4.5 stars- Goodreads please let us put .25/.50/75 with our reviews! Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this as an ARC.
I read this book a while back, but as I reread the blurb on the cover it all came back to me. The setting spoke to me since it is an island off the coast of Connecticut which is where I live. The romance between Mallory and Monk came back to me and my hopes for them did as well. Husbands and Lovers by Beatriz Williams is a beautifully layered novel that seamlessly intertwines present-day New England with 1950s Cairo, offering a compelling blend of historical intrigue and emotional drama. The story follows Mallory Dunne, a single mother grappling with her son’s life-threatening illness, as she uncovers two painful secrets from her past—her mother's adoption from a notorious Irish orphanage and her own doomed romance with childhood friend Monk Adams, a famous singer-songwriter. Meanwhile, in 1951 Cairo, Hungarian refugee Hannah Ainsworth’s life is upended by a passionate affair and a web of espionage, set against the backdrop of political unrest. Williams excels at weaving together these two narratives, creating a gripping exploration of love, betrayal, and sacrifice that spans generations. Her writing is rich and evocative, capturing the complexities of her characters’ lives and the tumultuous times they live through. Husbands and Lovers is a poignant, multi-layered tale of heartbreak and redemption, brimming with emotional depth and rich historical detail, making it an unforgettable read.

Mallory Dunne is a good mom. She does everything for her son but when he eats a poisoned mushroom at camp, she can't save him. He ends up having kidney failure and is forced to get dialysis for the rest of his life unless he can get a kidney. The situation seems dire because he has a rare kidney. Her sister wants Mallory to contact the father but she can't do that. Monk Adams the rockstar doesn't even know his son exists.
In 1951 Cairo, Egypt Hannah Ainsworth lives a good life with her husband, a British diplomat. She doesn't need love, she knew it once but the war took everything from het now she learns to close herself off to love. Then she meets Luca the hotel manager at the hotel she frequents. They have an instant attraction. Will she be able to stay closed off with the revolution around the corner.
This book was incredible I liked both story lines and I love a book that has multiple narrators I thought Mallory and Hannah were great female characters they both had strong connections to people And we're strong human beings in general I loved reading about how their lives were different but similar in lots of ways neither woman realized.

I have an on again, off again with Beatriz Williams’ books. Like one, not so much another, really like the next and the one after doesn’t have much impact. Happily “Husbands & Lovers” was a spot-on winner for me. In the present there was everything to like and very little to detract. Great characters, deep development and insight, incredible interactions and believable dialog. If there is a detractor it would have to be the self -deprecating tone of Mallory, the protagonist, heroine and mother extraordinaire. She deserves to be applauded, cherished and believed.

I was deeply invested, if sometimes confused, by the dual timeline and slightly fractured backstory - there was a story and a half in Cairo in 1951 and before that in Hungary. There was a certain chunky, didn’t quite come together feeling circa WWII that was included and then left behind. I would have loved this more if parts were less enigmatic and convoluted. The details are eventually revealed but the message might have been more powerful if related in the appropriate time and context.

I am rounding up for all that I liked about this book and leaving the rest behind where it probably belongs. Many thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for a copy.

I’ve had Beatriz Williams on my Tbr for years and never picked one up until now. I really enjoyed the story. I didn’t really know any back story about Egypt before this book but it really helped to paint the the events there. And I really really loved Mallory’s story. I enjoyed her story the most out of the two. Overall it was a great book.

Dnf’ed at 15%, this just was a no for me early on and I’m not sure why. Maybe will pick back up in the future?

I usually enjoy Beatriz Williams books and Husbands & Lovers was no exception. Dual stories and dual timelines of two heroines Mallory and Hannah. Stories that are weaved together while still being separate. Full of love, heartache, and everything in between.

Thank you for the opportunity to rate and review this this novel.

3.5*
Mallory Dunne’s 10-year-old son Sam almost died from eating a poisonous mushroom while at summer camp. The boy’s kidneys were damaged and now he needs a transplant. Mallory’s sister doesn’t understand her sibling’s reluctance to reach out to the biological father to see if he’s a donor match. The girls have recently found a document that showed their mother was adopted and that the adoption took place in Ireland. There’s also an exotic family heirloom – an Egyptian bracelet that was considered precious. These lead to questions about their heritage and perhaps about their extended family.

In a separate timeline in 1951, Hannah Ainsworth is a refugee from Hungary living in Egypt. She’s there with her British husband who is a diplomat overseeing the building of the Suez Canal. Hannah begins an affair with the hotel manager and finds herself caught up in the political tensions between the locals and the British aristocrats who think they know best what the Egyptian people need. Hannah is the unknown ancestor that the girls are seeking answers about.

Monk Adams is a huge celebrity. He was once Mallory’s best friend and never knew about her having a baby. Mallory has kept secrets from both Monk and her son. At this crucial time in Sam’s life, Monk learns about the boy and wants to become part of his life. Mallory is still tentative about allowing her son to connect with Monk and this raises even more questions. Her reticence to involve the star in Sam’s life is confusing because of the boy’s desperate need for a donor. Monk is tremendously likeable and Mallory still feels the pull of attraction. He’s down-to-earth and very appealing, although his current engagement to an influencer makes things more complicated. Mallory’s secretiveness adds confusion, although the ending does validate her story.

Hannah’s involvement in the unrest in Egypt and her choices seem far removed from the beach in Mallory’s New England. The earlier story could have been a separate novel. I’m not sure it was a necessary subplot for the contemporary tale, although reading about the building of the Suez Canal and the troubles in Egypt was new and interesting. I also found the cover to be misleading. It’s quite attractive, but doesn’t match the feel of the narrative.

