Rating: 
Summary: Not up to Nora Roberts' usual excellent standard
Review: I am going to dissent from the pack with this review. It took me a long time to finish The Villa because I had to force myself to pick it up. This is not typical behavior when I read a Nora Roberts book.The Villa's story seemed to drag out unnecessarily, and the only romance I found remotely interesting was the one between Pilar and David, but these characters were short-shrifted by a thin plot. The Sophia and Tyler relationship was boring, and I didn't like Sophia's character at all and can't understand what Tyler would see in her, aside from her beauty. As far as the main setting is concerned...well, it seemed as if Nora went on a winery tour (perhaps at Niebaum Coppola or Beringer in the Napa Valley--both have big manor houses) and took notes, which she then regurgitated back into the plot. Some of the winery descriptions were wooden, e.g. more like a lecture for the readers. I am a huge Nora Roberts fan, especially of her trilogies, so I am not happy about writing this review. I like her best when she focuses on interesting, complex characters and their relationships with others. The Villa doesn't measure up to that standard.
Rating: 
Summary: Nora Roberts does it again!
Review: The Villa is a wonderful story of winemaking in the California Napa Valley and family bonds and conflict. Sophia Giambelli is the granddaughter of the Giambelli wine dynasty and the head of marketing for the company. Tyler MacMillan is the grandson of the MacMillan wine company and Ty is in charge of the vines, the grapes, the harvest. Ty and Sophia, who have grown up together in the wine business, are thrown together in a torrid attraction and competitive business rivalry. The women in Giambelli family are all strong, determined businesswomen and know how to handle themselves. Tereza Giambelli, the family matriarch, heads the Giambelli women and the winery. There are business rivals, murders and surprises in this book. Twists and turns villians and heroes. The Villa is a great mystery and romance all at the same time. Anyone who likes Nora Roberts will love this book, she doesn't disappoint us.
Rating: 
Summary: The VIlla
Review: I thought The Villa by Nora Roberts was a great book. I loved her contrast of the characters. Sopie was by far my favorite character throughout the book. It was full of mystery and scandal, yet the base of it was family and love. The romance between Tyler and Sophie was very complex and interesting to watch grow. Sophie was a great example of a woman that can take care of herself. I truly sympathize Sophia for the death of her father. I was extremely shocked by the ending. I never would have guess that Helen was the one that killed Tony or had an affair with him. No wonder Sophie and Linc were so close, they truly were brother and sister. Nora Roberts is a wonderful writer. I would definitely read another one of her books.
Rating:
Summary: Nora Roberts goes Hollywood
Review: I read The Villa almost straight through as it really held my interest. I enjoyed the characters and their interactions, especially the two teenagers. However, as many other reviewers have pointed out, the complexity of the novel's characterization forces Ms. Roberts to keep character development somewhat shallow, except for Tyler and Sophia, Pilar and David. I enjoyed the slow unfolding of their love, especially the tenderness of the latter couple's. The background of the wine industry and the affluence of the two families were colorful additions. We so often read romance novels to "live" a more glamorous life and Ms. Roberts really supplies that here! That said, I must be critical of the conclusion of the storyline. I felt early on that the "villain" was who it turned out to be -- can't really pinpoint why, just had a feeling. But the last climactic scene was maddening. Why were these characters where they were??? How come they so conveniently showed up in the nick of time? Very Hollywoodish. (I'm trying to speak very opaquely here so as not to ruin the ending for those still reading.) Furthermore, by suggesting that they can get away with skirting the law, Ms. Roberts causes me to doubt her sincerity or at least perpetuates the notion that money can buy happiness. Speaking of Hollywood, I lay awake last night trying to "cast" actors in the roles of this novel because I think it would make a terrific TV miniseries. How about Brad Pitt as Tyler? Catherine Zeta-Jones as Sophia? Any other suggestions?
Rating:
Summary: Don't wait for the Paperback!!
Review: Nora Roberts is batting a thousand ! 'The Villa' is 100% Nora. Brilliant, funny, romantic and suspenseful enough to keep you turning pages like crazy. One thing you can always depend on, is Nora Roberts talent for immersing her readers in the 'world' she creates on paper. 'The Villa' is set in the California wine country, and by the time you're savoring the last page, you'll realize that you have not only just finished a great book, but you now have an informed perspective of the practice of growing grapes and producing wine. Nora always manages to teach you just a little bit about the topics of her books. And who can afford to turn down the opportunity to learn a little something new every day ??? As is typical of Nora, her lead characters of Sophia and Tyler spend the better part of the first half of the book sniping at one another, all the while wondering how long they can avoid their mutual attraction. Pilar and David also provide a beautiful and touching love story, and only add to the mental picture being created in your mind of the grand Giambelli family. The bottom line is this. Nora Roberts has another winner here. Are you gonna sit around reading endless reviews, or click the little 'order' icon, and have this book on your doorstep in just a few days? Don't wait. Do it now.
Rating:
Summary: One of Nora's Best!!
