Community Service is the second novel by British author, Sal Thomas. Thirty-five-year-old Simone Stephens works for a reputation management and PR company and, just when she should be on annual leave, swanning around the US with her totally vacuous best friends, she’s been assigned by the court to work at a homeless shelter for three weeks. It was the kick to the cop’s privates, in a sort of mistaken identity, that did it.

Simone intends to just get through the three weeks, after all “it was still surprising that people gave up their own time to volunteer. Where was the sense in inducing your own misery to observe the misery of others? Wasn’t the net effect simply more misery?”

And then she’ll get back to her real life: getting a promotion to director ahead of her spoiled upper-class rival, enjoying plenty of sex with her married lover, and nights out drinking with her best friends. But she hasn’t counted on interactions with the residents. Or with Dr Jasper Adams, the centre’s psychologist, whose comments make her want to prove she’s not as superficial as he seems to believe.

She quickly discovers the bureaucratic hurdles of getting entitled benefits when a person is homeless, doesn’t have a bank account, an online account or documents to confirm identity. She’s shocked by the standard of accommodation offered to a vulnerable teenaged girl. She’s checked on her attitude to a vulnerable refugee exhibiting paranoia, and learns more about homelessness during an outreach with Jasper.

Simone recognises that her two best friends are totally vacuous, but never challenges them about anything that matters. She does use their social media following when it comes in handy for her cause, though. When one of them observes, about the homeless “They can’t be that smart to have ended up on the street, can they?” she doesn’t think a lot of it. She’s often sarcastic and not particularly likeable.

Unfortunately, a rather sordid sex scene in the first paragraph sets tone for the first half this novel: while the premise is excellent, the novel’s potential high rating is dragged down by the unnecessary inclusion of a copious number of expletives, foul language and smutty wordplay, gratuitous and explicit sexual descriptions.

Sadly, Thomas self-sabotages a rather important message: “Making people normal isn’t the only way. Accepting difference. Learning to live with it. Acknowledging people as they are. He’s just a man. Sure, his life choices and experiences are different from ours, but that doesn’t make him less worthy of our love and attention. Same goes for anyone. We’re all just a little bit lost, trying to find our way as best we can” with this tackiness. This is not a patch on her first novel. Disappointing.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Harper Collins UK/One More Chapter.

This is a truly delightful and whip-smart rom-com that I thoroughly enjoyed! The premise is fantastic: PR executive Simone Stephens finds herself sentenced to community service at a homeless shelter after a hilarious misunderstanding.
Watching Simone navigate this entirely new world, filled with awkward moments and genuine growth, was incredibly engaging. Her journey of self-discovery is beautifully balanced with witty banter and a charming, blossoming romance with Jasper, the resident psychologist. Thomas's writing is clever and genuinely funny, providing plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.
While it's a fantastic romantic comedy, the book also thoughtfully touches on important social issues, adding a layer of depth that I truly appreciated. It's a heartwarming and original story about finding purpose and connection in unexpected places. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a feel-good read with a sharp wit and a big heart!

4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

PR exec Simone Stephens finds herself in hot water after mistaking a real cop for a cosplay enthusiast at an immersive cinema event. The result? A court-ordered stint at a local homeless shelter. Far from her usual glamorous life, Simone’s journey is filled with awkward moments, personal growth, and a dash of romance with the charming resident psychologist, Jasper.

This book is packed with witty banter, sharp humor, and a touch of spice. It’s a refreshing take on redemption and second chances, all wrapped up in a feel-good story that’ll leave you smiling.

If you’re a fan of romantic comedies with a bit of depth and a lot of laughs, Community Service is a must-read.

❤️shaye.readss

Community Service is a witty and lighthearted romance that delivers plenty of laughs and charming moments. Simone’s initial blunders at the homeless shelter are both cringe-worthy and endearing, and watching her grow throughout the story is satisfying. The chemistry between her and Jasper is sweet, though the romance feels a bit predictable. The humor is fun, but at times, the tone can feel too light in comparison to the more serious themes the book touches on. While enjoyable, it doesn’t always dive deep enough into its characters or plot to make a lasting impact. Overall, a fun, easy read with a few bumps along the way.

