High Note

by K.M. Neuhold

We couldn't be more different, but Lyric has always been the one that got away. My first love. My High Note.

After 8 years solving the mysteries of the universe as a nuclear physicist, I burnt out. I needed a break, and spending a summer as a bartender on Palm Island sounded like the perfect cure.

I expected the wild parties, strong drinks, and loose dress code. What I didn't expect was to step off the ferry and see the man I let get away nearly a decade ago.

Lyric and I couldn't be more different. I'm an introvert, he's always the life of the party. I'm lost in my own head, he's content to live in the moment without overthinking anything. He hasn’t thought about me, but I never stopped thinking about him.

Finding him here feels like fate. It feels like a second chance, I’m just not sure he wants one.

Good thing Palm Island is starting to grow on me with all of its long, hot nights and quirky locals because I don’t think I can leave without seeing if there could be anything left between us, and it’s starting to look like I might be stuck here for a while…

Genres: M M Romance, Second Chance, Romance, LGBT, Contemporary

214 pages, Paperback

Published August 28, 2026

About the author

K.M.Neuhold has long since been a romance junkie. When she’s not writing she’s reading or spending time snuggling with her husky or her husband. She fell in love with M/M romance last year and hasn’t been able to turn back. There’s nothing she loves more than love in all its forms.

Reviews

[Dani · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really excited for Lyric to finally get a story, but I somehow feel like I know even less about him now!

Yuri was ok, but these two together were so chalk and cheese and neither could have a conversation! It was pretty frustrating actually, and I think I ended up prefering Lyric as a background character unfortunately.

[Courtenay (ceelovesbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful book to add to the collection of a series of books that I hold so near and dear to my heart! I feel like I’ve waited for Lyrics story forever and it did NOT disappoint! These two are true soulmates. FULL RTC.

———————————————

If you’ve read Palm Island up til now you know we have ALL been waiting for Lyrics story! The super chill, super stoned, super forgetful golden retriever of the island. Does he ever have a job? What does he do for money? Why does he never have shoes on? Where are his clothes?! All these questions are answered in High Note!

When Yuri leaves his life behind and wants to start new and try something outside of his comfort zone the only place that seemed fitting was Palm Island. His life is bland, predictable, and he felt stuck. So, he gets on that ferry.. and once he steps off he’s immediately thrown right back to 8 years ago when “the one who got away” is standing right in front of him.

Lyric is determined to just let Yuri figure himself out. He’s not here to mess up his plans. He can be chill.. it’s all totally chill. Like super chill.. right?

These two quote literally were two magnets who couldn’t stay away from one another if they tried. They fall right back in to the normalcy and comfortability they felt around each other all those years ago, and they both quickly remember how much fun they had together.

Lyric is worried Yuri will leave again and he’ll be left heartbroken, and Yuri wants Lyric to ask him to stay..

These two were so sweet, steamy, and just easy. As I knew Lyrics story would be. No stress. No drama. And a very fun bachelor auction that went exactly the way you think it will 😉 these two aren’t as sneaky as they were trying to be.

I’m sad to be leaving the Island.. maybe this time for the last time. But I hope this won’t be the last we see of this group. I’d love some more stories about the side characters who deserve their HEAs too!

🌴 Second Chance
💨 Neurodivergent Rep
🌴 The Underwear Stealing Cat Is Back!
💨 Flip F*cking
🌴 Loveable Stoner
💨 He Cleans Up His Mess 💦
🌴 Hammock S*x
💨 Lyrics REAL NAME Reveal
🌴 He Wears His Clothes (& everyone notices)
💨 The Highest Bidder
🌴 “Sweetness”
💨 Nipple Play

[Heather MMRomanceReviewed]

It was so much fun to return to K.M. Neuhold's Palm Island! This second chance, opposites attract romance was so sweet and fun to read! Rekindled chemistry, digging through layers of both the past and present and of course the chemistry! The magic of the island and Lyric's idiosyncrasies made this a fun read and it was great seeing past couples and characters!

[HappilyEverReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yuri and Lyric were such a sweet couple! I love a second-chance romance, and when it’s as low-angst as this one, it’s guaranteed to be a good time. This story felt a little more heartfelt and less spice-forward than some of the other books in the series, which I really enjoyed.

