Community Service by Sal Thomas
Rating: 3.5/5
Release Date: 14 June 2024

When PR executive Simone Stephens mistakes a genuine cop for a costumed attendee at an immersive cinema event, she lands in front of a judge and receives a sentence: volunteer at a local homeless shelter.

It's a world apart from the polished, cynical environment Simone is accustomed to, but after some initial stumbles—especially in front of the charming resident psychologist, Jasper—she starts finding her rhythm and making a positive impact she can truly take pride in.

Sent here to make amends, Simone wonders if, amidst her journey of redemption, she might also discover herself... and perhaps even find love along the way.

“Community Service” by Sal Thomas is a comedic gem that had me giggling non-stop. PR exec Simone Stephens finds herself in this hilarious predicament, leading to community service at a local soup kitchen.

Simone’s antics are uproarious, especially as she clumsily navigates her new reality, often embarrassing herself in front of the charming psychologist, Jasper. Despite her blunders, I couldn’t help but root for Simone.

Thomas excels at crafting characters who are both lovable and eccentric. Simone’s transformation from stilettos to compassionate caregiver is not just about romance; it’s about self-discovery.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter | One More Chapter, and the author, Sal Thomas, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

I loved the author’s debut novel The Accidental Housemate, so was excited to see she had a new book out. I read what it was about and thought this one sounded good too. On first starting it I must admit, after two or three chapters in, I didn’t think this was going to be a book for me. It felt like it was written for an American market, it was maybe too young for me. I was disappointed because I was really looking forward to something at least recognisable from the first book. I read a few reviews and noted that some readers felt the same way. I persevered, mainly because there wasn’t any other book calling to me at the time so decided to carry on.

As usual, perseverance pays off and by the time Simone had started her community service it had started to grow on me. There is a lot of very dry humour which is perhaps not every one’s cup of tea but a bit of sarcasm and cynicism is fine with me.

On the face of it Simone comes across as an ambitious, hard nosed, somewhat materialistic person, yet it’s a shell to protect her vulnerabilities and as the book moves on she becomes a likeable character as her true self starts to shine through. I really enjoyed this book once I’d got past the initial shock of how very different it is from the author’s debut. I found it reasonably fast paced, as it never dwelt too long on any one particular situation or dialogue. Shortish chapters and changes of scene kept me wanting to read more.

I thought it was a thoughtful, perceptive story and reflective of current modern day challenges.

“Community Service” by Sal Thomas is a laugh-out-loud romantic comedy that had me chuckling from start to finish. Imagine mistaking a real cop for a cosplay character at a movie event—sounds like something I would do, right? Well, that’s exactly what lands PR exec Simone Stephens in hot water, and subsequently, community service at a local homeless shelter.

Simone’s misadventures are a riot, especially when she tries to navigate her new reality while repeatedly embarrassing herself in front of the charming psychologist, Jasper. It’s like watching someone juggle spaghetti—messy but hilarious. The more she stumbles, the more I found myself rooting for her, and let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a good underdog story?

Sal Thomas has a knack for creating characters that are as endearing as they are quirky. Simone’s journey from high heels to helping hands is not just about finding love; it’s about finding herself, and maybe a new pair of sensible shoes. The book is a reminder that sometimes, the best things in life come from the most unexpected places—like love in a soup kitchen.

For those who follow my bookish escapades, you know I have a soft spot for stories that make me laugh and feel all warm and fuzzy inside. “Community Service” checks all the boxes and serves up a hearty dose of humor with a side of romance. It’s the perfect read for anyone who’s ever had a ‘face-palm’ moment and thought, "Well, it can only go up from here!.

Such an interesting story. I definitely enjoyed the characters and their foibles and how they find their happiness. I really went in blind and just enjoyed the ride.

The précis of this book looked so promising. However from the outset the style of writing really put me off. Maybe if I’d been able to see through this I might have given it my full attention. The main character, Simone, was irritating and did nothing to bring me round to liking her. Sorry, Sal Thomas, this novel just wasn’t for me.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers HarperCollins One More Chapter for the ARC for an honest review.

I liked the premise of this book and I was so excited to read it, but the execution fell flat. It was so hard to get into and I didn’t love the main character. It just wasn’t for me.

Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, NetGalley and Sal Thomas for the complimentary ARC. All opinions expressed above are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC of this story in exchange for my objective review. Some mild spoilers are included in this review, proceed with caution. This was a quick read with a satisfying ending, great supporting characters, anice romantic interest that (rightfully) didn't take center stage. Our fmc Simone works in PR, she is delightfully quippy but generally unhappy. She has a meet-cute with the mmc Jasper at the beginning of the book, who we discover is a psychologist at a local homeless shelter. Their relationship builds when she ends up fulfilling the titular community service at his workplace. There is a happy ending, although it took a while to get there. It takes a bit to warm up to Simone, she's damaged (but aren't we all?) and unlikable in the beginning: jaded and a bit shallow, and despite having a boat-load of attitude her self-esteem is so low. She has a hard time letting go of her thinking that she deserves what happens to her, and her status quo of transactional relationships with men (not a surprise given her upbringing and her toxic, misogynistic workplace). Her thinking made me sad at times. I did finally warm up to her and I was glad to see her eventually realize she was powerful all along. Working at the shelter definitely humanized her, showing her a different perspective even if she was slow to appreciate it. It was hard though to wait for Simone to finally come to the conclusion to use her PR skills for good. (Even if I thought her fundraising concept was borderline insulting to the people she's helping, and Jasper really should have redirected some of her plans because I'm pretty sure some of those ideas would violate his professional code of ethics as a psychologist. I know, I know, "Suspend disbelief!" At least Simone acknowledges that some of it was "a little distasteful.") I liked Jasper but he was kind of benign as an mmc, more like a supporting character. Which makes sense, this book is more about Simone finding her humanity and self-worth than it is a love story.

