Wow this book was something I was not expecting! This book was a true ride and I really enjoyed it the whole way through! I really enjoyed that this story was shown through different timelines to come together. I’m still in awe of this story and want more by this author!

This is an exciting book full of juicy secrets, devastating betrayals, and more. It is heartbreaking at times and hopeful at others. Plus, it is very unique and unpredictable in many ways.

OMG! I absolutely adored this story. I love second chance romances and love how both women's storylines were linked. I will definitely be recommending this to friends.

“I think every day about how we’re all here because of a series of little miracles we know nothing about. The miracles that brought me right here, sitting in this chair beside you.”

This book. THIS BOOK. I read Summer Wives, also by Beatriz Williams, and gave it five stars so I squealed out loud when I was approved for an ARC of her newest novel. And it was just as immersive and emotional and breathtaking as I imagined it would be.

It is told in dual timelines with strong female characters and I was hooked from the very first page. As the story unfolds it gets more and more involved and the timelines weave together seamlessly. The author managed to make the chapters just long enough that you were placed back in the given timeline and fully immersed before switching. At the beginning it was almost like reading two entirely different novels concurrently. Husbands & Lovers is just the kind of book that I wish I could read again for the first time.

The audiobook is *chefs kiss*. With dual narrators, one each for Mallory and Hannah, and fabulous narration these two timelines and stories came to life in my ears. I simply could not stop listening.

Thank you @PRHAudio for the complimentary audiobook and to Netgalley, Random House Publishing, and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I always really want to love Beatriz Williams' books but this one felt a little disjointed to me. The story has three main timelines and two female main characters. I loved each story on it's own but I felt there was a very tiny shred of plot to relate the two main characters and their stories.

DNF. Thank you, Net Galley, for the opportunity to read and review this book. Unfortunately, it just didn't grab me enough to finish more than 30%. I didn't find the story captivating enough to want to continue.

This was such an amazing book - part historical fiction/part romance. This is a dual timeline/semi tripe timeline taking place in the 1950s with Hannah and the 2000's with Mallory. The story begins with single mother Mallory finding out her son was injured at camp when he ingested a poisonous mushroom. Thankfully, he didn't die but he is in need of a kidney transplant. The father, a famous rock star, has been out of the picture and doesn't even know he was born.

I really enjoyed and connected with Mallory's plot-line. I just read the book Honey, which deals with famous singers/popstars in the late 1990's/early 2000's and it made me feel even more connected to this storyline. Maybe they are all friends, ha! I actually ended up skimming over Hannah's storyline because I was so invested in Mallory's but then I actually went and re-read Hannah's because I felt like I was missing something.

I'm so glad I went back and reread Hannah's because her storyline was also just as interesting! She was a Hungarian refugee that escaped the war and is married to a British diplomat. I wasn't sure at first what was happening with her storyline so I'm so glad I restarted and then I really connected with it.

Both storylines come together and I actually cried at parts. I devoured this in a day. It was so beautifully written and this felt like a sweeping saga of a romance unlike the romcoms I've been reading lately. This was just so beautiful and I definitely recommend!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy.

Husbands & Lovers by Beatriz Williams

This book was a combination of my two favorite genres, so I of course had very high expectations and somehow, this book exceeded them all! Williams is an incredibly realistic and detailed writer. I love the multiple story lines, perspectives and how they are entwined. I loved the historical aspect that was woven seamlessly throughout the book. The characters are flawlessly created - real issues, growth, highs and lows. I was lost in the stories and so disappointed when they ended. One story takes place in the late 1940's in Egypt - a story about love, loss and family. The second timeline takes place between Monk and Mallory - High School friends, turned lovers, turned strangers. Until they are brought together again by family, fate and family heirlooms. A must read for any historical fiction or romance fans. Just be prepared for the emotional rollercoaster that both timelines will take you on!

Thank you netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

Loved this! So often when books have multiple time settings, I find myself preferring one. Not the case with this book! I was fully engaged in all the of time lines, great characters. Wonderful summer read!

Beatriz Williams has written her best book ever! The first chapter had me laughing and crying within minutes. Husbands and Lovers is a story of love, family, heartache and mystery. The characters are well developed and easy to like.
The ending made me happy. Husbands and Lovers is the perfect summer read, but make sure you have time to sit still, because you won't want to stop once you start reading.