Review: I strongly disagree with the reviewers who say that this is not one of Nora Robert's finest books. The character development is incredible, and are some of my all time favorite literary characters. Yes, they are human, and have flaws, and are more realistic for it. The Giambelli women are among Nora's finest characters, having wit, sass, class, the right amount of attitude, and still having the small character flaws that makes them agonizingly human. While they all have the Giambelli spirit, all three women are extremely unique and expertly portrayed. Bravo! The setting is wonderful. Clearly Roberts knows what she is talking about, and it is refreshing to read a book that has such rich background and detail. Some reviewers complained about the detail given to the wine making process. I disagree. The detail Roberts gives simply emphazises that the wine business is central to her characters' lives, and she gives the information in an extremely enjoyable way. Her wit and superb writing style make the words flow together in a seamless rhythm. Please don't let the few bad reviews keep you from picking up this book, especially if you are a Nora fan! Read it and make up your own mind! All I can say is that I use my local library constantly, and it is rare that I will actually buy a book new. The other day I bought myself a hardback copy of "THE VILLA". Definately a keeper. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: I couldn't put it down
Review: This book is a wonderful blend of romance and suspense, it is about families and business, with a lots of vintner slang and some teenage angst mixed in - although I also felt let down at the end. Many others have posted summaries of the plot, so I'll just give my personal opinion - some of the dialogue is hard to digest, but the characters are wonderfully developed and the settings are spectacular. You have to take the good with the bad and I think this book was mostly good, truly a must-read for Nora Roberts fans.
Rating:
Summary: Angry at the ending
Review: I have read Nora Roberts before and this book was fun and exciting, until I got close to the ending. The number of pages remaining told me that I was going to be disappointed. There simply was not enough space to end the story satisfactorily. The exciting romance between David and Pilar ceased to be discussed after she accepted his proposal, and that was a let down because, as a mature woman, I loved their story. I identified with Pilar's concern about her body and their quest for privacy from the eyes of the family. I know that feeling. In the end there was the mystery and how the other villians fit in. Or didn't fit. And what about the crime and punishment? I found that very unsetting. What a tremendous amount of guilt must come with the knowledge of not making public the true killer, even if she was a victim. And just how much damage was done to the winery? This book was not a waste of my time, but it certainly was a disappointment at the end. I felt like the author just wanted to be done with it. Too bad for us. A few more pages and a good editor would have made all the difference.
Rating: 
Summary: An OK Read
Review: This was my first Nora Roberts and I found it to be an OK read. I did find that the editing and proofreading was surprisingly good for a writer that is so prolific and obviously writes for a popular audience. The book is an interesting blend of romance, thriller, who done it, and murder mystery. I was a bit unsettled by the rather surprise ending. I felt like Ms. Roberts was spitting in the face of morality, but I don't want to spoil the plot. Unlike many of the other reviewers, I found one of the strengths in the novel to be in the character study of some very strong female characters. Although she spent some time developing her male characters, Ms. Roberts really concentrated on the women. Obviously, Ms. Roberts is pitching her writing toward the female audience. There were 3 main women characters Tereza Giambelli, Pilar Giambelli Avano and Sophia Giambelli (really Avano). Tereza is the matriarch and is motivated by duty, family and tradition. She will do any thing to keep what she has worked all her life to build. Pilar is Tereza's daughter and came of age during the 60s and 70s, but she obviously was the 'good' girl growing up and seems to be the meek and mild type. She is the most likeable and interesting of the three main women. During the book, she overcomes some of her insecurity, gets over a philandering husband of 30 years and finds new love with a good man. I found Sophia a bit irritating. I meet her type in business everyday and I can assure you the type doesn't wear well in real life. She overconfident, a type A, totally independent, and I wouldn't want to work with her either. But Ms. Roberts does a credible job of dealing with the character trying to come to grips with the fact that maybe she just might need someone else in her life. There are also several interesting secondary female characters. There's a trophy wife of Tony Avano (Pilar's ex) who's very easy to hate. She's really a one dimensional gold digger type. There's another vicious business woman who hates Sophia and tries very hard to ruin her. But the best of the secondary characters are Maddy, the teenage daughter of Pilar's new love interest and Helen, a long time friend of Pilar. Maddy is the daughter that everyone would like to have. She pushes the limits, by asking to pierce her nose, when what she really wants is a second set of piercing in her ears. She dresses in Goth, although she's really growing bored with that. Although she pushes the limits, she never crosses them. In addition she's incredibly smart and ambitious. I found myself hoping that she wouldn't follow Sophia and become that totally pain in the rear 'I am woman' type female as she grew up. Then there was Helen. I really wish more could have been done with her character. She was a good friend to Pilar and unlike Pilar I got the feeling she may not have been quite as good a girl growing up. She was obviously highly successful. She had a stable and happy marriage, a son, and a lawyer and judge. She played a little more earthy character to Pilar's sophistication. She was goading Pilar on buying sexy underwear and jumping her new found love interest. Too bad she couldn't have been in the novel more from the beginning. I have another Nora Roberts novel on my shelf. I'll probably read it, but I'll wait a little while.
Rating:
Summary: Definitely not her best work
Review: I did not like this book because I did not feel drawn to the characters or the storyline. If you want great reading from Nora Roberts, I highly recommend Carolina Moon and A River's End. While reading the Villa, I found myself reading ahead to the ending because I did not care about the characters to engrose myself into their pettiness and insecurities. I found most of them self-absorbed and unnatural. A teenager named Maddy was probably the most redeeming because she actually brought a sense of reality to the idiots around her. The character of Tyler had potential at the beginning, but eventually lost his appeal and charm. Save your time because this was a huge disappointment for me.
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