Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

The Husband by Holly Gramazio

22 reviews

maggies's review against another edition

mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This to be one of the most interesting setups I've read recently. With that title, it's easy to imagine The Husbands is a romance, but it is emphatically not. A little bit parallel universes, a little bit philosophical examination of the power of choice and fate. I never connected with Lauren, or maybe I connected too much, since I can see myself behaving similarly (if my attic ever started producing an endless supply of husbands) and it's not a flattering image. Highly recommended, just the same!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Infidelity and Sexual content

kathleenivy's review against another edition

funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Drug abuse, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Domestic abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Sexual content, Vomit, Stalking, Car accident, Alcohol, and Classism

kmdowling90's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Gun violence, Sexual content, and Vomit

Minor: Infidelity and Toxic relationship

jmermelstein14's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Injury/Injury detail

lex_is_bookish's review against another edition

adventurous funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship

dexkit10's review against another edition

funny hopeful 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Drug use and Gun violence

Minor: Toxic relationship and Vomit

cdkm9's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

4.75

This book was both entertaining and thought-provoking. At times it was funny or lighthearted, and at other times more serious and reflective. It was refreshing in that it was not an overdone storyline, the only other book I know of with a similar concept is The Midnight Library, but the vibe is very different. I was very impressed to learn this was a debut novel, and look forward to what she writes in the future!

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Content Warnings

Minor: Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, and Abandonment

vaykay's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Generally enjoyed reading it. I read this in tandem with my partner, which meant we would laugh over the jokes together. Good humor, good insight on diverse versions of men. Lauren is boring, and I felt that the twist at the climax made me realize we don't really know who Lauren is at all. I couldn't make sense of most of her actions, and the ending served as a reminder of her selfishness. This is a perfect example of either too short or too long; this could've been a novella or it must be 400+ pages long. Unfortunately, the last 100 pages felt rushed and as if the author just needed Lauren to do whatever (and very extreme things) just to rush the plot toward the finish line. Disappointing with little payoff. I enjoyed the tone and the characters as well as the concept and setting.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Car accident and Pregnancy

daniellekat's review against another edition

The premise of this held potential, but omg this was boring. SO REPETITIVE. The main character was dull and unlikeable and the writing was plain.

Even getting to the point where Lauren meets Bohai couldn't keep me interested.

I think this could have worked as a short story but over 350 pages of this is nuts.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol

raekit's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Gun violence, Stalking, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Toxic relationship