I enjoyed the two time periods in this book and the differences in the women's lives. Especially when the writer showed how far women have come regarding unwed mothers. To the shame and abandonment of times past to a single mother raising a son on her own.
This is my first book by Beatriz Williams. Her writing flows so well from character to character and time periods. She weaves it all together so well I forgot I was reading and felt like I was observing the story happen.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.
.I have posted my review on Goodreads.


https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6618664796

Husbands & Lovers is a perfect summer read. With multiple timelines told through two narrators, Hannah in the 1950s and Mallory in 2008 and 2022, this book takes us from Egypt to the east coast. A celebrity character adds to the enjoyment... I seem to never get tired of celebrity storylines! It's fast paced, full of drama, and set in summertime. What I'm saying is it's made for throwing in your beach bag this summer!

After an accident, Mallory is looking for a kidney for her son and she's forced to revisit her past, both her past relationship with her son's famous father who doesn’t even know his son exists and the past of her deceased mother, who Mallory recently found out was adopted.

I absolutely loved this book. While the first fifty or so pages were slow for me, once I got past that point, I couldn't put it down. I loved the mix of romance and historical fiction. I found Mallory to be complex and relatable and I didn't anticipate the reason for the end of her summer on Winthrop Island. I also found myself really enjoying Hannah's story and the Egyptian history, which I knew very little about. This was my first Beatriz Williams book, and it did not disappoint. I can't wait to read her other books.

Thank you to NetGalley for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I went into this blind. I thought it was going to be a really good summer beach read, and although it really was, I didn’t know this was also a historical fiction romance book. The romance part, yes, but not historical fiction. It was still really great though. I enjoyed the plot and the timeline how it went back and forth. The best part of this book was probably the 1950’s for me. Overall I really enjoyed this book and I’d definitely read it again.

I loved this book. I loved the dual POVs and the multiple timelines for Mallory. It was easy to connect with Mallory’s character and Hannah’s character intrigued me.

The book starts with an unusual medical emergency for Mallory’s young son Sam. Because of this, Sam needs a kidney, but they can’t find a donor. Sam’s father has never been a part of his life. As Mallory’s story unfolds, we look back and see her summer romance with Sam’s father, famous musician Monk Adams. We also discover that Mallory’s mother was adopted, and Mallory and her sister are determined to find the whole story.

The second POV is of Hannah, a Hungarian refugee who is married to a British diplomat posted in Cairo in the early 1950’s. There’s murder, tragedy and romantic trysts, all entwined.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House - Ballantine for my ARC of this book.

Told with two alternating timelines, the past and the present, Beatriz Williams tells a story of love and family. While reconnecting with her son’s father, a single mother learns of her own mother’s distressing adoption.

Single mom, Mallory Dunne is raising her son when a tragic accident occurs that puts him on the kidney donor list and completely alters their lives. There is little hope of a donor for Sam until Mallory reconnects with singer and former boyfriend, Monk Adams. After thirteen years of silence, Monk learns that he is the father of Sam bringing hope to the family of a possible donor.
In an alternate storyline in 1950s Cairo, Hannah Ainsworth, Mallory’s grandmother, begins a passionate affair with hotel manager, Lucien Beck. As the political climate intensifies Hannah learns of Lucien’s secrets that will have implications for generations.

Husbands and Lovers is full of well-written characters, building drama and locations from previous Williams’ novels. Fans of Lauren Willig, Kristin Harmel and Kate Morton will be riveted to this newest historical fiction title.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the advanced reader’s copy.

Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for my eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I forgot how much I enjoyed Beatriz Williams historical fiction books. This one grabbed me from page 1 and I could not read it fast enough.

Usually when there are mulitple POV’s I enjoy one story more than the other. Not true in this case.

Mallory’s current time line story was a bit predictable, but I enjoyed seeing it all play out (even with the miscommunication)

Hannah’s story was full of so many twists and turns (which did confuse me a bit) But with a bit of thinking on my part I got everything straight in my head.

Husbands & Lovers beautifully links two women who have more in common than they could ever know. This novel spans across present day New England, all the way to 1950s in Cairo, Egypt. Despite the distance, Beatriz Williams gives us mysterious lovers, heartbreak, and forgiveness that will leave you covered in goosebumps. Such a great read!

Mallory Dunne is a single mother who would do anything to keep her son safe. When he has a medical emergency, she is forced to reveal who is father is leading her to reconnect with her long lost love. Mallory is also grieving the loss of her mother and comes to learn that there was much more to her mother's life than she had ever known. Set between the past and the present. Williams tells the story of several generations of strong women and the sacrifices they made to protect the ones they love. This story is beautifully written.

Husbands & Lovers by Beatriz Williams was a very engaging story!
I love Beatriz Williams, and this latest novel did not disappoint.
They are always verry well written, she has a way of pulling you into the story.
The setting provides a vivid backdrop that enhances the storytelling.
A true page-turner.
This was another excellent book!

Thank You NetGalley and Ballantine Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!