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North of Sunset
It’s the year 2125, and the gritty metropolis of Los Angeles is more divided than ever.
South of Sunset, Oleander Briggs exists in a drab reality of the Seventh Industrial Revolution and the demise of social media, where his monotonous life consists of working the factory assembly line for Fleur Industries—a mysterious company that sells flowers preserved in gold. His future, like so many of his generation, is bleak, but Oleander dreams of more.
When he unexpectedly catches the attention of Mr. Fleur—Fleur Industries’ elusive owner—his luck changes as he’s offered a job to work directly with the Fleur family at their palatial estate, North of Sunset. There, he encounters eccentric characters, extravagant wealth, and youthful beauty the likes of which he has never seen. The Fleur family may be his ticket to a better life—but at what cost?
North of Sunset asks how we exist in a world where one is forced to choose between living in luxury or the luxury of living.
South of Sunset, Oleander Briggs exists in a drab reality of the Seventh Industrial Revolution and the demise of social media, where his monotonous life consists of working the factory assembly line for Fleur Industries—a mysterious company that sells flowers preserved in gold. His future, like so many of his generation, is bleak, but Oleander dreams of more.
When he unexpectedly catches the attention of Mr. Fleur—Fleur Industries’ elusive owner—his luck changes as he’s offered a job to work directly with the Fleur family at their palatial estate, North of Sunset. There, he encounters eccentric characters, extravagant wealth, and youthful beauty the likes of which he has never seen. The Fleur family may be his ticket to a better life—but at what cost?
North of Sunset asks how we exist in a world where one is forced to choose between living in luxury or the luxury of living.
- GenresScience FictionFiction
300 pages, Paperback
Published June 10, 2025
45 people are currently reading
5171 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 12, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley for an arc of this book!!
3.5 stars to North of Sunset. A well-paced, entertaining read. There were some slow sections, but that did not take away from the overall enjoyment of the story.
What I liked:
1. The characters! Well-written and good development for their characters
2. Interesting concepts for creating a realistic future perfect for the story's setting by drawing on popular items from the present and showing how they will potentially be viewed 100 years from now.
What I didn't like:
1. Oleander. No, I won't be explaining. (But like, as a person. Which actually means I appreciated the author's character writing?? Idk, he seems pretty punchable.)
This one didn't quite make it to the favorites list, but that's just me. Overall, this was a fun read for the weekend. Would recommend to readers of science fiction :)
3.5 stars to North of Sunset. A well-paced, entertaining read. There were some slow sections, but that did not take away from the overall enjoyment of the story.
What I liked:
1. The characters! Well-written and good development for their characters
2. Interesting concepts for creating a realistic future perfect for the story's setting by drawing on popular items from the present and showing how they will potentially be viewed 100 years from now.
What I didn't like:
1. Oleander. No, I won't be explaining. (But like, as a person. Which actually means I appreciated the author's character writing?? Idk, he seems pretty punchable.)
This one didn't quite make it to the favorites list, but that's just me. Overall, this was a fun read for the weekend. Would recommend to readers of science fiction :)
May 17, 2025
I’m OBSESSED!! This book pulled me in from the first page and didn’t let go. It’s giving glamour, depth, and all the drama in the best way. If you want a read that’s original, addictive, and totally unforgettable, this is IT!!!
June 1, 2025
DNF @50%
i received this as an e-arc on netgalley. thank you to girl friday productions and haley ahern.
oh boy. i had high hopes for this book that i think it unfortunately failed to reach. the novel was strange, surrealist, and there was more than one point where i questioned if that truly was the case, or if the book was just not very well written. now i’d say it’s more than likely the latter. the plot is rather unbelievable, as it didn’t seem like the author actually knew how to execute the set up of the premise, and just relied on wishy washy dialogue and the hopes that readers wouldn’t think about it too hard.
prose and dialogue wise, it was unimpressive, clunky even. the characters spoke strangely, with forced quirks (hi gloria) or perceived wit. it was like the book was convinced it had something new or interesting to say, but having read it, i don’t believe it did. the unnuanced righteousness didn’t read as enlightened but rather obnoxious. the moral posturing about technology specifically was neither insightful nor enjoyable to read. it seemed very reactionary and condescending.
