The Husbands, and there are many, more than Lauren can count or keep track of, or can she? The premise of this debut novel is that… the attic is magic. Unhappy with one guy? Send him up the attic for a new one. Unruly nose hairs? Up he goes, and down comes another. Angry drunk, boring, polyamorous, lazy, or whatever suits her mood - simply send his ass up to the attic, and voila Lauren has herself a new husband.

This book has quite a fun concept, until it goes on repeat. I started to wonder what else might happen to carry this plot through to the finish line. Lauren does get into quite the pickle, eventually meets her match and the book has a solid ending, I will give it that. Closure is important. There was not enough character development, specifically for our main gal - who has the time to get into the specifics of all those guys? If you enjoy magical realism, a bit of silliness and a light read, I would suggest to give this one a try.

Thanks to Penguin Random House Canada for providing me with an e-ARC of this via Netgalley.

The Husbands by Holly Gramazio. Thanks to NetGalley @netgalley for letting me read an ARC of this one.
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This is such a fun novel about the illusion of having infinite options. The protagonist, Lauren, returns home after an evening out to find her husband at home, and is understandably perplexed because she's never been married. She realizes quickly her attic is creating husbands - and every time her husband goes up into the attic, a new husband comes down to replace him. Each time a new husband appears, her life changes accordingly - her home decor, her hairstyle, her friends, and her job are all slightly different. Each husband is part of a different alternate universe, and she can swap out for a new one by sending her husband up to the attic to fetch something or investigate a strange noise. But with all of these options, how does a person know if they've made the right choice? What if the next version of her life is better?
If you are a fan of Kevin Wilson or Gabrielle Zevin or looking for a fun summer novel pick up this one. Also hop over to Holly Gramazio's website to try out her husband generator for a laugh.
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#thehusbands #recommendedread #bookstagram #bookreview

I enjoyed the author’s writing style. The story is unique and the intro reeled me in! First chapter was so funny, it felt like an early 2000’s rom-com movie playing in my head. Easy fun read with short chapters. The transition of male characters were done well, it was seamless and easy to understand with using attic stairs going up and down. Loved the mention of Mindhunter in the novel as I’ve watched it with my significant other (wish it didn’t get cancelled)! Rohan, Carter and Bohai were great characters that kept me interested. I felt for Lauren with Carter. I enjoyed getting more perspective of the phenomena by Bohai. I liked the Chapter 44 change in POV.

There are some things that made me “like” rather than “love” the book. I thought there was so many paragraphs of quick husband transitions and mentions why switched out, it got very repetitive and overdone I found myself wanting my eyes to skip lines. I felt like that part could’ve been cut down a bit more and focus on more long term husbands with Lauren to get more character arc, emotions, struggles etc. I’m just a bit confused what the overall message this book is trying to convey to the reader. It would’ve been nice if there was a better explanation on the magical realism (background on it? Why happened to character? Etc) and wished for more conflict/resolution or backstory. The ending was abrupt and not entirely satisfying and I was left wishing to get more pay off out of the story either character wise or plot wise.

Thanks Penguin Random House Canada (Doubleday Canada) for the eARC!

I loved the premise of this book. It took a minute to get into it because it opens right up into Lauren's new life and confuses you as a reader for a second (which is how Lauren feels too). I can't say I was the biggest fan of Lauren and how judgmental she could be. The idea that Lauren's life is so different with each husband, but not only hers also those closest to her change depending on who she is with. The dilemma is when do you say enough is enough and finally decide to settle. Any little thing that Lauren doesn't like - off to the attic for someone new. There were definitely some tense moments especially as we got to the end of the book, where Lauren will do anything to change her life again and she gets herself into some very difficult situations. I really enjoyed when one husband came out and he understood what she was going through and they struck up a friendship as they both continued on their journeys. Bodhi was a great addition and I loved when he finally decided to settle with someone, it started to change Lauren's view on things a little. Honestly, this book was so much fun to read!

I can't believe this was a debut! What a fun and novel concept!

When Lauren arrives home to her London flat one night, she is surprised to find a man claiming to be her husband, despite her not recognizing him. As she investigates further, she discovers evidence suggesting they have been together for years. Meanwhile, her husband mysteriously disappears and is replaced by another husband. This cycle repeats, leading Lauren to realize that her attic is magical and somehow generates different husbands. This prompts her to question the nature of choice and contentment: if life changes as easily as a lightbulb, how does one determine the right path? When does the pursuit of improvement become a barrier to genuine fulfillment?

From the very first page, readers are drawn into Lauren's whirlwind of confusion and intrigue as she navigates a series of husbands mysteriously generated by her attic. The concept was so fresh and engaging, offering a unique spin on the age-old question of identity and choice.

