In the novel with alternating timelines, the story unfolds in two distinct threads. The first timeline takes place in 2062 at the Palm Meridian retirement home in Florida, where a group of retirees live in relative isolation from the outside world due to the harsh climate changes, including tornadoes and tropical rain. The residents of the retirement home are engaged in various activities, from hula hooping and podcasting to nursing hangovers and redrafting wills.
The novel’s protagonist is Hannah, a seventy-two-year-old woman who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and has chosen to end her life through assisted suicide. The day before her scheduled death, she gathers important people from her life for a farewell party. These include Christine, a Black prize-winning journalist; Nate, a trans man who runs the bar; Ricky, a young resort employee who is beloved by all; and Eileen, a lesbian couple who have been together for fifty years. Esme, Hannah’s first love and oldest friend, is also present, along with other expected guests, Luke (Hannah’s business partner) and Sophie (the love of her life).
The first thread of the novel takes place over the twenty-four hours leading up to Hannah’s death, with each chapter marked by the passing of hours (e.g., 8am, 10am, 12pm). The other thread spans from 1990 to 2026, covering the first 35 years of Hannah’s eventful life in various locations, including Quebec, Vermont, Japan, Switzerland, and Las Vegas.
Hannah’s early life is marked by poverty and the struggle to make ends meet, as she is born into a bohemian and penniless family in Montreal. Her rundown flat is constantly under the threat of eviction, and sometimes they must break into her mother’s office to spend the night. Despite these challenges, Hannah’s upbringing shapes her business venture with Luke, an orphaned boy fostered by her family. They devise a system for indoor heating and cooling during their university days.
During a business trip with Luke, Hannah meets Sophie, a girl from Vermont, and they fall deeply in love. They venture to Las Vegas, impulsively buying a plot of land together as a symbol of their love. Hannah is later surprised by Sophie during a trip to Tokyo in 2019, which marks the start of a more serious phase in their relationship. As they travel the world together, Hannah’s business with Luke grows. Cracks begin to appear in their relationship when Esme overhears Luke confess his love for Sophie during Esme’s wedding celebration. However, Esme keeps this secret to herself to avoid hurting her friend.
Hannah and Sophie attempt to have a baby through IVF, but Sophie experiences a miscarriage. This event, which takes place in Montreal in 2026, casts a shadow over their relationship. They decide to take a three-month break, which extends to six months. Hannah’s heartbreak intensifies when she receives a call from Luke, who informs her that he encountered Sophie in Switzerland, where she has remarried. Hannah continues to work and eventually becomes a founding member of the Palm Meridian retirement home, where she ultimately retires.
The retirement home party leading up to Hannah’s death is marked by various humorous and eccentric events, including a spontaneous wedding ceremony. As the night unfolds with cocktails, hook-ups, and emotional speeches, Hannah observes tension between Esme and Luke, unaware of the secret love between Luke and Sophie. The party continues into the early morning hours, leading the group to take the retirement home carts to the airport in search of Sophie.
Meanwhile, Sophie’s arrival in Florida is delayed due to ongoing climate catastrophes in 2062. As she finally reaches the hospital, she discovers that Hannah has passed away just moments before her arrival. Nevertheless, Hannah leaves a heartfelt note for Sophie, hoping she would make it in time.
The novel offers a fresh perspective with its unique setting in an eccentric retirement home and the dual timeline structure that alternates between a single day in 2062 and 35 years in Hannah’s life. It explores a lifetime through the lens of the last 24 hours, creating a sense of urgency and a poignant countdown to mortality. The writing style is lively and vibrant, particularly in its portrayal of quirky characters, unique atmospheres, and unconventional love stories.
However, the novel has some unevenness. While it exhibits charm in certain parts, at times it may feel simplistic, resembling a sitcom or reality show set in a retirement home. The pacing can be sluggish, especially during the lengthy party scene where not much significant happens. The final emotional climax and the central drama (Luke’s secret love for Sophie) may appear predictable. The characters are somewhat one-dimensional and tend to be overly positive, though this may not necessarily be a drawback given the context.