A huge thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Audrey Fisher has spent her whole life under the shadow of her glamorous, beautiful, movie star mother and genuinely loves her career as a world-class chef. Neither Audrey nor her mother Meredith have any interest in returning to their family home on Winthrop Island, but Audrey has been tasked with keeping her mother sober until her next acting gig, and the island is the perfect place to lay low. But it is also the place where a dark incident in Meredith's past took place when she was just a teenager. And it's also where Audrey's exchanged father lives. In alternating chapters, we go back in time to 1846, and the story of Providence Dare who is fleeing Boston on the Atlantic, which in the present-day chapters is a boat that famously sunk off the coast of the island.

There is a lot to like about this book. A beautiful, intriguing setting, complicated family dynamics, unexplained murders, hidden family connections, and complex relationship histories all feature heavily in this book. I was really intrigued by the mystery of what happened to Meredith as a teenager, what ended up happening to Providence Dare onboard the Atlantic,

This book has a lot going on. There are just too many stray plotlines to fully explore in one review, but this is jam packed with drama, tension, and mystery. The present-day chapters flip back and forth between 1993 and 2024. And then there is also the storyline from 1846. There are multiple famous characters, multiple missing characters, multiple mystery storylines, two murder storylines, and two sunken boats. Both Audrey and Meredith have complicated/absent father relationships. Audrey has a missing husband and a budding relationship. Meredith is an alcoholic, is traumatized by being the product of an affair, is haunted by the terrible accident that occurs to her as a teenager, has an on and off again relationship with Audrey's father Mike, and is a beautiful and famous actress. It just felt chaotic and a bit overwhelming at times. I read a physical copy of this book but wonder if I would have struggled to keep up with all the timelines, secrets, and character arcs if I had listened to it on audio. However, you will certainly not get bored reading this! There is something for everyone in this plotline.

I did not know going into this that it is connected to Husbands & Lovers. I loved seeing characters from that novel pop up in this book and getting to see a bit of their story beyond the ending of that novel. This was a fun and unexpected addition but reading the earlier novel is in no way necessary or required to understand or enjoy this one.

It’s not summer without a Beatriz Williams novel. Another incredible summer read from this talented author.

I enjoyed the beginning of this book, but I lost my connection with the story and the characters and ended up not finishing. I did like the different POVS and timelines and the historical fiction aspect.

You know that feeling when you find an author that you love, but you've read their new book and you discover that they have an amazing list of books for you to choose? That has been my experience with Beatriz Williams. I read Husbands and Lovers and absolutely LOVED the book, Williams style of writing, the characters- everything. Then I went about my reading and pulled out a book that a dear friend had given me an embarrassing amount of time ago- The Secret Life of Violet Grant. And you know the saying the rest is history? Under the Stars was my seventh Beatriz Williams book of 2025 and will certainly not be my last (still plenty to catch up on). Every time I read another of her books I think it's the best one yet- but I must say definitively this IS THE BEST ONE YET! Seamlessly, Williams dual timeline has you on Winthrop Island in the present day woven with the tale of a shipwreck off of Winthrop in the 1800. Present day Audrey is coping with the fact that her deadbeat husband- drained their bank account and disappeared leaving her with incredible debt from the restaurant that they owned. Her mother, Meredith, a famous actor needs some time to stay away from alcohol following rehab- so where do they wind up but Winthrop Island and back to Meredith's childhood home. While they are working through their own issues and issues as mother and daughter- Audrey is reunited with her biological father- Mike- with whom she has no real relationship. Add Sedge Peabody into the mix for an unexpected twist. The historical piece is the retelling of a shipwreck by Prudence Ware- who may or may not have killed boss, a famous painter. There are guest appearances from characters in Husbands and Lovers- and reading the other Winthrop Island books will help give you a sense of who is who on Winthrop Island. While I couldn't put this book down, I'm also so sad that it's over! Clear your calendar for July 29 and prepare to read Under the Stars!

Audrey Fisher is having a bad year—her restaurant went bankrupt, her dirtbag husband left her, and her dog died. Now her famous movie star mother needs a sobriety coach for the next three months. Both broke and out of options, they head back to the family home on Winthrop Island in New York.

Told in a dual timeline, the novel also weaves in the story of Providence Dare and the suspicious death of a famous artist, as well as the reappearance of his long-lost work.

