Julie Mae Cohen’s “Eat, Slay, Love” delivers a deliciously dark comedy thriller that combines the catharsis of female revenge with genuine emotional depth. Following her success with “Bad Men: A Novel,” Cohen has crafted a story that’s equal parts empowering female friendship narrative and wickedly entertaining romp through murder, deception, and the discovery of one’s self-worth.
The novel follows three seemingly disparate women whose lives intersect when they discover they’re all being conned by the same man. What follows is a basement kidnapping that evolves into something far more complex – and deadly – than any of them anticipated. Cohen expertly balances sharp humor with genuine emotional stakes, creating a thriller that’s as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.
The Unlikely Trio: Character Dynamics That Shine
At the heart of “Eat, Slay, Love” are three compelling protagonists whose evolution from strangers to co-conspirators to genuine friends forms the novel’s emotional core:
Marina – A former chef who sacrificed her career for motherhood, now struggling as a divorced single mother of three. Devalued by her ex-husband and dismissed by her family, Marina’s journey from apologetic doormat to assertive woman is perhaps the most satisfying transformation in the book.
Opal – A sharp-tongued menopausal fitness influencer whose tough exterior hides profound vulnerability. Her complicated past provides some of the novel’s most surprising revelations and poignant moments.
Lilah – A shy librarian who appears naive but harbors unexpected depths of courage and resilience. After winning the lottery, she becomes the target of a sophisticated con man, but proves to be far from the “frightened little bunny rabbit” she’s perceived to be.
Cohen excels at creating complex female characters who defy stereotypes while still feeling authentic. Each woman brings her own unique skills and perspectives to their unusual situation, creating a dynamic that evolves from mistrust to genuine friendship in a way that feels earned rather than contrived.
A Plot That Keeps You Guessing
The novel wastes no time throwing readers into the action—opening with the three women staring at an unconscious man in a basement bomb shelter. From there, Cohen expertly weaves flashbacks that explain how each woman met and fell for the manipulative Zachary/Xavier/Zander, building toward the moment that brings them together.
What begins as a kidnapping quickly escalates as additional murders, shocking revelations, and unexpected twists complicate their predicament. The pacing is nearly flawless, with Cohen expertly balancing character development, dark humor, and genuine suspense.
The novel’s structure deserves special praise. By beginning with the kidnapping and then filling in the backstory, Cohen creates immediate intrigue while avoiding the slow setup that plagues many thrillers. The multiple perspectives offer insights into each woman’s mindset without ever feeling repetitive or slowing the momentum.
Themes That Resonate
Beyond its entertainment value, “Eat, Slay, Love” explores several thought-provoking themes:
Female friendship as salvation – The bond that forms between these three very different women becomes their strength, offering mutual understanding and support that none of them have experienced before.
The invisibility of middle-aged women – Through Opal’s storyline particularly, the novel examines society’s tendency to dismiss women as they age, while ironically using this invisibility as a power.
Reclaiming agency after trauma – Each character must confront past wounds, from Lilah’s sexual assault to Opal’s abusive relationship to Marina’s erosion of identity in marriage.
The complexities of motherhood – Marina’s relationship with her children provides some of the book’s most touching moments, while her struggles with the all-consuming nature of motherhood feel painfully authentic.
Cohen handles these themes with nuance, never allowing the social commentary to overshadow the story’s entertainment value.
Style and Tone: Dark Comedy at Its Finest
Cohen’s writing strikes the perfect balance between accessible and sophisticated. Her dialogue crackles with wit, while her descriptive passages efficiently set scenes without bogging down the pacing. The dark humor is consistently on point, finding comedy in genuinely grim situations without ever trivializing the serious emotional stakes.
Particularly effective is Cohen’s ability to shift between comedy and genuine emotional resonance. A scene where the women dismember a body while discussing their relationships and listening to Beyoncé manages to be simultaneously horrifying, hilarious, and oddly touching.
Strengths and Minor Shortcomings
What Works Brilliantly:
The chemistry between the three main characters, which evolves naturally and convincingly
The sharp, often laugh-out-loud dialogue that reveals character while advancing the plot
The pacing, which maintains suspense while allowing for necessary character development
The satisfying blend of wish-fulfillment revenge fantasy with genuine emotional depth
The surprising yet earned ending that avoids simplistic solutions
What Could Be Stronger:
The male characters tend toward being thinly drawn villains or background figures
The coincidences occasionally strain credibility, particularly regarding timing
Some readers might find the violence and dark humor off-putting despite its thematic purpose
The epilogues, while satisfying, wrap things up a bit too neatly for some tastes
Comparisons: Where This Book Fits in the Genre
Fans of Liane Moriarty’s “Big Little Lies” will appreciate the focus on female friendship amid dangerous circumstances, while readers who enjoyed the darkly comic revenge elements of Oyinkan Braithwaite’s “My Sister, the Serial Killer” will find similar satisfaction here. Cohen’s style also bears comparison to writers like Caroline Kepnes (“You“) and Gillian Flynn, though with a lighter touch and more emphasis on female solidarity.
Unlike her previous novel “Bad Men,” which took a more serious approach to exploring toxic masculinity, “Eat, Slay, Love” leans more heavily into dark comedy while still maintaining emotional resonance. The result is a more accessible but equally thought-provoking read.
For Whom Is This Book Perfect?
This novel will particularly appeal to:
Readers who enjoy female-centered thrillers with a strong friendship component
Fans of dark comedy that balances humor with genuine emotional stakes
Those looking for stories about women reclaiming their power
Anyone who appreciates morally complex characters making questionable choices for understandable reasons
However, readers sensitive to violence or those who prefer their protagonists to make strictly legal choices may find the premise challenging.
Final Verdict: A Darkly Delicious Treat
“Eat, Slay, Love” is that rare thriller that manages to be enormously entertaining while still offering emotional depth and social commentary. Cohen has crafted a story that’s both a wickedly funny revenge fantasy and a touching exploration of female friendship and self-discovery.
The novel isn’t perfect—some coincidences strain credibility, and those looking for strictly moral protagonists won’t find them here. However, these minor flaws do little to diminish the sheer enjoyment of this dark, funny, and surprisingly moving tale of three women who discover their strength through unlikely circumstances and each other.
With its perfect blend of suspense, humor, and heart, “Eat, Slay, Love” earns a solid 4 out of 5 stars and cements Julie Mae Cohen as a voice to watch in the thriller genre. Like the aligot that Marina prepares—a seemingly simple dish of potatoes and cheese that stretches into something unexpectedly complex and satisfying—this novel takes familiar ingredients and transforms them into something special.
This is the perfect read for anyone who’s ever wanted to fight back against those who’ve wronged them, anyone who’s felt invisible or undervalued, or anyone who simply appreciates a well-crafted story about women finding their power and each other. Just maybe don’t read it while eating shepherd’s pie.