Eat the Ones You Love is, I feel, about needing things you don't want and wanting things you don't need. Love, intimacy, friendship, consumerism, careers.

The story explores the life of Shell after she discovers a sign saying HELP NEEDED at a local flower shop. Enter Neve the florist. Shell has a thing for Neve and is quickly thrust into obsession with not just her new boss, but flowers, and the mall in which they work. She tries to escape her past by erasing it, filling her Instagram feed with flower arrangements instead of her previous life. Shell ignores her old friends and parties with her new mall buddies. She is running from her past blindly into her new future, which may not be safe.
At the heart of the mall is a strange orchid. Part Audrey 2 and part The Thing. Baby is a controlling and hungry narrator who is able to get inside and partially control people, while also consuming others. He chooses the ones he wants and the ones he loves. I think Baby is a great way to have a first person omniscient narrative. It's interesting to feel like you can see into character's heads without them being the narrator in their own stories.
I found this to be a fun look at how much people will yearn for, lust after or covet someone or something to just get over it and move on once it's/they've been obtained. We eat what we love, we consume it, we move on. That's my takeaway at least. The mall that was once the central hub of their town is collapsing around them in disrepair from neglect. A symbol of all the things we find so incredibly important left abandoned to wilt and die.

Excellent narration by Barry McStay and Lauren O’Leary. Some fun and unique audio and vocal tricks in there too. Made it a fun listen for sure.

The two narrators give great performances, tackling several voices and accents with ease. They were a joy to listen to, but the story itself fell rather flat at the end.

So, this book was a first. Most of the book is told from the perspective of a sentient plant. Shell lost her job, left her fiancé and has moved back in with her parents. She sees a job opening at a florist and gets the job. Her boss, Neve seems nice, but as we see from another perspective, Neve has a secret or two. This book was fast paced and fun (for horror, that is). The friends of the main characters lend themselves to insights on Shell and Neve. This book also reps LGBTQ relationships. I think the most compelling and interesting component of this book was the POV of the plant. How unique! Definitely a great book.

a love letter to starting over, not because you want to, but because you have to--and how it might not be as much of a blank slate as you think.

A stunning, strange gem.

Sarah Maria Griffin’s Eat the Ones You Love is a lush, unsettling horror novel set in a dying Dublin mall. It follows Shell Pine, who takes a job at a florist run by Neve—unaware the shop is home to Baby, a sentient, obsessive orchid. Told with poetic, visceral prose, the novel explores love, hunger, and control through a bizarre, beautifully eerie lens. Unnerving and intimate, it’s a fresh twist on horror and heartbreak. Eat the Ones You Love is dark, tender, and gorgeously written—a horror story that blooms with obsession and beauty with prose that are pure magic. All the stars!

Unsettling, exploration of friendships, possession, manipulation, and moving on.

Disclaimer: I read this as a physical and audiobook tandem read. I got the ALC through NetGalley and the physical book through Tor. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.

The audiobook was done very well. This is dual narrative by a male and female. And I feel like that was the perfect way to do it the voice of the plant in particular was fantastic. It is an Irish author in an Ireland setting so having narrators with the accent was just perfect. It's at the mood and tempo and gave that Irish feel for the location. I really enjoyed it. I felt like the narration was done very well. The tempo and emotion to the novel really captured the characters and the emotions.

This is not horror in the way that it's going to make you jump scared. This is bone chilling unsettling because it's the feeling of somebody watching you and analyzing you without knowing who or what is doing so. The setting of the shopping center being in a dilapidated state, as well as the constant viewpoint of the plant really gave a trapped and almost claustrophobic feel. The mystery and secrets surrounding Neve and the plant really added to the overall feel of uncomfortability.

The characters were easy to either root for or not. Although I do feel like the plant was a pretty charismatic considering he was supposed to be the "bad guy". There were times when I found myself actually thinking he might not be as bad as it seems until, you know, he is lol which is the sign of a really well written villain because they have to be charismatic to pull off what they are attempting. The plant may have ended up being my favorite part of this book altogether lol

Some of the side characters did seem a little like side character "fluff" and were never really fleshed out or experienced in any real way. Honestly, I feel like some of the friendships were just filler and could've been eradicated from the story altogether.

