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Temporary Palaces: A Novel
"A plainspoken, punk-rock hymn … This is a book that will pick you up off the floor of a mosh pit and wrap you in its arms." —Sean Michaels
In the fevered summer of 2001, charismatic activist Rob and his collective set up a squat in an abandoned house. His bandmate and lover, Ben, watches anxiously as his own plans are threatened by Rob’s choice of radical politics over music. Meanwhile, photographer Alex finds herself torn between documenting the chaos of the scene and saving the friendship that binds them together. When the police break up the squat, Rob vanishes, and the dream dies.
Ten years later, Alex and Ben find each other again—she’s conquering Montreal’s contemporary art world, he’s running a thriving restaurant in Ottawa. But their success feels hollow. As they excavate their shared past, they must confront the ghost of Rob’s disappearance and the trauma that pushed them apart.
Pulsing with the raw energy of basement punk shows and DIY creativity, late-night manifestos and first heartbreaks, Temporary Palaces is a blazing debut that captures a generation caught between idealism and survival, art and activism, the dreams that define us and the compromises that save us.
In the fevered summer of 2001, charismatic activist Rob and his collective set up a squat in an abandoned house. His bandmate and lover, Ben, watches anxiously as his own plans are threatened by Rob’s choice of radical politics over music. Meanwhile, photographer Alex finds herself torn between documenting the chaos of the scene and saving the friendship that binds them together. When the police break up the squat, Rob vanishes, and the dream dies.
Ten years later, Alex and Ben find each other again—she’s conquering Montreal’s contemporary art world, he’s running a thriving restaurant in Ottawa. But their success feels hollow. As they excavate their shared past, they must confront the ghost of Rob’s disappearance and the trauma that pushed them apart.
Pulsing with the raw energy of basement punk shows and DIY creativity, late-night manifestos and first heartbreaks, Temporary Palaces is a blazing debut that captures a generation caught between idealism and survival, art and activism, the dreams that define us and the compromises that save us.
328 pages, Paperback
Published March 1, 2026
About the author
Jeff Miller
183 books19 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
✰ 2.75 stars ✰
Jeff Miller's debut reminded me of how transient dreams can be, but only if we believe it to be so. For a moment, memories that we feel will forever be etched can be so easily replaced or removed because there's the crippling doubt of its finality. 🥀 it also speaks of how fleeting our existence can be in the form of existing in a place, as a whole. For how he incorporated Ben and Alex's passions against Rob's own fervent activism in the form of the safeguarding of houses ruthlessly being reclaimed.
“Life was intolerable when everything was out of your control.”
The story alternates between Ben and Alex's perspective from 2002 to 2011, as their lives continue to intertwine from Ottawa to Montreal in Rob's presence and in his absence. It's a heady rush of heartbreak and heartache to fulfill our desires. 🥺 Old rock and roll, wrapped in reverb. Untrained teen voices caught in the heat of doomed love. Rob was a force that compels them to behave differently than their own norm. It was his own lack of inhibitions and his own way of thinking that served as the crux of their problems and their eventual fallout.
Despite the spark that lingered always between the two, Alex's dream was her photography and Ben's passion lay in his band, Blank Tunes and his music. To see them both lose and then regain their calling in the wake of the events of their twenties was one of the few good things that came from reuniting after those troubled years - one that even nurtured their own ambitions and motivations. 📷🎤 The writing navigated the course of their relationship in a balanced light, one that eventually helped them heal and process their own forgotten truths.
“For art you need space. To make it, to store it, to show it.”
I suppose, what I'm getting at is that this was an interesting portrayal of how our youthful ideals can sometimes blind us to the wrong path that has us compromising a sense of righteousness. Chasing our dreams that foregoes a weight of responsibility to another. But, there always remains a hint of yearning for times stolen, for places reclaimed. And how the author compared those emotions to highlighting the effects of squatters and housing disasters was an interesting touch - one that I caught onto nicely. 🏠⛔
I felt, though, that the ending was a bit callous towards Rob. Rob was no saint, I agree. But, I don't know if I can forgive Ben for his rather impractical decision at that critical moment, let alone the author's own inclusion of a hint of suggestiveness, followed up by the brush-off that followed. 😕 It felt unfortunate, like, there really was no one who truly cared for him. Not that his actions proved otherwise, but I don't know, he deserved better.
*Thank you to Edelweiss for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
“Things don’t have to last forever to be important.”
