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The Naked Cleaner
an alternate cover edition can be found here
It’s always been a thing, the gag joke gift Pontus Andreassen’s so-called friends present him with for Valentine’s Day. Not that people care much about Valentine’s Day in Denmark these days, and anyway, all of them are now grown up and sensible and mature and… adult. Pontus hates that word. He hates it almost as much as he hates going out and meeting other human beings and engaging in socialising, conversation and mutual masturbation.
Until the day he gets gifted a cleaner, and his quiet Friday turns into the Valentine’s date from hell.
Louis Ramsdahl-Soto’s grandmother would probably have whipped his third-generation Chilean immigrant arse if she knew that he has turned her famous recipe for Pastel de Choclo into some Scandinavian vegan delicacy. She would have whipped his arse for a lot of things, he knows that. The problem is that Louis seems to lack that vital gene to get his life in order. Instead he has moved back home to his parents and started up his own company, which is going well, if only his clients would remember to pay him, and if he could sometimes remember to put his meagre earnings in the bank. He’s a little bit of a disaster, but at least he’s good at what he does. Until he meets Pontus Andreassen.
It’s always been a thing, the gag joke gift Pontus Andreassen’s so-called friends present him with for Valentine’s Day. Not that people care much about Valentine’s Day in Denmark these days, and anyway, all of them are now grown up and sensible and mature and… adult. Pontus hates that word. He hates it almost as much as he hates going out and meeting other human beings and engaging in socialising, conversation and mutual masturbation.
Until the day he gets gifted a cleaner, and his quiet Friday turns into the Valentine’s date from hell.
Louis Ramsdahl-Soto’s grandmother would probably have whipped his third-generation Chilean immigrant arse if she knew that he has turned her famous recipe for Pastel de Choclo into some Scandinavian vegan delicacy. She would have whipped his arse for a lot of things, he knows that. The problem is that Louis seems to lack that vital gene to get his life in order. Instead he has moved back home to his parents and started up his own company, which is going well, if only his clients would remember to pay him, and if he could sometimes remember to put his meagre earnings in the bank. He’s a little bit of a disaster, but at least he’s good at what he does. Until he meets Pontus Andreassen.
148 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 17, 2020
80 people are currently reading
300 people want to read
About the author
Sophia Soames
36 books229 followersAuthor of Contemporary M/M romance with all the feels. This is where flawed men discover happy endings, in truly European fairy tales.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
September 9, 2024
Literally two of the most unlikeable characters I've ever come across.
And characters who self diagnose the whole "omg, I'm such a freak/loser/out cast" on repeat give me the ickkkkkkkkkkk.
Every fact you learn about these unlikable twats, is told to you in the first 2 chapters, there is no showing.
Yuck, yuck, yuck.
Cute and weird concept that could have been done well but nooooooooooooope.
Also, make the people on the covers match your characters??? Seems basic enough but the cleaner man is described as "skinny but built" and describes himself as Latino amongst other things, so who is the ripped muscle daddy on the front???
And the other guy is a apparently a business man with a man bun???
/searching for man bun.
not located.
Cover essentials 101: MAKE IT MAKE SENSE.
And characters who self diagnose the whole "omg, I'm such a freak/loser/out cast" on repeat give me the ickkkkkkkkkkk.
Every fact you learn about these unlikable twats, is told to you in the first 2 chapters, there is no showing.
Yuck, yuck, yuck.
Cute and weird concept that could have been done well but nooooooooooooope.
Also, make the people on the covers match your characters??? Seems basic enough but the cleaner man is described as "skinny but built" and describes himself as Latino amongst other things, so who is the ripped muscle daddy on the front???
And the other guy is a apparently a business man with a man bun???
/searching for man bun.
not located.
Cover essentials 101: MAKE IT MAKE SENSE.
December 28, 2023
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
Because he truly is ridiculous, and his eyes are wet and I am all mushy and emotional, and I think I will one day love him so much that my heart will explode.
