Sorry but the one went way over my head. The first section with Shell and Neve I enjoyed but when the additional characters and POV started coming in I found it really hard to follow what was going on and so lost interest quite quickly after that.

Thank you to netgalley for providing an ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Sarah Maria Griffin is yet to write a book that isn't an absolute banger. A LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS for the (post)modern age, EAT THE ONES YOU LOVE will help you relive any retail-related trauma you may have gathered through your lifetime, but also find catharsis in the experiencing and surpassing the memory. Tender, yet tense, human yet with a touch of something else, EAT THE ONES YOU LOVE will make you look for the supernatural hiding in plain sight, and perhaps take one step away from any plant you walk by for the next while.
Well worth the wait.

Botanical body horror viewed through a queer lens? Sold! The prose in this novel is gorgeous; the almost dystopian, end of the world setting intriguing and raw; the unique, omniscient narrative both engaging and utterly terrifying. Baby tore out my soul and ate it whole.

Ah this started out so good, but I quickly found myself losing interest. Once the narrative switched from Shell, I completely lost care in the story! I got confused by the plot, narration style and overall character development. The blurb interested me but I really really struggled with this unfortunately.

Eat the Ones You Love by Sarah Maria Griffin is a thought-provoking and imaginative novel that blends dystopian elements with a darkly emotional story. The premise—a future where the line between humanity and consumption blurs—offers plenty of intrigue and originality, but the execution doesn’t always live up to the promise of its ambitious concept.

Griffin’s prose is undeniably beautiful, with rich, lyrical descriptions that draw you into the unsettling world she’s created. The protagonist’s internal struggles are compelling, and the themes of survival, morality, and love are layered with emotional weight. However, while the central ideas are intriguing, the pacing can feel uneven, with stretches where the story drags or becomes overly introspective, losing some of its momentum.

The world-building, while vivid, leaves key questions unanswered, which can make the stakes feel unclear at times. Similarly, some of the supporting characters lack depth, making their arcs less impactful. Despite its flaws, Eat the Ones You Love is a bold and creative story with moments of brilliance. A solid 3 stars—it’s a unique read, but it doesn’t fully stick the landing. Fans of speculative fiction may find much to appreciate, even if it doesn’t quite reach its potential.

Shell is going through a lot in her life; heart break, job break (loses her job), then there is a decaying mall.
She happens to see a sign, both literal and metaphorical, and finds herself working at a florist as an assistant to Neve.
As the two women’s relationship develops, and we meet characters like Jen and Bec, the botanic horror unfolds.
Baby is a curious voice.

I recommend this book to those who are looking for a quick quirky read.

You might see this book compared to some other media - I have not seen the musical that has similar themes.
In fact, for me the best part of this book was its botanic horror and the potential metaphors. The chapter titles were spot on.

In my experience this was a 3 star read - the characterisation, the plot, the writing were all good. I enjoyed my reading experience, but did not love it.
My expectations for certain key components were higher and different.

I believe there is a more ideal audience for this book than me.