I loved that Yuri and Lyric had a genuine connection and had originally parted ways with no hard feelings. There were no games or unnecessary drama between them—they gave their second chance the time and space to develop organically while figuring out how to do things differently this time around. As they worked through their fears of losing each other again, I found myself becoming even more invested in their relationship. And when they finally had an honest and vulnerable moment together, my heart completely melted.

Yuri and Lyric really complemented each other and seemed to understand one another without ever trying to change who the other person was. This book had me smiling the entire time!

And, of course, we get all the fun of the Palm Island Crew, with cameos from so many favorite characters from the previous books. This was a heartwarming, fun read guaranteed to give you all the feel-good vibes!

[Leilani Noack · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came in late to this series but it felt like I could keep up. I love the whole second chance concept and I love Yuri & Cooper together. Love how they get there HEA and their second chance together. They both deserved it even tho it took the 8 years they still remember things about each other and that’s really cute. Can’t wait to go back to the beginning.

[Lionelle Pmuls (That's Slump Backwards & It's What I Do) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 pretty lips, filthy mouth Stars ⭐ | 5 🌶️
ARC Read: 31/08/2026
I received this ebook for free from the author and I'm leaving this review of my own accord. Thank you KM Neuhold for this gift. 🥰

What to expect from this book? 🤔
🫶 MM Island Romance 🌴
🧡 Second Chance
🩷 Opposites Attract
🏄‍♂️ Nuclear Physicist x Loveable Stoner
🌴 Flip Fucking
🧡 Hammock Sex
🩷 He Wears His Clothes
🏄‍♂️ The Highest Bidder
🌴 Nipple Play
🧡 “Sweetness”
🩷 Harold Does It Again
🏄‍♂️ Himbo
🌴 Neurodivergent Rep
🧡 Autism Rep
🩷 Found Family
🏄‍♂️ Low-Angst
🌴 HEA

✨✨✨✨Q✨u✨o✨t✨e✨✨✨✨

"Lyric: He turns around and catches me staring, and I don’t try to hide it. Another blush creeps into his cheeks and I hold his gaze as I finish off my beer. I’ve never been that big on dwelling on the past and shit, but it’s hard not to when it’s staring me right in the face like this. It’s hard not to remember all the sleepless nights I spent in his bed and the way he made me feel seen and understood like no one else ever had. Even now, he’s the only one. The rest of it’s still there too though, knowing that he needed more than I’d ever be able to give him, watching him go and feeling like I’d never be able to take a deep breath again with how much it ached. Fuck."

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Format: Ebook/ARC
Cover: 5/5

I love everything about this series!
This book wasn't any different! AND LOOK coming from a reader that normally doesn't like second chance romance! I think I like it so much bc on how low angst this story is.
I already loved Lyric on the others book, it was a joy meeting Yuri.
This series always brings me peace. I don't know how KM does it but it always feels like I just took a vacation, a beach vacation 🙌🙌🙌
Can't wait for the audio to relisten to the whole series again.

✨✨✨✨Q✨u✨o✨t✨e✨✨✨✨

Yuri: “Oh fuck, oh fuck,” I gasp, clawing at his back with my blunt fingernails, kissing him harder and jerking my hips faster, breaking our rhythm as a primal need takes over. “Yeah,” he rasps, resting his forehead against mine and thrusting faster too. “Give me your cum, sweetness. I want it all over my fucking cock. Moan my name again, loud enough to let everyone know who makes you feel this damn good.” “Cooper,” I cry out, tangling my fingers in his hair and thrusting wildly, pleasure exploding through me as my cock starts to pulse, spilling hot spurts of cum all over his just like he asked for. He buries his face in the crook of my neck and lets out a guttural moan, following me over the edge."

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Series: Palm Island #7
Story: 5/5
POV: Dual - 1st Person
Plot: 5/5

✨✨✨✨Q✨u✨o✨t✨e✨✨✨✨

"Yuri: I wish I had the guts to ask him if this is just casual for him or if he could see something more, some day. But I don’t want to ruin the moment. It’s too perfect, it wouldn’t be right. Cooper hums a song I don’t recognize under his breath, and we lie there under the stars, doing the one thing I’ve never been good at— existing in just this moment.
I have to admit, it’s kind of nice."

