Beatriz Williams has gone back to Winthrop Island with a triple timeline story. Audrey is tasked with keeping her mother, Meredith, clean and sober before Meredith is due to film her next movie. Audrey is also dealing with a husband who has disappeared and a contentious relationship with her mother. I loved the return to Winthrop Island as well as how the third storyline (the sinking of The Atlantic) fit in with all of this. Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

My first Beatriz Williams book, and I think I might be hooked.
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Audrey Fisher, daughter of famous actress Meredith Fisher, has hit rock bottom. Reeling from her husband’s betrayal, the loss of her former life, and now the death of her dog, she and her mom head to Meredith’s hometown on Winthrop Island, NY, the site of the infamous Atlantic shipwreck of 1845.

After arriving, Audrey reunites with her absent father and stumbles upon a love interest she never expected. When she discovers a trunk hidden away in her father’s basement, her family’s secrets and ties to the Atlantic’s demise come to light, changing everything.
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I really liked this book!

The pacing for the first third or so of this book is a little slow, but it’s definitely a dynamic story. Told from multiple perspectives and three timelines, we toggle between the present day, Audrey’s conception and birth between 1993-1994, and the shipwreck in 1845. The shifting back and forth keeps things interesting.

I loved the coastal island setting and the FMC’s love interest. But I feel like there needed to be more investment in their romantic relationship. The meat of the book skipped over the relationship development.

A huge critique of mine is the profanity. I’m by no means a prude when it comes to cursing, but I am when it distracts from the plot of a book. And while it did get better as the book progressed, there were way too many F-words used in the first half of the book. It was so distracting and ruined the flow of the writing.

Overall, I liked Under the Stars a lot for the storytelling. It kept me hooked and is a good historical fiction book for the summer months.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Under the Stars hits shelves on July 29!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5 stars) - rounded up to 5 🥰

Beatriz Williams has become a favorite — her writing just works for me. Under the Stars is part contemporary fiction, part historical fiction, told in dual timelines, and packed with layered emotion, messy family dynamics, and a romance that really hit.

I adored Audrey and Meredith, and the side characters were just as strong — Mike ❤️, Sedge ❤️, Mallory & Monk ❤️, and especially Harlan Walker, his storyline was especially touching and quietly heartbreaking..❤️❤️

The only thing that kept this from being a full 5 stars was that I found myself less drawn to Providence’s chapters in the first half. Her arc is so important and ties everything together perfectly, but at first, I was so wrapped up in Audrey and Meredith that I didn’t want to step away from their story. Reading Providence's chapters interrupted the flow a little bit for me.

Still, this was beautifully written and emotionally satisfying.

A few quotes that stuck with me:

"You either love or you get left, it's your choice."

"I am a fucking idiot. I take it all back. I was hurt, that's all. I was scared. But you're not him, you're nothing like him. I see that now. Now that I finally see him, I SEE YOU."

"I will give him up. Let him live. Let him be okay, and I swear I'll give him up. I will sacrifice what I love most. I will walk away and never come back... Just let him live. Let him be okay."

Highly recommend this one if you’re in the mood for something emotional, beautifully written, and character-driven.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for providing this beautiful E-ARC in exchange for my honest thoughtsg this beautiful E-ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

well done, interesting story with some great plotting and settings. the time jumps worked fairly well, a lot better than I expected. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

I loved "Husbands & Lovers" and was so excited to be brought back to the magical island with Mallory & Monk but with a story completely separate from them. This is a multiple perspective historical fiction that weaves together a story of family, death, and connection. I didn't like this one as much as "Husbands & Lovers", I got a bit lost with all the characters at the beginning and it didn't really pick up for my until about the 70% mark. The writing is beautiful but it felt a bit on the longer side. I am excited to see what Williams writes next.

3.5 stars but rounding up.

Thank you Netgalley & Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books for the advanced reader copy.

Beatriz Williams takes us back to Winthrop Island and the Fisher family (Husbands and Lovers, The Beach at Summerly, Summer Wives) in this latest novel that covers three distinct time-lines.

In the modern era, we follow Audrey Fisher as she gatekeeps her famous mother’s fledgling sobriety in their deteriorating family home on Winthrop Island. While there, Audrey attempts to recover from personal tragedy, reconnects with her estranged father, encounters the charming Sedge Peabody, and unearths a trove of 19th century paintings in a basement trunk.

