I am such a fan of Beatriz Williams and this novel proved why. I enjoyed the New England 2022 and the Cairo, Egypt 1951 storylines. Unforgettable, heartbreaking and fabulous.

Absolutely LOVED this!!!!!! Went into this novel completely blind and I am so happy I did! I am not one who likes historical fiction - however I must say that this book really swayed me in its favor. I did fall in love with Mallory and Monk and their story. I loved going back and forth with Mallory and then finding out how it connected to Hannah and it all just came together full circle. While I did enjoy the Mallory chapters just a bit more than the Hannah ones, overall the switching was so well done that it left no room for confusion as one would think with so many changing locations and time frames. I would have loved to have more on Mallory's sister, Paige as well! This book really just had it all. It did it in such a well paced manner, but dealt with very heavy topics that are not often talked about.

*A solid 4.5 read for me!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this digital ARC for my review!!

The author's use of dual timelines and dual POVs in this novel were stellar. I loved hearing from both woman and comparing their stories. I think the author truly excelled in explaining the settings for these two characters, as well as showing their character development. There was some mystery, a lot of entertainment, and overall a really good story. I would definitely read more from this author and recommend her books to friends.

Husbands & Loverz is a brilliant blend of historical intrigue, complex relationships, and Beatriz Williams’ signature style of writing. From the very first page, Williams captivates the reader with her rich, evocative descriptions of 20th-century life, making you feel as though you’re stepping into another era. The novel’s main character is a woman torn between love and duty, which leads to riveting emotional conflicts and unexpected twists. Williams handles this delicate balance between passion and propriety with grace, crafting a story that is as heart-wrenching as it is romantic. It’s a perfect read for those who love historical fiction with a strong, empowered female protagonist.

I've had this ARC for quite awhile and I'm not sure what took me so long to read it. I finally did and it was SO good. I think it is my new favorite Beatriz Williams book. The two different storylines of Hannah and Mallory were both captivating, though I have to admit that I was drawn slightly more to Mallory's story. The writing was beautiful. I highly recommend this to fans of historical fiction, but also to everyone else!

"Husbands & Lovers" is a wonderful title and this "beach read" is much more than simple. This is a dramatic read with an unexpected ending and so much beautiful writing on the pages from beginning to end. Dual timeline novels can be tricky for the reader, but Williams is skilled in keeping the pace throughout.

Beatriz Williams is a must read author for me and this book was great. Multiple story lines weave together from different time periods to create a family story that is satisfying and intriguing. Some of the characters make decisions that are frustrating, but that adds to the story, flawed characters in deep emotion. I greatly enjoyed the variety of locations explored in the story, as not all of these historical aspects are typical of this genre. It was enjoyable all the way around.

I received an ARC from Netgalley, and this review is my own.

I love this book! I learned so much while also enjoying the story. The characters were interesting and dynamic. I wasn't too sure how it was going to go, but I was along for the ride the whole way. I've recommended this to friends and patrons alike, I think that people who want a little romance with their historical fiction will eat this up. Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this ARC!

This book was a slow burn for me but in the end I loved it! I Tammy a little disconnected from the book for the first 20% or so but one I was hooked I dropped everything to finish it widely! I love dual timelines and thought this one did a pretty good job of trying them together

I am thankful to have been approved to read and review a copy of this book. Beatriz Williams is one of my absolute favorite authors so this was a real treat! I love her kick butt female characters and the way she weaves together dual timelines. This one was fascinating. It has a different feel from her other books but I loved how it pulled together so many different experiences from so many different eras. Such a cool book!

I am a huge fan of Beatriz Williams’ novels. I was excited to receive this ARC but this was not a favorite of mine. I didn’t enjoy the 1950s storyline and the cobra aspect. I also felt, in the current day storyline, like a mother wanting to save her son’s life would certainly contact a man that could help. It just wasn’t my favorite. I will absolutely continue to love this author though!

Truly one of my favorite books I read this summer, and I look forward to exploring more of Williams' backlist in the future. The two timelines feel perfectly balanced in this story, in that we're able to spend a bit more time in the present with actions driving the story forward while the past timeline is interesting and meandering until we get to its sucker-punch ending. I almost felt like I was reading two different books (in a good way!) and enjoyed how the two stories ultimately dovetailed.

I adored this book! It was so incredibly well written and a poignant story about love, forgiveness and second chances.

I don’t usually read historical fiction, but I’m so glad 🙂 read this book. The dual timelines added a lot to the story and I was so invested in the characters. Highly recommend!

Husbands & Lovers by Beatriz Williams is a poignant and intricately woven tale that spans decades and continents, exploring themes of love, loss, and redemption. In New England, single mother Mallory Dunne grapples with her son Sam's life-threatening illness, which forces her to confront painful secrets from her past, including her tumultuous romance with the renowned singer-songwriter Monk Adams and her mother’s troubled history tied to an Irish orphanage. Meanwhile, in 1951 Cairo, Hungarian refugee Hannah Ainsworth navigates her own heartbreaking choices amidst political unrest and personal betrayal. Williams's richly drawn characters and evocative settings create a captivating narrative that resonates with readers. This novel will appeal to those who appreciate stories that delve into the complexities of human relationships and the sacrifices made for love, all while providing a sweeping historical backdrop and emotional depth that linger long after the final page.

This is absolutely five stars! Multiple timelines, fascinating history, young love, old love, parenting, sisters, beautiful and exotic locations - this one has it all. I don’t know how Beatriz Williams managed to weave together this gorgeous story but I am so grateful she did. I just loved it!

Liked it, but also struggled with this.
I can't buy into a son being ill, the mom knowing there's a chance dad can help, but REFUSING to contact him. So selfish!!!

Beatriz Williams just never disappoints. “Husbands & Lovers” is an exquisite story chronicling the heartbreak, love, sadness & hurt that span human emotions.

Set in both the 1950s & 2020s, you will find yourself transported not only between the time periods, but between two female narrators connected across time & continents.

With a mix of romance & mystery, “Husbands & Lovers” is the perfect novel to curl up with by the fire or enjoy while relaxing beachside.

What a wonderful story that took us from 1950s Cairo to today Cape Cod with connections. Hannah married an older man but had a past from him that she kept secret. She shared that secret and many other things with Lucien. Flash forward to Mallory, Monk, Paige and Sam. Mallory and Monk met in school and were good friends with a connection. Mallory and Paige are sisters who find after their mother died that their mother was adopted. Sam is Mallory’s son who went away to summer camp and ate a poisonious mushroom by accident and is now in kidney failure. And there is this ruby and diamond cobra bracelet left to Mallory by her mom that ties into the past. Loved loved loved this story!

Husbands and Lovers by Beatriz Williams is a great summer read with great character development and plot points. Loved it! Auto-buy author

I don’t say this often, but this is one of the best books I have read in a long time. I loved the two timelines as well as the timelines within them; they were easy to follow and developed the entire breadth of the story well. Her obvious research contributed greatly to the integrity of the book.. Both storylines captured my interest, and the many cliffhangers at the end of the chapters kept me reading—I finished this book in record time. The writing flows well, and the character development is superb. I can’t wait to read more from this author!