Beautifully diverse and queer characters whose friendships and connections left me feeling quite warm and fuzzy inside but I found it hard to feel invested in the “mystery”, although that’s possibly because I had to dip in and out of reading this one because of life.
I really enjoyed the writing style of this, very funny and easy to follow but I feel like the whole ‘end of the world’ situation that’s hinted to didn’t really bring much to the story. If the author is wanting to make a strong argument about climate change it didn’t need to happen here and doesn’t land as well as maybe it would with a different story.
These are really picky things but all round a really good debut novel and a great one for queer literature.

I gave up on this book after a few chapters. No disrespect to the author but it didn’t hook me in and wasn’t what I was expecting. A group of gay women living in a retirement village in the future in a Florida that is quickly disappearing due to global warning. Not my cup of tea

An interesting story and thought provoking. Enjoyed reading this book and would recommend to others. Looking forward to reading more by this author.

‘Palm Meridian’ by Grace Flahive is a gorgeous, emotional and unexpected festival of life, love and tragedy, set in a Floridian retirement resort in 2067. We begin as long-term resident Hannah is preparing for her end-of-life party, and learn about her life past and present, especially her long-lost love Sophie. As sunset gives way to sunrise, a devastating secret is revealed which makes Hannah’s last hours even more enlightening, precious and bittersweet.

I adored the memorable characters and the celebration of queerness, and the glimpses of America’s burning future. The way Hannah’s choice to die by euthanasia was discussed rationally was refreshing - the novel did not skirt away from themes of devastation, beauty, loneliness, comfort, sickness and autonomy.

The writing, complete with rollercoasters of emotion on single pages and immersive world-building within a perfectly restrained page count, was extremely accomplished for a debut novel! I absolutely cannot wait to see what story author Grace Flahive turns her talents towards next. This gets 4.5 stars from me.

I received an advance Digital Review Copy of this book from the publisher Dialogue Books via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

What a brilliantly hilarious, heartwarming and at times heartbreaking story.
A beautiful read about love, loss, friendship & the wonder of life. This one will stay with you long after reading.

This book gave me Black Mirror San Junipero vibes - and I mean that as a good thing. This is the type of place I want to end up when climate change inevitably ruins everything.

I found the characters a little hard to keep track of at first, because it felt like we were introduced to so many all at once. I didn't think I felt attached to any of them but then found myself sobbing at the end so proved myself wrong there. Also I loved how you kind of forgot how old they were, then all of a sudden they're talking about softening their stool, and you are reminded that this is a retirement resort.

I would recommend to anyone who wants a sapphic romance book with a hint of apocalypse.

Palm Meridian is a vibrant book about living life colourfully.
The resort setting is fun, a bit kitsch and still full of life. This is the kind of retirement you wish to have for sure.
I found the story to be reflective, heartwarming and heartbreaking all in one.
One thing this book has is standout quality, this is through the vivid setting and unique characters.
I really hope this becomes a film as I think it would translate to screen beautifully.
If you want a bright and engaging story look no further.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

I’m not sure I’ve ever read a book that simultaneously made me laugh, cry and think as much as this one did.

Palm Meridian is filled with questions and longing, a cast of likeable and queer characters without their queerness feeling forced or being used only as a coming out storyline and an exceptional and unique plot,

I was rooting for Sophie- Hannah’s love from their twenties almost 50 years ago- to arrive at the party Hannah was throwing to mark the end of her life as she chose euthanasia rather than suffer through a terminal illness. This is a book of contradictions (complimentary), set in the future with flashbacks to current times and with some things so much better than now but others the same, or even in relation to the climate disaster, even worse. I loved this book and want to reread it, also think it would make a great and visually stunning limited tv series.

The premise of this is really interesting - diverse queer characters at a Florida retirement resort, bringing in elements of climate change and grappling with growing older.

Parts of it were really heartwarming and I really loved the friendships. It was interesting looking at Hannah's life too and her long lost love Sophie.

However, I just struggled to really get into this and the writing style wasn't really my cup of tea. I found the pacing was a little off.

But it was still an enjoyable read and I think lots of people will love it!

This title sounded and looked inviting but OMGoodness, I battled to understand what was happening! I tried a few times to continue but the story just didn't seem to move! A very slow start which made it even harder to follow this book. Sorry but couldn't get into this title.
Many thanx to NetGalley, the author and publisher for allowing me to read and review this book

This was so far out of my normal reading genres I wasn’t sure what to expect! Hannah is our main character and she really brings the life to the party. I overall enjoyed the futuristic version of the world, not in a holograms and teleportation way, but a view of what is probably to come with climate change and the ever rising oceans. I liked the build up and the characters were quite engaging. My only criticism is the feeling like the plot didn’t know where it would got from around 30 to 60 percent. Nice plot twist though! Heartbreaking ending for sure!

