Audrey Fisher is stuck on Winthrop Island making sure her mother, the famous actress Meredith Fisher, sobers up in order to salvage her big comeback. But while she's on the island, Audrey connects with her absentee biological father and connects with a handsome, wealthy neighbor. And when they find some long-lost paintings from a famous 1800's artist, Audrey is drawn into the mystery of the paintings, her past, and the questions surrounding her future.

This is my second Beatriz Williams book, and I loved it almost as much as Husbands & Lovers. I really enjoy how Williams weaves together a historical storyline with a modern storyline, with both being equally compelling and engrossing. Williams is also really good at creating an atmosphere that is so easy to get lost in. Another great book by Williams and I hope she continues writing for a long, long time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I've read a few of Beatriz Williams' books, and I've had different opinions on all of them. With this one, I found that I was much more invested in the Providence Dare storyline, even if I thought it was incredibly drawn out. That ship felt like it was wrecking for years. I think the writing was much better in the past storyline than it was in the present storyline.

I found Audrey incredibly unlikeable, and I didn't believe her and Sedge together. I also felt like Mike was written very poorly. He was supposed to be a 45 year old man, but he spoke like a frat boy. He didn't need to end every sentence with "bro".

I liked the overall plot, but I felt like it got a little stretched toward the end. It didn't wrap up as nicely as I would have wanted it to.

Under the Stars is a charming and heartfelt story that beautifully captures the magic of summer nights and the importance of friendship and family. The author does a great job of creating a cozy atmosphere, making readers feel like they’re right there under the night sky.

One of the strengths of the book is its relatable characters. They feel real, with emotions and struggles that many readers can understand. The friendships in the story are genuine and add warmth to the plot.

The pacing is steady, which helps build a sense of calm and reflection. However, some readers might find the story a bit slow if they prefer fast-moving plots or lots of action.

The themes of hope, belonging, and healing come through clearly, making the book meaningful without being overwhelming. The writing style is simple yet poetic, which adds to the overall feel of the story.

Overall, Under the Stars is a lovely read for anyone who enjoys gentle stories about growing up, connection, and finding light even in hard times. It’s perfect for readers looking for something soothing and thoughtful.

As a fan of Beatriz I had very high expectations. Husbands and lovers was one of my favorite reads last year. Under the Stars took a while for me to get into, but overall was a strong like. The connection between her two universes took me a minute to remember but was a fun nod.

A deeply evocative novel that spans generations, weaving together the lives of three remarkable women whose stories echo across time.

Anchored on the windswept shores of Winthrop Island and shadowed by the wreckage of a 19th-century maritime disaster, the narrative follows Audrey Fisher, a chef searching for wholeness; her mother Meredith, a public figure unraveling under the weight of addiction and long-held secrets; and Providence Dare, a runaway entangled in the fate of the ill-fated steamship Atlantic.

Beatriz Williams blends art, ancestry, and historical intrigue into a lush, immersive tapestry that pulses with emotional resonance. It’s a stirring reflection on endurance, reconciliation and the indelible power of women who carry their stories forward, no matter the cost.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | for the ARC! This book was a wild ride! I absolutely enjoyed reading this novel. Having read her other book, I was interested to see what this one had in store for her readers, and I truly do not think they will be disappointed!

I really wanted to love this one. I was confused for the majority of it with all the characters and timelines. Eventually it all did fall into place. I wish it would have been a little quicker.

It's not summer for me if I don't read a Beatriz Williams story. This one is again set on fictional Winthrop Island, and finds Audrey accompanying her mother, Meredith, back home to the island to dry out before she loses her upcoming role in a film. We find some of the same characters from other Winthrop books there, and there's some romance, a bit of mystery, and a lot of fun. I find Williams' books to be the perfect summer/beach reads.

I will say I knocked a star off for the excessive use of the F word. Normally, it doesn't bother me, but good heavens, three to five times per page just pulled me out of the story and got repetitive.

