First and for more most; a huge thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book!

Houses remember

A true statement that bounds sisters together and rekindles a childhood friendship.

When you think of the 70’s you think of rock and roll, drugs, sex and the complicated relationship between Mari and her stepsister Lara. Both sisters get entangled in star crossed relationships, love triangles and deceit which ultimately leaders to a horrific murder in a romantic but dark Vila in Italy.

Flash forward decades later, we meet Emily; a cozy mysteries novelist who is struggling writing her latest novel due to her ongoing illness and pending divorce from a very entitled Matt. I’m comes her on again off again best friend Chess who convinces Emily to go on a summer sabbatical to a Vila in Italy to focus on writing.

Little do these women know the true story behind the Vila nor the inspiration they will take from the famous novel that was written here.

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Once again, I want to thank NetGalley for allowing me to receive this wonder ARC. If you really into plot chasing thriller; “The Vila” is for you!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC! Honestly I was excited about receiving this book because I had heard good things about it…..but it did take me a while to get into it. There are 2 different story lines: current and the 70s, and gave just enough ‘something must’ve happened vibes’ to keep you wanting to find out what exactly happened. But it was just a really slow build. I did like the 70s story more than the current, it just seemed a little more interesting (Mari’s story) which probably was the only reason why I kept reading it. Overall I was glad I finished it….it was worth that for sure and it really was something I haven’t read before. I was hoping or maybe expecting something more of a shock value.

A special thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with an e-galley of this book to read and give my honest review.
I'm so excited that I was approved and got to read this book. Why, you ask? Because I love Rachel Hawkins and her writing and her stories. They are fun, inventive, and always have great turns in them. I will say I didn't know she was more than a young adult writer until recently when I was handed one of her adult books to read by a friend who is an avid reader. And, I must say, I'm happy I've learned of this side of Ms. Hawkins.
What drew me to the book: Villa, Italy, mystery, and suspense.
What kept me reading: all of the above!
The fun part: the main character is a writer. Because of course she is!
Emily, newly separated and getting divorced from her husband of 7 years, torn apart so much so that she cannot bring herself to write. That is until her bestie, Chess, invites her to spend the summer at a villa in Italy. And not just any villa, but one with a rich history (and mystery) of murder!
I honestly went into this thinking it would be much more bloody, but I was pleasantly surprised that it was filled with a rich back story. Two, actually. So you're getting not just one story with this book, but three! And they are woven together fairly seamlessly to help you see the true background behind all that happens. I do believe it could have used a bit more of a sinister or even spiritual twist to it, but overall it didn't really need it because it is not meant to be a paranormal book.
I will say I had things figured out somewhat, or so I thought until the author threw in a twist at about 80% in! Then the author surprised me again at the very end. It was fun watching it all unfold, and being proven wrong (even though I so wanted to be right with my theories!).
Overall, I enjoyed this book tremendously and it has solidified for me that I would love to read anything Hawkins writes in the future.

This book was a refreshing read for me. I've loved the last two Rachel Hawkins books I've read, and this one did not disappoint. I will be recommending this to all of my friends!

The Villa is a dual timeline, slow-burn thriller set in the present day and the 1970’s. Focusing on two very different women, Em (present day) and Mari (1970s), The Villa is a murder mystery about love, loss, friendship, and passion. Em is a struggling author that embarks on a vacation with her best friend to forget her worries and finally write her next novel. Mari is an adventurous teenager trying to move on from a personal tragedy. In their respective timelines, they both find themselves spending one unforgettable summer in the same enchanting and mysterious Italian villa. Naturally, madness and murder ensue for both.

Loved:
- The cover
- Mari and the 1970’s storyline
- Major Fleetwood Mac vibes
- RH’s writing style

Why 3 Stars:
- Em’s storyline was a little predictable
- Ending felt unfinished and too open-ended. I wanted more!
- Chess and Em’s relationship was way too toxic

For my first Rachel Hawkins novel, I really enjoyed it! It was a quick read because it instantly drew me in. I really liked how RH used clippings of newspaper articles, podcasts, and interviews interspersed within the larger story to shed light on the murder and lives of the people involved. It was a cool way to see different perspectives and reveal more behind the mystery. Would I categorize it as a thriller? Eh, maybe not. But it kept me guessing (for the most part). I would recommend it to anyone who likes Fleetwood Mac, Italian history, and strong female leads. If you need me, I’ll be at an Italian villa.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my very first ARC!