Jeff Miller's debut reminded me of how transient dreams can be, but only if we believe it to be so. For a moment, memories that we feel will forever be etched can be so easily replaced or removed because there's the crippling doubt of its finality. 🥀 it also speaks of how fleeting our existence can be in the form of existing in a place, as a whole. For how he incorporated Ben and Alex's passions against Rob's own fervent activism in the form of the safeguarding of houses ruthlessly being reclaimed.
“Life was intolerable when everything was out of your control.”
The story alternates between Ben and Alex's perspective from 2002 to 2011, as their lives continue to intertwine from Ottawa to Montreal in Rob's presence and in his absence. It's a heady rush of heartbreak and heartache to fulfill our desires. 🥺 Old rock and roll, wrapped in reverb. Untrained teen voices caught in the heat of doomed love. Rob was a force that compels them to behave differently than their own norm. It was his own lack of inhibitions and his own way of thinking that served as the crux of their problems and their eventual fallout.
Despite the spark that lingered always between the two, Alex's dream was her photography and Ben's passion lay in his band, Blank Tunes and his music. To see them both lose and then regain their calling in the wake of the events of their twenties was one of the few good things that came from reuniting after those troubled years - one that even nurtured their own ambitions and motivations. 📷🎤 The writing navigated the course of their relationship in a balanced light, one that eventually helped them heal and process their own forgotten truths.
“For art you need space. To make it, to store it, to show it.”
I suppose, what I'm getting at is that this was an interesting portrayal of how our youthful ideals can sometimes blind us to the wrong path that has us compromising a sense of righteousness. Chasing our dreams that foregoes a weight of responsibility to another. But, there always remains a hint of yearning for times stolen, for places reclaimed. And how the author compared those emotions to highlighting the effects of squatters and housing disasters was an interesting touch - one that I caught onto nicely. 🏠⛔
I felt, though, that the ending was a bit callous towards Rob. Rob was no saint, I agree. But, I don't know if I can forgive Ben for his rather impractical decision at that critical moment, let alone the author's own inclusion of a hint of suggestiveness, followed up by the brush-off that followed. 😕 It felt unfortunate, like, there really was no one who truly cared for him. Not that his actions proved otherwise, but I don't know, he deserved better.
*Thank you to Edelweiss for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Did Not Finish
March 24, 2026I’m giving myself permission this year to not force-read a book just because the plot, time or location seems like it would make the book interesting. If I’m bored, I’m bored.
April 22, 2026
Thank you so much to House of Anansi Press for the arc! I really enjoyed Jeff Miller's debut novel and finished it in two sittings. It gave me so much nostalgia for my own past and the connections I made in the punk community as a teen growing up in Toronto. We follow Alex, Ben and their friend Rob, three people entwined during the early aughts as they grapple with activism and the lasting impact of fleeting, formative experiences. Shifting between timelines set in 2001 and 2011, we get a look at the DIY punk scene in Canadian cities like Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto. Alex and Ben, who are both in love with Rob at the time, struggle to balance their idealism with their dreams of what is possible for their futures. The alternating povs and timelines felt very intentional and did a good job revealing snippets of the mystery of what happened in-between the decade our two main characters lost touch. I really felt for a character like Rob as well, a fearless, charismatic leader who was so invested in his own radical politics that he didn't see the damage it was doing to the people who loved him. I would recommend this book for people who enjoy stories that tackle the transition from youthful artistic idealism to the realities of middle-aged responsibilities, narratives that explore how memories and ghosts of the past can impact present-day relationships. or anyone grew up in the punk scene. Excited to read more from this author!
October 2, 2025
So much nostalgia from the music and arts of the 2000s in this book that it made if really enjoyable. Loved the relationship between the characters and how well they were each developed. This book has it all - friends, lovers, social activism, political chaos, and careers. There are so many relatable aspects in the book that are relevant now. I was very emotional at times as I read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Rating: 4* of five
The Publisher Says: In the fevered summer of 2001, charismatic activist Rob and his collective set up a squat in an abandoned house. His bandmate and lover, Ben, watches anxiously as his own plans are threatened by Rob’s choice of radical politics over music. Meanwhile, photographer Alex finds herself torn between documenting the chaos of the scene and saving the friendship that binds them together. When the police break up the squat, Rob vanishes, and the dream dies.
Ten years later, Alex and Ben find each other again—she’s conquering Montreal’s contemporary art world, he’s running a thriving restaurant in Ottawa. But their success feels hollow. As they excavate their shared past, they must confront the ghost of Rob’s disappearance and the trauma that pushed them apart.
