Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.

This book was a super fun multi timeline read perfect to pack in your beach bag. It reminded me somewhat. of The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis, which is being released next year, but I've already been lucky enough to read as an arc last month. I guess historical fiction set in Egypt must be all the rage right now. But I would definitely read more books like this. I also think this is possibly Beatriz Williams best book yet. I highly recommend this book!



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Many Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.

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I really enjoyed this one from Beatriz Williams. Following two different time lines, you follow Hannah (set in Cairo in the 1950s) and Mallory (set in New England 2022) and their overlapping stories. I love a story set up this way and finding how the two women are connected. This was no exception and was so well done. I loved both characters and thought they were both well written. This was definitely more of a fiction story of love and redemption versus historical fiction, but there were aspects of the history with Hannah's story. Overall, this was a very enjoyable read and im here for everything Williams writes. Big thanks to Netgalley and Random House for the advanced e-copy.

WOWOWOW this was great. Loved the dual timelines but slightly preferred the present timeline. Love a second chance romance and this one was so powerful! What a fantastic story. Highly recommend.

I read Husbands & Lovers as an advanced released copy from @netgalley. I loooove @authorbeatriz’s books so I was super excited to receive this one!

Mallory’s son Sam is at summer camp when she gets a dreaded call. Sam has been rushed to the hospital - on a dare, he had ingested a poisonous mushroom. He ends up in kidney failure and on dialysis, on the list of a kidney transplant.

The family gets tested to see if they’ll be a good match, but no luck. Except for Sam’s dad. He doesn’t know Sam exists. Monk Adams and Mallory had one summer together, way before he became a world famous pop star. But now he’s getting married to someone else, on that same small island where they fell in love.

Mallory also tries to discover more about her mom’s family by sending in a DNA test kit. She learns that her mother was adopted as a baby and travels to an Irish orphanage to hear her birth story.

This was a 4/5 for me! It just hit the shelves this week.

#bookstagram #stlbookstagram #husbandsandlovers #beatrizwilliams #netgalley #paperhearts

💭 MY THOUGHTS: Wow, wow, wow! This is my newest book crush! Mallory and Hannah are very unique heroines who both make a lot of, umm, interesting decisions but ultimately ones they feel are right to protect their hearts and allow them to move forward in heartbreaking situations. At times I found myself eagerly reading through the 1952 story with Hannah to get to Mallory’s story mostly because I really adore Monk *swoon* and wanted to find out what the heck happened between them.

I’m making a plea to @authorbeatriz - can there be a second book focusing on Paige?? I’d love to know the rest of her story. And there’s so much more to explore after where it left off in 1952.

Read for:
💟 Two Epic Love Stories
⌛️ Multiple Timelines - 1952, 2008, 2022
🤐 Family Secrets
❤️‍🩹 Heartbreak & Redemption
🫂 Second Chance Romance
💪 Badass Heroines
📍 Egypt // New England Beaches

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
Spice level: 🌶️/ 5

Quick and Dirty
-contemporary romance with historical flashbacks
-messy family drama
-coastal New England setting and vibes
-not your typical BW book
-open door, 🌶️🌶️/5 spice
-well narrated by Helen Laser and Caroline Hewitt

“Two women—separated by decades and continents and united by an exotic family heirloom—reclaim secrets and lost loves in this sweeping novel.”

What Worked
I’m not going to lie; I was NOT digging this book at first (more on that below). But once I wrapped my mind around what the book WAS NOT, I began to enjoy the story a lot more. Mallory and Monk’s romance was everything I wanted in a contemporary romance: messy, passionate, authentic, and bittersweet. I’m not a rom-com girlie; I need my relationships to come with some 💩 on the side (Talking at Night, Half-Blown Rose, Trespasses, Diva, etc). And BW delivers in a big way with the downfall and reunion of Mallory and Monk. I was so caught up in their drama that I was frustrated when the story shifted gears back to the historical timeline. Needless to say, I loved this romance. It was exactly what I wanted from a summer beach read!

What Didn’t Work
Now for the hammer. 🔨
This was not a histfic. Sure, there is a historical timeline that ties in nicely with the story, but it felt unnecessary, distracting, and frivolous. I think many of my mutuals will dislike the cheating storyline arc in Hannah’s story. I don’t usually get my feathers ruffled about cheating, but this just felt icky. I was also taken aback (at first) by the spice level and the language (plenty of F 💣 in this one), so buyer beware. But, as I said before, once I got over what it wasn’t, I enjoyed most of what it was.

Read This If
If you enjoyed Meant to Be by Emily Griffin, you will love this one!

