The Villa is a story within a story within a story… dual timelines with an extra fictional storyline playing out.

Emily and Chess were childhood best friends, but a few decades later, how well do they still know each other? Each are successful authors– Emily writes a popular cozy mystery series and Chess is a Glennon Doyle-ish guru. Emily is stuck in a rut–writing, working through a messy divorce, and recovering from a mystery illness. Chess invites her to spend the summer together at an Italian villa with a notorious past.

In 1974, another group of friends spent the summer there, but one ended up dead, another in prison. Despite the tragedy, two step sisters went on to giant creative success after finding inspiration at the villa.

The Villa sparks something inside of Emily– but instead of cozy mysteries, she’s obsessed with writing about the house.

We go back and forth, filling in the blanks from that fateful summer in 1974, while present-day secrets start coming to light between Emily and Chess. It’s addictive, intriguing, immersive, with an ending that, while bizarre, is super satisfying.

One thing I really enjoy about Rachel’s thrillers is the underlying theme of (I guess you would say) girl power? It seems like there’s always a lot to unpack about the nuances of female friendships.

The audio is just shy of eight hours, narrated by Julia Whelan, Kimberly M. Wetherell, and Shiromi Arserio. There are a few unique epistolary interludes to break up chapters.

FYI-if you’ve steered clear of the NetGalley app for the echo-y issue in the past (it honestly never bothered me lol)... it seems to be resolved. Everything sounds perfectly clear now. Thanks to Macmillan Audio for sending this audiobook my way!

The beginning of this audiobook threw me off. I didn’t know what I was listening to but after hearing more I realized it was part of the book Mari (character from the 70’s) wrote. This book bounces between present time, 70’s and a book world and listening to the audiobook it was sometimes confusing.
I wasn’t too fond of the 70’s timeframe story and the ending wasn’t my favorite. I’ve enjoyed previous books by Rachel Hawkins fell short in my opinion.
Thank you NetGalley for ARC copy of the audiobook.

Rachel Hawkins is the queen of classic retellings, and The Villa is no exception. I always enjoy her retellings, even though more often than not I haven’t read the original. I also love a Julia Whelan narration!

I loved the haunted house vibes of The Villa. In both the past and present timelines, the characters are vacationing in the same isolated resort that has a storied past. I preferred the past timeline, as I found Chess and Emily to be somewhat boring. There was more drama amongst the group in the 70s, which made it a more interesting read.

The author/writing aspect was particularly fun to read.

Rachel Hawkins continues to be one of my go-to authors for a quick, easy popcorn thriller. I’ve liked each of her books more than the last, so I’m excited to see what she comes up with next!

Absolutely love this book. I would've never guessed what was yet to come or what had happened. I would definitely read more from this author.

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

This was by far by favorite of Rachel Hawkins' books thus far! I am a sucker for dual timeline novels and the inclusion of intertwined storylines from 1974 and present day weaved a twisty tale.

1974- A gaggle of musicians, authors, and general ne'er-do-wells are at a getaway in an Italian villa when one ends up murdered. The story of how this happened is told in fragments of Mari's letters and novel. Mari's story was the most compelling to me although the twist was somewhat expected.

Present- Author Emily is invited to the same villa by her childhood friend Chess, a superstar self-help author. Emily's life is in a spiral downward since her divorce from her husband so she agrees to the trip hoping to find some inspiration for her ongoing cozy mystery series. The history of the villa instead inspires her to write a different kind of novel. The twists just kept coming in this timeline, some for the better and some just didn't land quite as well for me.

Overall, this was an intriguing read that scratched my mystery/thriller itch. Was it perfect? No, there were some definite plot holes and the twists were usually pretty predictable but it was a fun read nonetheless.

Overall I loved the whole idea of the story but the sinister story of the house just wasn't all that sinister to me. I did enjoy the story but this wasn't my favorite Rachel Hawkins book.

"Houses Remember."

What a great line in the gothic suspense novel The Villa by thriller author Rachel Hawkins. I think it really should be the title of this intriguing story with different timelines that all converge at the Italian villa that has more secrets than any government agency.

In present time Emily and her bestie from childhood Chess take a summer vacation to Italy renting The Villa known as The Murder House due to the violent murder of a famous bad boy musician back in 1974. When Emily finds the hidden diary of Mari who was there in 1974 it inspires her to write the truth about the murder instead of continuing her cozy mystery series that has her suffering writer's block. Emily also reads Mari's famous horror book which begins with those eerie words, "Houses remember." Emily realizes the book is based on the truth of the 1974 murder.

Emily's distress over her ex husband's greed and infidelity has led to severe physical illness and self centered Chess is maybe not the best friend she needs in her life. The same applies for Mari whose step sister Lara has her own agenda when she goes with her to the villa in 1974.

Narrators Julia Whelan, Kimberly M. Wetherell, Shiromi Arserio make this audiobook feel like a Masterpiece Theater play.

