RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
SPICE: 🔥🔥.5
This was a tale of two books. The first half, which is what I would call the pre-Dan section, was a bit cringe and ho-hum, but I was really glad I stuck it out because the post-Dan section was a whole lot better.

Cath is stuck in a rut. A single mum to three, she is knocking on 40 with a dead-end job, suppressing her grief for her late husband. When her eldest moves away for college, she needed to rent out the free room. A student -- referred by a friend -- took up the offer, but to Cath's surprise, Dan was less of a boy and more of a man kind of student. And everyone, except for Cath, seems to adjust well enough to his stay in Casa Beckinsale.

Just get through the pre-Dan section. That is all I will say about that half.

As for the second half, it will take you on a fun, laugh-out-loud ride about finding yourself. I liked the overall arc of Cath's story, though I was a little wary about the ups and downs, especially the foray into getting sucked in by social media popularity.

While Cath and Dan's love story was a fun slow-burn strangers-to-friends-to-lovers, it was Cath's family and best friend that stole the show for me. As someone who has a Sindy in my life, never let that friend go.

Grief is a wild thing that is never the same for anyone, and this read captured that wholeheartedly and approached it with imperfection and humanity. As someone who is still grieving, I felt that deeply in my soul, which is why I am rating this book solely on the post-Dan half.

A lot of the spice was closed-door, though there was an earlier scene with Dan and his fling and his nether regions and Cath that had me rolling.

This (post-Dan) was a great read for someone who needs a loving balm for a grieving soul.

** I am voluntarily reviewing an advance copy of this book. Thank you to Sal Thomas, One More Chapter, Harper Collins UK, and NetGalley for providing an ARC. **

Sal Thomas - The Accidental Housemate.

When we are told that a book is ‘hilariously funny’ it doesn’t always live up to the claim. However, #TheAccidentalHousemate really is a laugh out loud, do a little wee (if you’re a lady of a certain age) sort of book.
Sal Thomas writes with a raw and brutally honest humour that put me in mind of Joanna Bolouri and Shari Low.

Cath is our almost 40 year old heroine. She has three kids, who were all quite unique, a dead partner whose ashes reside in the kitchen where he can still be a part of the daily mayhem of family life. A best friend who is slightly bonkers, but hugely loyal and a true friend. And then there’s Dan…. Gorgeous, lovely Dan, Cath’s accidental lodger.
Along with a handful of other colourful characters, Sal Thomas has created a very quirky, but warm and loveable community of people in this book.

I loved Cath, with her razor sharp wit, she bounces from day to day, taking life’s knocks on the chin. Cath has a big heart and I was very moved by the kindness and support she showed to her students.
I felt for Cath in so many of the situations that she found herself in.
Ultimately Cath is a little chaotic, but does her absolute best for everybody in her life. She deserves nothing less than to find her happily ever after.

#TheAccidentalHousemate is a lively story, with many ups and downs. You’ll be swept along on this rollercoaster ride and you’ll feel every high and low that this loveable bunch go through.

Sal Thomas has an engaging writing style. She will effortlessly make you howl with laughter then by the next page you’ll be sobbing both happy and sad tears.

Just incase you hadn’t guessed. I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!
It’s funny, quirky, touching, raw, inspiring, charming and will leave you on a big smiley high.

This is an outstanding debut novel. Well done Sal Thomas…. I can’t wait to read what you write next.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

With thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources, Netgalley and Harper Collins Uk for a digital arc of this title.

When Cath loses her job and her eldest goes off to university, to make ends meet Cath decides to get in a lodger, but when he turns up, he’s not what she expected, but might be what she needs.

This was a funny and heartwarming read that I couldn’t help but laugh out loud at. I loved the main character of Cath and felt for her at times, Sal gives us a realistic and relatable character that carries this book, you won’t want to put it down.

This book was an absolute tonic!! I loved everything about it from the storyline, the will they won't they romace, the characters, the protagonists journey of self discovery and all the humour!