at 50% in the plot is meandering and seemingly unimportant. i assume this is meant to be a character focused novel. unfortunately, the characters aren’t very good.
the author certainly has a strong command of voice, so i find it unfortunate that voice is so unbearable. oleander is one of the most irritating guys i’ve ever had the displeasure of reading from. misogynistic, paranoid, with a heaping dose of narcissistic insecurity makes a protagonist that is unpleasant to read from certainly, but that is not oleander’s greatest crime. in fact, his greatest evil is that he is completely and utterly boring.
gloria is a manic pixie dream girl, with absolutely no irony. i found her dynamic with oleander to be tiring before it even started. the way men are attracted to women is just truly, so, so, uninteresting.
i won’t lie and say any other character in this book is developed enough to be worthy of a mention. they are not. i wish that this book was a win for me, but sadly it wasn’t.
i received this as an e-arc on netgalley. thank you to girl friday productions and haley ahern.
oh boy. i had high hopes for this book that i think it unfortunately failed to reach. the novel was strange, surrealist, and there was more than one point where i questioned if that truly was the case, or if the book was just not very well written. now i’d say it’s more than likely the latter. the plot is rather unbelievable, as it didn’t seem like the author actually knew how to execute the set up of the premise, and just relied on wishy washy dialogue and the hopes that readers wouldn’t think about it too hard.
prose and dialogue wise, it was unimpressive, clunky even. the characters spoke strangely, with forced quirks (hi gloria) or perceived wit. it was like the book was convinced it had something new or interesting to say, but having read it, i don’t believe it did. the unnuanced righteousness didn’t read as enlightened but rather obnoxious. the moral posturing about technology specifically was neither insightful nor enjoyable to read. it seemed very reactionary and condescending.
at 50% in the plot is meandering and seemingly unimportant. i assume this is meant to be a character focused novel. unfortunately, the characters aren’t very good.
the author certainly has a strong command of voice, so i find it unfortunate that voice is so unbearable. oleander is one of the most irritating guys i’ve ever had the displeasure of reading from. misogynistic, paranoid, with a heaping dose of narcissistic insecurity makes a protagonist that is unpleasant to read from certainly, but that is not oleander’s greatest crime. in fact, his greatest evil is that he is completely and utterly boring.
gloria is a manic pixie dream girl, with absolutely no irony. i found her dynamic with oleander to be tiring before it even started. the way men are attracted to women is just truly, so, so, uninteresting.
i won’t lie and say any other character in this book is developed enough to be worthy of a mention. they are not. i wish that this book was a win for me, but sadly it wasn’t.
March 28, 2025
I was completely captivated by the story in this novel. The way the author brought the characters to life and created such a vivid world was truly remarkable. The character development was awesome which is rare to find in a science fiction book. A must read for all ages. My next bookclub pick.
June 10, 2025
If you love dystopian vibes with a touch of Old Hollywood glamour, North of Sunset is a must-read!
Set in a futuristic, divided Los Angeles in 2125, this debut sci-fi novel pulls you into a world of wealth, illusion, and tough choices.
Meet the protagonist Oleander Briggs, a factory worker from the gritty South of Sunset, who gets a once-in-a-lifetime chance to work for the mysterious Fleur family. What begins as an escape from his mundane life quickly turns into a deep dive into the dark side of luxury and the cost of chasing a better life.
From the start the story pulls you right into a world that’s so weird yet totally believable. It’s got that retro-futuristic vibe that feels both nostalgic and just a little bit terrifying.
Ahern’s writing is sharp, witty, and dripping with irony (imagine Vonnegut meets Black Mirror). It’s dystopian, but not in the usual way. The future is filled with plant-free cookies, H2O-powered cars, and a Museum of Decline (creepy, right?). Ahern’s world-building is subtle, revealing itself through clever, almost offhand details.
The themes? Deep and delicious. We’re talking cultural commentary on everything from wellness culture to corporate greed to the way tech is slowly taking over our lives. It's like the author gets the absurdity of modern life, and she’s not afraid to call it out.
