This was a cute premise but did not hold attention. Characters had potential but pacing of story did not align.

Sal Thomas’ The Accidental Housemate is a hilarious and heartwarming romantic comedy that hits all the right buttons.

Life is certainly no walk in the park for Cath Beckinsale. Recently widowed, the single mum of three is staring forty in the face, money is in very short supply and her hold on employment is precarious to say the least! Cath desperately needs to find a solution to all of her financial problems whilst simultaneously trying to deal with her grief and do her best to move on with her life – which is difficult when the urn with her husband’s ashes is still on the kitchen table!

Getting a lodger seems like the answer to all of her prayers. With three children under her roof, having a teenager in the house is hardly going to be a problem for Cath – especially if he is paying for bed and board. However, when Dan knocks on her door and introduces himself as her new lodger, she quickly realises that there must have been some mistake as Dan is definitely not a teenager – he’s all man and he’s far too distracting for his own good!

Far from being the solution to all of her problems, Dan’s presence in her house brings to the fore feelings Cath hasn’t experienced in far too long. As she faces some uncomfortable truths, Cath’s life begins to go in a direction she certainly never envisaged! Could her accidental housemate show her how to grab life with both hands and make the most of the second chance she has been given? Or is Cath far too scared to take a chance on herself and her happiness?

Sal Thomas will make her readers laugh out loud with this terrific romantic comedy! The Accidental Housemate is a cracking tale about the unexpected paths life takes us down, new beginnings, healing from the past and falling in love that fizzes and sparkles with witty one-liners, rapier-sharp zingers and uplifting emotion.

A feel-good romantic read with characters you will love, relate to and care about, Sal Thomas’ The Accidental Housemate is an irresistible charmer from an exciting new voice.

Despite a slow start, The Accidental Housemate is rip=snortingly funny in places. In fact I can’t recall the lst time a book of any kind, let along a romantic comedy, had me laughing out loud quite so often. Author Sal Thomas clearly has a great sense of humour and this shines through in the pages of this book. Despite the humour, the story is cath Beckinsale also a bit of an emotional roller coaster, especially for
Cath Beckinsale, the widowed heroine of the story who, when the story opens, is still processing her grief at the death of her husband Gaz three years earlier. I loved watching her discover her self-worth while at the same time falling in love, despite her best efforts, with her hunky tenant Dan, a 36 year-old American who has decided it’s time to cut back on his globe-trottingways and get a degree. Dan has his own emotional issues to deal with. While he seems to be just joyfully floating through life, it soon becomes clear that he needs to make peace with his past and reconnect with his family. This story is set in Birmingham and the language and humour is very much of that area. As an Australian, I would have struggled with terms like “numpty” had I not been fortunate enough to have a West Midlands friend who introduced me to some of her local lingo. Once you get into the stride of it, the local slang certainly helps to put you in that place and creates excellent word pictures. On the down side, I really couldn’t match the dialogue attrobuted to Dan as being that of an American from Arkansas. It was far too English for me. That aside, I really enjoyed this story and, as I said earlier, it had me in stitches more times than I can actually remember.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

Ech... I had finished that, but it was kinda hard for me. I struggled to get involved and to be engaged into that.
Im not buying the idea of renting a room to a mature man who you don't know especially when you have kids.

I loved Cath, such a fun and enjoyable character. The story was full of laughs that really kept you flowing through to the end.

Such a funny story, had me laughing out loud in parts, if you need some love and humour, this is the book,

This was a highly comedic rom-com that I was not expecting. I felt slightly hesitant going into the story over whether or not I would actually enjoy it but I didn't need to worry, it was highly enjoyable. Cath and Dan were very loveable characters and proof that sometimes housemates actually can work out for the best.

In "The Accidental Housemate," author Sal Thomas delivers a whip-smart and hilariously funny romantic comedy that will leave readers in stitches and swooning in equal measure. With its relatable protagonist, witty banter, and heartfelt romance, this novel is a delightful treat for fans of Mhairi McFarlane and Sophie Kinsella.

At the centre of the story is Cath Beckinsale, a single mom of three who finds herself in a precarious situation as her 40th birthday approaches. Desperate to make ends meet, Cath decides to take in a student lodger, expecting another child in the house. However, when Dan, a charismatic American with a guitar and chest hair to match, arrives on her doorstep, Cath's life takes an unexpected turn.

