The Villa

Product Information

Past: Writer Mari, her musician boyfriend Pierce, and musician stepsister Lara, are invited by famous musician Noel Gordon to his luxurious villa in Italy. A summer of music, sex, and drugs result in one murder and two artistic masterpieces. I’d been getting pep talks like this from her for years, after all. Still, I thought the biggest it would get was a BuzzFeed article called “Twenty-seven Reasons We Want to Make This Advice Columnist Our Bestie!!” Emily was at a place where she really needed somewhere to focus her energy outside of her failing relationship and bad financial circumstances. The villa helped with that. Overall: I loved the idea of murder house and Emily’s searching for the truth but I think the revelations are not satisfying enough! I didn’t like how both two stories unfolded. I was expecting something more sinister instead of spiritual. In my opinion this is women’s fiction with feminism vibes but the characters were not the great examples to represent girl power! I think there are so many trust issues they have to work on! It’s the only word that can sum up what a complete and utter shit show this past year has been for me, but it still comes nowhere close to touching it.

I leave it on read, telling myself that it’s only because I’m supposed to be working right now. My phone technically shouldn’t even be in my office—that’s usually a strict rule of mine. It stays in the kitchen, sitting on the counter until I’m through with my work for the day. Rachel Hawkins (born November 23, 1979) is the author of Hex Hall, a best-selling trilogy of young adult paranormal romance novels. She is from Dothan, Alabama. [1] [2] She also writes as Erin Sterling. [3] Biography [ edit ]Overall, I really enjoyed The Villa, and it was difficult to put down after the first 33% (so don’t give up if you are in the first part of the book)! So when Chess invites Emily to join her for an all expenses paid Summer in Umbria, Italy, at the Villa Aestas, offering not only a chance to rejuvenate by the pool with Ice Cold Limoncello and Chilled Orvieto white wine- but also a place, to again become inspired to write-she sets aside her concerns that it is a MURDER HOUSE, and books the first flight out. Shiromi Arserio, Julia Whelan, and Kimberly Wetherell are the perfect trio to narrate this thriller about an Italian villa with a haunted past."— AudioFile I had both the book and the audiobook and enjoyed both but listened to the audiobook slightly more. I enjoyed both the past and the present storylines but at times enjoyed the past one more. I thought it was a nice touch having both Mari and Emily sharing details. I did enjoy the tension between Chess and Emily, former best friends who have a strained relationship as adults.

I tried the audio as well, since Julia Whelan was one of the narrators. And truly she was the only reason I made it to the end. Listening to her voice gave me the resolve to keep going. When Chess begins sniffing around the same story, Emily gets a little miffed. This is her thing. Doesn't Chess have enough already? Why can't she leave this alone? Set in dual perspective and dual timeline (one in the 70’s and one present day), both surrounding their own trials and tribulations.I stand up too fast to hug her, my thighs hitting the edge of the table, ice rattling in the water glasses, and then I’m enveloped in a cloud of Jo Malone perfume. Villa is three dimensional, smart, claustrophobic, women empowerment story with creepy and intriguing plot!