Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of Husbands and Lovers by Beatriz Williams. This was the first novel I have read by this author and I will be reading more! I liked the dual time/character storyline and how she linked them together. From New England vibes mixed with Egyptian intrigue . I found the story to be sensitive, thought-provoking, romantic, and entertaining. Both female characters were strong. This was a captivating story. A real page turner. I couldn’t put it down. I have shared a review on Facebook and Goodreads and have recommended it to many of my reader friends. Thank you again!!!

Great read. Beatriz always draws the reader in and lets the story unfold in such a way that you get hooked from the start. Thank you net galley for the chance to read and review.

<b>Husbands and Lovers</b> is a deeply moving novel that earns 4.5 stars, rounded up. This historical fiction captivates with its honest exploration of love and identity, drawing readers into an enthralling story.

The book features two clever protagonists and spans three timelines: the 1950s in Cairo with Hannah, the 2008 college years of her granddaughter Mallory, and their lives in 2022. Hannah, a Hungarian refugee married to a British diplomat in colonial Egypt, meets Lucien Beck and becomes his lover. In 2008, Mallory falls in love with Monk Adams during a summer job on Winthrop Island. By 2022, Mallory and Monk are separated, but their son needs a kidney transplant. Mallory also discovers her mother was adopted and sets out to trace their family roots.

Williams masterfully crafts scenes that range from thrilling to shocking, with characters you can't help but both love and despise. Her vivid writing style makes every word and metaphor worth savoring. The book tackles difficult topics like colonialism and social class divisions while portraying the profound emotional impact of a physical connection between two people.

Despite minor narrative inconsistencies, <b>Husbands and Lovers</b> is transformative in its emotional resonance and compelling plot. It courageously delves into the value of human connection, leaving a lasting impression that warrants an enthusiastic recommendation.

I received this ARC from NetGalley, and all opinions are my own.

Single mother Mallory Donne’s life is turned upside-down when she receives a call from camp that her ten-year old son Sam has eaten a toxic mushroom, and is in the ICU. As she rushes to his bedside, she realizes that if he lives, his new normal will include dialysis. As family members are tested as a possible match to be a kidney donor, Mallory is forced to confront long-held secrets about her life as a young woman, and the summer romance she had with now-famous singer Monk Adams. Even though her sister encourages her to contact him, Mallory is hesitant to intrude on his life - knowing that if she does the secrets she’s buried could shatter both of them. The Mallory/Monk story was enjoyable and believable, and shifts between their summer romance days of 2008 and the present day of 2022. Mallory and her sister Paige also find out that their grandmother was adopted from Ireland, which confuses both of them. Paige is willing to skip over this odd bit of family history, but Mallory feels it’s important. She’s been given a gold serpent bracelet from their mother, now deceased, and was told it was given to her by her mother. But that mother - the grandmother they knew - may not have been the one to give them this heirloom, and if it were from their biological grandmother, then what is its significance?

The other part of the timeline is about Hannah Anderson, a refugee from Hungary, who is the wife of an older British diplomat. It’s 1951 in Cairo, and Hannah falls for the handsome hotel manager, Lucien Beck. As she becomes more involved in Beck’s life, she realizes that perhaps she doesn’t know him at all, as he’s rumored to be a spy. We follow Hannah’s story, and the imagery is so vivid I could feel the heat and the sand from the city of Cairo. As tensions mount between Egypt and the British Empire, Hannah knows she’s walking a fine line with her relationship with Beck, but she turns a blind eye to what could happen and focuses just on the present time. We all learn of her time in Hungary, which helps the reader understand her motives as an unfulfilled wife of a boring man.

The author expertly weaves the stories together to a satisfying conclusion. With stunning locals and well-defined characters, this is a book to be enjoyed.

Husbands and Lovers by Beatriz Williams was a captivating tale of the women in a family as they navigate different trials within their lives.
Set in multiple timelines and different points of view, the story was fresh and kept me hooked and wondering what came next.
I was a little thrown off by the high usage of a question mark to end sentences that would have been better ending with a period, but this could have been changed in the editing process. I was also a little underwhelmed with how Hannah's storyline ended. It felt a little rushed and was missing some important information.
Overall I really did enjoy this book and give it 4 out of 5 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely adored this book. I loved all three storylines and couldn't wait to get back to each equally. The past Mallory storyline, I thought I knew where it was going to go and I wasn't loving it but what actually happened was not was I was expecting and I understood the character and the decisions way better and it sold me. Such a heartbreaking, sweet and magical read.

preferred mallorys story to hannah's. both women are flawed yet you were still rooting for them and the invention love stories. the dual points of view made for cliff hanger chapters.

Although classified as historical fiction, this novel read more like a romance to me—and one I could not put down!

Mystic, Connecticut, 2022. Mallory learns her 10-year-old son ate a toxic death cap mushroom at summer camp. Airlifted to the hospital and fighting for his life, Sam must face dialysis and regimented activities. Three years later, Mallory searches for a donor kidney that will give Sam the chance to have a more normal childhood.

Mallory’s search leads her to Monk, her childhood buddy and now a music superstar.

For some readers, the novel may include a bit too much flip-flopping between timelines. I was occasionally confused, but since I loved the characters, I persevered. Confession—I preferred the present-day timeline. Although interesting, I didn’t feel the Egypt timeline added much to the story.

I enjoyed the dual timeline between the 1950s and present day. But then there are flashbacks within both of the timelines so now we have like 4 time lines and LOTS of characters with lots of names and how they are all related to each other. Add in a famous singer, a WWII subplot complete with Nazis, a child with kidney failure, adultery, and some sexual abuse and you have basically everything and the kitchen sink thrown into this "feel good" summer romance?? It was..... a little much, in my opinion.