This was a delightful quick listen. Just a proper feel good story. I really do love Sophia Soames’s writing, as there’s something really original about it. The dialogue just flows so damn well, and it feels real in a way that other writers sometimes can’t quite figure out. This is also another one of her books where there isn’t a whole lot going on plot wise, but it doesn’t need it. The characters really stand on their own. It was also surprisingly hot when these guys got down and dirty. Definitely recommend if you’re looking for a shorter read with some feels, some funny banter and hilarious situations, and some smutty smut.
I listened to the audiobook, and thought the narrator did a good job. It’s delightful to listen to a british narrator. A rare treat. I will say, he speaks incredibly fast, lol. I’m all for it, as I usually listen to audiobooks between 1.4 and 1.7x speed.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Naturist/nudist MC
Grumpy/sunshine
Novella
Enemies to lovers-ish
Reluctant friends
Rom-com
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Vomiting
Migraines
Symptoms of depression
Explicit sexual content
Health problems and medical treatment/situation
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Genre: Contemporary romance, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
MCs age: 26 and 28
Pages: 148
“Never. I am kind of hoping to stay. I mean, we did sleep together, so I assume we are getting married? I mean, my father will have words if you don’t make an honourable man out of me.”
“Good, eh?” he says and shoves a load in his own mouth. Chews. Swallows. I would swallow for him. Anytime.
Because he truly is ridiculous, and his eyes are wet and I am all mushy and emotional, and I think I will one day love him so much that my heart will explode.
This was a delightful quick listen. Just a proper feel good story. I really do love Sophia Soames’s writing, as there’s something really original about it. The dialogue just flows so damn well, and it feels real in a way that other writers sometimes can’t quite figure out. This is also another one of her books where there isn’t a whole lot going on plot wise, but it doesn’t need it. The characters really stand on their own. It was also surprisingly hot when these guys got down and dirty. Definitely recommend if you’re looking for a shorter read with some feels, some funny banter and hilarious situations, and some smutty smut.
I listened to the audiobook, and thought the narrator did a good job. It’s delightful to listen to a british narrator. A rare treat. I will say, he speaks incredibly fast, lol. I’m all for it, as I usually listen to audiobooks between 1.4 and 1.7x speed.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Naturist/nudist MC
Grumpy/sunshine
Novella
Enemies to lovers-ish
Reluctant friends
Rom-com
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Vomiting
Migraines
Symptoms of depression
Explicit sexual content
Health problems and medical treatment/situation
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Genre: Contemporary romance, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
MCs age: 26 and 28
Pages: 148
“Never. I am kind of hoping to stay. I mean, we did sleep together, so I assume we are getting married? I mean, my father will have words if you don’t make an honourable man out of me.”
“Good, eh?” he says and shoves a load in his own mouth. Chews. Swallows. I would swallow for him. Anytime.
February 1, 2020
“ ‘It’s my flat, I can throw you out anytime. And call the police if you don’t leave.’ His face is purple. And I laugh. In his face. Because he is ridiculous, and his eyes are wet and I am all mushy and emotional and I think I will one day love him so much that my heart will explode. His little wrinkles under his eyes and his flushed face and the ridiculous dressing gown and all.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 Stars Rounding up.
🔥🔥🔥.5/5 Heat Level.
**Currently available through Prolific Works**
“I have zero trust in him right now, especially as he laughs, and the air fills with bloody unicorn sprinkles and glitter as my mouth just smiles at him.”
This book was ridiculously cute! 💜
What I loved:
1) It had the whole grumpy/uptight vs ray of sunshine/free spirit thing going on. I’m a sucker for those and never turn them down. Pontus and Louis were opposites that fit together perfectly.
2) The writing. This is the third book I’ve read by this author and I’m a big fan of her writing style. It’s hard to describe but it has this lyrical flow to it that I love. The closest authors I can describe who are similar are Roe Horvat and Suki Fleet. Not a perfect comparison and hers is unique of course. But I think if you like those two authors, you would enjoy this one. And you should try her. She’s seriously underrated and deserves lots of readers!
3) For such a short book, (152 pages) there was a nice slow burn.
4) It was a lovely story and had a lot of heart. The romance felt authentic and had lots of feels and tiny, tender moments. The heat, when it did arrive, had a nice sizzle.
