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kelly_e 's review for:
Palm Meridian
by Grace Flahive
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Title: Palm Meridian
Author: Grace Flahive
Genre: Women's Fiction
Rating: 4.00
Pub Date: May 27, 2025
I received a complimentary ARC from Simon & Schuster Canada in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted
T H R E E • W O R D S
Vibrant • Unique• Kaleidoscopic
📖 S Y N O P S I S
It’s 2067 and Florida is partially underwater, but even that can’t bring down the residents of Palm Meridian Retirement Resort, a utopian home for women who want to revel in their twilight years. Inside, Hula-Hoopers shimmy across the grass, fiercely competitive book clubs nearly come to blows, and the roller-ski team races up and down the winding paths. Injuries can occur, hips and backs not being what they were, but everywhere you look, these women are living large.
Hannah Cardin has lived at Palm Meridian for ten happy years, but today is her last. Since receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis, Hannah has opted for a medically assisted death, scheduled for tomorrow morning. Tonight, however, she and her raucous band of friends plan to throw one hell of an end-of-life party.
In addition to the rest of the resort, Hannah has invited important people from her past, including the love of her life, Sophie, who she hasn’t spoken to since their devastating breakup over forty years ago.
As the hours tick by without Sophie’s arrival and the party moves into full swing, Hannah’s mind casts back over the highs and lows of her kaleidoscopic life and the unforgettable romance that ended too soon. But as is to be expected at any reunion of old friends—especially one as monumental and emotional as this—Hannah is not the only one with unfinished business. When a shocking secret from the past is revealed, Hannah must reconsider if she’s making the right decision after all.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I don't recall requesting Palm Meridian when I filled out the Spring Releases form, however, I was delighted when a copy arrived in my mailbox and even more so after reading the completely unique synopsis and the fun intake form included with the book. Sign me up for the Palm Meridian Retirement Resort!
Told through dual timelines, Grace Flahive has created such a fun and eclectic cast of loveable characters set in a utopian future at a retirement resort where the shenanigans mirror a college campus residence (pool parties, horny residents, alcohol, etc.). The main character is experiencing and reflecting on her final day, as the next day she intended to die via assisted death.
Witty and tender, Grace offers a meditation on growing older, of remembering, of the friendships that carry us. It celebrates life and death, something Western society often denies. It did take a bit to settle into, yet by the final chapter I was wholly invested until the satisfying final line and ending. There is nothing I love more than a heartwarming and life affirming novel that makes me reflect on life and love.
Palm Meridian delivers a beautiful and open dialogue on life, and more importantly, end-of-life. Grace handles the heaviness of the topic in a thoughtful, lighthearted and refreshing manner. I was left reflecting on the unexpected moments that end up making a person feel the most alive. The quirky and beloved cast aren't one I won't soon forget. A perfect pick for bookclubs or as a summer beach read. I will definitely be interested in what this author writes next.
📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• queer fiction
• older characters
• found family
⚠️ CW: cancer, terminal illness, death, assisted death, death of parent, grief, alcohol, drug use, sexual content, toxic relationship, abandonment, pregnancy, miscarriage, cursing
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Just because it didn't last forever doesn't mean you didn't have it. You've stayed a part of each other, all those years since then. And that's important."
"Pain was going to come, sometime. Hannah had always known that. What we love will be taken away. And when we, ourselves, go, she thought, maybe we'd find it wasn't like sleeping at all, but like waking up."
Author: Grace Flahive
Genre: Women's Fiction
Rating: 4.00
Pub Date: May 27, 2025
I received a complimentary ARC from Simon & Schuster Canada in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted
T H R E E • W O R D S
Vibrant • Unique• Kaleidoscopic
📖 S Y N O P S I S
It’s 2067 and Florida is partially underwater, but even that can’t bring down the residents of Palm Meridian Retirement Resort, a utopian home for women who want to revel in their twilight years. Inside, Hula-Hoopers shimmy across the grass, fiercely competitive book clubs nearly come to blows, and the roller-ski team races up and down the winding paths. Injuries can occur, hips and backs not being what they were, but everywhere you look, these women are living large.
Hannah Cardin has lived at Palm Meridian for ten happy years, but today is her last. Since receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis, Hannah has opted for a medically assisted death, scheduled for tomorrow morning. Tonight, however, she and her raucous band of friends plan to throw one hell of an end-of-life party.
In addition to the rest of the resort, Hannah has invited important people from her past, including the love of her life, Sophie, who she hasn’t spoken to since their devastating breakup over forty years ago.
As the hours tick by without Sophie’s arrival and the party moves into full swing, Hannah’s mind casts back over the highs and lows of her kaleidoscopic life and the unforgettable romance that ended too soon. But as is to be expected at any reunion of old friends—especially one as monumental and emotional as this—Hannah is not the only one with unfinished business. When a shocking secret from the past is revealed, Hannah must reconsider if she’s making the right decision after all.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I don't recall requesting Palm Meridian when I filled out the Spring Releases form, however, I was delighted when a copy arrived in my mailbox and even more so after reading the completely unique synopsis and the fun intake form included with the book. Sign me up for the Palm Meridian Retirement Resort!
Told through dual timelines, Grace Flahive has created such a fun and eclectic cast of loveable characters set in a utopian future at a retirement resort where the shenanigans mirror a college campus residence (pool parties, horny residents, alcohol, etc.). The main character is experiencing and reflecting on her final day, as the next day she intended to die via assisted death.
Witty and tender, Grace offers a meditation on growing older, of remembering, of the friendships that carry us. It celebrates life and death, something Western society often denies. It did take a bit to settle into, yet by the final chapter I was wholly invested until the satisfying final line and ending. There is nothing I love more than a heartwarming and life affirming novel that makes me reflect on life and love.
Palm Meridian delivers a beautiful and open dialogue on life, and more importantly, end-of-life. Grace handles the heaviness of the topic in a thoughtful, lighthearted and refreshing manner. I was left reflecting on the unexpected moments that end up making a person feel the most alive. The quirky and beloved cast aren't one I won't soon forget. A perfect pick for bookclubs or as a summer beach read. I will definitely be interested in what this author writes next.
📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• queer fiction
• older characters
• found family
⚠️ CW: cancer, terminal illness, death, assisted death, death of parent, grief, alcohol, drug use, sexual content, toxic relationship, abandonment, pregnancy, miscarriage, cursing
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Just because it didn't last forever doesn't mean you didn't have it. You've stayed a part of each other, all those years since then. And that's important."
"Pain was going to come, sometime. Hannah had always known that. What we love will be taken away. And when we, ourselves, go, she thought, maybe we'd find it wasn't like sleeping at all, but like waking up."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol
Minor: Miscarriage, Pregnancy
assisted death