I really enjoyed The Wife Upstairs, so I was eager to dive into Rachel Hawkins' new thriller, and The Villa did not disappoint. The atmospheric story features dual-timelines and dual-points of view, switching between Emily in the present and Mari in the 1970's. Dual-timelines don't always work for me in books, but I tend to enjoy them in thrillers and psychological suspense and I loved it here. I also thought the ending worked really well. I would definitely recommend this for fans of thrillers, and I hope that Rachel Hawkins continues to write more psychological suspense so I can keep reading them!

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for granting me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Villa by Rachel Hawkins is psychological suspense novel with a dual storyline and timeline - a story within a story told decades apart.

The present-day timeline: Emily, a successful author of cozy mysteries, has been going though tough times due to her pending divorce, a mysterious illness, financial difficulties and pressure to finish her book. Chess is a popular author of self-help books and is also Emily’s lifelong best friend. Lately, Emily and Chess’ friendship has been unsteady. To rekindle their friendship and to work on writing their books, Chess invites Emily on a summer trip to Orvieto, Italy at beautiful Villa Aestas. Emily agrees to join her on this 6-week vacation, hoping that this is what she needs to escape her personal problems and to help overcome her writer’s block. However, there’s a slight problem. Villa Aestas is well-known for the brutal murder of a famous rock star that took place in the summer of 1974.

1970’s timeline: This story takes place at the same Villa and it leads up to the brutal murder that occurred there. The main narrator in this timeline is Mari. She is the author of a popular horror novel that was written about her stay at the Villa during the time the brutal murder took place. Her stepsister, Lara, was also staying at the Villa during this time. Lara is a musician who eventually creates a best-selling album named “Aestas.”

The two timelines intertwine and get more interesting when Emily begins to find secrets and clues inside the Villa about the murder that took place there in the past. These discoveries lead up to an unexpected turn and a few surprise twists in the story.

Some pros about ‘The Villa’:
It was a fast-paced and intriguing read.
It had enough suspense to keep me engaged throughout the book.
The way the two storylines weaves together was creative and well-written.
The ending was satisfying.

The cons:
I wasn’t fond of any of the characters.
Chess’ personality, in particular, was somewhat annoying.
Certain parts of the story were predictable.

Overall, ‘The Villa’ would be a great summer read if you’re wanting something quick, easy to follow, and suspenseful. It’s about friendship/sisterhood and it makes you think about the lengths you might go for that certain bond.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this EARC of ‘The Villa’ in exchange for my honest review. It is very much appreciated.

🍋 WOW 🍋
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Storytelling + suspense + mood for dayssss. It’s kind of hard to explain, but the feel of this book, the flow, was perfect to me. It’s described as a “gothic suspense” and that fits it well. There’s a lot going on in this book but I’m going to try to break it down real quick 🤪
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It’s basically a then/now timeline, with some articles, book excepts, and podcasts thrown in. Our now timeline follows Emily, who’s staying at an Italian villa for the summer with her best friend Chess. She becomes interested in the history of the villa, where a budding musician was murdered in the 70s. As she researches, we get flashbacks to the same villa in 1974, where Mari, an aspiring author, and four others in various stages of rock stardom spent the summer. It’s sex, drugs, and rock n roll. (Major Fleetwood Mac vibes and I flipping loved it!) As the summer wears on, relationships deteriorate and eventually one of the five is murdered. Back in present day, the relationship between Emily and Chess begins to deteriorate as well. 😏
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Did you get all that? 😅 It’s a lot to explain, but everything ties together seamlessly and it really just worked. I loved it. My favorite by this author. I hope you’ll give it a try! Out 1/2/23!
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Thank you so much NetGalley for the early copy!!

The Villa is Rachel Hawkins' best book yet. The story unfolds while switching points of view from the present (Emma) to the 1970s (Mari). At the book's beginning, the two are unconnected. When Emma's best friend Chess invites her to a villa in Italy for the summer for them both to work on their next books, Emma discovers Mara's book "Lilith Rising." As she reads, Emma begins to connect the villa's sordid history to the book which may not be as fictional as its audience originally thought.