I will say that one thing that wasn’t my favorite was that, once the romance did happen, the pet names and I love you’s happened a little too fast for me. I think that’s just a personal preference but it was the one thing I wasn’t all on board with. It felt like too much for me.
Still, that’s a minor quibble. It didn’t stop my overall enjoyment.
So go grab this adorable Valentines Day story from Prolific Works and treat yourself to this charming little gem. 🥰
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 Stars Rounding up.
🔥🔥🔥.5/5 Heat Level.
**Currently available through Prolific Works**
“I have zero trust in him right now, especially as he laughs, and the air fills with bloody unicorn sprinkles and glitter as my mouth just smiles at him.”
This book was ridiculously cute! 💜
What I loved:
1) It had the whole grumpy/uptight vs ray of sunshine/free spirit thing going on. I’m a sucker for those and never turn them down. Pontus and Louis were opposites that fit together perfectly.
2) The writing. This is the third book I’ve read by this author and I’m a big fan of her writing style. It’s hard to describe but it has this lyrical flow to it that I love. The closest authors I can describe who are similar are Roe Horvat and Suki Fleet. Not a perfect comparison and hers is unique of course. But I think if you like those two authors, you would enjoy this one. And you should try her. She’s seriously underrated and deserves lots of readers!
3) For such a short book, (152 pages) there was a nice slow burn.
4) It was a lovely story and had a lot of heart. The romance felt authentic and had lots of feels and tiny, tender moments. The heat, when it did arrive, had a nice sizzle.
I will say that one thing that wasn’t my favorite was that, once the romance did happen, the pet names and I love you’s happened a little too fast for me. I think that’s just a personal preference but it was the one thing I wasn’t all on board with. It felt like too much for me.
Still, that’s a minor quibble. It didn’t stop my overall enjoyment.
So go grab this adorable Valentines Day story from Prolific Works and treat yourself to this charming little gem. 🥰
November 25, 2020
The Naked Cleaner
By Sophia Soames
Published by the author, 2020
Five stars
This gets five stars from me because it is a delightful, absurd piece of romantic sexy fluff, that somehow manages to go right to the heart of human loneliness. It is not really profound, but it uses farce to focus the reader’s emotions on the real pain both of the young main characters feel as they try to negotiate a path forward in their lives. Thus it is sort of profound, a call for acceptance, compassion, and appreciation of weirdness over conformity.
Pontus and Louis are both young, twenty-something Danes, living in Copenhagen. Pontus’s best friend Jonas is Louis’s first cousin. Pontus is successful, in that he runs his own one-man computer software engineering firm out of his apartment. His is also, however, somewhat socially inept and tends to self-isolate, forgetting to eat or clean. He is fine at dealing with people with the filter of his computer screen, but not so much in person. Louis is trained as a nurse, but is also not entirely comfortable dealing with strangers. Also (and weirdly) he was raised on a farm by naturists—people who don’t wear clothes (“textiles”) and who are very committed to healing the earth. Thus his career in medical care has crashed and he’s taken to being a housecleaner for the naturist community in and around Copenhagen (who knew, right?).
Jonas sets up his cousin to clean Pontus’s apartment as a joke Valentine’s Day gift—knowing that Pontus will freak when his cousin strips down and tries to steam-clean his filthy flat in the nude. But—and it’s a big but—Jonas knows Louis and Pontus, and loves them both. He sees something that neither of the eccentric young men will see themselves.
The story plays out like a particularly funny episode of a sitcom on television, and I confess that—unusually for me—I was desperate for them to get into bed with each other. The author is so good at building up the emotional craziness that each man feels, it makes the reader really anxious for the fulfillment of the romantic promise.
The big story, however, is about caring, and about putting aside personal biases to be able to make someone else happier. It’s a simple idea, really, but one that works very nicely in this very strange year we’re all in.
By Sophia Soames
Published by the author, 2020
Five stars
This gets five stars from me because it is a delightful, absurd piece of romantic sexy fluff, that somehow manages to go right to the heart of human loneliness. It is not really profound, but it uses farce to focus the reader’s emotions on the real pain both of the young main characters feel as they try to negotiate a path forward in their lives. Thus it is sort of profound, a call for acceptance, compassion, and appreciation of weirdness over conformity.
