This would be a great poolside read. Set in a beautiful villa in Italy, we're taken between the present day with best friends Emily and Chess who are both writers, to the 1970s where Mari and her friends write music. The whole premise of the story is a house having memories, and keeping it's secrets. This a dark and twisty tale of friendship, jealously and relationships.

Many thanks for NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

I enjoyed this mystery set in Orvieto, Italy. I like the parallel storylines with Emily in the present getting swept up in Mari's mystery in 1974. I didn't particularly like Chess as a character but I did like that the story of Emily and Chess in the present eventually became similar to Mari and Lara's in the past.

A sumptuous read in a beautiful setting.

Emily is going through hell - recovering from a period of sickness and being fleeced by her ex-husband in separation proceedings, she’s also struggling with a bit of writers block and can’t find the inspiration to start her follow up book in her cozy fireside mystery series, especially since ex-husband is also claiming a fraction of future sales too. Despite not being close for some years, her friend Chess offers to treat them both to spend the summer at Villa Aestas in Orvieto, Italy. The Villa itself holds some history - 1974 saw budding musician Pierce, his girlfriend Mari and her sister Lara spend the summer at the villa with host being notorious rockstar Noel Gordon - where one of them ends up dead. Was it really a lifestyle of sex, drugs and rock & roll or was there more to it? In current day, Mari and Lara are big names; Mari as an author and Lara as a musician. Emily is finding inspiration to start writing again, but different her usual style, she digs into the history of her holiday home, reading the book Mari wrote while staying at the villa and finding little clues of the history around the house. The more Emily relaxes into her holiday, the more strained her friendship with Chess becomes. Is she really as good a friend as she makes out to be? Secrets are spilled, relationships tested and tensions build into a delicious story for us.

I really enjoyed this book! I loved the 2 POV’s through Emily in present day and Mari in 1974. I liked both characters and felt some sort of connection with them both. The rest of the characters aren’t entirely likeable, but I found their connections to our leading ladies on both timelines very interesting. Loved the plot - it wasn’t until I read the book and saw in the author’s acknowledgements that this was loosely based on how Mary Shelley created Frankenstein. As soon as I finished the book and saw the thank you to Mary Shelley, I had to go investigate why and I wasn’t disappointed, and for me, this added something a little special.

This was a close look at toxic relationships, betrayal, hurt, recovery and trust. Some good twists in the end and some ‘Verity’ vibes in the last few chapters, I loved this book! I do wonder where the second manuscript was hidden though…

4⭐️ I’ll definitely read more from this author ♥️

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers Headline for an advance readers copy of this fab book in exchange for an honest review.

So imagine my surprise when I open 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘝𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘢 and realise that not only is it first and third person but it’s also set in 𝗧𝗪𝗢 different timelines!! Sounds confusing but honestly I don’t think the book would have the same effect if it was written any other way!
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Rachel, this is the first book I’ve read of yours and you have honestly swept me away with this book. It just amazed me with every page. I couldn’t put it down.
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I was in awe at how brilliantly the whole book was written. Imagine, you’re in Italy! You have two stories being told in two different timelines but in the exact same location! Now while that sounds confusing, it really wasn’t. I found the book flowed so easily that you knew exactly what was going on and which timeline you were in.
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I loved the suspense and mystery of the story too, you constantly have the need to want to know more, what happens next, what plot twist is coming up. And you think you know what’s going to happen and 𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗠, 𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧 𝗧𝗪𝗜𝗦𝗧!
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I also loved how bittersweet the ending was, but also how clever it came across. You don’t see it coming.

Although I was intrigued by the beginning set up, unfortunately this book didn’t do it for me at all. It seemed confused as to what genre it was attempting to be, with nothing suspenseful or thrilling about it.
I didn’t enjoy the dual timeline aspect, finding myself skim reading the past sections with Mari.
This was my first Rachel Hawkins and I would consider trying something else from her, this just wasn’t it.

I found myself getting completely lost in this and absolutely loved the concept. This focuses around a beautiful villa in Italy, the murder of a famous rock star in 1974, and a modern day writer desperate to find out what really happened.

