Audrey, a talented chef who in 2024 was recently abandoned by her husband; Meredith, Audrey's movie star mother whose career began after she fled her Winthrop Island home after becoming a single mother in 1993 and who has one last chance to save her career by getting and staying sober; and Providence Dare, the servant girl to a famous artist who in 1846 has fled Boston under suspicion for his murder. Providence's story is written as a diary account of the night the steamship she steals away on gets caught in a storm. Williams is a wonderful writer and while this isn't my favorite of her work, I did like it and would recommend it. You'll keep turning the pages to find out what really happened to cause both Providence and Meredith to run in 1846 and 1993, what will happens to all three women, and what connects Meredith and Audrey to Providence.

NOTE: Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

this is a dual timeline story, if you like historical fiction you will love this story. I read in two days as it was hard to put down.

I am a huge Beatriz Williams fan. If you are looking for a fantastic, entertaining, historical fiction that sucks you in and does historical fiction in a way that hasn't been done before, look no further!

World-renowned actress Meredith Fisher returns to her family home on Winthrop Island with her daughter Audrey, seeking refuge from the public as she battles her addiction. While both mother and daughter find themselves frequently at odds, the reality is that they have more in common than they realize: Both women excel at distancing themselves from others in the guise of self-protection. Both fear the danger inherent in allowing themselves to be emotionally open and vulnerable. Both are incredibly strong-willed yet simultaneously crippled by doubt.

A tragic shipwreck from long ago and the discovery of the legacy of a woman who 'dared' to live the life she wanted in the face of disapproval, danger, and even near death, forces Meredith and Audrey to confront their insecurities and acknowledge that their past doesn’t have to dictate their future. With so much in our lives that is out of our control, we need to let the walls we’ve built around ourselves come down and risk reaching out for the love and happiness that surround us. In the wise words of Audrey’s father, Mike, “Love does not keep a balance sheet. Love does not keep score. Love just gives.”

I’ve been an avid reader of Beatriz Williams’s books for years. She has a talent for creating perfectly imperfect characters that are easy to root for, and the cast of Under the Stars, particularly Providence, is no exception. With every novel set in it, Winthrop Island becomes more and more real, and I loved all the small nods to other storylines and characters in Williams’s world. Until next time…

Four and a half stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Beatriz Williams brings us back to Winthrop Island, this time with three main characters – historical figure Providence Dare, who fled Boston by steamboat after being charged with a crime; Meredith Fisher, an actress who is escaping to her family home on Winthrop Island to sober up and attempt to reclaim her Hollywood status; and Audrey’s daughter Meredith, who accompanies her mother, with whom she has a very complicated relationship. Fans of Husbands & Lovers will be pleased at the return of Monk and Mallory, this time in supporting roles. I loved all three storylines, but the standout for me was the historical one of Providence Dare and the wreck of the steamship she was on. It’s a gripping, suspenseful narrative, and the ways in which it intersects with the fate of the modern-day characters lends the novel just a bit of mystery, mixed in with the family secrets and drama, of which there is no shortage. Williams has successfully pulled off another dual timeline novel, with story lines that initially seem worlds apart, but are gradually woven together, thread by thread, until the full beautifully multilayered picture comes into focus at the end.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. Under the Stars by Beatriz Williams. If I see a new book by Beatriz Williams, I eagerly grab it. They are super beach reads as many are coastal in setting. Thank you to the publisher, the author and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. This novel takes us to three different time periods, all involving the fictitious Winthrop Island (inspiration is Fisher’s Island). Providence Dare is running away from something devious in 1846 when she’s shipwrecked. Present day Audrey is helping her famous mother detox and get ready for her comeback movie. She ends up meeting her birth father and discovering some risqué paintings in her dad’s pub. 1990s Meredith longs for excitement but ends up pregnant. How do all these stories converge? This was a fun and quick read. It’s actually the 3rd or 4th novel I’ve read that is set on Winthrop Island. Thumbs up! Great one for the beach bag. Publication date is late July! #whatsinyourbeachbag #winthropisland #beatrizwilliams #bookstagram #bookgram #whatiread #reading #books #bookworm #goodreads #netgalley #libbyapp

Breezy and fun, UNDER THE STARS is another winner from Beatriz Williams. The New England setting is gorgeously rendered, and the dual timeline is meticulously plotted. At times the line-level writing is a bit much and it could have been pared down, but many readers will enjoy it. Providence Dare, our historical character from the 19th century, is intriguing as well. The novel is chock full of drama, including romance and buried secrets. This will appeal to readers looking for a fun vacation read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-galley; all opinions in my review are 100% my own.

Under the Stars by Beatriz Williams follows three heroines in a triple timeline.
Audrey, present day, Meredith, 1994, and Providence, 1846.
These strong females have a connection and the author weaves the family dynamics with brilliance. Secrets and mysteries are revealed. I truly enjoyed this story and with this author's research, she has brought alive her fictional characters and has woven them into a story of perseverance. Historical Fiction is an incredible way to tell a story. I loved this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing | Ballantine Books for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a beautifully written dual timeline story. I devoured this book over 3 days. This is a wonderful book for historical fiction lovers. Both the same day and historical timelines were wonderfully written. I loved how the stories weaved in together as the book continues.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Love Beatriz Williams. Really enjoyed this book and the connection back to Husbands & Lovers and getting cameos from the characters. Kept me entertained and had dynamic characters. I enjoyed the different perspectives and kept me on the edge of my seat on how everything would turn out, especially in the ship wreck. Would recommend!

Bravo! Five stars! Excellent! I am a huge Beatriz Williams fan and her newest novel, Under the Stars, is her best so far and is a must read! As with all of her books, it is an immersive experience where you become a part of Winthrop Island and are transported from past to present while savoring every page. I loved every character, as true to Williams’ norm, are deep and well developed. And the romance!!! It was especially “spicy” in this one which I relished! Highly recommend, one of my favorites in 2025 so far. Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced readers copy of this book.

Under the Stars was a richly woven, multigenerational story full of atmosphere, emotion, and just the right touch of mystery. Set on the windswept shores of Winthrop Island, the novel beautifully connected the lives of three women—Audrey, Meredith, and Providence—across centuries, with a compelling narrative that blended past and present in the classic style of this author.
Audrey and her mother Meredith were wonderfully complex—each burdened by their own pasts, resentments, and regrets. Their reluctant return to Winthrop Island added a sharp emotional tension that made their evolving dynamic feel authentic and earned. I especially enjoyed Audrey’s perspective as a woman trying to build something of her own in the long shadow of fame and personal tragedy.
The historical thread, centering around Providence Dare and the ill-fated steamship Atlantic, was vivid and suspenseful, and it added a moody, gothic layer to the book. The author's description of the shipwreck and the cat-and-mouse tension between Providence and the detective made those chapters feel like a thriller in the best way.
If I had any minor critique, it’s that the pacing occasionally lagged in the modern storyline, particularly during moments of introspection or strained mother-daughter dialogue. But the stunning prose, evocative setting, and the mystery behind the paintings and Providence’s fate kept me hooked throughout.
Overall, Under the Stars was a sweeping and satisfying read, filled with hidden truths, artistic intrigue, and generations of women learning to face—and embrace—their pasts. This author once again delivered a story that felt both timeless and timely.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I am a big fan of this author and was thrilled to read another book from her. It was well written but it didn't grab me like her other ones did. Interesting storyline with 3 main characters but there were to many others to keep track of.
It took me much longer to read this but it dragged on. I do look forward to future books from Beatriz Williams and I am sure they will be enjoyable.

Beatriz Williams is always a must-read for me, and Under the Stars absolutely delivers.

She never fails to craft the kind of historical fiction I can’t put down, and this book is no exception. Under the Stars is a beautifully layered story set against the evocative backdrop of Winthrop Island—a fictional setting longtime fans will recognize and love.

The novel masterfully weaves together three timelines—2024, 1993, and the sinking of the RMS Atlantic in 1873. With her trademark elegance, Williams connects these eras through characters bound by legacy, secrets, and love. The pacing is perfect, the transitions seamless, and the unfolding of the story deeply satisfying.

