I.....I....um. what. it started very interesting. but kind of flopped and went alot of nowhere?
I mean. Im so confused. That's clear. I have no real solid thoughts on this book. It felt like I was high while reading it? or maybe the author was high while writing it 😅. But I kind of get it. But the story just ends out of nowhere. Just when we were about to get somewhere.

also. we just have to kind of accept so many things. I get this is satire. In her acknowledgment, she talks about her ideas for the book and the satire aspect of the book. but .... 👁👄👁 why did it end like that? No idea was ever very clear or fleshed out. I just wanted ideas to be started, fleshed out, and finished. Instead it was Just a random stream of thoughts around women and feminism and society. -THIS ASPECT I LOVED. BECAUSE IT FELT LIKE MY MIND ON THE DAILY. But I also have no finished thoughts. and I certainly wouldn't put it in a book like that unfinished.....
like would I recommend this? MAYBE because it was INTERESTING. but if they want a good book- could I say it was good?

....NO.

I LOVE Olivie Blake. Everything I've read has been so thought-provoking and entertaining and wholly original... This latest was no exception. I was seething and laughing hysterically and utterly enraptured by the twists and turns. Blake has a knack for crafting complicated, stereotype-defying women, and it is so refreshing to see what she comes up with to populate her character slate in each new book. Her writing is identifiable as hers in each book, yet each also offers its own uniquely insightful glimpse into the inner life of complex women who you can't help but love even when you hate and/or fear many of them! I admire her ability to make political and sociological statements in each book without ever losing the magic of storytelling and imagery - and without ever leaving me feeling like I've been preached at or to. It's a difficult line to walk and she walks it like no one else...

This book was good but also weird. It did solidify that maybe Olivie Blake outside of One for My. Enemy just isnt going to vibe with me and my reading tastes.

Girl Dinner is a sharp, deliciously dark, and wildly inventive novel that lingers long after the final page. With her signature wit and lyrical prose, Olivie Blake pulls readers into a world that feels both surreal and frighteningly familiar. The book is part satire, part horror, and entirely a mirror held up to the strange, contradictory expectations placed on women.

What impressed me most was how seamlessly Blake balances the visceral with the cerebral. There are moments that feel almost mythic in their power, while others hum with emotional precision. The characters are deeply flawed, fascinating, and unforgettable. Their choices feel inevitable, even when they are terrible. I found myself both horrified and entranced.

This is Blake at her boldest. She is unafraid to provoke, to unsettle, and to question. It is a story about hunger in all its forms, and the consequences of trying to feed it in a world that punishes women for wanting too much. Girl Dinner is not just a great book. It is an experience. I loved every twisted, brilliant bite.

A darkly satirical novel exploring power, lust, and a sinister wellness trend among wealthy women. Blake's sharp prose delves into the complexities of femininity and societal expectations. A thought-provoking read that challenges conventional narratives.

Girl Dinner is a provocative and thought-provoking read that challenges societal norms and explores the dark side of ambition. Blake's sharp prose and intricate storytelling make this a standout novel for those interested in satirical fiction with a psychological edge

If you are in the mood for some dark humor, human liver, and want to become a good woman, definitely come have some Girl Dinner 💕

I honestly do not know where to begin with this one. I became totally hooked on this novel, a cannibalism-feminism-satirical story by the funny & witty Olivie Blake. It was, to put it plainly, insane. I loved how it centered around a sorority, really providing an environment to drive home the theme of female rage and what it is to be a woman. I found myself having to stop and use my brain a lot, trying to pick through the satire to figure out what the message was. It covers topics of feminism, politics, friendship, family, motherhood, and career, all with the “comical” twist of cannibalism bringing power to these women as individuals and fueling the hunt on their own selfish journey that they try to disguise as sisterhood. While I’m sure there are many messages throughout this book, I found them hard to pinpoint at times and was just enjoying the ride. A lot of the characters inner monologues felt repetitive but it did add to the “crazy woman” aspect that I think Olivie was trying to prove a point about. Can’t wait to see what everyone else thinks about this read.

Thank you NetGalley & the publisher for the ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the concept of this book—a sorority of sisters who are a bit unhinged and use cannibalistic rituals to get what they want. It’s definitely strange, darkly humorous, and refreshingly unique.

However, the middle section didn’t quite deliver. What started off so promising gradually slowed into a long, drawn-out burn that lost my interest for a while. I’m glad I stuck it out, though, because the ending returned with full force. Still, the author definitely lost me in the middle.

Overall, it’s an intriguing and unconventional take on a twisted subject.

While I found some enjoyment in this book, the plot truly struggled to gain momentum until well past the 55% mark, which was quite a letdown. I particularly appreciated the themes of motherhood, but unfortunately, I just couldn't bring myself to genuinely connect with the characters or the overall story.

I'd place this among my least favorite Olivie standalones. The pacing could have been significantly improved, and certain plot points felt underdeveloped. There were too many loose ends and allusions that were never fully explored before the book abruptly ended, which was a real shame.

There’s something undeniably magnetic about Girl Dinner. It’s a raw, unsettling pull that kept me turning pages even when I wasn’t sure I wanted to. The themes, particularly the feminist undertones and the critique of societal expectations, are bold and unapologetic. However, while the message was strong, the delivery didn’t always hold up under scrutiny.

The pacing felt off-kilter in places, with some chapters dragging, while others barreled ahead. Additionally, the shifts in tone from dark comedy to outright horror left me more disoriented than intrigued. I can absolutely see this book lighting a fire in a book club setting, sparking debate and strong opinions.