Pulsing with the raw energy of basement punk shows and DIY creativity, late-night manifestos and first heartbreaks, Temporary Palaces is a blazing debut that captures a generation caught between idealism and survival, art and activism, the dreams that define us and the compromises that save us.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.
My Review: Youthful idealism and the irrepressible need to create meet, collide, intertwine, then break apart. After decades apart, two survivors of these intense youthful heartbreaks meet again and start sorting out the pieces of everyone's wreckage. They each have some from the other, and from vanished Rob, and both have used these bits and shrapnel to create the less volatile selves needed for settled adulthood.
They've each built a life that suits their ideas of themselves as developed in the nuclear reactor of Changing The World, but haven't seen each other as they've done that building. The mercurial, elusive Rob, on the other hand, left lots of shards in their souls. Coming to terms with wild, passionate love that explodes is probably one of the most relatable love stories ever written. Alex isn't sure she can sort out her feelings, Ben is sure he can't despite his now-grounded life doing the most nurturing, practical thing anyone can do: feeding people for a living.
Alternating PoVs per chapter kept the momentum of each character's story moving at a solid pace. I never lost sight of their personal or mutual struggles with the way the past-them blew stuff up, made their passionate connection into sharp flying pieces of toxic pain that flew into each other as well as shoved their greatly belovèd Rob away. Neither knew then that guys like Rob, men on a mission to tear shit down and burn the pieces, never stay in one place, never settle into the lovely mundanity of learning one other person's heart well enough to recite their tells. This story is the pair of them finding out what passion costs, how long you have to pay the interest on its loan of excitement, and what illusions sustained them that might still be viable.
Nostalgia for that time in life I can understand and share. I recall the Aughties very, very differently from these characters. Of course, the US is not Canada and a middle-aged man is not an idealistic young person embarking on life. My take on Author Miller's novel is one of seeing a story unspool, taking an interest in it, and remaining at a remove because it wasn't my past.
A pleasure to read all the same.
The Publisher Says: In the fevered summer of 2001, charismatic activist Rob and his collective set up a squat in an abandoned house. His bandmate and lover, Ben, watches anxiously as his own plans are threatened by Rob’s choice of radical politics over music. Meanwhile, photographer Alex finds herself torn between documenting the chaos of the scene and saving the friendship that binds them together. When the police break up the squat, Rob vanishes, and the dream dies.
Ten years later, Alex and Ben find each other again—she’s conquering Montreal’s contemporary art world, he’s running a thriving restaurant in Ottawa. But their success feels hollow. As they excavate their shared past, they must confront the ghost of Rob’s disappearance and the trauma that pushed them apart.
Pulsing with the raw energy of basement punk shows and DIY creativity, late-night manifestos and first heartbreaks, Temporary Palaces is a blazing debut that captures a generation caught between idealism and survival, art and activism, the dreams that define us and the compromises that save us.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.
My Review: Youthful idealism and the irrepressible need to create meet, collide, intertwine, then break apart. After decades apart, two survivors of these intense youthful heartbreaks meet again and start sorting out the pieces of everyone's wreckage. They each have some from the other, and from vanished Rob, and both have used these bits and shrapnel to create the less volatile selves needed for settled adulthood.
They've each built a life that suits their ideas of themselves as developed in the nuclear reactor of Changing The World, but haven't seen each other as they've done that building. The mercurial, elusive Rob, on the other hand, left lots of shards in their souls. Coming to terms with wild, passionate love that explodes is probably one of the most relatable love stories ever written. Alex isn't sure she can sort out her feelings, Ben is sure he can't despite his now-grounded life doing the most nurturing, practical thing anyone can do: feeding people for a living.
Alternating PoVs per chapter kept the momentum of each character's story moving at a solid pace. I never lost sight of their personal or mutual struggles with the way the past-them blew stuff up, made their passionate connection into sharp flying pieces of toxic pain that flew into each other as well as shoved their greatly belovèd Rob away. Neither knew then that guys like Rob, men on a mission to tear shit down and burn the pieces, never stay in one place, never settle into the lovely mundanity of learning one other person's heart well enough to recite their tells. This story is the pair of them finding out what passion costs, how long you have to pay the interest on its loan of excitement, and what illusions sustained them that might still be viable.
Nostalgia for that time in life I can understand and share. I recall the Aughties very, very differently from these characters. Of course, the US is not Canada and a middle-aged man is not an idealistic young person embarking on life. My take on Author Miller's novel is one of seeing a story unspool, taking an interest in it, and remaining at a remove because it wasn't my past.
A pleasure to read all the same.
