I have mixed feelings.
I loved being instantly grabbed
The muliple timelines
Povs
Twist

However it definitely dragged at points and my gripped attention faded and then went up and down.

This month the #literarylovelies participated in #GalleyMatch! We were matched with @ladyhawkins novel, the Villa. I was beyond excited because this is of the best covers ever. I absolutely love the teal color and the lemons.

Emily is going through a divorce from husband, when her childhood best friend reaches out to her with an opportunity to go to Italy for the summer. Emily and Chess haven’t been close recently, but this is a chance to bond again. The Villa they are staying in is known as Villa Aestas, but back in the 70s it was Villa Rosato and it was where a famous book and a famous album were written here. There was also a brutal murder. Emily is a cozy mystery writer who is inspired by the history of the Villa and begins to research what happened. Chess in a motivational influencer (like Rachel Hollis) who is also a self help writer.

The story flips back and forth from the present time with Emily and Chess to the 70s with Mari and Lara, who are on a trip with a famous rock star and some of his entourage. This part of the book has a sex, drugs, and rock and roll vibe. I loved both parts of the dual timeline, but I especially loved Chess. She was over the top and just a great character.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book. It was a very easy book to read and I enjoyed the epistolary chapters as well. Thank you so much to @thebookclubcookbook and @stmartinspress for the advanced reader copy. The Villa is on sale January 3, 2023!

A truly juicy, didn't want to put it down kind of read. Dual timelines with mystery, intrigue, and a sense of who-is-trustworthy, The Villa kept me awake and reading much later than I should have been awake, making it a quick read. I wouldn't be sad to see a sequel....

This book is told from two different times - current and 1974. In 1974 5 people stayed at the Villa and one of them is killed. Chess and Emily have decided to spend their summer at the villa - they are both writers and think this is a great place to continue working on their next book. Once there, Emily becomes interested in the past history of events and starts doing some digging, putting things together.

I really enjoyed reading about both storylines and how they intersect. It was a page turner for sure, but the characters were not enjoyable. It isn't that they weren't well written, and there are people like them in the world for sure. But there was no empathy/sympathy to be found from me.

was this the best thriller? no
was it super entertaining? yes
I love a book within a book and this was the perfect escape read. If you can set aside disbelief about a lot of it and just run with the plot, I think most people will find this an enjoyable binge read.

I couldn't put this down once I finally started reading it! I enjoy this author and this book did not disappoint!

The house remembers what an opening line!
Going through a difficult divorce Emily reconnects with her childhood best friend Chess, they are now in their thirties, both of them writers, needing a change they decide to spend the summer at a villa in Italy. Under the gorgeous Italian sun the Villa Aestas is where Emily and Chess will be staying. The Villa wasn’t always known by that name. In 1974 the Villa had a name and it was for one simple reason murder.
In 1974 a handsome musician Pierce Sheldon with his girlfriend, Mari, and her stepsister, Lara, are invited by the rock star, Noel Gordon, to spend time at the Villa. Noel
Is hoping to create music with Pierce. This summer is filled with drama and backstabbing and ends with Pierce Sheldon’s bloody murder. Pierces girlfriend Mari after leaving the Villa and his murder behind writes one of the greatest horror books of all time and her stepsister Lara composes the “ Aestas” album and the album turns gold.
Dealing with writers block Emily looks for inspiration and begins to research the mystery that surrounds Pierce’s murder.
The Villa offers clues as to what really happened that summer and soon it begins to show that there’s secrets and tensions between Emily and Chess. Emily begins to wonder maybe being invited by Chess wasn’t genuine. Cracks begins to show tempers flare and we see parallels between modern day Emily and Chess that eerily resemble that of Mari and Lara. Will the dark history continue is there a curse that surrounds The Villa?

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. I am so bummed! I liked this one so much until the ending!! Ugh! With that being said, this was probably my favorite of Hawkins’ books. I think the more atmospheric, gothic thriller suits her better than the popcorn thrillers I have read from her in the past.

Could not put this book down. I loved the intertwining stories of Mari and Em. I loved how engrossed you become with the characters and can feel every emotion they do. Plenty of twists.

In 1974, a murder takes place at Villa Rosato and sisters, Mari and Lara, are the only two to come out of it somewhat unscathed. Fast forward to the present and the renamed mansion, Villa Aestas, and long time friends, Emily and Chess, uncover secrets about the 1974 murder that no one has ever found.

I found The Villa to be an intriguing read and really enjoyed how the two stories at the same mansion wove together and influenced each other. I have enjoyed everything I’ve read by Rachel Hawkins and this book was no different. This story wasn’t exactly what I expected when I picked up this book, but I loved it just the same. I really loved the creativity in the way the two stories wound together and influenced each other. In my opinion, if you are a mystery fan and what to discover the secrets behind two different stories, this book is definitely worth checking out!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!

