Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review. I couldn’t put this book down! I think this is my favorite of Hawkins. I fell in love with The Wife Upstairs, and unfortunately The Reckless Girls just left me in a neutral zone. The Villa was so well done and refreshing. I loved learning about the past occupants and their secrets hidden inside the walls of Villa Aestas fo the present characters, Emily and Chess—and their own boatload of drama and secrets. Loved the alternating between past and present, the plot, the setting, the writing. I LOVED IT ALL!!
Couldn’t stop listening to this book! A MUST READ THRILLER FOR 2023!!

Rachel Hawkins has done it again, she has a way of packing so much punch into books that are short (at least for me), sweet, and to the point. I love her writing style, her plot, her crazy twists, and just overall her books are really fun for me to read.

Emily and Chess were inseparable from childhood but by the time they both reached their thirties, other demands drew them apart. Chess suggests they take a summer holiday to Italy, just the two girls for weeks of relaxation and so that they can work on their respective books. Their villa is extremely high-end but comes with a story, in 1974 it was the house of a gruesome murder when two rock stars along with their friends and girlfriend stayed there. Emily finds herself drawn to the story and the book written by one of the girls that had stayed there in 1974, but she also feels a chasm opening up between her and Chess as she begins her new book. When secrets start to come to light, Emily will find out the truth about her best friend and what really happened that night in the 70s.

I love how this book was told from the present tense of Emily's perspective but also switched back to the past in 1974 when Mari and her friends stayed there. Normally I'm not the biggest fan of dual timelines but for some reason I ate this one up. I couldn't get enough of either story and was honestly sad when this book ended. But man, that ending was phenomenal and really tied the book all together.

I can't wait to see what Rachel Hawkins comes up with next!

*Many thanks to St. Martins Press for the gifted copy for my honest review!*

I absolutely sped through this book. Each chapter kept me wanting more. I loved the dual timelines between Mari in 1974 and Emily in the present. Both women have been through tough times and are questioning who in their lives they can trust.

Emily has just gone through a tough time. She started getting sick, her husband left her, and now her writing has stalled out. On top of that, her husband is trying to take money from her book proceeds and is drawing out the divorce process. Chess, Emily's childhood best friend, knows what a hard time she is going through and invites Emily to stay at a villa in Italy. The offer seems to good to be true, but who could turn down a month long trip to Italy? Then, Emily finds out that the villa is the location of a grisly murder from 1974.

When are introduced to Mari, she is clearly questioning her life choices (leaving home at 16 with a married man, bringing along her step sister, continuing to support said man) but leaning on the fact that she absolutely loves him. Her step sister comes home one day to let her know that a famous rock star has invited them to Italy to stay at a villa for the summer. Mari is hesitant, but thinks this is the perfect chance for her boyfriend to really buckle down and make it to the big time.

As the story unfolds, Rachel Hawkins has not only the main characters, but the readers doubting who they can trust. I found myself relating to the main characters but also thinking "Seriously?! Why would you do that?" or "Why would you put up with that?" There were times when the main characters were absolutely infuriating, but I couldn't help but feel sorry for them and their situations. Hawkins does a great job developing her characters. I was pissed off at both Noel and Pierce, but also could see how people would fall for their charms. I initially felt bad for Johnnie (just like Mari), but grew to dislike him when he couldn't take no for an answer. Lara and Chess were both so similar. I wanted to love them with their positive, cheery attitudes, but could never fully trust them because of their prior actions and lies.

I also really loved the setting and the little clues linking past to present. It was wonderful to see Emily's interest in writing grow again as she sussed out the commonalities between Mari's book and the villa.

This was my first Rachel Hawkins book, but definitely won't be my last! I have "The Wife Upstairs" on my kindle and will make it a point to read that one soon!

THE VILLA by Rachel Hawkins
@LadyHawkins
Read by: Julia Whelan @JustJuliaWhelan
Kimberly Wetherell @VoxKimberly
Shiromi Arserio @Shiromi.Arserio
Pub date: January 3, 2023

The Gist

Present time, when lifelong friends, Emily and Chess, grow apart, they head to Orvieto in Italy to a quaint villa with more history than the once thick as thieves’ friends. Emily is going through a divorce and has lost her writing mojo while beautiful Chess has reinvented herself into a successful self-help guru. In the mid-1970’s, Mari and her step-sister run away with Mari’s musician boyfriend. A tragic murder occurs in an Italian villa under a veil of secrecy but leads to one of the greatest horror novels ever written. Old and new issues arise in this clever twisty tale that is told in different timelines and has a deliciously terrifying story within a story.

