Love Beatriz Williams books. She never disappoints.

This book takes us back to Winthrop Island and weaves two stories into one. The first story is a hundred years ago with a shipwreck of The Atlantic and reads from the diary of Providence Dare.

Fast forward to modern times when actress Meredith and her daughter, Audrey, are on a drying out adventure. Well, the drying out is for Meredith and Audrey is supposed to be her "minder". Meredith relives memories from before her daughter was born. In 2024, Meredith's long time on again/off again boyfriend (also Audrey's father) makes an appearance. As Audrey and her dad get to know each other, Audrey's romantic life takes a turn.

Lots of stories that are all interconnected and pull their lives together.

The men definitely steal the show in this novel. From Mike the curmudgeonly bar owner to Sedge the dashing, young hero - the men are very likeable characters and you find yourself cheering for them throughout the book.

I typically don't have a problem with jumping between timelines, but this one was a bit hard. While I really enjoyed the 1993 and 2024 stories and how they intertwined and how the stories of these two timelines came to life, the 1846 timeline about the sinking of the Atlantic steamship just never drew me in. I kept wanting to skip those chapters completely. At the end of the book, you finally find out why it was included in the book; but I wish it had just been a prologue instead of bouncing back and forth to it. Other than that, the story was quite enjoyable.

A solid 3.5 stars.

Thank you to Ballantine Books and Net Galley for this advanced readers copy.

Beatriz Williams takes us back to the shores of Winthorp Island in “Under The Stars,” and honestly, this might be her most emotionally gripping story yet. The way she jumps between three different timelines—a stormy shipwreck in 1846, Meredith’s messy past, and Audrey’s current life drama—shows us how our histories keep shaping who we are, whether we like it or not.

This book really shines in how it tackles that complicated mother-daughter relationship. Meredith Fisher, the alcoholic actress trying to clean up her act, and her chef daughter Audrey aren’t just flat characters—they’re real women with serious baggage. Their sharp-tongued exchanges cut deep but also crack with humor that makes you wince and laugh at the same time.

Then there’s that mysterious chest of paintings that breaks everything wide open. Each canvas works double-duty—moving the plot forward while revealing another layer of buried island secrets. The scenes aboard the doomed Atlantic ship feel so real you’ll swear you can taste salt on your lips and feel the deck rocking beneath you.

Anyone who loved Williams’ earlier Winthorp books will eat up the deeper dive into familiar places and especially Sedge’s expanded story. The island itself practically breathes on the page—those rocky shorelines and fancy communities hiding both shiny wealth and darker truths.

And that audiobook version? The full cast absolutely nails every snarky comment and heartfelt moment across all three timelines. “Under The Stars” goes beyond typical historical fiction—it shows us how we all navigate the storms that threaten to sink us.

Special thanks to PRH Audio, Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for providing the advance review copy, though all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sadly, this is a big miss for me. I loved Husbands and Lovers, but this one just did not capture my attention like that one did. I also felt the pacing was slow - too slow for my liking.

So much to unpack and so much to savor in Beatriz Williams latest historical fiction novel, Under the Stars. Famous families, mother/daughter drama, and a need to escape intermingle with a centuries old unsolved mystery involving the dawn of the steamship era and long lost love. There’s a lot going on, but with Ms. Williams masterful storytelling, the writing is clear and concise, leading to a beautifully told story that you won’t soon forget.

Thank you so much for allowing me to read this beautiful novel in exchange for my honest review. Beatriz Williams has such a beautiful writing style and I have loved every novel of hers. This one is no exception. It caught me from the very beginning. I enjoyed the multiple storylines and timelines equally and was always desperate to read more until I finished. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves a very well written and powerful historical fiction novel. I can’t wait for more from this author!

Thank you net galley and publisher for this ARC. This book had the author’s signature writing style and I enjoyed learning about the characters and story line.

In Under the Stars, Audrey Fisher, a talented chef, returns with her glamorous, troubled actress mother Meredith to their childhood summer getaway on Winthrop Island. They uncover a hidden cache of paintings in an old chest that ties them to Providence Dare, a woman who vanished from a luxury steamship in 1846. As long-buried secrets come to light, the lives of three women across two centuries intertwine in a beautifully woven tale of legacy, love, and mystery.

