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When You Loved Me
Not yet published
Expected 23 Jun 26A young widow returns to her late father’s New England estate, only to be drawn into the hunt for the rumored pirate treasure that consumed his life, in this thrilling and moving novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Husbands & Lovers.
Local history insists that a legendary pirate buried his treasure somewhere beneath Windward, the decayed Cooper estate on Winthrop Island, but Lucy Cooper never trusted the fable that broke her family apart. When a widowed Lucy returns with her young daughter to grieve her estranged father, she discovers the property’s buried under a mountain of debt, and Ben Ressler has just turned up on her doorstep.
Thirteen summers ago, a teenaged Lucy never meant to fall in love with Ben, a Dartmouth football star vacationing next door at the Peabody estate, and the object of an all-consuming crush by Laura Peabody, Lucy’s best friend. Those two weeks with Ben were the best and worst of Lucy’s life, dooming her friendship with Laura. Now Ben’s returned to live quietly in the Peabodys’ caretaker lodge, after a fatal accident ended his dazzling NFL career. He’s also the last person who saw Lucy’s father alive.
As Lucy reconstructs her father’s troubling final days, she uncovers his research on the frozen winter of 1717, when a desperately wounded pirate sought refuge on Winthrop Island with an enigmatic healer. To Lucy, this history points the way to a different kind of how to forgive yourself for the mistakes of the past and earn a second chance at love. But just as Lucy’s long-buried emotions sear to the surface, a shocking turn of events reveals that someone else on the island will do whatever it takes to claim the fabled plunder.
A timeless story of love and atonement, When You Loved Me maps both a centuries-old treasure hunt and the intimate territory of the human heart, weaving together past and present as only Beatriz Williams can.
Local history insists that a legendary pirate buried his treasure somewhere beneath Windward, the decayed Cooper estate on Winthrop Island, but Lucy Cooper never trusted the fable that broke her family apart. When a widowed Lucy returns with her young daughter to grieve her estranged father, she discovers the property’s buried under a mountain of debt, and Ben Ressler has just turned up on her doorstep.
Thirteen summers ago, a teenaged Lucy never meant to fall in love with Ben, a Dartmouth football star vacationing next door at the Peabody estate, and the object of an all-consuming crush by Laura Peabody, Lucy’s best friend. Those two weeks with Ben were the best and worst of Lucy’s life, dooming her friendship with Laura. Now Ben’s returned to live quietly in the Peabodys’ caretaker lodge, after a fatal accident ended his dazzling NFL career. He’s also the last person who saw Lucy’s father alive.
As Lucy reconstructs her father’s troubling final days, she uncovers his research on the frozen winter of 1717, when a desperately wounded pirate sought refuge on Winthrop Island with an enigmatic healer. To Lucy, this history points the way to a different kind of how to forgive yourself for the mistakes of the past and earn a second chance at love. But just as Lucy’s long-buried emotions sear to the surface, a shocking turn of events reveals that someone else on the island will do whatever it takes to claim the fabled plunder.
A timeless story of love and atonement, When You Loved Me maps both a centuries-old treasure hunt and the intimate territory of the human heart, weaving together past and present as only Beatriz Williams can.
464 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication June 23, 2026
1212 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I’m honestly still under the emotional spell of When You Loved Me. This was not just a story I read — this was a story I felt, deeply, painfully, and beautifully.
From the very first pages, I knew I was stepping into something layered with grief, secrets, lost love, and fragile hope. Lucy’s return to her childhood home is not just a physical return, it’s an emotional confrontation with everything she tried to outrun — her father’s obsessions, her shattered past, and the boy who once held her entire heart in his hands.
And Ben… oh, Ben. He is not the golden boy anymore. Life humbled him, marked him, and changed him. And seeing these two broken souls orbit each other again after so many years filled my heart with equal parts ache and desperate hope. Their connection never truly disappeared — it only went silent, buried under guilt, pain, and time.
What I loved most is how this story explores the way love doesn’t always arrive at the right time. Sometimes it comes too early, when we are too young to protect it. Sometimes life interrupts, steals years, and leaves behind only memories and unanswered questions. Watching Lucy slowly face those memories, while carrying her grief as a widow and a mother, was incredibly moving.
And then there is the island itself — holding its own secrets, its own ghosts. The historical thread added such a haunting, almost mystical atmosphere. It never felt distant. Instead, it mirrored Lucy’s own emotional journey. Both stories speak about survival. About loss. About endurance. And most importantly — about second chances.
This was not just about romance. This was about forgiveness. About understanding. About finding the courage to open your heart again when you know exactly how much it can hurt.
There were moments my heart raced. Moments I felt anxious. Moments I wanted to hug Lucy. And moments I simply paused, overwhelmed by how tender and human everything felt.
I can honestly say this is one of the most emotional, immersive, and beautifully written works I’ve read by Beatriz Williams. After loving Husbands & Lovers so much, I didn’t know if anything could affect me the same way — but this one did. In a different, quieter, deeper way.
This story reminds you that some loves never truly fade. They wait. They survive. And sometimes, if you are brave enough, they return.
And now I need to say this from the bottom of my heart:
My endless, heartfelt thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for sharing the digital reviewer copy of this unforgettable, emotional historical fiction and romance with me. It was truly an honor to experience one of the author’s most powerful and moving works. I’m beyond grateful to have had the chance to read it and share my honest thoughts. This story will stay with me for a very long time. ❤️
This book didn’t just tell a story. It healed something. And I will never forget it.