This story seamlessly blends contemporary and historical fiction into a tale of mother-daughter reckoning, lost family, and love found in unexpected places. It has a bit of a slow start, but it’s beautifully written—and once I was hooked, I couldn’t read fast enough to reach the satisfying ending.

I can’t wait for the next Beatriz Williams novel—she is truly an expert storyteller. Fans will also enjoy a cameo by Monk and Mallory Adams from Husbands and Lovers.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. 5 stars

Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the early read in exchange for a fair review.

Another great opportunity to revisit Winthorp Island. I loved the complex characters, jumping between different timelines, and the exploration of the impact of the past on the present. I appreciate the drama and emotional depth.

Another great dual time line book from Beatriz Williams. I really enjoyed this book and how the characters dealt with difficult life events. It is a great summer read! It is set on the fictional Wintrop Island and has some connections to her previous books, but this is story can be read as a standalone.

*will post on instagram closer to pub date* Under the Stars by Beatriz Williams ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This book is one I was so excited to get my hands on! This book has mystery, family drama / secrets, quirky characters, and heartwarming romance! Every character in this book was so unique and quirky and made you fall in love with them. It did take me a while to really get hooked, the pacing wasn’t overly fast, but once I was, I loved it. I also wish we had a bit more depth and time with the love story to feel more invested.

My excitement when Monk Adams showed up!!!!!!

When Audrey’s marriage and world is crumbling, she agrees to spending a few months with her mother to help her sober up. When they return to their New England island home, Audrey finds a chest that begins to uncover secrets long since buried.

Pub. Date: 7/29/25.

Perfect if you like:
•Family secrets.
•Quirky characters.
•Strong FMC.
•Murder mystery.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️ (brief / vague descriptions + implied intimacy)
Mood: 🍿🍷

⚠️: explicit language.

This was not one of my favorite Beatriz Williams’ books. There are three timelines with multiple points of view that just jumble up the novel. I enjoyed the story of the sinking of the ship Atlantic but was puzzled as to what it had to do with the dual timelines of mother and daughter. We do find out, but not until extremely late in the novel. I was so completely lost that I didn’t even realize the events in the book took place on the island where Husbands and Lovers was set. The story felt rushed at the end with a car chase and shoot out.

Under the Stars by Beatriz Williams is another great historical fiction read that fans of hers will definitely want to add to their list. I’ve loved several of her books, and this one didn’t disappoint. She nails the dual timeline, the cast of characters is engaging, and there are just enough twists and turns to keep things interesting. If you enjoy strong female leads, a bit of mystery, and Williams’ signature storytelling style, this one’s for you!

If you’re a fan of historical fiction, Under the Stars is poised to be one of 2025’s standout novels. Beatriz Williams once again knocks it out of the park with this richly layered story that unfolds through the alternating perspectives of three protagonists across 1846, 1993, and 2024.

Recently out of rehab, famous movie star Meredith Fisher is spending her summer on Winthrop Island—under the watchful eye of her daughter, Audrey, who’s been reluctantly roped in as both caretaker and sobriety companion. Audrey, who grew up with only her mother and the occasional birthday card from her absentee father, isn’t thrilled to be playing babysitter to a woman she barely tolerates. But this unexpected summer becomes a turning point. As she begins reconnecting with her father, reeling from her husband’s sudden disappearance, and contemplating her own path to happiness, Audrey stumbles upon something extraordinary: the long-lost paintings of a renowned artist, vanished during a mysterious shipwreck in 1846—along with the prime suspect in the artist’s murder.

Williams masterfully blends history, mystery, and emotion in a way that keeps you turning the pages. Under the Stars is not just a gripping multi-generational tale, but also a meditation on love, loss, and the lengths we go to for family. Immersive, poignant, and unforgettable, this is one book you won’t want to put down.

Sadly, I really wasn't a fan of this . To me, this felt very different from other Beatriz Williams books I've read, both lacking the historic vibes and also being very crass with all the profanity. I'm not one to blush about swearing in books, but here it just felt beyond unnecessary and ultimately made a lot of the characters in the "present time" come off as very cringe and unlikable.

Also, while I think this may just be me, I'm over the nonlinear format that was used here. I know it's very on brand for Williams, but it was just too much back and forth all over the timeline for me. By about 70%, I was emotionally detached from this story beyond repair.

I will say, if you pick this up, for the full Winthrop Island experience you should read Summer Wives and Husbands & Lovers first. Characters from these two prior books overlap with the characters in Under the Stars. While not necessary, I think it helps fill in some of the gaps of the historic backstory of the families on this island.

