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Eat, Slay, Love
International bestselling author Julie Mae Cohen returns with a delicious new novel about three very different women and what unites the man they’re holding hostage
A friend will help you move on. A best friend will help you move his body...
Marina gave up her career as a chef to raise her children, but her divorce has left her harried, lonely, and the black sheep of her family. It’s also left her in dire financial straits.
Opal is a post-menopausal fitness guru who spends her days chasing likes and followers in an industry that worships youth. Even her glossy online persona can’t mask her checkered past.
Lilah is a shy and optimistic librarian who spends her days tending to the stacks, until she wins an unbelievable sum in the lottery. With a growing bank account and a dashing fiancé, life seems too good to be true—and it just might be.
These three women have nothing in common except for one the man who’s been lying to them all . . . and who they are now holding hostage in Marina’s basement.
As this shared secret brings them closer together, other, deadlier problems come crashing into their lives. Can they put their differences aside to save themselves—and each other?
Eat, Slay, Love is a raucous novel about friendship, finding joy, and becoming your best self, even if that sometimes involves kidnap and murder.
A friend will help you move on. A best friend will help you move his body...
Marina gave up her career as a chef to raise her children, but her divorce has left her harried, lonely, and the black sheep of her family. It’s also left her in dire financial straits.
Opal is a post-menopausal fitness guru who spends her days chasing likes and followers in an industry that worships youth. Even her glossy online persona can’t mask her checkered past.
Lilah is a shy and optimistic librarian who spends her days tending to the stacks, until she wins an unbelievable sum in the lottery. With a growing bank account and a dashing fiancé, life seems too good to be true—and it just might be.
These three women have nothing in common except for one the man who’s been lying to them all . . . and who they are now holding hostage in Marina’s basement.
As this shared secret brings them closer together, other, deadlier problems come crashing into their lives. Can they put their differences aside to save themselves—and each other?
Eat, Slay, Love is a raucous novel about friendship, finding joy, and becoming your best self, even if that sometimes involves kidnap and murder.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 8, 2025
111 people are currently reading
7720 people want to read
About the author
Julie Mae Cohen
7 books175 followersI love talking with readers - for 1:1s and Book Club visits, find me on Skolay: http://www.skolay.com/writers/julie-c...
Julie Mae Cohen is the darker side of author Julie Cohen, a million-copy bestselling, award-winning author of book club fiction.
Her first thriller, BAD MEN, was a BBC Radio 2 Book Club pick, and was shortlisted for the RNA Jackie Collins Romantic Thriller Award.
She grew up in the USA and lives in the UK with her family and a terrier of dubious origin. Her Google search history is very weird.
Julie Mae Cohen is the darker side of author Julie Cohen, a million-copy bestselling, award-winning author of book club fiction.
Her first thriller, BAD MEN, was a BBC Radio 2 Book Club pick, and was shortlisted for the RNA Jackie Collins Romantic Thriller Award.
She grew up in the USA and lives in the UK with her family and a terrier of dubious origin. Her Google search history is very weird.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 309 reviews
September 27, 2024
This was such a fun, dark read. I do like to have a laugh in my books, despite the content usually being quite disturbing. These 3 women were hilarious and so relatable. I loved that one was a librarian and book lover, so much of what she said made total sense.
Go into this without knowing too much. It is a story of women, and their power, their friendships and what they can achieve individually and collectively. Even with what they get up to, you will love them and be cheering them on.
Now I really need to grab this author’s previous book from my TBR, I loved the way she writes, so vivid. Great characters, great story with plenty of the darkness that I live.
Thanks so much to Bonnier Books UK on NetGalley for my advanced copy to read. Published on October 24th.
Go into this without knowing too much. It is a story of women, and their power, their friendships and what they can achieve individually and collectively. Even with what they get up to, you will love them and be cheering them on.
Now I really need to grab this author’s previous book from my TBR, I loved the way she writes, so vivid. Great characters, great story with plenty of the darkness that I live.
Thanks so much to Bonnier Books UK on NetGalley for my advanced copy to read. Published on October 24th.
April 11, 2025
This got pretty ridiculous but it had its entertaining moments. The ending did feel a bit rushed so I’ll go with three stars
May 1, 2025
*A Unexpected Sisterhood*
When I started this book, I was curious about its direction. Initially, I noticed themes of women empowerment, but soon I understood the underlying reasons.
The story introduces three distinct women:
- Marina: A divorced mother of three young children, Marina was once an independent chef. However, her ex-husband gradually eroded the things he claimed to love about her. Now, she spends her time apologising and blending into the background.
- Lilah: A librarian, Lilah feels lonely despite her relationship. Her fiancé makes her paranoid stemming from a devastating tragedy, leading her to stay in a hotel. He has taken control of her finances and life.
- Opal: A fitness guru in her 50s, Opal is down on her luck financially. She is tough and straightforward, but there’s a vulnerability she doesn’t want others to see.
Under normal circumstances, these women would never meet, let alone become friends. However, an unexpected event draws them together, and unforeseen circumstances create a bond that surprises them all. Each woman’s life is forever changed, and they must work together to navigate the challenges ahead.
I won’t spoil the plot, but I must say how invested I became in the story. I cheered them on as they didn’t waver and supported each other through thick and thin. It’s a heartwarming tale of friendship and resilience. Despite the dark turn the book takes.
When I started this book, I was curious about its direction. Initially, I noticed themes of women empowerment, but soon I understood the underlying reasons.
