Rating: 
Summary: One of Nora's Best!!
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: Appearances Can Be Deceiving
Review: Being a fan of Nora Roberts, I picked this book up within the first few weeks of availability; purchasing a hard cover book that was five times the cost of a paperback. Considering my other Nora favorites like Homeport, I thought it was a sound purchase-obviously at the end of the book I found out that it wasn't that great of a purchase after all. The Villa is a sweeping novel that takes place on two continents - Europe and North America. The book itself is organized into four parts and presented very nicely (exemplifying how much Nora's books are worth to her publishers). The description of the book on the book jacket would make any Nora fan want to read the book, but after diving into the book I've found that this book is worth about as much as a wine with the same year vintage. The book, it self, goes all over the place. There are over thirty characters, many with sections in the book that describe them, their motivations, et cetera, which is nice up to a point, but is egregious considering 75% of the characters in the book are just supporting characters and nothing more. Fifteen percent of the book is devoted to an introduction/documentary to the winemaking business, which gets annoying, taking focus off the book's meager plot, and screams FILLER. Nora also relies heavily on description, which gets obtrusive; I'd rather create the specifics of the particular scene in my mind then have her spoon food them to me. As for the Italian parts, they weren't nearly as successful as the ones in her 1998 novel Homeport. Nora also tries to show off her command of the Italian language in this book, but it's grating when you don't know what the characters are saying. The romances themselves (I say romances because, unlike the cover jacket or abstract of the novel may want you to think, this book involves both a twenty-year old's romance-Sophia and Ty, and a forty-year old's romance-Pilar and David) are trite. You can't tell me Sophia and Ty would ever get together!!! They are polar opposites. Sophia needs a more refined man than Ty and Ty needs someone who isn't as promiscuous as Sophia. (Don't even get me started on Sophia's age: twenty-six!!! Please, she's the head of both marketing and public relations!! Ha, she'd be lucky if she was out of college by then. And she's had so many affairs!!! So unrealistic. Sophia, logically, would have to be at least twenty-nine to do all she's done.) It seems very likely to me that in the real world, Sophia wouldn't even give Ty they time of day unless she was just toying with him. Oh, and Pilar & David, that's another story in itself. It's a bit too sappy. And the love scenes, please, I almost burst out laughing. Nora starts off The Villa on the right foot. She sets the mood, gives you an idea of the characters, et cetera. She sets the premise for the book within the first four chapters, which is nice. If you're in the middle of The Villa don't get your hopes up that there will be a centennial party at the end of the book or even that Ty and Sophia will resolve the bet they made in chapter 3. Nora leaves us hanging on both counts, which is very disappointing to me. As time & chapters go by, it seems to me that Nora tries to do too much in The Villa. She weaves two romances, an introduction to winemaking, corporate sabotage and the investigation that ensues into to one 416-page novel that could have easily been a 600-page epic. It's also apparent that Nora also rested on her laurels and reputation with this book; she makes uncharacteristic spelling errors in this book (like switching between La Coeur and Le Coeur through the book); recycles dialogue from other scenes in previous books; and, if it can't get any worse, goes as far as to finish what could have been a five chapter ending in just two chapters. Please, Nora!?! Was your jet landing in the Cayman's and you just had to get your book off to your publisher so you gave us a really stupid ending?? Clearly Nora wrote this book on vacation, and it shows!!! Some characters are enjoyable in this book (not David's hellion children, though), like the gracious, powerful La Signora; intriguing Sophia; the docile Pilar; and the man who keeps all three generations of Giambellis inline-Eli. Nora will keep giving you little teasers and weaving in conspiracy into the novel so you don't want to stop reading it, even if you take forever to finish it, but in the end all the teasers are just that-there's very little substance in The Villa. Wait for the paperback at the library; you won't miss anything major.
Rating:
Summary: Romance, Mystery, California Vineyards with Roots in Italy
Review: I avoided Nora Roberts novels until this one but the vineyards and murder mystery intrigued me, so I was captured. I have no regrets. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. On page one, we learn a close friend of the family who worked the vineyards for the Giambelli winery in Italy was murdered. Tereza Giambelli, the matriarch, inherited the family business and was having a family get together, a gathering of the clan ... which could mean only one thing: she was ready to relinquish some power over the wine-producing dynasty ... but the question remained, "to whom?"
We discover she has known the owner of the rival winery, the MacMillan Winery, for many years and has proposed a merger with the Giambelli Vineyards, combining 156 years of experience in the wine industry with 5 generations having been vintners and wine merchants. To everyone's surprise, "La Signora" Tereza is dividing up the ownership and responsibilities for running the business *much* differently than anticipated. A young adult in each of the families will take on the major responsibility for wine production and sales. Tereza knows the faults of her sons and daughter all too well. She does the unthinkable and provides the next generation, a young adult in each of the families the major responsibiity for wine-production and world wide sales. Sophia of the Giambellis, the granddaughter of the grand dame was chosen as a Vice President of Operations and Tyler of the MacMillans was also given the same title. The two families were cemented together as the world-wide producer of the finest wines. Each of these young adults were challenged to meet performance expectations with the pay off of 20% owenrship of the company if they were found satisfactory after one year's time elapsed. The newly combined firm of Giambelli-MacMillan Wines needed a Chief Operating Officer. A divorced man, David Cuttler, working at a well established firm was suggested and later selected. David was at first reticent to take on the position but discovered he relished the challenges and changes associated with moving from New York to California. Additionally, he had two teenagers to consider in the equation, a son and daughter.