I really liked the codependent relationship that was described between Neve and Baby. It was deeply concerning and added an overall icky feel to the book. Which is exactly what this kind of novel needs to cement that uncomfortable feeling. It was a little weird how quickly Shell was obsessed with Neve though. I didn't quite understand it, and it got very repetitive throughout the book to hear how obsessed she was. But it did add to the air of possessiveness throughout the book, so it did fall in line with the plot, and therefore not too bothersome.

Overall, this was a stellar debut. I was really interested in it, and it kept my attention for the most part throughout. Coupled with the stellar narration I absolutely will be looking forward to more from this author in the future.

Eat the ones you love

The summary of this book was so bizarre- I went in blind and had to pause to be like…what am I reading ?! About chapter 13 I was finally like WOW, okay,…. Still wow, but I get it.

Shell recently lost her finance, moved in with her parents and is struggling to find work. She is intrigued by a “help needed” sign at a flower shop and her life changed forever. Neve is the shop owner and florist, that Shell quickly finds an attraction to. Shell isn’t the only one with eyes on Neve, Baby is a carnivorous plant that gets a POV in this book and he is obsessed with Neve wanting to consume and devour her- literally. And yea, I don’t know what else to say here other than don’t let the odd summary deter you, this was a refreshing, abstract, quick read that had so much more substance than you would imagine when you get a plant POV.

This book was full of nostalgia for me with the mall vibes and dynamics there ! If you can let go of the whole plant as a character thing and just have fun, you’ll enjoy this. But- how did the plant know about the social media accounts and so many life details ??? Anyways… Themes of possession, obsession, and character growth.

5 stars for being so abstract and still keeping my attention. Never read anything like this….maybe Last House in Needless Street in terms of not understanding what you’re reading and abstract POVs.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review. Release date 4/22/25!

What a great read! Between the narrators soothing Irish accent and the spookiness of this Orchid horror, I ate this story up. If you are looking for a creepy book about a sentient, possessive plants this one is for you!

help! a sentient orchid has rooted himself in my brain and I'm thinking of devouring my loved ones whole!

this was such a trip! on the surface it's about Shell starting over after a breakup, getting let go from her job, and moving in with her parents. she gets a job working for Neve at a florist shop in a dying mall and from there we meet Baby, the sentient carnivorous orchid. our quirky surface-level story gives way to navigating loss, adult friendship, finding your place in the world, and the slow death of third places all around us.

this is the exact breed of weird fiction I adore - moody yet quirky story but brilliant commentary on life when you peel back its layers. I cannot wait to pick up a copy on pub day and revisit these characters in the future. the audiobook specifically was phenomonal - the narrators truly brought this story to life in a unique way.

thank you so so much to NetGalley and Tor Books/Macmillan Audio for this alc! it was divine!

4 stars

Like the fantastic cover suggests, this is a strange and amazing book that will keep readers unfomforable and riveted at the same time.

Shell, Neve, and Baby have what can diplomatically be called an unhealthy relationship that is codependent in some remarkable ways. Since Baby is a plant, there are a lot of complications that come from his needs (we're not talking indirect light, watering when the top inch of soil is dry, and occasional fertilizer here), and from how these women tend to those needs. While Baby is a gripping character and really a force throughout, the aptly named Shell, who lacks the substance one hopes for in a character and person, and Neve are pretty arresting, too.

Readers who live in environments where the houseplants dramatically outnumber the two- and four-legged residents (raises hand) will find a lot to love (and maybe be terrified by) in this novel. Folks who have ever enjoyed time working in or dwelling in a mall as a teenager will love the sense of place that comes through at times. And anyone who has ever been in a messed up relationship - so all of us? - may find some surprising connections to their own experiences as well as at least a little to feel better about (I hope).

This book was not on my radar at all, so it's an added treat that I enjoyed it so much. The audiobook narrator also helped a lot with that. I recommend the audio version when and where accessible.

