Holly Gramazio

A humorous look at the options we have when it comes to love and life.
Lauren comes home one night to find her husband, Michael, waiting for her. But, Lauren isn't married. However, her friends tell her they've been together for a long time. She doesn't understand it, because she can't remember him at all. Then, he goes up to the attic, and disappears. Another man appears in his place.
Lauren realizes that her attic is magical, that it produces new husbands for her all the time. So, she keeps trying them out. She finally meets someone that is experiencing the same phenomenon. Now, Lauren must decide - does she keep trying or does she enjoy what she has?
A funny and unique take on our life choices.… (altro)

It's been so long since I picked up a book based on widespread popularity, rather than a recommendation from someone trusted, and truly loved it, that I was prepared to be bored or disappointed by this one, or both. Luckily, neither is the case! I found it entertaining and funny, and just generally engaging.

Sometimes it felt a bit like Gramazio and her friends may have played a game of coming up with traits and pasts (good and bad) for the husbands descending from the attic, but never in a bad way. Often I thought the plot introducing a husband or a scenario just as I started to formulate a "but what about....?" question, satisfying me before I'd even fully articulated it to myself. Other readers may find it tedious or too obvious, especially in the scenes where Lauren tests the magic attic's abilities, but it worked for me. Not too much analysis or heavy thought needed to have fun with the story.

The general themes are about finding happiness, what that means, and the things that tie Lauren (and anyone) to others. It's a portal fantasy to parallel realities, but the main character isn't the one who passes through the portal - and yet, her reality changes around her. How that works and the trickiness of triggering another portal shift were among my favorite parts. Lauren at one point in the book reflects that it's like a time loop, but always moving forward - there is loss and grief even when shifting to a new reality is a relief.… (altro)