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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Beatriz Williams might just earn a spot on my list of favorite authors. Her seamless blend of historical and contemporary fiction is nothing short of captivating. This book had me hooked from the first page—and I stayed up way past my bedtime because I had to know what happened next! Richly layered, beautifully written, and utterly addictive
Thank you Ballantine Books for this advanced readers copy!
Thank you Ballantine Books for this advanced readers copy!
emotional
funny
mysterious
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
After Husbands & Lovers by Beatriz Williams was one of my favorite books I read last year, I was so excited to be able to return to Winthrop Island in her next book, Under the Stars. And it did not disappoint! I didn’t expect so many characters & places to play such a prominent role in this book, and I may have squealed with excitement over each one 😂😍
This time we meet Audrey Fisher, who reluctantly returns to Winthrop Island with her glamorous movie star mother, Meredith, who needs to hide out somewhere secluded before her Hollywood comeback. Audrey, also dealing with some major issues in her life, plans to get off the island as soon she needs to get her mother onto the movie set, but she’s also forming some close relationships with people on the island.
Beatriz Williams once again brilliantly weaves multiple timelines into one brilliant story: Audrey in current day, Meredith in the 90s, and an account of the 1846 shipwreck of the Steamship Atlantic. How does that last one fit into the story? You’ll have to read to find out! I loved the mystery, the romances, and how everything intertwined perfectly. I also was surprised to learn the shipwreck actually happened when I read the author notes. Learning about lesser known moments in history
Even though not technically a series, I can’t wait to go back and read the other 2 Winthrop Island books to meet the previous generation! And I hope we get to go back more in the future.
Thank you to Ballantine and NetGalley for providing the ARC for my honest review!
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Generational secrets and shipwrecks? You know I'm in. 🤩
Thank you, Ballantine Books & PRH Audio, for the gifted copy of Under the Stars by Beatriz Williams {partner}
Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date: 7.29.2025
Pages: 368
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Beatriz Williams is a master storyteller. She weaves together timelines, generations, and unforgettable characters in a way that always leaves me a little awestruck. Her female leads? Flawed, fierce, and impossible not to root for.
While Under the Stars isn't a personal favorite of hers for me, it still delivered so many of the things I love in historical fiction: vibrant histories, layered family dynamics, and intersecting storylines that stretch across time. And yes—this one takes us back to Winthrop Island, which longtime readers of Williams' work will appreciate.
One of the most fascinating parts of this novel was learning about the tragic fate of the Steamship Atlantic in 1846—an event I knew nothing about before reading. That's the beauty of good historical fiction: it leaves you entertained and a little more informed.
My main struggle came with the chapters narrated by Providence Dare. She's recounting her backstory while also unraveling the ship's final voyage, and those overlapping narratives sometimes blur. I needed to reread passages to stay grounded in the timeline, which helped me regain my focus.
Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆☆
The full cast—Helen Laser, Xe Sands, Jonathan McClain, Rachel F. Hirsch, Adam Verner, and Will Damron—was absolutely fantastic. I'm such a sucker for ensemble narration, and this one delivered on every level.
Read if you enjoy:
📖 Multiple timelines & POV
😅 Complex family dynamics
🌊 Small island setting
⛴️ Shipwreck stories
I recommend reading Under the Stars if you also enjoyed reading Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan Henry.
______
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Wow. This book swept me away. I was hooked from literally the first page and this book did not let me go. I had such a hard time even putting it down to do other things because it was so captivating. This is a case for seeing a master handle multi-POVs because I was equally invested in all 3 women's stories and they all were so unique and so powerful. This author is a master of storytelling, atmosphere, and character development and this book shone. I loved the juxtaposition of past and present and how they weaved together at the exact perfect intersections in each story to keep you hooked and shocked. These women and flawed, misunderstood at times, and so strong; I loved them all and will genuinely miss reading about them. This book is emotional and also action packed! It had my heart racing and also had me sobbing. It had me gasping out loud and jumping out of my seat.
This might be my favorite book of hers so far!
Thanks to the publisher for an ARC; my thoughts and review are my own.
This might be my favorite book of hers so far!
Thanks to the publisher for an ARC; my thoughts and review are my own.
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine/Ballantine Books for the ARC. Another great historical fiction novel by Beatriz Williams. I especially got a kick out of the “Easter eggs” she put in using the titles of her other books. This book was told in three different timelines, the current day story being my favorite but it wrapped up quite nicely all together.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5 stars) - rounded up to 5 🥰
Beatriz Williams has become a favorite — her writing just works for me. Under the Stars is part contemporary fiction, part historical fiction, told in dual timelines, and packed with layered emotion, messy family dynamics, and a romance that really hit.
I adored Audrey and Meredith, and the side characters were just as strong — Mike ❤️, Sedge ❤️, Mallory & Monk ❤️, and especially Harlan Walker, his storyline was especially touching and quietly heartbreaking..❤️❤️
The only thing that kept this from being a full 5 stars was that I found myself less drawn to Providence’s chapters in the first half. Her arc is so important and ties everything together perfectly, but at first, I was so wrapped up in Audrey and Meredith that I didn’t want to step away from their story. Reading Providence's chapters interrupted the flow a little bit for me.
Still, this was beautifully written and emotionally satisfying.
A few quotes that stuck with me:
"You either love or you get left, it's your choice."
"I am a fucking idiot. I take it all back. I was hurt, that's all. I was scared. But you're not him, you're nothing like him. I see that now. Now that I finally see him, I SEE YOU."
"I will give him up. Let him live. Let him be okay, and I swear I'll give him up. I will sacrifice what I love most. I will walk away and never come back... Just let him live. Let him be okay."
Highly recommend this one if you’re in the mood for something emotional, beautifully written, and character-driven.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for providing this beautiful E-ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts
Beatriz Williams has become a favorite — her writing just works for me. Under the Stars is part contemporary fiction, part historical fiction, told in dual timelines, and packed with layered emotion, messy family dynamics, and a romance that really hit.
I adored Audrey and Meredith, and the side characters were just as strong — Mike ❤️, Sedge ❤️, Mallory & Monk ❤️, and especially Harlan Walker, his storyline was especially touching and quietly heartbreaking..❤️❤️
The only thing that kept this from being a full 5 stars was that I found myself less drawn to Providence’s chapters in the first half. Her arc is so important and ties everything together perfectly, but at first, I was so wrapped up in Audrey and Meredith that I didn’t want to step away from their story. Reading Providence's chapters interrupted the flow a little bit for me.
Still, this was beautifully written and emotionally satisfying.
A few quotes that stuck with me:
"You either love or you get left, it's your choice."
"I am a fucking idiot. I take it all back. I was hurt, that's all. I was scared. But you're not him, you're nothing like him. I see that now. Now that I finally see him, I SEE YOU."
"I will give him up. Let him live. Let him be okay, and I swear I'll give him up. I will sacrifice what I love most. I will walk away and never come back... Just let him live. Let him be okay."
Highly recommend this one if you’re in the mood for something emotional, beautifully written, and character-driven.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for providing this beautiful E-ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes