The Cactus - Sarah Haywood

This was a Reese's Book Club pick and has been on my to read list for a long time. I ordered it from the library and almost forgot about it since it took so long to finally get it! The book has been compared to Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, which I disagree with because Eleanor was a much more likeable character.

This book tells the story of Susan Green. Susan is very set in her ways, she likes things ordered in a specific way, and expects her life to follow a certain path. I found her behaviour similar to Don Tillman in The Rosie Project, but less endearing.

Susan is in her forties, her mother has just passed away, and she has just found out she is pregnant. She has a long-standing dislike of her brother Edward, who surprisingly to Susan, receives more in the will. Instead of having a discussion like adults, Susan quickly jumps to block the will and start legal proceedings.

In dealing with her pregnancy, Susan quickly cuts off contact with the father, with whom she had almost a business agreement regarding their relationship. She sees no reason for him to be involved in her life any longer.

Susan really doesn't have any friends, and it's not really hard to see why, but slowly a few people start to break through her rough exterior. She meets Rob through her brother, and her upstairs neighbour Kate keeps dropping by, which Susan grows to enjoy.

Overall the book was well written and a quick read, but I was left not knowing if I really liked Susan and if I really cared what happened to her after.