Pontus and Louis are both young, twenty-something Danes, living in Copenhagen. Pontus’s best friend Jonas is Louis’s first cousin. Pontus is successful, in that he runs his own one-man computer software engineering firm out of his apartment. His is also, however, somewhat socially inept and tends to self-isolate, forgetting to eat or clean. He is fine at dealing with people with the filter of his computer screen, but not so much in person. Louis is trained as a nurse, but is also not entirely comfortable dealing with strangers. Also (and weirdly) he was raised on a farm by naturists—people who don’t wear clothes (“textiles”) and who are very committed to healing the earth. Thus his career in medical care has crashed and he’s taken to being a housecleaner for the naturist community in and around Copenhagen (who knew, right?).
Jonas sets up his cousin to clean Pontus’s apartment as a joke Valentine’s Day gift—knowing that Pontus will freak when his cousin strips down and tries to steam-clean his filthy flat in the nude. But—and it’s a big but—Jonas knows Louis and Pontus, and loves them both. He sees something that neither of the eccentric young men will see themselves.
The story plays out like a particularly funny episode of a sitcom on television, and I confess that—unusually for me—I was desperate for them to get into bed with each other. The author is so good at building up the emotional craziness that each man feels, it makes the reader really anxious for the fulfillment of the romantic promise.
The big story, however, is about caring, and about putting aside personal biases to be able to make someone else happier. It’s a simple idea, really, but one that works very nicely in this very strange year we’re all in.
dnf
January 13, 2024DNF 20%
Nothing wrong with this, I’m just not vibing with the characters or the mood.
Nothing wrong with this, I’m just not vibing with the characters or the mood.
February 2, 2020
Really weird and really cute. Just two weird guys falling in love forcibly. They make it a point to get past their differences and it really works. Super cute.
October 23, 2023
3.5 stars!!!
So i jumped into this book without doing my usual, looking at all the reviews and seeing if I will enjoy this book.
Now, the first half, I actually was thinking about DNFing because I just couldn't stand Pontus at all. He sounded like a whining kid who was throwing a tantrum over everything.
The second half was amazing! I couldn't get enough. I just couldn't put it down
So i jumped into this book without doing my usual, looking at all the reviews and seeing if I will enjoy this book.
Now, the first half, I actually was thinking about DNFing because I just couldn't stand Pontus at all. He sounded like a whining kid who was throwing a tantrum over everything.
The second half was amazing! I couldn't get enough. I just couldn't put it down
February 16, 2020
3.5 ⭐
J'ai retrouvé avec plaisir la plume de Sophia Soames, même si une fois encore le récit est au présent, et c'est vraiment quelque chose que je n'aime vraiment pas. Ceci dit, ça ne m'a pas dérangée ici, et j'ai passé un chouette moment avec ce petit roman un peu bizarre, un peu foutraque, mais qui m'aura bien fait rire, surtout au début.
The naked cleaner est un roman assez court, qui commence de façon plutôt drôle et complètement ubuesque. J'ai adoré ces dialogues de sourds entre Louis et Pontus, et l'absurdité des situations dans lesquelles ils se trouvent au début. Ils se balancent de charmants sobriquets en pleine poire, et ne s'écoutent pas du tout, et j'ai trouvé ça vraiment drôle et foutraque.
C'est rafraîchissant de lire ce genre de livres, Sophia Soames a quelque chose qui me plaît dans sa manière d'écrire, et je trouve ça vraiment cool de lire des histoires se déroulant en Europe (ici au Danemark), quelle bouffée de fraîcheur !!
Une jolie petite gourmandise donc, et une plume à découvrir !
J'ai retrouvé avec plaisir la plume de Sophia Soames, même si une fois encore le récit est au présent, et c'est vraiment quelque chose que je n'aime vraiment pas. Ceci dit, ça ne m'a pas dérangée ici, et j'ai passé un chouette moment avec ce petit roman un peu bizarre, un peu foutraque, mais qui m'aura bien fait rire, surtout au début.