Thank you so much to Renegade Books, Dialogue, Grace Flahive and NetGalley for the opportunity to read Palm Meridian] before it’s released on 29th May 2o25!

I need this to be made into a show or movie because I need to see Palm Meridian Retirement Resort for myself and I need to watch this story unfold and for my heart to subsequently break all over again. I haven’t cried this hard since I read The Bright Years earlier this month.

This is a story that will stay with you for a long time after you’ve finished reading it. I should know, it’s been a few hours and it’s all I can think about. I know it’s going to be a fave of 2025 for me, one that I will think about always!

how is a book about a dystopian age and a life coming to a haltingly quick end hopeful. i dont know why dont we all ask Grace how she does it. because she does. the characters themselves gives you a marvellous feeling. the story was smart,quick and witty. and i mean this is a group of woman of a certain age. and lets face it, more than half the time they can be just the best of folk.
the book is set in a retirement village. there is one woman who has been given a cancer diagnosis so has taken the decision to end her life,medically. but shes going out with a bag of course. and we quickly realise she wouldnt have it any other way. shes going to be throwing a party. and she invited two very important guests.
this is a party of the now, but very much we get to see how Grace has lived with gorgeous snippets into her past bringing it right up to the night in question.
we dont just learn from Hannah though. all the characters have their perfect placing. i felt instant connection to them all and was feeling up and down along with them. the ending too, oh my!
this book had me caught up in all sorts of emotions. and i felt like i wanted to be hugged and go hug all those i love them and tell them just how much.
this book hit me so much deeper than i thought it would. and it did it with ease which is testament to the skill of the author.

While I enjoyed reading this book I was a bit disappointed in how it ended. Was hoping for more. I enjoyed the characters and the description of Florida in the future

When I read the blurb for this I knew I wanted to read this i absolutely adored Hannah she left a special imprint in my mind, I loved the back & forth flashbacks of her life and her no nonsense way on life. This book was a breath of fresh air, yes there is some heartache some times when your smiling, and have a all round of emotions, but this book will definitely stick with you. It’s beautifully written and a easy read

A MUST READ !!

Such a good story !! And I will recommend this to anyone and everyone !!

Wow !!

I don't know where to start... it's been a while since a book made me feel this much. I'd also like to point out that I'm writing this review around 2 weeks after I finished it, so it's not like I've got the immediate post-read high to blame - I feel the same now as I did when I finished the last page. This was a beautifully-crafted, hilarious, fun, camp, heartwarming, moving masterpiece, and frankly I can't believe it's a debut.

I always have a soft spot for elderly characters, because I have such great respect for my elders in real life, and there's often a sense of reminiscing about my grandparents. Hannah, though, was different to any other elderly character I've read about, and I adored her with my whole heart. Her carefree nature, loyalty to her friends and openness to love were so inspiring and heartwarming to see. In fact, all of the Palm Meridian crew were a delight to spend time with, and I was inspired to adopt more of their energy *now*, nevermind when I'm in my 70s!

The premise of the book sounds simple, but it unfolds in the most beautifully complex way. I really loved the flashback chapters to Hannah's past with her best friend, Luke, and the love of her life, Sophie. However, I also loved the present-day chapters that take place over the course of the night during Hannah's End of Life Party. The underlying tension that ran throughout these parts of the book was enough to bring a lump to the throat, and I truly felt like I was right there with Hannah experiencing her turmoil.

This was such an enjoyable read, and despite the heavier topics and some of the emotional moments, there was still a sense of hope and magic about it. I truly haven't been able to get it out of my head since. I'm SO glad I followed my heart and requested a copy.

This was so good, I didn’t really know what to expect when I was given the opportunity to read this as part of an ARC via NetGalley but this story blew me away! I would have read this in a day if my life had not got in the way, the run up to the end was so hard to put this down!

I honestly don’t want to say too much prior to the release on the 29th May but this is a must read. There is so much to enjoy from the MC, the bunch of loveable members of her found family and the sense of connected communities.

There are so many points that touched me deeply with the ups and downs along with the cleaver use of the past mixed into the present retelling a story of love. So thoughtful and moving as well a joy and general enjoyment through the friendship as well as the heartbreaking truths.

I still feel emotional now but honestly it’s a celebration and there is so much to enjoy. I highly recommend this, read this and pass it onto the next person to enjoy.

This beautifully written book was thought provoking, hilarious and heartbreaking all at once. Set in a care home for queer women - a truly unique setting! - in the future where the world is very different due to climate change it raises many questions. I found myself truly thinking about how I would spend my last day alive if I knew it was my last day, as well as really thinking about what I can do to reduce my carbon footprint. I honestly couldn’t stop reading, and oh my goodness, that ending!!

Poignant, reflective, emotional and funny Palm Meridian is an excellent read. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read an ARC.