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Main Characters:
5/5 -Lyric: he/him, cis-male
5/5 - Yuri: he/him, cis-male nickname: Sweetness;
Side Characters: 5/5
Steam Level: 5/5
Romance: High Focus

✨✨✨✨Q✨u✨o✨t✨e✨✨✨✨

"Lyric: Even though we’re keeping things casual and all of this is temporary, I reach over and thread my fingers between his while we walk anyway. The magnetic pull I’ve always felt towards him hasn’t changed at all, and I doubt it ever will. I’m just going to have to relearn how to forget about him when he’s gone again. But that’s a problem for later."

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Humor: Medium High Focus
Angst: Low Focus
Cheating? No
The Ending: 5/5

✨✨✨✨Q✨u✨o✨t✨e✨✨✨✨

Lyric: “I love everything about your dumb ass,” he says, muffling the laugh I let out with his lips on mine.
“I love you too, sweetness. Always have, always will.”

✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

HEA/HFN/Cliffhanger: HEA
Favorite character? BOTH
Enjoyment: 5/5

✨✨✨✨Q✨u✨o✨t✨e✨✨✨✨

"Yuri: It drags against the soft, hot skin of Cooper’s inner thigh and I moan, pulling him back into another kiss. I can’t get enough of his mouth on mine, his body against mine, skin to skin, chest to chest, our breathing in sync and our tongues sliding and tangling with each other. I moan again, this one muffled by his tongue in my mouth, jerking my hips to get another intoxicating stroke of my cock against his thigh."

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Hope this review was helpful.

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!!Please remember that all my reviews are a matter of my personal taste. Your opinion and what you are willing or want to tolerate in the books you read is your own. We all have different opinions and preferences when it comes to the kind of books we enjoy, so it's important to respect that. It's just a book... but reading is still political!
No AI was used to make this review. These are my own words. And I support real artists.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was fun visiting Palm Island again since it's been a bit. Lyric has been hanging on the island during the other books. He is the long-haired blond usually wandering aimlessly, picking at his guitar, or smoking and growing weed. He is sunshine and chaos, forgetful, oblivious, and lives life in the moment. And all of his friends kind of look out for him.

Yuri is a burned-out science nerd and successful nuclear physicist. He is regimented, particular, sensitive, predictable, and an overthinker who gets lost in his head. He has done something completely uncharacteristic by leaving his job and is heading to Palm Island to become a bartender and reset his life.

And as soon as he gets off the ferry, he sees his "one that let him get away" when he went off for his job. Cooper Reed is now living on the island and going by Lyric. At first, they are not sure what to do with each other, but it does not take long for them to reconnect and get back to their intense chemistry. They are opposites and both have their issues and quirks, but they balance and complement each other very well.

Is it an island fling, a second chance, fate, or destined to just hurt them again?

I loved these guys tomorrow. But one thing they are not good at is communication. Cooper is afraid to get attached again and get hurt if Zuri leaves again. And Yuri is not sure what he is going to do with his life but just really wants to be asked to stay this time. But they are both kind of afraid to actually talk about it for a while.

It brings back the quirky Palm Island inhabitants with their fun personalities and shenanigans. I enjoyed having another Palm Island vacay.

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[David Souza · Rating 5 out of 5]

High Note
Palm Island
KM Neuhold
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

I am SUCH a sucker for a second-chance romance, and KM Neuhold always gets it right. 🥹💕

Palm Island as a whole is such a fun, lighthearted series. These books pull you into this little world filled with amazing characters and somehow always leave you feeling lighter and happier when you’re done.

And High Note is the perfect ending (?) to the series. 🌴

Yuri is a high-strung, neurodivergent, Nobel Prize-winning scientist whose high-stress career has completely burned him out and sent him running to Palm Island. It’s there that he reconnects with Lyric/Cooper—the one who got away—and they finally get their second chance at love.

Lyric has always been one of my favorite characters in this series. His chill stoner vibes and complete inability to keep track of his belongings are so damn endearing. 😂 But High Note lets us see a much deeper side of him.