Can a place be evil? Two thirty-something friends are about to find out in The Villa, an Italian mansion haunted by memories of sex, drugs, rock & roll, and murder…

The plot is split between two timelines. In the present, two childhood friends try to deal with their issues as grown women. In 1974, a famous rock star brings together a group of acquaintances for a house party that goes horribly wrong. Parallels are drawn with perhaps a hidden ending for the present-day story left unsaid.

Plot-wise, The Villa hits it out of the park. However, I didn’t enjoy the writing style and disliked most of the characters too. I think an opportunity was missed to create an unforgettable novel like Gone Girl. Instead, we get this. Read literally anything else by this author first. Or reread Gone Girl. 2 stars.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a digital review copy of the book.

Another excellent book from Rachel Hawkins. Like her previous books, this one locked me in from the first page and didn’t let me go until I had read it straight through. Great characters developed over two separate timelines with a seriously unexpected twist at the end. Highly recommended

Thanks to NetGalkey and St Martin Publishing Group for an advanced reader copy

This is hovering between a 3 and 4 star read for me. The story is told in two main parts, which actually turns out to be three but not really? I ended up liking the 1974 plot a lot more than the modern one, I just felt the characters were far more interesting, even though they are a direct parallel to Lord Byron and Mary Shelley's stay at a lake house while she wrote Frankenstein. The modern setting with "best friends" Chess and Emily was exhausting because they honestly should have just been lesbians instead of the plot they eventually find themselves in. There is a bit of poetic justice at the end which I appreciated but ultimately I was left with the feeling it could have been more.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I thought I knew where this book was going the entire time, but then we took a turn. I'll be honest, I'm not sure I liked that turn. The ending didn't seem to fit with the rest if the story. There was a lot here and it didn't all feel well thought out to me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks so much for the Arc!

Rachel Hawkins writes another twisty and dark novel. The Wife Upstairs had me on the edge of my seat, Reckless Girls had me shocked and The Villa had me wondering.

Author, Emily, takes up her old best friend, Chess, on a spontaneous trip to Italy. She’s having major writes block, health issues and her marriage just crumbled. Although she seems to have a challenging relationship with Chess an escape might be exactly what she needs. Chess (also an author but very successful) books “The Villa.”

In 1974, The Villa was occupied by a famous rockstar and some companions. The book jumps back and forth in time to the story of Noel, Pierce, Mari and Lara and to the best friends Emily and Chess. We start to put the pieces together that whatever Mari experienced was major. She too, being an author, wrote about her wild summer living with musicians. She also left clues as to what went wrong when one wound up dead.

We uncover a lot about Emily and Chess’ relationship throughout the book- never quite knowing who to trust. Emily begins to write about Mari’s experience in The Villa and he world totally changes because of it.

This book had a slow build. I didn’t see all the twists coming but they weren’t quite twisty enough for me. I also felt like the ending was sort of rushed. There was alot of build up behind both stories and the mysteries wrapped in them- then their truths were quickly glossed over. I still really love Hawkins writing and how each of her books are so different.

Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Rachel Hawkins for the ARC!

This book grabs hold of you from the first words "Houses remember", and doesn't let go as you are led through two storylines (1970s and present day) in the Villa.

In the 1970s (sex, drugs, and rock and roll!) stepsisters Mari and Lara travel to in Italy with Mari's musician boyfriend Pierce to stay in the Villa with a famous rock star Noel and his mysterious friend Johnnie. Over the summer Mari becomes more and more intrigued with the mysterious history of the VIlla and begins writing a book ,while her sister Lara uncovers her musical talents. As time goes on tensions rise between the group, betrayals are uncovered, and one of the 5 are murdered.

Present day authors and lifelong BFFs Emily and Chess have drifted apart over the years, but reunite to finish their latest books (and work on their friendship) during a summer vacation at the Italian Villa. Emily is a cozy mystery author healing from a mysterious illness and recovering from a divorce- all while suffering from writer's block. Chess is a famous self help guru who's public facade doesn't quite match up to who she is in real life. As Emily becomes absorbed with the history of the Villa and Mari's story, Chess begins to revisit old dreams. As the summer unfolds so does the fate of their friendship.

I loved the intertwined storylines that have it all- mystery, murder, music, and betrayal.

I definitely recommend this book- it was a satisfying, absorbing, easy read filled with twists and turns!

I have this love hate relationship with Rachel Hawkins books. They are so easy to read and quite captivating but then seem to fall a hair flat in one way or another. I did enjoy the ending of this book much more than her last novel I read; "Reckless Girls" (still upset about it).

The Villa switches back and forth from present day; Emily and Chess, two writers that go on a writing retreat to Italy and stay in The Villa, to 1974; a group of artists who are staying at the same Villa. The plot is very intriguing, with a lot of sex, drugs, and struggling artists trying to find their way, entangled with a murder mystery that the two current woman; Emily and Chess are slowly trying to uncover.

Where it fell flat for me....this is like a book within a book within a book and at times I was lost trying to figure out certain characters from the 1974 era and not only that there were a few things from the present day that seemed a little unrealistic to me. But overall it was a read that I really couldn't put down. A little bonus is that it also taps into pop culture with inspiration from the Manson murders and Fleetwood Mac. If you are into pop culture, the 70's and a little mystery you will really enjoy The Villa.

