This is probably my 6th book of hers, and it's near the top of my list. Beatriz Williams always handles the dual timelines and pacing well. The modern timeline with the summertime vibe was very atmospheric, and I loved the secondary cast of characters. I also love a "second chance" plotline. The historical timeline had a bit more grit, and I found myself having to Google "when was Egypt independent" and wondering why the British were there and what the Israelites were doing. I was fully invested in the characters and there were some good thoughts there about privilege, power, and consent. This will be a great summer read!

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book ahead of publication. As a fan of Beatriz Williams, I was very excited to get a head start on this one!

This book is told in three time frames by two characters. I really was only interested in the "Mallory" story (told in 2008 and 2022) and wasn't quite sure how the "Hannah" story was supposed to fit in (also told in multiple time frames, from 1952 and memories of the character during this time). For about the first half, I would reach a Hannah chapter and want to get back to Mallory, but the second half the Hannah story got more interesting. I am not sure that either of these characters needed the other one to tell their stories, but overall I did wind up enjoying both. Of course they tied together (slightly) and I did enjoy the book. I was looking forward to seeing how all things turned out and wound up reading the last 40% in one sitting. A lot of unnecessary use of the F-word, I was not offended, but didn't think the story needed it, felt it was unusual for Williams. The contemporary time frame is new for her, and I enjoyed that. I liked the island setting with the rich people culture- a look into how the other half lives- or the top 1%. HA! Not William's best, but still very enjoyable and recommended for fans of hers.

One of my favorite books! Mallory is a single mom and her son needs a kidney donation after eating a poisonous mushroom. Since she and her sister aren't compatible donors, he is on a waiting list. She won't tell anyone who her son's father is and that's the real story in this book. In flashbacks we learn about her relationship with his father and the reason she no longer is in contact with him. At the same time, her sister finds out their mother (who recently passed away) was adopted and she is searching for more family who could be a compatible donors. Chapters follow Hannah who lives in Egypt in 1951. How is her story connected to Mallory? I loved this book, it had a bit of everything - romance, friendship, family and the history of Egypt. The only thing I didn't like is the cover and the title. I don't feel like they had anything to do with the story. A better cover would include the gold snake bracelet that's so integral to the story. I originally wanted to read it this only for a reading prompt of a book that takes place in the 1950s but I'm so glad I took a chance on this book.

It took me a little bit to get into this book, but then I was hooked. It weaves together a fun and compelling modern story with a historical fiction storyline that was educational and compelling. By the end I just couldn’t put it down. This will make a very fun summer read!

Loved this historical fiction blended with a contemporary storyline! Williams latest book does not disappoint and has elements crossing several genres. I really enjoyed reading this hard to put down read. Loved the character development and family drama. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC opportunity.

Beatriz Williams delivers yet another literary gem with 'Husband and Lovers.' Set against the backdrop of the roaring 1920s, this novel effortlessly transports readers into a world of glamour, intrigue, and forbidden love. Williams's impeccable attention to detail brings the era to life, from the glitzy parties of Manhattan's elite to the lush landscapes of the French Riviera. But it's the complex characters and their intertwining relationships that truly steal the show. As secrets unravel and passions ignite, readers are drawn deeper into a captivating tale of love, betrayal, and redemption. With her trademark blend of historical accuracy and irresistible storytelling, Williams proves once again why she's a master of the genre. 'Husband and Lovers' is a spellbinding read that will leave you longing for more.

A big disclaimer that historical fiction isn't my go to genre, but I was super intrigued by the blurb and had to request this one. Hannah's story is set in the 50's in Egypt, and Mallory's story flips between 2008 and present day. It took me a while to get invested in Hannah's part of the story, but once I was hooked, I was dying to know where it was going to lead <spoiler>(though it did seem obvious that it was going to intersect in some way with Mallory)</spoiler>. I also loved the romance between Mallory and Monk and how there was a sense of will-they-won't-they, <spoiler>despite having a full on child together</spoiler>.

TW for sexual assault, which occurs quite late into the book, but is still worth noting.

Love Beatriz Williams writing, and this books was wonderfully written.
The characters were genuine.

