Two women, separated by time and place, but united by a family heirloom. The interwoven timelines of the characters was done so flawlessly. I loved this book so much, however, I have to admit I loved the story line of Mallory so much more than Hannah's story. I couldn't wait to get to the chapters with Mallory and Monk. I loved that storyline so much. This is my first Beatriz Williams novel and now I'll be going back to read through her other novels and will be looking forward to future works as well.

The novel's plot is equally compelling, with twists and turns that keep readers guessing until the very end. Williams masterfully weaves together multiple storylines, seamlessly blending romance, mystery, and drama into a cohesive and satisfying narrative. The pacing is brisk, with tension building steadily as secrets are revealed and relationships unravel.

In addition to its engaging plot and well-drawn characters, "Husbands and Lovers" also offers a vivid portrait of 1960s New York City. Williams captures the glitz and glamour of the era with vivid descriptions of fashion, decor, and social mores, transporting readers to a bygone era of cocktail parties and society scandals.

Overall, "Husbands and Lovers" is a captivating and immersive read that will appeal to fans of historical fiction, romance, and suspense. With its compelling characters, intricate plot, and richly detailed setting, it is a book that will linger in the minds of readers long after they've turned the final page. Beatriz Williams has once again proven herself to be a master storyteller, and "Husbands and Lovers" is sure to delight fans old and new.

A great story about a family of women through the generations. There’s mystery, there’s intrigue , there’s love, there’s loss, there’s betrayal, there’s shock, and there is a nice twist at the end. Miss Williams does it again, with a great book that covers a significant event in history, all the way to modern day.

Often when a novel switches between timelines and protagonists, I get lost and/or prefer one of the plots to the other. This wasn't the case with Husbands and Lovers. Beatriz Williams wove a tale of Hannah and Mallory, strong women who survived the many wrongs committed against them.

There were times when I was literally laughing out loud at the quick wit of Mallory, especially as she interacted with her sister Paige. Another home run by Beatriz Williams.

"Husbands & Lovers" by Beatriz Williams is a compelling and beautifully written novel that captivates from the very first page. What stands out most in this engaging narrative is the masterful use of dual timelines, which Williams skillfully intertwines to enrich the story's depth and emotional resonance. This literary device adds layers of intrigue and complexity, allowing readers to immerse themselves fully in the contrasting yet connected worlds of the characters- I really did not know how the two timelines were going to come together until the very end of the book.

This won't go down as my favorite Beatriz Williams novel of all time, but I appreciated this felt like a departure from some of her other more recent books- the plot about Mallory and her son Sam was really sweet, and I learned a lot about kidney transplants I did not know before reading this book! I love all of Beatriz's novels and will continue to be a loyal reader as they always offer a great blend of historical fiction and women's fiction.

This was a sweeping novel spanning decades. In typical Beatriz Williams fashion. If you like her style and stories you’ll like this one.

A tragedy in the family leads to trying to learn the history of a woman’s mother to save her son. The multiple timelines aren’t confusing and the author paints a very descriptive picture of what life was like for the many women at the center of this novel.

Thank you Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC.

A story of two women in very different times and situations that are somehow woven together. I enjoyed it very much even though at times it felt like I was reading two separate novels. The two stories did not seem to go together - and both were very good stories! Just keep reading and soon there will be glimpses of connection. Mallory in 2022 and Hannah in 1951 in Egypt. Both women are dealing with relationships that are broken and both are learning how to navigate through to find happiness and peace. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read the advanced copy in exchange for my review. It is a great story of strong women making hard decisions.

Husbands and Lovers by Beatriz Williams tells the story of Mallory present day single mom with a child who needs dialysis. Also includes Hannah’s story in Cairo Egypt in 1952. Beatriz is one of my favorite authors for Historical Fiction.

Let’s start with Mallory. I’m didn’t really like her at the beginning of the story. She seemed very angry and abrasive at the beginning. But she changed in the story when spending the summer on Winthrop Island and seeing her old flame Monk. Love her comments and sense of humor. The line about and I thought food allergy moms had it tough was great! I love her sister Paige.

Hannah’s story was extremely interesting and suspenseful with a lot of research. Sometimes it was hard to figure out in what time events were happening. Was it a past scene or happening now? I had to stop and think for a bit for it to make sense.