This was a fun book! I liked the banter and spice, and was attached to the characters right off the bat. There was something missing for me in this one, I'm not sure if the writing fell flat for me or some of the characters' chemistry just didn't hit right. But even with that, I still had such a fun time reading the book and enjoyed when I would sit to read.

This was a slower start for me, but once I got into it, I was completely hooked. There are so many funny, witty moments. There are lots of great one-liners and banter.
There's some really tough topics discussed and referenced throughout, and I was surprised to see that in what looked like it might just be a light-hearted romcom from the cover.
There's plenty of bad language and a few sexy scenes, so this is not for the easily offended!
This is a really fun, easy, quick read that I'm sure many will enjoy!

A charming and hilarious rom-com that will have you laughing out loud. I loved the witty banter between Simone and Jasper. The writing is crisp and clever making Simone’s journey entertaining and heartwarming. The book brings to light important social issues, adding depth to the story.
Many thanks to HarperCollins UK and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I thought this was so dang cute. I really enjoyed reading this book. It made me laugh out loud, and just really root for Simone.

I had mixed feelings about it. I really wanted to like it but the huge amount of sex references and the beginning made me question the whole book.
However, I'm glad I gave it a chance because it was so different from everything I'm used to reading (the homeless parts).
I wish I had seen a bigger redemption but still I would recommend the book.

A well written and put together read. I was hooked early on and could not put the book down. Recommended.

First book I’ve read by Sal Thomas I thought the synopsis sounded fun.

The book was funny and light hearted
Original idea I enjoyed this
A good holiday read

"Community Service" by Sal Thomas is a sharp, insightful, and often humorous novel that explores the unexpected bonds that form when people from different walks of life come together for a common cause. Thomas's writing is both witty and heartfelt, capturing the nuances of human relationships and the ways in which people grow and change through shared experiences.

The story likely centers around a group of characters who, for various reasons, find themselves thrown together to fulfill a community service requirement. Whether it’s due to a minor brush with the law, a sense of duty, or simply a need to improve their image, these characters come from diverse backgrounds, each with their own quirks, prejudices, and personal baggage. As they navigate the challenges and frustrations of working together, they begin to discover surprising connections and unexpected friendships that challenge their initial perceptions.

Thomas excels at creating relatable, three-dimensional characters, each with their own distinct voice and backstory. The novel delves into themes of redemption, empathy, and the power of community, all while maintaining a light and often humorous tone. The interactions between the characters are both entertaining and poignant, offering readers a chance to reflect on the importance of understanding and collaboration in overcoming personal and social barriers.

"Community Service" is a perfect read for fans of contemporary fiction that blends humor with social commentary and character-driven storytelling. Sal Thomas has crafted a novel that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, making it a must-read for anyone who enjoys stories about personal growth, unlikely friendships, and the transformative power of working together for a greater good.

I did enjoy this book, different subject and sonething a little bit different. I look forward to reading more by this Author.

I DNF after 25%. Was not my cup of tea and found it to be sarcastic more than funny. So cringe in so many parts. The cover was cute though.

Thanks to NetGalley for the arc.

This book had me laughing out loud on my sun lounger many a time! A real funny, light hearted easy read - would reccomend

A funny book which had me in stitches. A great light read which I couldn't stop reading. Cleverly written I do hope she writes more like this one. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

DNF @5% - I could pretty much tell right away this book was not for me. The opening scene is just gross and the humor is trying way too hard to be funny but not really succeeding. The main character is not likeable and even though she may improve, I’m just not interested.

The opening chapters to this book did make me laugh & the crudeness fitted so well,
It was good to have a subject that was difficult for most of us to understand, but it brought home the awful situation of being homeless.
The added romance to the story was good but not all together needed as this book could stand alone.
I'm looking forward to the next book by Sal Thomas.

Community Service by Sal Thomas was an interesting read. It may not have been my preferred cup of tea, but it was written in a very easy to read manner. I did not feel connected to the characters, and the plot was a bit choppy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Absolutely brilliant, loved it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me an advance copy, I will definitely be recommending.