I thought the dual timelines worked very well and linked together flawlessly. I found the storyline engaging both in 1974 and present day and made my way through this very quickly as I was dying to know what happened! There are some unexpected little twists which I did not see coming! I didn’t realise until after I read this that the book is loosely based on Mary Shelley and the summer she was writing Frankenstein (which I also love!) but as soon as I discovered this the references clicked in to place I realised how clever the plot actually was. A great thriller which deals with some interesting themes, I would highly recommend.

I've seen some reviews of this book being a bit of a slow burn at the start, but I can't related because I flew through it - I was so hooked from the first page and keen to find out the details of the drama and the outcome. I actually felt emotional and really, really surprised at the end and love a book that hits the emotions like this one. Hawkins really draws you in with the multiple story lines and the two timelines, keeping the drama consistent throughout the book. A very, very easy 5 stars for me.

Book Review ✨

I could not put this book down. There was something so compelling about it that I physically couldn’t stop!

We follow Emily and Chess, friends who have grown apart and are trying to rekindle their friendship, as they take a trip to a stunning villa in Italy together. Their friendship has become strained over the years due to work and Chess’s very successful career. This is the perfect opportunity to reconnect.

The Villa, much like Emily and Chess, has a very interesting history that starts to unravel. Questions are asked and secrets are revealed both by the villa and the friends. There’s a story to be told when it comes to The Villa, but whose version will we hear? Will it be the truth? And will history repeat itself?

This book has it all, friendship, suspense, compelling storytelling and intrigue. I dare you not to be seduced by The Villa.

I was very excited to receive this e-arc in exchange for a fair review.

I would like to thank the author and publisher for letting me review this book ahead of its release. I binge read this book on my day off work. I love the story line and the characters. It gripped me from the very start and I enjoyed it the entire way through. I love how the story develops and makes sense throughout and I love the cover. Would definitely recommend to those who love a book they can just sit and get lost in!

A slow burning, multi-layered read centering around a villa with a dark history. Following dual timelines, one, a 1970s Daisy-Jones-style sex, drugs and alcohol fuelled vacation that ends in a sinister death and, the second, modern day, where two author friends escape for a working holiday, but tensions build to breaking point when the past encroaches on the present. During the 70s vacation, one of the women was inspired to write a gothic horror novel with serious hints to the darker goings-on. I loved the layers of the music writings and the excerpts of the horror story. I would love to hear the soundtrack and read that full novel! The last 20% of the book is a tension filled rollercoaster with a superb reveal. A simmering summer read. #thevilla #rachelhawkins #netgalley #thriller #slowburn #twists #tension

4.5 stars
When I got approved for this ARC and was then given the opportunity to be on the blog tour for this book I was STOKED. I’ve been wanting to read this since the hardback release last year!

This is a thriller following two different timelines. In 1974 Mari Godwick is sharing a cramped flat with her wannabe rock star boyfriend Pierce and her stepsister Lara when famous musician Noel Gordon offers to host them at the villa he is renting in Italy with his friend Johnny. They jump at the chance to hopefully make music and boost Pierce’s career but the holiday ends in tragedy. In present day, Emily has hit a brick wall while trying to write her latest cosy mystery. A messy divorce and declining health has put her in a rut and so when her longtime best friend and famous self help author Chess suggests they go to Italy to work on their new books and spend some quality time together, she can’t say no. When Emily discovers that the villa they are staying in was the scene of a gruesome murder in the seventies she becomes obsessed and as she reads Mari Godwick’s famous horror novel “Lilith Rising” she becomes convinced that the book is packed with clues that shed more light on that fateful night in 1974. Things may not have been as they seemed.

At this point I don’t think you need me to tell you that I LOVE a dual timeline, especially in a thriller. That along with another of my favourite tropes, a book within a book, make this the perfect set up for me. At times this reads like historical fiction which I personally loved and I found Mari’s character so interesting. There is also an underlying theme of women triumphing over greedy and selfish men as well which was impeccable. Most of the characters in this book were unlikeable which was intended and I really enjoy reading about unlikeable characters because I seem to get more invested and want to see their downfall.

I flew through this in two sittings and found the atmosphere to be the perfect blend of summery and creepy while building up that sense of dread. The two timelines were interwoven immaculately to create a bigger picture and I didn’t see a couple of the twists coming. The ending was also interesting.