The ending, thankfully, brought a jolt of surprise and a sense of closure I didn’t realize I was hoping for. It’s one of those payoffs that almost, but not quite, made the journey worth it.

Still, I’m conflicted. I don’t regret reading it, but I wouldn’t pass it along to a friend. That’s not because it’s bad, but rather because I’m not sure I’d want to unleash it on someone else. It’s not exactly a feel-good read. You’ll either emerge fired up or emotionally gutted. Possibly both.

wow wow wow
pages: 339
format: e-book (e-arc)

first, thank you netgalley for this arc! i enjoy this author a lot and this horror queer fiction did it for me. i was in a sorority in school and our founder was named maud so that was a fun personal connection.

this book had such a great balance of shock and mystery. i enjoyed the dual pov but def had more interest in nina’s pov. i didn’t have a clue what this book was initially about and finding out about the cannibalism was a crazy surprise. i enjoyed the themes of power and what it means to be feminist and what is too taboo.

def will recommend to readers and can’t wait to share on my bookstagram to highlight this read. can’t wait for a copy on my shelf!

I don’t know how it’s possible to make a book about cannibalism boring but uh, ya did a great job!

I just don’t vibe with books where the plot hasn’t started by the second half of a book, you know? It was also increeedibly long winded. We’d starting in one thought and start bouncing between different people and topics and conversations until we finally got back to the original point but by that time, I had already forgotten what we were talking about.

2.5/5. I know this book is a satire, but I've never been more confused in my life. The plot is super interesting, but the book is so fast-paced that I feel like a lot of the plot gets lost. On one hand, you have Nina, a student who recently joined The House. I love her perspective and could've read the whole thing from her viewpoint. On the other hand, you have Sloane, an adjunct professor. Sloane's perspective is all over the board and made the book challenging to understand. I also felt that it ended too abruptly.

Oh my gosh—I loved this book.
Girl Dinner is a razor-sharp, unflinching look inside an elite sorority at a prestigious college, and it completely delivered on the dark, glossy feminist thriller I was hoping for.

The House is the sorority—beautiful, influential, connected. Alumni are more than mentors; they shape careers and futures. We follow two main perspectives: Nina Kaur, a Black sophomore trying to find her place within the sorority’s insular world, and Sloane Hartley, an overworked adjunct professor balancing single motherhood and academic ambition, desperate for a path to tenure.

Sloane begins interviewing alumni—pushed to publish—and ends up drawn into the orbit of a viral tradwife influencer with millions of TikTok followers. Nina, meanwhile, wrestles with conflicting feelings about sisterhood, identity, and a complicated attraction to the sorority’s president.

The novel brims with feminist tension, social commentary, dark academia vibes (YES please), and characters who feel painfully real. Both Nina and Sloane are pulled toward belonging, but the question is—at what cost?

Gripping, smart, and crackling with feminist rage. I need more books like this. Immediately.

#GirlDinner #TorBooks #OliviaBlake #DarkAcademia #SororityThriller #FeministReads

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Tor for giving me a ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Combine commentary on the patriarchy and horror-sorority-cannibalism and you have the recipe for a good book on your hands. This was good, but Olivier’s books are always a hit or miss for me. Some of the execution for writing didn’t hit the spot like I wanted it to. I might revisit my rating once I give it some more thought and stew on it, but I liked this! Olivie giving us 2 books in one year is not an easy feat and I can absolutely admire that dedication.

There is so much depth to this book, what it means to be a "good woman", dripping with satire and biting wit this was hard to put down, loved the POV from the privileged/elite, anything Blake writes is razor sharp and cuts deep, provactive and entertaining , love this author!

You know the lyric "how did I go from growing up to breaking down?" This is what this novel felt like- in an exaggerated sort of way. To be a woman growing up, going to college, entering motherhood. I have felt all the things that Olivie Blake has written here, although I loved Sloane's story and didn't feel Nina's necessary to tell the story, but to each their own. There were parts that felt caricature like, and obviously the horror aspect is out there, but the main message of the book was received and that's what I appreciated.

Devoured this book. This was such an engaging dive and satire into feminism, girlhood, motherhood, trad wives, and what it means to be a “good woman” but also through the pov of white feminists, of the elite. This book inched along the edge of something darker, of women who are hungry and have a wish to be satiated and what they will do to have their fill and a place at the table.

While I agree this book may not be everyone’s cup of tea, I think it was such a pointed and important read that will invite soo much discussion. The book did often feel very abstract (which I honestly loved) but could take some people out of the story.

My only criticisms were that often some of the characters internal monologues felt a tad repetitive, along with not being a huge fan of the ending. The book had such a buildup and the ending didn’t feel satisfying (but then again may very well have been the point).

I haven’t read anything by Olivie Blake prior to this, but her commentary and writing was biting and unflinching. I’m excited to look into more of her writing.

Giving this book 5 stars! Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC and which did not influence my review.

without a doubt, desperate times (the patriarchy) call for desperate measures (cannibalism).

✰ 4.5 stars

Somehow this satire reverently explores womanhood, motherhood, female-dominated institutions, and gender roles at the intersections of race and sexuality. all while promoting a sinister new wellness trend.

PERFECT! Gotta love a good feminist dadk academia. The snark of the humour, the cutting edge of the "romance," the calling out of problematic academic (and society standards) issues! I loved it so much