Eat the Ones You Love
(Book)

At the start of this heartrending gothic horror story from Griffin (Other Words for Smoke), Michelle "Shell" Pine has just lost her job, broken up with her fiancé, and moved back into the jumble of her parents' house in the Dublin suburbs. She needs a win and jumps on the first opportunity she's seen in months: a HELP NEEDED sign in the window of a flower shop in a decaying mall. Her new boss, Neve--beautiful, mysterious, and fresh off her own broken engagement--has secrets Shell can't wait to unravel. But Neve's secrets run deeper than Shell could imagine: she's the keeper of a massive, monstrous orchid that's taken over the mall's infrastructure and Neve's whole life. Not content with Neve simply helping it survive, the orchid wants to possess and consume her totally. Now Shell is caught in the middle of a love story, both her own and one much stranger and more terrifying. Griffin makes a premise that could feel a bit too Little Shop of Horrors instead feel lush, eerie, and sensual through prose that's equal parts romantic and horrifying. This poignant and original examination of desire and decay is a stunner. (Apr.)

After breaking up with her fiancé, losing her job, and moving back in with her parents in the Dublin suburbs, Shell Pine feels like a failure. When she sees a "Help Needed" sign at a flower shop in the run-down Woodbine Crown Mall, Shell takes the job, grasping for anything to change her life. Not only are the flowers a pick-me-up, but her new boss, Neve, is just as lovely. Neve has a secret, however: deep in the center of the mall is Baby, an orchid with an appetite, and Neve belongs to him. He hungers for her, and no matter what--or who--she feeds to him, all he wants is to consume her. He won't let anyone get in the way of his love. The ultimate complex relationship story, this horrific tale is infused with humor and wit via Griffin's prose. VERDICT YA author Griffin (Other Words for Smoke) makes her adult debut with a queer take on Little Shop of Horrors that offers a unique narrator, a celebration of dying malls, and all the facets of love and desire. Fans of John Wiswell's Someone You Can Build a Nest In should pick this up.--Kristi Chadwick

Award-winning YA author Griffin (Other Words for Smoke) makes her adult debut. After leaving her fiancé, losing her job, and moving back in with her parents, Shell takes a chance on a job at a flower shop—and with beautiful florist Neve—but there's a carnivorous orchid nearby who also wants Neve. With a 125K-copy first printing. Prepub Alert. Copyright 2024 Library Journal

After breaking up with her fiancé, losing her job, and moving back in with her parents in the Dublin suburbs, Shell Pine feels like a failure. When she sees a "Help Needed" sign at a flower shop in the run-down Woodbine Crown Mall, Shell takes the job, grasping for anything to change her life. Not only are the flowers a pick-me-up, but her new boss, Neve, is just as lovely. Neve has a secret, however: deep in the center of the mall is Baby, an orchid with an appetite, and Neve belongs to him. He hungers for her, and no matter what—or who—she feeds to him, all he wants is to consume her. He won't let anyone get in the way of his love. The ultimate complex relationship story, this horrific tale is infused with humor and wit via Griffin's prose. VERDICT YA author Griffin (Other Words for Smoke) makes her adult debut with a queer take on Little Shop of Horrors that offers a unique narrator, a celebration of dying malls, and all the facets of love and desire. Fans of John Wiswell's Someone You Can Build a Nest In should pick this up.—Kristi Chadwick

At the start of this heartrending gothic horror story from Griffin (Other Words for Smoke), Michelle "Shell" Pine has just lost her job, broken up with her fiancé, and moved back into the jumble of her parents' house in the Dublin suburbs. She needs a win and jumps on the first opportunity she's seen in months: a HELP NEEDED sign in the window of a flower shop in a decaying mall. Her new boss, Neve—beautiful, mysterious, and fresh off her own broken engagement—has secrets Shell can't wait to unravel. But Neve's secrets run deeper than Shell could imagine: she's the keeper of a massive, monstrous orchid that's taken over the mall's infrastructure and Neve's whole life. Not content with Neve simply helping it survive, the orchid wants to possess and consume her totally. Now Shell is caught in the middle of a love story, both her own and one much stranger and more terrifying. Griffin makes a premise that could feel a bit too Little Shop of Horrors instead feel lush, eerie, and sensual through prose that's equal parts romantic and horrifying. This poignant and original examination of desire and decay is a stunner. (Apr.)