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mindyleereads's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
**Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.**
If you love a book set in gorgeous Italy, the 70's and its sex/drugs/rock-and-roll vibes, and one heck of a thrilling story - this is 100% for you. PLUS there was a bit of mixed-media and I am a sucker for a book with some articles or other things like that thrown in for additional context.
Rachel Hawkins did an amazing job creating a lush background and interesting characters. While the book starts off a bit slow, you are thrown into two story-lines both with friendships unravelling and mysteries afoot. I don't want to say much more as I don't want to give anything away. When I get excited, I tend to spoil things - just read this. You won't regret it!
Houses remember.
If you love a book set in gorgeous Italy, the 70's and its sex/drugs/rock-and-roll vibes, and one heck of a thrilling story - this is 100% for you. PLUS there was a bit of mixed-media and I am a sucker for a book with some articles or other things like that thrown in for additional context.
Rachel Hawkins did an amazing job creating a lush background and interesting characters. While the book starts off a bit slow, you are thrown into two story-lines both with friendships unravelling and mysteries afoot. I don't want to say much more as I don't want to give anything away. When I get excited, I tend to spoil things - just read this. You won't regret it!
Houses remember.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Murder, Alcohol, Drug abuse, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Miscarriage, Abortion, Child death, Suicide, and Cancer
reading_beyond_the_book_cover's review
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Rachel Hawkins’, The Villa is an unforgettable and unputdownable tale of women, their influence on each other, and the men in their lives. Written across two timelines, set in the same location with a dark history, both stories evoke speculation. A searing chain of events merges and unfolds, leading you to second guess people’s motives carefully clothed in the sweet and comforting guises of “care”, “love”, and “support.” It’s dark, unsettling, and exciting. And I adored it.
5/5, I recommend this book.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press , Rachel Hawkins, and NetGalley for an Advanced Review Copy in exchange for an honest review. My review/reaction is voluntary, all thoughts are mine and unbiased, and receiving the ARC does not influence my rating and/or recommendation.
Full Review: https://readingbeyondthebookcover.com/book-reaction-the-villa-by-rachel-hawkins/
5/5, I recommend this book.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press , Rachel Hawkins, and NetGalley for an Advanced Review Copy in exchange for an honest review. My review/reaction is voluntary, all thoughts are mine and unbiased, and receiving the ARC does not influence my rating and/or recommendation.
Full Review: https://readingbeyondthebookcover.com/book-reaction-the-villa-by-rachel-hawkins/
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, and Murder
Minor: Death of parent and Miscarriage
mflynn8908's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley for the audio of this story in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second book by this author that I have read. While not overly impressed by the story and it was just an okay story it was an easy one to listen to and read in a day.
This story follows two timelines one in present day and one in set in the 70s. Both timelines follow women who are being manipulated by men and other people in their lives. The story contained so much gaslighting and the main characters were so weak I was eye rolling for most of the story. The plot was definitely predictable and I guessed the twist/ending about 30% in.
However, I did find how the two stories intertwined to be entertaining. Overall I think I would recommend this story if you are looking for an easy book to read.
This is the second book by this author that I have read. While not overly impressed by the story and it was just an okay story it was an easy one to listen to and read in a day.
This story follows two timelines one in present day and one in set in the 70s. Both timelines follow women who are being manipulated by men and other people in their lives. The story contained so much gaslighting and the main characters were so weak I was eye rolling for most of the story. The plot was definitely predictable and I guessed the twist/ending about 30% in.
However, I did find how the two stories intertwined to be entertaining. Overall I think I would recommend this story if you are looking for an easy book to read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Gaslighting, Infidelity, Child death, and Toxic friendship
onmalsshelf's review
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Thanks to the publisher, NetGalley, and LibroFM for eGalley and ALC.
Well I think this one will be best read in Italy with an aperol spritz in hand, but if that’s not possible inside with coffee will do just fine.
The plot started out slow, but once it started going it moved quickly. I liked the mix of present day and past set in the Villa as well as the inclusion of song and book excerpts from the 1970s setting.
Chess is a horrible friend so Chessie from Parent Trap is still the best Chess around.
Overall, if you like thrillers set on vacation, with books, friendship, and questionable motives: this one is for you.
Well I think this one will be best read in Italy with an aperol spritz in hand, but if that’s not possible inside with coffee will do just fine.
The plot started out slow, but once it started going it moved quickly. I liked the mix of present day and past set in the Villa as well as the inclusion of song and book excerpts from the 1970s setting.
Chess is a horrible friend so Chessie from Parent Trap is still the best Chess around.