The story introduces three distinct women:
- Marina: A divorced mother of three young children, Marina was once an independent chef. However, her ex-husband gradually eroded the things he claimed to love about her. Now, she spends her time apologising and blending into the background.
- Lilah: A librarian, Lilah feels lonely despite her relationship. Her fiancé makes her paranoid stemming from a devastating tragedy, leading her to stay in a hotel. He has taken control of her finances and life.
- Opal: A fitness guru in her 50s, Opal is down on her luck financially. She is tough and straightforward, but there’s a vulnerability she doesn’t want others to see.
Under normal circumstances, these women would never meet, let alone become friends. However, an unexpected event draws them together, and unforeseen circumstances create a bond that surprises them all. Each woman’s life is forever changed, and they must work together to navigate the challenges ahead.
I won’t spoil the plot, but I must say how invested I became in the story. I cheered them on as they didn’t waver and supported each other through thick and thin. It’s a heartwarming tale of friendship and resilience. Despite the dark turn the book takes.
April 10, 2025
⅘ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Eat, Slay, Love
Author: Julie Mae Cohen
Thank you Netgalley and Abram’s / The Overlook Press for this ARC! I was in the mood to change things up so this was the perfect read since it’s been a minute since I read a thriller type read. This one was one of my favorite combos of domestic thriller / murder / comedy type read. This unites three women who all have one thing in common… a man. I enjoyed each of the main characters and their individual storylines. I liked that they were all lonely in their own ways and how this incident brought them together (even though it was slightly unhinged). The friendship they formed in the unlikely events was truly heart warming. Also the underlying mystery was a nice addition to the plot. Some parts were a bit unbelievable but since this had a flare of comedy to it, it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. Desperate housewives vibes. This one just released on 4/8!
Eat, Slay, Love
Author: Julie Mae Cohen
Thank you Netgalley and Abram’s / The Overlook Press for this ARC! I was in the mood to change things up so this was the perfect read since it’s been a minute since I read a thriller type read. This one was one of my favorite combos of domestic thriller / murder / comedy type read. This unites three women who all have one thing in common… a man. I enjoyed each of the main characters and their individual storylines. I liked that they were all lonely in their own ways and how this incident brought them together (even though it was slightly unhinged). The friendship they formed in the unlikely events was truly heart warming. Also the underlying mystery was a nice addition to the plot. Some parts were a bit unbelievable but since this had a flare of comedy to it, it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. Desperate housewives vibes. This one just released on 4/8!
Read
November 4, 2025DNF ст.220 🥱😴
September 12, 2024
[Disclaimer: I am friends with Julie!]
Well, I've been looking forward to reading this for quite some time and I loved it! (I mean, it has a librarian in it, a mention of Anne of Green Gables and a hamster, so what's not to love?!)
But seriously, I loved that it brings together Julie's awesome, funny, smart way of writing about women's lives and mashes it all into a pretty gory thriller. I had no idea where it was going to go, and I was gripped, with these three women who, initially, I wasn't particularly drawn but who gradually became three wonderful, dear people who I was totally rooting for. I loved the biting child, and the matter-of-factness of the women and everything that they deal with. And the dead grandma! It manages to encompass huge issues alongside day to day issues covering everything from coercive control, domestic abuse, adultery, fraud, Patriarchy, feminism, MLM/pyramid schemes, childcare, hamsters, friendship, cooking...
I started to read faster and faster the closer I got to the end, as I was so eager to see what would happen - it was worth it, the whole ending upon ending is fabulous.
With thanks to Net Galley for my copy.
Well, I've been looking forward to reading this for quite some time and I loved it! (I mean, it has a librarian in it, a mention of Anne of Green Gables and a hamster, so what's not to love?!)
But seriously, I loved that it brings together Julie's awesome, funny, smart way of writing about women's lives and mashes it all into a pretty gory thriller. I had no idea where it was going to go, and I was gripped, with these three women who, initially, I wasn't particularly drawn but who gradually became three wonderful, dear people who I was totally rooting for. I loved the biting child, and the matter-of-factness of the women and everything that they deal with. And the dead grandma! It manages to encompass huge issues alongside day to day issues covering everything from coercive control, domestic abuse, adultery, fraud, Patriarchy, feminism, MLM/pyramid schemes, childcare, hamsters, friendship, cooking...
I started to read faster and faster the closer I got to the end, as I was so eager to see what would happen - it was worth it, the whole ending upon ending is fabulous.
With thanks to Net Galley for my copy.
November 25, 2024
A fast-paced, twisty dark comedy thriller about friendship, sisterhood, and revenge. This had me laughing out loud even in scenes where I probably shouldn’t have been laughing! What a wildly chaotic and entertaining read!
Let’s talk about the main female characters: Opal is a 50+ wellness influencer trying to keep it all together; Lilah is a 26-year-old lottery winner who works at a library while grieving her dad’s death; and Marina is a divorced mom of three who just inherited a massive house from her Nana Sylvia (my favorite character whose feisty presence lingers throughout the story even though she's dead).
What do these women have in common? A man. Who is currently bound and unconscious in a basement, as they figure out what to do with him. Yes, it's all dark and crazy, but the book does explore heavy themes like gaslighting, coercive control, cheating, and pyramid schemes. I do think Cohen handled these topics with care, showing just how manipulative relationships can trap women. Also, the story never felt heavy. In fact, it’s uplifting in a hilariously twisted way!