He is incredibly sweet. I mean… THE SEASHELL APOLOGIES?! 🥹🐚 He knows he made mistakes in the past, he’s learned from them, and he refuses to make those same mistakes again.

Watching Yuri and Lyric reconnect—and watching Yuri slowly find his happiness again—was such a great time. Yuri’s neurodivergence is also written so well. There’s a scene where they’re leaving the beach and he describes the feeling of sand in his clothes, and I have never related to a character more.

Same, dude. SAME. 😂

But there’s one line that perfectly represents these two:

“I’m skimming the surface of the water while he’s in a submarine.”

THAT. RIGHT. THERE.

Lyric knows Yuri. He understands him. He accepts him exactly as he is without ever trying to change him or “fix” him. And there is something so beautiful about that.

And I’m not going to lie, I got a little teary when they were talking about Raven’s fishnets. 🥹 RIP Tim Curry. ❤️

And the spice?! PERFECTION. 🥵🔥 Starting with a super-hot frotting scene and eventually leading to a moment that takes kitchen sex to a WHOLE new level. 👀

This is an easy 10/10, no notes from me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

And now I desperately want to go back to Palm Island and reread the entire series from the beginning. 🌴📚💕

[Florence . · Rating 4 out of 5]

To tell you how excited I was to read this book, I binge read the entire rest of the series this week, in preparation to get my ARC of this book. It was my THIRD time reading the entire series this year, and most likely not the last. The books in this series are quickly becoming my number 1 comfort read I can always count on to put the biggest smile on my face as i’m reading and this book was very much that for me.

I just adored their dynamic and interactions. Yuri is this super anxious guy whose plans have plans and Lyric is very go with the flow and see where life takes him and I thought that they complimented each other perfectly. This book perfectly captured the aura of needyness and doubts that comes from wanting someone so bad you don't know how to reach for it cause it seems too big and scary to do anything about it and it was such a delight to read.

This is a second chance romance with a very strong the one that got away vibe and the yearning and the way these two thought about each other just really got to me. This is a low angst swoony romance but I think I spent about 70% of the time crying my eyes out because I was so invested in Yuri and Lyric as characters that every time they were yearning for each other it just really got to me.

I am so happy to now have this book in my life and I cannot wait until I get the urge to re-read it in a month because I can never get enough of this series.

[Spice Fan · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review

What a cover! Nothing like I expected for Lyric, but exactly what he is. When I came to this series all prior books were out, I thought Lyric remained a side character, I’m so glad he didn’t. Neuhold’s note at the beginning reminds us Yuri was introduced in book 3, and I vaguely remembered him, but more came back the further into this I got.

Straight away I was back in Palm Island, I love the feel of this series and everything was as I’d imagined when I first flew through the 6 books. This takes place before some of the prior book’s relationships have formed and it’s good to see Lyric had his own HEA percolating as those were also.

Lyric/Cooper has been a favourite of mine since we first met him. He’s so go-with-the-flow, no drama, no issues. Yuri is just about his polar opposite and their first go round at a relationship ended as Yuri moved overseas for work. A lifestyle change for him puts these two back in each other’s lives and it’s cute and giggly, sweet and spicy as Cooper and Yuri get back into a friendship and physical relationship whilst quietly wondering if they could be more.

A super easy read, I completed it in a day. I really enjoyed being back with the Palm Island boys, fingers crossed Scout gets his HEA too. And I think I need a series reread.

[Hiawatha Rosemond · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌴High Note (Palm Island book 7) by KM Neuhold

I’ve been anxiously awaiting this release for a long time! I read it in one sitting. Lyric is one of the most laid back characters in any book I’ve read. I enjoyed his parts in the other books but I needed his story.
I’m not usually into second chance romance but this was so different. There was no bad breakup. There were no hard feelings. Just two people on different paths who weren’t the best at communicating.

When Yuri showed up at Palm Island because he was burnt out and wanted to do something different, he wasn’t expecting to see Cooper, the man he walked away from 8 years ago. The man he regretted losing every day, in spite of his career success. And Cooper (Lyric) was equally surprised to see Yuri show up on Palm Island as one of the new bartenders. These two are polar opposites in almost every way. Yuri overthinks everything and Lyric barely thinks at all. And it works.

