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angela_mayer's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Cursing, Pregnancy, Murder, Suicide, and Child death
Minor: Addiction and Infidelity
thebakerbookworm's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
3.5
A decent thriller made excellent on audio!
This one is split into two timelines—the past timeline (minus the murder) is inspired by Mary Shelley's life when she wrote Frankenstein and I love that for this story. I once again found the past more interesting than the present, with all the complicated relationships between the characters and a dramatic summer that we know ends in death. The present storyline was just okay, though it did get a lot more interesting once Emily actually arrived at the villa—and her and Chess's relationship became the focus. I liked that part, even though I'm not sure that I ended up liking either character lol.
I will say though, with this book being called The Villa, I expected the villa to actually play a more important role. A lot of times the location feels like its own character, but that did not happen here, which was a bit disappointing. The villa just happened to be the place where these things happened, rather than the *only* place where these things could happen.
The ending did not surprise me; I didn't guess it but once I read it, it just felt like the only ending. I do think it added to the story though, definitely mixed things up!
Thanks to Libro.fm, Macmillan Audio, and the author for my ALC.
This one is split into two timelines—the past timeline (minus the murder) is inspired by Mary Shelley's life when she wrote Frankenstein and I love that for this story. I once again found the past more interesting than the present, with all the complicated relationships between the characters and a dramatic summer that we know ends in death. The present storyline was just okay, though it did get a lot more interesting once Emily actually arrived at the villa—and her and Chess's relationship became the focus. I liked that part, even though I'm not sure that I ended up liking either character lol.
I will say though, with this book being called The Villa, I expected the villa to actually play a more important role. A lot of times the location feels like its own character, but that did not happen here, which was a bit disappointing. The villa just happened to be the place where these things happened, rather than the *only* place where these things could happen.
The ending did not surprise me; I didn't guess it but once I read it, it just felt like the only ending. I do think it added to the story though, definitely mixed things up!
Thanks to Libro.fm, Macmillan Audio, and the author for my ALC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Child death, and Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Miscarriage
Minor: Suicide
arthur_ant18's review against another edition
dark
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Child death
Moderate: Drug abuse
Minor: Suicide
lizaxwin's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
5.0
This was truly a nice, fast-paced thriller with lots of gothic flair to it. I liked how — just like Hawkins‘ „The Wife Upstairs“ — the story loosely refers to a classic. The men in this story were truly horrible and got what they deserved. Although, I absolutely enjoy the moral ambiguity the author gave those twists nevertheless . Still a little unsure how I feel about Chess and Emily, but that’s what makes me love them in a way. Hawkins just really knows how to write morally grey and complex characters where you can’t just say „yeah, this is the good guy and this is the bad guy“, it goes beyond that with her characters and I really love it. Also, I enjoyed the dual timeline and maybe I‘m just dumb and didn’t get it, but I‘d love to find out where the last bit of Mari’s diary was eventually hidden. Hopefully Google will be of my assistance in this matter.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Suicide
booksbroadwaybubbly's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Emily is working on her novel, but is having no luck. When she meets up with her childhood best friend, Chess, for lunch, she is jealous of Chess’ fame. However, when Chess invites Emily to spend the summer at a villa in Italy, Emily wants the chance to reconnect with Chess and hopefully spark her some new ideas for her book. The Villa they are staying in may be beautiful now, but it is the place of a murder that took place in 1974, when a group full of artists spent the summer at the villa trying to inspire themselves. Emily & Chess spend the summer digging into old secrets, both of the villa and of their own lives.
•
•
I enjoyed this thriller, but I had a hard time connecting with any of the characters — all of them were unlikable, in both the past and the present. I also felt like it took a long time to build up to all the tension. There were so many twists and turns throughout this book that kept me on my toes. I also loved all the descriptions of the Italian Countryside! It brought me back to my time in Italy! I definitely can’t wait to see what Rachel Hawkins writes next!
•
•
Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for my eARC in exchange for my honest opinion!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Child death and Drug use
Minor: Suicide
mindyleereads's review against another edition
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
theinstabookworm's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage and Suicide
Minor: Murder and Infidelity
amobrien's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.25
Thank you Netgalley for providing a digital ARC.
Rachel Hawkins knows how to write a good mystery! I loved the way The Villa switched between narratives and how Emily's story complements Mari's. Aside from the mystery, this book does a great job of delving into the complex relationships and creating interesting and complete characters. The mystery itself was captivating and well-written. Overall, The Villa was a great read!
Rachel Hawkins knows how to write a good mystery! I loved the way The Villa switched between narratives and how Emily's story complements Mari's. Aside from the mystery, this book does a great job of delving into the complex relationships and creating interesting and complete characters. The mystery itself was captivating and well-written. Overall, The Villa was a great read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship
Minor: Suicide and Miscarriage
kaseymkelley's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Pregnancy, and Miscarriage
aharper's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Murder
Minor: Suicide