I loved the writing and thought it was filled with humor and wit, making it a joy to follow Lauren on her bizarre journey of self-discovery. Each husband brought their own quirks and surprises, keeping readers eagerly turning the pages to see who will appear next. But, as the story progresses, the novelty begins to wear thin, and by the time we reach the 100th husband, I felt like the plot starts to feel a bit repetitive.

But I still kept going because I was so invested and needed to know how it ends! The author's imaginative premise and lively writing style ensure that even when the story hits a plateau, it never loses its charm. Fans of light-hearted fiction with a touch of whimsy will find plenty to love in this delightful tale of choice, identity, and the unexpected twists of fate.

Thank you to the author, Penguin Random House Canada, Doubleday Canada and NetGalley for this arc in return for an honest review! The Husabnds is out now!

This is hands down one of the best books I have read so far this year. The premise is unique and will make you laugh out loud and maybe cry a bit. Thanks to Penguin and NetGalley for the ARC.

4.5 stars rounded up. This was a fun and unique lighthearted read. I liked that it managed to stay unpredictable for the most part instead of feeling repetitive, even though the whole get a new husband every time the last one goes into the attic had the potential to get old. I liked that it was fast-paced and had short chapters that kept me reading more. While I was reading I wasn't sure how it would end or if it would be satisfying, but I actually really liked the ending and thought it was better than the possibilities I thought might happen.

i thought this was an excellent concept but the execution didn’t nail it for me. i wish there were less husbands and more time spent relationship building with the ones that lasted longer. i didn’t feel connected to any of the relationships and it didn’t get me invested.

4.5 stars, rounded up

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC! I quite enjoyed this one. It’s less romance than you might expect, with a stronger focus on Lauren, the FMC, and what it means to be in love, and the choices that lead to falling in (and out of) love. I know a few folks didn’t like the ending but I actually liked how it wrapped up her determination to actively choose love, to live life and stop making the easy choices.

The author did an excellent job of showing both the benefits and drawbacks of a magic reset button. Also, Bohai was an inspired character choice.

A great fun romp with a few serious moments, a couple cringes, and several out-loud giggles.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for this read. This was hilarious but horrible as well for Lauren. When I started it I felt I wasn’t to sure how this is going to go because I requested this book based on all this buzz and not based on the synopsis. After I got over the hump of figuring out what I was reading, I was invested and wanted to know how Lauren would get out of this mess. It was funny. Well, it sure reminds me of a bible verse as well.

If you liked Holly Smale's " Cassandra in Reverse," then there's a good chance you'll like this book. The main character, Lauren, isn’t stuck in a time loop like Cassandra, but she is stuck in a multi-verse scenario experiencing what her life is like with an infinite supply of different husbands coming out of her attic.

This book was a bit of a slow start for me (I think because it’s told in third person rather than first?) but I really got into the story about 30% of the way through and then I was completely invested in learning how Lauren was going to get out of this ridiculous/hilarious/horrifying situation.

This is Holly Gramazio’s first novel, and I’ll be keeping an eye out for her next one.

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley for this eARC.

The Husbands by Holly Gramazio is a story that is clever, thought provoking, and unique.

The story begins when main character, Lauren, returns home to her London flat one evening and is greeted by her husband, Michael. The problem is, she doesn’t have a husband. Understandably she freaks out, and after she checks her phone and sees the photo history of her relationship, she is puzzled but accepts it is true. After Michael goes up to the attic to change a light and a different husband descends down the stairs, Lauren realizes she has a magical attic. There is a new history of events with this new husband, and although he seems to know her well, she has to figure him out.
What follows is Lauren’s experiences with her husbands, her magical attic, and her quest to find the perfect match. What is the perfect husband? Is there such a thing? Does she really need or want a husband?

I found the story really had me thinking about life, what we value, what we value in a life partner, and how accepting and forgiving we can be of one’s faults and quirks.

The premise of the story is also good for discussion and some laughs. I will be thinking of this book for a very long time, and can also see myself rereading it in the future.

My only quibble was that I wanted more from the ending. I felt it ended somewhat abruptly and I wanted more depth and resolution.

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and Netgalley for the advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

I was really unsure about this one at first, but I kept reading and realized what an amazing book I had stumbled upon. There was one moment, about 30% where I thought... ok I'll keep going, but I don't see how there could be 70% left, this story seems to be wrapping up, boy was I wrong...

So The Husbands by hollygramazio tells the story of Lauren, a woman from London in her early 30s who comes home from a bachelorette party to find she is somehow married to the stranger who appears to be living in her house. Weirder yet, just as she starts to get to know him, Michael goes into the attic and returns as a different husband. Each time a husband goes into the attic, a new one comes out, and Lauren's home decor, job, and relationships all change each time. Over the course of the story Lauren learns a lot about herself and her priorities in life. Filled with hilarious situations, strange and constantly changing characters, and reflections on life and love, this book is definitely one to pick up! It is well written and relatively easy to follow despite the constant changes, and the twists and turns will definitely keep you guessing as there is no way to predict what will happen the next time the ladder to the attic is used. Beware though, you aren't going to want to put it down and you wont be able to stop thinking about it either!

