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tdawgg07's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Child death, Toxic relationship, and Blood
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Sexual harassment, Miscarriage, Classism, Toxic friendship, Infidelity, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Abortion, Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Murder, Cursing, Grief, Blood, Cancer, Child death, Death, and Suicide
heypretty52's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Drug use, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Addiction, Alcohol, Child death, Death, Grief, Infidelity, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Cancer, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Vomit, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Violence, Suicide, Stalking, and Blood
ajpotz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Child death, Chronic illness, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Suicide, and Death
Moderate: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Grief
Minor: Cancer and Abortion
nickoliver's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Blood, Toxic friendship, Death of parent, Child death, Death, Grief, Murder, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Drug use, Infidelity, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Violence and Suicide
Minor: Cancer and Miscarriage
nrogers_1030's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Murder, Adult/minor relationship, Chronic illness, Grief, Toxic friendship, Blood, Vomit, Alcohol, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Drug use, Death, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Classism and Gore
Minor: Terminal illness, Cancer, and Sexual content
mindyleereads's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Murder, Alcohol, Drug abuse, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Miscarriage, Abortion, Child death, Suicide, and Cancer
caribbeangirlreading's review against another edition
- 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
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.
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