I like how flawed yet somehow lovable these characters are. These women are messy, funny, and just trying to survive, and their journey from total strangers to friends is so delightful. The ending was satisfying as well. The last scene reminded me of a revenge scene in GOT!
Sure, some moments are a little over the top, but that’s the whole point! Suspend disbelief, embrace the absurdity, and just enjoy the ride. If you’re into strong female leads, dark humor, and thrillers with a bit of chaos, Eat Slay Love should be on your list. It’s empowering, escapist fun, and I loved every minute of it!
Let’s talk about the main female characters: Opal is a 50+ wellness influencer trying to keep it all together; Lilah is a 26-year-old lottery winner who works at a library while grieving her dad’s death; and Marina is a divorced mom of three who just inherited a massive house from her Nana Sylvia (my favorite character whose feisty presence lingers throughout the story even though she's dead).
What do these women have in common? A man. Who is currently bound and unconscious in a basement, as they figure out what to do with him. Yes, it's all dark and crazy, but the book does explore heavy themes like gaslighting, coercive control, cheating, and pyramid schemes. I do think Cohen handled these topics with care, showing just how manipulative relationships can trap women. Also, the story never felt heavy. In fact, it’s uplifting in a hilariously twisted way!
I like how flawed yet somehow lovable these characters are. These women are messy, funny, and just trying to survive, and their journey from total strangers to friends is so delightful. The ending was satisfying as well. The last scene reminded me of a revenge scene in GOT!
Sure, some moments are a little over the top, but that’s the whole point! Suspend disbelief, embrace the absurdity, and just enjoy the ride. If you’re into strong female leads, dark humor, and thrillers with a bit of chaos, Eat Slay Love should be on your list. It’s empowering, escapist fun, and I loved every minute of it!
January 14, 2025
Deliciously dark, laugh-out-loud, comedic gem!
Three women who couldn't be any more different -Lilah, Opal, and Marina - do have one thing in common - plotting the perfect revenge against the man who has ruined their lives.
This book is told by all three women in various chapters and centres on both the present and the past to provide backstory and reasoning to the initial plot. All three women bring their A-game, but Opal? I loved her from the very beginning. Her whit, absolutely hilarious one-liners and overall character arc were solid.
I loved how as the story progressed, so did the friendship between the three and each character grew and Lilah? Just brilliant (no spoilers, but read this book, and you'll know what I'm talking about!) That whole part of the book was just genius.
Again, no spoilers, but please, please tell me there will be another book with these ladies after that ending!? This is a book I'd pick up in a heartbeat.
I did fall behind on my netgalley arc for this one, and I'm gutted I didn't read it earlier. But due to this reason, I listened to the audio version of this book via audible.
Three women who couldn't be any more different -Lilah, Opal, and Marina - do have one thing in common - plotting the perfect revenge against the man who has ruined their lives.
This book is told by all three women in various chapters and centres on both the present and the past to provide backstory and reasoning to the initial plot. All three women bring their A-game, but Opal? I loved her from the very beginning. Her whit, absolutely hilarious one-liners and overall character arc were solid.
I loved how as the story progressed, so did the friendship between the three and each character grew and Lilah? Just brilliant (no spoilers, but read this book, and you'll know what I'm talking about!) That whole part of the book was just genius.
Again, no spoilers, but please, please tell me there will be another book with these ladies after that ending!? This is a book I'd pick up in a heartbeat.
I did fall behind on my netgalley arc for this one, and I'm gutted I didn't read it earlier. But due to this reason, I listened to the audio version of this book via audible.
April 29, 2025
FIVE, FOUR, THREE.....
for "EAT, SLAY, LOVE"
1) FIVE
The cover and premise were 5-star.
Three disgruntled females holding a despicable man hostage.
What can be better than that?
2) FOUR
The characterizations of the three female protagonists were compelling.
3) THREE.
The author lost steam at the end of the book.
Yes, the 3-star ending was disappointing.
I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Clare Corbett, Katherine Press, and Rebecca Norfolk.
Full cast narrations are always a treat, and all narrators gave 5-star performances.
October 27, 2025
Цікава вцілому книга
Коли я тільки починала її, то не могла зрозуміти нащо нам розповідають історії всіх цих жінок
А потім історія почала розвиватись і я почала більше розуміти
Який же Зандерс все ж таки гандончік
Він тільки про себе ото і думав все життя
Він і гроші
На інше йому якось все одно було
Нарцис, шахрай і маніпулятор
А дівчата зустрілись і стали подругами одна для одної
Хто б міг подумати
В такій то ситуації, але їх це, напевно, якраз і зблизило
Сподіваюсь в їх житті більше оце такі не зустрінуться "чоловіки", бо вони як і всі заслуговують на найкраще
Оцінка : 4.5/5 ⭐
Коли я тільки починала її, то не могла зрозуміти нащо нам розповідають історії всіх цих жінок
А потім історія почала розвиватись і я почала більше розуміти
Який же Зандерс все ж таки гандончік
Він тільки про себе ото і думав все життя
Він і гроші
На інше йому якось все одно було
Нарцис, шахрай і маніпулятор
А дівчата зустрілись і стали подругами одна для одної
Хто б міг подумати
В такій то ситуації, але їх це, напевно, якраз і зблизило
Сподіваюсь в їх житті більше оце такі не зустрінуться "чоловіки", бо вони як і всі заслуговують на найкраще
Оцінка : 4.5/5 ⭐
October 20, 2024
Eat Slay Love is a funny and killer novel that passes the Bechdel Test!!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Overlook Press, and was excited since I recently finished Bad Men, also by Julie Mae Cohen.
