionally and personally. Chess suggests Emily join her for a summer in Italy - a girl's get away at a beautiful Villa where they both can write....oh and a murder took place at the Villa in the 1970s.
Flashback 1974 - Mari is at the Villa with her lover, Pierce - a musician, her sister Lara - a fledgling musician, Noel - a very famous musician and his friend/dealer. One of them doesn't survive and 2 rise to fame in the aftermath.

The timelines intertwine as the music and a book written in 1974 inspire Chess and Emily.

By the end of the book I had enjoyed the story and how the past affected the present but to call this book a thriller is a stretch. None of the characters were particularly likeable and I found the chapters were long which made for slow going. I actually gave up reading it the first time I tried, read a few books and went back to this one, finally able to get into the story. I'm glad I did.

The second half of the book picked up but I am giving The Villa 3 stars because it was good but it wasn't my favourite of Rachel Hawkins' books.

Thank you to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for an advanced copy of The Villa by Rachel Hawkins in exchange for an honest review.

Rachel Hawkins is fantastic! Read this book in one day it had me so wrapped up in the storyline. I wasn't too sure I like the way it ended but it was my only issue with the book.

I really enjoyed The Villa. The characters in both time lines are strong, and equally compelling - you want to know what really happened as much as your characters do. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, and will be recommending it to all my readers who like thrillers.

This was a good suspenseful thriller. I liked how it intertwined the stories of present Emily and Mari in 1974. The ending was a surprise although there were some other plot points that were a little more predictable. If you are looking for an entertaining and quick thriller, this is a good choice. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC.

The Villa by Rachel Hawkins surpassed my expectations. From the very first page I quickly realized this would be one of my favorite books of the summer. This book was a book within a book, told in dual POV from past and present with mixed media writing throughout (ex. podcasts, emails, magazine articles) I devoured this book especially Mari’s POV from the past. Her POV set in the 70’s quickly drew me into the atmospheric Villa and I became so entranced it was like I was watching a full length movie in my mind. The way Mari and Emily’s stories intertwined was genius. There were so many different avenues the ending could have gone down and while I felt slight disappointment for .5 seconds when I realized it was taking a less culty, spooky turn then I had hoped, the ending left me very satisfied. This novel would be wonderful for fans of Lucy Foley and Ruth Ware.

*Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martins Press for allowing me to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review*

The back and forth between past and present made this book more interesting. I found myself loving the past more at some parts in the book then towards the end I liked the present. The story was interesting but it being only connected by the villa they were staying in was like reading two different stories in one. Yes, there are some connections (I won’t say what for fear of spoiling) but this book was just so different from the other books by this author.

I kind of hated this book. It was boring and jumped around, and it just wasn’t a compelling narrative to me.

There is SO much happening in this book. Best friends that are living in totally different worlds but come together to vacation. Flash backs to another story at the same locale.

It felt creepy and atmospheric, two things Hawkins does really well. The story was complex, maybe even too much so at times.

In the end I just didn’t really buy it. I enjoyed the ride, and that’s the great thing about thrillers. They keep you guessing and I think they’re still worthwhile even if they don’t work for you by the end.

Rachel Hawkins surely knows how to weave a spell and has done so with her upcoming novel set to release in Jan 2023. This novel is a wicked gothic suspense set at an Italian villa whose dark history spills from past to present.

I was captivated by the parallel stories of both sets of female main characters whose lives uniquely mirror each other's despite the time difference. The story is less about the sex, drugs and rock n roll but about the power of family, friendships and the complicated relationships between the women and the supporting male characters.

I was won over by the alternating time frames and the mystery that neatly unfolded. I love a story within a story and the culminating moral upheaval. I was brought to the brink and then relieved by the displayed compassion in the end.

Would I recommend? That's a definite yes!

Houses Remember
This story jumps from the past to the present in a villa in Italy. It asks tge question if you release yourself from one burden is it replaced with another. Becareful who you make deals with as the Devil is always listening.

I loved the main character Mari (1974) and Em (present day). Each woman have to dig deep within themselves to break free.

It's a story of love, loss, and twisted truths

Told in alternating storylines from the past and present. The story follows two best friends, Emily and Chess taking a summer long vacation in a rental house in Italy known for a gruesome past. Emily is trying to sort out her life while writing her next book, when she discovers secrets about the rental house and her own life.