Husbands & Lovers is a captivating tale that spans decades and continents, weaving together the lives of two remarkable women bound by family secrets and lost loves.
In present-day New England, Mallory Dunne grapples with the aftermath of her son's near-fatal poisoning, leading her on a journey to uncover long-buried secrets from her past. As she delves into her mother's adoption and her own tumultuous romance with a famous singer-songwriter, Mallory confronts painful truths and embarks on a quest for redemption.
Meanwhile, in 1950s Cairo, Hungarian refugee Hannah Ainsworth finds herself ensnared in a web of passion and intrigue that threatens to upend her carefully constructed life. As revolution looms on the horizon, Hannah must navigate the complexities of love and loyalty in a world on the brink of change.
The author skillfully brings these two distinct worlds to life, immersing readers in the glamour of midcentury Cairo and the tranquil beauty of contemporary New England. Her characters are richly drawn and deeply human, grappling with issues of privilege, class, and the enduring power of love.
Filled with heartbreak, redemption, and moral complexity, Husbands & Lovers is a poignant and beautifully crafted novel that will linger in readers' minds long after they've turned the final page. The author once again proves herself to be a master storyteller, seamlessly blending historical detail with timeless themes of resilience and hope.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to Ballantine Books and Random House, Net Galley and the author Beatriz Williams for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book and everything about it. I had a hard time putting it down.

This historical fiction and romance novel is told from multiple POVs. The two main POVs are Mallory and Hannah. In 2022, Mallory is a single mom raising her son, Sam. When he travels to NH for summer camp, he eats a poisonous mushroom and becomes very ill. He needs a transplant and Mallory and her sister are not a match. She has no intentions of asking his father, the famous musician, Monk Adams. When discovers a secret about her mother, this becomes the lead she needs.

Hannah is living in Cairo in 1950. She is a Hungarian refugee with flashbacks of her traumatic past during the war. She is now in a loveless marriage with a British diplomat. When she is bitten by a snake, a charming young man comes to her rescue. Will he be the distraction she needs?

We also get the POV of Mallory back in 2008 when she was dating Monk Adams before he was famous. We get to see what played out that summer before they stopped speaking.

There are limited POVs from Mallory and Hannah’s lovers as well.

I would highly recommend this book. 5 stars.

Thank you @netgalley @authorbeatriz @randomhouse for the ARC of Husbands & Lovers!

My first thought after reading this was: this is not what I expected at all. Husbands and Lovers goes between the past and present with a connection to a family heirloom. I love when books go between past and present, and Beatriz Williams did it beautifully. I was angry with Mallory for a majority of the book, but my heart ached for her at the end. If you’re looking for a historical fictional/romance, you won’t be disappointed.

I can’t wait to get my hands on another Beatriz Williams book!

New England 2022-- Mallory Dunne is a single mom scrapping by. She has a 10 year old son Sam. One day Mallory receives news that Sam is in a hospital three hours away. He has been poisoned by a toxic mushroom at his summer camp. Mallory is devastated as Sam is going to need a kidney transplant, Neither Mallory or her sister Paige are a donor match. There are a few other people she might consider contacting but before she does that she has discovered her mother was adopted. She also wonders if she can find out about her mother';s family she might find someone to help Sam.

Cairo 1951-- Hannah Anderson is a Hungarian refuge married to a British Diplomat, Hannah is bitten by a snake and saved by Lucien Beck a hotel manager. This changes Hannah's life forever. There are two men in her life. One is a steady person she adores and the other is a forbidden passionate love, As she embarks on the affair with Lucian she will in the end have to make a decision that will change her life forever and that of her unborn child.

Sam's father is Monk Adams a famous rockstar who Hannah had met and had a relationship with 15 years ago. This medical incident happens just as Monk is going to get married to a famous influencer. Mallory and Monk had a great love story but will Sam's medical condition bring them back together or will Monk stay engaged.

The end of this book is great. I enjoyed the two timelines or technically three with the flash backs to Monk and Mallory's story. The stories are so interconnected and in the end they all come together.

