Obsessed with this book. 10/10, recommending it to anyone and everyone both virtually and in real life

The premise of this book sounded so much fun, something really different. Sadly it fell flat for me. The characters one very shallow and the actual execution of it was just lacking. Parts were funny though, but it just missed the mark for me.

I really, really like the central premise of this book – the idea that you could almost ‘audition’ all of the potential partners you have met in your life, cycling through them in search of The One. There is so much potential there for comedy, heartbreak and questions of morality.

But while this book does touch on all of those areas lightly, I felt it was stymied by the strange attitude of main character Lauren. I just couldn’t understand why she was so complacent about not only the replaceable Husbands, but all of the other people in her life – her so-called loved ones? Didn’t she wonder where the Husbands came from and went to? Did it occur to her that her constant churn of partners might mean her original loved ones never cycled back round to her and she would forever be with alternate universe versions – because that thought would never be out of my mind!

Similarly, I struggled with how quick she was just to throw people away, often for the silliest or shallowest of reasons. And don’t get me started on how easily she resorts to assault, theft, threats, violence and property damage to solve her problems! It felt like she only cared about her loved ones – her sister, niblings and neighbours – as far as they affected her life and comfort. For example, she skips through a load of husbands because she doesn’t want her neighbours to move out! She is just totally selfish and self-centred from start to finish, never sparing a thought for how her actions might be affecting others.

As a result, I found myself torn about the whole book. I love the idea, the writing style is great and it was a really entertaining read in many ways. I just couldn’t bring myself to care about a main character who seemed like the sort of woman who would set fire to someone else’s shed because she was a bit chilly and couldn’t be bothered to find a coat. And her actions towards the end of the book are just unfathomably unhinged – the opposite of learning from your experiences. Do I need to like a main character to enjoy a book? Not really. But I do need to be able to feel something for them other than bewildered frustration.

I do actually think this would make a good book club pick though… plenty to talk about!

The Husbands is a glorious read! It has my belly laughing multiple times but also hit an emotional chord at times. The attic is a brilliant metaphor for the speed dating reality of the real world and I loved the original spin! Highly recommend!

While this was a slightly unusual concept it was entertaining none the less and kept me reading for one more chapter more than once past my bedtime

The Husbands by Holly Gramazio focuses on Lauren, a woman who comes home to her London flat after a night out to find her husband, Michael, waiting for her. Nothing unusual about that, you might think - except, Lauren isn't married. In fact, she has no idea who Michael is, despite an abundance of evidence to show that they are, indeed, married.

She doesn't have to deal with him for long - when he goes into the attic to get something, a completely different man emerges. New name, new person, new life. The only constant is the flat.

So the husband-cycling begins. Lauren tries them out, then sends them back up as soon as she's sick of them (which is sometimes immediately. Relatable, tbqh). But as she approaches a frankly ludicrous number, she wonders if she needs to just pull the plug.

Described as hilarious, I was a little disappointed with this one. Yes, it's a decent commentary on dating and relationships, but the lack of accountability and personal introspection on Lauren's part made it an uncomfortable read at times. I felt that she was putting her own happiness completely in the hands of these unknown men, and at times she was really harsh on them (in the case of Zach, Very Very 'Arsh) for no reason other than she felt she deserved everything she wanted, with no compromise on her part.

Parts of it were amusing (and yes, my own husband would have been in the attic long ago), but relationships are built on compromise and partnership, not denial and settling. Maybe this would be a more enjoyable read for someone who needs to learn not to place their self-worth on their partner's shoulders, but for the rest of us who know we can be as equally annoying as our spouses at times, I don't think there's much here to recommend. I did love the concept and did think it was a really clever idea for a story. I just didn't enjoy the lack of character development. It was, however, a fast easy read so may suit someone just looking for a palate cleanser in between books with heavier themes.

3.5/5

The Husbands is a funny, captivating romance with a different. Most people are used to finding suitcases, old dusty relics and Christmas decorations in their loft - not husbands, but this is exactly what this book explores.

I really liked how different this book was in its premise but the nature of one husband coming after another proved confusing after a while. I had just got used to one husband then another appears and another and…

It was fast paced and fun I just wish the husbands were a little bit more developed and didn’t blend into one so much.

I absolutely adored this book! The premise is just brilliant and fantastically executed with one proper gasp out loud moments. Would highly recommend!

For some reason I was expecting more of a thriller aspect to this? Not exactly sure why.

But anyways- the book was short and it rolled quite nicely and gave me a laugh every now and again.

I loved this. It was such an interesting concept and really made me think about love and the 'perfect person'. I liked seeing all the different options, all the roads she might have taken. Funny and clever.

A completely original premise, brilliantly executed. I admit to being initially sceptical about how believable this would be but I was quickly completely immersed and devoured it!

Loved this book, so different to anything else I have read. Although not a concept that would actually happen in real life, I totally enjoyed it. I liked Holly’s style of writing and the book engaged me from the start. I would definitely buy more books from this author.

Great premise; when you tire of your partner you send them to the attic and another one appears. It's a quirky, funny book that keeps you entertained throughout. Grab a cosy chair and enjoy! (Copy received from Netgalley in return for an honest review).

It was an interesting premise and allegorically relevant to the world of modern dating: woman’s attic provides her with an endless supply of husbands (one at a time), not dissimilar to the way choices are now boundless thanks to The Apps™.
Unfortunately, the constant changing made it difficult for me to connect with the protagonist.

I loved the premise of the book and that’s why it’s getting 4 instead of 3 but it fell a little flat on characterisation and it was quite repetitive. I did love the idea and it was a different spin on usual dating books but the execution wasn’t as good as expected.

This book has a brilliantly unique and fun premise, a decently compelling plot and an interestingly poignant ending. It also has a heavy-handed writing style and some plot filler. Truly a war of two halves.

Lauren makes for an engaging protagonist. She isn't good, frequently making questionable choices and having bizarre interactions, yet she's endearing in her messiness. She feels like that one friend we all have; we love them dearly, but we don't understand many of their actions. It makes for an odd reading experience, as it's captivating to follow her hijinks, however, it's frustrating to see all the unnecessary tangents.

Although, there's something frankly profound about that ending.

It’s not often you read a truly unique story and I felt this idea was new. A revolving door of husbands….. all to teach a lesson of some sort. I enjoyed the tale and thinking what I would do and who I would pick!

First of all thank you for approving my request!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The authors writing style had me hooked throughout this book.

I didn't want it to end, a book I really couldn't put down.

I really enjoyed this book - it’s very quirky. I loved the character of Lauren and wasn't sure how it was going to end so it kept me engrossed. Recommended.

I just loved The Husbands. Funny, thoughtful and gripping, I couldn't stop reading.

Lauren comes home from a drunken night out to find a man in her home. Totally freaked out, she thinks she must be losing her mind. Because the man, who she's never seen before is apparently her husband.

But when he goes into the loft, he disappears and out pops another one. And with each husband, Lauren's present life is also changed, sometimes in small ways, sometimes in big.

Never really liking any of them she sends each one back and begins to relish single life. To me this could have been one choice of ending. A woman not needing a partner to be happy.

But it didn't go that way. Instead Lauren tries dating. Which sucked.

Trying to get rid of some of the husbands proves more difficult than others (to say the least!) And Lauren becomes exhausted with the whole revolving door of husbands. But how does she possibly choose which one to stick with?

The ending wasn't obvious and though I wanted it to go on, I think it stopped when it should.

Engaging, witty and most definitely a page turner!