I’ll admit, I was a bit hesitant to read this book given previous experience with one of Rachel Hawkins books I’ve read. I am floating between 3-4 stars for this book only because I liked the story, but some of the characters were boring and there were times where it was a little too slow burning for me. It didn’t get really interesting for me until almost 65-75% way through.

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

Was thrilled to receive an advanced copy of The Villa - Rachel Hawkins is one of my favorite thriller/mystery authors and I could not wait to dive into her newest book. While I wouldn't categorize this as a thriller, it was a fantastic suspense novel that I'll give 4.5/5!

The book focuses on two best friends (who are incredibly different and at very different places in their lives) who decide to spend a summer at a picturesque villa in Italy. The villa is also the location of a well publicized murder in the 1970s, so the story alternates between the two current best friends (Emily and Chess) and the 1970s murder that happened at the villa via Mari. The 1970s murder had a good amount of sex, drugs rock and roll/Fleetwood Mac sized drama, keeping you on your toes. The story is really intriguing, and the past and present timelines weave together so perfectly. The ending was just perfect, and it ended up capturing so many insights about relationships, friendship, fame, and secrets. Rachel Hawkins doesn't miss the mark for me- this one absolutely lived up to the hype!

Thank you St Martin's Press for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for the ARC of the Villa!

I give this one a solid 4 stars. Fans of the author will enjoy this latest thriller. What I enjoyed: I enjoyed the dual timeline and of course, the setting of Italy. Like others, I found the characters to be a bit under developed, but I did enjoy the character of Mari. The Villa was a little light on the “thriller” component and I could have used a bit more atmosphere and creepiness. But overall, I really enjoyed it and read it in one sitting!

This book wasn’t jaw dropping or mind blowing but it was entertaining. I’ve read reckless girls and the wife upstairs and this one fell right in the middle of those. Better than reckless girls by far but not as good as the wife upstairs. The twists in this were okay but semi predictable. I loved the story within the story and thought that was done well. The characters were well written and overall the writing kept me interested and wanting to keep going. Definitely a book worth picking up and reading!

I was given an Arc copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I have read Rachel Hawkins before and wasn’t the biggest fan but this book changed by mind!

I can honestly say I didn’t see the twists coming in the end and was pleasantly surprised.

This book follows two best friends as they vacation in Italy for the summer in a murder house. And it switches back and forth to the past where two sisters and some musicians vacationed in the same house.

I love how they switched back and forth from Mari’s point of view in the past to Em’s point of view in the present.

I did think the chapters were too long and that was probably the only negative I could see.

4/5 stars and will be buying a physical copy for my shelf!

I liked this book. It reminded me of my best friend and I, we have been to Italy and have known each other forever, but that's where it stops-lol.
I'm a fan of her writing, it was an easy read. I'd recommend this to lots of people.

This book in 3 words. Twisty. Unreliable. Juicy.

Emily heads to The Villa, a beautiful home in Italy (also the setting of a murder in the 70s), with her best friend Chess. Chess is an extremely successful self-help author while Emily is writes cozy mysteries, going through a messy divorce, and trying to stay afloat.

The story is all encompassing and an easy read. A creepy plot, atmospheric setting, complex female friendships, and dual timeline that hits the right notes. I view this one more as a mystery with some dramatics… not necessarily a thriller, but still enjoyable.

Throughout the book, we get pages from a story, snippets from interviews, and pieces of podcasts. I love a story with mixed medium details that WORK and push the plot.

I’ll say it - I’m into anything and everything “murder house”. I think thrillers/horror/mystery with a house, personified at times, is such a win. Also, adore books about a book, while someone is writing a book. LOL

I couldn’t STAND some of these characters. BUT they were terrible by design and were consistent.

I could definitely pick up on some Manson/Helter Skelter vibes. Rumor has it this also was derived from when Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein… LOVE THAT.

This was an enjoyable read and I recommend.

I absolutely adored this book! The flashbacks to the Villa from years ago had me on the edge of my seat. It is a wonderful story about love and women's success. I was not expecting to enjoy this as much as I did and was so sad when it ended!

Very good! Hawkins does a great job setting the scene in Greece. Everyone has a secret and you spend the book figuring them out along with who died and why. Told from multiple points of view, this plot was so quick! I was flipping the page so fast trying to figure out what was happening. Highly recommend this for an easy yet thrilling read. It reminded me of the Guest List Lucy Foley!

Thank you to netgalley and st. Martin’s press for giving me an advanced copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

I quite enjoyed this book. I loved going back and forth between the history of the villa and present day. This was another hit by Rachel Hawkins. Look for it in early 2023.