This story begins, as all stories written by Rachel Hawkins do, with an opening line that draws you in immediately and leaves you wanting more.

“𝙷𝚘𝚞𝚜𝚎𝚜 𝚛𝚎𝚖𝚎𝚖𝚋𝚎𝚛.“

Atmospheric, sometimes creepy, & always clever, this read was everything I love in a book: shifts in time and POVs, a lovely gothic vibe, and a story within a story. Through a brilliant use of mixed literary media, Hawkins creates an experience that we weren’t expecting.

“𝚂𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚜 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎 𝚍𝚎𝚙𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚗 𝚠𝚑𝚘‘𝚜 𝚝𝚎𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚖.“

I went into this read expecting to find a suspenseful delve into a decades old murder. I did find that. More importantly, however, I was treated to an exploration of love, loyalty, & sisterhood.

“𝚂𝚑𝚎‘𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚍, 𝚘𝚍𝚍𝚕𝚢. 𝚂𝚑𝚎 𝚑𝚊𝚜 𝙻𝚊𝚛𝚊, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙻𝚊𝚛𝚊 𝚑𝚊𝚜 𝚑𝚎𝚛.“

Our female MCs all find a strength that they didn’t know they had. Each of these women had
previously given up control in their lives in one way or another but all learn to take that control back. This is the true triumph of this story. Not the twists & turns, but the women who take back what belongs to them. Themselves.

“𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚖𝚊𝚢𝚋𝚎, 𝚜𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔𝚜, 𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚝 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚓𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚗𝚊𝚕, 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚋𝚎 𝚜𝚙𝚊𝚌𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚍𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚖𝚜.“

It’s been a few days and I still can’t stop thinking of this book. I loved the atmosphere of it, how it twists the normal concepts of stereotypical horror. It goes back and forth between two women in different eras within the same Italian villa. I was rooting for both characters and both of their stories were well thought through. There were many twists and turns and just when I thought I knew what was happening, the book flipped the script. The ending was great and still has me thinking about it! This might be one of my favorite books of the year!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60784641

I typically enjoy Rachel Hawkins books but to me this one fell short. It was good but it did. Not hold my attention. Seemed like a lot of fluff from beginning to end.

I loved the idea of this book, but I just don’t think the premise totally worked.

Two best friends decide to rent a villa in Orvieto for the summer. Emily, in the midst of a nasty divorce, needs a change of scenery and some motivation to resume writing her cozy mystery novels. She needs the money they bring in. Chess, a successful non fiction writer has secrets and ulterior motives for wanting to be at this villa. She too is working on a book.

What follows is a tale of bitter rivalry, jealousy, and some undesirable secrets. This might have worked if the characters were likeable, but they aren’t. They end of coming off as immature teenagers in my opinion.

I didn’t really care for the 1970’s section of the book telling the story of a murder that had taken place at the same villa. None of these characters were likeable either. This part of the story just didn’t have the characteristics of a thriller for me. Nor did it have a really good plot twist.

The cover art though is amazing. The book is just ok.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Based on the blurb for this book, I had high hopes! I thought it would be filled with suspense and expected the villa itself to have some more sinister elements. Unfortunately, this book fell short for me. I’ve rated it 3 stars but I feel if it was marketed solely as general fiction or a drama I would’ve easily given it at least 4 stars. As a thriller, it just didn’t meet the mark.

The story follows two different time lines and two different sets of villa guests.

The first timeline is set in the present and follows Emily and Chess, two childhood friends and authors who rent a villa in Italy for the summer. The setting leads to some inspired writing for the two authors, until the dark secrets of the villa and their own friendship begin to come to light.

The second timeline is set in the 1970’s. Stepsisters Mari and Lara, Mari’s musician boyfriend Pierce, famous Rockstar Noel Gordon, and Noels dealer Johnnie spend their summer at the villa. During their stay, the drama ramps up – ultimately coming to a head with the untimely death of one of the guests.

Nothing much happened for the first 60% of the novel. Lots of character development, but nothing shocking. However, it was a fast paced read and it did keep me intrigued as I became more invested in the characters as time went on. It felt more like a tale of sisterhood than a thriller to me. I loved witnessing the relationships between the two pairs of women and how their connection was tested during their stay at the villa. It showed that the bond of sisterhood can truly weather any storm. The novel also illustrates the brilliance of artists in their various forms and how that creative energy can deliver the highest highs, and the lowest lows. It definitely gives Daisy Jones & The Six vibes.