This novel focuses on female friendships, the patriarchy, and finding yourself. It had lots of funny moments, and a murder here and there. It isn’t much of a mystery/thriller as the title suggests, but I loved the character development.
I also loved Godzilla.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Overlook Press, and was excited since I recently finished Bad Men, also by Julie Mae Cohen.
This novel focuses on female friendships, the patriarchy, and finding yourself. It had lots of funny moments, and a murder here and there. It isn’t much of a mystery/thriller as the title suggests, but I loved the character development.
I also loved Godzilla.
April 17, 2025
In all honesty, I'm normally not a fan of the mystery/thriller genre; however, I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this book. It is the perfect embodiment of the "I support women's rights and wrongs" mentality.
June 7, 2025
Like this more than I had expected. Fortunately, it's not all fluff and silliness.
And I liked the characters.
So I must ask the question: is there going to be a sequel? Because, you know, with Opal and everything, it would be nice to have a follow-up story.
And I liked the characters.
So I must ask the question: is there going to be a sequel? Because, you know, with Opal and everything, it would be nice to have a follow-up story.
July 12, 2025
♥️ women supporting women is my jam ♥️
November 25, 2025
«Так, люди змінюються. Але їхня сутність залишається незмінною. Вони можуть змінювати стиль одягу, колір волосся та імʼя — особливо коли намагаються щось приховати»
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Позначка 18+ у цій книзі стоїть виправдано. І стосується вона не частини «люби», а частини — «убивай». Деякі сцени були для мене дуже огидними, хоча не скажу, що вони прямо детально описані, але я все собі доуявляла і так. По вайбу мені книга чимось трішки нагадала серіал «Відчайдушні домогосподарки».
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Це історія про трьох жінок. Вони дуже різні, і найімовірніше ніколи б не познайомились і не подружились, якби не збіг обставин, а точніше — якби не один чоловік, який брехав і використовував їх трьох. Марина — розлучена мати 3 дітей. Ліла — виграла в лотерею, але втратила батька. Опал — зірка соцмереж і вона турбується, що з віком їй все важче залишатися фітнес-гуру серед юних дівчат.
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Одного разу вони опиняються разом в підвалі старого будинку, і це була б не проблема, якби не звʼязаний чоловік, який скривдив їх.
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У цій книзі авторка порушила важливу тему — абʼюзивні стосунки. Усі три героїні стикнулись з цим, але по-своєму. Тема справді важлива, але мені не дуже сподобалось, як авторка її подала. Вона зобразила ображених жінок, які хотіли помсти, отримували від неї задоволення, а потім — очікували (а може їм це і вдалось) вийти сухими з води. При тому що вони робили справді жахливі речі. І це якось описувалось, як буденність і нормальність у їхньому житті. Я не виправдовую самих чоловіків, які в цій книзі зображені токсичними, абʼюзивними, маніпулятивними — але все ж мені зовсім не близьке те, як поводились героїні і що вони робили. Так, ніби саме таким чином варто вирішувати проблеми 👀 розумію, що це художня вигадка, та все ж. Саме тому, мабуть, я і не оцінила цю книгу дуже високо.
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А от інша тема, яка не менше важлива, це жіноча дружба. І насправді авторці вдалось її гарно показати, адже, як то кажуть, друзі ті, хто пізнається в біді. Взаємодія між героїнями була непогана показана і їхній розвиток стосунків від незнайомок, готових давати ляпаси, до подруг, готових вимивати підлогу від крові. Крім того, самі героїні теж гарно змальовані — як звичайні люди: у кожної якісь свої проблеми. Найбільш «живою» вийшла для мене Марина.
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Авторка намагалась показати «як це бути жінкою у чоловічому світі», і дещо справді мені відгукувалось і з багатьма речами я була згодна, але не з усіма рішеннями героїнь. З іншого боку — мені сподобалось, як вони розкрились, стали більш впевненими в собі під кінець історії, змогли вийти з цього абʼюзивного стану і відпустити це. Хоча якою ціною?
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Книга написана доволі просто. Вона дуже легко читались, проковтнути історію можна за кілька вечорів. Тут не багато описів, але дуже багато швидких, простих діалогів. Мені сподобалось, що історія описана з погляду всіх трьох героїнь. А ще, що авторка поступово відкривала нам їхнє минуле і більше знайомила з кожною.
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Проте якщо говорити про сюжет, то він не був дуже захопливим. Усі основні моменти книги можна було легко передбачити, а кінцівка загалом була очевидна.
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Думаю, книга може знайти свого читача. В ній є свої полюси та мінуси. Для мене вона все ж стала менш цікавою, ніж я очікувала. Мабуть, просто «не моя» історія. До цього не читала ще книг цієї авторки, тож не дуже добре знала, якого сюжету і стилю очікувати.
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💭Хто вже читав теж, а як вам? Плануєте читати? Любите книги у стилі «відчайдушних домогосподарок»?
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Позначка 18+ у цій книзі стоїть виправдано. І стосується вона не частини «люби», а частини — «убивай». Деякі сцени були для мене дуже огидними, хоча не скажу, що вони прямо детально описані, але я все собі доуявляла і так. По вайбу мені книга чимось трішки нагадала серіал «Відчайдушні домогосподарки».
