"Interesting look at a subculture"

In San Francisco punter P.J. Sherman enjoys her lifestyle as a fill in when a DJ cannot make a gig. She has no responsibilities not even taking care of an apartment or a home. Instead she is the ultimate couch potato sleeping on different people's couches every night. She is saving every penny she earns so that she can make a special demo of the music; everything is the music.

Through the model Samantha, P.J. meets DJ-Dizzy who offers to help her get a demo and show it off to the right people in the industry. However, Samantha becomes upset because she wants DJ-Dizzy as her own and does not want some homeless wanderer to get in her way. P.J. also has a second problem as she crashed on the couch of Leslie, a reporter, who wants to do a story on the "urban Bedouin"; to do so Leslie needs to look into the past of the punter. If certain things surface P.J. knows her musical dreams will crash.

This is an interesting look at a subculture that will fascinate readers as the likable P.J. makes the rounds of couches. P.J. is a delightful center to the study as her lifestyle and love of music makes the story line hum. Readers who appreciate a wonderful character study starring and odd but affable lead protagonist will take pleasure in this joy ride around the Bay area club lifestyle.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted December 18, 2004

Summary

I woke up having no idea where I was. It's a familiar feeling. If I did know where I was. . .then I think I'd be worried. P.J.'s life is simple. Wake up at 2:00 p.m. In someone else's place, on someone else's couch. Shower. Clothes. Club. P.J.'s a punter--someone who fills in if a Didn't able to make a gig. San Francisco is a hotbed of glam bands and alternative rock, and P.J.'s into all of it--she's been living the urban Bedouin lifestyle for almost a year now, saving money to create the blow-out, off-the-hook demo of the music she loves, the music for which she deliberately abandoned "normal." Ever wondered what it would be like to pack it all in and live the carefree life--no 9 to 5, no daily grind, no routine, no one to check in with? P.J. knows how it's done. The most important element? Lots of friends, with couches. One night it's Cecil's high-end settee, the next it's Sticky's lumpy sofa. P.J.'s even got smarmy Samantha to make sure there's always a hideaway bed from hell in the wings. But when a reporter infiltrates her life, then acts as if she wants to make it her own, P.J. senses real trouble. Could this spell the end of couch world?