The Cactus fits perfectly in the nook carved out by Graeme Simsion’s The Rosie Project and Gail Honeyman’s Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine. Warm, uplifting, funny and bittersweet, Sarah Haywood's book will make you cringe, laugh and get stingy eyes. 

Susan Green is a forty-five year old independent woman who owns her own flat, has a full-time job, a long term, convenient lover, Richard and absolutely no friends. 

Susan “please don’t call me Suze” finds herself in a legal battle with her wayward brother Ed as they fight over the contents of her mother’s will. Pregnant and technically single, Susan is determined to get what is rightfully hers to make a better life for herself and soon to arrive baby.

With the help from Rob, (Ed’s old college mate and general rough diamond), usually prickly Susan begins to see the world from a different perspective. She gains new friends and tentative social skills while encountering feelings like she has never had before. Although in a tricky position, Susan remains rigidly independent, almost to a fault. Her morals constantly put her reasoning in second place and her astute observations are nothing if not cutting. You shouldn’t love her and yet you feel yourself protective of this character who so regularly sits on the other side of conventional.

Ever the fan of the underdog, I was cheering Susan (and aloof Rob) from the get go. Not everyone fits into the perfect heroine template, but characters like Susan Green are redefining it.   I look forward to seeing more books published that will give a cactus the chance to blossom.