Good dual timelines tale, with both equally compelling. Likeable characters I enjoyed spending time with. At times I struggled to connect all the dots, especially during the conclusion of the historical fiction tying up with the present day. I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc! I wanted to love this book as much as I did Husbands and Lovers, but I didn’t. The premise is super cookie cutter to the last book, which I DO love the tie in to historical fiction and how small choices in the past affect the present/future, but it was so similar. Spoilers.

The history portion involves a woman who has a tragic backstory who marries someone because of convenience has a horrific story event happen (several in Pru’s case) and had kids and settled. Generations later some thing (art in this case) leads to several discoveries about people and events while the main female character falls in love with a rich guy in the present day. She tries to push the mmc away, third act break up, then he confesses his undying love and we all live happily ever after. Audrey has a mother who isn’t a great mother, is selfish and self indulgent, and Audrey demonstrates much of those characteristics too.
Now sedge, yes the most golden retriever boyfriend I ever did see. He’s sweet and lovely and good, though there’s no real excitement there. He’s the constant in the book and I love the tie ins to monk and Mallory.

Mike is the comic relief and probably favorite character for me in this book.

I wish we would have SEEN more of Audrey and sedge’s relationship development instead of being told about it in flashbacks and memories. I’d have loved to see more about sailing and her cooking for him and stuff to see why they felt the way that they did. It wasn’t enough.

Meredith- she was exhausting, but the ending redeemed her a bit with Mike and making Harlon feel better about his son’s death. And the whole thing with coop on the boat and never actually knowing Audrey’s paternity was a little frustrating.

David was the worse, and that’s all we need today about him.

Pru’s story was so interesting and I liked that the ship sinking is based on the actual ship that went down, but pru wasn’t super likeable and her story wasn’t as engaging as the Egyptian backstory in the first novel.

So all in all, it was a good book, but not one I’d need to read again. A solid 3.5 stars. I was a little disappointed since I loved. h and l so much, but this one fell a little flat for me.

Wow, wow, wow! Love Beatriz Williams and this book did not disappoint. Under the Stars gave me all the Husband and Lovers vibes I could ask for and more. I couldn't put the book down, laughing and crying with the characters. NOTE: Please read Husband and Lovers first!!! While Under the Stars is not a sequel, it will add to the world building of Winthrop Island in Under the Stars.

The book follows three women: Audrey, Meredith, and Providence. Audrey and Meredith are a daughter / mother duo on Winthrop Island for the summer. Meredith is a famous actress, and her daughter, Audrey, is a heartbroken chef. Meanwhile, Providence, a mysterious maid, is aboard the Steamship Atlantic in 1846 headed towards New York City (and yes, I did find myself Googling to see if this was fact or fiction).

Each storyline is a compelling and complex puzzle piece that gives clues as to why the women are they way they are adding to the climax of the book- how they are all connected. Additional perspectives at the end of the book were *chef's kiss* to get the holistic view and leave with all the emotions.


**Spoilers below**
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I was squealing as MONK ADAMS and MALLORY ADAMS walked in!! Also, I couldn't believe I didn't put together our Sedge was also Mallory's previous Sedge sooner! Thrilled we got to see Monk and Malloy's HEA (I would have read the book just for this, had I known!!!). I can only hope our next Beatriz Williams' book is a continuation of the Winthrop Island we've grown to know and love!

Another intriguing love story from Queen Beatriz! She is so good at historical fiction and weaving storylines together over generations. Very similar to Husbands and Lovers, which I also enjoyed.

I wish we could have seen more between Audrey and Sedge. I don’t feel like their story was developed enough for me to care towards the end. However, I loved the storyline with Meredith and Mike. I was engaged from start to finish.

A solid 4.5 stars!

It took me a little while to get into this book, but once I really began to get to know the characters and connect the story lines, I actually liked it a lot. At first, the story of the shipwreck in the 1800s did not draw me in, and I had difficulty connecting it to the present-day stories of Meredith and Audrey. Also, in the beginning, I did not like the character of Meredith much, and her story was not compelling. As I continued to read and the dual time lines started to line up more, I began to really get invested in the stories of all the characters, and by the end, I was rooting for Meredith and Mike, and Audrey and Sedge. I wanted them to all stay on the island and have their happy ever afters. I do recommend this book for fans of Beatriz Williams, or if you have not tried one of her books before, this might be the one to start with. Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the e-arc.