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Це історія про трьох жінок. Вони дуже різні, і найімовірніше ніколи б не познайомились і не подружились, якби не збіг обставин, а точніше — якби не один чоловік, який брехав і використовував їх трьох. Марина — розлучена мати 3 дітей. Ліла — виграла в лотерею, але втратила батька. Опал — зірка соцмереж і вона турбується, що з віком їй все важче залишатися фітнес-гуру серед юних дівчат.
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Одного разу вони опиняються разом в підвалі старого будинку, і це була б не проблема, якби не звʼязаний чоловік, який скривдив їх.
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У цій книзі авторка порушила важливу тему — абʼюзивні стосунки. Усі три героїні стикнулись з цим, але по-своєму. Тема справді важлива, але мені не дуже сподобалось, як авторка її подала. Вона зобразила ображених жінок, які хотіли помсти, отримували від неї задоволення, а потім — очікували (а може їм це і вдалось) вийти сухими з води. При тому що вони робили справді жахливі речі. І це якось описувалось, як буденність і нормальність у їхньому житті. Я не виправдовую самих чоловіків, які в цій книзі зображені токсичними, абʼюзивними, маніпулятивними — але все ж мені зовсім не близьке те, як поводились героїні і що вони робили. Так, ніби саме таким чином варто вирішувати проблеми 👀 розумію, що це художня вигадка, та все ж. Саме тому, мабуть, я і не оцінила цю книгу дуже високо.
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А от інша тема, яка не менше важлива, це жіноча дружба. І насправді авторці вдалось її гарно показати, адже, як то кажуть, друзі ті, хто пізнається в біді. Взаємодія між героїнями була непогана показана і їхній розвиток стосунків від незнайомок, готових давати ляпаси, до подруг, готових вимивати підлогу від крові. Крім того, самі героїні теж гарно змальовані — як звичайні люди: у кожної якісь свої проблеми. Найбільш «живою» вийшла для мене Марина.
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Авторка намагалась показати «як це бути жінкою у чоловічому світі», і дещо справді мені відгукувалось і з багатьма речами я була згодна, але не з усіма рішеннями героїнь. З іншого боку — мені сподобалось, як вони розкрились, стали більш впевненими в собі під кінець історії, змогли вийти з цього абʼюзивного стану і відпустити це. Хоча якою ціною?
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Книга написана доволі просто. Вона дуже легко читались, проковтнути історію можна за кілька вечорів. Тут не багато описів, але дуже багато швидких, простих діалогів. Мені сподобалось, що історія описана з погляду всіх трьох героїнь. А ще, що авторка поступово відкривала нам їхнє минуле і більше знайомила з кожною.
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Проте якщо говорити про сюжет, то він не був дуже захопливим. Усі основні моменти книги можна було легко передбачити, а кінцівка загалом була очевидна.
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Думаю, книга може знайти свого читача. В ній є свої полюси та мінуси. Для мене вона все ж стала менш цікавою, ніж я очікувала. Мабуть, просто «не моя» історія. До цього не читала ще книг цієї авторки, тож не дуже добре знала, якого сюжету і стилю очікувати.
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💭Хто вже читав теж, а як вам? Плануєте читати? Любите книги у стилі «відчайдушних домогосподарок»?
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August 25, 2025
Несерйозна, весела, темна книга про серйозні речі. Місцями занадто легко героїням усе сходило з рук, але я й не очікувала хитромудрого сюжету. Авторка розповідає історію про сестринство, дружбу, фемінізм і патріархат, може, іноді прямо в лоб використовує ці слова, але попри все героїні яскраві, цікаві, проходять свої арки і в кінці стають кращими. Хай для цього їм і довелося убити кількох демонів усередині і зовні.
3,75/5, книга на один раз, але зачепила.
3,75/5, книга на один раз, але зачепила.
August 5, 2025
Дуже вдало я вибрала книгу для відпочинку👌🏻
Така насичена книга, з несподівчаними поворотами і смішними моментами.
Здається ніби подивилась серіал від Netflix у стилі «Відчайдушних домогосподарок»)))
І найголовніше я не читала жодного опису і аннотації до неї. Це було правильне рішення. І вам раджу так зробити!
Тепер думаю, що варто прочитатати і «Поганців»)
Така насичена книга, з несподівчаними поворотами і смішними моментами.
Здається ніби подивилась серіал від Netflix у стилі «Відчайдушних домогосподарок»)))
І найголовніше я не читала жодного опису і аннотації до неї. Це було правильне рішення. І вам раджу так зробити!
Тепер думаю, що варто прочитатати і «Поганців»)
October 27, 2024
Three very different women - Marina, stay at home mother of three; Opal, fitness guru; Lilah, librarian lottery winner. They have one thing in common…the man who they each know by a different name. The man who, without them knowing it, is conning them.
These three women should have no reason to speak. Their lives are very different. Yet, dig a little under the surface and we see just how similar their stories are. When Opal contacts the others to tell them the truth about the man in their lives it sets in place an absurd sequence of events.
Dark, far funnier than such a topic warrants, and compulsive reading. I will never look at hamster wheels or Le Creuset pans in the same way!
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this.
These three women should have no reason to speak. Their lives are very different. Yet, dig a little under the surface and we see just how similar their stories are. When Opal contacts the others to tell them the truth about the man in their lives it sets in place an absurd sequence of events.