This was my second Beatriz Williams book and I loved it just as much as the very first one! She just knows what’s she doing when she’s writing. And bonus points for the little Husbands & Lovers cross over. I die for those scenarios!

The way that she writes her timeline switches never feels clunky or confusing. It all flows so perfectly together that you’re never left feeling like you could skip this part or that part and move back to another timeline. I found myself worrying a lot that there was going to be some weird familial linkage between the romantic interests but that never came about!

The banter is so good in this book. I love how unserious everyone is and how they constantly give each other shit. I laughed out loud at them multiple times. I loved all of the story lines that this book followed. The ending for Meredith was left kind of open ended but, instead of feeling let down, I felt like it was a very appropriate ending for who she is.

I loved this and I can’t wait to read more for Beatriz!

Another visit to Winthrop Island, with a very unique second story line. Beatriz Williams never disappoints. Her cliffhanger links between the parallel story lines kept me up late into the night. Equal parts suspense, history and romance, this summer read was delightful.

As usual for a Beatriz Williams’ book, Under the Stars wraps around all my favorite elements: complicated but swoony romances, intriguing mysteries, compelling narratives and protagonists connecting past to present. And of course, exceptional writing. Another wonderful tale from a master of the dual-timeline!

Beatriz Williams has created another compelling story of family trauma and drama wrapped in love with quirky, likeable, and interesting characters. Meredith is a movie star who continually makes bad choices but stays ever in pursuit of the attention and her daughter, Audrey, who has continually had to take care of her mother while also seeking her love. All Audrey has to do is keep Meredith sober for 3 months for a part in a new movie while staying at her childhood home on Winthrop Island and her estranged father lives. The dialogue is at times snarky but also clever and entertaining and I loved it!

Thank you to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!

-I struggled with this one: a dual storyline that intertwined a woman, her famous mom and a story from the past.

It was an interesting premise (and parts I really liked) once it got going but it took me too long to get there and in the end I was left with more questions than answers. I’ve heard great things about Husbands & Lovers though so I’ll still give that a chance! (And whoops apparently I should have read that first!)
Thanks you NetGalley for the arc!

3.5 stars rounded up
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of Under the Stars!
I loved Husbands and Lovers, so I was excited to see a bit of crossover characters on Winthrop island. But B, you’ve got to give us a family tree! I read this whole book and still can’t figure who is related and who is not… going back over a century..

It’s hard not to compare books. This one just didn’t pull at my heart strings like her others have. I found the time jumping around a bit confusing too. This one isn’t just dial timeline- there’s 3 timelines and within each are flashbacks.
Even so, I enjoyed the story and the characters! I didn’t know about the historical event-the crashing of the Atlantic. And I enjoyed the mystery of the paintings. Not my favorite BW, but I’d still recommend it!

A Beatriz Williams book is always guaranteed to be a good read. She places this one on the fictional Winthrop Island that has been the setting for a couple of her other books. This one has three timelines, mid 1800s, 1990s and present day. The shipwreck of the Atlantic really happened, but she places her fictional characters among the actual people. To be honest, this was my least favorite part of the book. It was a necessary part for the book as a whole, but was pretty dreary reading, at least for me. The rest of the story is about Meredith and her daughter, Audrey. I really enjoyed their storylines. I loved the last third of the book as connections were made between all the storylines. The ending was very satisfying.

I enjoy Beatriz Williams. She has become an autoread author for me. She writes multiple timelines and it is neat to see how she weaves them all together. I have not read the other Winthrop Island books, although I bought them and meant to read them before this one, but it was not necessary. I think it would have been nice if I read them before to already know some of the families. This book has a survivor of a ship crash in 1848 telling her story, and then we have a 1994 timeline, and a current day. This book is about Meredith and her daughter Audrey. Meredith is an actress and needs to be sober before her next role so her daughter is going to be in charge of her all summer to make sure of the detox. They go to their home on Winthrop Island for the summer. Audrey's father also lives on the island and their relationship is not much better than her relationship with her mother. I will say that neither of them was likable in my opinion. They both need lots of therapy and I feel like that should definitely have been a part of the story. The book opens with a dead body and then we find out there are other dead bodies in the past so there are some mysteries to this story as well.

-"You only get hurt if you love someone in the first place. Grief is the price we pay for love."

-"Because that's how love works. Love does not keep a balance sheet. Love does not keep score. Love just gives. "