Thank you to NetGalley and Stmartinspress for the ARC.

best sums up how I feel about THE VILLA. Unfortunately, after reading three mediocre (imo) books by this author, I think I will be skipping her future work ☹️

It could’ve been the Netgalley Kindle format but I found this one to be disjointed and not at all enthralling. It was a quick, short read so it had that going for it at least, but there was nothing shocking or memorable enough for me.

Oh well, not all authors are for everyone and that’s ok 🤷🏼‍♀️☺️

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martins Press for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

Emily is struggling to finish her latest book after a prolonged illness and a recent breakup with her husband. Her childhood best friend, Chess, is also an author: well-known for her life brand and self-help books. When Chess offers Emily the chance for the two of them to spend time at an Italian villa, Emily agrees, even if the pair are not as close as they once were. The Villa Aestas was once known as the Villa Rosato and, in the early 1970s, rented by rock star Noel Gordon. Noel invited another musician, Pierce Sheldon, and his girlfriend, Mari, to join him at the Villa--but the summer ended in disaster-with Pierce's murder. It also led to Mari writing a famous horror novel and her stepsister, Lara, composing a famous album.

This was an intriguing one for sure. It's certainly a page-turner, and I flew through it pretty quickly. There are stories within stories within stories with THE VILLA--Emily and Chess in the present day; Mari, Noel, Pierce, and Lara in the 1970s; and then the book Mari is writing while she stays at the Villa as well. There are some journals Mari left behind and Lara's songs. Eventually Emily and Chess start to write about the 70s, too, and whew... Trusting all the stories and narrators here is nearly impossible, but it's what keeps the book moving and interesting.

The twisty Italian setting is fun, with the gothic Villa becoming nearly its own character. I was fascinated by Mari and her life and intrigued somewhat by Emily and Chess (but truly found the 1970s characters to be the stars). No one in the tale exactly comes across as lovable, but they certainly make for a dark and suspenseful read.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Rachel Hawkins for an ARC of this book!

The Villa follows the story of two women and best friends in the present day, Emily and Chess. They’ve been friends for over two decades, and with time comes resentment. Their relationship is complicated, as they still care deeply about one another but at the same time can’t seem to stand one another.

It also follows the story of two other women in the 1970s, mainly 1974. Stepsisters Mari and Lara have a similarly complicated relationship. Both sets of women are seemingly in competition both for men and success in life.

We get the points-of-view of Emily and Mari and therefore alternating timelines.

The synopsis promises a gothic suspense with a creepy, cursed villa in the Italian countryside, complete with murder and “dangerous betrayals.”

I’m not so sure that’s what I got here.

I’ve read each of Rachel Hawkins’ previously published thriller novels, The Wife Upstairs and Reckless Girls, both of which I enjoyed. Based on the synopsis alone, I believed I would be getting something different from Hawkins - a gothic style horror, similar to The Haunting of Hill House, with a little extra drama. While I do find this to be different from her previous two novels, it also was not what I expected.

For the majority of the book, it felt like what I’ve grown used to for her work. It was a fast read, it was holding my attention (especially at the halfway point of the book - I was hooked) and I had a running list of theories of where the story could be going based on random trails of breadcrumbs Hawkins was dropping for her readers. I couldn’t quite tell just which way it was going to go, and that’s just the way I like it. Being led in a few different directions typically sets the reader up for some big twists and shocks and those were what I kept waiting for. Unfortunately, they never came.

By the end, this didn’t feel like a true thriller novel to me. This also didn’t feel like a true gothic suspense novel to me, either. The Villa itself, that was made out to be sinister, was not sinister at all. The betrayals we were promised felt fairly minor and the murders somehow felt anti-climactic (one even feeling unjustified?).

***SPOILER AHEAD:***
Matt’s murder was brushed over TOO much. He shows up at The Villa, and suddenly there’s just an article about how he drowned in the pond. While I agree we didn’t need all the details and play-by-play, this just felt rushed. Also, while murder is murder, and in the real world there’s typically no excuse for it, this is not the real world - it’s a thriller and even then I felt the murder was going overboard, and not in a good way.

I also don’t usually enjoy books that use articles and other forms of outside media as a means to reveal details to the reader and this was no exception. I would prefer to learn of some details from the narrator’s perspectives in their own voices. Sometimes I understand that may not be possible and could create too many points-of-view in a book and can be necessary, but I do also think sometimes it’s overdone.

On that same note, I did enjoy the lyrics from Aestas and wish it was a real album because it sounds totally up my alley.

Overall, The Villa wasn’t what I expected but didn’t manage to make me really like it anyways. More was promised to me than what was delivered, and I’m left a little disappointed and unsatisfied. I still plan to read whatever she releases next and I am still hoping this will be available with Book of the Month like Hawkins’ previous novels so that I can get a hardcopy to match her other two I already own.