The Villa by Jess Ryder: A Book Review

My love of reading is still going strong in 2025, and my love for thrillers is still going pretty strong, too. This thriller, The Villa, is the first thriller I've picked up and read this year. This is the first book written by Jess Ryder (which happens to be her latest release) so I was eager to get stuck into it!

Let's set the scene:

Three years ago, while at her hen party at the Villa Floriana in Marbella, Aoife (the bride-to-be) tragically dies. Her best friend Dani, can't remember a single thing about what happened the night Aoife died. Exactly three years to the weekend Aoife died, Dani, along with Aoife's friends and fellow hen party attendees Beth, Tiff and Celine, go back to Marbella to mark the anniversary. However, Dani gets them there under false pretences and books to stay at the same villa in the vain hope she can regain some memory of what happened. The other girls naturally think it's a bad idea, wanting to leave things alone. 

However, as the present-day weekend goes on, Dani ends up getting closer to the truth. As we flit back and forth between the past and present of what happened at the hen, will Dani retrace her steps and know the whole truth about what happened to Aoife?

What I liked about The Villa

I liked that this thriller kept me guessing for about 3/4 of the book. I was totally invested in the book and the plotline and I couldn't get through it quick enough! There were certainly lots of twists throughout, especially at the end.

I also liked that the book jumped from past to present. I know when books are written like that, it's hard to keep track of what's going on. But I found it so easy to follow, which made it more enjoyable. I also liked we get perspectives of the past and present from each of the hens, apart from Aoife. 

You could feel the palpable tension between the women as they didn't really get along with each other. It's great when you feel that tension as you're reading a book.

What I disliked about The Villa

I wouldn't say this is too much of a bad thing, but the atmosphere between the characters in the books is so prickly and a little hostile - you wouldn't think they were at a hen weekend! You could sense the mistrust, jealousy and hostility between the characters. As I say, I wouldn't say it's a bad thing, but it made the characters a little less likeable in parts.

The side characters aren't the most likeable either.

My favourite moment of the book

It has to be the ending. Even though I guessed it correctly, there was one final twist I wasn't expecting!

Would I recommend The Villa by Jess Ryder?

Absolutely! If you have a holiday booked for the Summer, this is the perfect book to take with you! I love that Jess kept the suspense going throughout the book, which is difficult to do with a thriller. Sometimes with thrillers, there can be a lull about halfway through the book, but this one kept me hooked and I couldn't read it quick enough!

As I said, it kept me guessing up until about the last few chapters. I think after one particular chapter, I could sense where the book was going. But that didn't make me dislike the book - it still kept me hooked!

*Trigger Warnings - this book contains scenes involving blood, gaslighting, sexual assault, drink spiking, manipulation and controlling behaviour. 

I'd love to know your thoughts on this book review!