The late 1990’s storyline covers the events surrounding Audrey’s birth and the story of her mother’s encounter with a young island vacationer who drowns just off the Winthrop Island shore.

Lastly, the 1846 storyline, tells of Providence Dare, a foundling taken in by the family of a renowned Victorian painter, when she was a passenger on a luxury steamship when it hit rocks and sank off the coast of Winthrop Island.

And, yes, once again, Williams ties up each storyline neatly AND links them all together in a truly satisfying ending.

Every time I read one of Beatriz Williams’ novels, I learn about events I had heretofore been oblivious to - and this novel is no less as informative as her others. If you’ll read her author notes at the end of each story, she will not only give more information about the true events which inspire her stories, but she will also give you a recommended reading list if you’d like to learn more! I am always in awe of just how much research she must do for every single title she writes. I will always be “Team Beatriz!”

Being a huge fan of Husbands & Lovers, I was so excited to read Beatriz Williams upcoming book! I don’t have much experience with her writing, but I enjoyed it so much in her last novel,

Unfortunately, I did not enjoy Under the Stars. I really thought I would love the Historical Fiction aspect, as I’ve really grown to love this genre, and while I like it more than the present day timeline, I just felt it was so boring.

I also found Audrey and Meredith both so unlikeable. I know the point of the story is that they have a difficult relationship, but it made this a very difficult read for me. Sadly, I struggled to get through it.

I still love Beatriz Williams and even though this book wasn’t my cup of tea, I see it’s getting stellar reviews, so I know that most will like it!

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for gifting me an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I loved this book - the characters, the historical fiction aspect, the mystery, and the dual timelines. The twist at the end regarding David wasn’t really necessary and I felt it took away from the rest of the story, but I loved the other aspects so much that I could overlook it! The complexities of Audrey’s relationship with her parents were so relatable, but I loved how the conflict wrapped up. 4/5 stars!

Under the Stars switches between time periods and points of view. One time period is 1846 and the sinking of the steamship Atlantic as told through the diary or Providence Dare. The other time period is present day where many characters are explored but mainly the mother daughter duo of Meredith and Audrey who are coming back to Winthrop Island.

My favorite part of a Williams’ book is discovering how the two timelines are related and this one had more connections than I was expecting! There’s lot of mystery and drama to be had in Under the Stars.

In her latest novel, Under the Stars, Beatriz Williams delivers a richly layered narrative that deftly intertwines contemporary and historical threads. With thematic undercurrents of identity, legacy, and resilience, the novel achieves an elegant synthesis of family drama, romantic tension, and suspenseful mystery.

The contemporary narrative centers on Audrey Fisher, a gifted chef whose personal and professional aspirations are complicated by the looming presence of her mother, Meredith Fisher—a celebrated artist marked by instability and addiction. Following a series of personal setbacks, including the dissolution of her marriage, Audrey accompanies Meredith back to Winthrop Island, a fictional locale steeped in both nostalgia and trauma. It is here that Audrey uncovers a collection of mysterious paintings, triggering a cascade of revelations that gradually connect past to present. The character of Sedge Peabody introduces an additional dimension of romantic and emotional complexity, as the present-day narrative begins to mirror and converge with a much older mystery.

Running parallel to this is the 19th-century storyline of Providence Dare, a woman escaping a troubled past aboard the steamship Atlantic in 1846. Williams renders Providence’s journey with cinematic intensity, crafting a high-stakes cat-and-mouse pursuit that culminates in a vividly dramatized maritime disaster. The historical sections are distinguished by a keen attention to period detail and psychological nuance, offering a compelling juxtaposition to the modern-day narrative and reinforcing themes of female agency and endurance across time.

Williams’ structural choice to alternate between the perspectives of Audrey, Meredith, and Providence proves particularly effective. This multiplicity of viewpoints not only deepens character development but also facilitates a gradual unfolding of the novel’s central mystery. The emotional arcs—particularly those of the women—are finely wrought, and Williams demonstrates a remarkable ability to balance introspective moments with plot-driven momentum.

While Under the Stars engages in familiar genre conventions—romance, historical suspense, and multigenerational drama—it distinguishes itself through its lyrical prose and narrative cohesion. The interplay between the timelines is seamless, culminating in a satisfying convergence that underscores the enduring impact of secrets, art, and personal transformation.