I really liked the book and will definitely recommend it. Thank you to NetGallery and Ballentine Books for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review.

this book was everything i’ve been craving in a book recently without even knowing what i was looking for—a swoon worthy rock star who can’t get over the one that got away, a badass historical woman upending a somewhat untapped angle of world war ii, family drama, summer love, the modern day version of meredith blake, etc.

husbands & lovers combined components of my all time favorite books/movies, which means it’s everything i’ve been looking for in my most recent book rut:
the parent trap
the notebook
daisy jones & the six
the nightingale
the summer i turned pretty

Husbands and Lovers is the next book written by Beatriz Williams and it is both engaging and page turning. I couldn't put it down!

If you are a fan of Ms. Williams novels, you will recognize the setting for this story, which is back on the imaginary Winthrop Island. Some of the inhabitants of the island will also be familiar. In this intriguing story, the search for a kidney donor leads sisters Paige and Mallory in a quest to investigate and identify the family of their mother who was adopted. The author blends present day with Egyptian history of the 1950's keeping the reader on the edge of their seat.
This novel was a delight to read. The characters are engaging and the dialog was stimulating. The relationships are so intriguing and at times, heartbreaking. I loved the book and highly recommend it.

I love Beatriz Williams so I was thrilled to receive an ARC for her latest novel, Husbands and Lovers! Thank you so much to Random House and NetGalley!

I tore through this in two days, couldn’t put it down. The story is mostly told through Mallory’s and Hannah’s perspectives during three timelines. I loved the Mallory/Monk storylines in both their young adult and adult timelines. I enjoyed Hannah’s story, but found myself skipping over paragraphs that went into too much detail about the politics of the time. I just couldn’t get into it and I love historical fiction. Regardless, I throughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it!

Absolutely amazing. Reading this book is like getting several books in one. The way the author wove the past and present seamlessly kept me turning page after page to see what happened next. One of the best parts was that it was not in chronological order; the past and the present unraveled simultaneously, invoking some deep emotions in the characters and me as the reader. There was one character that I could not stand throughout the book, but at the end, the author brought him full circle and I began to understand. My heart ached for this family time after time, but the ending took the pain out of the sting. Highly recommend if you are a fan of historical fiction romance.

Thank you to Net Galley and Penguin Random House for an early copy of Husbands and Lovers by Beatriz Williams

Author Beatriz Williams returns to East Coast's fictional Winthrop Island as the setting for the dual story of a young, male musician, Monk Adams, dedicated to the design-student love of his life, Mallory Dunne, and her discovery of a grandmother's life she knew nothing about. The compelling characters, dialog and situations conclude with secrets revealed and lives forever changed.

When Mallory Dunne becomes pregnant and walks out on her future with Monk Adams, she believes she has done what is best for all concerned. However, a tragedy affecting their son, Sam, will set the stage for revelation and a chance to make things right. Monk Adams's loving attitude toward the son he did not know existed is a positive and refreshing male response to a difficult situation.

The back story of a mysterious bracelet Mallory has inherited leads her and her sister Paige to the details of her Hungarian grandmother and the secret life she led during and following World War II. Action following the war takes her grandmother to the 1950s unrest in Cairo due to British rule and disagreements over the Suez Canal.

Williams has included additional reading of the Soviet/Hungarian situation to enhance the reading of Husbands and Lovers and offer more details of the world Mallory's grandmother hoped to improve.