Set in Birmingham it brought many memories of my own childhood. And I laughed so much at the sentence about why brummies say mom but everyone else says mum. I regularly have this argument with my non brummie husband who insists my son writes mum 'properly' in my cards! We don't know why we say mom we just do!!

All in all this was a brilliant beach read, humorous (I laughed aloud so many times) quirky, inspiring and threw in a little romance to the mix, although this was not the main draw of the story. The main focus was the journey Cath took and how she found herself and her family.

I highly recommend this one!

The Accidental Housemate is both heartwarming and humorous, I don’t think I have laughed so much during a romcom read in a long time. The humour is completely self-deprecating which I really loved, really relatable and very British.

I thought this was such a well written story, it really does grip you from the start. It covers love, grief and loss, which it does so well and really does represent grief so realistically but, it’s also about new beginnings, reinvention and self belief. I adored the characters, could be because I could see myself so much in them as they are geeky, awkward and because of these I found them so much more loveable.

The only minor criticism is that o felt the ending was a bit too fast, it felt a bit squeezed in and I would have liked it a bit slower and more paced. But that’s not to say I still didn’t enjoy it, just wanted more. It’s a fantastic debut and I wouldn’t have known at all this was Sal Thomas’s first novel.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Cath’s life is in a bit of a mess – recently widowed (well, they never actually got married) she has also lost her job as a teacher’s aide due to unfair circumstances, and with her eldest daughter, Leanne heading off to University – Cath realises she needs to do something to bring in some extra cash – and fast.

When one of her former colleagues suggests to Cath that she should take in a lodger, who is a friend of a friend, Cath resides herself to having a young teenager from America living in her home. What Cath isn’t prepared for is that her lodger, Dan, is 36 years old, very outgoing, and charming. The more time Cath and Dan spend together, the more they seemingly get on with each other, and Dan easily fits into their (sometimes quite chaotic) family life.

As the story develops, we can see the obvious attraction between Catch and Dan. Will they give in to their feelings and give love a chance? The Accidental Housemate is a beautifully written story, with moments of pure laugh-out-loud fun, but also exploring emotional topics such as grief, and re-finding yourself when you have become lost in life. With characters that are beautifully written, you can’t help but become invested in their journey. I totally recommend this book to everyone as a must-read.

I enjoyed this book so much. I laughed out loud & as a widow myself, I empathised with Cath!
Her humour, & self-deprecating attitude appealed to me. Her student lodger was not as expected at all, & it turns her & her children's life upside down.
Great relatable characters that make this such a good book. Highly recommended!

This was such a funny story and a little bonkers which added to its charm. The main character was completely out of her depth and just couldn't control her two children. This was a brilliant book and perfect for a summer read. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

A highly enjoyable book that taps into the more recent problem of what counts as success for the current cohort of middle aged women (like myself)? Even though I can't relate to the horrible scenario of losing a husband/partner at that young age, I can relate to the worries of am I doing enough for my family, am I successful in my career/life, am I okay to be happy with what I am doing or should I be striving for more?

I think Cath will be a character that many readers of my age identify with, and I loved all the other characters in the book. The writing style is clever and the story well paced. Definitely a book I will be looking to put in other peoples tbr piles.

The Accidental Housemate was such a wonderful surprise and I loved every minute of it. Sal Thomas has a wonderful writing style, full of witty banter and humorous vibes but still manages to create such an emotional story woven throughout. This is a lighthearted story but filled with a sensitive look at issues such as grieving, empty nest, being a single parent and financial difficulties.

Cath is such a sweetheart and I was drawn to her within the first few pages. Sal Thomas has really created a 3d character with so much relatability and realism that most people can relate to her as a mother, wife or middle aged woman. I loved the honest view and the way in which she faced the world. I adored how she felt about everything in her life and how she dealt with grief. I was rooting for her from the very beginning to find happiness - however that may look for her. Cath is someone who I would love to be friends with - I am sure we would get along well.

The plot is lively, engaging and such an emotional rollercoaster. I couldn;t put it down and I was absolutely smitten from the first chapter. I was so invested in Cath and her family.

