Palm Meridian

By: Grace Flahive

Narrated by: Janet Metzger

“A riotous novel about a farewell party that celebrates all of life’s emotions—big and small—while marking the arrival of an exciting new voice in fiction.” —Steven Rowley, New York Times bestselling author of The Celebrants

For readers of Less and The Wedding People—a rollicking, big-hearted story of long-lost love, friendship, and a life well-lived, set at a Florida retirement resort for queer women, on the last day of resident Hannah Cardin’s life.

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 queer 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. Everywhere you look, these women are living large.

Hannah Cardin has spent ten happy years under these tropical, technicolor skies, but after receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis, she has decided that tomorrow morning she will close her eyes for the very last time. Tonight, however, Hannah and her raucous band of friends are throwing one hell of an end-of-life party. And with less than twenty-four hours left, Hannah is holding out for one final, impossible thing…

Amongst the guest list is Sophie, the love of Hannah’s life. They haven’t spoken since their devastating breakup over forty years ago, but today, Hannah is hoping for the chance to give her greatest love one last try.

As Hannah anxiously awaits Sophie’s arrival, her mind casts back over the highs and lows of her kaleidoscopic life. But when a shocking secret from the past is revealed, Hannah must reconsider if she can say goodbye after all.

Spanning the course of a single day and seventy-odd years, and bursting with irresistible hope, humor, and wisdom, this one-of-a-kind novel celebrates the unexpected moments that make us feel the most alive.

Ending was bad

It was an alright book overall, but the ending killed the whole story. Disappointed. I need 15 words. So here they are.

Poignant, original and funny

I really enjoyed this story. It sounds like a cliché, but it made me laugh and it made me cry. Good reminder of what's important and not to have any regrets

Incredibly detailed descriptions

I found this book incredibly compelling and enjoyed all the detail. However, I have to say for me I wanted a different ending.

the reality

sad ending imo it broke my heart and I would have liked to hear her give life more time made me really sad but it was real anyways

Easy listening.

Story held my interest. Entertaining and could identify with characters feelings. Puzzling why Sophie never reached out to Hannah. Could have developed that issue to enhance the plot.