This book was…a trip—in the best way. Florida Palms is weird, sharp, and totally unapologetic. Joe Pan really captures that gritty, chaotic, sun-baked energy that only Florida can give. At first I wasn’t sure where it was going, but once I leaned into the wild ride, I couldn’t stop reading. It’s messy, funny, unsettling, and somehow still hits you with real moments of truth.

The characters feel like people you’d meet in real life and immediately know to keep one eye on. Everybody’s carrying secrets, regrets, or some kind of emotional bruise, and the way it all unfolds feels raw and real. There’s a lot going on under the surface—capitalism, mental health, loneliness—but it never feels preachy. Just honest.

This is the kind of book you finish and have to sit with for a minute. Like…what was that? But also, damn, that was good. Definitely not your typical beach read, but if you like your fiction a little twisted and a lot human, you’ll vibe with this.

interetsing, well written book about a group of people who start selling drugs and it keeps going from there. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

“The Outsiders meets Sons of Anarchy” say less and yep.

These are characters no reader will forget.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the free eARC!

The description and the amazing reviews caught my attention. Unfortunately this book is not for me. I found the prose overly complicated and hard to follow, and I wasn’t prepared for all the hunting/animal violence prevalent in just the first chapter alone. I found myself skimming to pass scenes I found upsetting. I eventually decided to DNF.

I would still suggest you try Florida Palms if the description appeals to you because I seem to be in the minority with my review. Maybe because I’ve never seen The Outsiders or Sons of Anarchy.


Thank you NetGalley and Simon Books for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

"The Outsiders meets Sons of Anarchy in this gripping debut about a group of young men dragged into a drug-running operation."


When I first read the tagline for Florida Palms, I jumped at the chance to request an advance copy. I was thrilled when it was approved—but, unfortunately, that’s where the excitement ended for me.

I started this book on three separate occasions. Before my final attempt, I even scoured the internet for early reviews, wondering, “Is it just me?” Turns out, it wasn’t just me—but I was definitely part of the camp that struggled.

This is Joe Pan’s debut novel, and while his writing is undeniably skillful—at times even poetic—the story often got buried beneath the lyrical prose. The plot seemed to take a backseat to the poetic language and characters who frequently drifted into philosophical monologues. And speaking of characters… there were a lot of them. A few stood out enough for me to root for them, hoping they’d make it out unscathed, though I had a strong sense this wasn’t going to be a fairy tale ending.

Honestly, this might be one of those rare cases where a mini-series or film adaptation could work better than the book—at least then, I’d have a fighting chance at keeping all the characters straight.

Florida Palms is gritty, violent, drug-laced, and unapologetically male-dominated. Those elements didn’t bother me personally, but I offer them as a heads-up to readers who might prefer something a bit less intense.

In the end, I’m glad I finished it—even if it wasn’t the five-star read I was hoping for. Many others have praised it more highly, so if the premise speaks to you, it may still be worth your time.

Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and the author, Joe Pan, for the opportunity to read this debut novel ahead of its July 2025 release.

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## A Gritty Ride with Heart, Though a Familiar Path
Florida Palms rolls in with a compelling premise, promising a blend of youthful camaraderie and high-octane crime, and for the most part, it delivers. Setting the story during the Great Recession in 2009 on Florida's Space Coast immediately grounds it in a relatable struggle, making the desperation of friends Eddy, Cueball, and Jesse feel palpable as they stumble into a dangerous drug-running operation.

The "Outsiders meets Sons of Anarchy" vibe is definitely present, offering a raw, unvarnished look at young men navigating a world where opportunities are scarce and bad decisions are easy to fall into. The initial shift from moving furniture to shipping designer drugs is well-executed, pulling the reader into the escalating stakes alongside the protagonists. The book really shines in its depiction of the corrosive effect of the drug trade on friendship and loyalty, and the gradual descent into addiction and violence is handled with an unflinching gaze. The various threats—gangsters, bikers, and even a "blowgun-wielding hitman"—keep the tension ratcheted up, making for a genuinely gripping read.