This is such a fabulous read, I cannot recommend it enough!

I would firstly just like to say a big thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources who very kindly forwarded me an arc copy of this book, for my kindle, in return for my honest review.

The Accidental Housemate is a wonderful British rom-com and is a very funny, feel-good and heartwarming story.

This is a wonderful story about a single mum of three who can’t quite let go of her late husband. She makes the decision to take in a lodger and decides on a student rom the US. Expecting a teenager, Cath is extremely surprised when Dan turns up and is a very attractive thirty - something year old man and he changes their lives in the best possible way!

Such a funny, emotional story that touches on grief and loss but is very lighthearted too.

There is a lovely cast of characters who all make this story come together beautifully…….

I enjoyed this funny peek @ a family that’s been dealt a tough hand, & is trying to find a way forward. My heart really went out to Cath as she battles with grief & very trying circumstances. Such a common thing for life to not work out how it was envisioned. Dan is easy to like from the start, & even more so after getting some background info. Who wouldn’t want a good-looking, fun guy around?
After the night in London I was literally saying out loud “don’t act like that, Cath. Oh, definitely don’t say that.” I wanted to reach in to shake some sense into her. Even when I was a little mad @ her, I felt terrible as life’s punches keep on coming.
The story has some fun side characters. The kids are great. Realistic. Cath’s boys are simultaneously adorable & exhausting. Her daughter Leanne is a bright spot throughout, & I wish I could read where her story goes next. I’m a little sad to say goodbye to this quirky crew. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read & review an advance copy.

I almost DNF'd this book after the first chapter because the main character's life is so bleak. Cath is a widowed mother of three, despised by her children's friends and underpaid at a crummy job that she's unjustly fired from. Her closest friends are her just-moved-away daughter and her dead husband's ashes.

Despite the bleakness, I decided to give the story One More Chapter, and I'm so glad I did because by the end of that second chapter, I was hooked. Cath's life was still a bit bleak - but also very, very funny.

The best thing about The Accidental Housemate is the characters. Cath is smart and geeky, never too miserable to laugh at herself, and she has a huge heart. The male lead, Dan, can't quite measure up to her, but he's sweet and kind, and the attraction between him and Cath feels authentic. The secondary characters are well-developed enough to power their own subplots, and each is unique without veering into kookiness.

The second best thing about The Accidental Housemate is the way all these characters and their stories weave together. It didn't feel contrived or cinematic; it felt like I was reading a story about a life that had started long before the first page. An interesting, often difficult, but fundamentally worthwhile life. And, yes, this is a romance novel, but there is so much else going on in Cath's life, and so much more that this story is about. In a world full of rom coms about idealistic 27-year-olds, this is a love story about fully-developed adults.

A witty, comedy that explores being a single mother with three kids and trying to put yourself back on the market after years of grieving your husband. The romantic storyline is secondary to the comedic adventures of Cath.

Writing was fun and engaging, but I wanted more romance if that what's this is labeled.

Thank you HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, One More Chapter for the complimentary copy.

This book is laugh out loud funny with a great big sentimental heart I absolutely loved it. Cath is a widow struggling o make ends meet after she is fired from her job, she decides to take in a lodger for a year when her eldest child goes to university with hilarious consequences.

Cat Beckinsale‘s going through changes she lost her husband three years before she has a toddler a preteen and a daughter who’s going off to college she is an assistant at a vocational school or at least she was until the teacher she helps throws her under the bus and says he injured himself while trying to help her after she drunkenly broke a glass even though it was he who was drunk and broke the glass. This is why even though she initially refused is ultimately letting a transfer student come to stay at her home while attending UNI the only thing is she didn’t expect him to be her age and good looking. Not to mention everyone including toddler Jack loves Daniel cat even gets jealous when him and Cindy get along so well she doesn’t even notice how much Daniel admires her and she for so long has just been in go mowed she neglect to see she is falling for him as well. I found this book to be very funny for the most part and my brief summary doesn’t tell half the story what I didn’t like is all the bathroom humor that to me seems like low hanging fruit but having said that I know some people love it, so no judgment just my opinion. I could totally relate when she was talking to Gas’s ashes as a widow I thought I was the only one so that makes me feel much better also I do believe most Americans know what guy thoughts and ideas so someone is well educated than you not knowing seemed unrealistic to me but having said that I am just pointing out the negative and not the positive in the brilliant romcom. I love a good romcom and with the exception of the bathroom humor which I already expressed I love this book I love her relationship with her daughter loved her daughters attitude and there is way more to love about this book then to dislike and it’s a book I highly recommend and one I absolutely love! I want to thank Harper Collins, one more chapter and Net Galley for my free art copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