The naked cleaner est un roman assez court, qui commence de façon plutôt drôle et complètement ubuesque. J'ai adoré ces dialogues de sourds entre Louis et Pontus, et l'absurdité des situations dans lesquelles ils se trouvent au début. Ils se balancent de charmants sobriquets en pleine poire, et ne s'écoutent pas du tout, et j'ai trouvé ça vraiment drôle et foutraque.
C'est rafraîchissant de lire ce genre de livres, Sophia Soames a quelque chose qui me plaît dans sa manière d'écrire, et je trouve ça vraiment cool de lire des histoires se déroulant en Europe (ici au Danemark), quelle bouffée de fraîcheur !!
Une jolie petite gourmandise donc, et une plume à découvrir !
zz-dnf
November 30, 2020DNF@ 45% and I’m not sure how I made it that far. There was something compelling about it, but I really hated the characters’ voices. Both of them. They both used the same obnoxious (to me) speech patterns in their internal dialogue, and I just couldn’t take it anymore. I didn’t have that issue with the other book I read from this author so I will give her another try at some point.
Want to read
February 2, 20202/2/20 Currently FREE through Prolific Works Valentine's Giveaway: https://claims.prolificworks.com/gg/E...
June 15, 2020
Loved it, it was funny and sweet, and the 2 main characters Pontus and Louis are imperfect and lovely together. Totally character based romance as well, and I don't usually like these !
It was a pleasure to read.
I haven't red anything by this author before, but I really enjoyed the writing style and loved the style of writing , the setting of the book, and the slightly off beat characters.
It was a pleasure to read.
I haven't red anything by this author before, but I really enjoyed the writing style and loved the style of writing , the setting of the book, and the slightly off beat characters.
February 17, 2020
This was cute. A really interesting concept with the whole naked cleaner scenario BUT the two MCS together was adorable.
September 30, 2023
Super Valentine Gift
This is Sophia Soames at her best, and weirdest funniest.
The antics of these two needy guys, Pontus and Louis just made this such a lovely read. Pontus a housebound, workaholic, no social life apart from his cousin Jonas who tries to take care of him. He designs business solutions apps and website designs for clients.
Louis, who seems a nervous nelly, but isn’t, tries to run his business, ‘Naturist Cleaning Services’ but is failing because he doesn’t keep up with the paperwork. Louis is Jonas’s cousin and they look out for each other.
Each year Jonas organises weird Valentine Gifts to annoy Pontus and this year’s gift is a doozie. Pontus’s apartment is always a mess, dirty dishes pile up, laundry strewn everywhere, no food in the refrigerator, empty takeaway containers on countertops.
So when Louis knocks on Pontus’s door armed with Vacuums, brooms and buckets he is not amused. Louis enters after explaining that this is Jonas’s gift. Pontus loses it completely when Louis strips off and prepares to get to work.
And get to work he does, but not all what he’s hired for. Pontus is falling apart, his migraines kick in, he could have concussion after banging his head on the floor.
Have no fear, Louis is here, if only Pontus would stop being so rude and nasty to him.
Treat yourself and read ‘The Naked Cleaner’, meet two needy, lovely, funny men and enjoy the fun, especially when you’re introduced to naked elderly parents and naked yoga classes.
This is Sophia Soames at her best, and weirdest funniest.
The antics of these two needy guys, Pontus and Louis just made this such a lovely read. Pontus a housebound, workaholic, no social life apart from his cousin Jonas who tries to take care of him. He designs business solutions apps and website designs for clients.
Louis, who seems a nervous nelly, but isn’t, tries to run his business, ‘Naturist Cleaning Services’ but is failing because he doesn’t keep up with the paperwork. Louis is Jonas’s cousin and they look out for each other.
Each year Jonas organises weird Valentine Gifts to annoy Pontus and this year’s gift is a doozie. Pontus’s apartment is always a mess, dirty dishes pile up, laundry strewn everywhere, no food in the refrigerator, empty takeaway containers on countertops.
So when Louis knocks on Pontus’s door armed with Vacuums, brooms and buckets he is not amused. Louis enters after explaining that this is Jonas’s gift. Pontus loses it completely when Louis strips off and prepares to get to work.
