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dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Child death, Sexual content, Alcohol
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book asks the question what if Audrey from Little Shop of Horrors was actually an abusive partner?
This was an absolute trip of a listen - after having her life blown up with a messy breakup and job loss, Shell sees a help needed sign at a local florist and immediately applies. She is enchanted by the shop owner, Neve, and is all too excited to get started. As Shell becomes more and more obsessed, she further implodes her life - ignoring her friends and family - solely focusing on the success of the flower shop and Neve.
The audio version of this was great - we get dual narration from Barry McStay and Lauren O’Leary who bring all the varied characters to life. I especially enjoyed the ending and the narration brought an extra twist.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advanced copy
This was an absolute trip of a listen - after having her life blown up with a messy breakup and job loss, Shell sees a help needed sign at a local florist and immediately applies. She is enchanted by the shop owner, Neve, and is all too excited to get started. As Shell becomes more and more obsessed, she further implodes her life - ignoring her friends and family - solely focusing on the success of the flower shop and Neve.
The audio version of this was great - we get dual narration from Barry McStay and Lauren O’Leary who bring all the varied characters to life. I especially enjoyed the ending and the narration brought an extra twist.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advanced copy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to NetGalley, Sarah Maria Griffin, and Tor Publishing Group for the ARC ebook.
Content Warnings: Body Horror, Toxic Relationships, Gore, Violence, Murder, Death, Gaslighting, Child Death, Mind Control, Minor Possession, and Blood.
One part "Little Shop of Horror," one part queer love story, and one part display of beautiful body horror, "Eat the Ones You Love" by Sarah Maria Griffin is a flower-filled, blood spattered romp that I highly enjoyed.
Shell has lost it all--she has broken up with her long-time fiance extremely close to their wedding day, she has lost her friend group, and she's found herself living with her family again. What's more, she cannot find a job for the life of her--until she stumbles upon a "Help Needed" sign posted at the local florist's, located in a mall that is heaving its last breaths. This is where she finds not only a job and a purpose (posting beautiful blooms on her freshly cleared Instagram page), but Neve, owner of the little shop. Shell is instantly smitten with the woman, hoping beyond hope that Neve will feel the same about her.
Things are not as they appear, however, for sweet Neve has a secret; one that has grown under the length of the mall. One that has an insatiable hunger. One that has Neve wrapped around its roots, and she around it. In order for Shell to become a part of Neve's world, she must lose herself to the whispers in her head and the flower that grows in secret, beyond the atrium's moss covered walls.
"Eat the Ones You Love" is beautifully written from the 'monster's' perspective, allowing the reader glimpses into its thoughts and emotions, while being omniscient enough to also explore the thoughts and feelings of other characters within the novel. I will admit, I love just about everything about this novel. The creeping horror, the twists and turns, the complicated love stories within its pages…The characters are lovable, unpleasant, relatable, and deliciously human.
With that being said, there are a few things that I was not a fan of. The one thing that irked me the most--and I'm not entirely certain why--is that the book takes place in Ireland, with Irish characters, save for one American. I'm not sure if it's because she has lived in Ireland for a period of time or what, but her mannerisms and way of speaking are not American in the slightest. She still reads as a great character, but it took me out of it a bit to see her use Irish slang and phrases. I also wish there had been a bit more to the ending of the novel; it wraps up almost too quickly. I would have loved for at least one or two more chapters going into what happens next, but I also understand that going longer may have ruined the overall feeling and theme of the book. Maybe I was simply sad to see it end.
I highly recommend "Eat the Ones You Love" by Sarah Maria Griffin if you like creeping unease, body horror of the flowering variety, and above all else, what it means to be in love.
Content Warnings: Body Horror, Toxic Relationships, Gore, Violence, Murder, Death, Gaslighting, Child Death, Mind Control, Minor Possession, and Blood.
One part "Little Shop of Horror," one part queer love story, and one part display of beautiful body horror, "Eat the Ones You Love" by Sarah Maria Griffin is a flower-filled, blood spattered romp that I highly enjoyed.
Shell has lost it all--she has broken up with her long-time fiance extremely close to their wedding day, she has lost her friend group, and she's found herself living with her family again. What's more, she cannot find a job for the life of her--until she stumbles upon a "Help Needed" sign posted at the local florist's, located in a mall that is heaving its last breaths. This is where she finds not only a job and a purpose (posting beautiful blooms on her freshly cleared Instagram page), but Neve, owner of the little shop. Shell is instantly smitten with the woman, hoping beyond hope that Neve will feel the same about her.
Things are not as they appear, however, for sweet Neve has a secret; one that has grown under the length of the mall. One that has an insatiable hunger. One that has Neve wrapped around its roots, and she around it. In order for Shell to become a part of Neve's world, she must lose herself to the whispers in her head and the flower that grows in secret, beyond the atrium's moss covered walls.
"Eat the Ones You Love" is beautifully written from the 'monster's' perspective, allowing the reader glimpses into its thoughts and emotions, while being omniscient enough to also explore the thoughts and feelings of other characters within the novel. I will admit, I love just about everything about this novel. The creeping horror, the twists and turns, the complicated love stories within its pages…The characters are lovable, unpleasant, relatable, and deliciously human.
With that being said, there are a few things that I was not a fan of. The one thing that irked me the most--and I'm not entirely certain why--is that the book takes place in Ireland, with Irish characters, save for one American. I'm not sure if it's because she has lived in Ireland for a period of time or what, but her mannerisms and way of speaking are not American in the slightest. She still reads as a great character, but it took me out of it a bit to see her use Irish slang and phrases. I also wish there had been a bit more to the ending of the novel; it wraps up almost too quickly. I would have loved for at least one or two more chapters going into what happens next, but I also understand that going longer may have ruined the overall feeling and theme of the book. Maybe I was simply sad to see it end.
I highly recommend "Eat the Ones You Love" by Sarah Maria Griffin if you like creeping unease, body horror of the flowering variety, and above all else, what it means to be in love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Emotional abuse, Gore, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship
Minor: Child death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Death of parent, Alcohol