4.5/5 stars

The Accidental Housemate follows Cath, a widowed mother of three kids who loses her job and then opens her home to a lodger. Cath mistakes the lodger as being a young teen named Dan, turns out Dan is a thirty-something man who ends up turning Cath's world upside down. Dan and Cath get off on a clumsy start, but you soon fall in love with their dynamic. I was definitely upset with the lack of communication between Cath and Dan, especially since they were both past 30. Which made me get very irritated with the third act breakup. But I did love watching Cath's character development and her love for her kids and the extra kids she surrounded herself with. I loved the ending of the book and how it wrapped up the whole story with a pretty bow. I also LOVED the side characters, I loved Sindy and all of Cath's kids. I think they really gave a lot to the story and allowed us to see all sides of Cath, not just her side that we saw with Dan.

This book was way heavier than the cute little quick read I was expecting. Which, don’t get me wrong, it was such a cute book and I really loved the characters. But for anyone who would want to pick this book up, it should be known there are a lot of heavy topics that are talked about and a lot of difficult emotions (because of said heavy topics) that you watch all the characters work through. I so thoroughly enjoyed this book, honestly my favorite I’ve read recently. Such a good book with so many characters that you can’t help but love.

Huge thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK, and One More Chapter for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was so long and so boring. The plot took forever to move and when it did it didn't really go anywhere. I don't even know how you would improve this book.

I received an arc through netgalley.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

I personally did not finish the book and it was simply because of the heavy topics it covered. I enjoyed the writing and the characters but I had thought this book would be more of a romcom but it wasn't. I thought this was an excellent representation of what being a single mother is like and coping with grief but I thought it would be a more light hearted book. I would recommend this books to others since I believe this book was not personally for me.

Cath is a widow (well kinda—they never married), and is struggling to stay afloat, trying to balance three kids and a job. Her eldest is off to college, and she just got sacked from her job at the school. Needing a source of income, she agrees to take in a houseguest while they finish up their own schooling. Expecting a teenager like one of her own kids, she’s surprised at the very-much-not-a-teenager man who has come to live with them. He exudes a confidence that has Cath automatically feeling negative. Must be nice to be so good looking, confident in yourself, traveler, and no responsibilities.

A lot of Cath’s negativity bias is stemmed from her not feeling like she has lived up to her potential or her idea of success. After being sacked, she tries to still teach some of the kids to help them prepare for their upcoming exams. She ends up using social media as a way to reach them since they’re always on their phones, and accidentally ends up becoming a local influencer. Not used to feeling so much positive attention, she starts to become wrapped up in the “fame”. The other moms at the daycare suddenly like her, other influencers are reaching out to her, she’s invited to an influencer conference! Not to mention Dan (the housemate) is helping her with the videos. She’s starting to feel like someone. She has never felt this positive since Gaz passed. However, as her popularity grows, her personal relationships start to suffer.

I went into this expecting a typical roommate romance, but ended up completely endeared about this story of a mom just trying to make it, be a good mom to her kids, figure out who she is, and how to love herself and accept the love that is all around her already. The characters are all lovable, and while Cath herself is frustrating at times, her stubbornness and mindset is understandable given everything. I just wanted to shake her to wake up and realize the opportunities all around her. But it was a journey she had to go on, and it was a delight to read.

Thank you NetGalley, One More Chapter, HarperCollins, and Sal Thomas for an early copy of this gem. All thoughts and opinions are my own.