The way these two navigated their reunion was cautious. Neither stopped loving the other and neither wanted to risk heartbreak again. It was obvious to everyone that there was something there, but they kept their past private and hooked up in secret. Is the vibe and history of Palm Island enough to bring these two back together? Is the balance they provide one another enough? I couldn’t wait to find out and you won’t be disappointed!

#mm
#mmromance

[Phoenix · Rating 5 out of 5]

KM Neuhold promised a sweet, low angst story and this delivered perfectly.

This 5 star is for vibes. For the MCs. For the writing. For the smile I had whilst reading this book and for how quickly I demolished it.

It's not the type of book that's going to rewrite your brain. But I loved it. It made me happy and I fully enjoyed reading it. So why shouldn't it get 5 big fat happy stars?

I loved how Yuri's autism was just a part of him and wasn't made a big deal within the story, and how Lyric/Cooper knew how to help, when to help, without overstepping or belittling him.

I also loved Lyric. He was so laid back yet also not? So ditzy yet surprisingly insightful at times?

This was the first in the series I've read – it wasn't a problem at all, I didn't feel like I was missing anything but it did absolutely make me want to go read the others! I think that's a fine balance to get tbh, and definitely a bonus. To be able to write a series that doesn't NEED to be read in order, that makes readers intrigued by the other MCs without feeling like they're being hit over the head with the other stories or like the setup for future stories starts to take over the current MCs' story.

This was short and sweet but perfectly fleshed out. It was the perfect book to read on a lazy Sunday whilst in between spending time with family.

[Kayleigh insta: mmbooksl_t · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️
3.5🌶️
REVIEW: Yuri and Cooper decided to go their separate ways 8 years ago, Yuri’s job took him across the world and Cooper didn’t ask him to stay. In all that time no one has ever come close for Yuri. After winning a Nobel prize, Yuri suffers utter burn out and does something so far out of his comfort zone. He takes a bartending job on Palm Island. A gay party island resort. He must be loosing his mind because within moments of stepping off the ferry he swears he sees Cooper - who now goes by ‘Lyric’ in the distance.
Lyric is a typical beach bum, laid back, strumming his guitar and letting life take him where it may. He recognises Yuri when he steps into the coffee shop but the two don’t immediately talk.
Yuri is still madly in love with Lyric but when Lyric tells him he didn’t think about him in the 8 years they were apart he takes it as a sign that there is no second chance for them. Lyric can’t let himself fall again for the sake of a holiday romance, but he can’t stay away.

KM Neuhold does it again! I love her low angst, high heat, cosy reads. Lyric is such a golden retriever, he’s a walking brain fart and I’m totally here for it. Neuhold writes neurospicy characters so well, I love how well these two worked together. Superb!

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

K.M. Neuhold is the first MM Author that I had ever read. That is about 7 yrs ago, hundreds of stories and untold hours of reading pleasure. They are an instant read for me whenever a new story comes out. I have really enjoyed the Palm Island Series, getting to know all of the different personalities of the residents of the quirky island. High Note gives the story of the island’s resident stoner/musician Lyric. He is surprised one season when he sees the “one that got away” get off of the ferry with a job bartending for the summer. Yuri is an actual Nobel Prize winner who is suffering from total burnout and trying to live life in a total opposite way and recover some of his sanity. Surprise! The man you have always compared every other lover to is living on the small island you just moved to! Yuri and Lyric are both total opposites who just fit together like puzzle pieces to make a perfect relationship, once they get past all of the issues. I wouldn’t even call it Mis-communication, more like non-existent, and I had a difficult time with that during the story. I’m not a fan of angst in romance stories, but I feel that this one may have benefited emotionally if there had been a little more. All in all a good solid story, but not one of my top reads for the author.