But it’s not just about the world; it’s about the protagonist. He’s aging, disillusioned, and honestly, kind of stuck. His reflections on age “A-G-E, age. What a weird concept” hits right in the feels. It’s all about memory, identity, and the disconnect between who we thought we’d be vs. who we are.
I adore how Ahern weaves magical realism into this story, blurring the lines between dream and reality. The metaphor of North vs. South of Sunset? Genius. It’s all about balancing the safety of routine with the fear of unlocking your own potential.
If you love satirical sci-fi with a heart, dystopias, Hollywood glamour, that make you think, and literary fiction that feels both poetic and absurd, North of Sunset is for you.
Set in a futuristic, divided Los Angeles in 2125, this debut sci-fi novel pulls you into a world of wealth, illusion, and tough choices.
Meet the protagonist Oleander Briggs, a factory worker from the gritty South of Sunset, who gets a once-in-a-lifetime chance to work for the mysterious Fleur family. What begins as an escape from his mundane life quickly turns into a deep dive into the dark side of luxury and the cost of chasing a better life.
From the start the story pulls you right into a world that’s so weird yet totally believable. It’s got that retro-futuristic vibe that feels both nostalgic and just a little bit terrifying.
Ahern’s writing is sharp, witty, and dripping with irony (imagine Vonnegut meets Black Mirror). It’s dystopian, but not in the usual way. The future is filled with plant-free cookies, H2O-powered cars, and a Museum of Decline (creepy, right?). Ahern’s world-building is subtle, revealing itself through clever, almost offhand details.
The themes? Deep and delicious. We’re talking cultural commentary on everything from wellness culture to corporate greed to the way tech is slowly taking over our lives. It's like the author gets the absurdity of modern life, and she’s not afraid to call it out.
But it’s not just about the world; it’s about the protagonist. He’s aging, disillusioned, and honestly, kind of stuck. His reflections on age “A-G-E, age. What a weird concept” hits right in the feels. It’s all about memory, identity, and the disconnect between who we thought we’d be vs. who we are.
I adore how Ahern weaves magical realism into this story, blurring the lines between dream and reality. The metaphor of North vs. South of Sunset? Genius. It’s all about balancing the safety of routine with the fear of unlocking your own potential.
If you love satirical sci-fi with a heart, dystopias, Hollywood glamour, that make you think, and literary fiction that feels both poetic and absurd, North of Sunset is for you.
May 27, 2025
I couldn’t put this book down. North of Sunset is a beautifully written, cinematic story that blends a futuristic LA with Old Hollywood glamour. Haley's debut is sharp, original, and full of emotion! Oleander’s journey through a world of wealth, power, and illusion is both captivating and thought-provoking. If you love literary fiction with a touch of sci-fi and social commentary, this one’s for you.
July 6, 2025
i really enjoyed this book! i loved the concept and overall message of the book. i felt like we really got to know the characters. it honestly gave me hope for the future which is really important right now. this book also makes me want to read more science fiction. i met haley through the book club that i’m a part of and i’ve been so excited to read it ever since. i can’t wait to follow her on her journey.
July 13, 2025
I enjoyed this book. It is about a young couple in their early twenties. One is rich and one is poor. The book is their love story and how it ends.
August 2, 2025
The main character in this novel is a total dud. The story isn't much better. And yet I think Haley Ahern has the potential to write something good. This isn't it.
August 5, 2025
Love this book. So interesting and great writing, story development. Can’t wait for another book from author !
September 9, 2025
The best novel i have read in a long time! And thank you for no blasphemy
October 4, 2025
this, oleander especially, pissed me off
June 10, 2025
Finished in three days. Would have been sooner if work didn’t get in the way. Not only was the storyline unique and thought provoking but it was also presented in such a relatable and deep, yet humorous manner. It was refreshing to read something that was so different and creative. Was getting tired of all the remakes out there-what a breath of fresh air! I highly recommend this book and I’m looking forward to other novels by this up and coming author.
November 17, 2025
ARC Review
I had no expectations going into this read, but I thought it was well written and I enjoyed the conclusion.
I had no expectations going into this read, but I thought it was well written and I enjoyed the conclusion.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews