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katlynnnxo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship
hannah_and_her_stories'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
5.0
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Drug use, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Drug use, Miscarriage, Suicide, Terminal illness, Blood, Vomit, Abortion, Murder, and Pregnancy
mariavdl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Moderate: Child death and Toxic relationship
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
emmehooks'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? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Infidelity and Murder
Moderate: Child death, Chronic illness, Drug use, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Grief, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Suicide, Terminal illness, Abortion, and Pregnancy
minimicropup's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
We follow characters from two timepoints - the '70s and present day. Both timePOVs are set in a Villa on the outskirts of Orvieto, Italy. The present day characters (a cozy mystery author and wellness influencer) are working on their slightly estranged friendship and are enticed by the history of the villa. In the 1970s a platinum album was composed and a classic horror novel written at the villa.
Growls, Howls, and Tail Wags šŗš:
- I liked the depth of character development and how the hint of campiness slowly escalated through a realistic slow burn mystery
- Bit of grown-up Goosebumps energy with discovering the history of the Villa and what went down by decoding hints in the author's horror novel
- The setting was immersive and kind of evolved into its own entity in the story
- If you're in this just for the sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll you may be disappointed. It's in the plot, but isn't the main focus. I liked how it was worked into the plot naturally and seemed realistic.
Cred Rating š: Realistic with just a touch of campy
- Friendship and sibling dramas with bits of 'cattiness', jealousy, scheming, and competition + heartwarming and empathetic moments
- Slowly unraveling murder mysteries and blackmail
- Elements of "good for her" revenge
- Summer vacation vibes, nostalgic 1970s vibes
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Drug use, Infidelity, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content, Terminal illness, and Sexual harassment
Sexual content is with consent. Adult/minor relationship is early 20s with 15-16 year olds running away from family together.luverbyrd'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? No
2.0
I found the past story more interesting than the present. I despised the "friendship" Chess and Emily had from the start. I didn't really like any of the characters, past or present.
I enjoyed the inserts of fake news articles and podcasts to bring the history of the villa to the reader. It was a nice touch.
This book just wasn't what I expected and wasn't the right fit for my tastes.
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual content, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Abortion
theonlybaillie's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Suicide
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Self harm, Terminal illness, Vomit, Grief, Abortion, and Pregnancy
jpellwood's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Suicide, and Pregnancy
Minor: Terminal illness
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: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gore and Classism
Minor: Cancer, Sexual content, and Terminal illness
foldingthepage_kayleigh'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
4.75
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Chronic illness, Drug use, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Terminal illness