And get to work he does, but not all what he’s hired for. Pontus is falling apart, his migraines kick in, he could have concussion after banging his head on the floor.
Have no fear, Louis is here, if only Pontus would stop being so rude and nasty to him.
Treat yourself and read ‘The Naked Cleaner’, meet two needy, lovely, funny men and enjoy the fun, especially when you’re introduced to naked elderly parents and naked yoga classes.
October 17, 2023
5 stars
This novella was very original and unusual.
Pontus and Louis are a big adorable mess and their dynamic remembers me a little of Harry and Owen from Dirty Sexy Stupid Love.
Pontus is insecure, lonely, angry, he despises and aches for company at the same time and he doesn't know how to ask for what he wants. He's antisocial and he rarely leaves his home.
Much to his changrin, he's totally fascinated by Louis and his weirdness and during the whole story he's constantly thinking "What am I doing, what the fuck am I doing?"
Louis seems to have a little more sense of responsibility, but he is insecure too, he hasn't really all under control, especially the burocratic part of his job.
What makes this novella different from the usual mm romance is the fact that Louis is a naturist: he wears clothes only when he has to, they make him feel uncomfortable and constricted and without them he feels like he can breathe and just be himself.
Pontus is totally hopeless, he doesn't know how to deal with Louis' nakedness and bluntness, he's confused and frustrated and he cannot sort out his own feelings; he needs Louis' presence and he desperately craves his touch. But he also has a very low self esteem and he's scared Louis will leave him.
I love how Sophia Soames describes the sex scenes in her books: they're always very sweet and emotional and the MCs' feelings are all over the place. Potus and Louis' first time is no exception, it's beautiful and precious and I adored how Louis cherished Potus.
Absolutely recommended.
This novella was very original and unusual.
Pontus and Louis are a big adorable mess and their dynamic remembers me a little of Harry and Owen from Dirty Sexy Stupid Love.
Pontus is insecure, lonely, angry, he despises and aches for company at the same time and he doesn't know how to ask for what he wants. He's antisocial and he rarely leaves his home.
Much to his changrin, he's totally fascinated by Louis and his weirdness and during the whole story he's constantly thinking "What am I doing, what the fuck am I doing?"
Louis seems to have a little more sense of responsibility, but he is insecure too, he hasn't really all under control, especially the burocratic part of his job.
What makes this novella different from the usual mm romance is the fact that Louis is a naturist: he wears clothes only when he has to, they make him feel uncomfortable and constricted and without them he feels like he can breathe and just be himself.
Pontus is totally hopeless, he doesn't know how to deal with Louis' nakedness and bluntness, he's confused and frustrated and he cannot sort out his own feelings; he needs Louis' presence and he desperately craves his touch. But he also has a very low self esteem and he's scared Louis will leave him.
I love how Sophia Soames describes the sex scenes in her books: they're always very sweet and emotional and the MCs' feelings are all over the place. Potus and Louis' first time is no exception, it's beautiful and precious and I adored how Louis cherished Potus.
Absolutely recommended.
January 15, 2024
I listened to this on audio rather than reading it conventionally.
I can’t put my finger on what it is about this little short story, but something about it gives me all the fluffy, happy feelings.
Perhaps it’s the two messy, emotional but really relatable characters. I could so easily identify with both of these main characters and their thoughts and worries about life and love.
Or perhaps it’s the banter - who doesn’t love the banter between two MCs - there’s a lot between these two and it’s really quite funny to listen to.
Or maybe it’s the narration. I’ve not listened to anything by this narrator before (I don’t think), but there’s something familiar about them and how they read. I think if you’re a fan of Dan Calley and their narration, that you would like this style. They absolutely bossed this story - I loved how they brought Pontus and Louis to life.
If you’re looking for a heartwarming, light and short read/listen - I would 100% recommend this.
I can’t put my finger on what it is about this little short story, but something about it gives me all the fluffy, happy feelings.
Perhaps it’s the two messy, emotional but really relatable characters. I could so easily identify with both of these main characters and their thoughts and worries about life and love.
