Score: 5/5 Bookmarks

The Cactus by Sarah Haywood feels to me to be an awakening story about a mid-forties woman in London who has always thought life was a particular way, and that she was a particular sort of person, until her world gets turned upside down (for the better). I don’t want to give too much away, but I will say that it’s a witty, charming read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

If you liked Eleanor Olyphant is Completely Fine or How Not To Die Alone then I think you’ll really enjoy The Cactus, and I’d definitely recommend picking it up this summer!

You can grab a copy on Amazon, or do what I did and listen to the audiobook on Libro.fm. They give a percentage of proceeds back to a local, brick-and-mortar bookstore that you nominate! You’ll get three for one audiobooks by clicking the button below.

Synopsis:

For Susan Green, messy emotions don't fit into the equation of her perfectly ordered life. She has a flat that is ideal for one, a job that suits her passion for logic, and an "interpersonal arrangement" that provides cultural and other, more intimate, benefits. But suddenly confronted with the loss of her mother and the news that she is about to become a mother herself, Susan's greatest fear is realized. She is losing control.

Enter Rob, the dubious but well-meaning friend of her indolent brother. As Susan's due date draws near and her dismantled world falls further into a tailspin, Susan finds an unlikely ally in Rob. She might have a chance at finding real love and learning to love herself, if only she can figure out how to let go.