April 26, 2026
3.75 stars.
In the summer of 2001 friends Rob, Ben and Alex find themselves caught up in a political movement that impacts all of them differently. Rob, is squatting in a house with some friends. Ben, Rob’s bandmate and lover, wishes that Rob would focus on the music and take a step back from politics. Alex is a photographer, documenting the music scene and the protest. She’s also worried that the friendship between the three of them will soon fall apart. Ten years later, Ben and Alex reconnect. Although both are now successful in their own right, they find themselves stuck in the past and unable to move on from what happened to Rob.
I picked this book up because of the cool cover and because I hoped it would be similar to Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley. So if you’re expecting Deep Cuts, manage those expectations.
This story ended up feeling pretty fast paced. I couldn’t put it down once I started it. I enjoyed the reflective nature of this story. The Ben and Alex in 2011 are able to give clarity on where things went wrong. But they’re also seeing things through rose coloured glasses. It’s clear they both loved and cared deeply for Rob, despite how flawed he was. Which brings me to what I didn’t really enjoy about this book.
Rob needed some more depth. His time in this book feels fleeting and maybe that’s the point. And maybe it’s just that I’ve encountered men like Rob, but he wasn’t the best person to those closest to him. I can appreciate that Ben and Alex eventually acknowledge that he was flawed but they’ve placed a lot of meaning on this time in their life. Rob just didn’t feel fully fleshed out as a character.
In the summer of 2001 friends Rob, Ben and Alex find themselves caught up in a political movement that impacts all of them differently. Rob, is squatting in a house with some friends. Ben, Rob’s bandmate and lover, wishes that Rob would focus on the music and take a step back from politics. Alex is a photographer, documenting the music scene and the protest. She’s also worried that the friendship between the three of them will soon fall apart. Ten years later, Ben and Alex reconnect. Although both are now successful in their own right, they find themselves stuck in the past and unable to move on from what happened to Rob.
I picked this book up because of the cool cover and because I hoped it would be similar to Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley. So if you’re expecting Deep Cuts, manage those expectations.
This story ended up feeling pretty fast paced. I couldn’t put it down once I started it. I enjoyed the reflective nature of this story. The Ben and Alex in 2011 are able to give clarity on where things went wrong. But they’re also seeing things through rose coloured glasses. It’s clear they both loved and cared deeply for Rob, despite how flawed he was. Which brings me to what I didn’t really enjoy about this book.
Rob needed some more depth. His time in this book feels fleeting and maybe that’s the point. And maybe it’s just that I’ve encountered men like Rob, but he wasn’t the best person to those closest to him. I can appreciate that Ben and Alex eventually acknowledge that he was flawed but they’ve placed a lot of meaning on this time in their life. Rob just didn’t feel fully fleshed out as a character.
April 1, 2026
Temporary Palaces
Jeffery Miller
Switching between the point of view of Ben and Alex Miller’s novel chronicles the coming and goings of a musician and an artist caught in the ideals of Rob who thinks himself as a punk revolutionary. Shifting back and forth over a decade starting in 2001 Miller’s novel draws from events in real life and the punk scene of the early aughts in Canada.
Ben and Rob have a secret romance as well as being band members. Rob is obsessed with bringing forth change using the ideals of anarchist communes and fighting against capitalism. Alex is focused on her art as well as the ideals Rob wants to spread. Ben may be in love with Alex as well.
Temporary Palaces tells a story showing how we can easily be swayed by the notion of change whether it be in society, our dreams, our relationships with people, or our jobs. For people growing up in this scene the novel will strike close to home and for others it may not. Growing up in the same spaces I looked at it with nostalgia, having seen very similar people in very similar situations. The only critique is things may have worked out too positively for the two main characters compared to where I saw most people wind up in real life.
The writing and characterization is tight and I blew through the novel fairly fast curious to see how things wound up for each character. I would recommend it for people who grew up in the scene, lived in a commune, felt burnout while chasing their dreams, or want something outside the mainstream.
Thanks to NetGalley and House of Anansi Press for a free eARC to review.
Jeffery Miller
Switching between the point of view of Ben and Alex Miller’s novel chronicles the coming and goings of a musician and an artist caught in the ideals of Rob who thinks himself as a punk revolutionary. Shifting back and forth over a decade starting in 2001 Miller’s novel draws from events in real life and the punk scene of the early aughts in Canada.
Ben and Rob have a secret romance as well as being band members. Rob is obsessed with bringing forth change using the ideals of anarchist communes and fighting against capitalism. Alex is focused on her art as well as the ideals Rob wants to spread. Ben may be in love with Alex as well.
