Listen free for 30 days
-
The Cactus
- Narrated by: Katherine Manners
- Length: 10 hrs and 30 mins
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy Now for $29.13
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Publisher's Summary
A Reese's Book Club x Hello Sunshine on Audible Pick
“I’m so excited to announce that our first pick of the summer is The Cactus by Sarah Haywood. This title is a perfect metaphor for Susan, who is a single, regimented woman faced with an unexpected pregnancy just as she navigates a difficult family inheritance issue at the same time. I found myself laughing out loud at Susan’s prickly character as she finds herself in a love triangle, navigating family ties, and dealing with nine months of pregnancy at the age of 45. Hope y’all love Susan as much as I do!” (Reese Witherspoon)
In this witty and heartfelt debut, one woman’s unconventional journey to motherhood means learning to embrace the unexpected
Even the prickliest cactus has its flower....
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.
When she learns that her mother’s will inexplicably favors her indolent brother, Edward, Susan’s already dismantled world is sent flying into a tailspin. As Susan’s due date draws near and her family problems become increasingly difficult to ignore, Susan finds help and self-discovery in the most unlikely of places.
Featuring an endearing cast of characters and tremendous heart, The Cactus is a poignant debut and a delightful reminder that some things can’t be explained by logic alone.
Sarah Haywood studied law and has worked as a solicitor, an advice worker, and an investigator of complaints about lawyers. She now lives in the UK with her husband and two sons. The Cactus is her first novel.
You may also enjoy...
-
Look on the Bright Side
- Written by: Kristan Higgins
- Narrated by: Susan Bennett, Christina Moore, Xe Sands
- Length: 12 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Lark Smith has always had a plan for her life: find a fantastic guy, create a marriage as blissful as her parents’, pop out a couple of kids, and build a rewarding career as an oncologist. Things aren’t going so well. For one, the guy didn’t work out. Theoretically, she’d love to find someone else, but it hasn’t happened. Two, she’s just been transferred out of Oncology for being too emotional. (Is it her fault she’s a weeper?) Three, her parents just split up. Deviating from the plan was … well, not in the plan. A potential solution comes from the foul-tempered surgeon Lorenzo Santini.
-
-
Narration issue
- By Izzy on 2024-10-14
Written by: Kristan Higgins
-
My Oxford Year
- A Novel
- Written by: Julia Whelan
- Narrated by: Julia Whelan
- Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
American Ella Durran has had the same plan for her life since she was 13: study at Oxford. At 24, she’s finally made it to England on a Rhodes Scholarship when she’s offered an unbelievable position in a rising political star’s presidential campaign. With the promise that she’ll work remotely and return to DC at the end of her Oxford year, she’s free to enjoy her Once in a Lifetime Experience. That is until a smart-mouthed local who is too quick with his tongue and his car ruins her shirt and her first day.
-
-
amazing
- By khipwell on 2018-08-24
Written by: Julia Whelan
-
Slow Dance
- A Novel
- Written by: Rainbow Rowell
- Narrated by: Rebecca Lowman
- Length: 11 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
They were just friends. Best friends. Allies. They spent entire summers sitting on Shiloh’s porch steps, dreaming about the future. They were both going to get out of north Omaha—Shiloh would go to go to college and become an actress, and Cary would join the Navy. They promised each other that their friendship would never change. Well, Shiloh did go to college, and Cary did join the Navy. And yet, somehow, everything changed.
-
-
Boring!
- By Leigh on 2024-10-18
Written by: Rainbow Rowell
-
Mother Faker
- Written by: Brittanee Nicole
- Narrated by: Maxine Mitchell, Joe Arden
- Length: 10 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Beckett Langfield is grumpy, rich and hates kids. I’m an overworked, overstressed, and overweight single mom. The only reason we’re getting married is because he needs to fix a PR disaster and I am available. As in sitting next to him, in a bar, when he has this brilliant idea. Considering I just got divorced, I’m not looking to do that again. But Beckett makes me an offer that I literally can’t refuse, so I don’t.
-
-
This story is ridiculous
- By Sarah on 2024-11-17
Written by: Brittanee Nicole
-
Such a Fun Age
- Written by: Kiley Reid
- Narrated by: Nicole Lewis
- Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Alix Chamberlain is a woman who gets what she wants and has made a living, with her confidence-driven brand, showing other women how to do the same. So she is shocked when her babysitter, Emira Tucker, is confronted while watching the Chamberlains' toddler one night, walking the aisles of their local high-end supermarket. The store's security guard, seeing a young Black woman out late with a White child, accuses Emira of kidnapping two-year-old Briar. A small crowd gathers, a bystander films everything, and Emira is furious and humiliated. Alix resolves to make things right.
