3 stars on my rating scale is a good solid book. It definitely kept my interest but there was just soo much going on. I felt that every chapter something else happened with a new character, when I felt like the plot was sooo good and could have been more focused. The stories were very very different, I almost wanted them to be 2 separate books as I found myself annoyed going back and forth! I wanted to stay with Hannah and then stay with Mallory! Overall very good and interesting with the genealogy

The story begins with a young mother, Mallory Dunne, receiving a call from her young son Sam’s summer camp counselor saying that he has been rushed to a hospital after ingesting a poisonous mushroom. After being treated for the effects of the poison Sam’s kidneys no longer function properly and he must receive dialysis three days a week until and if a donor can be found that will be a match for a kidney transplant. Malloy and her sister Paige are not a match, their father isn’t around and their mother has recently passed. Mallory has had no contact with her college love who is Sam’s biological father since she left him knowing she was pregnant. This book has it all. Historical fiction, post WWII unrest in Egypt, past and present loves, old money, parental expectations, celebrities, influencers, near death experiences and lots of secrets. Put this one on your TBR list for summer beach reading! Release date 6/25/24. This ARC was provided by Random House publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A Thoughtful Examination of "Husbands and Lovers" by Beatriz Williams

Beatriz Williams' "Husbands and Lovers" rises above the conventional landscape of historical romance. Interweaving intricate storylines spanning continents and decades, the book provides a poignant exploration of female agency, the intricate dynamics of desire and love, and the lasting impact of history. Against the backdrop of mid-century Egypt and present-day New England, Williams' expert prose creates a rich tapestry of human emotions, societal constraints, and moral uncertainty.

The narrative unfolds in 1951 Cairo, where Hannah Ainsworth, a Hungarian refugee, grapples with the façade of an ideal life as the wife of a wealthy British diplomat. Williams skillfully evokes the vibrant atmosphere of the city, its underlying political tensions, and the subtle echoes of colonialism in society. Despite the apparent fulfillment, Hannah yearns for something beyond societal expectations. Her illicit affair with Omar, the enigmatic hotel manager, challenges the limitations imposed on women by a patriarchal society, prompting reflection on duty and desire.

Decades later in contemporary New England, Mallory Kipling navigates a troubled marriage and unravels the shadows of her past. Through a dual-timeline narrative, Williams reveals the profound parallels between Hannah and Mallory's lives, underscoring the cyclical nature of history and the enduring impact of family legacy.

"Husbands and Lovers" excels in its portrayal of nuanced characters. Hannah emerges as a woman seeking self-determination, while Mallory embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Even peripheral characters like the stoic Omar and judgmental Mrs. Van der Meer are imbued with depth, enriching the overall narrative.

While the novel adopts the trappings of historical romance, Williams surpasses them through her exploration of moral quandaries. The narrative delves into societal expectations, the repercussions of choices, and the enduring force of love, even when it challenges societal norms. The novel embraces the complexities of human nature and the messy realities of love, loss, and the pursuit of fulfillment.

In conclusion, "Husbands and Lovers" transcends mere entertainment. With its compelling narrative, nuanced characters, and profound exploration of weighty themes, it emerges as a significant contribution to contemporary historical fiction. The novel invites readers to critically engage with issues of societal constraints, personal desires, and the lasting influence of the past on our present and future.

4.5 stars
I absolutely adored this book! Beatriz Williams is an auto buy author for me so I expected to enjoy this, but it exceeded my expectations. The writing was fast paced and descriptive. I really enjoyed being back in Winthrop and how it ties into her previous books. I loved reading from both Mallory and Hannah's perspectives but wish there was more from Hannah's perspective! This story takes place in 3 different timelines which I think was a great choice to allow us to understand Mallory and Monk’s relationship and add layers to the story. The characters felt so real and captivating. I also enjoyed experiencing 1950s Cairo and getting a glimpse of another side of this time. My only complaint would be that it wasn't longer. If you are looking for a historical fiction book with a strong romance, I strongly recommend this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for an advanced copy of this title in exchange for my honest review!

