Reviews with content warning for Gun violence - The Husbands

Would you love your husband if the previous day never even had a husband and you could always just get a new one by making him go into the attic? How long are you willing to play husband roulette? Especially when you're the only one that knows you're playing it?

I think I hoped for a different ending but I'm also not disappointed by the one I was given. I'm always so amazed by magical realism and also a little shattered when I don't 100% have it figured out. This was a good time.

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cdkm9's review against another edition

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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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henyouise's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted mysterious 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? No

4.0

The premise of this book is so unique. I just think this book was 70 pages too long. We spent too much time with the random husbands and not enough time exploring Lauren's descent as she works through this life changing event (s) for over a year.

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blueskyreview's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

This was an entertaining read, but I'm glad it wrapped up when it did because the main character was starting to get on my nerves. I will say I wasn't able to guess who she ended up with, so props to the author for that 👏

P.S. - Little rant without being spoilery, when our MC Lauren is talking to someone about previous relationships, and they say they haven't had just girlfriends. My first response wouldn't be "Oh have you had a fiancé? A wife?"

No, Lauren - He's queer and he's saying he's been with other genders!

And to then proceed to stumble over using the word partners instead of girlfriends for his past relationships...idk, maybe it's just me, but I felt that with Lauren having a queer sister, who she is close to and is in a sapphic marriage, that Lauren shouldn't have been so awkward about it.

Not that some families aren't like this, but I was annoyed by it lol.

P.P.S The above interaction was irksome but only lasted about a page. It was other questionable decisions that made me ready for the story to be done.

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vaykay's review against another edition

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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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