Wow, where do I even begin with Under the Stars? Beatriz Williams has once again crafted a mesmerizing tapestry of mystery, history, and heart that kept me hooked from the first page to the very last. This book is a glorious blend of glamorous glamour, sweeping adventure, and juicy secrets—think Downton Abbey meets Titanic with a dash of modern-day intrigue! The story effortlessly splits between three incredible women across different eras—Audrey, the legendary chef battling her mother's shadow; Meredith, the glamorous actress hiding her scars behind diamonds and fame; and Providence, who’s fleeing her own dark past aboard a doomed steamship in 1846. Williams skillfully weaves their stories together across centuries, revealing how secrets buried deep can resurface in the most unexpected ways. I loved uncovering the clues hidden in the old wooden chest, exploring Winthrop Island’s mysterious past, and trying to piece together how those stunning paintings ended up tucked away in the cellar. The characters are richly drawn, with flaws, fears, and fierce love stories that made my heart swell. Sedge Peabody, the charming neighbor, adds just the right dash of swoon-worthy romance to the mix. The historical details are as lush and vivid as the Maine coast, and the layers of mystery kept me guessing until the final revelation. Plus, the way Williams captures the enduring bond between mothers and daughters, along with the ripple effects of long-buried family secrets, made this a truly unforgettable read. In short, Under the Stars is a shining masterpiece—perfect for anyone who loves a blend of history, suspense, romance, and a dash of island magic. It’s a story that will stay with you long after the last page is turned. Highly recommended!

I enjoyed this Beatriz Williams book more than some of her others. The story of the Atlantic ship disaster was new to me and I looked up the location on a map to see where the ship departed from. (I also read the author’s notes before starting the book.)

Audrey, Meredith and Providence were a bit crude and rough when we first met them. Eventually their stories were revealed and I came to really like them—even Meredith.

Advanced reader copy courtesy of the publishers at NetGalley for review.

Under the Stars by Beatriz Williams was a so-so read for me. While I enjoyed the characters and thought the romance had its charming moments, it didn’t quite capture me the way some of her other novels have. I was especially hoping for more depth in the historical fiction storyline aboard the ship, which felt like it had so much potential but wasn’t explored as fully as I’d hoped. Overall, it was an enjoyable book, but not one of my favorites from Williams.

Loved this story! Characters were great - though all not entirely loveable at first, you really got to know them and understand their motivation. Loved the fictional setting too - felt like we were there.

4.5 stars! Beatriz is truly a master at leaving the reader on the edge of their seat after each insatiable chapter, which seamlessly flows through the POV of three generations of women.
If you love a good historical fiction with a sprinkle of romance, art, mystery and family drama then I highly suggest you preorder this book!
Thank you @netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC.

Beatriz WIlliams can do no wrong, and I liked this one very much. There were a number of drifting timelines, and a few times I found myself thinking "wait, who is this character again?" Aside from a few back-jogs to find my place in the story, there was pretty much everything you could want in a story from Williams: a historic detective story backdrop, unbridled romance, art, debauchery and many, many pop-up surprises.

Under the Stars is a novel featuring mysterious paintings, a struggling actress, unexpected romance, and a shipwreck that spans two timelines. I am usually a fan of Beatriz Williams, but this novel disappoints me due to its miserable, unlikable characters and a difficult-to-follow storyline.

Audrey Fisher's life is disrupted when she is tasked with sobering up her famous actress mother, Meredith, for the summer. They travel to the remote Winthrop Island, Meredith’s childhood home, where hard truths are revealed and sometimes avoided. Amy, a successful chef, reunites with her biological father, who asks her to run his failing restaurant. After meeting entrepreneur Seth Peabody and discovering some mysterious paintings, her life changes drastically.

Aside from Seth (the hero of the novel), the characters are all misfits evading broken marriages, failed careers, tragic pasts, and even the law. Thank you, NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review Under the Stars.

Beatriz Williams always hits the mark. This historical fiction book was intriguing and with the character dynamics made it hard to put down.

I recently read Under the Stars by Beatriz Williams. I've read many books by this author and have always enjoyed them. Williams writes what may be considered historic fiction, but I actually find that true with some of her books more than others. What you can always count on is a good story, with great character development and an interesting plot. Her most recent offering is no different.

In Under the Stars, we are treated to a story about a mother and daughter. The mother, Meredith, is a famous actress, working toward a comeback. Daughter, Audrey is a chef who discovers a mysterious chest having belonged to her estranged father. Despite not wanting to return to their family home on Winthrop Island in New England, both women find they must, in order to address their issues. What ensues is a family mystery, begging to be discovered. This is done with the aid of part of the story being told in a flashback to 1846 where Providence, who has a secret, is fleeing on a steamship which starts to sink near Winthrop Island. Of course, Beatriz Williams brings the whole story together with her normal mastery, holding the readers interest until the very end. As usual, a great read from a consistently good author. I can't wait for more.