Overall I would recommend this to thriller readers who also enjoy historical fiction and perhaps want a slow burn thriller that has intriguing characters and a scorching atmosphere. Thank you so much again to Headline books and NetGalley for the physical ARC and the digital ARC. This is being released in paperback on 6th July 2023 so keep your eye out!

Thank you for my advanced copy!

I enjoyed the present day timeline a million times more than the past. The past unfortunately lost me a bit!

An enjoyable thriller but nothing to blow my mind unfortunately.

I will be interested for future books from this author without a dual timeline.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for giving me access to this title! I was a huge fan of The Wife Upstairs and really excited to get to read this book!

I found The Villa to be a really engrossing and fast-paced read, I read it in just under 2 days and struggled to put it down! Although it takes a little while to get to the "thriller" aspect of the book and the twists, it kept me entertained throughout and trying to guess what was going to happen. I really enjoyed it!

This twisty story follows main character Emily and her childhood friend Chess. They reunite and Chess suggests a trip to Italy to Villa Aestas, known for a fatal incident in its past.

Throughout there is a parallel historical storyline of the people involved in the infamous incident in the Villa, the incident Emily investigates. As that story heightens so does the tension between Emily and Chess. There is definitely a degree of rivalry simmering between the two friends and I felt that sometimes friends was a bit of a loose term as they are sometimes not the nicest. The story does end up in quite a fast paced twist that all just unfolded really quickly. There’s a dark smile I imagined on Emily’s face right at the end of this one.

We loved the cover of this one, some of you might know we have matching tattoos of lemons on our ankle, so as soon as this was revealed I knew I’d want to read it. If you’ve enjoyed Karen Swan, Tasmina Perry or Ruth Ware I think you might enjoy this one.

Rachel also writes under the name Erin Sterling so if you enjoy her writing why don’t you check out her other work, Halloween is only a few months away!

The Villa by Rachel Hawkins is one heck of a thriller. It’s a duel timeline book, set in the present day and in the summer of 1974, each taking place in the same villa in Orvieto, Italy. This is a story rooted in both betrayal and sisterhood. It’s also a story of creativity wherein which all of our female leads are writers. It’s a seriously gripping page turner that needs to be read to be experienced. 4.5 ⭐️

In the present we have Emily and Chess, long time best friends who have grown more distant, hoping to reconnect and find inspiration at the stunning Italian villa. It’s a stunning place to spend the summer, but it hides the scars of its darker past.

In 1974 it was rented by the notorious rock star who was joined by Pierce Sheldon and his girlfriend Mari and her sister Lara. But by the end of summer Pierce is dead and Mari goes on to write one of the greatest horror novels of all time.

Emily, stalled on writing her current novel, finds herself drawn into finding out about Mari’s summer at the Villa and hunts for clues as to what happened. Yet the closer that Emily gets to the truth, the more tension appears to grow between her and Chess, leading to the emergence of shocking secrets from the past and present.

This was such a thrilling book to read. The duel narratives were intertwined so well, and peppered throughout were snippets from
Mari’s novel, biographies on her and lyrics from Lara. All of this combined made it an incredibly hard book to put down. The characters are all well crafted and have very clear personalities. I might add that they’re a pretty unlikable bunch on the whole but they were very compelling to read about. There are CWs to bear in mind with this one.

I don’t want to say too much else as this is the kind of book that you want to let unfold as you read it. I would certainly recommend it though.

This was such an interesting read! I found myself so engrossed in the story, the characters had such incredible arcs, and I can't wait to follow this author's journey!