There is not a Beatriz Williams book I don't love so I new this story was going to be special. However, I did not realize the emotional toll that "Husbands and Lovers" was going to take on me. I really enjoyed the two places in time going on (3 technically) and how they were interwoven at the end. I have to admit that throughout the story I was not relating to Mallory and could not understand her actions as a young adult. However, once I reached the end of the story it all made sense and I completely understood her storyline and he internal struggle. One of my favorite reads of the year for sure.

Another compelling read from Beatriz Williams! Mallory is a single mom with a chronically ill son. We slowly learn about her past and the choices she made. Much of the story takes place in the New England resort beach towns and adds to the overall feel of the story without focusing on the rich. One can relate to the characters from present day..

We also have a story unraveling in 1950s Egypt which ends up compelling Mallory and her sister to do some research to learn about their family history. The story from Egypt is interesting but one does have some trouble connecting to the characters during that time frame. Much of the circumstances are a follow up to World War 2 and that is woven into the story.

Present day features Mallory coming to terms with and old flame and it is an enjoyable part of the story. I enjoyed all the present day characters and the struggles they had. Thank you Netgalley for the chance to review this book.

I’ve always enjoyed Beatriz Williams’ books, and this one did not disappoint. Her characters are so well-developed and witty – strong, no-nonsense female characters who know their minds. This book alternates between Hannah, in 1950s Cairo, and Mallory, in 2020s New England.

The opening scene was so well-written, emotionally charged, and perfectly described – I was hooked immediately and had a hard time putting this book down from there. The perfect beach read for summer!

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House for the advance copy in exchange for honest review. 5 stars, strongly recommend!

Mallory Dunne is raising her thirteen year old son Sam on her own. She leans on her sister for support and is doing fine as a single mother until Sam needs a kidney transplant. Sam's father is the famous rock star and super nice guy, Monk Adams. Mallory and Monk were once in a relationship. Paige tries to convince Mallory that Monk must be told of his son's existence. Maybe he would be a match for a kidney transplant? Paige discovers some hidden away paperwork that proves their mother was adopted. This is a shock to both women. Williams brings her reader to Cairo in 1951 to meet Hannah Ainsworth, Mallory and Paige's grandmother. Hannah's life is one of great love and tragedy. Williams deftly alternates Hannah's story with her present day plot. Husbands & Lovers is a fantastic novel and a definite must read for the summer of 2924.

Alright, you’d think that after reading 17 Beatriz Williams books prior to this one, I’d be bored or maybe at least unsurprised by the twists she throws the reader’s way in every single one of her books- WRONG! The way William’s can build characters and wolds between modern-day and olden day stories will never ever get old. The drama, the deception, the adultery, the shocking secrets keep me on the edge of my seat in every book of hers, including Husbands & Lovers. Just when I thought I expected what was going to happen again, Williams throws out something even more shocking to the storyline. However, what I love about Beatriz’s books is that beyond the drama and romantic stories, there are true tails of the war and most of the time stories of how strong women had to endure the war. Learning those bits and pieces of history, especially one as little-known and nuanced as the Soviet-Hungarian conflict and Egypts rich post WW-history are what keep me coming back to Williams’ books.

To say I’m excited to read the remaining 2 William’s books - The Beach at Summerly and the Wicked Widow (the only 2 I haven’t read yet)- would be an understatement! I am also greatly looking forward to the new WWW murder book 😄

This book definitely deserves a 5-star rating! It has instantly become one of my favorite reads of 2024. The narrative unfolds in two distinct timelines and takes place in contrasting corners of the globe. This captivating story has left a lasting impression on me. It beautifully combines elements of romance, family dynamics, and historical fiction, creating a truly remarkable tale. The characters are exceptionally well-developed, adding depth and richness to the overall reading experience. Needless to say, I am eagerly looking forward to exploring more works by this talented author..

Thank you to Net Galley and Ballantine books for the advance copy,. I have given an honest review.

Two story lines decades apart, how will they come together in this brilliant new offering from Beatriz Williams... I was blown away by this one usually with time jumpers I like the past time lines better but with this one I enjoyed the present better. I got sucked into Mallory and Monks story line. The book flowed good, and kept my interest but I couldn't wait to get back to their parts in the story. And what about that cobra bracelet...umm I want one. Overall gave it 4 stars. Im gonna wait patiently (or try to) for her next one.

<b> *Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Random Publishing Group/Ballantine, for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review *</b>

Outstanding.