This novel is a standout of the 2025 publishing year, and a testament to Beatriz Williams’ narrative craftsmanship. Readers of historical fiction, literary drama, and dual-timeline storytelling will find much to admire. One leaves the novel not only entertained, but contemplative—eager for Williams’ next offering.

I love a Beatrix Williams book like no other. I know when I pick up one of her books, I’m going to get a historical fiction that keeps me turning the page.

I love a dual timeline, and we get three timelines in this book. I think that the contemporary timeline was my least favorite, but I still really enjoyed it.

The payoffs of the secrets were well earned. I just know that anything I pick up from Williams is sure to be a hit.

This book has an interesting dual time. In the present we meet Meredith Fisher a renowned actress who is recovering from alcoholism. Her daughter Audrey is in charge of her detox. They have come back to Grey Friars the family home. Neither of them have been there for several years. Meredith and Audrey have always had a difficult relationship.
Audrey also has problems as her husband has left her and took everything of value with him. I loved how Meredith’s films were discussed, the titles were from previous books by Beatriz Williams.
The present story goes back and forth between 1993 and 2024.
Meanwhile back in 1846, Prudence Dare boards The steamship Atlantic. She is trying to escape a murder charge for the murder of her employer, Henry Irving, the famous painter. The Atlantic was a steamship built by Cornelius Vanderbilt for transportation of the rich. There was an explosion on the ship leaving it without power. The ship was wrecked near what is known as Fishers Island.
Back in the present time, Audrey finds an old wooden trunk filled with old paintings. Who was the beautiful woman in the painting’s and why were they on Winthrop Island?
This story was beautifully woven together. I enjoyed it very much. I would have liked to have read more about the Atlantic in the story.

Beatriz Williams is one of my most favorite authors. That being said, I did not love Under The Stars - it was just okay for me. It starts out with several different storylines and timelines which seemed confusing for at least 30% of the book. I kept having to go back to figure out which characters we were talking about during each chapter. It does eventually come together, but I never loved the flow and had a hard time making myself keep reading. Overall, it was okay. I will always love Beatriz Williams, just don't love this book.

Thank you to net galley for the arc in exchange of an honest review.

This story is EVERYTHINNGGGG. i loved how it was historical fiction and a mystery. Great work Beatriz Williams!

I love Beatriz Williams, and I especially love returning to her world on Winthrop Island. The way this story overlapped with the characters from Husbands & Lovers, but was still a completely unique and new story, was so entertaining. The myriad ways that these seemingly unrelated stories intertwined – both within this book but also with the previous – had me feeling like I needed a family tree! I was continually drawing connections between the storylines that I didn't see before.

I loved the mystery of this one. The historical shipwreck and unraveling how that would ultimately be tied into the current storyline. The suspicious deaths, both past and present. Questions of paternity and family lineage. There were so many layers to peel back.

I am a huge fan of historical fiction that captures real lived experiences and closely follows true accounts, and this certainly delivered on that! I was even more drawn to the story when I saw the author share that the setting for this book was a real place which could be viewed from the shores of Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford, CT. The grounds overlook both Fishers Island (the inspiration for Winthrop Island) and the actual location of the steamship Atlantic tragedy that sets the scene for the historical piece of this story. In fact, not only did I learn it was a real place, but it was unbelievably a place I had visited. Just two years prior, while wedding venue hunting, we toured the Eolia Mansion on the grounds of the state park, and I stood on that shore and looked out at that spot, having no idea what I was truly seeing. It was extra special to be able to fully immerse myself in this story and picture exactly what the author was writing about, but more than that, it made me really think about all the places I've been (especially throughout my home region of New England) that have so much unseen history; untold stories, just waiting to be brought back to life.

Under the Stars is out July 29th! Thank you to Netgalley, Beatriz Williams, and Ballantine Books for this gifted ARC!

This is a fun book a bit different from William's typical historical fiction. This book is written in two timelines, so there is a historical aspect, but the modern day story is a bit more of a thriller and modern than her previous works I felt. Typically, it takes place on an East Coast island, and I enjoyed the setting of small town charm and the isolated life style. I really enjoyed this book, was unsure how the two stories would come together (and I did find myself going back to re-read to make sure I had the details straight) and was pleased with the result. After reading this one, I want to go back and re-read Husbands and Lovers, which takes place on the same island. I think I may not have given that one a fair shake, possibly not being the right book at the right time. I am enjoying these new tie-ins for this new "series" of Beatriz's. There are a couple Easter eggs in here that made me chuckle!