Eat the Ones You Love is a charmingly odd little story. It starts with a promising premise and hints at becoming a moody, atmospheric horror tale, but it never quite dives deep enough to fully deliver. That said, there's a lot of heart in it, and the offbeat tone makes for an enjoyable ride overall.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the chance to listen to this title in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for my gifted ALC! And thank you, Tor, for my gifted copy!

Eat the Ones You Love was … strange. It was truly unsettling. So unsettling that I’m left feeling unsure of what even happened. I think this is a good thing? lol. Because I read this in one day. A few hours. It kept me wondering what the hell was going on. I needed to know where this insanity and discomfort was going.

The entire time, I was envisioning Uma Thurman’s Poison Ivy from Batman & Robin. She was one of my favorite childhood antiheroes, so this makes me think that I might have enjoyed this bizarre book.

I’m serious. This was out there. Not a ton of huge twists and turns. Just a plant with a voice and agenda of its own. Suspend your disbelief for this one.

Little Shop of Horrors but as a LGBTQIA+ horror story? I'm curious, I'll bite.

Eat the Ones You Love is about Shell Pine, recently broken-up with unemployed women. She takes a job at flower shop run by Neve. Neve just so happens to be keeping a secret within the flower shop. A secret in the shape of an orchid called Baby, who may be sentient and is obsessed with consuming Neve.

This was unsettling, weird, fever dream of a book is definitely preps you for a wild ride starting from page one. I mean most of the book is told through the perspective of the plant, who's watching our characters with obsession and hunger. I really enjoyed the themes of tight-knit friendship and the examination of toxicity in unhealthy relationships--the way it consumes you from the inside in a way that others can't see.

The botanical imagery was beautiful, Baby was a fascinating narrator, and the horror was top-notch scary. It's so unsettling and dreadful in a way that creeps up on you, as you start to realize the extent of Baby's plans and the reach of it's power. The gore was also done perfectly in a way that kept it scary without making it wacky like another man-eating sentient plant named Audrey 2. I honestly think too much gore towards the end would have ruined the somber, more serious, vibe the book was going for, so I applaud that the author held back a bit and gave us a more reflective ending.

If you're like me and in your weird girl lit era, then this is the book for you! This book follows Shell and Neve who work at a florist in a dilapidated mall in Ireland. There isn't a ton of say, but this is heavily narrated by Baby a carnivorous plant who loves to eat people, is obsessed with Neve and is determined to eat her one day. If Baby touches you he becomes a part of you and you start to hear him in your thoughts. This was a quick unique read. I was gifted the audiobook for review. I really enjoyed the narrators in this book and felt like it was done well. I really liked Baby's narration! I would say that this is not really scary "horror" at all. So if you're worried about that - don't let it deter you. I would recommend this for anyone who wants something super unique. Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this audio ARC.

I don’t often listen to audio books because I don’t love the narrators/narration style. This was unfortunately the case for this book. I didn’t love that the narration at all. I felt at times like there were too many voices, and at other times I felt that there weren’t enough.

The voice of the main character was absolutely perfect, and I wish we had more of her throughout. There were some large sections where she just wasn’t there, which I didn’t love.

My favorite thing about this book was the plot. I’ve been obsessed with Little Shop of Horrors my entire life, and this gave me exactly what I needed! I always wondered what would happen if the genders were swapped and we were in a different setting. This book absolutely made my dreams come true.

Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio for an ALC of this book. Loved it! All opinions are my own and are not influenced by the manner in which I received it.

This book was interesting, and had all the elements to be a stellar novel, it just didn't work in a way that I felt fully worked. The horror is fantastic and had me on my seat.. It just felt like the book took way too long to get to the point. I did like the sapphic elements.. I just kinda have mixed feelings about it.

There was also some issues that I had with telling who was talking during narration, as at times it would get muddled and difficult.

