Alternating between 1974 and present-day, The Villa by Rachel Hawkins explores the toxic relationships, betrayals, and secrets that reside within the walls of the popular vacation home Villa Aestas in Orvieto, Italy.

Life-long friends Emily and Chess decide to spend the summer in a beautiful villa in Orvieto to reconnect. As the weeks pass, they realize there is a dark side to their relationship. Emily, who is trying to complete her novel while going through a terrible divorce, becomes intrigued by the history of the villa where they’re staying which just so happens to be where musician Pierce Sheldon was brutally murdered back in 1974. As she digs into the events of that fateful summer, Emily discovers there is much more to the story. As Emily uncovers the truth, she also deals with brewing jealousy and betrayal as Chess decides she isn’t going to let Emily get all the credit for solving the mystery surrounding Pierce Sheldon’s death. As Emily and Chess’ relationship starts to fail, we learn it’s not only the villa that holds secrets.

As the novel jumps back in time to 1974, we are introduced to famous rock star Noel Gordon and all the people he has invited to the Villa for a summer of musical creativity. Pierce Sheldon, Johnnie the dealer, Mari Godwick, and her stepsister Lara tag along as they hope to gain some glory by spending time with Noel but what they end up getting isn’t anything they could have prepared themselves for. The turmoil they endure throughout the summer results in Mari’s best-selling novel, Lara’s award-winning album, Pierce’s tragic death, and many hidden secrets.

The novel starts strong with an excerpt from Lilith Rising, the novel Mari Godwick wrote the summer she stayed at the villa in 1974. The line “houses hold onto the bad with the good just as people do” personifies the villa giving it the ability to feel and keep secrets just as humans do while at the same time foreshadowing ominous events to come. This intro sparked my interest but unfortunately, as I got into chapter one and met Emily and Chess, my interest in the story began to wane.

For a while, I enjoyed the 1974 storyline but as Emily began to piece things together, I started gaining more interest in the present-day plot. Unfortunately, I did not care for any of the characters. I found them all quite annoying and overly dramatic which made it hard to get through the book at times. The big secret between Emily and Chess was very predictable so I wasn’t at all surprised when it all came to light later on in the story. Honestly, there wasn’t much of a twist at all anywhere in the story when what I was truly hoping for was that “a-ha” moment.

I did like that the dual timelines did not always alternate chapter for chapter; the 1974 timeline was mainly presented throughout the story as more of a flashback as Emily read through Mari Godwick’s novel and diary which gave the story a nice natural flow. It was also interesting that both timelines were parallels to each other with the villa at the heart of it; even though many years had passed, history at the villa was doomed to repeat itself. Also, Julia Whelan’s narration is always a joy to listen to and the other narrators in the novel also performed well.

Overall, this novel, while somewhat enjoyable, did not hook me and did not spark any emotion in me. However, I did find the ending quite interesting which will allow for a sequel if the author chooses. I would be interested to see in which direction the author would take it.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC to read and review. ( )

Another good read from Rachel Hawkins. Best friends, Emily and Chess decide to spend the summer in Italy at the Murder House. What could possibly go wrong? ( )

Two best girlfriends take a summer trip to Orvieto, Italy -- but things don't go exactly as planned.

Emily and Chess are in their thirties now, but they have a bond that has kept them connected even with life's ups and downs. Emily is recovering from a broken marriage and is struggling to finish a cozy mystery installment she owes the publisher. It seems that Chess's star is on the rise as her self-discovery books have made her a supernova, but she's also dragging her heels to complete her own nonfiction book.

As the women settle into Villa Aestas, they discover that their luxurious accommodation was once rented by a group of young people -- a famous rock musician and 4 others who were there to create music, write, and relax -- with the help of some drink, drugs, and sex. Their sojourn ends in tragedy and what happened there becomes part of the villa's history.

Emily is fascinated by the events from summer, 1974, and as she explores the villa and digs deeper into the past, she finds herself coming alive even as her relationship with Chess becomes strained. Long held secrets come to light and it seems that there will be a reckoning between the two friends.

I enjoyed this novel that simmers with tension and a bit of gothic influence that enhances the suspense. The twists and turns were interesting as well as how the author wove the story of the past with what was occurring in the present. Although I really didn't care for either Emily or Chess as characters, the plot was interesting and kept me engrossed. I did wish for more details about the villa itself and about Orvieto.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this e-book ARC to read and review. ( )

Captivated by the story I neglected to make any notes or highlights so suffice it to say I liked it. From the first words “Houses Remember” I was in. Told in multiple timelines, the story goes from sex, drugs, rock and roll, to what that combination naturally conjures. In the summer of 1974, at an Italian Villa in Orvieto, music is being made, a book is being written, the players are exchanging ideas and partners. The mood is easy and then it isn’t and then it is deadly.

In the present, best friends very famous Chess Chandler and less well known Emily Sheridan, both writers, plan to spend a summer at an Italian Villa in Orvieto which happens to be a Murder House. The mood is easy and then it isn’t and then it is deadly.

The present was less interesting to me but necessary to unravel what really happened in the summer of 1974. But did it? There are choices and versions - which was it ? Love the questions raised and left. Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a copy. ( )

This is my favorite Rachel Hawkins novel so far. The Villa is told in dual timelines. In the present, best friends, both writers, spend the summer in Italy trying to reconnect and to write. Their vacation home has a history of murder and intrigue. I think it started out a little slowly, but still grabbed my interest as each character’s story emerged. There are plenty of twists and turns and shady characters to keep you up all night reading.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the chance to review this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. #TheVilla #NetGalley ( )