Many thanks to Random House/Ballentine and Net Galley for the early look. It was a pleasure.

Great read! I loved the dueling timeline. Providence, Meredith, and Audrey were fantastic leading ladies. Beatriz Williams is always a favorite author and this book did not disappoint. I would have loved more details on Providence's story and the Atlantic shipwreck.

"Husbands & Lovers" was the first book I read by Beatriz Williams, and I really enjoyed the characters and the East Coast setting. I was super excited for the advanced copy of "Under the Stars." This book takes us back to Winthrop Island through the stories of three different main characters: Providence Dare (1846), Meredith Fisher (1994), and Audrey Fisher (2024).

We also get to catch up with some favorites from "Husbands & Lovers", like Monk and Mallory, Mike, and Sedge, who’s with Audrey. This story has a little bit of everything—historical fiction, romance, intrigue, and humor. I couldn't read it fast enough! It's the perfect summer read and definitely gets five stars from me.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review.

I always love Beatriz Williams books - great historical fiction with strong female characters and this one does not disappoint! The story fluctuates between the past and present and follows three heroines. Loved it!

3.75 ⭐ Thank you to @ballantinebooks for the advanced copy!

Pub Date: July 29, 2025

In Under the Stars, Beatriz Williams intertwines the lives of three women: Audrey, a modern-day chef; her famous, complicated mother, Meredith; and Providence Dare, a young woman fleeing scandal aboard a doomed steamship in 1846.

When Audrey and Meredith return to Winthrop Island for the summer, they discover a mysterious chest of paintings that ties their family’s past to a long-forgotten tragedy, and to a woman whose secrets may finally come to light.

I’ll be honest: the first 30% was really slow. That was also my experience with Husbands & Lovers, so maybe it’s just how Williams builds her stories. If this hadn’t been an ARC, I might’ve stopped. But once the pieces started to fall into place, I got invested. The mystery around the paintings and the slow unraveling of family secrets kept me turning pages.

The strongest parts of the book, for me, were the setting and characters. I loved the New England island vibe, and Audrey and Meredith’s sharp, tell-it-like-it-is personalities made them fun to read. Their messy, complicated dynamic felt refreshingly real.

Romance-wise, there’s some light love interest content, but the relationships felt more like background fluff than emotional centerpieces. What stood out more was the personal growth each woman experiences as the story unfolds.

Though marketed as historical fiction, I’d call this more of a contemporary family drama with a historical subplot. Providence’s timeline, the most traditionally “historical” part, was compelling, and I often wished the book leaned more into her story. That said, I enjoyed the discovered paintings angle; as an art history enthusiast, that subplot was a highlight.

There are a lot of characters to keep track of, and I sometimes had to remind myself how people were related. Williams is known for packing a lot into her books, and this is no exception. But overall, it’s a very well-written story with a rich atmosphere, strong voices, and a satisfying conclusion.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys multigenerational stories, mother-daughter drama, and a touch of historical mystery.

I devoured this book! It was so good. We start off with our cast of characters. Audrey is tasked with babysitting her famous yet wild mother Meredith. And they head to Winthrop Island where they assume they can spend a summer taking it easy. Suffice to say chaos of all types ensue. We then meet Mike, Sedge, the Irving’s, and Providence.

I really enjoyed how the story interwoven the past and present with both stories holding my attention. The story pulled you in and kept you there. I read this over two days because I had to know what was going to happen next and how the story would wrap up.

Overall this is a great read and I highly recommend it!

Thank you to Ballantine and NetGalley for an ARC of this book! Getting approved for a Beatriz Williams ARC feels like winning the lottery, and this one did NOT disappoint!
As per usual, Beatriz Williams has managed to write a deeply engrossing and enjoyable story. Set in multiple timelines (3), she masterfully weaves together past and present. Those who read Husbands and Lovers, will enjoy a brief life update on Mallory and Monk and the return of Sedge- who finally gets the girl.
I really enjoyed the way the three timelines intertwined and finally came together at the end with Winthrop Island itself being the connecting thread. Each woman must choose to overcome their own trials and tragedies- to choose to survive- to make the most of what life has given them. A theme throughout the book is, “grief is the price we pay for love.” Yes, that is a line from QEII’s speech about the passing of Princess Diana, but one that works perfectly for this book as well. The choices these characters ultimately make for love is often made hand in hand with grief.
Also, I loved the quick nod to Willig, White and Williams- ifykyk
As always, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I can’t wait to read the next!