There are numerous intrigues and links which connect the Giambelli family to their roots in Italy ... some dark secrets are discovered there. Both Sophia and Tyler are unexpectedly drawn to travel to Italy to explore the beginnings of the wine business in the past. Pilar, Sophia's mother and her exhusband, (Sophia's dad), Tony have many complex emotional issues to resolve. The romantic connections which develop between characters in the novel are a compelling read. There is a threat to the success of the merger between the Giambellis and MacMillans which comes from unexpected sources. Reading the book is a highly fulfilling and satisfying experience. Learn how the alliance between the two families is nearly destroyed ... and then saved. Most highly recommended novel. Erika Borsos (erikab93)
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but not as Good as Usual
Review: I couldn't wait to get Nora Robert's new book, The Villa. I ordered it from Amazon and waited with bated breath until it came to my doorstep. I read it in one fell swoop, waiting for the moment to come when the story would sweep me off my feet, but unfortunately I was only somewhat uplifted by the story. Although Roberts is a wonderful storyteller and a great writer, The Villa falls a little flat. As usual, she has done her research well about the vineyards and winemaking, which adds a very interesting "educational" element to the story. But for some reason, the relationship between Sophia and Ty didn't really click with me. Maybe it was because they seemed almost brother and sisterlike, even though they are not by blood related. I was more interested in the relationship between David and Pilar, and the eventual acceptance of Pilar into the Cutter family. God I love Maddy! She's so funny... I hope that Nora Roberts does a story for her when she's older. The Villa was really a good book, but it just didn't seem as great as her other books. I guess it sort of lacked a "spark" or something like that. The setting was great and the plot was interesting, but the two main characters seemed a little forced, even. Don't get me wrong, it was still a really good book, but I think that it could definitely have been better.
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: 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: A vintage novel, but not her best
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, both for the mystery and the romance. However, the relationship between Sophia and Tyler just didn't seem to have much basis for development, unlike the one between David and Pilar. Pilar's accomplisments in moving past her cheating ex husband had me cheering -- finally, a woman of gentle elegance that can still show some backbone and go out for what she wants! Unfortunately, I felt this novel didn't really finish where it was going. Why not tell about the wedding? The grand centennial celebration? Will Maddy's idea work? Although the mystery was wrapped up, I felt Roberts simply left the plot hanging. However, I did cheer Sophia on -- the world needs more competant businesswomen, especially ones like her, who are powerful and still feminine in many ways. I also learned a surprising amount about the winery business, kudos to Nora Roberts for doing her homework. All in all, a good novel, if not great, that will keep your interested, if not glued to your seat.
Rating: 
Summary: a hybrid novel?
Review: The Villa seems to try to transcend the Romance genre and become a mainstream novel. It doesn't quite make it and the genre novel probably suffers too. The pace is too slow to please most Romance readers and there is not enough tension and suspense. For a current romance/mainstream novel that has strong mystery and suspense, see the novel Always. Nora Roberts is certainly writing about a social world she knows well, being of Italian background herself, but she does not succeed in getting that world and cultural history across to readers who do not share that background. Roberts is to be encouraged for trying to transcend the genre, and one hopes that in her later novels she has been and will be more successful.
Rating:
Summary: Definitely not her best work
Review: This is a very entertaining and enjoyable, easy read. The suspense is well set up, and the characters are intelligently drawn. The story revolves around a family in the wine business, and three generations of women are the main protagonists (all very likeable). As with all Nora Roberts novels, the setting is described fabulously. The women are strong characters, and the author doesn't fall into the usual trap of women being rescued by men (which I appreciate). My only complaint is the tidy ending, in which the mystery is solved and explained to the degree of a Nancy Drew book.
Rating:
Summary: Not her best but still worth the read.
Review: This is not the best novel by Ms. Roberts, and if you are a new reader of Roberts's books you do not want to start with " The Villa " or base her writing on this book. The Villa still was a good book as a tale of Italian and Californian vineyards. A book about wine, wine making, wine selling and a family whose life is wine. There is more than one romance that blossoms in this novel and a mystery of sorts is thrown in. Sophia and Tyler have known each other all their lives and have always remained friendly from a distance. Sophia travels and sells the wine made from the grapes that Tyler grows. Sophia's
Grandmother reorganizes the company and the two are forced to work together which makes the sparks fly. The romance is exciting and full of heat and very believable.
Sophia's mother is a very apprehensive woman who only wanted to be a wife and a mother. When her husband that she has been separated from for many many years decides he wants a divorce, it seems life is over. The reorganization brings a new man into her life and a second chance at love and motherhood. Murder, tainted bottles, burning buildings only adds to the excitement and mystique of this book.
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