-
-
Annoying narration
- By Anonymous User on 2020-11-08
Written by: Kiley Reid
-
The Reason I Married Him
- Written by: Meghan Quinn
- Narrated by: Aaron Shedlock, Stella Hunter
- Length: 16 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
He proposed . . . and I said yes. Normally a jovial occasion for a couple in love, but this proposal has a very different feel. Because the man that I'll be calling my husband blew into town with one thing on his mind . . . to make my life a living nightmare. So why did I say yes? Well, because we both need something from each other. Namely, I want the farm land he currently owns, and he needs a wife in order to inherit his family cabin in his grandfather’s will. So as he so eloquently put it, my hand, for his land.
-
-
Very sweet!
- By Michelle on 2024-11-01
Written by: Meghan Quinn
-
Look on the Bright Side
- Written by: Kristan Higgins
- Narrated by: Susan Bennett, Christina Moore, Xe Sands
- Length: 12 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Lark Smith has always had a plan for her life: find a fantastic guy, create a marriage as blissful as her parents’, pop out a couple of kids, and build a rewarding career as an oncologist. Things aren’t going so well. For one, the guy didn’t work out. Theoretically, she’d love to find someone else, but it hasn’t happened. Two, she’s just been transferred out of Oncology for being too emotional. (Is it her fault she’s a weeper?) Three, her parents just split up. Deviating from the plan was … well, not in the plan. A potential solution comes from the foul-tempered surgeon Lorenzo Santini.
-
-
Narration issue
- By Izzy on 2024-10-14
Written by: Kristan Higgins
-
My Oxford Year
- A Novel
- Written by: Julia Whelan
- Narrated by: Julia Whelan
- Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
American Ella Durran has had the same plan for her life since she was 13: study at Oxford. At 24, she’s finally made it to England on a Rhodes Scholarship when she’s offered an unbelievable position in a rising political star’s presidential campaign. With the promise that she’ll work remotely and return to DC at the end of her Oxford year, she’s free to enjoy her Once in a Lifetime Experience. That is until a smart-mouthed local who is too quick with his tongue and his car ruins her shirt and her first day.
-
-
amazing
- By khipwell on 2018-08-24
Written by: Julia Whelan
-
Slow Dance
- A Novel
- Written by: Rainbow Rowell
- Narrated by: Rebecca Lowman
- Length: 11 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
They were just friends. Best friends. Allies. They spent entire summers sitting on Shiloh’s porch steps, dreaming about the future. They were both going to get out of north Omaha—Shiloh would go to go to college and become an actress, and Cary would join the Navy. They promised each other that their friendship would never change. Well, Shiloh did go to college, and Cary did join the Navy. And yet, somehow, everything changed.
-
-
Boring!
- By Leigh on 2024-10-18
Written by: Rainbow Rowell
-
Mother Faker
- Written by: Brittanee Nicole
- Narrated by: Maxine Mitchell, Joe Arden
- Length: 10 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Beckett Langfield is grumpy, rich and hates kids. I’m an overworked, overstressed, and overweight single mom. The only reason we’re getting married is because he needs to fix a PR disaster and I am available. As in sitting next to him, in a bar, when he has this brilliant idea. Considering I just got divorced, I’m not looking to do that again. But Beckett makes me an offer that I literally can’t refuse, so I don’t.
-
-
This story is ridiculous
- By Sarah on 2024-11-17
Written by: Brittanee Nicole
-
Such a Fun Age
- Written by: Kiley Reid
- Narrated by: Nicole Lewis
- Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Alix Chamberlain is a woman who gets what she wants and has made a living, with her confidence-driven brand, showing other women how to do the same. So she is shocked when her babysitter, Emira Tucker, is confronted while watching the Chamberlains' toddler one night, walking the aisles of their local high-end supermarket. The store's security guard, seeing a young Black woman out late with a White child, accuses Emira of kidnapping two-year-old Briar. A small crowd gathers, a bystander films everything, and Emira is furious and humiliated. Alix resolves to make things right.
-
-
Annoying narration
- By Anonymous User on 2020-11-08
Written by: Kiley Reid
-
The Reason I Married Him
- Written by: Meghan Quinn
- Narrated by: Aaron Shedlock, Stella Hunter
- Length: 16 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
He proposed . . . and I said yes. Normally a jovial occasion for a couple in love, but this proposal has a very different feel. Because the man that I'll be calling my husband blew into town with one thing on his mind . . . to make my life a living nightmare. So why did I say yes? Well, because we both need something from each other. Namely, I want the farm land he currently owns, and he needs a wife in order to inherit his family cabin in his grandfather’s will. So as he so eloquently put it, my hand, for his land.
-
-
Very sweet!