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6267548903

Review:This book is going to live rent free in my head for a long time.

Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

Beatriz Williams is an auto-read for me, so when I saw this ARC available to request, I jumped on it. It hooks you from the beginning, and while some of the big things were a little predictable, it's still one million percent worth the journey. I loved the multiple timelines - I believe a first present day timeline for her! - and really enjoyed the history of post-WW2 Egypt.

The characters were real and sympathetic, the spice was perfection, and the setting descriptions were delicious. 10/10 recommend!

Another good read from author Beatriz Williams. I have enjoyed every book I have read from her, and this one is no exception. A duel time line story which links stories with a singularly unique bracelet which the present day character was given by her birth mother, of whom she knows nothing. By working with her sister, she discovers the bracelet is Egyptian, which launches the search for her mother. The story of her mother is the origin story. It is filled with interesting historical facts of Egypt during the time of great unrest in the area and the British expats living there.
I recommend wholeheartedly.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced readers copy in return for an honest review.

While I’ve read books by Beatriz Williams before, this story was unlike any of them. This novel was very modern in comparison to the previous books I’ve read. I enjoyed the characters, the setting, the story- all of it.

Mallory Dunne is a single mom whose son has a terrible incident at summer camp, leaving him on dialysis and in need of a kidney. Hannah Vecsey is a Hungarian living in Egypt after WW2 during a time of great uncertainty. Moving back and forth between dual timelines, we learn how these two women’s stories are intertwined. A beautiful family heirloom holds the family secret but will it be discovered?

I really enjoyed the dual timelines with this book and that it takes place in Egypt. I felt that there was more strength in the 50's timeline than the present time one, however they balanced each other out well. I felt there was a lot to unwrap with this book and was sad to see it end. This is a book I will definitely be recommending to others that like historical fiction and a well-crafted book. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

Rounded up to 4.5 stars

Beatriz Williams is my go to “Queen of Historical” Fiction. I’ve read every novel of hers because of her scrumptious, dual timelines with multi-layered, complicated characters. When I received an ARC from Netgalley and Random house I was so excited I was hyperventilating with glee.

The novel starts quickly and hooked me in, as Mallory is on her quest to find a kidney for her son, Sam and research her mom’s birth history. I love the introduction of Mallory’s stunning Cobra bracelet iwhich s the key linking past to the present.

I loved Mallory’s sparring relationship with her sister Paige and the past recollections of her relationship with Monk. Although the story hooked me in so quickly, the present day story has an overabundance of characters/details in some sections which need to be trimmed. I think a family tree (like the Schuyler family tree in previous novels) of Winthrop Island would be really helpful to guide the story so I could follow which characters were related to who (Aunt Barbara, Sedge, Gran). Since this is a digital ARC perhaps details will be edited and the story will be more streamlined.

Williams’ writing shines in the historical parts of her stories.I devoured and loved the mystique, darkness and intrigue of Hannah’s storyline in Egypt. Although at times it was sad and heartbreaking. However, I craved more detail from Hannah’s perspective after the fire, the identity of the woman who picked her up from the orphanage and her life post Egypt.

None of these observations deters my love for this book and the final appearance of a character that again connects the past and the present had me shouting and gasping “We need a Sequel!” Thank you netgalley and Random House for an ARC of this book!

I am obsessed with this book! I need all the spinoffs with more back story on every single character. My jaw dropped at so many twists and turns and I loved every second of it. The romance was just right! Her writing makes me feel like I am in whatever situation she writes!!

Another hit for Beatriz Williams.

Husbands & Lovers by Beatriz Williams weaves together the interesting lives and complicated loves of two women. Hannah lives in Cairo, Egypt in 1951, with her diplomat husband. The country is in turmoil, headed for revolution and danger is around every corner. Mallory is a single mom to a very sick son living in present day America. While on the surface these women seem to have nothing in common, their stories highlight a similar resilience and strength worn like a family heirloom. Williams’ smoothly flows back and forth between stories like snake winding its way through the sand.