Where the narrative occasionally stumbles is in its ambition to cover so much ground. While "soaring and deeply humane" are accurate descriptors, the sheer volume of escalating threats and desperate circumstances can, at times, push the boundaries of believability, making some sequences feel a little over-the-top. The core themes of love, friendship, and the struggles of forgotten communities are powerfully conveyed, but the relentless pace means some character developments or emotional beats don't always get the room to breathe they might deserve.

Overall, this is a **gritty coming-of-age story** with a lot of heart and a clear, unflinching vision. Despite a few moments where the plot felt a touch too chaotic, the strong character bonds and the propulsive energy make it a worthwhile read. It's a solid debut that pulls you into its world and doesn't let go until the very end.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Note: This book is sexually graphic, if that bothers you, pass on this one.

I lived in Sebastian, Florida for years, it was the most beautiful weather, and I adored the animals that would visit me daily. What I was not a fan of was the EXTREMELY conservative people, that was an unpleasant surprise. When I saw a book that was based on the Space Coast, I was so excited.

And on to my review...

Joe Pan's "Florida Palms" arrives like a humid gust of wind, thick with the scent of salt, gasoline, and something far more primal. This isn't your postcard Florida. Forget the pristine beaches and pastel sunsets. Pan drags us into the sun-scorched, economically ravaged Space Coast of 2009, where the American dream has curdled, and survival is a razor's edge.

Pan's prose is a revelation. He wields language with the precision of a poet, yet with the raw, visceral energy of a backroad brawler. He crafts characters that are deeply flawed yet achingly human. Eddy, Cueball, and Jesse, these young men navigating the economic collapse, are not simply products of their environment; they are its very embodiment. They are the cracked asphalt, the rusted-out trucks, the defiant, desperate pulse of a forgotten community.

What sets "Florida Palms" apart is its refusal to romanticize or condemn. It presents a world where moral lines blur, where desperation breeds dangerous alliances, and where loyalty is both a lifeline and a potential death sentence.

The narrative unfolds with a relentless momentum, pulling you deeper into a world of drug runs, biker gangs, and the ever-present threat of violence. Yet, amidst the grit, Pan weaves in moments of profound tenderness, glimpses of humanity that shine like fireflies in the swamp's thick darkness.

This book is more than a crime thriller; it's a social commentary, a coming-of-age story, and a haunting elegy for a generation left adrift. Pan's deep connection to the Florida landscape is palpable, transforming it into a silent witness to the characters struggles. The vivid descriptions of the flora and fauna, the ever present oppressive heat (which isn't really an issue when you live on the coast) all combine to create an immersive reading experience.

"Florida Palms" is a powerful and unforgettable debut. It's a book that will stay with you long after you turn the final page, leaving you to ponder the complexities of survival, the weight of loyalty, and the enduring resilience of the human spirit. This book is a must read, but it isn't for the easily offended or the faint of heart.

Action-packed, but also reflective and beautifully written. I'll be keeping an eye out for future books by this author!

This is a twisted, coming-of-age story about three young friends who try to make some extra money, and end up way over their heads. I loved the relationship between Eddy and Cueball. All of these characters are well-developed, and everyone feels true to life. Fans of Sons of Anarchy are almost certain to enjoy this. I loved it, but feel it is a bit too long. 480 pages is quite a commitment, but if you enjoy slow burns, this could be right up your alley.

Thank you Simon & Schuster and Netgally for the e-arc.

Set during the 2009 recession, Florida Palms is the story of three friends who get pulled into a drug running operation.

Recent high school grads Eddy, Cueball, and Jesse are restless and directionless. Good jobs are scarce. Cueball’s dad is an ex-con biker who teams up with his former boss to put together an organization to manufacture & ship a new designer drug. Cueball and Eddy are recruited to deliver the drugs, while Jesse works on the manufacturing side. The drug operation is supposed to be a brotherhood, but the boys quickly find themselves surrounded by danger and violence.