For me, Beatriz Williams does no wrong. This was an excellent book and will be a surefire hit this summer season!

What most excited me about the novel was the numerous strong female protagonists. Not many authors can craft stories that truly grab me and make me want to keep reading. Beatriz kept me hooked on these women's lives. Romance, hints of danger, and real-life elements make all the characters relatable and likable.

I really enjoyed reading chapters from different character's points of view, and the ending was the perfect way to close the book. You have to get your hands on a copy of this one!

Wow! I just finished and I am still flush with good feelings. This book had so many layers. It had multiple stories that intertwined. But it was about families- where we came from, who raised us-it’s all connected. A wonderful read!

Thank you NetGallery for sharing this early edition of this book with me.
We follow Mallory in 2022 in New England While also following Hannah in Cairo in 1951.
Mallory is a single mother to Sam who is away at sleepaway camp. While he is there he becomes ill after eating a toxic mushroom. Sam now is in desperate need of a new kidney. Mallory must allow Sam’s out of the picture famous father into their lives. Mallory has only allowed certain people into Sam’s very sheltered world and this is a huge adjustment for everyone with extreme circumstances for all.

Hannah’s life is very complicated she marries, but she finds second chances as well.
This story is excited with many twists and turns, and was hard to put down. I really enjoyed reading this book. #netgallery

I DNFed Husbands & Lovers because I disliked the main heroine so much. She's an emotional hot mess, stubbornly allows her kid to suffer, and refuses to listen to anyone. I couldn't get past the first 20%.

**Thank you to Ballantine Books & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤

Infinite stars! This is one that will stick with me for a while. I actually said to myself halfway through, “I can’t believe I’m lucky enough to be reading this book.” Could there be a bigger compliment to an author? Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the advanced copy. I can’t tell you the last time I’ve enjoyed a book more. Publication date June 25, 2024.

I'm still reeling from this gorgeous, sumptuous saga, the latest from Beatriz Williams:

Mallory is a single mother living every parent's worst nightmare. Her ten year old son, Sam is poisoned at summer camp so severely that he is now in need of a new kidney. Mallory and her sister, Paige are not a donor match. There are no other eligible relatives except potentially Sam's father, a secret that Mallory has never divulged to anyone, including Sam.

Sam's father is not just any ordinary man. He's Monk Adams, a famous singer, splashed across the pages of every tabloid and People magazine for both his music and sexy good looks.

Mallory and Monk had a beautiful friendship and romance that ended abruptly when Mallory left right before the start of their summer road trip. If Mallory is going to tell Monk about his child-and just maybe save Sam's life-, she is going to have to confront the dark secret of why she has chosen to stay away from Monk for all of these years

Meanwhile, as a result of their genealogical research to find a relative that could potentially be a kidney donor for Sam, Mallory and Paige uncover the fact that the grandmother that they have always known is not their biological grandmother. Their biological grandmother Hannah was adopted from an Irish orphanage in 1952. In the midst of searching for a kidney, suddenly Mallory is faced with confronting a whole new section of her family tree and a new cultural identity for herself

As both Mallory and Hannah's stories unfold in dual timelines, a master class in compelling historical fiction is revealed. With perfect pacing, seamless transitions from the past and the present, multi-faceted characters, and an interesting twist or two, Beatriz Williams has produced a five star novel, perfect for summer escapism.

All the stars for this novel!

I"ll be honest, this one was a slow start for me! I actually put it down and started it again 3 different times! But once I got a few chapters in-HOLY COW!! I LOVED this book! It has 3 timelines going, and I feel like each one could be a 5 star read all on their own! I fell in love with the characters, I couldn't get enough of Mallory and Monk, and I want to read more of them! Monk is totally swoonworthy, and I love Mallory's strength, wit, and love. This is one I am buying for my bookshelf, and recommending to all of my friends! Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

I was highly anticipating Beatriz William's newest novel, and it did not disappoint.

I found myself invested in all of the characters and her story telling captivated me. The past and present timelines were told beautifully and didn't once frustrate me. Some books are difficult to read with dual timelines, but as always this author does it well.

This is absolutely worth getting and makes for a perfect summer read.