This was by far such a unique and interesting book it truly enticed me from the beginning. The book was told on a dual POV and it follows the story of baby, a blood thirsty and sadistic orchid plant that wants nothing more than to feast on Neve, the flower shop owner. Never has kept baby a secret and has endured pain and torture by the vines of this orchid but now Shell, a down on her luck woman seeking employment, has joined the flower shop. Baby had by far the best POV chapters and although we do get POV chapters from other characters I enjoyed Baby chapters the most! This was a well written and a fun read and I loved the narrators for this audiobook! The narrators did a phenomenal job and made this book really come alive. I especially enjoyed the synchronized narration we get towards the end of the novel.
This book was a bit nostalgic in my opinion it was giving me little shop of horror vibes and I was all here for it! If you enjoy a fun horror book with a fun mix of blood gore and humor I think you will enjoy this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for advance readers copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

3.75 stars

As others have pointed out, this feels like a sapphic, Irish version of Little Shop of Horrors. Shell is an unemployed woman who finds herself drawn to the florist Neve, who is harboring a human-devouring plant named Baby.

I liked Baby and his obsessive fascination with and desire to eat Neve. He was the star of this book and I would have loved to see him in action more. Overall I was a bit let down by this book and did not care much for the human characters. I was entertained, however, and thought the audiobook was fantastic. Both narrators did a great job bringing the story to life.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for access to this audiobook. All opinions are my own

EAT THE ONES YOU LOVE follows michelle "shell" pine who—fresh off a divorce from her fiancé, the loss of her job, and the inevitable move back home with her parents—seeks a much-needed change of pace by asking after work at the woodbine crown mall's thriving florist shop. it belongs to neve, whose beautiful looks and commanding personality spark an immediate crush in shell, but neve belongs to something else in the mall: an unassuming orchid growing in the atrium at the heart of the mall. baby is young, starving, and has grown his roots all through the building. nothing—and no one—he eats can satisfy him as much as eating neve, and he will have her no matter the cost.

with her gorgeous prose and masterful characterization, sarah maria griffin explores the world of retail through a monstrous lens, following a closely knit group of friends who work in the woodbine crown's surviving shops and the ways they interact with one another—both in public and in secret—and wrestle with the rumors of the mall closure, which threatens to put a stop to the beating heart of their community and the lives they've built around it. as they nurse friendships, develop crushes, and begin workplace affairs, baby threads his way into their lives, determined to take everything he can get before it's too late.

EAT THE ONES YOU LOVE is a slow and relentless fever dream of insidious unravelings you won't be able to look away from. it shines with the peculiar sheen of the desirous and hungry, strikes with the fury of a person possessed, and blossoms as only the most beautiful of flowers can. it is a story about finding yourself, and finding your chosen family, even in the worst of times. the woodbine friend group at its heart is one of the most memorable and arresting casts i've read about in a long while, and i saw parts of myself in each of them, rooting for them all even as the world around them grew into a lush and verdant hell.

a horrifying journey that will leave you reeling all the way into its pitch perfect ending, sarah maria griffin's adult debut is an eerie and unforgettable triumph. the audiobook narrators are absolutely stellar and the production on this audiobook was perfection! whether you read the book or listen to it, you're in for a wicked and magnificent experience.

didn't really know what i was getting into when i picked this one up, but i knew it was queer and i loved the title so offfff we go. i figured we'd get some cannibals, some arm-gnawing, some soylent green is people. imagine my absolute delight when i realized we have been given a book that invokes LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. you gotta be kidding me.

shell's back in town and strolling through the mall, trying to take her mind off the fact she's had to move back home and she's recently become single. when she walks into a florist shop in one of those decaying malls of yore and is offered a job by neve, who is absolutely hot and could maybe heal her. the tea? neve's got a sentient orchid in the back named baby and maybe, just maybe, he's got a taste for human flesh.

this book was bananas. it's not often you get to read from the perspective of a carnivorous plant. but don't get it twisted - as insidious as it was, it was also pretty freaking funny. i was having the most fun when we were hearing from baby's perspective, so much so that the chemistry between shell and neve was a bit of a non-starter for me personally. also, i do genuinely love that this is another book to add to the sapphic books about consumption zeitgeist. super fun read.

ALSO, the dual narrators, especially when their voices were synchronized? incredible.