But, it was a fairly easy read. Everything was a bit surface level since there was so much and not a ton of time to get through it.

I always take the chance to read and review, historical fiction books and when I go the chance to read Husbands and Lovers by Beatriz Williams, I jumped on it. This is not my first book to read by William’s and it won’t be my last. There is something very compelling about her stories. Her characters have so much depth. This story follows two time lines in history. Cairo in 1951 and modern day in New England. Mallory Dunne is a single mom and gets the most dreaded call. Her son, at sleep camp, has eaten a poisonous mushroom, on a dare and is in critical condition. She rushes up to the hospital not knowing what condition she will find her son in. All she can do is hope.
Cairo 1951, a Hungarian refugee, has created a very nice life for herself. She is married to a diplomat and everything seems to be safe and secure. Something is going to happen to make change, but neither lady knows what it will be.
How can these women have anything in common? While we learn about each woman, her life and her history, William’s pieces together a brilliant story of hope, pain and suffering. Where strong women must make tough choices and keep their head held high. There are so many complex situations and yet there is such beauty in how things come together. This was a wonderful read, I am so glad I took my time getting to know the characters. There two timelines and multiple characters, so take your time. It will be worth your while. This is a wonderful, timeless book. I want to thank Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine Book and the author for my copy for an honest review. It was an absolute pleasure reading and reviewing this book. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Such an amazing summer read about love, loss and family.

What I loved the most about this novel was how two women were able to get closure when it came to their lovers.

4.75 stars

This book!! Was sucked in from the very beginning and couldn’t put it down. Mallory was relatable and hilarious. Her friendship/relationship with Monk felt so genuine and perfect! Loved the dual (triple) storylines. Hannah’s story was so intriguing and she seemed like such a strong woman. The twists of the family secrets kept me on my toes.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for sending an Advanced Reader ebook for my review.

This is the first Beatriz Williams book I have ever read, and it did not disappoint! I thoroughly enjoyed the story. It is told from several perspectives. Hannah from the past (1950's) as well as Mallory (2008, as well as 2020's). The women are connected through circumstances, and I found myself reading deep into the night to see what was going to happen next.

I highly recommend this book! Well done!

The cover of this novel tells readers that it just might be a good summer read. The warmth of a day shines through. And, yes, this is a good book to read while at the beach or inside with the AC humming.

Warm locations are indeed settings in this dual time line story. Events in the past take place in Egypt at the time that the Suez Canal is being built. In the modern day, some storylines unfold on a wealthy New England beach enclave. Connecting the timelines and characters is a unique bracelet.

Much transpires in this story. In the 1950s Hannah has survived a tough war and married for safety. However, when she meets a hotel employee, what will happen to her (temporarily) secure life? What excruciating decision must Hannah make? How will this choice reverberate in the contemporary storyline?

In the present, a child has a severe reaction to a poisoned mushroom and needs a kidney transplant. Will his mom, Mallory, reach out to his now famous father to let him know that she was pregnant and needs a donor? How will her decision impact multiple lives?

What, other than a bracelet, connects the two stories that are told? Will there be happy endings for anyone? Read this atmospheric title to find out. It was enjoyable.

Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for this title. All opinions are my own.

This was my first book by Beatriz Williams and I’m looking forward to reading more of her work! In this multigenerational story, we follow Hannah in Cairo and Mallory in New England. Hannah’s story was one of loss and war and I found it heartbreaking. Mallory is looking to do anything she can to save her son. The two women are connected my one heirloom, a cobra bracelet. Hannah’s storyline was a little slow for me at first, but picked up around the middle of the novel. Mallory’s story spoke to me as a mother and immediately caught my attention. Overall, I enjoyed reading about these two women and finished the novel in only a couple of days. 4/5 stars!

Thank you NetGalley for this arc!

Multiple POV. Mostly Hannah and Mallory. But 2 other people have one chapter POV’s each. I was hooked with Mallory’s but Hannah was a little slower to me. It eventually all connected and made sense.

You have a New England setting and also Egypt. I was invested in these characters and when it ended I wanted more.

A little reference to another one of her books “The Beach at Summerly” surprised me but made me smile at that little connection.

Williams’ novel crosses timelines and continents.
In 2022, We follow the story of Mallory, a single mom searching for a kidney for her son.
In 1951, Hannah , a Hungarian refugee becomes embroiled in a game of spies.
These two tales are both great reads and Williams masterfully brings them together!

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley- thank you!

This book was hot and cold for me for some reason. It sucked me in at the beginning and then it dragged for me in the middle, but I stayed up late reading the last 15 percent. In past/present books usually the past interests me the most, but I was mostly curious about the present in this one. There are so many things about this that were heartbreaking and difficult to read. I did like the ending, though I was hoping for one more chapter!

I just loved this book! Beatriz Williams has been on my list of authors to read for so long, and I'm about to devour her back list like crazy. If any of her others are like this one, I am going to be one happy lady! I adored the relationship between Mallory and Monk. I'm a sucker for dual timelines where we see couples in the future and then their backstory and how they came to be where they are now. Their story had my heart so early on in the book and I couldn't get enough of them. I wasn't as big of a fan of Hannah's story, but it still helped to build a beautiful book that spanned decades and generations. I highly recommend this one!

This book was so good! It was all about Husbands and Lovers. I enjoyed how the author wrote 2 past to go along with the present. Love is definitely something you have to fight for and the relationship in this story shows that fight. Also a mother's love for her child and willing to do whatever to save them. Read this book, you will not be disappointed!