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maura_es's review against another edition
2.0
Thank you Netgalley for an ARC of this book. I did not enjoy Hawkins’ last novel, Reckless Girls, and unfortunately I didn’t like this one very much either.
This book alternates between a group of bohemian friends in 1974 staying at a beautiful Italian villa & then 2 best friends (Emily and Chess) staying at the same villa in the present day. In the past, one of the young women, Mari, also writes a horror novel so we also read parts of that novel.
In the present day, Emily is also a writer and after reading Mari’s novel, becomes interested in the book and the events that took place in the 70’s which led to a tragedy.
The beginning/middle of the book were actually pretty good, the atmosphere and surroundings were really evocative. However, the last third of the book is ridiculous. There is a MAJOR event that takes place that is so out of character but it’s just glossed over, and the “twists” at the end seem like a cop out rather than a fun and interesting plot twist. I’d skip this one.
This book alternates between a group of bohemian friends in 1974 staying at a beautiful Italian villa & then 2 best friends (Emily and Chess) staying at the same villa in the present day. In the past, one of the young women, Mari, also writes a horror novel so we also read parts of that novel.
In the present day, Emily is also a writer and after reading Mari’s novel, becomes interested in the book and the events that took place in the 70’s which led to a tragedy.
The beginning/middle of the book were actually pretty good, the atmosphere and surroundings were really evocative. However, the last third of the book is ridiculous. There is a MAJOR event that takes place that is so out of character but it’s just glossed over, and the “twists” at the end seem like a cop out rather than a fun and interesting plot twist. I’d skip this one.
destinydeeter's review against another edition
2.0
Didn’t really feel like a thriller to me. Wasn’t bad just didn’t love it
michelereader's review against another edition
4.0
Emily Sheridan is a writer of cozy mysteries, but ill health and the collapse of her marriage has her suffering from writer's block. Her best friend Chess Chandler, a very successful writer of self-help books, whisks them both away to a villa in Italy to write and reconnect. Emily is immediately intrigued by the knowledge that Villa Aestas (formerly Villa Rosato) was dubbed the Murder House after the 1974 murder of a guest staying with rock star Noel Gordon for the summer. While up and coming musician Pierce Sheldon would perish, his girlfriend, Mari, would soon emerge from the fateful summer as the author of a groundbreaking horror book and her stepsister, Lara would end up recording one of the greatest solo albums of the time period. Once Emily uncovers secrets about the murder hidden in the house, she is inspired to start writing again while it appears that Chess has plans of her own. The story effectively shifts back and forth from the present to that tragic summer of 1974.
The Villa by Rachel Hawkins, with its gothic ambiance, was a satisfying read. And while this is a mystery, the appeal was in the dynamics between the two main characters in each time period - Emily and Chess and Mari and Lara. Each pair cared deeply for the other, but competition and jealousy complicated the relationships. It's a good one to start the new year.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read The Villa in advance of its publication.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
The Villa by Rachel Hawkins, with its gothic ambiance, was a satisfying read. And while this is a mystery, the appeal was in the dynamics between the two main characters in each time period - Emily and Chess and Mari and Lara. Each pair cared deeply for the other, but competition and jealousy complicated the relationships. It's a good one to start the new year.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read The Villa in advance of its publication.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
sueperlibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
Thanks to NetGalley and saint martins press for this advance reader copy in exchange for a review. All options here are my own.
This is a book of friendship, adventure, secrets and betrayal. It’s classic Rachel Hawkins and won’t disappoint her readers!
Things I liked: I love dual timeline. Best friends Chess and Emily head out on an adventure to The Villa in Italy where you know something is going to happen. Houses remember, right? Mari and Lara have been there long ago and was inspiration for their hugely popular respective works. How much of their story is in their music/book?
The book is fast enough pace and is easy to follow, so you can read it easily in a sitting or two. The characters are well developed that you can imagine them easily and not confuse them. I spent much of the book waiting for the twist and the book held me to the end.
Things I didn’t care for, and stop reading if you don’t want to know. I found this to be the most predictable of Hawkins book, and it was not as thrilling of a thriller that I would classify as a thriller. There are twists, and I especially liked the wrap up in the last chapter, but I would consider this a book to give my patrons who want a light fast read over a trippy creepy thriller. But that’s Hawkins.
Over all, I enjoyed the book a lot. I would put it on the staff picks shelf, but Hawkins has others I would pull out as a favorite.
3.25 stars.
This is a book of friendship, adventure, secrets and betrayal. It’s classic Rachel Hawkins and won’t disappoint her readers!
Things I liked: I love dual timeline. Best friends Chess and Emily head out on an adventure to The Villa in Italy where you know something is going to happen. Houses remember, right? Mari and Lara have been there long ago and was inspiration for their hugely popular respective works. How much of their story is in their music/book?
The book is fast enough pace and is easy to follow, so you can read it easily in a sitting or two. The characters are well developed that you can imagine them easily and not confuse them. I spent much of the book waiting for the twist and the book held me to the end.
Things I didn’t care for, and stop reading if you don’t want to know. I found this to be the most predictable of Hawkins book, and it was not as thrilling of a thriller that I would classify as a thriller. There are twists, and I especially liked the wrap up in the last chapter, but I would consider this a book to give my patrons who want a light fast read over a trippy creepy thriller. But that’s Hawkins.
Over all, I enjoyed the book a lot. I would put it on the staff picks shelf, but Hawkins has others I would pull out as a favorite.
3.25 stars.
cathyk23's review against another edition
2.0
Okay so I missed the point where they literally KILL her husband? But wtf?? Like Emily have a bigger backbone and stand up to Chess?? That woman admitted to sleeping with your husband and is wearing gifts from him but you believe it was "only one time"?? I'm just so frustrated and annoyed with this book!
mllemadeline's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kb_toys's review against another edition
4.0
This book was so fun - a great summer read. Explores the relationship between childhood best friends who struggle as adults to understand each other based on jealousy and success. I loved the format of inserting the podcast episode, excerpts from true crime books, etc. and the switches between Mary and Emily’s POVs. Chess is a horrible friend but Emily’s growth and ultimate road toward independence had me rooting for her the whole way through. Mary’s last chapter has me questioning it all!
magspie's review against another edition
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There was lots of "book-ception" (the main character is reading a story about a character writing a story equivalent to what she was living). This book has some equivalence to "Where the Crawdads Sing" + "Really Good Actually".
Main character is getting divorced, trying to write books, and goes on a trip with a friend. On this trip, main character finds similarities to a character in a book, and she finds herself through exploring Italy.
Main character is getting divorced, trying to write books, and goes on a trip with a friend. On this trip, main character finds similarities to a character in a book, and she finds herself through exploring Italy.