Somewhere before the halfway mark of this book I knew I absolutely loved it. It was such a unique blend of historical and contemporary fiction, love story, family drama, and suspenseful mystery that I couldn’t put it down. I picked it up a few days before the end of the month, not thinking I’d count it towards my reading goals, but I tore through it in record time because it was utterly addictive and propulsive. I was reading it on my lunch break, while pedaling my Peloton, and in every spare moment I could find.

Williams plants these adorable Easter eggs in her books for readers of her previous novels, and Under the Stars is no exception. It’s like a sweet secret between us. She does it deftly and creatively, and it’s so much fun as a reader. The characters are ones I completely connected with. Each one is fully developed, complex, and fascinating. There’s beautiful character work here. Hearing the story through each character’s viewpoint made everything feel more relevant and immersive.

This is an absolute must-read and I can see it being one of the hottest titles of the year. Five full stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group ‑ Ballantine for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Beatriz Williams is a auto buy for me. Under the Stars was another strong historical meets contemporary fiction novel. As with her previous books the novel unfolds in such a way to keep you guessing as to who really did what and why. Every chapter led to more questions until the final climax when it was beautifully woven together…

I thank NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early digital copy of UNDER THE STARS by Beatriz Williams. This was my second book by this author, and while it didn’t beat Husbands & Lovers (which I gave five big fat stars) I really enjoyed it!

There is a lot going on in this book, and it would be difficult to sum it up in a short paragraph, so I won’t try. All I’ll say is it’s half contemporary fiction, half historical fiction, based on the true story of the sinking of the luxury steamship Atlantic off the New England coast in 1847. The story is set on the fictional Winthrop Island, which is also the setting of Husbands & Lovers, and a couple of William’s other books. There’s romance, mystery, and characters who feel real. The setting is gorgeous and it’s difficult to guess how this one will end. Williams expertly crafts dialogue that makes you forget you’re reading.

I was more interested in the contemporary story than I was in the historical fiction half, which is unusual for me, but the entire book is just plain good. Everything ties in neatly in the end. Fans of Elin Hilderbrand will likely also enjoy this one.

Spoiler alert: Beatriz Williams is one of my favorite authors. I have read all of her books and loved them.. Under the Stars is my favorite. It revolves around an aging, narcissistic Hollywood star and her daughter, who is in charge of keeping her mother sober, which is no small feat. They are
visiting their Summer home on a small New England island chock-full of quirky and intriguing characters. There is also a mystery about the death of a boyfriend that the star dated as a teen. The chemistry between the mother and daughter reminded me of Deborah and Ava on Hacks. I love Beatriz Williams' writing as well as her knack for creating believable characters that seem to jump off the pages. The narration was superb.

I was SO excited for this book after loving husbands and lovers and thought it would be similar. It was really hard to get through and unfortunatley, I felt no attachment to any character or storyline,

Beatriz Williams is one of my favorite authors. I never really liked historical fiction until I read her work. I literally couldn't put this book down. So good!

This book truly felt like a movie, and I loved it! The characters were a standout. I quickly connected with them, especially Audrey, whose incredible journey of growth was a highlight. She starts out feeling adrift but by the end, she finds a strong sense of belonging and a supportive family.

The plot was engaging. While I predicted most of the twists, it didn't detract from the story at all, they felt just right for this type of narrative, skillfully bringing the three timelines together to solve the mystery.

The writing was well-crafted and enjoyable, contributing to the movie-like feel. And the small island setting, was well-realized. Unexpectedly, I also became quite invested in the romance subplots, finding myself still thinking about them long after finishing the book.

Overall, this was a fantastic read about growth, acceptance, and finding your place.

Under the Stars hooked me from the beginning as it contained several elements that I love in a novel; historical references, characters of all ages, well-researched settings, mystery, and last not but not least romance. Beatriz Williams manages to blend all of these elements seamlessly. I was as equally invested in the characters of Providence Dare as I was in Audrey and Meredith. I have to admit that I did cheat and read ahead to the end because I could not handle the suspense. There we just enough plot twists and turns to keep me guessing throughout. It was really a page turner!
I would like to thank NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an unbiased review.

The plot centers around three very interesting women. Meredith, a famous actress , is trying to keep her career and life afloat. Audrey, her professional chef daughter, is struggling with her own career and life problems. Providence Dare, our historical character, struggles lierallly as she bobs and weaves throughout their lives in unexpected ways. To this spicy mix, we add old romances and new ones all set on the picturesque fictional Winthrop Island.
In addition, the male characters are all unique and finely drawn and keep you entertained. Beatriz Williams aptly shifts the chapters between characters and different time periods in a clear and logical manner that is not confusing and keeps the plot moving forward.
I give this novel "Excellents" across the board for plot, theme, structure, and characterization. Well Done!

There is something magical about Winthrop Island, despite past tragedies and failed romances. So many families are connected by marriage or secret loves. Not everyone gets his or her happy ending, but when it happens, it is spectacular and well deserved. You'll be rooting for the characters, past and present, Under the Stars.

this was a cautionary tale about why three different perspectives can potentially cause issues in a novel (my work in progress has three POVs). each individual story was captivating—a shipwrecked eighteenth century maid who’s fled the scene of her lost lover’s murder, an alcoholic actress who must get sober for her next role, and a daughter forced to care for her mother who never cared for her—the many perspectives ultimately made the story confusing. plus, the author employed a lot of flashbacks to reveal important moments, which made reading feel more like a puzzle than a seamless experience. i still enjoyed it, though! out in july!

First off, huge thank you to NetGalley, Ballentine, and Beatriz Williams for sharing this wonderful book with me. It was really an honor to read it.

There were so many layers to this story that truly made read it such an experience. It was like you were fully immersed in this world on Winthrop Island. Beatriz’s use of not only multiple POV’s but also multiple timelines allow us as readers to get a full scope of the story.

The mother/daughter relationship between Meredith and Audrey honestly had me laughing and crying at the same time. It is clear that Meredith loves her daughter more than anything, she just doesn’t know how to. She was never shown how to truly love someone. The two of them are the heart of the story and I loved the journey they both went on and the things they learned about each other along the way.

The story of Providence Dare and how it connected back to Meredith and Audrey was so interesting. I was so curious where things were going to go with her story. The MVP’s of the book were Mike and Sedge! I loved both of them and they were the perfect partners to compliment Meredith & Audrey! I’m glad the book ended with Mike’s POV. That was a fun treat.

Overall this was such an amazing book, and lovers of historical fiction will absolutely enjoy this. Thank you again to NetGalley and the author & publisher for this book.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

If you have read Beatriz Williams before, you will know what you are getting into with this one. One historical timeline (this one in the 1840s), two present day points of view, family dynamics, a love story, all of the storylines coming together in a unique way.

Beatriz Williams is such a comfort read for me (perhaps because of the formula above, or the fact that I know things will generally work out, even if there's a bit of heartbreak along the way), and I have been grabbing for comfort recently. This book fit the bill beautifully.

I really enjoyed the present day timelines, and while our main character Audrey was a bit prickly, I loved loved loved her story arc. The historical chapters were a bit slower, but I really enjoyed how it played out. Just such a fun and easy read outside of the typical rom-com tropes.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader's copy! Opinions are my own!

Under the Stars is the newest Beatriz Williams masterpiece told in alternating time periods by a cast of colorful characters. Providence was aboard The Atlantic’s shipwreck in the 1800s and her detailed diary documents what really happened during the disaster. Today, Audrey is tasked with the responsibility of keeping her mother Meredith sober on the island where her estranged father lives. And in typical Williams fashion, the unexpected connection between all of the characters isn’t revealed until the very end…

Providence worked as a servant in the home of an older artist whose wife passed away in a horrific fire. When her employer meets his own tragic fate, Providence has to flee when she is suspected of murder. There begins her journey on the doomed ship and her unlikely entanglement with the man who is most convinced of her guilt.

Audrey has been independent - and a tough cookie - her entire life because her famous mother hasn’t exactly been the most hands-on of parents. While Meredith struggles to stay away from alcohol, Audrey struggles to stay away from the handsome and charismatic Sedge Peabody.. Her recent marriage ended scandalously and she has no desire to have her heart broken again.

These are just some of the unforgettable characters and captivating storylines that make Under the Stars a five star read. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this Beatriz Williams delight.