I am grateful to have received the E-ARC of this book from Net Galley and the publisher. My reviews are always honest.
Set in 1974 and the present day, this novel is a tale of friendship, jealousy and betrayal. In the summer of 1974 famous English rock star Noel Gordon rents a villa in Italy and is joined by 4 guests. Before the end of summer one of them will be dead and another is charged with murder. The events of that day hang over them all for the rest of their lives. In present day, Emily is recovering from illness and the breakdown of her marriage when her friend Chess invites her to spend the summer with her in Italy. They are staying in the same villa that was the scene of the murder. Emily and Chess are both writers, both are struggling to write their next book. Emily is inspired by the history of the villa and delves deeper into the mystery surrounding the murder. She hits upon a great idea for a new book, based on the events of 1974, whilst Chess struggles with her writing. How far will Chess go to progress her writing career and can Emily trust her best friend? Can Emily discover the truth behind the death at the villa in 1974?
I really enjoyed this book and finished it in two sittings. I found it very easy to get into both parts of the story and the writing is excellent. Sometimes, with dual timeline books, I feel like I'm being pulled out of the story when we switch timeline. I did not feel that at all with this book. The two parts of the story were both so easy to get into and stay with.
The plot is well paced and enjoyable and the characters were interesting. The relationship between Emily and Chess is believable and natural, whilst strained in a way that female friendships often are. There are twists and turns and plenty of tension throughout the book. This is a gripping read and my first Rachel Hawkins will not be my last.
This novel has also piqued my interest in the events surrounding Percy and Mary Shelley's visit to Italy with Lord Byron, which is an inspiration for this book. This is something I haven't heard or read much about but I intend to fix that soon.

A really creepy atmospheric mystery told beautifully. I love Rachel Hawkins writing style and was totally absorbed in this story, reminiscent of old classics. Fabulous xx

— 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 —

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: The Villa
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: N/A
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): Paula Hawkins
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Mystery/Thriller/Gothic Suspense
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 3rd January 2023
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝: 19th June 2023
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 3.75/5

”How is it that someone can bring out the very best and the very worst of you all at once?”

What an incredibly compelling and intriguing read! Loosely based on Mary Shelley’s life—specifically the summer spent with Lord Byron at a Lake Geneva Castle—The Villa is a story with a dual timeline that provokes a foreboding in the reader that makes this book a wonderful gothic suspense that is both impressive and realistic.

Hawkins explores so much in this novel. One of the main themes is dysfunctional and toxic relationships which appear in this story as romantic, familial, and platonic. I enjoyed the frenemyship between Chess and Emily the most as I felt like I needed more history between Mari and Lara to really grasp the dynamics, and I downright hated Pierce, Mari’s love interest.

Another theme is the exploration of the feminist horror novel. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, written by a nineteen year old girl, has become a staple of feminist horror and the story (Lilith Rising) used in place of Frankenstein in this book is a reflection of the concepts explored in Frankenstein. Even the name, Lilith, inspires the feminist ideology, with Lilith being synonymous with rebellion against a patriarchal society.

Which is why I adored this story and felt such admiration towards the author for writing it. A true sign of incredible authorship are the writers who see stories everywhere and can make something of it, Paula Hawkins clearly has that superpower.

What it lacked for me is very subjective. I did feel like I wanted more from the setting. The setting felt like it was used as a symbolic tool rather than the sentient murder house that Hawkins alluded at with the emphasized lines: “a house remembers”, and I couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed with this.

This book has a more dark, twisted ending rather than an explosive climax and I liked it, but I think it did lack impact and made the book feel almost monotone in its story arc. However, it’s still worth housing your bookmark in The Villa for the summer!

—Kayleigh🤍
@ Welsh Book Fairy🧚‍♀️✨

THE VILLA is a cleverly written thriller set mainly in Italy, in two different timelines. The first timeline follows a cosy mystery writer called Emily, who is struggling to write her next book after becoming ill. She goes with her friend, Chess, to the villa in Italy, hoping it’ll inspire her to write, which is does. She gets caught up in the story of Mari, who stayed in the villa in the 1970s with four other people including her boyfriend, Pierce, who was brutally murdered at the villa. Emily gets sucked into the story and begins to discover details about the case that nobody else ever picked up on.

This was a good mystery with a surprising twist at the end I didn’t predict. The pacing is quite slow but really picks up towards the end and it’s hard to put it down. I did expect the atmosphere of the villa to be more creepy and mysterious, but both the timelines still intrigued me and I was invested in both Emily and Mari’s stories.
This was my first book I’ve read by Rachel Hawkins and I enjoyed it and I forward to reading more by this author in the future!
Thank you so much to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.