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aileensbookshelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Minor: Gun violence, Vomit, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Car accident, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury
purplepenning's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Alcohol, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Gun violence, and Infidelity
kermittuesday's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Minor: Blood, Stalking, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Gun violence, Infidelity, Animal cruelty, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, and Vomit
All of the items listed are extremely minor and I even hesitated to put some on but if someone is triggered, I want them to know.bree_of_the_woods's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
thecriticalreader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Sexual content, Vomit, and Drug use
Minor: Toxic relationship, Stalking, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
lawsonemmae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Minor: Domestic abuse, Medical trauma, Infidelity, Vomit, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Fire/Fire injury
beate251's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Lauren is single but one day she comes home and there is a man in her flat, and he's her husband, as countless photos prove. Somehow her attic acts like a magic husband portal, and as soon as she sends one back, a new one emerges. Why is never explained - Lauren just has to deal with a neverending stream of blokes.
I'm not sure whether the prospect of an endless supply of husbands from the loft is thrilling or disturbing - especially as they feel like arranged marriages, but with a great return guarantee - you don't like the way he chews? Just send him into the attic.
A new husband always means a new life - sometimes it's only subtle wall colour changes, sometimes more profound. The people around her, neighbours, friends, family seem to stay the same at least.
Unfortunately, it brings out the worst in Lauren, she hardly goes to work anymore as she knows she can just reboot her life with the next guy, and if there is just the tiniest problem, she just sends the current husband into the attic, consequence-free.
I really started to dislike Lauren - she makes no attempt to be a good wife, just judges her husbands and sends them back, sometimes within minutes. Her life becomes an exhausting, chaotic mess. I doubt she remembers anymore where she is supposed to work nor how much money she has or what her husband's name is. In all this, she never seems to once fall in love with any of them, though she likes some more than others. The situation is becoming a curse and she knows she needs to take drastic action if she ever wants this scenario to end.
This is a debut novel and for that it's quite accomplished but maybe we could have had more time with fewer husbands to make it less repetitive. The ending is a bit abrupt, and I can't say we get a great love story - just a resigned "love the one you're with" realisation. Points for originality though.
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Medical content, Sexual content, and Vomit
astoriareader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
- One night, Lauren returns home to her flat in London and discovers a man who claims to be her husband.
- Despite having no recollection of him, evidence suggests they've been together for years.
- Meanwhile, Michael goes to the attic to change a lightbulb, but suddenly disappears.
- In his place, a new man appears, and a new, slightly altered life forms around Lauren.
- She soon realizes that her attic is creating an infinite supply of husbands, leaving her questioning what the right path and perfect match might be.
- Very unique plot. From the start, I was intrigued by what would happen. Major kudos to the author for creativity.
- Thoughtful and witty. Enjoyed the writing.
- Blends several genres (contemporary, sci-fi, literary fiction)
- Explores interesting concepts, like seemingly endless choices & overanalyzing your decisions.
- Lauren’s partner choice also impacts other areas of her life. Close friends, jobs, hobbies, decor, and all aspects of her life are different, depending on the husband that emerges from the attic.
- My only complaint is it got a bit repetitive in some sections, and I think it could’ve been shorter
Moderate: Blood, Stalking, Sexual content, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Alcohol and Drug use
runlaurarun's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Stalking, Medical trauma, Sexual content, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, Alcohol, and Homophobia