Husbands & Lovers is an intriguing book which tells the stories of two women from different periods of time, both ironically dealing with similar issues. The book’s appeal is as the two stories begin to intertwine, the reader starts to understand the connections these two women have as well as the pain and suffering they have both been through which wonderfully creates two sadly beautiful stories in one.
Mallory Dunne is a single parent. Her son’s name is Sam. She has never, ever revealed who is his father. The year is 2022 and Mallory and Sam experience every parent’s nightmare. Something happens to Sam. It’s very bad.
Meanwhile, Hannah Ainsworth is in Cairo. The year 1955. Married to a wealthy man she dislikes, but having been born in Hungary and fled there, has no choice but to continue in the marriage. She meets and falls in love with the worker of the hotel they are staying, named Lucien. He’s very secretive but impossibly charming. He changes her life forever.
Mallory, who is barely making ends meet, decides to go on vacation with her sister Paige where they had spent many happy years. Never having told anybody who the father of Sam was, is shocked that he is actually there as well. He is a superstar musician now, and is there planning his wedding.
Hannah wants nothing more than to have a child, something she tells her lover Lucien. Before she fled Hungary, she had the perfect life and lost it all. When she gets pregnant, she tells her husband it is his. He doesn’t believe her and banishes her just as the city of Cairo is being burned down. Somehow Hannah must find her way out.
Mallory sees instantly that Monk knows he is Sam’s father and now must begin to make very difficult choices. Does he let him into Sam’s life? Does she answer his questions as to why she left so suddenly when they were so in love?
But the most wonderful mystery which is encompassed by both stories is a bracelet which was passed down from who? and left for Mallory’s mother and after she died was given to Mallory. But why Mallory? Her mother was closer to her sister. What does this bracelet have to do with their family?
As all the moving parts come together in Husbands & Lovers it will tell the wondrous story of hidden love, loss and privilege and so many secrets. Some of them lurk in the dark corners hoping to never be revealed while some look innocent but are more than one person care bear. The stories in the book are both spellbinding, and you will be amazed at the connections which these women and the men they have chosen to fall in love with.
Thank you #NetGalley #BallentineBooks #BeatrizWilliams #Husbands&Lovers for the advanced copy.
Lisa's Cubby 