I liked the premise of this book, but the execution wasn’t for me. I thought it would be a lot grittier and more southern noir. Instead I found it too verbose with many of the characters pontificating for far too long. Every time that happened, it brought the story to a screeching halt for me. There were things about the book I did like especially Eddy and Cueball. There was action and intrigue as the bosses fought for control of the organization. But ultimately, this wasn’t a favorite.

This is the type of book I absolutely devour. I'm a sucker for coming of age novels following a grew of teens (or young adults) really getting their footing in the real world. The mixture of The Outsiders and Sons of Anarchy hooked me, and the book being set where I live truly added an element of realism to the book I didn't think possible.

The book itself was incredibly well written, something that really got me from the start with the voice alone. I will say in comparison to others of the genre, going in with the idea of it being slower on the uptake is something that will need to be understood. Books like these aren't meant to be consistently dropping you in the middle of the action (though there was plenty of that going on once things really started going sideways), but they're also meant to make you think. It's a unique style of coming-of-age that really hits home.

witty, sharp, and florida.
i was sold on the description of 'The Outsiders meets Sons of Anarchy'. great coming of age style story.
slower paced story. interesting characters. it took me a while to feel fully engaged in the story. don't get me wrong, it's good. i just struggled to deeply connect in a way that made me want to devour the story. overall i enjoyed it and i deeply respect that Pan is clearly a very talented writer.
i enjoyed Pan's writing style a lot.

Joe Pan's debut novel (but not a debut writer) Florida Palms weaves a complex tale which is part coming of age, part drug culture, part Florida man, and a whole lot of character development and explorations of the consequences of choices. Pan's story involves two key characters out of high school on the Florida coast who get caught into a newly developed drug cartel, promoting a new drug (basically a variant of meth). Eddie and Cueball are recruited into the cartel driving "furniture" trucks up the east coast, in which the drugs are concealed. The story weaves in different ways, it involves our characters falling into the trap of using the drugs they are selling; there is violence; there are competing cartels. Back stabbing, Lost love. The book is quite complex. For me, it was not a binge book - it was something I needed to take my time with, and bond with the characters. Florida Palms is a good novel, it isn't my favorite novel - perhaps mostly because the drug culture that is so central to the story doesn't jive with me, but it is a book that is worth your time.

Hey folks, I’m the author, Joe Pan.

I figured I’d write a little something here to introduce you to my novel, which took a long time to write and a longer time to publish. Florida Palms is due out in July 2025 from Simon & Schuster, and currently in development as an HBO series. It’s my debut novel, but I have published before, five poetry books. I also run a small press honored with a National Book Award win. I’ve been in the game for a while, but had yet to publish a novel about my own childhood, which I’d been wanting to reach into for some time now.

Florida Palms is my take on the not-so-funny reality behind the #FloridaMan hashtag, offering an unseen look into a misunderstood community. Imagine a coming-of-age story like The Outsiders taking place in today’s political climate. Mix in a little Breaking Bad, The Godfather, and Sons of Anarchy, and you get a deep dive into small American towns suffering through the hardships of economic disparity, historic inequity, and everyday power struggles.

Growing up along the Space Coast, I’ve rubbed shoulders with cops and felons, tent preachers and drug dealers, NASA engineers and outlaw bikers. My father was a jail guard and brother is an inmate. I have family who’ve run drugs and guns, and knew quite a few folks who’ve died violent deaths, some in the throes of addiction. This particular brand of tragedy has made quite an impression on me, and I’ve spent years trying to wrap my complicated feelings of my wild upbringing into a meaningful narrative.

This is a fast-paced, rough and tumble, philosophical book with a big heart, and I hope you enjoy it. If you do enjoy it and leave a 4 or 5 star review here, please also consider clicking over to Goodreads and Amazon. And please do consider reaching out and saying hello, I’d love to hear from you.

Best, Joe

Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the free eARC.