As soon as Beatriz Williams announces her next book, I begin plotting how I can get my greedy little hands on it, and this one is no exception. I have been reading Williams now for years and I adore all her books. I love how they are all connected to each other, weaving a tapestry of drama and intrigue through her characters. The world she has created is fascinating and has me looking in, bowl of popcorn in hand as all her machinations unfold. To say she is a masterful storyteller is an understatement, at least in my opinion. Husbands & Lovers is no exception to this rule. It might be my favorite Beatriz Williams yet.
Set over three timelines and featuring two strong female leads, Husbands & Lovers has all the tangled storylines and dramatic revelations one has come to expect from a Beatriz Williams novel. In 1951, we meet Hannah, a Hungarian refugee living with her British diplomat husband in Cairo. While a fascinating peek into the devolution of Anglo-Egyptian relations during the Cold War period, this storyline seemed very much secondary to the 2008 and 2022 storylines. That doesn't mean that Hannah is any less of an interesting character. On the contrary, her journey only heightens the intrigue as the plot develops in the modern day timeline due to the connections between the characters. Nevertheless, it is Mallory and her relationship with the now-famous music star Monk Adams that truly steals the show. The reader not only gets to tag along as Mallory and Monk's story unfolds in 2008, but also gets to witness the repercussions of their relationship in the 2022 timeline.
Ultimately, this is a story about the power of a mother's love, and how this love can be manifested in very different ways. Both Hannah and Mallory experience tragedy and loss in their respective stories, but it is how they react to their circumstances that keeps the reader turning the page. While both stories have a resolution by the last page, I can't help but hope that we might see more of Mallory thanks to an ending that could possibly hint at an ellipses rather than a full stop.
Beatriz Williams has worked her magic again. Husbands & Lovers is a powerful, emotive novel that sweeps you off your feet and sets you back down a little richer than you were before. I can't wait to see where she takes us next.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC.

In one timeline, Mallory’s now-13-year-old son has been living on dialysis for three years and needs a new kidney. Her sister can’t persuade her to talk to the biological father, who is now a world-famous musician. She made her choice a long time ago and doesn’t want him to think she wants his money—or his body parts. But the need for a kidney does get Mallory and Paige looking into their ancestry, which is filled with secrets.

In 1951, Hannah married an older man for his money but is having an affair that has more secrets than your typical dalliance.

The stories merge into a satisfying story of enduring love through the various challenges life throws at you.

NetGalley provided an advance copy of this novel, which RELEASES JUNE 25, 2024.

US pub date: 6/25/24
Genre: historical fiction, dual timeline
Quick summary: Two women fight against long odds: in 2022, Mallory seeks out her sick son's father for a kidney transplant, while in 1951 Cairo, Hannah finds herself in a dangerous affair.

I've read a lot of Beatriz Williams' books, so I had to grab this one for a pre-summer treat. There is plenty of drama in this book, and for me, it veered towards the soapier side of her catalog. I also wish the two timelines had connected earlier - I found myself really confused as to how Hannah's timeline would fit with Mallory's. They did connect in the end, but overall, I enjoyed Mallory's story more than Hannah's. If you're looking for a lighter read, you may enjoy this one more than I did!

Thank you to Ballantine Books for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for an ARC of Husbands and Lovers by Beatriz Williams.

Husbands and Lovers ticks all the boxes for a light summer read. Two different storylines from two eras - but each deals with questions of parentage and disappointing love affairs.

That said, I didn't find the characters or storyline particularly deep or compelling, but the story will keep you entertained for a few hours.

Husbands & Lovers is one of my favorite Beatriz Williams’ books! I so enjoy the way she brings the reader along with her through her stories - the descriptive writing, the depth of characters, the evocative locations. Such a pleasure to spend time immersed in her sagas!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballentine for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Solid 3.5 stars! I really loved all of the tangling of relationships in this book (the title couldn’t be more perfect). The ending was also very satisfying. Hannah’s 1950s parts dragged a bit for me, and the book was also a little slow moving in the beginning. But other parts were page turners, and Monk and Mallory were easy to root for! Thank you for the ARC.

Among Beatriz’s best! Beatriz Williams’ Husbands & Lovers is a superbly crafted tale weaving together an ambitious three timelines. Williams’ research is impeccable as always, and, as with the best of historical fiction, I learned much about which I was previously unaware in the fascinating strand set in 1950s Cairo among the British expat community.

The beating heart of this story, however, is Mallory, who is the protagonist of the more contemporary storylines. Williams’ writing is always exquisite, and she has long been among my favorite authors. But she has somehow imbued Mallory, Monk, Sam and the whole cast of secondary characters appearing in later years with a stunning degree of life and relatability. Her writing in these passages is more lively, more playful, more joyful. And that effervescence has made for an immensely interesting, enjoyable and memorable story.

I would ever so eagerly welcome a sequel featuring Williams’ contemporary characters - perhaps focusing on the next chapter for Sam or. Mallory’s sister?

Highly recommended!

Many thanks to NetGalley and to Ballantine (Random House) for the privilege of a complimentary ARC. Opinions are my own.