I enjoyed the similarities to Emily and Mari who find success outside of their men's notoriety and the tightrope balance often experienced with friendship. I wish the end had a scene of a particular revenge murder rather than telling us it happened and I was a bit confused by the twist at the end. I didn't understand the character's motive for the lie but I appreciated the thrill of the reveal. The Villa kept me listening and reading but I wouldn't want to visit this Murder House.

I received a free copy of this book/audiobook from the publishers via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A paralleled story of female writers finding themselves at the intersection of success and infidelity, and recognizing the fault lines of their relationships. The gothic interweave in a modern tale make for alluring character insights and discoveries.


Posted to GoodReads @KAT

I liked the two storyline approach. I love 70s rock and roll, and I love modern-day best friend stories. Add in the creepy haunted house vibe and it makes for a fun read. The narrator's in the audiobook are also really great.

I absolutely adored this very fast paced and fun thriller. The twist was not entirely shocking but I did love the duel time lines and it was a good listen. I highly recommend.

The Villa is told from dual timelines between Emily and Chess in the present and Mari and her stepsister, Laura in the past. I found Mari and Laura's POV slightly more interesting. I was more eager to uncover the horrific murder mystery that unfolded in 1974.

The pacing of this story felt very fast and made for a quick read. I alternated between reading a digital copy and listening to the audiobook. The narrators did a great job bringing the characters to life, making it easy to distinguish between them.

I did not expect any of the twists that occurred during the story.

A few things I struggled with:

- I’m not sure I would have categorized this as a thriller; it read more like a mystery.
- Emily and Chess’s friendship.
- The ambiguous ending; it fell a bit short for me.

I’d recommend listening to the audiobook version of this story and can’t wait to see what Hawkins’ writes next.

There are two timelines in this: one is during the 1970's, the other is present time. The setting is mostly at Villa Rosato in Orvieto, which is only a part of what ties the storylines together. The storylines are suspenseful and keep you guessing.
Thank you NetGalley, Rachel Hawkins, and MacMillan Audio for giving me an audiobook recording of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This twisty tale is actually two stories, intertwined and unfolding at the same time.

In the present, lifelong BFFs Emily and Chess, a struggling mystery author and a self-help guru, rent a luxurious Italian villa for a summer of writing, and of renewing their friendship. But there’s something much darker lingering in the background.

And almost 50 years ago, stepsisters Mari and Lara spend the summer in that same villa with Mari’s lover, as well as a rock star and his drug-dealing buddy. That season will include the creation of an iconic horror novel and an even more triumphant record album — as well as a violent death.

Hawkins has crafted a novel with the same vibes of ennui, wealth and casual cruelty as “The White Lotus,” but with its own spins. And her readers — especially the always terrific Whelan — bring out the story’s best.

Thank you St. Martins Press for this ARC! This was an amazing little romp of paranoia, creepiness, and second guessing.
This just kept getting more and more unsettling in it’s tragic tale of cause and effect. One of my favorite thrillers I’ve come across in a while.

The dual timeline worked really well in this story.
Discussion Questions:
1. What are some signs that a friend is toxic?
2. Is it a true friendship when there is a huge financial gap between friends?
3. What song would be on the playlist for you and your best friends song list?
4. How does one art type influence other artists in another type? How does music influence literature and vice-versa?

The audio for this one was a miss for me _ ended up dnf-ing it. I would like to pick it up and try the physical copy though.

It wasn’t terrible, but I don’t think this is the author’s best work. Dual timelines and a mystery, but it reads like women’s fiction and the modern timeline was a bit boring. I wasn’t a big fan of the ending, but some people may love it.

Great book! I listened to 80% of this book and filled in with the digital copy. I found myself missing listening to it!
I have become a fan of Julia Whelan and was excited to see she was one of the narrators. I also enjoyed Wetherell and Arserio.
The book was my second of Hawkins and it did not disappoint! I loved the relationship between Chess and Emily. Although I’m glad I don’t have a friend like that I found myself gasping at the reveals and rootIng for Emily to make good decisions. The book made me want to see The Villa, listen to Lara’s music, and read Mari’s novel.
I call that a win.

The Villa by Rachel Hawkins
Which is narrated by Julia Whelan; Kimberly M. Wetherell & Shiromi Arserio
I found to be even better than reading the actual book.
These narrators brought the characters to such life. And I had the absolute best time listening to this audiobook.
Hawkins is truly becoming a favorite writer of mine. I've loved her two previous thrillers and The Villa was no different.
If she's writing it... I'm m reading it. I just can't put her books down
Very well written with fantastic descriptions this book had the perfect settings and a great storyline! This book filled with intrigue and suspense, and some surprising twists along the way.

Girl you're killing it. And don't stop!

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was my first book by Rachel that I read and it did not disappoint It cut me interesting I actually listened to it all from start to finish and one go So I'm definitely excited to look into her other books