My Thoughts

While the main story focuses on Emily and Chess in the present, the second story revolving around Mari – the author of the story within a story, Lilith Rising, and her step-sister, Lara in the mid 1970’s, was just as fascinating. The way the two stories connected from present to past through the villa was captivating and chilling, each being manipulated by the men in their lives and the inspiration they drew from the villa – and it’s past residents - as a result.

I’m glad I was able to both listen and read simultaneously because this was a story that was captivating enough that I continued on during my day with the audio. The narrators are spectacular and as with all well-done audiobooks, it played out like a movie in my head.

I thoroughly enjoyed this and have been a long time fan of Rachel Hawkins all the way back to her YA days and still think fondly of Hex Hall!

My thanks to both @Macmillan.Audio @StMartinsPress for these gifted copies!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's press for an opportunity to read this ARC for an honest review
I really enjoyed this book; I loved the flashbacks and the story unfolding at the same pace as our current events. The flashback era was the most interesting, I wish more would have happened in the present, I felt like most of it was just very slow and only there for the purpose of leading up to the ending, they could have done so much more. The ending felt a bit rushed, and I wish that we could have seen more of their life post “The Villa” or more of Mari and Lara’s life after the incident. Overall, a creepy, cozy read.

I really enjoyed this book! Not going to lie I was super nervous after seeing some mixed reviews, so I wasn't too thrilled about slugging through another "meh" book. But I am so glad I gave it a chance, because I actually liked this one! I'd definitely recommend others give it a chance, especially if you are in the mood for a quick thriller.

With The Villa, you get parallel timelines, 1970s & present time, which occurs at this same villa in Italy. I like dual POVs, especially with thrillers, and I thought the author did a great job with this one. I like Hawkins' writing style and this book had that unputdownable, binge factor I want in a thriller. I flew through the pages and finished this book fairly quickly, especially since it is only 288 pages.

The blurb says this book was inspired by Fleetwood Mac and I did get a "Daisy Jones & The Six" vibe somewhat! But not completely similar at all. Just with the podcasts and newspaper articles sprinkled throughout the book and with the main characters from the 1970s, since most were musicians.

At first the transitions between present time, the 1970s, and the articles/song lyrics were a bit confusing. I've heard Julia Whelan does the audio for this book, so you know that'll be amazing. But I could see where these transitions could be slightly confusing as audio at least initially, so just be aware of that. Once I got used to the writing style of the book, it was not an issue for me.

I really enjoyed the present time over the past, which normally isn't the case for me. However, I liked how they were both integrated together. Overall, I will definitely be recommending this book and I'm excited to see what others have to say about it!

**Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an advanced copy of this book and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion. I am posting this review to my Goodreads account immediately and will post it to my Amazon & Instagram accounts upon publication.

I’ve been read a Book description before that sounded like it was written for me. This is one of my most anticipated books for 2023 and it did not disappoint. A gothic tale, with a little Fleetwood Mac that takes place in an Italian villa plus a podcast element, say less! The atmosphere was top notch and I loved the messy female friendship. This book lived up to the hype.

I enjoyed this book more than I expected I would when I realized it had two timelines and a handful of people of interest around which the story would revolve. Even with those weighting points that could have made the book tiring and confusing, the narrative was smooth and easy to grasp. I read it in two days!
Emily is a cozy mystery writer that is going through divorce and a late deadline on book 10 of her series. Her friend Chess, a famous self-help writer, invites her to a house full of bad reputation, but that means spending summer in Italy, so why not? The dynamic between the two was weird, competitive and toxic, not a friendship that I would want in my life.
We start getting the other timeline in the beginning, with a Mary Shelley inspired story in which Mari, an aspiring writer, is at the same house/Villa with her step-sister, boyfriend, and other two musicians in search of inspiration for new work. This entire timeline had a lot of drama, with couple-swap, drugs, violence and pain coming from all sides. It was curious seeing a perspective of how people can translate the horror of their lives into art, even if they don’t know how to live with it in the most appropriate way.
For me, the story merged in a cool way, but as with all books that have two stories it felt somewhat forced. I loved the parallels of being a muse and being the author that Chess made between Mari and Lara in the 1970 timeline, as a way of being a protagonist in a story in which you’re just expected to be the a background appearance.
Overall, the book was good, but the characters annoyed me a lot and it did drag a bit around the middle of the story. The ending saved the book for me, I was not expecting the reveal and it was very interesting how the author made it stick to the overall narrative.
This was my second book by Rachel Hawkins and I’ll definitely pick up others by her. Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

The book goes back and forth in time involving 2 different groups of people. The first and recent group of people are Emily, Chess (formerly known as Jessica) and Emily's ex Matt. Second group is Pierce, Mari, Lara and Noel. Most of the story takes place in a Villa in Italy. I haven't read many books set in Italy. Other than the murder, staying in a villa sounds wonderful!  LOL

The writing and plot pulled me in and I loved reading every page. I couldn't wait to find out more about Emily and Mari. I liked both of those girls. As far as the other characters go Chess was sneaky and manipulative. She knew what she was doing, IMO. But, Emily played right into her hand. I think she did it subconsiounsly though. I liked Mari and Lara as well. Although, some of their choices wouldn't be choices I'd make I do recognize it was 50 years ago and times were different.

