With a title like this: Eat the Ones you Love -
AND
A deliciously beautiful, creepy cover design like this:
I was immediately attracted to this novel, and as Tor has it on NetGalley as an advanced listener copy, I hit that request now button in record time!
This book is not quite what I expected, but I loved it and want to have it on my shelf, outward facing so everyone can see the amazing eyes.
Spoiler free summary: (Why? because spoilers just SUCK!)
Shell is down on her luck, she's just left a long relationship and been made redundant at her job and she's had to move back in with her parents. She's muddling along when she sees a help wanted sign in a flower shop. She likes the flowers, and also the florist- Neve. Inside the flower shop- deep in the heart of a floundering shopping center is a orchid named baby. Baby is hungry, and will stop at nothing to consume the things he loves.
When I read the synopsis, I immediately went to "Feed Me Seymour" Little shop of horrors moments. This book does contain a shop, a plant and some people, but it is not really a retelling of the Little shop of Horrors. (which is a fun musical and all, but I'm always down for a new story.
This is gothic horror - sharp commentary on modern life, combined with dark humor that I think most readers will find as compelling as I did.
Sarah Maria Griffin is a new author to me. I don't think this is the last book of hers I'm going to want to read. This might not be a book for everyone, but for those it is for, it will be a delight!
STATS
First Published April 22, 2025
Pages: 288
Available as an Audio Book : YES
Trigger Warnings: Plant violence, toxic relationships, stalking, body horror, murder, injury and death.
(this is not a full list, read responsibly)
Looking at the triggers- i see "plant violence"??? I think this might be a book for me! The cover is very unique.
ReplyDeleteThe cover is soo gorgeous, and yes, there's a plant that is devious, and possessive and super creepy! I hope you'll pick it up!
DeleteI picked up a copy of this for Indie Bookstore day. It’s gorgeous. I’m ready to dive in!
ReplyDeleteSo awesome! I really enjoyed this read. I SHOULD have picked up a copy, I actually ended up going to a used bookstore - which is probabyl not the intent of Indy day, but... these things happen and I didn't shop any of the big box places!
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