Overall, if you like thrillers set on vacation, with books, friendship, and questionable motives: this one is for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Chronic illness
Minor: Miscarriage
megwynn6's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Miscarriage and Grief
hannahmci's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Child death and Drug use
caribbeangirlreading's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ARC Review
PUB Date: January 3, 2023
First off, this book is NOT a thriller because a thriller is a book about the fear of a future crime. The Villa is gothic suspense novel with a bit of a mystery thrown in. I rated The Villa three stars because it did what I wanted it to do, entertain me. I gave it another half star because I love atmospheric Gothic suspense novels. However, this was just a fun summer read. If you want top notch Gothic suspense, go read Daphne du Maurier.
LOVED:
• The book (Lilith Rising) and the folk music album (Aestas) created by the two female characters from the 70s felt so real. I wish I could read and listen to them.
• The Verity vibes. (Although this is nowhere near the mind fuck that book was.)
• I was transported to a villa in Italy for the summer. What’s not to love about that?
COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER:
• The structure of the book can be confusing. In the same chapter we can be reading about the events in 1974, the current story, and a quote from a podcast or magazine article referring to the 1974 events. I really hope this gets fixed before the physical copy is published.
• I enjoyed the modern timeline, but it was wrapped up a little too quickly and conveniently.
PUB Date: January 3, 2023
First off, this book is NOT a thriller because a thriller is a book about the fear of a future crime. The Villa is gothic suspense novel with a bit of a mystery thrown in. I rated The Villa three stars because it did what I wanted it to do, entertain me. I gave it another half star because I love atmospheric Gothic suspense novels. However, this was just a fun summer read. If you want top notch Gothic suspense, go read Daphne du Maurier.
LOVED:
• The book (Lilith Rising) and the folk music album (Aestas) created by the two female characters from the 70s felt so real. I wish I could read and listen to them.
• The Verity vibes. (Although this is nowhere near the mind fuck that book was.)
• I was transported to a villa in Italy for the summer. What’s not to love about that?
COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER:
• The structure of the book can be confusing. In the same chapter we can be reading about the events in 1974, the current story, and a quote from a podcast or magazine article referring to the 1974 events. I really hope this gets fixed before the physical copy is published.
• I enjoyed the modern timeline, but it was wrapped up a little too quickly and conveniently.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Child death, Blood, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Drug use, Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, and Infidelity
Minor: Miscarriage, Suicide, Cancer, and Death of parent
katieav's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Summary: The novel The Villa gives the reader two stories, both of which are not what they seem. We have our present day writer who is down on her luck and spending more time with her best friend who she harbors some resentment for in one of the stories. The other focuses on a writer living in the 1970’s in the same house with a similar relationship with her sister.
The second I read the description of the novel I knew it was going to be interesting. I loved the parallel of Mari and Lara’s relationship compared to Emily and Chess’s. I could not stop reading I was so interested in finding out what happened. There were some points I found frustrating-especially everything to do with Matt, but the twist in the end will have me thinking about this novel for a very long time.
Summary: The novel The Villa gives the reader two stories, both of which are not what they seem. We have our present day writer who is down on her luck and spending more time with her best friend who she harbors some resentment for in one of the stories. The other focuses on a writer living in the 1970’s in the same house with a similar relationship with her sister.
The second I read the description of the novel I knew it was going to be interesting. I loved the parallel of Mari and Lara’s relationship compared to Emily and Chess’s. I could not stop reading I was so interested in finding out what happened. There were some points I found frustrating-especially everything to do with Matt, but the twist in the end will have me thinking about this novel for a very long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Drug abuse, and Child death
Moderate: Suicide and Miscarriage
phaas's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
Me, at the beginning: Okay this is fun, but I’m pretty sure I know what’s going on. A bit predictable.
Me, at the very end: OKAY OKAY RACHEL HAWKINS. I did NOT know what was going on.
This was a really enjoyable read for me! The first 90% of the book felt a little predictable- while still entertaining- but the final chapter was a twist I did not expect.
I really loved the themes and parallels between characters in this novel. It’s a pretty easy read but would also make an amazing book club pick to deep dive into.
Me, at the very end: OKAY OKAY RACHEL HAWKINS. I did NOT know what was going on.
This was a really enjoyable read for me! The first 90% of the book felt a little predictable- while still entertaining- but the final chapter was a twist I did not expect.
I really loved the themes and parallels between characters in this novel. It’s a pretty easy read but would also make an amazing book club pick to deep dive into.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Miscarriage, Suicide, and Blood
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