I can't say too much without giving away spoilers. I'd love to chat about the book if you've read it.

Bonus Points: the book was inspired by Fleetwood Mac and the Manson Murders. I totally got those vibes and enjoyed it a lot!

This one felt so lackluster. I couldn’t connect with any of the characters, and with it being set in two different timelines there was plenty to pick from. None of them were likable and I felt nothing towards any of them. The setting had little to it, being in a murder house I expected more. There was little to no build up so for me there was no climax to the story. At most times, I really wanted to stop reading it. As the publisher was kind enough to give me a copy, I wanted to do my due diligence to read it, but I can’t say that I could recommend it to anyone. With this being my first, I’ll try another Rachel Hawkins novel in the future, but probably not for a while.

The Villa by Rachel Hawkins is an absolutely shocking mystery novel that took me on a ride for which I had no idea where it was going, which I think is one of the highest praise for a suspense story. Rachel Hawkins continues to deliver fascinating stories with impeccable writing while still pulling on one’s emotions along the way.

Childhood best friends turned thirty-somethings, Emily & Chess, escape to Villa Aestas in Orvieto for a luxurious summer abroad that turns sinister once they dive into their vacation villa’s haunted history. The Villa was once the location to an infamous murder that happened in the 1970’s when a rockstar & friends stayed there. Told in alternating timelines, the reader gets immersed in both the past & the present, but who could be prepared for the villa to strike again?! Read The Villa to find out more about the spectacular $ suspenseful story!

The Villa is truly unlike anything I’ve ever read before & think it’s a really refreshing book to land in the mystery genre. The buildup of the story is a bit slow, but I think the payoff is worth the read. I was fascinated by both the present of the old friends reuniting as well as the tragic past. I found it interesting how the house’s past embedded itself for these two friends to uncover. I am keeping this review short & vague in order to not give much away!

As a disabled person with multiple chronic illnesses, I did feel a bit weird about the main character’s sickness, but I can’t fully discuss it without spoilers. I would just like to say that while there is a strong mind & body connection, not everyone’s sickness is related to their mind & stress, but it can make an illness worse obviously. If someone’s says they are in chronic pain, I just would ask that you believe them. After years of being gaslit, I feel like I just had to add this side note in support of myself & the disabled community.

Back to the story, I am a big fan of Rachel Hawkin’s writing & love the way she writes surprising mysteries & thrillers. Rachel Hawkins is an author I plan to keep on my always add to myTBR list!

Massive thanks to St. Martin’s Press for the arc, which I voluntarily read & reviewed. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

Trigger warnings: This book mentions &/or contains murder, cheating, death of child, miscarriage, suicide & violence.

Daisy Jones and the Six meets Italian countryside with a side of murder. After loving Hawkins’ The Wife Upstairs, I was super excited to get this ARC from NetGalley (thank you!!) Overall I enjoyed this slow burn, digestible thriller, but giving this 3 stars as I feel the writer POV/story within a story has been overdone.

The Villa by Rachel Hawkins

Published: January 3, 2023
St. Martin’s Press
Pages: 283
Genre: Psychological Thriller
KKECReads Rating: 5/5
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.

Rachel Hawkins was a high school English teacher before becoming a full-time writer. She lives with her family in Alabama and is currently at work on the third book in the Hex Hall series. To the best of her knowledge, Rachel is not a witch, though some of her former students may disagree.

“That way I always know where to find you.”

Emily is recovering from a lot. Her husband had left her, her health was declining for no medical reason, her career had gone stagnant, and she felt lost. Then her childhood best friend and self-help queen reached out. Chess had a way of adding sparkle to things. When Chess decides to spend the summer in Italy, she begs Emily to join her. What could go wrong?

The whiplash I experienced reading the last half of this book is unreal. The twists and turns are bananas!

I found the characters well done; Emily and Chess are defined in their own right. The brilliant thing about this book is that it is a book within a book, within a book- we are talking major book-ception.

I loved how this story was told. We learn about Mari and Lara and Emily and Chess. We also see Victoria in Lilith Rising. This plot could have been confusing and chaotic- but it was not.