Thank you netgalley for the arc of under the stars by Beatriz Williams. Beatriz has a beautiful writing style that artfully folds in three characters in the same family over different time periods. Providence Dare is on the run from authorities she us being accused of murdering her employer Mr. Irving when she boards the steamship Atlantic. Her story ends with realizations that affect her ancestors in the current generation because luckily for them she wrote a firsthand account of everything that actually happened. Meredith and Audrey are mother and daughter and we go back and forth through Merediths timeline since she is also accused of wrongdoing. This is a story of love and redemption. Highly recommended. Five stars

Beatriz Williams' Under the Stars is a masterfully woven tale that intertwines the lives of three women across centuries, exploring themes of family, love, and hidden truths. Set against the backdrop of Winthrop Island, the novel delves into the complexities of mother-daughter relationships, as Audrey Fisher and her famous mother Meredith uncover a trove of paintings that connect them to Providence Dare, a woman who vanished aboard the luxury steamship Atlantic in 1846. Williams' dual-timeline narrative seamlessly blends historical fiction with contemporary drama, keeping readers engaged with its rich character development and suspenseful twists. The atmospheric setting and evocative prose draw readers into a world where the past and present collide, revealing long-buried secrets that shape the characters' destinies. Under the Stars is a compelling read for fans of historical fiction and women's narratives, offering a poignant exploration of legacy and identity.

I enjoyed this story and how the 2 plot lines eventually came together. Williams has a talent for bringing you into different time periods without too many details and writing griping characters! Check this one out for sure.

It was hard to connect all the different pov's and time periods. This was difficult for me to get through. Thanks NetGalley for an arc.

I really enjoyed "Under the Stars". I love the dual timeline in the book and how it all comes together. It was also fun having a character appearance from "Husbands and Lovers".

Not gonna lie, this book was confusing at first. It was hard to connect all the different pov's and time periods but once they finally made since I really enjoyed it. Partly historical fiction and partly modern day drama/romance, it offers something for everyone and should appeal to a wide audience. My thanks to Random House-Ballantine for providing a review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Ⓑⓞⓞⓚ Ⓡⓔⓥⓘⓔⓦ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

𝕌𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕣 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤
𝗕𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘇 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺𝘀

The story takes place in 1993 and 2024 with numerous entries in a 1846 memoir sprinkled in.

I’m not going to lie, I wasn’t thrilled with the memoir entries and even struggled to read them at times. I couldn’t match them with the story and it felt like they belonged in a separate world. The ending does bring them together nicely though.

I enjoyed the cheekiness of the characters, especially Audrey and her mother, Meredith. Meredith always has the best smart arse comments to throw her daughter’s way. They are definitely flawed characters.

Under the Stars moves along at a good pace. I love the mix of history and fiction. I hadn’t heard about the steamship Atlantic’s wreck.

The family drama between two strong women made the story for me. There is some iffy behavior going on in the past and present as secrets from the past are unveiled. There is even a bit of romance thrown in the mix.

This is a fun story with the exception of the memoir entries. They were quite serious. If you enjoy witty banter and family secrets, this is one to add to your TBR.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing this ebook for me to read and review.

This is the second book I’ve read by Beatriz Williams and it’s the second one I loved. It’s a beautifully written book that focuses on one woman’s journey as she learns to live and love again after her husband runs off leaving her penniless. Told over just a couple of months Audrey Fisher returns to Winthrop Island to help her actress mother continue her sobriety. While she’s not expecting much, more happens to change who she is and how she views herself. Told via multiple points of view and time periods, this is a compelling story that reminds us there is more to life than love.
Ms. Williams has quite a way with storytelling and I am look forward to reading more of what she writes (and has written).
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House- Ballentine for an advanced copy of this. I’m sorry it took me so long to get to. Under the Stars hit the shelves on July 29th.

Audrey Fisher reluctantly returns to Fisher Island with her mother, Meredith, for the summer. Meredith is a famous actress who needs a place to lie low after rehab and Audrey is assigned to babysit her mother until she can start her next acting job. Fisher Island has an emotional history for both women and their summer here will bring the past in the present, both from these two women and a women from centuries before who was on the fated Atlantic steamship that crashed in 1846.

Beatriz Williams has the most remarkable way of tying together stories over centuries. This book is full of deep emotion, mystery, and drama. I loved this book. I particularly loved the intersections with past Fishers Island characters, but even if you haven't read the other stories, you will still adore this one as a standalone.

Thank you to Ballantine Books, Random House Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the ARC of Under the Stars.

