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  • If We Were Villains

  • A Novel
  • Written by: M. L. Rio
  • Narrated by: Robert Petkoff
  • Length: 12 hrs and 50 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (134 ratings)

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If We Were Villains cover art

If We Were Villains

Written by: M. L. Rio
Narrated by: Robert Petkoff
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Publisher's Summary

Oliver Marks has just served 10 years in jail - for a murder he may or may not have committed. On the day he's released, he's greeted by the man who put him in prison. Detective Colborne is retiring, but before he does, he wants to know what really happened a decade ago.

As one of seven young actors studying Shakespeare at an elite arts college, Oliver and his friends play the same roles onstage and off: hero, villain, tyrant, temptress. But when the casting changes, and the secondary characters usurp the stars, the plays spill dangerously over into life, and one of them is found dead. The rest face their greatest acting challenge yet: convincing the police, and themselves, that they are blameless. Intelligent, thrilling, and richly detailed, If We Were Villains is a captivating story of the enduring power and passion of words.

©2017 M. L. Rio (P)2017 Macmillan Audio

What the critics say

"Much like Donna Tartt's The Secret History, M. L. Rio's sparkling debut is a richly layered story of love, friendship, and obsession.... If We Were Villains will keep you riveted through its final, electrifying moments." (Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney, New York Times best-selling author of The Nest)

What listeners say about If We Were Villains

Average Customer Ratings
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10/10

The book is a reread and it’s as good as the first time. The ending is truly heartbreaking.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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An instant favorite

I adored the story. And the narration was so captivating. Can't wait to read it again

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

beautiful and tragic

so good.. speechles for what to say

"you can justify anything if you do it poetically enough"

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Ending made me mad

SPOILERS!!!!


He went to prison for nothing! Don’t get me wrong I loved this book however Oliver did his time thinking he would get to see James again only to found out he freaking died!!! Like what!!! Why would he let Oliver go to prison if they were never going to be together in the first place! Still loved the book tho

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Dark Academia

this is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read in my life. both the story and the characters were so well written, which made me fall more in love with the novel as a whole! James and Oliver are SOULMATES, right person not enough time!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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LOVED

Always wanted to read this book because I love this secret history by Donna Tartt so glad I read it,, FAV book this year

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent read for Shakespeare Lovers

As a late thirties aged theatre artist who attended theatre school in the early 2000s, this book hit me right in the feels. It opened up a lot of forgotten scars and nostalgia, in the very best way. If you love Shakespeare, you will love this book. If you aren’t familiar with Shakespeare you may want to Google Julius Caesar, MacBeth, Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet and King Lear. A truly thrilling and sorrowful tale with a startling conclusion. A great read.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Promises pretentiousness, delivers melodrama

Thought this would be deeper, I guess, but it was still a fun listen. The narrator is great, and there's lots of Shakespeare to wade through.

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    1 out of 5 stars
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Skips

This audio book is good but it skips. Not sure if that’s just me but idrk how that would work.

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