This is a you had me at hello experience as the tagline for the book mentioned Sons of Anarchy and the outsiders which are two of my favorite pieces of content.

The story revolves around a group of three best friends who live in Florida’s Space Coast during the early 2000’s. The boys start working at a motorcycle shop with a relative and the adventure/action starts from there. There’s drugs, sex, and and rock and roll that ensues.

This book is a total page turner/binge read, but not because every page is lined with shit blowing up. There is more nuance to the story which makes it more enjoyable. Even though the book isn’t all action all the time it’s still one you can read in a few sittings because the plot keeps you wanting more.

Written with a poet's sensibility, Joe Pan's debut captures the dark underbelly of the drug trade along Florida's Space Coast. Three young friends, Eddy, Cueball, and Jesse, travel the same and yet different paths from accidental purity to the brutal reality the lie of Santa Claus is probably the most innocent one adults tell to children. A nice insider's view of drug pushing and the hard men who ply this trade. Nicely drawn female characters, showing how they are often just window dressing for men, a terrible terrible mistake on the part of said men. Looking forward to the proposed television series.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this novel early!

I really enjoyed this novel it’s like the synopsis says, The Outsiders meets Sons of Anarchy. I will keep the review spoiler free but it’s a fun thrilling good time! I’m looking much forward to more novels from Pan. This first novel is going to bring attention to his novel writing and leaving fans wanting more. Great read!

Florida Palms

Joe Pan’s debut novel, Florida Palms, is the story of Eddy, a young and fairly disadvantaged kid with a lot of innate talent and potential who is thrust almost against his will into a world of crime, gangs, and drugs. Let down by those whose job it was to take care of him, Eddy falls in with a group of people living on the margins. Along the way, he meets a lot of unsavory characters and learns the throughline of criminal organizations all over the world: a gang is a brotherhood until it is not. It is every man for himself. The “family” nonsense justifies the powerful preying on the weak and is just to buy the leaders time before someone from the rank and file comes for the crown.
As a sort of bildungsroman, Florida Palms follows Eddy as he witnesses bigotry, rampant drug abuse, mistreatment of women, and amoral behavior of every stripe imaginable, learning some hard lessons along the way. There are some problems. The “Florida Man” trope is on full display here, but cliches come into being because they contain some truth. Further, although the action is wall to wall criminality, law-enforcement is virtually nonexistent, except for one brief appearance of policemen acting as guns for hire. My major problem is that this book could have been about 150 pages shorter. Various characters, one in particular, engage in frequent discursive soliloquies. While these digressions expose some entertaining thoughts, they lose their effectiveness after a while. However, it is hard not to feel something akin to sympathy for Eddy, despite his many missteps and poor decisions.
I am grateful to Simon & Schuster, which made an ARC of Florida Palms available through NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review

Ably rendered -- albeit way too leisurely trip -- through Florida drug dealing biker scuzz. Well written but breaking no new ground... and takies its sweet time about doing it. There's a good book buried in here, about half as long and honest about its intent.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the free eARC!

I was a huge fan of “Sons of Anarchy” when it first aired, so when the first line of the description said this was “The Outsiders” meets “Sons of Anarchy”, I knew I wanted to give this a read!

The story centers on best friends, Eddy, Cueball, and Jesse. Three young adults that are trying to come into their own on Florida’s Space Coast during the recession of the late 2000’s. Cueball’s ex-convict, biker dad runs a furniture moving company, so Eddy and Cueball get jobs there, and this quickly turns to a more nefarious job when Cueball’s dad decides to get back in the biker gang life, and has the boys running “shank”, a new designer drug that’s taking the East coast by storm. Both boys are tested, and things go off the rails.

This book was so well written! The writing absolutely absorbed me. I got through this in less than 24 hours somehow. I just couldn’t put it down. Keep in mind, this is a slow burn. It’s not as action packed as “Sons of Anarchy”, but it doesn’t need to be, and it doesn’t make it any less gripping. Can’t wait to read more of Joe Pan’s work!