Or perhaps it’s the banter - who doesn’t love the banter between two MCs - there’s a lot between these two and it’s really quite funny to listen to.
Or maybe it’s the narration. I’ve not listened to anything by this narrator before (I don’t think), but there’s something familiar about them and how they read. I think if you’re a fan of Dan Calley and their narration, that you would like this style. They absolutely bossed this story - I loved how they brought Pontus and Louis to life.
If you’re looking for a heartwarming, light and short read/listen - I would 100% recommend this.
February 13, 2022
This was a delightful but weird story that brings us two young men who have had trouble integrating into regular life...as seen by most of us. Louis's family is from Chilean and he and his family migrated to Copenhagen Naturists, nudity is natural to them and Louis moves through life from one thing to another because he just can't feel comfortable in clothes. He even has a degree in nursing. As a joke his cousin Jonas sets him up to clean his best friends house on Valentines day. Pontas is a IT and Economist graduate and has a thriving business...but he just can't manage to live out in the real world. He gets lost in his head and forgets to eat or drink anything. In a weird way the two angry, struggling young men mesh together. Each helping the other. An excellent story of loneliness, social disorders, nudity, eating disorder, and love that grows in a garden of rocks and boulders and coming out stronger in the end.
May 3, 2025
Pontus & Louis
Rating: 3.6⭐
Narrator: Ray Calleja
- Danish
- IT Solutions Company Owner
- Joke Valentines Gift
- Grumpy/Sunshine
- Naturist Cleaner
- Lonely Hearts
- Hurt/Comfort
- Naked Cuddles
When your friends order you a cleaning service from a naturist and boy are you surprised when he starts to undress!
Content Warnings (may contain spoilers):
- Graphic sexual content between consenting adults
- Explicit language
- Vomiting
- Migraines
- Depression symptoms
- Health Problems
Verse: Yes
HEA: Yes
POV: Dual
Breakup: No
Cheat: No
OM/OW Drama: No
Ages: 26 & 28
Rating: 3.6⭐
Narrator: Ray Calleja
- Danish
- IT Solutions Company Owner
- Joke Valentines Gift
- Grumpy/Sunshine
- Naturist Cleaner
- Lonely Hearts
- Hurt/Comfort
- Naked Cuddles
When your friends order you a cleaning service from a naturist and boy are you surprised when he starts to undress!
Content Warnings (may contain spoilers):
- Graphic sexual content between consenting adults
- Explicit language
- Vomiting
- Migraines
- Depression symptoms
- Health Problems
Verse: Yes
HEA: Yes
POV: Dual
Breakup: No
Cheat: No
OM/OW Drama: No
Ages: 26 & 28
February 13, 2022
2.5 stars
This is definitely my favourite "vegan nudist cleaner meets dehydrated IT recluse" romance.
Disappointing, after Custard and Kisses and This Thing With Charlie, both of which were off-centre, subtle little stories. Also, proof-reading was iffy.
This is definitely my favourite "vegan nudist cleaner meets dehydrated IT recluse" romance.
Disappointing, after Custard and Kisses and This Thing With Charlie, both of which were off-centre, subtle little stories. Also, proof-reading was iffy.
Read
March 17, 2020This was a very cute story about two men who are "weird" in different ways, and self-conscious about it. They meet-awkward courtesy of Jonas, who is Louis the Naked Cleaner's cousin and Pontus' best friend. A bit unusual for the match-maker trope, once he's gotten them into the same room finally he backs off and leaves them to sort it sort, because he's right, they are perfect for each other.
The characterization was very strong, and it was nice to see some less stereotypical qualities. Like, one can be immature in some ways but professional in others. Being talented at something (like cooking or yoga) doesn't mean you'll be good at making a business of it. Loving someone doesn't magically make a person better at talking.
The prose was mostly fine and I didn't notice any typos. I did have one criticism, and that was overuse of distinctive speech verbs: lots and lots of shrieks, giggles, whines, and coos. It got a bit distracting. Half of those should have been replaced with "said" because "said" is more or less invisible to readers.
