Husbands and Lovers
by Beatriz Williams
Pub Date: June 25, 2024
Random House- Ballantine
Thanks to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
This is my first book I've read by Williams as a solo author. I have read many books she has written with other authors and have always enjoyed them!
Williams did not disappoint. This is a well written book.
Two women—separated by decades and continents, and united by a mysterious family heirloom—reclaim family secrets and lost loves in this sweeping novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Summer Wives.
Loved it and highly recommend this dual timeline novel.
5 stars

Husbands & Lovers is my first solo read from Beatriz Williams and I enjoyed it a lot. I had a feeling I would since I have liked the books she has written with White and Willig, but it was nice to affirm it. Williams wove an interesting tale that alternated between past and present. 

Williams's writing was addictive and easy to read. I liked how the present was in first person and the past was in third person. It truly made the book feel like there were two timelines going on. As someone who favors first person narration, I did tend to connect more to the present storyline than the past. I found it more interesting and entertaining for the most part. 

The present revolved around Mallory Dunne. She came across as a no-nonsense woman whose first priority was her son. Her son's kidney disease made that even more apparent. Her relationship with her sister was always a bright spot in this book for me. I enjoyed how they were searching for their mother's adoption history together. I found Mallory's past and present relationship with Monk Adams interesting and also a little frustrating. Mallory had a lot of secrets she was keeping, and some were buried deep. I liked her, but I didn't truly understand her reasoning for keeping her son's paternity a secret until a shocking reveal. 

The past was all about Hannah Ainsworth. Hannah has been keeping secrets buried just like Mallory. One of her secrets is building as her story does. The other come out in bits and pieces throughout her story. With every new revelation, I felt sorrier and sadder for her. I didn't love some of the choices she made, but her losses made me understand them more. Williams did a great job tying the past to the present. The bracelet was a cool way to do it. 

When I got to the ending of Husband & Lovers, I felt a little conflicted. While I loved it for the most part, there were a few of things that kept me from giving it 5 stars. First, the romance of the story. Mallory and Monk's love for each other was something I felt strongly in their past. Their present was where I questioned it. I could feel the lingering emotions, care, and attraction from the past, but I was missing romance in the present. There's an HEA, but the true romantic build up to it was lacking. Second, is what I'll call extra side characters. One was Sedge. He didn't really add anything to the story and felt like wasted time. Third, I'm still not sure how I feel about the shocker from Mallory's past and the reason her life took the turns it did. 

Overall, Husbands & Lovers was a great read. I enjoyed the two timelines and the drama. Williams managed to shock me with her revelations and that is not something many authors can do these days. I do recommend checking out trigger warnings for this book if there is anything you are super sensitive about. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.

Another brilliant novel by one of the best historical fiction storytellers out there, Beatriz Williams. True to form, in Husbands and Lovers Ms. Williams travels effortlessly through two very different timelines, creating a beautiful tale of family, love, intrigue and the glue that bonds us and holds us all together. Set in glorious locations with whip-smart characters, this book will definitely entertain and delight its audience.

Husbands & Lovers by Beatriz Williams is a perfect blending of romance, family drama, and historical fiction. Set in two vastly different timelines - present day New England and 1950s Cairo, this book features two exceptionally strong female main characters.

Ms. Williams takes the reader on a journey that examines love, sacrifice, acceptance, forgiveness, identity, and destiny. We meet Mallory, a single mother of a chronically ill child, and Hannah, a British diplomat’s wife. The criss crossing of their stories separated by seventy years is masterfully woven into the fabric of this book.

I love that Ms. Williams brings us back to Summerly, the setting of two earlier books. She also transports us to post-WWII Egypt and the convents of Ireland where lives were permanently altered. Husbands & Lovers is a page turner that grabbed my attention and held it until the very last word.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballentine Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my review.

As a long time fan of Beatriz Williams, I was eager to dig into her to be released Husband & Lovers, which hooked me from the very first page and kept me engaged to the end.

Set in present day New England and 1951 Cairo, Egypt this dual time frame novel intricately weaves the story of single mother Mallory Dunne and Hungarian refugee Hannah Ainsworth. The reader is taken on a journey from the heartbreak of WWII to the beginning of the revolution in Egypt through present day and shows how the ties that bind us, and the love and loss we suffer, make us who we are.

A beautiful story of love, loss, redemption, and the human spirit, this is one not to be missed.

TW: child loss, sexual assault

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

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.