I'm not entirely sure what I was expecting from this book, but it was hilarious. I laughed out loud multiple times. The main character is relatable, yet awkward. I was hoping for a little more romance, but the storyline was solid. Seeing the character progress through the stages of grief while also trying to move on and find herself was inspiring.

Cath Beckinsale has found herself a widowed mum of three after her partner passed away. She is struggling to make ends meet and has an opportunity for a student lodger to add to her income. When Dan shows up, much older than the teenager she thought she was getting, and is a charismatic man, working his way into her family, her life takes an unexpected turn.

This book says that it is a romcom, and there are absolutely hilarious moments in it, but there also moments of grief, pain and heartache. Sal Thomas writes both the ups and downs in a way that make you laugh out loud, or cry along with Cath. I would say this book trends more on women's fiction than romance, as it is more about Cath's development and who she is, but that did not mean it wasn't an enjoyable novel.

Cath was such a relatable character. She experiences a lot of what other mum's experience and I really felt seen and heard in who she was. I did find both of the main characters to be a bit immature though, which did take away from the story. Her kids were funny themselves and unique in their own ways. They added to the story, rather than take away.

I thought the ending of Cath and Dan getting together was a bit rushed. I would have loved to see more of their Happily Ever After, and actually being in a relationship. We saw Dan work his way into the family with the kids and seeming natural in the home, but I would have liked to see more with them together.

This book had a lot of depth and I found it hard to believe this was a debut novel. I look forward to seeing what else Sal Thomas comes out with in the future! Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.

Witty and charming story. Had me laughing out loud at several points. It was a fun and light read that definitely had me smiling

There were some parts in this story that had me actually laughing out loud. Other parts, that I'm sure were meant to be funny, were actually cringy (the table scene, for instance).

Overall, I enjoyed the story and the writing. There's a lot going on for Cath and her family, and when Dan comes, his presence upsets the balance, so to speak.

There are funny moments, and depth, and characters worth rooting for.

Language and sex.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

A different kind of chick lit dealing with grief, death and financial worries, believable characters who you can really route for

Way heavier than I thought it would be. The description made it seem like a rom-com but it didn't feel that way. However the characters were amazing. They all felt real to me and I felt a real connection. This definitely doesn't feel like a debut novel it's really quite good, I just came into it expecting something totally different.

I loved this book, the beginning was a bit tough to get into but once you're in you're hooked. The character development is amazing and well executed, I do think some of the wording is a bit confusing but nothing some google couldn't help. Super grateful to be able to read this book, thank you netgalley!

"The thing about grief is that it never really goes away, it simply shape shifts. Sometimes it's as sharp and heavy as a hatchet blow, the pain exquisite and all-consuming. Other days it's a feeling of not quite there-ness, like watching a film of your own life but ever so slightly out of focus and with dodgy dubbing."

Favourite aspects:
- The characters - especially the children. The characters all feel real and I formed a true connection to them. They all have their flaws, which is of course expected, but you love them anyways. Cath is stubborn, clumsy, and totally awkward, but she is wonderful mum and person. She truly cares for those around her and it shows. Her best friend Sindy was one of my favourite characters. She is totally silly and says the most ridiculous thing (large Hagrid collider will have me chuckling for weeks), which just makes me love her even more. Dan seems too good to be true, but he has depth. The stand out stars for me though were Cath's children Leanne, Eric, and Jack. Leanne is so wise and mature, Eric is a typical teenage boy who is trying to figure himself out, and Jack is a rambunctious three-year-old who has some truly brilliant moments.
- The narrative and writing. I was actually really surprised that this is Sal Thomas's debut novel. Her writing stands out as excellent from page one, especially the narrative between characters. The conversations are all interesting and drive the plot.
- The theme/message. This book drives home some really important messages about love and grief. The representation of grief is very realistic in this book.

The not-so-great aspects:
- The ending. The reconciliation between the Cath and Dan at the end of the book felt far too rushed to me. There was a lot left unsaid between these two characters and I wish we could have seen these conversations. The ending felt too smooth and perfect and as such it didn't feel realistic at all.

The Accidental Housemate has a lot more depth to it than I expected when going into it, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing. I certainly wouldn't call it a light-hearted book as there are some gut wrenching scenes and grief is a key theme throughout. That is not to say that it is a heavy read. The tone is light at times, but there are moments of sadness.

All in all, this is a wonderful book and I can't wait to read more from this author in the future. She has a new fan!

Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was such a pleasant surprise for me! It started off slowly but I am so glad that I kept reading because the character development and plot in the book were well worth it. When I first started reading I was hesitant because I can be impatient but I truly am happy that the author spent the time building and introducing her characters in such a real and authentic way. Cath is a single mom of 3 navigating life and its ups and downs alongside her surprisingly attractive tenant Dan. This book was funny and sweet all while also tackling harder subjects like grief and what it means to truly find success. By the end of this book I was reluctant to finish it because I truly didn’t want to leave all these wonderfully written characters and their stories.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Cath feels like she is riding a Rollercoaster. To make ends meet, she decided to rent out a room. When her tenant arrived, he was not what she was expecting. I enjoyed the different characters in this book.

I was expecting a little bit more of a romance book, but it was heavier than I expected. The romance could’ve been handled better, in my opinion.

I really didn't know what to expect from this book, but I ended up really enjoying it even if there were some inconsistencies. We follow Cath who has been left with three children after her husband dies. In a desperate attempt for money after losing her job she has a student come and stay in her house, but it turns out that he is a lot older than she first intended. We watch as Cath tries to find her feet again after her husband's death and find her true passion in teaching.

I received this book via NetGalley and give it my honest opinion

This was a delightful read, perfect to take on holiday and read by the pool. Well written and easy to follow. The characters were engaging and the plot was ok, maybe a bit predictable in places but an enjoyable read all the same. It was the first time I had read anything by Sal Thomas and it didn't disappoint.

This was women’s fiction, not romance. I loved Dan and I liked Cath but it needed to be marketed properly to set appropriate expectations and only left me disappointed in the slowness of the romance and how little there was of it through most of the end, making it anticlimactic and disappointing. I’ve read enough British romances to pick up the slang, but Dan talking like a Brit was too much to be believable to me. He didn’t sound American at all. I’m guessing the British readers won’t know the difference though

"A Hilariously Funny Romcom That Hits Close to Home"

If you're a fan of Mhairi McFarlane and Sophie Kinsella, get ready to add a new name to your list: Sal Thomas. In "The Accidental Housemate," Thomas delivers a whip-smart and side-splittingly funny romcom that will have you chuckling from start to finish.

Meet Cath Beckinsale, a single mom of three who's teetering on the edge of her 40th birthday and struggling to keep her job afloat. To make ends meet, she takes in a student lodger, thinking one more person in the house won't make much of a difference. Little does she know that the arrival of Dan, a guitar-wielding, chest hair-flaunting American, will send her life spinning in an unexpected direction.

This debut novel is a feel-good story that effortlessly combines humor, grief, and the challenges of single motherhood. Cath's journey through grief is relatable and authentically portrayed, and I found myself rooting for her every step of the way. Sure, she could be annoying at times, a tad judgmental and stubborn, but that only added to her charm. Plus, her adorable children stole my heart.

While I thoroughly enjoyed "The Accidental Housemate," there was one aspect that didn't quite hit the mark for me. The third act breakup felt a bit flat, and I couldn't help but wish for more maturity and effective communication between the main characters. Dan, in particular, should have put in more effort instead of relying on his timely appearance to win Cath back. Nevertheless, this minor flaw didn't detract from the overall enjoyment of the story.

Thomas's writing style is engaging and captivating, drawing you in from the very first page. Although there were some pacing issues in the middle, the book kept me entertained throughout. If you're a fan of self-deprecating humor, socially-awkward and geeky characters, as well as the irresistible tropes of opposites attract and forced proximity, then "The Accidental Housemate" is a must-read.

Special thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review. With its relatable characters, laugh-out-loud moments, and heartwarming storyline, this book is a delightful addition to the romcom genre. So grab a copy, settle in, and get ready to laugh your way through Cath's hilarious misadventures in love and life.

This was cute and a bit different, even though it may have been a little predictable. Our main character finds herself struggling to move on three years after the sudden death of her husband, and takes on a lodger she's never met, only to find out he wasn't exactly what she expected. I especially liked the plot line about her social media accounts as Science Mom. Great beach read!

This was REALLY sweet and I loved the fresh premise - I don't think that I have read anything like this at all.

The story was well developed and just utterly sweet!
I loved how it all unfolded and the ride that we were taken on.

A lovely, lovely read. Definitely a great one to read on the beach as a way to pass a relaxing afternoon.

I loved this book so much!!! I felt a real connection to the FMC. I learned a lot of new phrases and words that I am totally adding to my vocabulary.

The Accidental Housemate was not the book I thought it would be. I thought it would be more romcom, but I was surprised at how deep it would be. The main character, Cath, is struggling with so many issues: Grief, motherhood, finances, career indecisiveness, friendship issues, being middle-age. and much more. It was all well-written, and somewhat interesting, but it was also very slow. Dan was great, but there wasn’t much in the storyline about their actual romance. I wish there was more time spent of the two of them getting to know each other. I enjoyed it enough and even got a little teary eyed at the end. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this book.