Dark, far funnier than such a topic warrants, and compulsive reading. I will never look at hamster wheels or Le Creuset pans in the same way!
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this.
January 30, 2025
Okay, so I’ve fallen a bit for these women 🥰 I loved this book and it deserves all the stars. I became engrossed when reading this, especially when it all comes together with the woman finding out who they had in common.
As well as showing us the friendship of the women and what it means to them, we also see Opal, Marina, Lilah growing individually and realising how strong they are and they don’t need to take crap of anyone anymore.
The are some dark goings on (wonderfully descriptive which I love) but also some hilarious moments as well. I cannot wait to read the authors next book, but I also hope to see this girl gang again in the future.
As well as showing us the friendship of the women and what it means to them, we also see Opal, Marina, Lilah growing individually and realising how strong they are and they don’t need to take crap of anyone anymore.
The are some dark goings on (wonderfully descriptive which I love) but also some hilarious moments as well. I cannot wait to read the authors next book, but I also hope to see this girl gang again in the future.
January 1, 2025
A fun read although it covers serious issues and is graphic in parts. I loved the description of female friendships.
April 1, 2025
(Thank you Edelweiss and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for a review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own)
Imagine Desperate Housewives meets Weekend at Bernie's with a side of midlife crisis and a generous helping of "we're all in this together" camaraderie.
Julie Mae Cohen serves up a premise that's as bonkers as it is entertaining. Marina, Opal and Lilah, each dealing with their own unique brand of existential dread, find common ground in their shared hatred of one man and his subsequent basement residency. The initial setup is ripe with comedic potential and the book delivers on the laughs, even if they're occasionally of the "cringe-laugh" variety.
The characters, while somewhat archetypal are engaging enough to keep you invested. Marina, the harried mom turned kidnapper is relatable in her desperation. Opal, the social media obsessed fitness guru is a delightful caricature of modern vanity. And Lilah, the sweet librarian turned… well, let's just say she blossoms in unexpected ways.
The book excels at creating a sense of chaotic, darkly humorous energy. The dialogue is snappy, the situations are absurd and the pacing is fast. You'll find yourself chuckling along even as you question the characters' sanity.
However, the plot can feel a bit like a runaway train, careening from one absurd scenario to the next without much regard for logic or subtlety. The "deadlier problems" that crash into their lives feel more like convenient plot devices than genuine threats and the resolution is… well, let's just say it requires a significant suspension of disbelief.
The book attempts to explore themes of female empowerment and the importance of friendship but it often feels like it's doing so with a sledgehammer. The characters' transformations feel rushed and the "we're all in this together" message is sometimes drowned out by the sheer absurdity of the situation.
Ultimately, it is a darkly comedic romp that delivers on the laughs even if it occasionally sacrifices coherence for shock value. It's a solid three stars – a bit messy, a bit predictable but undeniably entertaining. It's a fun, if somewhat chaotic ride.
Imagine Desperate Housewives meets Weekend at Bernie's with a side of midlife crisis and a generous helping of "we're all in this together" camaraderie.
Julie Mae Cohen serves up a premise that's as bonkers as it is entertaining. Marina, Opal and Lilah, each dealing with their own unique brand of existential dread, find common ground in their shared hatred of one man and his subsequent basement residency. The initial setup is ripe with comedic potential and the book delivers on the laughs, even if they're occasionally of the "cringe-laugh" variety.
The characters, while somewhat archetypal are engaging enough to keep you invested. Marina, the harried mom turned kidnapper is relatable in her desperation. Opal, the social media obsessed fitness guru is a delightful caricature of modern vanity. And Lilah, the sweet librarian turned… well, let's just say she blossoms in unexpected ways.
The book excels at creating a sense of chaotic, darkly humorous energy. The dialogue is snappy, the situations are absurd and the pacing is fast. You'll find yourself chuckling along even as you question the characters' sanity.
However, the plot can feel a bit like a runaway train, careening from one absurd scenario to the next without much regard for logic or subtlety. The "deadlier problems" that crash into their lives feel more like convenient plot devices than genuine threats and the resolution is… well, let's just say it requires a significant suspension of disbelief.
The book attempts to explore themes of female empowerment and the importance of friendship but it often feels like it's doing so with a sledgehammer. The characters' transformations feel rushed and the "we're all in this together" message is sometimes drowned out by the sheer absurdity of the situation.
Ultimately, it is a darkly comedic romp that delivers on the laughs even if it occasionally sacrifices coherence for shock value. It's a solid three stars – a bit messy, a bit predictable but undeniably entertaining. It's a fun, if somewhat chaotic ride.
October 11, 2025
There is nothing like women coming together to build long-lasting friendships over piece of trash men. This was essentially the book version of the movie The Other Women, on drugs, or more like very expensive wine and, actually... drugs... and ice cream.
I adored all three female leads, I was never frustrated when it flipped from one POV to the next. Seeing them learn about themselves, one another, and what it means to develop friendships in adulthood was perfection.
While my review is mostly sweet and fluffy, this book is not for the faint of heart. Cohen does an incredible job putting a hilarious and heartwarming spin on some pretty gruesome scenes. A+ all around.
I adored all three female leads, I was never frustrated when it flipped from one POV to the next. Seeing them learn about themselves, one another, and what it means to develop friendships in adulthood was perfection.
