Geek Love follows Al and Crystal Lil Binewski, a couple who are desperate to save their traveling circus from bankruptcy. To save their circus, they decide to shake things up and start to experiment on their own children with drugs and other radioactive materials to create their very own freak show. One of their children, Arty, develops flipper-like limbs; Iphy and Elly become Siamese twins; Oly becomes a hunchbacked albino dwarf; and Chick becomes telekinetic.
Arty quickly becomes the star attraction. Known as "Aqua Boy," he is able to perform tasks with his teeth and mouth because he is limbless. However, his role evolves over time, and he becomes a religious figure. People come from across the country (and the world) to see him. In fact, a number of people amputate their own limbs because they aspire to be just like Arty.
Oly, on the other hand, is not the main attraction in the show. However, she plays a pivotal role in the story. Secretly, Oly has a daughter, Miranda, with Dr. Phyllis. Miranda has her own special trait—a tail—which she got from her mother. Ultimately, she inherits and then runs her own small aquatic-themed show, which she plays a part in because of her tail.
Meanwhile, Dr. Lick collects photos and artifacts of deformed individuals like Miranda. He thinks that, in order to be beautiful, one must be deformed in some way. Lick's ultimate plan is to mutilate Miranda in such a way that she aligns with his standards of beauty.
As Arty's power and influence grow, so does the resentment towards him. Arty begins to manipulate people, including Chick, and uses many people as an enforcer. The dynamics grow more complicated when Chick starts to bond with Dr. Phyllis, who has his own ulterior motives. Meanwhile, Oly starts to hatch a plan to protect Miranda from outside influences.
However, as Oly works to protect Miranda, things go awry, resulting in tremendous death. Ultimately, the novel winds down with Miranda deciding to head out on a new life, leaving behind the wreckage of the Binewski family legacy.
