Scan barcode
okiecozyreader's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
3.5
Emily and Chess have been best friends, in some ways, but resentful of each other in others - maybe like high school friends can be. Emily is getting divorced and her husband is being nasty, so she takes the opportunity to go to an Italian villa with Chess to work on a book. This villa was the scene of a murder in 1974, so we get that timeline also. The 1974 storyline is about a group of music guys and their illicit romances, women who end up with famous stories of their own after the stay.
The audio is great (thank you Libra.fm for providing copies to libraries) with Julia Whelan as Emily and two other narrators for the 1974 timeline.
“People are never just gone, after all. There are always marks, always signs.” Chapter 8
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Murder, and Pregnancy
tdawgg07's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Child death, Toxic relationship, and Blood
Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Cancer, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism
novelideea's review against another edition
1.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Toxic friendship
elisalasater'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
3.0
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Violence, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Pregnancy
jkar7'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? Yes
4.5
I don't think I really liked a single character in this book, but I loved to hate them. Emily and Mari were tolerable, but not sure why Emily didn't also
A nice easy read, would be a great beach read! Maybe don't read it if you're planning a trip to a remote Italian town and staying in an old villa though.
Graphic: Child death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Blood, and Alcohol
Minor: Chronic illness, Violence, Stalking, and Sexual harassment
allielippe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship
rbudd24's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Miscarriage, Abortion, and Pregnancy
allisonplus's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Alcoholism and Drug use
syellico'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
4.0
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
mindyleereads's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Cancer, Child death, Miscarriage, Suicide, and Abortion