[lmreadsromance · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to be heading back to Palm Island after reading the series last year. I was always curious about our flighty friend Lyric and was so excited to see that he and Yuri, who we met part way through the series were going to get a story.
This is a second chance romance and it was just such a feel good, sweet read. Cooper (Lyric) and Yuri were each other’s ‘right person, wrong time’, neither moved on entirely or forgot each other. While Yuri went and achieved a Nobel Peace Price, Lyric lived life unapologetically for his true self. Imagine their surprise when Yuri, burnt out and in need of a lifestyle change, ends up on the exact island his long lost love lives!
These two were so cute circling each other, I loved the pull they had and they both just wanted each other to be happy. I loved seeing the whole cast and crew again and of course the carousel!
This storyline for this book happens alongside the last couple of books so if you have read the series some of the couples are not together (officially) yet, but it was fun to go back and get a glimpse into seeing them from another point of view as they circled each other.
Are we getting another instalment? I’m here for it, may just need to reread the whole series again now to tide me over!

[Sharon L · Rating 5 out of 5]

"He’s burned out and he’s looking for joy in simple places right now until he’s ready to go back to his real life."

This is book 7 in the Palm Island series by KM Neuhold. It's been over 2 years since we last visited Palm Island. I guess Lyric spoke up and demanded his own book and Kyleen listened.

If you haven't started this series yet don't start here, start with book 1 you won't be disappointed!!! I'd love to sit down and read each of the books again, so many books, so little time.

What a cute fun story!!! Even though the timeline is a bit skewed it made the story even more interesting to me. I love an author's ability to be able to go back in time and create a story as good as this. I have no idea how an author keeps all these characters straight (or in this case, not so straight, ha). It was a walk down memory lane and I loved every minute of it.

I'll put the same thing I wrote in my review of the previous book in this series; All the books in this series were my favorite, lol, don't ask me to pick just one because I can't. This one was at least in the top seven 😉.

[Swoony and Spicy · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars ⭐️
3 Spice 🌶️

Tropes and Tags:
- 1st Person, Dual POV
- Low Angst
- Second Chance
- Opposites Attract
- Neurodivergent MC’s
- Found Family

This is one of my all time favourite series, and I’m currently in denial about it being over😩😭however, this was such a good conclusion, it made me so unbelievably happy to read.

Lyric is that character that brings joy to every moment, he’s relaxed, calm and has such a positive outlook on everything. I was so excited to see who could throw him a bit and get him to feel all the big emotions. Yuri is such a sweetheart, I just wanted to wrap him up in a big hug. His pining for Lyric was adorable, instead of the usual heartache I get with pining, it made me feel so warm and fuzzy!🥰

I really enjoy second chance romances especially when they’re done so well, like this was. It feels so romantic to me when people find their way back to each other, knowing they’re meant to be together even if the timing wasn’t right to begin with.

I would seriously read 30 more books of these characters and their shenanigans, I’m SO attached to them! I can’t wait to reread this whole series again soon and experience all their love and joy🥹❤️

[Kayla (anxietea-reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something that I thoroughly enjoy from Nuehold as an author is their uniqueness they bring to their characters. They have such a large backlog and I have read a decent amount of it and I still don't think I've felt as if their characters between the different series have blended together because they are too similar. Their characters all have elements to them that give them such life while not making them unbelievable as characters.

Another thing Nuehold does well for me at least is make tropes I don't like into something I do like. Normally second chance romances aren't my thing seeing as usually the reason for the break up just turns me off the love interest completely but this felt so realistic. Yuri had an opportunity to advance his career and Lyric didn't want to stand in his way, letting him go. Seeing the love they still held for each other after all those years was just heartwarming. I also really appreciate that their relationship getting back together was never about changing the other individual but learning to grow and adapt with them.

This series as a whole is such a feel good, quirky read and I appreciate that.

[Karyn Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

High Note by K.M. Neuhold was such a fun and heartwarming read, and I absolutely adored Yuri and Lyric’s dynamic. Yuri is this super anxious guy whose plans have plans, while Lyric is completely go-with-the-flow, and somehow they complement each other perfectly.
I loved their chemistry, banter, and all the little interactions that made me smile. They were like two magnets who couldn’t stay away from each other, and watching them fall back into the comfort they had years ago was so sweet. The story really captured that feeling of wanting someone so badly but being too scared and unsure how to reach for them because it feels too big and scary.
Their romance was sweet, steamy, funny, and wonderfully easy. I loved watching them become each other’s safe place while figuring out their feelings and overcoming those doubts. There’s a great mix of emotional moments and humour, but without unnecessary drama or angst.
Overall, High Note was an incredibly enjoyable MM romance with lovable characters, fantastic chemistry, great banter, plenty of heart, and just the right amount of spice.

