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kirstenw's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
A very clever and unique plot. Lighthearted and funny at times, but also dealing with serious relationship issues that make you think.
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity and Violence
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.
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
blissofalife's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A new favorite for sure! Gramazio artfully explores the "what if?" thought exercise to the extreme. I saw so much of myself in Lauren, and couldn't help but wonder if I would go to similar extremes were I in her position. I thought the added details of the apartment changing with each husband and an entire history rewrite were brilliant! I felt her relief, her grief, and her mounting frustration and desperation. Her burnout was nearly palpable.
The ending was satisfying, I think it was the perfect solution and provided a clean wrap-up of events. Part of me hopes that there will be a sequel where we get to explore the final decision and its aftermath, and part of me recognizes how perfect this was as a stand-alone novel. I look forward reading any future works by Holly Gramazio!
The ending was satisfying, I think it was the perfect solution and provided a clean wrap-up of events. Part of me hopes that there will be a sequel where we get to explore the final decision and its aftermath, and part of me recognizes how perfect this was as a stand-alone novel. I look forward reading any future works by Holly Gramazio!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Stalking, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
cadyly's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I love the idea behind this book - that exploration of 'what if my life had gone another way'? I like that the author really explored this idea and various ways that not only the husbands and flat/apartment could be different, but how Lauren herself could be different and the ways in which the mechanism of the husbands' arrivals could be problematic. This is a very well considered dynamic, which I appreciate.
I read this book in just two days, and it was very entertaining. There were a couple of husbands where I felt that it just dragged on and I was eager for them to go, so I could see what the next one was going to be like - so, I guess, a bit like Lauren herself felt at times.
I would recommend this book as a light romance with a bit of magical realism and speculation to keep you engaged.
I read this book in just two days, and it was very entertaining. There were a couple of husbands where I felt that it just dragged on and I was eager for them to go, so I could see what the next one was going to be like - so, I guess, a bit like Lauren herself felt at times.
I would recommend this book as a light romance with a bit of magical realism and speculation to keep you engaged.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug use, and Violence
torturedreadersdept's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Cursing, Blood, and Alcohol
Minor: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
spaghettireads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Infidelity, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, Medical trauma, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug use, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
mandi_lea's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Gun violence, Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Stalking, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
stagemanaginger's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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? Yes
2.5
I was really excited about this concept, but ultimately disappointed by the book. It was very repetitive. I knew around 1/3 of the way through that unless something seriously changed I wouldn’t like it. Nothing changed. It got more unhinged towards the end, but other than that, nothing changed. The ending is the only time I kind of liked the main character.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
kds247's review
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This is definitely one of my favorite fiction pieces I’ve read so far this year. It just got crazier and crazier and the ending was absolutely insane. I definitely suggest this book if you need a good pick me up. It does have its dark moments but overall it’s quite hilarious and strange.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit
Minor: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
cesca_natalia's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Holly Gramazio are doing God's work with her debut novel of The Husbands.
I decide to read this, at first, solely because of the cover art. It's pretty, stunning, gives off 70's vintage art & with the word "husbands" falling down from the attic, it's so aesthetically pleasing. I'd say if this doesn't end up well, at least the cover art looks cute.
The Husbands were told from 3rd POV where us, as a reader, meet Lauren, drunk & half panic after saw a male stranger inside her flat whom later she found out was her husband which she somehow totally forgot about. In the morning, before she could confronted the stranger, he was gone & replaced by another male stranger which happened to be another husband of her.
This part of Lauren's husband magically change & an attic were a part of it is the one which baffled me a lot. This idea is uniquely authentic & very thought-provoking; all I'm thinking every time is "when will this end? and how? and why?"
From the character itself, Lauren, as our main, were giving a very astonishing & wonderful development; through the book, we follow her journey, her question & confusion regarding everything that happened in her life & from the girl craved for a perfect husband & perfect love life to girl whose satisfied & felt enough with her life, Holly Gramazio definitely did an amazing job.
The Husbands, in my opinion, is more of a story of women's self-journey to find herself rather than trying to find the perfect untainted husbands. The Husbands in here were acted as her "bridge" or "equipment" for her to achieve those self-discovery. And I think it's so nice of Holly to create this book; I certainly could relate with Lauren's story & couldn't wait to read more from her in the future.
This masterpiece is 5 out of 5; I totally recommended this for all of you to read
I decide to read this, at first, solely because of the cover art. It's pretty, stunning, gives off 70's vintage art & with the word "husbands" falling down from the attic, it's so aesthetically pleasing. I'd say if this doesn't end up well, at least the cover art looks cute.
The Husbands were told from 3rd POV where us, as a reader, meet Lauren, drunk & half panic after saw a male stranger inside her flat whom later she found out was her husband which she somehow totally forgot about. In the morning, before she could confronted the stranger, he was gone & replaced by another male stranger which happened to be another husband of her.
This part of Lauren's husband magically change & an attic were a part of it is the one which baffled me a lot. This idea is uniquely authentic & very thought-provoking; all I'm thinking every time is "when will this end? and how? and why?"
From the character itself, Lauren, as our main, were giving a very astonishing & wonderful development; through the book, we follow her journey, her question & confusion regarding everything that happened in her life & from the girl craved for a perfect husband & perfect love life to girl whose satisfied & felt enough with her life, Holly Gramazio definitely did an amazing job.
The Husbands, in my opinion, is more of a story of women's self-journey to find herself rather than trying to find the perfect untainted husbands. The Husbands in here were acted as her "bridge" or "equipment" for her to achieve those self-discovery. And I think it's so nice of Holly to create this book; I certainly could relate with Lauren's story & couldn't wait to read more from her in the future.
This masterpiece is 5 out of 5; I totally recommended this for all of you to read
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug use, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, and Grief
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