What I love most about Beatriz Williams’ writing is her ability to create characters who are flawed, complex, and deeply human. Whether it’s the modern-day protagonist unraveling her family’s past, the emotionally charged 1993 storyline, or the heart-wrenching historical narrative of the shipwreck, I found myself completely invested in each one.

I loved this story—its mystery, its emotional depth, and the way it ties generations together through love, loss, and resilience.

This was a five-star read for me, and I’m so grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an early copy. If you’re a fan of immersive historical fiction with unforgettable characters, Under the Stars is not to be missed.

I will need Beatriz Williams to write at least one book a month for the rest of my life because I cannot get enough of her work! It was wonderful to return to the ever-mysterious Winthrop Island and see some familiar faces. The balance between careful historical research and page-turning stories is what I love about a Williams novel. The intricacy of the fictional family trees and the societies they inhabit is so intricate and so wonderfully well done.

The Fisher family once again provides the heroines for our tale; this time, it's Meredith and Audrey who return to Greyfriars for a summer of mystery. Dreamboat Sedge Peabody is back, and his friends Monk and Mallory make appearances as well. The historical perspective is told as a written account of the sinking of The Atlantic -- a very real event that has been moved to the shores of the fictional Winthrop Island for this story. I loved the art history mystery and the time spent at the Mohegan Inn for our characters.

This book was so close to being 5-stars for me but it's a 4.5 for two reasons.

First, I'm struggling to keep up with how all the characters of Beatriz Williams novels are connected. I often referred to the Schulyer family tree she has on her website. I think we need one for the Winthrop Islanders. I'm sure we'll be learning more about Monk Adams and Meredith Fisher's connection in an upcoming novel and I need a way to keep track of it all.

Secondly, as a massive fan of William's novels, it was a little jarring to me that Meredith's movies were all titles of other William's novels. She even plays Pepper in Along the Infinite Sea? Isn't Pepper her second cousin -- by marriage? Anytime I read one of those titles it sort of took me out of the story.

Make no mistake -- I LOVED Under the Stars. And I will certainly be recommending it all summer long.

This is a dual-timelines novel, set on a remote-ish island in the North Atlantic in 2025, and on the same island in the early 20th century. It centers on a shipwreck and the family secrets that went down with the ship, so to speak. An engaging read with interesting period details and an art history mystery at the center.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC

Under the Stars is a captivating blend of historical fiction and family drama encompassing the lives of three women across centuries. Audrey Fisher, a renowned chef, and her mother, Meredith, a glamorous actress, return to Winthrop Island to confront their complicated past. Their discovery of a hidden trove of paintings leads them to uncover the story of Providence Dare, a woman who vanished from a luxury steamship in 1846. Williams intertwines these narratives, creating a rich tapestry of secrets, love, and resilience that spans generations.

Thank you @netgalley & @randomhouse for the ARC of Beatriz Williams upcoming book Under the Stars (release date 7/29). I was so excited when I was approved for this ARC, I fell in love with Beatriz’s writing while reading Husbands and Lovers. Under the Stars is the perfect book for historical fiction lovers and for newbies who want to read a new genre. I gave it 4 stars ⭐️

Another beautiful and absolutely captivating novel from Beatriz Williams. She continues to build the world of Winthrop Island, looping in characters from Husbands & Lovers, continuing their story, and introducing us to new ones.

This book tells the story of 3 women: Providence Dare, Meredith Fisher, and Audrey Fisher. All of whom find their way to Winthrop Island at different points in time. It is the story of love, loss, and learning.

The entire book is a lovely read, but Part 3 is absolutely gripping and had me reading at any chance I could. I hope Williams continues to build on her world of Winthrop Island in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley for this advance reader digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

There was so much to love about this book. New England backdrop, summer on an island, mystery, romance and history. I really enjoyed the story about the Atlantic shipwreck and wanted to learn more. The author wove that into the storyline beautifully and set up the novel in three timelines, told by different characters. That was a bit confusing at first. But it kept me very engaged and wanting to read more. I have read other novels by this author and enjoyed them as well.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC. My opinions are my own.