[SNik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seventh in series (Palm Island), can be read as a standalone but might be more fun if read in order. Second chance. Opposites attract. Neurodivergent representation. Found family. Dual POV.

Burned out nobel prize winner Yuri applies to be a bartender on Palm Island, deciding to shake up his ordered world. Little does he know that the love of his life, Cooper (now Lyric), is a resident of the island and hasn’t forgotten Yuri either.

Lyric and Yuri are certainly opposites, but it is clear that their feelings were strong years ago before they went their separate ways. It took me a while to warm up to Lyric, but once he admitted that he had never stopped loving Yuri it was a much more smooth read for me. It was fun to see all the guys from Palm Island, supportive and friendly as usual. Lyric and Yuri certainly still have chemistry and there is plenty of steam between them. Their reuniting occurred slowly over several months, and I do wish they learned more about who each other was now versus years ago, but I did really enjoy their second chance and romantic moments. 4.25

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is my happy place. It's just so feel good and full of fun, love, and a wonderful found family. Truly, I challenge someone to read any book in this series without smiling the whole way through!

This book is no exception and honestly, is right near the top of my favorites of the series (Not sure I'm ready to give up Trick and Boston's spot yet). I thought it was going to be close to the top because of Lyric, but to my surpirse Yuri completely stole the show for me. Maybe that's because I'm pretty much girl Yuri, but he just was so lovely and relatable from the time he showed up that I couldn't help but fall for him. And I love that Lyric was such a great counterpart for him. So laid back and free and just they were able to be there for each other in such a beautiful beautiful way.

...and now I need a little Birdy to get a book...

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you've loved a character throughout an entire series and he finally gets his own happily ever after. Lyric has always been one of my Palm Island favourites. I've loved the chaos of the happy pothead who seemed to not have a care in the world. His absent mindedness is hysterical. Wearing just one sandal ? Oh well the other will probably turn up. Forgotten to check the washing line when all his underwear has gone missing ? Go commando. But some things are never forgotten and he remembers every moment of his relationship with Yuri. Opposites definitely attract, because Lyric and Yuri could not be more different. He is always planning, always in control. Together they level each other out.

I absolutely adored their steamy, second chance romance, their complete failure to communicate and spending some time with my favourite guys again.

[Joanie Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Maybe soulmates are made, you know? Like, you pick a person and you pour your whole heart and soul into them, and that makes it something special.'"

These two were so sweet together, and it was a nice change of pace to have such a low stakes sort of second chance romance. They never stopped loving each other, they didn't part on bad terms, and they had both accepted that things just weren't right for them to have that HEA together.

However, 8 years can bring a lot of growth. It gives way to not only new opportunities, but second chances at the opportunities you may have let slip away in the past. Once they learned how to properly communicate with each other without letting fear of getting hurt get in the way, their path back to each other became so incredibly clear and simple, and oh so familiar. Seeing them find comfort finally being back in each other's arms was beautiful.

[Ammandareadsdark · Rating 4 out of 5]

K.M. does it again with this latest installment of the Palm Island series and of course as always she doesn't miss. I love a good second chance romance and the fact that the breakup wasn't a bad one makes it even better for me. Doesn't mean a good tense, angsty, drama filled read isn't a good time, but I know what I am getting into with this author, in this series, and it is low angst at its finest.

Lyric has always intrigued me throughout this series and to be able to delve in to his story has been just wonderful. We find out more about him and his history before coming to the island and we learn about his relationship with Yuri and what led to the breakup. Don't even get me started on the spice in this one because OMG I was having hot flashes over here.

I am so thankful I was able to procure an ARC of this book because it was a great read and had me smiling throughout.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am an absolute sucker for a second chance romance, but I especially loved the way this one approached it. This wasn’t a story about overcoming some huge betrayal or disastrous breakup. Yuri and Lyric were simply two people who loved each other, ended up moving in different directions, and never quite figured out how to say all the things that needed to be said. And EIGHT YEARS LATER??? That love is still very much there. 🥹

Yuri and Lyric could not be more opposite if they tried. Yuri is an anxious overthinker who likes to have every possibility mapped out before he takes a step, while Lyric may genuinely be one of the most laid-back men I have ever encountered in a book. 😂 He’s just floating through life on vibes and somehow these two balance each other SO perfectly.

