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A review by kjdubic
Under the Stars: A Novel by Beatriz Williams
4.25
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
Lush, layered, and laced with secrets across centuries
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine | Ballantine Books for the ARC of Under the Stars in exchange for an honest review.
This novel is classic Beatriz Williams: dual timelines, generational secrets, and women searching for their place within their family stories. Set against the salt-kissed backdrop of Winthrop Island, Under the Stars blends the emotional weight of a mother-daughter reckoning with the thrill of a historical mystery at sea.
The contemporary timeline follows Audrey, a determined chef trying to navigate her mother Meredith’s chaotic descent from stardom, and Meredith, whose glamorous image masks deep emotional scars. Their return to the island, and the discovery of a long-hidden chest of paintings, sets off a chain of questions tied to the past.
Meanwhile, in 1846, Providence Dare boards the doomed steamship Atlantic in a desperate bid to outrun her past. Her storyline was absolutely gripping, filled with tension, stormy seas, and the lurking threat of exposure. Williams writes the historical chapters with such vivid urgency that I could practically feel the cold spray of the Atlantic as Providence tried to stay one step ahead of the man chasing her.
The threads between past and present come together with elegance, and while some reveals felt a touch predictable, the emotional payoff was still worth it. The exploration of legacy, artistry, and the complicated bonds between mothers and daughters gave the book real heart.
Also: shoutout to the island itself, which feels like a living, breathing character. The setting had just the right amount of windswept beauty and whispered history.
If you enjoy immersive historical fiction with rich female characters, atmospheric detail, and just enough mystery to keep you turning the pages, Under the Stars is a rewarding journey.
Lush, layered, and laced with secrets across centuries
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine | Ballantine Books for the ARC of Under the Stars in exchange for an honest review.
This novel is classic Beatriz Williams: dual timelines, generational secrets, and women searching for their place within their family stories. Set against the salt-kissed backdrop of Winthrop Island, Under the Stars blends the emotional weight of a mother-daughter reckoning with the thrill of a historical mystery at sea.
The contemporary timeline follows Audrey, a determined chef trying to navigate her mother Meredith’s chaotic descent from stardom, and Meredith, whose glamorous image masks deep emotional scars. Their return to the island, and the discovery of a long-hidden chest of paintings, sets off a chain of questions tied to the past.
Meanwhile, in 1846, Providence Dare boards the doomed steamship Atlantic in a desperate bid to outrun her past. Her storyline was absolutely gripping, filled with tension, stormy seas, and the lurking threat of exposure. Williams writes the historical chapters with such vivid urgency that I could practically feel the cold spray of the Atlantic as Providence tried to stay one step ahead of the man chasing her.
The threads between past and present come together with elegance, and while some reveals felt a touch predictable, the emotional payoff was still worth it. The exploration of legacy, artistry, and the complicated bonds between mothers and daughters gave the book real heart.
Also: shoutout to the island itself, which feels like a living, breathing character. The setting had just the right amount of windswept beauty and whispered history.
If you enjoy immersive historical fiction with rich female characters, atmospheric detail, and just enough mystery to keep you turning the pages, Under the Stars is a rewarding journey.