Book Title: Under the Star
Author(s): Beatriz Williams
Publisher(s): Ballantine Books/Penguin Random House Audio
Publication Date: July 29, 2025
Currently Available on KU? 🙅🏼‍♀️
Audiobook? ✅

🍿 𝘍𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴: I always love me a Beatriz Williams novel but with Under the Stars I wish I had read the author’s note first. It is so pertinent to the journey of the storyline, and it made me appreciate Providence’s POV way more. To be fair, also kinda my fault since I never read the synopsis anymore. 🙈

🤩 𝚃͏𝚑͏𝚎͏ 𝙱͏𝚎͏𝚜͏𝚝͏ 𝙱͏𝚒͏𝚝͏𝚜͏: I happen to love dual timelines, and the way Williams blended Audrey’s, Meredith’s, and Providence’s stories together was seamless perfection. There is nothing like reading about some obscure historical fiction, and in this case, I was educated on the steamboat Atlantic. I had never heard of this part of history that occurred back in 1846, and you don’t want to miss the way the author brings it to life.

🎧 𝒜𝓊𝒹𝒾𝑜𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝒩𝒶𝓇𝓇𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃: There is a full cast piloting the audio and I loved every minute of it. There is a grand total of SIX narrators including the engaging and talented Helen Laser & Xe Sands. They all created a very immersive experience, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the audiobook.

💭 𝘊𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴: Williams did a wonderful job painting a vivid picture with Under the Stars and the dash of mystery and romance were the cherry on top. The characters are like no other and there is just enough action, mysteriousness, and cliffhanger chapter endings to keep the reader interested.

T͏h͏i͏s͏ B͏o͏o͏k͏ i͏n͏ 5͏ E͏m͏o͏j͏i͏’s͏ o͏r͏ L͏e͏s͏s͏: 🛳️🖼️👩🏼‍🍳🎬

𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
𝙰𝚞𝚍𝚒𝚘𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Under the Stars by Beatriz Williams takes us back to Winthrop Island for another mysterious, romantic adventure. As usual, Williams presents compelling characters who grab our attention and lock us into the story from the very beginning. We meet Audrey Fisher, the daughter and newly assigned sober coach for her actress mother, Meredith. Audrey and Meredith have been “banished” to their long-vacant, but still fabulous family home on Winthrop Island so Meredith can get her act together before starring in a new movie that will resurrect her career and put her back in Hollywood’s orbit. Audrey is dealing with her own demons after her husband drains their joint bank account and disappears with all of their money, leaving Audrey in huge debt and forcing her to close the restaurant they owned together. Audrey and Meredith’s exile to the beach town of Winthrop Island takes readers on a heartwarming journey of family drama, lost love and unpredictable good fortune.
The novel, which is presented through three timelines, draws us back to the 1800’s as we follow the story of Providence Dare and her attempted escape aboard the steamship the Atlantic. Providence is being sought in the murder of her former employer and lover (an accomplished artist), but she ends up fighting for more than her freedom when the Atlantic gets caught in a storm and eventually crashes into the rocks of Winthrop Island.
As with most of Williams’s novels, I tend to be more invested in the current day drama, but the historical aspect adds depth and a tie-in to the modern-day plot.
Beatriz Williams is a master at creating places you’d like to visit and characters you’d like to see again in other books. Who doesn’t want to go to Winthrop Island? For those who read Beatriz Williams’s Husband & Lovers, you’ll be happy to see the return of Monk Adams, one of my favorite characters of all time. However, the introduction of Sedge Peabody in Under the Stars, has created competition for the honor with his witty charm, naturally handsome looks, and overall good-guy personality.
Although Under the Stars is a great read, I was left wondering about the last quarter of the book as it felt rushed and a bit thrown together. The elements of the story are so layered and intertwined I would have preferred a more drawn out and nuanced ending. The ending seemed abrupt and a little too convenient. I still recommend this book, as I thoroughly enjoyed it. Perhaps, I just didn’t want it to end.
Thank you, Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine Books, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy to read and review.

Another great novel by this author who weaves in historical fiction and modern-day stories beautifully. I wasn’t entirely sure how the story of Providence was relevant but it slowly revealed itself.

Quite enjoyable and I hope that this isn’t the last novel set on Winthrop Island.