Their reunion gave me everything I want from a second chance romance. The familiarity that never really disappeared, the quiet yearning, the hesitation because neither of them wants to get hurt again and that delicious I still know you better than anyone feeling. Watching them slip so naturally back into each other’s orbit had me completely invested.

And their attempt at keeping things casual and secret? Precious of them to think they were fooling anybody. 😂

This was sweet, steamy, swoony and wonderfully low angst. There was something so comforting about watching two people who never really stopped loving each other figure out whether maybe this time, they could finally meet in the middle. 🥹

Also, I’d only read the first Palm Island book before jumping all the way to book seven and I never felt lost or like I was missing something important!

Second chance romance + the one who got away + opposites attract + years of buried feelings = apparently the quickest way to make me ignore everything else I was supposed to be doing and finish a book in one sitting. 😌🖤

[Henna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yay, we're back in Palm Island!
Relaxed and scatter-brained Lyric has been living his best life on Palm Island playing his guitar and not caring about his past or future. That is, until his past jumps out of a boat to work on the island. Yuri has had a great career, Nobel prize and all, but he needs a break. So bartending on Palm Island it is.
The two broke up eight years ago on good terms but Yuri has always thought he made a mistake leaving Lyric for his career. They reacquaint quickly and fall into friendship before things heat up. But summer's end looms and Yuri might not stay.
I liked how easy this second chance love was. There was yearning and they needed a nudge to talk about their feelings, but it was all still very calm and beautiful.

[Tasha Thrall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yuri is seeking a fresh start, yearning to escape his dreary job. He sets off to Palm Island for a new adventure. Upon disembarking from the ferry, he unexpectedly encounters the one person he wished he had never left behind.

Lyric has always dreamed of a life with sand between his toes, a joint in his mouth, and a guitar in his hands. He embraces each day, content to simply live in the moment.

I approached this book as a standalone, despite it being the seventh installment in the series. I’m definitely eager to revisit the earlier books and immerse myself further in the charm of the island.

Thank you for this amazing opportunity to read the eARC, and I am happy to provide my honest review in return.

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as a WIP on the authors Patreon. I love the Palm Island series so much, but after noting in Devil’s Own that she was taking a break from the series, my heart kinda broke for Lyric’s story. Being such a major player in the entire series, and one of my favorite characters, I felt slightly gypped lol However!! This story was all I could hope for and more and allowed me to wholeheartedly move on from the completed series. Being in Lyric’s world is like a flash back to stonerville in the 90’s. Add a spicy second chance romance, a lovable crew of a close friend-family and a musician’s royalties funded beach life, it was like a daydream. Yuri really couldn’t have been more perfect for Lyric. ♥️

[Deanna Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a beautiful second-chance love story for Lyric and Yuri. While I haven’t had the opportunity to read the rest of the series (which I will be fixing soon), I love the island vibe of the book. We have Yuri, a burnt-out scientist, who runs away from his life in the lab to Palm Island. When he gets there, he finds the man that got away, Lyric. Lyric is a laid-back stoner, living his best beach bum life (and honestly, I’m so jealous of him!).

You don’t need to read all the books in the series to enjoy this one, but I assume that if I’d had the prior reading, the filling in of the gaps would be even more fun. Looks like I have a series read in my future, then a re-read of this one.😊

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan of the author, and buy direct from her website when I can. I've read and re-read virtually her entire catalog including Palm Island, so I'm so disappointed to report that I couldn't finish this book.

It has to be a me thing, or maybe a Gen X thing (this is your brain on drugs, iykyk), but the constant casual weed usage by Lyric really bothered me. I put the book down during chapter 15 of 23 knowing virtually nothing about Lyric. No backstory has emerged, we don't know much about his relationship with Yuri, why is Lyric on the island in the first place... they are just constantly fucking and Lyric is always stoned. There is no story that I can find.

I can say it was good to see Mr. Tubbs again, though.