Overall, solid story with enough to keep me interested until the end although Simone was hard to like at first. Nice romantic pairing (even if it felt kind of secondary to the main plot), and a great supporting cast. Worth a read! 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.

The premise really intrigued me but I couldn’t follow this book super well. It just wasn’t for me. The idea is so good, just the writing was meh. Thanks netgalley for the book in exchange for an honest review!

could not finish, left at 61%

i tried my best to finish the book however i promised myself that i won’t be finishing books unless i like them.

the idea was really exciting and that’s why i applied for and arc, but the story had no hooks and i am not interested in it. it is really plain and maybe it’s just a long beginning, but i still can’t bring myself to continue it.

I really wanted to like Community Service because the premise intrigued me, but this just wasn't for me

This book was cute and funny. Many thanks to netgalley for providing this book in exchange for my honest review!I will definitely look out for more books by Sal Thomas.

I really enjoyed the characters in this book. They were so realistically written and I felt as though I knew them. The plot was entertaining and does a good job of keeping the reader’s attention.

Sorry but I just didn't enjoy reading this book. Apart from the fact it was overlong and slow in places, especially in the beginning, I didn't take to the characters, especially Simone who was frustratingly annoying.

I enjoyed the previous book from Sal, The Accidental Housemate, but this just didn't gel. It wasn't romantic, more risqué than necessary and was trying too hard to be funny but didn't cut it with me. Some may enjoy it but I didn't.

I couldn't get through this because I constantly wanted to smack Simone in the face. She's so miserable.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

"The fact that you happened to get lucky with your skin suit counts for nothing around here."

This book is being marketed as a romance, with the little blurb on the front about it, but this book is about 8% romance and 92% belated coming-of-age.

Simone lives in a cynical bubble, one where the only spots of optimism are her surface-level influencer friends, the man for whom she is his mistress, and her promotion at the PR firm on the horizon. She knows she's pretty, she knows she's smart and quick with a comeback, and that's enough to let moral dubiousness slide past. That bubble pops when she mistakes a real cop for a cosplayer at an underground fete, and the judge wants to make an example of Simone by sentencing her to community service for a few weeks. Thus begins her journey with a shelter for unhoused people. It starts really rough, putting away the book due to second hand embarrassment rough, but she slowly learns how to be more human and more humane to those around her.

There are a lot of times that you will REALLY hate Simone, but she grows. This novel does a pretty good job of reminding readers that the residents of this shelter are not responsible for Simone's journey of growth, only she is. But she does learn! She does atone! You'll start to root for her (more than you'll root for the romance, ope), and when she backslides, you'll root for her to better herself again.

There's a good dose of humor in this book, particularly in the extensive wordplay and quips. I could definitely see this being a good beach or vacation read. Simone is a worthy character to spend time with.

Thank you NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for an ARC of "Community Service" by Sal Thomas.

Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me. I tried so hard to get into it, but it never grabbed me, and I couldn't bear to muddle my way through.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Simone is feeling out of sorts. She is currently helping out shelter which is the last place she wants to be. This was an ok read.

thank you harper collins ,one more chapter and netgalley for sending me this arc.
after i read the accidental housemate i only had good ,nay great, hopes for this and they were all crushed
granted i didn’t hate it i just wouldn’t go out of my way to read it again
it pains me to say it truly but this was boring , simone sucked so i couldn’t even root for her
so many wrong things i fear

“Community Service” by Sal Thomas is a delightful, whip-smart romcom that will leave you grinning from ear to ear. Thomas weaves a hilarious and heartwarming tale that captures the essence of love, redemption, and unexpected connections.

Meet Simone Stephens: a savvy PR executive who finds herself in an unusual predicament. After mistaking a real cop for a cosplay enthusiast at an immersive cinema experience, Simone lands in front of a judge and is sentenced to volunteer at a local homeless shelter. It's a far cry from her polished, cynical world, but Simone dives in, determined to make a difference.

Meet Jasper: the handsome resident psychologist at the shelter. Despite Simone's initial awkwardness and embarrassing moments, she soon finds her footing. As she immerses herself in the lives of the shelter's residents, she discovers a sense of purpose she never knew existed. But could this newfound purpose also lead her to unexpected love?

Thomas's writing is witty, charming, and utterly relatable. Simone's journey from self-absorbed executive to compassionate volunteer is both heartwarming and hilarious. The chemistry between Simone and Jasper crackles off the pages, and their banter is pure gold. Thomas deftly balances humour, romance, and genuine emotion, creating a story that resonates long after the last page.

Watching Simone evolve from a self-centred professional to someone who genuinely cares about others is a joy. Her character arc is beautifully crafted. Prepare to chuckle, giggle, and snort as you follow Simone's misadventures. The humour is spot-on.

Oh, Jasper! He's not just a handsome face; he's compassionate, intelligent, and utterly swoon-worthy. His interactions with Simone are electric. Beneath the laughs lies a deeper exploration of empathy, second chances, and the power of community.

“Community Service” is an absolute gem. Thomas has created a romcom that tugs at your heartstrings while keeping you in stitches. This book deserves a spot on your reading list and a large “Bravo!” from all.

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, and One More Chapter for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

DNF

Lo intenté, pero no pude pasar del capítulo 18.

Por más que me obligue a leer otro capítulo más no me engancho la historia, me aburrió y en momentos me exasperó. Se supone que hay comedia y las escenas que se suponen son graciosas, no lo son.

Simone, la protagonista es odiosa, ensimismada y con el carisma de una piedra.

Nota para mi:
No intentes volver a leerlo, no hay nada rescatable y sería una perdida de tiempo.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.