Reviews tagging 'Blood'

Los maridos by Holly Gramazio

46 reviews

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Such a compelling premise that definitely goes a little off the rails. 
For those who have spent time pondering what their life might look like if things had gone differently. 

Were introduced to Lauren right as the surrealist shenanigans begin so we don't get much opportunity to get to know her before we see her flummoxed by the changes to her flat and the existence of a Husband she has no recollection of. It might've been worth having an initial chaper of her life before. Her character is sort of revealed through the various lives she could've found herself in. I wanted to see her development but it does feel like she was unhinged. The fact that her internal view wouldn't change when her husband did made her treat the events, including her own actions, as lacking any real ramifications. 

I liked the ending though. 

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funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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adventurous funny hopeful mysterious fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Really fun. Perfect summer reading. 
I has some “Dark Matter” vibes but not as dark. And there no scientific explanation. 

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emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective fast-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

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adventurous emotional lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
emotional funny fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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if you’re chronically single and want a book that’s going to make you feel better about that, this book isn’t it.

the premise is really fun, and i love that the book starts out fast paced. but it quickly becomes boring, monotonous, and nihilistic, and it was really hard to stick with. i struggled to understand the point.

plus the whole bohai storyline seemed pointless

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

*********SPOILERS AHEAD*********
*********SPOILERS AHEAD*********
*********SPOILERS AHEAD*********

This book shook me—in the best way. It’s a sharp, funny, and surprisingly emotional exploration of modern dating fatigue, and what happens when the endless swiping, ghosting, and disappointment get bypassed… and you just start with a husband. 
The concept is genius: a mysterious attic that delivers you a new husband every time you get rid of the last one. No awkward first dates, no bad texting banter—just skip straight to the relationship. But as the story unfolds, it brilliantly unpacks why the process of falling in (and out of) love matters. Skipping it isn’t just risky—it’s disorienting, disillusioning, and at times, kind of devastating. 
The protagonist is so perfectly flawed. Her reactions felt grounded in a very real emotional world, even as the plot spiraled into magical realism. I loved that we mostly focused on the husbands who actually mattered—no need to waste time fleshing out throwaways when the core emotional beats hit so hard. Still, I wouldn’t have minded a bit more character development for a few of them (especially Sam!). 
I did crave a deeper dive into the attic’s lore, but honestly? I was content just knowing the mechanics. The mystery added to the surreal charm. The pacing was solid, the world-building tight, and the emotional tone walked a perfect line between hopeful, hilarious, and heartbreaking. The Carter twist gutted me. Michael was so ugh, and Zach? No. Just no. 
This book left me wondering: what is love, really? Is it a choice? A compatibility quiz? A cosmic accident? I thought I had answers. Then I read The Husbands. 
Would’ve loved to see her explore life in different places or dive deeper into what it means to be a wife. But overall, this was a brilliant, poignant read about how having infinite options doesn’t mean having power—it can mean losing yourself.  

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Wish I had enjoyed it more as the premise was interesting, but after 50% in Lauren went completely psycho and ruined it for me, crimes and jealousy is not the vibe guys
Also you're telling me that there was no other option than that ending??? Completely crazy and unsatisfying ending, what a waste

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funny hopeful mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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