Very enjoyable, recommended.

After falling in love with Husbands and Lovers, my favorite book of 2024, I was eager to dive into Beatriz Williams’ newest release, Under the Stars—and it did not disappoint.

This richly layered novel weaves together multiple timelines and perspectives with Williams’ signature style. In 2024, we follow Audrey as she returns to her childhood home on Winthrop Island, hoping to help her actress mother recover from alcoholism. We also spend the summer of 1993 with Meredith, Audrey’s mother, as a younger woman. And then there’s the haunting voice of Providence Dare in April of 1846, aboard the ill-fated Atlantic.

Williams masterfully blends historical and contemporary fiction, offering an engaging narrative that spans centuries. The book is packed with fascinating period details, making each timeline feel vivid and authentic. There’s a perfect balance of romance, mystery, and drama, all wrapped in a beautifully written story.

Under the Stars is an absorbing, multi-generational tale full of secrets, heartbreak, and resilience. A must-read for fans of layered storytelling and historical fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the advanced copy!

Meredith Fisher, an award-winning actress, is facing a declining career. She has been offered a role that could put her back in the limelight, but her drinking has made her too high a risk unless she gets help. Her daughter, Audrey, is the only one who can ensure she receives the proper attention. Audrey had been running a restaurant with her husband, who recently vanished with all her savings, leaving her in debt. Meredith and Audrey head to their family summer home on New York's Winthrop Island, where Audrey removes all the liquor, bringing it all to the Mohegan Inn, which is run by her father, Mike, whom she hasn't seen in years. The story shifts to 1993, focusing on Meredith and her relationship with Mike. A third storyline takes place in 1846, leading up to the Thanksgiving Day shipwreck of the Steamship Atlantic. A young servant flees to sea following the suspicious death of her employer, famed painter Henry Irving, with a detective on her tail with a warrant for her arrest. In the present, a trunk filled with paintings long hidden in the cellar of the Mohegan Inn is found.

Winthrop Island has been the setting of three previous novels by one of my favorite authors, Beatriz Williams. In her fourth book set in this appealing location, Williams blends the present and the past, filling the pages with family drama, mystery, and some romance. While Under the Stars stands on its own, Williams treats loyal readers with fun Easter eggs and has brought back Mallory and Monk Adams, the main characters from Husbands & Lovers, now in supporting roles. This is also the first time the author has incorporated a real historical event. The wreck of the Steamship Atlantic was one of the worst early maritime disasters in New England, claiming about half its passengers. After a boiler explosion, it smashed into Fishers Island, located on the eastern end of New York's Long Island Sound, the inspiration for Winthrop Island. Williams is a great storyteller, and I am delighted to have another book of hers to recommend for an enjoyable summer read.

4.5 stars.

Under the Stars
By Beatriz Williams

There are many successful novels today that follow the formula of two story lines taking place hundreds of years apart – and gradually going from parallel to merging lines. These books generally come to a satisfying, if somewhat predictable, conclusion. This book follows that pattern, but with just enough unpredictable events to keep the reader engaged.

This book deals with issues of trust and loyalty. The heroines from both eras have been played dirty by the men they loved and trusted. But in counterpoint, they find that there are men whose love and loyalty – even over many years – can be trusted.

If you are looking for a book that is a little more than the standard beach read, Beatriz Williams does not disappoint!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

Beatriz Williams is an auto read author for me and I find that I enjoy her writing style with dual POVs and a little history. I enjoy her ability to write about relationships and all of the drama that goes with different types of personalities but this book was a bit of a disappointment.

Three different viewpoints was a bit much for me. I had a hard time investing in the characters, especially Prudence Dare. I had a hard time feeling any kind of emotion f0r her and following the story for her portion was a bit challenging. I also had a hard time with the resolution of the book. I feel like a lot of relationships were left hanging without any true resolution to the problems found there, especially Meredith and Audrey's relationship.

I did enjoy learning about the Atlantic and its shipwreck and wish a bit more about it would have been weaved into this story. I also enjoyed Sedge and Mike and wish that more of their relationship with Audrey would have been fleshed out.

Overall, I would recommend this book and do plan to read more books by Beatriz Williams in the future.