Temporary Palaces tells a story showing how we can easily be swayed by the notion of change whether it be in society, our dreams, our relationships with people, or our jobs. For people growing up in this scene the novel will strike close to home and for others it may not. Growing up in the same spaces I looked at it with nostalgia, having seen very similar people in very similar situations. The only critique is things may have worked out too positively for the two main characters compared to where I saw most people wind up in real life.
The writing and characterization is tight and I blew through the novel fairly fast curious to see how things wound up for each character. I would recommend it for people who grew up in the scene, lived in a commune, felt burnout while chasing their dreams, or want something outside the mainstream.
Thanks to NetGalley and House of Anansi Press for a free eARC to review.
April 27, 2026
Happy pub date to Temporary Palaces! Thank you House of Anansi Press for the advanced copy! This book is an exciting, fast-paced novel about music, social activism, and friendship. Readers get to know Alex, a creative looking for a future in the arts, Rob, a social activist leading a squat in a local abandoned house, and Ben, a musician planning a tour with his band (which includes Rob who may not be as interested in going on the tour as they all think). Three friends, three different paths, one summer before everything changes.
This has been such a fun read! Miller pulls us into this world quickly and confidently and keeps us there wanting more. I could feel that I was in the early 2000s: no technology, all interaction. I loved this! I think this novel will really hit home for those who were growing up during this time.
The characters are so unique and vivid. It was easy to like (and dislike) them, depending on the moment. I found myself in a love/hate relationship with Rob for the first part of the novel. It’s clear this character has issues to sort out, but he was passionate about social change and bringing people together this way (at least for a bit of a minute there), I was torn!
Overall, this was a fun romp. I recommend to those who like any of the major themes listed above (or right here: live music, social activism, friendship). 3.5/5 ✨
This has been such a fun read! Miller pulls us into this world quickly and confidently and keeps us there wanting more. I could feel that I was in the early 2000s: no technology, all interaction. I loved this! I think this novel will really hit home for those who were growing up during this time.
The characters are so unique and vivid. It was easy to like (and dislike) them, depending on the moment. I found myself in a love/hate relationship with Rob for the first part of the novel. It’s clear this character has issues to sort out, but he was passionate about social change and bringing people together this way (at least for a bit of a minute there), I was torn!
Overall, this was a fun romp. I recommend to those who like any of the major themes listed above (or right here: live music, social activism, friendship). 3.5/5 ✨
April 21, 2026
This book gave me a sense of nostalgia for a time I never knew and never will, yet somehow it still transported me there.
I loved how it went back and forth in POV but also time and location.
I might own a “battle jacket”, listen to punk music, and have read countless books on punk.. BUT THIS? This is real punk. It’s straightforward but beautifully told. I also loved that Adam Feibel and many other great punk book writers wrote blurbs for it.
The book follows Alex, Rob, and Ben as they navigate life flashing from 2001 to 2011 in Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal and how their lives remain entangled amongst the punk rock scene and balancing their own goals for the future and themselves.
The ending broke my heart but also felt intentionally unfinished. Like more was waiting to be discovered. Just how it should be. I look forward to reading more books by this author in the future.
Thank you to Anansi for the ARC!
I loved how it went back and forth in POV but also time and location.
I might own a “battle jacket”, listen to punk music, and have read countless books on punk.. BUT THIS? This is real punk. It’s straightforward but beautifully told. I also loved that Adam Feibel and many other great punk book writers wrote blurbs for it.
The book follows Alex, Rob, and Ben as they navigate life flashing from 2001 to 2011 in Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal and how their lives remain entangled amongst the punk rock scene and balancing their own goals for the future and themselves.
The ending broke my heart but also felt intentionally unfinished. Like more was waiting to be discovered. Just how it should be. I look forward to reading more books by this author in the future.
Thank you to Anansi for the ARC!
Review of advance copy
4.5/5
A great debut novel. Jumping between two different eras, this book explores what it's like to spend your formative years in the punk/activism scene, and the choices we all make as we grow older. I devoured this book, and it left me in tears.
A great debut novel. Jumping between two different eras, this book explores what it's like to spend your formative years in the punk/activism scene, and the choices we all make as we grow older. I devoured this book, and it left me in tears.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Fun and impressive book. the vibes are impeccable from minute one to the end and it concludes really well. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.
April 19, 2026
I devoured this book about punk music, squats and activism in the early 2000s.
April 29, 2026
A thoroughly enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews