Another winning book by Beatriz Williams. Two women, two different time periods set up this storyline. Taking place in both Egypt and New England, the story links these characters together. I especially loved the storyline about Egypt, I did not know much about what happened there in the 1950's. It is obvious that the author researched this part throughly. I had the chance to meet this author last summer at a book signing, I will continue to recommend her to my friends.

Two strong female characters. Fantastic setting. Intricate plot that keeps you reading. I finished this novel in 2 days and I continue to think about the world and the characters.

In 2022, Mallory has a son (whose father happens to be a famous singer whom is also the love of her life from her college days) who goes to summer camp and eats a poisonous mushroom causing permanent kidney failure. When Mallory’s mother dies suddenly, Mallory and her sister find out that their mother was adopted. Enter Hannah. Hannah lives in Cairo, Egypt in the 1950s after WW2 and is in a marriage of convenience. When the handsome man at the hotel takes an interest in her, it starts a chain reaction.

Will the son get a kidney? Will Mallory and her long lost love get back together? Will Mallory and her sister find out who their biological family is?

Fun ride and I’m sure this will make all the summer reading lists. Thank you Random House and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

In <i>Husbands and Lovers </i> Beatriz Williams does what she does best: weaving together the stories of different women in different eras and circumstances. I very much enjoyed reading about the main characters and their lives. They are all interesting people that seem very real. As always, the plot unfolds beautifully, and of course there’s a touch of romance as well. I don’t think anyone does this better than Beatriz Williams.

Like all of Beatriz’s other books, this one I couldn’t put down. I loved the flashing back and forth and the different story lines. This was an excellent read!

Husbands and Lovers is set in two different time periods. The almost present-day story follows Mallory, a single mom whose son needs a kidney transplant. The earlier story follows Hannah who is in Egypt during the 1950s while stuck in a loveless marriage during a turbulent time the country's history. Both women are strong, and as the story unfolds, we learn of the connection between the two.

The settings - one in New England and the other in Egypt - were fascinating to read about and were replete with vivid imagery and details. Mallory and Hannah were amazing characters. Although early in the story I found myself frustrated with some of their choices, as the narrative unfolds, I came to understand why they did what they did. The author smoothly transitions between time periods.

As a side note, this is not her first novel set on Winthrop Island. The Beach at Summerly provides connections with some of the characters in this book. However, they are two separate novels and you do not need to read one to enjoy the other!

Thank you to Ms. Williams, Ballantine Books, and Random House for an advance e-reader copy of this book!

Great book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. A intriguing read that spans decades and explores love and family. And not to forget a dreaded mushroom!

*Big thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this title.

Well, that was FUN. I’m telling you, this book (Kinlde) refused to let me put it down. Attached at the hip!

You can pretty much count on anything by this author being a home run. To which, this read was no exception. Loved so much about it- the settings, the characters, the dual timelines. Everything I’ve come to expect from BW was up front and center. There were two issues I encountered that distracted me to the point of annoyance:

1) The change in timelines/ setting weren’t clearly divided leading to a lot of confusion on my part, not to mention rereading of many paragraphs. Perhaps this was due to an ARC unpolished copy? Not sure. Frustrating nonetheless.

2) Without spoiling, there’s a portion taking place in a hospital that splices at a critical point. When we jump back to this timeline, the hospital scene in completely over and it’s months down the road which lead to a) reader confusion b) major frustration & c) a broken bond to the story. Which sounds cheesy and over the top, but it’s true.

Overall, it’s a beautiful book and majorly worth the read. Just a few tweaks would make it even better!

Husbands & Lovers by Beatriz Williams is a fantastic dual timeline novel, told by an incredibly talented author. 1950s Cairo and 2022 Winthrop Island were brought to life and populated with characters that felt entirely real. I absolutely LOVED this book and couldn't be pulled from my ereader until I reached the end. But now I miss Hannah and Mallory so much! Highly recommend!!!

Another five-star book for Beatriz Williams! I absolutely LOVED Husbands & Lovers! I read this in November and the book doesn't come out until June so I'm a huge fan of Beatriz!

A little more romance than historical fiction I enjoyed this dual timeline book set in New England in the present/mid 2000s and Egypt in the 1950s. I equally enjoyed both storylines but I want a second book about Hannah! I loved that Winthrop Island was partially the setting for the more modern storyline.

The theme of Husbands & Lovers was there for both women and there were the surprises you expect to see in a Beatriz Williams book. There is a lot going on between the two women and different time periods but it all seamlessly comes together.

Do yourself a favor and add this to your TBR!

A huge huge thanks to Random House/Ballantine for an advanced copy!

I'm already planning to read this again for summer vacation in 2024. It's beautifully written with rich characters and an enthralling story. Well done, Williams. A must read author. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Five stars.

Husbands and Lovers by Beatriz Williams, readers are transported to two distinct yet interconnected narratives set in different eras. From the mysterious streets of Cairo in 1951 to the picturesque landscapes of New England in 2022, Williams weaves a tale of heartbreak, redemption, and the complex web of human relationships. The story begins in New England, where single mother Mallory Dunne receives the dreaded phone call that her young son, Sam, has fallen gravely ill due to poisoning. Desperate to find a compatible kidney donor, Mallory delves into her own past, unearthing two deeply buried secrets. Firstly, the adoption of her mother from an infamous Irish orphanage in 1952, and secondly, her own passionate summer romance with childhood best friend Monk Adams, who has since become a renowned singer-songwriter. Their fairytale romance was abruptly severed by a devastating betrayal, leaving scars that still haunt Mallory to this day. The narrative then shifts to 1951 Cairo, introducing Hungarian refugee Hannah Ainsworth. Having endured unimaginable tragedy during the war, Hannah has rebuilt her life as the wife of a wealthy British diplomat. However, a chance encounter with the enigmatic manager of a spy-infested hotel ignites a passionate affair that reawakens her longing for the life she lost. As the political turmoil of the Egyptian revolution rages on, Hannah finds herself entangled in a dangerous game between two men and faces a sacrifice that will reverberate across generations. Williams masterfully intertwines these two narratives, seamlessly blending past and present, and creating a timeless and bittersweet tale. The author delves deep into the complexities of human emotions, exploring themes of privilege, class, and the female experience against the backdrop of richly depicted settings. Through her eloquent prose, Williams brings to life the vibrant streets of midcentury Cairo, with its simmering tension and air of revolution. Equally compelling is her portrayal of contemporary New England, where moneyed beaches hide secrets and desires. The characters are beautifully crafted, each with their own flaws and vulnerabilities, making them relatable and engaging. "Husbands and Lovers" is a novel that tugs at the heartstrings, evoking a rollercoaster of emotions. Williams skillfully explores the choices we make, the sacrifices we endure, and the paths we take in the pursuit of love, redemption, and self-discovery. This poignant and thought-provoking story will leave readers reflecting on the complexities of life and the power of forgiveness. In conclusion, Beatriz Williams' "Husbands and Lovers" is a masterfully written novel that transports readers through time and space, captivating them with its intertwining narratives and deeply human characters. With its exploration of moral dilemmas, societal constraints, and the enduring bonds of love, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking a beautifully crafted and emotionally resonant story.

This book Husbands and Lovers by Beatriz Williams will be on my top reads of 2023 list! A wonderful story about two different women living in two different decades! The struggles/problems these women went through was written wonderfully!

Thank you Random House Publishers and NetGalley the ARC!!

This novel will take you around the world!

Mallory Dunne has a sick child and a mysterious past. As she searches (and waits) for a kidney donor for her son she is pushed by her sister to seek out the father of her child as well as track down any potential relatives by researching her deceased mother's life. Her sister drags her home to the cape where so much went wrong years ago.

Through flashbacks to Cairo in the 50's via a a character named Hannah and Mallory's life 15 years ago with her first love Monk, we are treated to excellent stories of women doing the absolute best they can in situations that leave few choices. Mallory,Monk and Hannah are characters you aren't soon to forget. There's some action, some adventure, espionage, romance and of course, mystery. This book has it all, grab it! #husbands&lovers #beatrizwilliams
#RandomHouse

Such a great story - or two stories intertwined. I honestly didn't know where this was going with the connection between the two, but it wrapped up beautifully. Beatriz does historical fiction so well and I loved the tie in with "today" in this story. An excellent read.

I adored this novel told on a dual timeline as two sisters search for answers about their mother. A down to earth rock star love interest ans a very interesting trip to Ireland made this novel.come to life. One of my favorites by this author. Not to be missed!

An absolutely stellar new edition to one of my favorite historical fiction authors, Beatriz Williams has truly outdone herself with "Husbands and Lovers." Fantastic witty repartee is one of the things I most enjoy about her books, and it there are some wonderful exchanges between the characters that I found myself rereading because they were so good! This book definitely is for the romance lover, because of the lovely romance and the way it tugs at your heart strings. I would say this is the perfect book to read at the beach, on vacation, at home, listen to in the car...just somehow read it! You won't be sorry. I highly recommend this book and can't wait to get my hands on a paper copy!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book.

I have so many great things to say about this book and could not put it down once I started it.

I loved the dual timeline of the book because it really brought the past and present together for me. We get to know modern-day Mallory, a single mom dealing with the aftermath of her son's accident and past Mallory, a teenager falling in love with Monk. We also follow her grandmother, Hannah, living in Egypt in the 1950's as Hannah digs into her DNA in order to help her son.

I enjoyed every bit of this book and was sad to say goodbye to these characters when it was over.

The way the two timelines come together is beautiful and so well written! I would have loved to have read more about these two women and tragic love lives.

The story flowed well and the characters were well developed. I recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.


****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****

This author’s books have been hit or miss for me. This one, I enjoyed! Coming next summer. Until then I enjoyed The Summer Wives and Along the Infinite Sea.

This was one of my top reads this year! An amazing novel set in two different time periods. The first story follows Mallory, who is a single mom, whose son is ill and in need of a kidney transplant. The other story follows Hannah who is in Egypt during the 1950s while stuck in a loveless marriage during a tumultuous time in Egypt's history. Both women are strong but have huge obstacles to overcome including whether to follow their heart or not.

I cannot recommend this book enough. I find myself still thinking about it. I really hope that there might be a follow up book as I don't want to stop reading about these characters. There was so much to love in this book. The settings, one in New England and the other in Egypt were fascinating to read about and transported me from one continent to the next. As well as what they both went through and how they were able to over come so much. I also loved the way the book was written. As soon as I finished a chapter I wanted to read more. This is a fantastic book and I look forward to reading more by Beatriz Williams.

Thank you to Ballantine Books and Random House for allowing me to read this ARC. I am so grateful as this was a fantastic read!