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.

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!