The writing was incredible, the storyline was beautifully presented, and the emotions were perfect. I devoured this book! It was impossible to put down, especially when you hit the 60% mark- buckle up… it’s about to get bumpy.

This book is setting the bar insanely high for thrillers in 2023. The complexity of the plot, mixed with the beautiful storytelling and the twists that keep coming until the very end, will leave your jaw on the floor and you on the edge of your seat.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for an advanced readers copy of this book for my honest review.

This was a great, fast-paced read told from 2 points of view, 50 years apart. Both stories intertwined beautifully in a picturesque Italian villa that as the name sake of this book was a character itself in the book.

This thriller is a perfect to cozy up to on a cold night in the New Year.

Rachel Hawkins has done it again. This is another example of storytelling at its finest.

The best part for me was the relationship building between characters. It was perfection. I felt every nuance and moment of angst between the characters. It were as though I was there, in the moment, for every interaction. There's nothing better than feeling fully immersed in a book. I highly recommend.

Thank you so much to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the opportunity to read and review this fabulous book!

I really enjoyed my first Rachel Hawkins book. The rest have been added to my TBR. I liked the the two timelines in which the story was told and how they merged at the end. Spending a month in a French Villa is the perfect place to write a book especially on true crime. Who wouldn't want to stay in a house that an infamous murder was committed. This book was right up my alley. Thank you NetGalley for my advanced copy!

Houses remember - a line repeated throughout the novel that seems to imply that history will repeat itself in someway.

The story jumps back and forth in time, from the 70s to the present. Two sets of friends living nearly similar lives. Emily and Chess, our main and present day characters, research the history of Villa Aesta, the brutal murder that occurred there, and the lives of Mari and Lara. Emily finds herself relating to Mari and seeing Chess in Lara.

The book kept me intrigued as bits and pieces of Mari’s story were introduced. I found myself questioning whether or not I was reading through Emily’s perspective or Mari’s. Now, this could’ve been my mom brain at work and all of the distractions that come with a full house, but there also wasn’t a large separation of the storylines. I wish Mari’s POV had been a separate chapter than Emily’s.

Overall, it was a great story and I definitely recommend this one!

I thought the Villa, while flawed, was fascinating. I'm a huge history nerd and have always been fascinated by the real-life events this story was inspired by.

The past/present storyline was a bit of an issue for me because I STRONGLY preferred the past storyline, though I've seen other readers say the complete opposite. I found Chess and Emily completely boring and unlikeable but was fascinated by Mari and Lara and their world.

I don't mind a slow burn but this was a VERY slow burn story in terms of plot. All the drama is at the very end of the book and I did feet cheated that the most interesting part of the ending happened off page.

I guess my biggest issue with this one was that it was such a smart book that could have had so much more to say. Was it really feminist? Was the ending satisfying? I'd love to discuss that in book club and hope that a lot of my blog readers and Goodreads friends will want to discuss this one.

Well worth a read if you are interested in the possibilities of a feminist thriller.

This book was another solid read from Hawkins. I felt that at times the mix of stories did not translate well into audiobook. I preferred the read copy of the book and found myself getting lost at times and having to go back without it. Solid.

I would jump at the chance to spend six weeks at a gorgeous Italian villa, that is tucked in next to the medieval village of Orvieto. The beauty and history just oozing out of every nook and cranny. Not all history is good, sometimes it is murder. Would you still stay at this villa? I enjoyed the dual timeline between present time and the summer of 1974. The parallels between Emily and Chess, and Mari and Lara. One willing to take a step back and the other always pushing to be in the spotlight. The history of the villa lured me in, and I could not wait to uncover what happened in 1974 and in Emily's marriage. My jaw hit the floor in both cases, the ending is fantastic.

Emily and Chess have been friends forever. They have pulled apart like any friendship does and this sounds like a perfect time to catch up and really enjoy each other. Emily has been struggling with her divorce, a sickness that cannot be diagnosed, and writer's block. If anything can get her out of this slump it would be this trip and Chess. As Emily dives into the background of the murder that took place during the summer of 1974, she is inspired to write again. Chess always the one to get her way, tries to get in on the deal. Trying to cowrite the story with her. As more information is exposed about the murder and Emily's life, I was shocked by what she is willing to forgive and turn a blind eye to.

I tore through this book at warp speed. I love any book set in Italy and The Villa made me want to jump on a plane and stay there forever. I loved the characters and all their similarities and differences. It makes you think about what you are willing to overlook and forgive in your friendships. Thank you to Rachel Hawkins and St. Martin Press for my gifted copy.