Overall, the novel follows two women separated by almost 60 years who found themselves pregnant and facing serious decisions. Their choices resulted in mysteries that unfold over the course of the novel. Each of the timelines are complicated by secrets, romance, abuse and sacrifice. These are serious issues that give the novel depth and raise the concerns far beyond a simple romance.

This was pretty good but fell a little short compared to some of William’s other novels. I felt like she tried to do a little too much and I got bogged down because of it, so it crawled a bit for me.

This is a captivating historical fiction novel that intertwines the lives of two women across different eras and continents. The story is set in contemporary New England and post-war Cairo, exploring themes of love, loss, and redemption.
We follow Mallory Dunne, a single mother in New England, who is grappling with her son’s critical health condition and her own past secrets. Her journey is paralleled with that of Hannah Ainsworth, a Hungarian refugee in 1950s Cairo, who finds herself entangled in a passionate affair amidst political turmoil.
This book is both heart-wrenching and uplifting, it explores the complex issues of privilege, class, and being a female.
Overall Husbands & Lovers is a beautifully written novel that will appeal to fans of historical fiction and romance.

This book fell a bit short for me. I enjoyed the parts set in the past but struggled a bit with the present-day timeline as it felt a bit disjointed. I enjoy Beatriz Williams as a writer and will continue to read her books but this one wasn't my favorite.

I liked this book. The different timelines were done nicely, and I enjoyed both storylines. 4 stars

A dramatic and engaging historical fiction. Well written and captivating. The story is thought provoking, entertaining, and memorable. A great read especially for lovers of this type of domestic drama

I was looking forward to this book, and was excited I got an arc. This novel had a lot of potential, overall it was ok. Some of the characters were meh for me. I also felt like there was too much going on.

This was a great story that brings together the present and the past in an interesting way. When Mallory's son has a medical crisis and needs a new kidney, she can't face his father after a devastating breakup. He is also about to get married. Her sister goes on a mission to find out if there are any relatives that could donate. While looking, she discovers a long ago story.

Great plot and great characters. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in return for my honest review.

To be honest I went into this book blindly and wasn’t sure how Williams was going to tie these two storylines together but I let the storyteller do her job 🐍 and she did it like she always has!

Returning to Winthrop Island and meeting family from previous characters found in other of her novels, I was hooked immediately…

In #husbandsandlovers we meet Mallory, a single mom looking for a kidney donor for her teenage son. Looking for a donor match leads her into looking deeper into her past and her family roots.

We then travel back to post war Cairo, where we meet Hannah, who is stuck in a loveless marriage with her British diplomat husband. While in Cairo with her husband she begins a dangerous affair with a hotel manager. Two women decades apart will be connected by a family heirloom 🐍 in a way only Williams can tell. I’ll let you meet Monk on your own 👩🏼‍🍳 💋 ….⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5 🏖️

"Husbands and Lovers" by Beatriz Williams is a captivating novel that weaves together romance, secrets, and multiple crises across generations. The story is set against the backdrop of the revolutionary fires of mid-century Egypt and the moneyed beaches of contemporary New England.

In 2022, single mother Mallory Dunne must confront her past when Monk Adams, a best friend turned boyfriend from the summer of 2008, reappears in her life. The novel expertly balances historical details, contemporary romance, and a stunning beach setting, making it a true page-turner.

The prologue of "Husbands and Lovers" is particularly gripping, with a 10/10 hook that drew me in from the start. The story is filled with both expected and unexpected twists and turns, but for me lost a bit of momentum until the very end. While some plots may feel underdeveloped and in need of further depth, the characters are generally wonderful, even if slightly exaggerated. The ending is particularly memorable, leaving me with a sense of heartbreak and redemption.

"Husbands and Lovers" is a timeless and bittersweet journey that I won't soon forget. Despite some minor flaws in pacing due to the two timelines, I would highly recommended this book for fans of historical fiction and romance.

Husbands and Lovers" by Beatrice Williams is a captivating exploration of love, loyalty, and the complexities of relationships set against a richly detailed backdrop. Williams masterfully weaves together the lives of her characters, each grappling with their desires and the expectations placed upon them. The prose is lush and evocative, drawing readers into the emotional turmoil and triumphs of the protagonists. While the pacing occasionally dips, the intricate character development and compelling themes of fidelity and self-discovery make it a rewarding read. Overall, this novel is a poignant reflection on the choices we make in love, earning a solid four stars for its engaging narrative and depth.

4.5 stars rounded up. I've read a couple of other books by Beatriz Williams and this one took the cake by far! Husbands & Lovers is a creative blend of my favorite genres: historical fiction, family dramas, and romance.

The book alternates between two women in two different decades. One FMC (Mallory) is a single mother living in present time who was impregnated by her college boyfriend (Monk). He went on to become a famous singer-songwriter and is not aware that he fathered a son. The other is a European woman who survived WWII and is now living in Cairo as the wife of a diplomat in 1951.

Mallory and her now adolescent son spend the summer on a New England island, the same place she met Monk. Of course, their paths happen cross again while on the island. Without giving too much away, I loved the story of their second chance romance. My only criticism of the book is that while love historical fiction, the 1951 timeline was not as compelling for me. I found myself hurrying through some of those chapters to return to the present day ones. never clicked for me. On the other hand, I loved the modern day events and characters and was very satisfied by the ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine Books for an advanced copy of this novel to read in exchange for my honest review.

I’ve been a fan of Beatriz Williams for many years, so I was excited to read this book. I’m happy to say it didn’t disappoint. Recommended for fiction readers.

This book was so good. It was my first by Williams, but won't be my last. I lived the split timelines and the thread of Mallory tracking down family to save her son's life. Overall it was a great story that absolutely kept me hooked.