PAH- Blog Tour

 

Author: Orla Owen 

Publisher: Lavender Publishing 

Publishing Date: 1st July 2021 

Many thanks to Random Things Tour for my blog invite and digital copy 

Blurb 

Susan Brown is trapped. She lives in nurses’ accommodation she hates, on the run from a past she detests, desperate for a future she can’t afford. Yet.

Calton Jonas is lost. He travels across the country, from beach to city, settling in a small town with a job at the morgue.

Jeffrey Jeffreys is happy as long as life provides him with enough whiskey and beer.

Their lives cross. Old wounds open. Susan takes control but not all of them can survive...

My Thoughts

A captivating and unique read that I just couldn't put down. There is a previous book called The Lost Thumb and I am sure I am going to add it to my list. 

We encounter three characters; Susan, Jeffery an Calton. They all live Australia but lead very separate lives until their paths cross with some devastating consequences. 

Susan is just a draw dropping character. She is wild, unsettling, controlling and so cold that just makes you keep turning the page. I really wanted to dislike her, but the book offers you slithers of information from her past to add to the notion of thats why she is.  Still not forgiving but there is a small part that makes you understand her better. A very captivating character that has been given some real depth. I liked the idea that the author really challenged and moved away from a 'likeable' protagonist to one that topples boundaries but is interesting and dare I say fascinating. 

The title we find originates from Susan saying 'Pah' when she is facing a challenge. Growing up she had very bitter and cruel mother and a not very present father. Leaving a trail of abuse of not feeling wanted or loved, Susan feels the only way to overcome any of these trauma in her past and present life is to get married! We also get to meet Susans sister Alice who seems the exact opposite of her. 

Jeffery is just awful in parts but comes forward with some very dark comical moments. Although he has a steady job his love for alcohol supersedes everything in his life. Low and behold he and  Susan start to date and then get married. Surely they are a match made right? Jeffreys drinking continues to spiral and Susans anger exemplifies in some parts. 

Carlton, is an orphan, having lost both his parents his reliance becomes weed but soon he is outcasted by the community. He just wants a peaceful life so heads on the road and finding a job in a morgue to work in. He almost has a steady life that is until he meets Susan at the mortuary. His life turns upside down and he just wants to escape but will Susan let him get away. 

Susan gets her dream, she does marry and has twins but at what and whos cost!

There is so much to the plot and characters that I want to tell you more but I am afraid if I say anymore I will give away some major spoilers. What I liked was you just couldn't predict when something was going to happen or what direction it was going to go in. A brilliant, dark and ferocious read that I am definitely buying in paper copy!!

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