What sets "The Accidental Housemate" apart is its blend of humour and heart. Thomas's sharp wit and clever dialogue keep the pages turning as Cath navigates the ups and downs of life with her unconventional housemate. From hilarious mishaps to tender moments of connection, the chemistry between Cath and Dan leaps off the page, leaving readers eagerly rooting for their happily ever after.

Moreover, Thomas's portrayal of Cath as a relatable and flawed protagonist adds depth and authenticity to the story. As Cath grapples with the challenges of single parenthood, grief, and self-discovery, readers will find themselves cheering her on every step of the way. Likewise, Dan's charming and enigmatic presence adds an irresistible allure to the narrative, keeping readers guessing until the very end.

In addition to its romance, "The Accidental Housemate" also explores themes of family, friendship, and the power of second chances. As Cath and Dan navigate their budding relationship, they learn valuable lessons about love, forgiveness, and the importance of embracing life's unexpected twists and turns.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of The Accidental Housemate by Sal Thomas in exchange for my honest review and opinion. I have never read anything by this author and wasn't sure what to expect but I really enjoyed this book. There is a great story line and even humor sprinkled in throughout. I found myself giggling out loud at a few points during the book. Do yourself a favor and pick this up and read it.

Loved this book, love the cover, loved the characters... I would recommend this to anyone looking for a fun and cute romcom!!

A charming and relatable story of a woman who after a sudden loss has to now come to terms with and learn how to cope with being a single mother. Cathy is such a likable woman, anyone no matter your circumstances in life can relate to her in one way or another, she genuine her struggles in life as she navigates this period of her life are not just funny but her story is full of sentiment and compassion.
her choice to take in a lodger is life-changing and results in a highly emotional journey for everyone involved.
I enjoyed the story immensely it's light and easy but with a serious and emotional side., highly recommended!

this was SOOOO MUCH FUN OH MY GOODNESS. i got this as an arc from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. being a mom is so hard (not speaking from personal experience but my beautiful mom’s!) and then being a recent widow oh my god
then fast forward here comes dan like a knight in shining armour to show you london and love omds i am so obsessed. definitely would recommend this to anyone who is on the fence about it

Cath Beckinsale is a thirty-nine-year old mum of two teenagers, one off at uni, and a toddler. She is doing it all on her own since the death of her partner Gaz three years before.

Following an unfair sacking from her job as a science technician at the local school, and being in need of money, she takes in a student lodger from America. Expecting them to be late teens, she is surprised to see Dan who is in his mid-thirties.

This is not a typical romance and is more focused on self-realisation and moving on following grief. Of course there is a little touch of romance and the progression felt very real.

Cath explores who she is for the first time. She decides to help out and tutor some of the children from the school who have some issues, coaching them towards passing their exams and in doing so, accidentally finds herself becoming somewhat of an educational influencer. She gets swept away in that life but when a serious matter occurs, she realises what is truly important.

I really related to Cath and there were some really funny moments.

Unfortunately this just really fell flat for me. The main character acts like she's in her 60s when she's 39, and that really set the mood for me. Not my cup of tea

I really loved this book. The characters are fantastic and the setting was delightful. I got sucked in immediately and finished it in three days. British characters are amazing and so are their authors.

I initially choose to read this book because I thought it would be giving the flatshare vibes…
I did not feel this was the case and so I was disappointed but again it was because of my preconceived notions. If I didn’t hype it in my head I feel like it would not have been a bad read at all

I really loved this book. I was surprised at how much the author went into deeper life issues. Most rom-coms don’t. But it was an excellent read overall!

3,75/5 ★

That's one solid debut by Sal Thomas!
I really enjoyed Cath and Dan's story, the writing was captivating.

I expected the MCs to be a touch more mature and be capable of communication but nonetheless they were good.
The third act breakup felt kinda off and i wish Dan showed more effort to get Cath back! (might actually be me because i don't like this "trope")

This read has geeky characters, lot's of self deprecating humor, adorable children and features opposites attract and forced proximity tropes among others!

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC in exchange of an honest review

I absolutely loved Rhe Accidental Housemate. The writing is fantastic and the storyline brought out so many emotions. I laughed, cried, swooned. I truly loved every character. I highly recommend!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the ARC!