While my review is mostly sweet and fluffy, this book is not for the faint of heart. Cohen does an incredible job putting a hilarious and heartwarming spin on some pretty gruesome scenes. A+ all around.
January 14, 2025
Another entertaining black comedy by the brillient Julie Mae Cohen, Eat Slay Love is hilariously sharp.
Three women have all been duped by the same man, but how far would each one go for revenge?
I listened to the audiobook of this title, and I found it fresh and easy to listen to. This story doesn’t take itself too seriously, but is definitely darker than some other female oriented novels. A black comedy that had me laughing out loud at line after line, Cohen has a skill for humourous writing.
I enjoyed how blase the three characters were about some of the darker aspects of the novel; I found it funny and original.
The three female led characters are distinctive and vibrant in their own way, and they all grow over the course of the novel. Bolshy Opal faces up to her past. Timid librarian Lilah finds her voice and her confidence. Divorced mother of three Marina finds herself again. These character journeys added an extra layer of satisfaction by the the time the end rolled around.
A loud and vibrant comedy with a distinctly dark humour running throughout. If you liked Bad Men you would enjoy this.
Three women have all been duped by the same man, but how far would each one go for revenge?
I listened to the audiobook of this title, and I found it fresh and easy to listen to. This story doesn’t take itself too seriously, but is definitely darker than some other female oriented novels. A black comedy that had me laughing out loud at line after line, Cohen has a skill for humourous writing.
I enjoyed how blase the three characters were about some of the darker aspects of the novel; I found it funny and original.
The three female led characters are distinctive and vibrant in their own way, and they all grow over the course of the novel. Bolshy Opal faces up to her past. Timid librarian Lilah finds her voice and her confidence. Divorced mother of three Marina finds herself again. These character journeys added an extra layer of satisfaction by the the time the end rolled around.
A loud and vibrant comedy with a distinctly dark humour running throughout. If you liked Bad Men you would enjoy this.
Want to read
April 7, 2025Holy heck, $25 for the Kindle version? I've never seen it that expensive before. That is wild.
April 12, 2025
3.5⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 25, 2025
(3.75 stars) really enjoyed this. Great lovable characters and a great story that held my attention throughout. Honestly I think it got a little too gory for me but overall a good read
January 3, 2025
What fun! A highly entertaining read.
June 5, 2025
This was fun! Reminiscent of the tv show Good Girls.
June 10, 2025
After enjoying Julie Mae Cohen’s debut novel “Bad Men,” I knew I wanted to check out more of her work. This story involves friendship, empowerment, and some bad romance to go around.
Marina is a divorced mother of three young kids. She was once a chef who worked at renown restaurants. However, her ex husband insisted that she stay home and take care of the kiddos while he went into the office to provide for his family. Although their marriage ends, Marina is stuck in a rut and hasn’t been able to move forward. She has started dating a new guy, Xavier who has brought a lot of joy into her life.
Opal is a fitness guru who teaches her followers on social media workout tips and tricks to live a more healthy life. While successful publicly, her financial situation is in shambles. Along with that, she’s dealing with the aftermath of a toxic marriage with Zander, who was involved in making Opal’s finances take a tumble. She’s seeking revenge for what she’s lost.
Lilah is a lottery winner who’s a book lover. She chooses to work at the library even though financially, she’s set for life. She’s about to be married to a man named Zachary who on the surface, seems like a good guy. She’s currently dealing with the loss of her father and paranoid feelings that she’s being followed by someone….
What do these three women have in common and how do they connect? Well, that’s all because of one man who has taken advantage of their wallets and their hearts. At first, they’re very hesitant and distrusting of each other. Then they realize that maybe there was something to do to ail their suffering. What will they do and how will it ultimately affect them? Will they be able to move forward with their lives or will they even be able to live to tell the tale?
I really enjoyed this novel. I liked the dark humor as the main events transpired. The friendship that develops between the three women is really nice to behold. As the book goes on, I developed an appreciation for all three of them. They each have hurdles they’ve gone through but ultimately come out stronger on the other side of it. There were plenty of twists that kept me guessing. It really takes certain storylines in a new direction. One that intrigued me to no end. In many ways, it’s not entirely realistic. It’s definitely fantastical revenge that many of us wish for, when we’ve been wronged. However, I decided to go along for the ride and came out being entertained. Julie Mae Cohen is great at writing strong women, but also some of the biggest scum of the earth men I’ve ever read about. Go in without spoilers and you’ll be in for a treat. The writing is quick witted, descriptive, and kept me captivated throughout. Whenever she comes out with a new book, I’ll definitely be pursuing it.
Marina is a divorced mother of three young kids. She was once a chef who worked at renown restaurants. However, her ex husband insisted that she stay home and take care of the kiddos while he went into the office to provide for his family. Although their marriage ends, Marina is stuck in a rut and hasn’t been able to move forward. She has started dating a new guy, Xavier who has brought a lot of joy into her life.
Opal is a fitness guru who teaches her followers on social media workout tips and tricks to live a more healthy life. While successful publicly, her financial situation is in shambles. Along with that, she’s dealing with the aftermath of a toxic marriage with Zander, who was involved in making Opal’s finances take a tumble. She’s seeking revenge for what she’s lost.
Lilah is a lottery winner who’s a book lover. She chooses to work at the library even though financially, she’s set for life. She’s about to be married to a man named Zachary who on the surface, seems like a good guy. She’s currently dealing with the loss of her father and paranoid feelings that she’s being followed by someone….