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From the very first pages, I knew I was stepping into something layered with grief, secrets, lost love, and fragile hope. Lucy’s return to her childhood home is not just a physical return, it’s an emotional confrontation with everything she tried to outrun — her father’s obsessions, her shattered past, and the boy who once held her entire heart in his hands.
And Ben… oh, Ben. He is not the golden boy anymore. Life humbled him, marked him, and changed him. And seeing these two broken souls orbit each other again after so many years filled my heart with equal parts ache and desperate hope. Their connection never truly disappeared — it only went silent, buried under guilt, pain, and time.
What I loved most is how this story explores the way love doesn’t always arrive at the right time. Sometimes it comes too early, when we are too young to protect it. Sometimes life interrupts, steals years, and leaves behind only memories and unanswered questions. Watching Lucy slowly face those memories, while carrying her grief as a widow and a mother, was incredibly moving.
And then there is the island itself — holding its own secrets, its own ghosts. The historical thread added such a haunting, almost mystical atmosphere. It never felt distant. Instead, it mirrored Lucy’s own emotional journey. Both stories speak about survival. About loss. About endurance. And most importantly — about second chances.
This was not just about romance. This was about forgiveness. About understanding. About finding the courage to open your heart again when you know exactly how much it can hurt.
There were moments my heart raced. Moments I felt anxious. Moments I wanted to hug Lucy. And moments I simply paused, overwhelmed by how tender and human everything felt.
I can honestly say this is one of the most emotional, immersive, and beautifully written works I’ve read by Beatriz Williams. After loving Husbands & Lovers so much, I didn’t know if anything could affect me the same way — but this one did. In a different, quieter, deeper way.
This story reminds you that some loves never truly fade. They wait. They survive. And sometimes, if you are brave enough, they return.
And now I need to say this from the bottom of my heart:
My endless, heartfelt thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for sharing the digital reviewer copy of this unforgettable, emotional historical fiction and romance with me. It was truly an honor to experience one of the author’s most powerful and moving works. I’m beyond grateful to have had the chance to read it and share my honest thoughts. This story will stay with me for a very long time. ❤️
This book didn’t just tell a story. It healed something. And I will never forget it.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Beatriz Williams is an automatic summer read for me at this point! I look forward to her books every year, and When You Loved Me totally reminded me why. No one blends historical fiction and contemporary storylines quite like she does. The New England setting is always absolutely gorgeous and atmospheric, and I loved being back on Winthrop Island. Watching Lucy return home as a young widow and trying to untangle her father’s obsession with pirate treasure while dealing with an old heartbreak had me hooked. I loved how the historical pieces slowly clicked into place alongside Lucy’s emotional healing. It’s romantic, a little suspenseful, and surprisingly moving. If you love layered timelines, second chances, and rich coastal settings, this one’s a must!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Beatriz Williams is one of my favorite authors, and her latest release does not disappoint! It felt like a classic Beatriz with an engaging story, and interesting characters and relationships. I love the overlapping characters in her books, readers will enjoy references in this book to several of her other more recent books, including Husbands & Lovers, Under the Stars, and The Beach at Summerly, I was so excited to receive an ARC of this book as I vacationed in Belize. A perfect beach read! 9.25/10.
Thank you very much to NetGalley and Ballantine for the advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you very much to NetGalley and Ballantine for the advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
February 16, 2026
Amazing!!!!!!!!!! Literally screamed when I got the arc.
In this book, we've got 3 POVs- past self, present self, and this other plotline from like 200 years ago but it coincides with the story-line. It had pirates (yay), family issues, and a painful love triangle. I loved the characters (Punkin is literally my favorite ever), and I loved the story. If you liked any of her other books (Under the Stars or Husbands and Lovers), you will definitely love this one. I will always read her books- I love the historical aspect that helps you learn something and also it's in the present tense too.
Read it read it read it...
- thanks netgalley for the arc
In this book, we've got 3 POVs- past self, present self, and this other plotline from like 200 years ago but it coincides with the story-line. It had pirates (yay), family issues, and a painful love triangle. I loved the characters (Punkin is literally my favorite ever), and I loved the story. If you liked any of her other books (Under the Stars or Husbands and Lovers), you will definitely love this one. I will always read her books- I love the historical aspect that helps you learn something and also it's in the present tense too.
Read it read it read it...
- thanks netgalley for the arc
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Such a great combination of mystery and romance. I could not put it down! Different POV's and also different timelines but it wasn't confusing, it flows really well. I like when characters come back into each other's lives and explain what was going on and what they were feeling in the past. I wish that happened more in real life!! I highly recommend this book!
Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy.
Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy.
February 19, 2026
3.5 stars. I liked the plot, the premise, and I like Beatriz Williams writing style. This one felt to me a little less show me than tell me. I felt like there were a lot of little conclusions or moving forward of topics, but never knowing how we got there. Loved everything about Punkin. Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for the ARC.
February 17, 2026
Sadly this wasn’t my favorite Williams book. I can’t put my finger on what it was missing.
The storyline was good and I enjoyed the story overall, though!
The storyline was good and I enjoyed the story overall, though!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Beatriz Williams takes us back to Winthrop Island in this romantic mystery story. Ben is a football star who has returned to Winthrop Island after a tragedy that ended his gridiron career. Laura, a widow with a small child, has returned to the island from her home in France to deliver her father's eulogy and wrap up his estate. Laura and Ben have a past. Familiar characters from William's other Winthrop Island books make appearances. There is are mysteries from the past and present and rumors of pirate booty. Another great read from this author !!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews