This book masterfully blends past and present, weaving a gothic-tinged mystery full of secrets, betrayal, and literary intrigue. The dual timelines—one following Emily and Chess’s strained friendship, the other unraveling a 1970s rock-and-roll murder—are equally compelling, keeping the tension simmering. Hawkins’ rich, atmospheric writing brings the Italian setting to life, though some twists feel predictable. Still, it’s an addictive, suspenseful read perfect for fans of slow-burn psychological thrillers. I really enjoyed it!

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

I really enjoyed this book the thriller theme was definitely there and i would love to read the next one

I honestly don’t have much to say about this one. The only part I enjoyed was the different mixed media. There was interviews, news articles and a random podcast.
The plot was mediocre and I really didn’t enjoy this at all.
Very disappointing.

Rachel Hawkins' The Villa tells the intertwined story of two sisters and two friends, expertly tying together their stories into a twisty tale of suspense. At the center of it all is a beautiful, mysterious villa set in Italy.

In the 1970s, Mari, her sister, and her boyfriend are invited to stay at the villa by a rock star acquaintance, where they are fulled by sex, drugs, and a little rock and roll. Mari is an aspiring writer, and becomes inspired by the villa, writing a deranged tale about another villa.

Emily and Chess are part of the modern day, navigating a strained friendship and what turns out to be numerous secrets. Chess invites Emily to stay at the villa for the summer. There Emily discovers Mari's story, and the choices she makes after that can't be reversed.

I enjoyed this book--I liked the back and forth between the two time periods, and enjoyed seeing how things intertwined. There were several unexpected twists in the book, which I always enjoy. I would recommend this if you enjoy mysteries that are a bit unexpected.

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

'The Villa' by Rachel Hawkins is a chilling dual timeline mystery. The twists are surprising and it is a quick enjoyable read.

This wasn't my cup of tea. I found it to be dragging and it really couldn't keep me hooked for such a slow burn. The momentum just wasn't there.

I loved everything about this book. When I first picked it up I was not sure if I would like it but I loved it! The dual timelines, the characters that you don’t know for can trust, the underlying reasons behind everything- all of it makes a great book. It is set in Italy and while Italy is not and part of the book I enjoyed reading the local landscape. A truly thrilling book until the very last page!

I generally enjoyed this book. There were some twists and turns that I did not see coming. I really liked the dual timeline POV of this story, going back and forth between today and 1974 as Emily tries to unravel all that happened then.

Rachel Hawkins’ The Villa is a captivating blend of suspense, intrigue, and gothic charm that will keep you hooked from the first page to the last. Set against the backdrop of an Italian villa with a dark and mysterious history, the novel masterfully intertwines two timelines: a present-day story of strained friendships and hidden truths, and a 1970s rock-and-roll saga that culminates in tragedy.

The dual narrative is expertly handled, with each thread adding layers of tension and mystery. The modern-day storyline follows Emily and Chess, two old friends whose stay at the villa unearths buried secrets, both personal and historical. Meanwhile, the 1970s plot reveals the villa’s sinister past, complete with a murder that left its mark on the property.

Hawkins’ atmospheric prose brings the villa to life, making it as much a character as the people who inhabit it. The Villa is a gripping, atmospheric read that delivers suspense and emotional depth in equal measure. Perfect for fans of layered thrillers with a touch of the macabre.

The concept of two sets of friends experiencing parallel events in the same eerie location is a great approach to a book. The alternating chapters between 1974 and the present day keep the pace brisk and the suspense high. Hawkins vividly describes the villa and its surroundings, creating a sense of unease and foreboding. The novel delves into the creative process and the challenges faced by artists, both in the past and present.

The Villa is an enjoyable and suspenseful read. While it has a few minor shortcomings, the intriguing premise, atmospheric setting, and exploration of creativity make it a worthwhile read.

I couldn’t get into this book. I read The Wife Upstairs and figured I’d enjoy this book, but I didn’t. I’m a mood reader, so perhaps I just didn’t read it at the best time. I’d still read other books by this author. I think she’s a good author, but this book wasn’t for me.

I enjoyed the journey on this book, but boy...did I hate the ending! I don't want to give any spoilers away, but if you're someone who likes to see the full karmic circle in a book, you will not see that here.

The Emily character is relatable, and the story is told through her perspective. You're along for the ride with her emotions and can easily empathize with her bad luck that lead her to current circumstances.

The book also gives an alternate timeline in Mari's view, so as the reader, you are hearing two different stories. Mari is supposed to be akin to real-life Mary Shelley, which was a really cool idea for this book.

Several other reviews I've read mentioned the similarities between Fleetwood Mac's story, so if you're also into that, check it out! I was on the edge of my seat with both mysteries in the book, and while not happy with the entire ending, I still appreciated the story overall.

I love when a book has a satisfying ending, if you love sex, drugs and rock and roll you’d probably love this one. This was a story within a story which at times was a little hard for me to follow. Overall this was a three star read for me. Not my favorite by this author.

I unfortunately wasn’t super impressed with this one and felt a bit bored. I expected more than what was delivered and it just missed the mark for me

The Villa by Rachel Hawkins is a gripping psychological thriller that skillfully intertwines the past and present. Hawkins masterfully builds tension, blending a modern narrative with a historical mystery that keeps readers on edge. The character development is strong, making the motivations and conflicts feel authentic. With its atmospheric setting and unexpected twists, The Villa is a captivating read for fans of suspense and intrigue.

This is definitely Hawkins’ best book yet! Such an interesting premise and something that hasn’t been done before. I loved the alternating POV and trying to unravel who to trust and who to suspect. And then the twists! Oh my gosh the twists just kept coming and I’m SO here for it! Definitely a must read!

I have read a couple books by the author now and I think I’ve come to the conclusion that her work just isn’t for me. I didn’t really enjoy this one but it’s likely just a me problem not the book itself.

Alternating timelines about 2 writers and 2 close ladies at the same villa. Right from the beginning I wanted to know the whole story of what happened at the Villa. The two writers write similar stories about their memorable stay at the Italian summer rental. Murder, Love, and Friendship are all experienced thru the story.

This book had so much potential-the setting was perfect for a creepy mystery. However, this book was not what I was expecting. I wanted Mari’s story to be more mysterious and intertwined with Emily’s story. Instead, it read as a story of friendship and finding yourself amidst a murder background, which left me feeling disappointed. The end was such a jump from the build up that it felt disjointed and rushed. Sadly, this book just didn’t work for me.

This was our bookstore's book club pick. Overall, we collectively agreed that this was not good. We found the premise interesting, but we wanted more. Set in Italy, but the beauty of Italy was missing. You follow two timelines. one in the 70s and the other in the present. Two friends with secrets that you uncover along the way. But overall, it lacked.