What do these three women have in common and how do they connect? Well, that’s all because of one man who has taken advantage of their wallets and their hearts. At first, they’re very hesitant and distrusting of each other. Then they realize that maybe there was something to do to ail their suffering. What will they do and how will it ultimately affect them? Will they be able to move forward with their lives or will they even be able to live to tell the tale?
I really enjoyed this novel. I liked the dark humor as the main events transpired. The friendship that develops between the three women is really nice to behold. As the book goes on, I developed an appreciation for all three of them. They each have hurdles they’ve gone through but ultimately come out stronger on the other side of it. There were plenty of twists that kept me guessing. It really takes certain storylines in a new direction. One that intrigued me to no end. In many ways, it’s not entirely realistic. It’s definitely fantastical revenge that many of us wish for, when we’ve been wronged. However, I decided to go along for the ride and came out being entertained. Julie Mae Cohen is great at writing strong women, but also some of the biggest scum of the earth men I’ve ever read about. Go in without spoilers and you’ll be in for a treat. The writing is quick witted, descriptive, and kept me captivated throughout. Whenever she comes out with a new book, I’ll definitely be pursuing it.
September 16, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and Zaffre for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
Who didn't absolutely love Julie's previous book Bad Men? It was phenomenal.
It is so much fun. I wanted this review to be quite long, but it's hard to review because it's such a great book that when you're reading it, I didn't really make a lot of notes at the time. So this will probably be briefer than I'd like.
It takes a good book to keep me from my bed, but I was completely hooked on this that before I knew it, I'd read a quarter of it and it was getting late. It's so much fun and Julie has such a knack for writing humerous, slightly quirky thrillers.
Kidnapping, hostages etc. and comedy shouldn't go hand in hand so well, but it really does. It doesn't shy away from the gore and morbidity but it is also packed full of humour.
I read the first quarter in about an hour, it was so addictive, and I'd finished it in less than a day.
I can sometimes be a little iffy about multiple points-of-views, because I can end up forgetting who is who, but this one was instantly recognisable because the three main characters are so well created.
We have Opal, the fitness freak, who appears benevolent and caring towards the other women but also comes across as hard and cold - she had the biggest journey throughout the book, for me. Then we have Marina, the single mum who is struggling to manage three young children and this unfortunate situation she finds herself in. She was great, and a real laugh. And finally there's Lilah, the grieving rich lady, who I really felt for frrom the off. She was a bit timid but there was definite strength underneath.
It finishes well and you're satisfied but in my opinion there's definitely room for a sequel, or even an additional novella.
I know that Julie writes books other than thrillers under Julie Cohen, but I have only read the two thrillers under Julie Mae Cohen. I will definitely keep my eye out for her other genres, as her writing is so well crafted that I'm sure it'll do well with anything. But I do hope she has more thrillers up her sleeve because I could read them forever. She's only two books in for me and she's already become a go-to author and one I would gladly recommend.
Yes it is about murder and whatnot, deception, lies, thievery, coerciveness, violence. But it's also about friendship and sisterhood and trust. Going against the patriarchy, standing up for yourself, love, what you'd do to protect your family and your friends, about finding yourself, coping with life being a modern woman, as a single woman, as a single mother.
It's got absolutely everything and it's told so expertly. Definitely one of my books of the year.
Who didn't absolutely love Julie's previous book Bad Men? It was phenomenal.
It is so much fun. I wanted this review to be quite long, but it's hard to review because it's such a great book that when you're reading it, I didn't really make a lot of notes at the time. So this will probably be briefer than I'd like.
It takes a good book to keep me from my bed, but I was completely hooked on this that before I knew it, I'd read a quarter of it and it was getting late. It's so much fun and Julie has such a knack for writing humerous, slightly quirky thrillers.
Kidnapping, hostages etc. and comedy shouldn't go hand in hand so well, but it really does. It doesn't shy away from the gore and morbidity but it is also packed full of humour.
I read the first quarter in about an hour, it was so addictive, and I'd finished it in less than a day.
I can sometimes be a little iffy about multiple points-of-views, because I can end up forgetting who is who, but this one was instantly recognisable because the three main characters are so well created.
We have Opal, the fitness freak, who appears benevolent and caring towards the other women but also comes across as hard and cold - she had the biggest journey throughout the book, for me. Then we have Marina, the single mum who is struggling to manage three young children and this unfortunate situation she finds herself in. She was great, and a real laugh. And finally there's Lilah, the grieving rich lady, who I really felt for frrom the off. She was a bit timid but there was definite strength underneath.
It finishes well and you're satisfied but in my opinion there's definitely room for a sequel, or even an additional novella.
I know that Julie writes books other than thrillers under Julie Cohen, but I have only read the two thrillers under Julie Mae Cohen. I will definitely keep my eye out for her other genres, as her writing is so well crafted that I'm sure it'll do well with anything. But I do hope she has more thrillers up her sleeve because I could read them forever. She's only two books in for me and she's already become a go-to author and one I would gladly recommend.
Yes it is about murder and whatnot, deception, lies, thievery, coerciveness, violence. But it's also about friendship and sisterhood and trust. Going against the patriarchy, standing up for yourself, love, what you'd do to protect your family and your friends, about finding yourself, coping with life being a modern woman, as a single woman, as a single mother.
It's got absolutely everything and it's told so expertly. Definitely one of my books of the year.
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