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edie_falk's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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
5.0
The Villa was exactly what I wanted it to be! A super fun mix of tense thriller action, 70s rock intrigue, and inspiration from Mary Shelly and Mary Wollstonecraft. I also think reading this right after finishing Cultish gave me a different way to think about the book. I couldn’t stop seeing the way that Chess was completely speaking cultish in the WORST way possible to the point that she convinces Em that her sleeping with Matt, manipulating her into writing the book together, and basically locking her into a lifelong toxic partnership was the best option! Even if Em does regret it by the end of the book. I really loved hating chess- she’s basically everything that gives me anxiety wrapped into one villain- the girl best friend, women using the guise of feminism to manipulate other women, being absolutely fake as fuck, the list goes on. I think in a lot of ways this book does try to tackle fake, ultra capitalist feminism in a new and really cool way!
I also loved how the book jumped between the two timelines and also included other little bits from Aestas, fake memoirs, and articles. All in all aa reslly fun, fast paced, and quick book!
I also loved how the book jumped between the two timelines and also included other little bits from Aestas, fake memoirs, and articles. All in all aa reslly fun, fast paced, and quick book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
ruthypoo2's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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? No
5.0
This is a very good story about the good and bad sides of relationships and the lengths for which people will go to protect themselves and others… and what price they may pay to guard their secrets. There are two women staying at an Italian vacation property for a working holiday and chance to reinvigorate their friendship. But this villa has a colorful history because of a murder that took place there decades earlier. The friends become fascinated with learning more about this murder that occurred in the midst of tensions among friends, created by passion and rivalry.
I loved the way the story unraveled over two timelines and multiple points of view to reveal what really happened at the Villa in the past, as well as how the modern-day friendship is being affected. All characters end up being more complex as the story progresses, and they’re thoughtfully written.
I enjoyed this book as a mixed genre of mystery and romance. The relationships were dynamic and fluid. Though not especially lovable, the characters were very interesting and quite unpredictable. The author, Rachel Hawkins, has written a twisty tale that had this reader guessing right up to the satisfying conclusion.
I listened to the audiobook and felt the narrators, Julia Whelan, Kimberly M. Wetherell, and Shiromi Arserio, did a superb job creating distinctive voices for their respective characters. This is particularly helpful when the story jumps between differing timelines that both involve multiple personalities.
I loved the way the story unraveled over two timelines and multiple points of view to reveal what really happened at the Villa in the past, as well as how the modern-day friendship is being affected. All characters end up being more complex as the story progresses, and they’re thoughtfully written.
I enjoyed this book as a mixed genre of mystery and romance. The relationships were dynamic and fluid. Though not especially lovable, the characters were very interesting and quite unpredictable. The author, Rachel Hawkins, has written a twisty tale that had this reader guessing right up to the satisfying conclusion.
I listened to the audiobook and felt the narrators, Julia Whelan, Kimberly M. Wetherell, and Shiromi Arserio, did a superb job creating distinctive voices for their respective characters. This is particularly helpful when the story jumps between differing timelines that both involve multiple personalities.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Miscarriage, and Murder
Minor: Alcohol
princessdana36's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Meh this book was just ok. The pace was a little slow.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Minor: Miscarriage and Misogyny
nickoliver's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-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
3.5
This wasn't very original, most things were very easily predictable - though admittedly, the very last chapter did take me a bit by surprise, and it did add a bit of a dark, tragic twist. Also, it was very fast-paced, and once I really sat down to read, the pages flew quickly. I just wished the loose ends hadn't stayed so loose; I felt like there were certain plot points that alluded to things that never actually ended up happening.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Drug use, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Suicide and Violence
Minor: Cancer and Miscarriage
sierra_smith_418's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The narrator felt unreliable in an interesting way — I finished the book feeling them at the conclusions given about certain characters actions weren’t true.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pedophilia, Sexism, Abortion, Murder, and Toxic friendship
jpellwood's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Suicide, and Pregnancy
Minor: Terminal illness
amberlfaris's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Child death and Sexual content
ohennui's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-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? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Suicide, Grief, and Pregnancy
christyparker98's review against another edition
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
2.5 stars. This would of been WAY better if it weren’t for the flashback chapters because I could care less about them. I liked the present story a lot. I honestly thought Emily was going to kill Chess towards the end. I didn’t see Matt “drowning”. Very good thriller for the present parts.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Murder
tamara_joy's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Infidelity, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Chronic illness, Vomit, and Classism