Have you encountered an author whose writing makes you fall in love every time you read it? Beatriz Williams is one of those authors for me. Every time I read one of her novels, I'm hooked and can't seem to get enough of the plot, reading until I reach the final page. I first read a book she co-wrote with Karen White & Lauren Willig in 2018, and I have been reading her books since then. When I heard she was writing a new book, I immediately requested it at Netgalley. I’m so glad that I did. Husbands and Lovers is a book you will not want to put down once you start it. I'm delighted to have the opportunity to read Mallory and Hannah's stories.

I love dual stories, particularly those that take place years apart. Hannah and Mallory were set years apart, and I questioned if there was any connection between the two storylines from the start. I loved reading both Hannah and Mallory's stories. I liked that Hannah's story took place in Egypt, which I hadn't read much about, and I learned much more about it simply from reading this book. Mallory, I loved her character development and her devotion to her son, Sam. I knew from the start that she would do anything for Sam. Of course, I couldn't help but think about Sam's father, and I had a feeling that if she kept it a secret for this long, it would ultimately come out. I wondered about why she kept it a secret.

I liked both Hannan and Mallory's timelines, which had you on the edge of your seat. However, Mallory and Monk's story interested me a bit more; I couldn't get enough of their story. I wondered what had occurred between them and if they would get back together. I hoped that they would. I read late into the night because I was busy studying throughout the day. The beginning was slow, but I couldn't put the book down after a few pages. Husbands and Lovers is a story you won't forget. I'm excited to see what Beatriz Williams has in store for us next!

Beatriz Williams’ latest book “Husbands and Lovers” arrives in stores a week before the 4th of July holiday: a beach read, a bodice-ripper, a family saga, an historical novel. There is something for everyone within these pages.
Her story has a dual timeline, one in present day Connecticut, the other in Cairo in the 1950’s. Interwoven into this story is a critically ill child, a single mother, a rock star, a Hungarian refugee, British dignitaries living in Egypt, and a spy. Oh, my.
Mallory Dunne was the nanny for a resident on the wealthy enclave of Winthrop Island one summer during her college years. She had a summer romance with the son of her employer. Her story revolves around that summer and the ensuing years.
Hannah Ainsworth is married to an older British political liaison in Cairo during a time of unrest in the area: the Egyptians were dismayed over the new state of Israel while they were also unhappy with the British presence in their country. Hannah’s story involves events during that time, plus her tragic backstory.
Beatriz Williams interweaves these two stories together in alternating chapters. I found both stories sympathetic but felt that Hannah’s was the most heart-wrenching. I think that from the little we learn of Hannah’s later life, there is another novel lurking there.
This was a quick read for me. I felt deeply for some of the characters. I would recommend it for readers who enjoy historical fiction, plus romance readers.
My thanks to Netgalley, Random House Publishing and Beatriz Williams for an advanced copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

The perfect book with a mix of storylines- one historical fiction, the other a contemporary fiction love story. I loved every moment of reading this book. The characters development was strong. I will recommend to all my book loving friends.

To be completely honest, I had a difficult time engaging with this book. There were several points while reading that I found myself a bit lost due to the separate storylines. With that said, the two storylines made for a unique read and one that was definitely worth it in the end. Overall, I would recommend.

Thank you to Ballantine Books and Net Galley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

I was sucked into this book from the very beginning and couldn't put the book down until the end. I loved both storylines but loved Monk and Mallory the most. It was a great summer read with something for everyone. It has a little spice, a little history, a little family drama, and a little beach town. Top book of the year for me.

This is a great summer read set between New England and Cairo, Egypt. We alternate between Hannah's story in the 1950s and Mallory today being a single mom to a 13 year old who almost died after ingesting a poisonous mushroom. We are slowly finding why little Sam's dad is out of the picture and how it would be necessary to get ahold of him as he might be a match to donate a kidney to Sam who is going through dialysis everyday after this mushroom almost killed him.
Beatriz Williams takes us on this wild adventure in fancy Cairo in the50s. We get to know Hannah (Mallory's grandmother). Today's storyline is my favorite though. A great second chance romance trope, adorable secondary characters, strong and loveable main characters. A perfect beach read!

I love a good historical fiction book. This one has dual timelines which I normally really enjoy but it didn't work for me in this case. In one timeline we are following Hannah a Hungarian woman married to a British diplomat who she does not love. She is a spy in Cairo and while I enjoyed learning about the historical part of of her story, I did not like the way it was written and I was bored when reading her story line. I really enjoyed reading the second timeline of Mallary. She is a young woman who wants to be an artist. She falls in love with Monk Adams who is a talented musician but his father has other plans for him. They have a sweet romance.
The thing I really did not like about this book is the constant use of the F word. It was not necessary and a bit distracting as a reader. While it is a given there will be sex scenes in this book there were times when it was a bit much. Also, trigger warnings for rape.