Book Recommendation — The Husbands by Holly Gramazio

What would life be like if I married someone else? 

This is the premise of the funny and thought-provoking novel, The Husbands, by Holly Gramazio

After an evening out celebrating her friend’s upcoming wedding, Lauren returns home to a husband, and a life she doesn’t recognize. How drunk is she?

Her new husband, Michael has mysteriously appeared. Soon, she discovers that she can rid herself of this unknown man by sending him up the ladder to the attic. The only problem is that another husband descends. Is he better than the last one? And is her life better with him?

As the main character, Lauren, rotates through a seemingly endless inventory of partners, time keeps progressing, and her relationships with friends and family shifts based on the husband du jour. 

The novel reminded me of the “what ifs” I considered when I was single. “What if I had stuck with him? What if I had gone out with that guy? What would my life have been like?”

The novel is an interesting exploration of the number of potential mates we have in today’s app-driven world. Rather than having to swipe left or right, these men descend retractable stairs. Some husbands are returned so quickly that Lauren doesn’t bother to learn their names. Others stick around to challenge assumptions and expectations about herself.

This novel is a distinctly different perspective on the mating game. If you’re a fan of speculative fiction and humour, consider The Husbands.