So a surprisingly great fit considering it is outside my usual reading comfort zone. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher doubleday penguin random house Canada for giving me the chance to read and review this very neat book.

No real plot, slow pacing, flat main character in Lauren. Easy pass.

Thank you to the publisher, via NetGalley, for providing me with an arc for review.

Publication Date: April 2nd, 2024
I was delighted to receive this e-ARC by @doubledayca

The Husbands by @holly_gramazio depicts the issue of navigating life and love when faced with a world of unlimited choices.

Synopsis: One night, Lauren returns home after a late night out and is welcomed by her husband, Michael. But there’s one problem - Lauren is not married and has never seen this man before but, according to her phone’s photo gallery and text conversations between her family and friends, they’ve been together for years.

This novel was indeed interesting with a bit of funny moments as well. However, I thought that most of the story was just focused on one problem that lacked proper development. The book started off so strong and intriguing but then hit a wall where it starts to become redundant.

However, the issue that the novel navigates around does make you wonder how you would personally navigate through life if you were given endless choices - keeping in mine that each choice also affects other parts of your life such as family, friends and career.

If you’re looking for a quick and light read, this novel is a good choice. The best part of the book was reading something I have never come across before, it was certainly a unique piece.

One day you're single, the next you begin the carousel of husbands that magically appear from the attic. Don't like one? Send him back and another will instantly appear. This is essentially what THE HUSBANDS is about: how do you handle the never ending choice when it comes to love and life.

For the first half of the book, I was quickly turning pages and smiling at the main character's ramblings: her Google searches, thoughts, etc. When I put it down, I was looking forward to picking it up again. Plausible? No, obviously, but I loved the concept.

But as I moved onto the second half, I wanted more from the husbands — instead of the ever-constant revolving door of hubbies (there ends being over 200!) I wanted more of them to stay, more substance to the story.

Overall, though, it was a welcome change to the heavy books I'd been reading lately. Definitely check it out if you like magical realism. I'd love to hear your thoughts if/when you've read it.

I liked it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 for me.

This one comes out on Tuesday, April 2, 2024!

Thanks to @penrandomehouseca for the #gifted advance copy to read and review.

I had first heard about this book on Booktok and I rushed right over here to request it. So thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Random House and Holly Gramazio for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love the premise of this book, I hadn’t heard of this before. I love books with time loops/time travel/alternate worlds. So I knew I would love a book about a girl who is trying to find the right husband in her attic. This book had me hooked. I felt though the last 25% both the author and the character were just over the whole situation. But that didn’t stop me from reading the whole thing.

Thank you for such an original premise.

I enjoyed this debut novel -- and was super interested in it from reading the premise --and was happy to get a copy to read. Lauren returns home after a night out -- and discovers her husband waiting for her at home -the only problem is --she`s not married !
The characters , premise and flow of the writing kept me engaged for most of the story -- the concept of the husbands changing and coming from the attic was creative and innovative and I can see the authors background in gaming design coming in to play here. I loved the alternate realities and I enjoyed many of the husbands -- Micheal, Jason, Carter and a few others -- when changing husbands and during husband focused chapters -- there is good humour -- I would have liked a little less changing of husbands as it felt tedious and more chances for her to rotate back to some of the husbands from before -- to try things differently a second time -- and gives us a chance to root for specific husbands more. But that said I enjoyed the humour and the lessons it was teaching. The ending was much like a video game -- and I want to know what will happen to Lauren next how will her life work out . 3.5 rounded up to 4 -- I was motivated to keep going as I wanted the outcome and which husband she would stay with and or how she would stop the cycle, the characters we overall likeable and the situations and idea were written well, creative and unique for a novel. Looking forward to more from this author in the future- this story has really stuck with me.

Thanks to Netgalley - Penguin Random House Canada/Doubleday Canada for this ARC. This is my honest review.

I adored this novel. It didn't end how I thought it might but I still enjoyed every minute. Such a cute read.

I was so excited to gain access to this e-arc for Gramzio's debut novel and I think this one is gonna be one of the big releases of the year. This book was such a fresh and unique breath of fresh air and was written so well. The whole premise of this book was so fun and the writing really puts you into this strange universe of endless husbands, it also had such great candor about the search for perfection and what that looks like. I found myself consdtantly in a "What Would You Do" scenario (cue John Quiñones) with this one and it really left me thinking for a few days following. I think this book is gonna be a great addition to anyone bookshelf!