Overall, I do believe this book is worth the read if you are in search of a dual timeline drama. It just won’t give you your suspenseful, sinister fix.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Netgalley and Rachel Hawkins for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!

I loved The Villa! Every character felt fully realized and entirely independent of the others, and I thoroughly enjoyed the relationships that were explored. I thought the idea of the main character reading a book by another main character and then writing another book was such a clever idea (book-ception?). Looking forward to Rachel Hawkins next one already!

I absolutely loved this book! It’s definitely more of a mystery than a thriller but it had some great twists and turns throughout the story. So very intriguing!

I loved the dual timelines and thought the author weaved in and out of them flawlessly. It kept me engaged throughout and I had to keep reading to find out what happened. How everything ties together was perfect! If you’re just getting into mystery/thrillers (like me) this is the book for you!

Thank you to St. Martins Press for the advanced copy and to Rachel Hawkins, I can’t wait to read more of your work!

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

I really enjoyed Rachel Hawkins' new thriller, The Villa. There are two storylines - the first follows Emily and her best friend Chess in present time as they summer at a villa in Italy together. The second takes place in the 70s and follows Mari, her boyfriend Pierce, and a handful of other rockstar friends as they spend time at the same villa. Mari and her friends' stay ends with a brutal murder that Emily is now puzzling together from the journals Mari hid in the villa.

I loved the dual timelines. The parallels between them were so interesting and well-thought out. This was definitely more of a slow burn thriller, but I liked understanding how all of the pieces came together. I loved Emily and my heart broke for Mari and all she had endured (check content warnings on this one, there are several heavy topics). Emily's relationship with Chess was so interesting and well written, swinging back and forth between toxicity and dependency. I think many people will probably relate to having a friend like Chess at some point in their lives.

The ending fell a little flat for me - it wrapped up too neatly, and I still have unanswered questions. I didn't get the sense of a real resolution - but I won't say any more to avoid spoilers.

All in all a fun thriller, I really enjoyed it!

A mystery more than a thriller, although thrills are present, The Villa tells two stories simultaneously and ends with a twist I never saw coming. In the 1970's, a motley assortment of people vacations at an Italian villa. One of them is brutally murdered, and in subsequent years two of the surviving vacationers create some of the most culturally important creative works of that era. Decades later, two authors/lifelong friends embark on a weeks-long working vacation at the villa. As the narrative switches from timeline to timeline, the stories of each timeline weave together in an exploration of the way that close relationships can breed resentment and foster misunderstandings.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this book!

I really enjoyed this book! I loved how they went back and forth between Emily and Mari’s stories. The stories were both similar but also different enough. The book is set in Italy and followed two stories, one set in 1974 and one in present day. There was a murder in 1974 that two friends Emily and Chess became da images with while they were in Italy rekindling their friendship.

The book kept me engaged the whole time wanting to learn more about what was happening in the house. It was mysterious with some twists and turns but nothing that was so far out there or unbelievable. Overall, this is a great mystery thriller and it combines an interesting plot with complex female friendships. I’m very glad to have been able to read this and can’t wait until it comes out to share with others.

Firstly, thank you Net galley and St. Martin’s Press for sending me an ARC of the latest Rachel Hawkins book coming January 2023.

I found it a bit difficult at first to get into the book with the dual timelines and stories. The chapters from the past were very long in comparison to the chapters present tense. I found myself wanting more detail of the present. The integration of news articles / excerpts was difficult to follow when randomly in the chapter or with the headline coming at the end instead.

I enjoyed the seemingly parallel storylines of past and present and how the characters of past and present were almost mirroring each other. I saw this more of a mystery than a thriller but enjoyed the twists and uncovering of the truth (for both storylines). There were several one liners I loved from Emily and actually laughed out loud. The author did a good job at making frustrating and unlikeable characters!

I do wish the ending wasn’t as rushed / explained a little more in detail. It took a turn I wasn’t exactly expecting and a bit unbelievable.

I will continue to read any adult novels that Rachel Hawkins puts out and will more than likely have an enjoyable reading experience.