- By Michelle on 2024-11-01
Written by: Meghan Quinn
-
The Ex Hex
- A Novel
- Written by: Erin Sterling
- Narrated by: Caitlin Davies
- Length: 7 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Nine years ago, Vivienne Jones nursed her broken heart like any young witch would: vodka, weepy music, bubble baths…and a curse on the horrible boyfriend. Sure, Vivi knows she shouldn’t use her magic this way, but with only an “orchard hayride” scented candle on hand, she isn’t worried it will cause him anything more than a bad hair day or two.
-
-
I didn’t realize I was purchasing erotica. lol
- By Deborah Pelletier on 2023-03-25
Written by: Erin Sterling
-
Conviction
- Written by: Denise Mina
- Narrated by: Cathleen McCarron
- Length: 9 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The day Anna McDonald's quiet, respectable life explodes starts off like all the days before: Packing up the kids for school, making breakfast, listening to yet another true crime podcast. Then her husband comes downstairs with an announcement, and Anna is suddenly, shockingly alone. Reeling, desperate for distraction, Anna returns to the podcast. Other people's problems are much better than one's own - a sunken yacht, a murdered family, a hint of international conspiracy. But this case actually is Anna's problem. She knows one of the victims from an earlier life.
-
-
Disappointing
- By Shirley on 2020-09-26
Written by: Denise Mina
-
Three Wishes
- A Novel
- Written by: Liane Moriarty
- Narrated by: Heather Wilds
- Length: 11 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Lyn, Cat, and Gemma Kettle, beautiful 33-year-old triplets, seem to attract attention everywhere they go. Together, laughter, drama, and mayhem follow them, but apart, each is dealing with her own share of ups and downs. Lyn has organized her life into one big checklist, Cat has just learned a startling secret about her marriage, and Gemma, who bolts every time a relationship hits the six-month mark, holds out hope for lasting love.
-
-
Exceptional
- By Colleen on 2020-03-11
Written by: Liane Moriarty
-
The Home for Unwanted Girls
- Written by: Joanna Goodman
- Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
- Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In 1950s Quebec, French and English tolerate each other with precarious civility - much like Maggie Hughes' parents. Maggie's English-speaking father has ambitions for his daughter that don't include marriage to the poor French boy on the next farm over. But Maggie's heart is captured by Gabriel Phénix. When she becomes pregnant at 15, her parents force her to give baby Elodie up for adoption and get her life "back on track".
-
-
Being Picky
- By Susan on 2019-09-03
Written by: Joanna Goodman
-
The Bookshop of Second Chances
- A Novel
- Written by: Jackie Fraser
- Narrated by: Ell Potter
- Length: 12 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Thea Mottram is having a bad month. She’s been let go from her office job with no notice - and to make matters even worse, her husband of nearly 20 years has decided to leave her for one of her friends. Bewildered and completely lost, Thea doesn’t know what to do. But when she learns that a distant great uncle in Scotland has passed away, leaving her his home and a hefty antique book collection, she decides to leave Sussex for a few weeks. Escaping to a small coastal town where no one knows her seems to be exactly what she needs.
-
-
Catchy & Clichéd
- By MF on 2023-10-29
Written by: Jackie Fraser
-
The Honeymooner
- Paradise Bay Romantic Comedy, Book 1
- Written by: Melanie Summers
- Narrated by: Matthew Lloyd Davies, Esther Wane
- Length: 7 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Twenty-nine-year-old workaholic Libby Dewitt lives by the motto "if you fail to plan, you plan to fail." She's finally about to start her dream life with her fiance, Richard Tomy. Together, they're the perfect power couple - right down to the fact that he's agreed to use their honeymoon to help further her career in mergers and acquisitions. But 10 minutes before the wedding, her dreams dissolve via text message. Libby escapes to Paradise Bay alone. She's got two goals for her trip: devise a plan to get Richard back and convince resort owner Harrison Banks to sell his property.
-
-
I enjoyed it, but the characters are annoying
- By Anonymous User on 2024-09-12
Written by: Melanie Summers
-
A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure
- Written by: Angela Bell
- Narrated by: Beverley A. Crick
- Length: 12 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Miss Clara Marie Stanton's family may be eccentric, but they certainly aren't insane. London, England, 1860: When Clara's ex-fiancé begins to spread rumors that her family suffers from hereditary insanity, it's all she can do to protect them from his desperate schemes, society's prejudice, and a lifetime in an asylum. Then Clara's grandfather Drosselmeyer brings on an apprentice with a mechanical leg, and all pretense of normalcy takes wing.
-
-
TW: excessive religiosity
- By Devonius on 2024-10-22
Written by: Angela Bell
-
Come as You Are
- Written by: Lauren Blakely
- Narrated by: Andi Arndt, Sebastian York
- Length: 7 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For one fantastic evening, at a masquerade party in the heart of Manhattan, I’m not the millionaire everyone wants a piece of. Fine—multimillionaire. But who’s counting all those commas? Not me, and not the most intriguing woman I've ever met, who happens to like dancing, witty banter, and hot, passionate up-against-the-wall sex as much as I do.
-
-
Andi and Sebastian are the best together
- By Melissa Bye on 2018-08-21
Written by: Lauren Blakely
-
The Museum of Ordinary People
- Written by: Mike Gayle
- Narrated by: Witney White
- Length: 10 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Still reeling from the sudden death of her mother, Jess is about to do the hardest thing she's ever done: empty her childhood home so that it can be sold. As she sorts through a lifetime of memories, everything comes to a halt when she comes across something she just can’t part with: an old set of encyclopedias. To the world, the books are outdated and ready to be recycled. To Jess, they represent love and the future that her mother always wanted her to have.
-
-
Engaging listen
- By Amazon Customer on 2023-06-13
Written by: Mike Gayle
-
Tempt Me: A First Class Romance Collection
- Written by: Jessica Hawkins, A.L. Jackson, Tia Louise, and others
- Narrated by: Andi Arndt, Sebastian York, Zachary Webber, and others
- Length: 48 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Tempt Me is a collection of five full-length novels from best-selling authors. This collection includes: Yours to Bare by Jessica Hawkins - A stand-alone contemporary romance, Show Me the Way by A.L. Jackson - A stand-alone single dad romance, Make Me Yours by Tia Louise - A stand-alone nanny/single dad romance, Breaker by Harloe Rae - A stand-alone brother's best friend romance, and Captain by Lauren Rowe - A stand-alone romantic comedy.
-
-
amazing stories
- By Amazon Customer on 2021-02-08
Written by: Jessica Hawkins, and others
-
Mad About You
- A Novel
- Written by: Mhairi McFarlane
- Narrated by: Heather Long
- Length: 10 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Harriet Hatley is the most in-demand wedding photographer in town, but she doesn’t believe in romance, loathes the idea of marriage, and thinks chocolate fountains are an abomination. Which is why, when her long-time partner proposes, she panics. Suddenly Harriet is single… and living down the hall from her ex. She needs a new apartment, like, yesterday.
-
-
Binged this one!
- By Carol Anne Shaw on 2023-01-12
Written by: Mhairi McFarlane
-
Things We Never Got Over
- Written by: Lucy Score
- Narrated by: Lila Winters, Sebastian York
- Length: 16 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Naomi wasn’t just running away from her wedding. She was riding to the rescue of her twin. Too bad for Naomi, her evil twin hasn’t changed at all. After helping herself to Naomi’s car and cash, Tina leaves her with a niece she didn’t know she had. Now, she’s stuck in town with no car, no job, no home - and an 11-year-old to take care of. Since Naomi’s life imploded right in front of him, the least Knox can do is help her out. And just as soon as she's out of trouble, he can get back to his peaceful, solitary life. That’s the plan, until the trouble turns to real danger.
-
-
Dull
- By Alpine44can on 2022-11-28
Written by: Lucy Score
What listeners say about The Cactus
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- coach amanda
- 2021-01-09
Enjoyable, but not remarkable
I enjoyed listening to this story. It is not a remarkable work of literature, but its well written, the story is relatable and it was interesting enough to hold my attention
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Tatiana
- 2021-03-07
Fabulous!
Delightful read with profound insights in to human nature. Absolutely fabulous from the first line to the last. Delicious like a rich Chardonnay sipped while resting on the porch of a century home.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- shan
- 2019-06-07
quirky
she is such a quirky woman !!! I had to shake my head a couple of times at her thought process but I enjoyed the story overall.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anne
- 2020-12-07
It was alright.
The main character is hard to like at first. The story line was good.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Marjorie E
- 2019-06-25
Excellent story and narration
Odd how I found the sorry almost irritating to me at first then I was enthralled as I realized that was all part of the delicate yet powerful story line as we get to know the main character. The story thoroughly engaged me and I thought the narration was first rate - truly enjoyed it and would love to listen to another by Ms Manners
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Cheryl-Ann
- 2022-05-29
Stay with it and you will feel all the feels
I was struggling to focus at first and actually paused the book to switch to another a couple of times. However, I liked the narrators voice and returned to the book. I am pleased I did as I finally got into the story and characters enjoyed the last 2/3 of the book immensely.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Gary Bikman
- 2022-06-02
Delightful
Fun, interesting, satisfying; we’ll developed characters; excellent performance. Can’t wait to recommend it to my daughters.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Happy Order Customer
- 2019-08-24
One would never expect
At first I wanted the story to move along.. then I started to live the story.. so true life as far as I was concerned... from tears to joy!!!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- TLM
- 2019-12-12
Good ending SLOW start
I am glad I stuck with this book because it definitely got better but the beginning is really slow and I found it quite frustrating.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- S.S.
- 2022-03-31
A joy
The protagonist is very English haha. A very sweet love story and performed wonderfully by Katherine Manners.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!