Husbands & Lovers by Beatriz Williams is a story about two remarkable women.
Present Day: We meet Mallory, a single mom living in New England with a son who desperately needs a kidney transplant, and in turbulent Egypt in the 1950s, Hannah, who is in a loveless marriage. There is a historical journey that connects these two women. This fascinating story has us exploring long held secrets as we alternate between dual timelines. These two brave women made choices that lead to great sacrifice, family loyalty and forgiveness.

From Present Day through flashbacks to Cairo in the 50's, and through Hannah and Mallory's lives, we are treated to excellent historical stories and of women doing the absolute best they can in situations that leave few choices. Mallory, Monk and Hannah are very lovable characters.

You'll enjoy action, adventure, espionage, romance and of course, mystery.
I love Beatriz Williams' books. I want to hurry through to know what happens, but don't want it to end. I absolutely loved this book!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I was blown away as soon as I got my hands on this highly anticipated historical fiction romance meets women’s fiction by Beatriz Williams. Who am I kidding? Every time she releases a new book, I dance with joy and make sure to carve out enough time to immerse myself fully in the remarkable journeys with her memorable characters until my eyes can't stay open (I have a rule to finish her books in one sitting, but due to the length of the text, sometimes it becomes more challenging than I can endure).

Anyway, if you ask me if I enjoyed this ride, I can enthusiastically scream “yes”, especially because the parts featuring Mallory resonated with me so intensely. I loved her character development: her endurance, tough, witty demeanor, her connection and devotion to her son Sam, and when I read about her past, uncovering the big mystery that forces her to keep secrets, I loved her even more. Her unfinished love story with Monk broke my heart.

Now, let’s talk more about the plot: there are two (actually three) timelines, and even though they center on Mallory Dunne and Hannah Ainsworth’s narratives, we also get limited perspectives from their lovers’ voices, which piqued my interest because I enjoyed seeing how these incredible women changed the course of the men’s lives and made them simmer in love.

The story begins in New England in 2022, where Mallory Dunne, a single mom barely making ends meet to take care of her 10-year-old son Sam, receives terrible news that pushes her to drive three hours to the hospital where Sam has been airlifted after being poisoned by toxic mushrooms at his summer camp. His condition requires a kidney transplant, and unfortunately, both Mallory and her sister Paige are not suitable donors. Their estranged father is not an option she wants to consider. And of course, she has no intention of asking the father of her child, the famous songwriter Monk Adams, whom she hasn’t seen since 2008 due to tragic events that separated them. Unfortunately, Monk is about to marry a famous influencer, so there’s no way she can face him, even for the sake of their child he never met.

But there’s one more lead that Mallory can follow. She discovers her mother was adopted, which means there might be relatives she never met who could help her as potential donors, leading her story to intersect with another timeline: Cairo, 1951.

In Cairo, we're introduced to Hannah Ainsworth: a Hungarian refugee still suffering from the aftereffects of the tragedy she endured during the war, married to a respectable British diplomat. Her husband's health condition leads him to an office job in Cairo, where Hannah is bitten by a snake and saved by the charismatic hotel manager Lucien Beck. This encounter changes her life forever, as a passionate forbidden relationship puts Hannah between two men and forces her to make a decision between two different life paths. As soon as she discovers she’s expecting, the choice she has to make becomes even more imminent and crucial.

Overall, I love both timelines and the well-developed characterization, but you may guess I rooted for Mallory & Monk’s story that takes place between 2008 and 2022, as it engaged me a little more. Take your napkins with you when you start reading this book to savor the emotional ride fully. Definitely one of the best historical fiction and women’s fiction of the year that you shouldn’t miss; it highly deserved my shiny five stars!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for sharing this remarkable book’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.

The flowers are starting to bloom and we’ve had two consecutive days in a row of sunshine so I’m ready for all of the warm weather vibes and fun beachy reads…

Without further ado, I bring you THE beachy read of the year (that’s right, I capitalized THE, so I mean serious beachy business here).

Husbands and Lovers is @authorbeatriz at her finest. I believe it now surpasses Her Last Flight to take my number 1 spot for the many Williams books I have read (and loved). It is the rare dual timeline where I was equally invested in both storylines and felt deeply attached to all of the characters (it really is three different timelines but two main plots that we follow). The story was propulsive and practically impossible to put down.

Husbands and Lovers combines a rich, exciting, and well-developed historical plot that takes place in Egypt with a modern day romance that is completely swoon-worthy (♥️Monk♥️). Like always, Williams has brought to life strong, complex women who overcome and persevere despite remarkable trauma. It was a bit steamier than her other books I’ve read, but hey, I DID say it was THE beach read, so I’ll allow it. 😂

Husbands and Lovers comes out on June 25. You are definitely going to want to grab a copy for your beach bag, book club, and travels abroad. It is THE perfect summer read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 It was SO close to a five star story but I felt like I needed to know MORE about Hannah.

Thanks to @netgalley @randomhouse and @authorbeatriz for the digital ARC.

In typical William’s fashion, this book is made up of multiple timelines and two points of view. You have Hannah in the 1950s and then present day and slightly past Mallory. Mallory is a single mother of a child who needs a kidney transplant and the father, even though she hasn’t told him, happens to be a famous musicians. Mallory and Monk met as kids in college and fell madly in love but haven’t seen each other in years (like 13) until a chance beach encounter. Hannah escaped WWII and is now in Egypt. How all the stories connect pulled at my heart strings in the way only Beatriz can and honestly I need a second book to expand on the ending! Mainly taking place on the shores of New England, this book will be your next perfect summer read.

Honestly loved every moment of this book and can’t wait to add the physical copy to my collection of Beatriz Williams’ books when it comes out this summer.

wonderful braided narrative jumping from 2000's New England (pre and post covid) and 1950's Egypt. I thought the writing was stunning but the plot imbalanced pacewise and in terms of mallory getting way more spotlight than hannah, who I would love to know more about

I enjoyed this Beatriz Williams book! I loved being back on Winthrop Island and learning more about the families. I loved the two timelines and finding the connection between the characters in present day.

I LOVED this book, but I must say it gutted me a little. Silly me thought that this was going to be a typical light romance, with a few secrets mixed in. Maybe I didn’t read the synopsis close enough—I don’t know—but this was so much more than I was expecting.

Husbands and Lovers tells the story of Hannah in 1951 while she was visiting Cairo, Egypt during the Egyptian Revolution, and Malory in the summer of 2008 and 2022. This novel is emotional, gut wrenching, and sweet. It’s about true love, a mother’s love, and fighting for what you believe in.

This is the first book that I have read by author Beatriz Williams. I will definitely read more.

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this ARC! This is probably the ARC I was most excited to be approved for ever. I love Beatriz's work and am officially a completist, after reading her very first novel Overseas, recently. I love the interconnectedness of her world and the different callbacks to other novels and characters. Husbands & Lovers is probably one of my most favorite of hers, at least in a while. The story lines were distinct and clear to follow, which hasn't always been the case for some of her other books in my opinion. Sometimes, it did feel as if the historical storyline was getting pushed to the side given that there were 2 present day storylines. However, I loved Monk and Mal so much and really was invested in their story. It was interesting to be more invested in the present day/more traditional romance story but I enjoyed it! I also love that Williams left herself plenty of space to explore this family and story again with the last chapter. I do wish I had learned a little more of the history in this one because Egypt seems like a fascinating place for story telling.

Husbands & Lovers has all the ingredients of a great summer read. Alternating timelines and viewpoints weave together the lives of Hannah and Mallory across continents and decades. The romance, post war conflict, and family secrets made this a page-turner for me!