Non-review maundering: I could never be a naturist, or a nudist. Not primarily because of self-consciousness, although that as well (poor teens, it must be a hard few years!) but because I'd have to get washable furniture covers and launder them every other day. People are dirty, plus the pet hair would be itchy. So much easier to wear comfy clothes. Plus my heat bill would be through the roof, especially if I lived in a cold climate like these characters.
Anyway. I'd definitely read something else by Soames.
The characterization was very strong, and it was nice to see some less stereotypical qualities. Like, one can be immature in some ways but professional in others. Being talented at something (like cooking or yoga) doesn't mean you'll be good at making a business of it. Loving someone doesn't magically make a person better at talking.
The prose was mostly fine and I didn't notice any typos. I did have one criticism, and that was overuse of distinctive speech verbs: lots and lots of shrieks, giggles, whines, and coos. It got a bit distracting. Half of those should have been replaced with "said" because "said" is more or less invisible to readers.
Non-review maundering: I could never be a naturist, or a nudist. Not primarily because of self-consciousness, although that as well (poor teens, it must be a hard few years!) but because I'd have to get washable furniture covers and launder them every other day. People are dirty, plus the pet hair would be itchy. So much easier to wear comfy clothes. Plus my heat bill would be through the roof, especially if I lived in a cold climate like these characters.
Anyway. I'd definitely read something else by Soames.
January 18, 2024
So much fun
This book is one of those awkwardly wonderful books that you don't know why you love but you do. Pontus and Louis both are messes and need someone who will support and accept them as they are. Let's say a lot of akward beginnings blossoms into something real and perfect for them.
First, read from this author and now tempted to try more to see if they are as real and pure as this story was.
Audio review;
Ray Calleja brings Pontus and Louis to life, making them more real to the readers. His voice differentiates enough between the two mc, so you know whose point of view you're in with each chapter. He just brings a new life to an already fascinating read.
This book is one of those awkwardly wonderful books that you don't know why you love but you do. Pontus and Louis both are messes and need someone who will support and accept them as they are. Let's say a lot of akward beginnings blossoms into something real and perfect for them.
First, read from this author and now tempted to try more to see if they are as real and pure as this story was.
Audio review;
Ray Calleja brings Pontus and Louis to life, making them more real to the readers. His voice differentiates enough between the two mc, so you know whose point of view you're in with each chapter. He just brings a new life to an already fascinating read.
February 10, 2020
3.5 stars
A weird, funny story with naturists and grumpy nerds lurking around.
A weird, funny story with naturists and grumpy nerds lurking around.
February 7, 2020
Really cute story.
March 28, 2020
No sé qué tiene esta mujer que sus historias siempre me gustan.
Esta es poco realista pero super divertida.
Esta es poco realista pero super divertida.
March 5, 2024
The Naked Cleaner - Brilliant!
The Naked Cleaner - Brilliant!
‘His face is purple. And I laugh. In his face. Because he truly is ridiculous, and his eyes are wet and I am all mushy and emotional, and I think I will one day love him so much that my heart will explode. His little wrinkles under his eyes and his flushed face and the ridiculous dressing gown and all. And I am standing here stark naked, letting him just say all these stupid things. Because he’s funny and sarcastic and…mine. It’s a scary thought. I think Pontus is mine. He’s mine. “I think you are my person,” I say. Loudly, as I stare at him. “Jonas always said you were,” Pontus almost whispers. “He said we fit like a glove. I never thought he would be right.’
Reading Sophia Soames’ books is joyful! Watching her very unique characters make their way through life is an exercise in opening your eyes to eclectic circumstances, heart pounding emotions, and the happiness that brings people together.
The Naked Cleaner was such a fantastic experience in reading. My heart was so onboard with the ‘wierdos’ that become so much more to each other. Louis and Pontus are definitely different souls, yet they are the bravest when they recognize their other half and find their way to be what each needs to feel completed.
The Naked Cleaner - Brilliant!
‘His face is purple. And I laugh. In his face. Because he truly is ridiculous, and his eyes are wet and I am all mushy and emotional, and I think I will one day love him so much that my heart will explode. His little wrinkles under his eyes and his flushed face and the ridiculous dressing gown and all. And I am standing here stark naked, letting him just say all these stupid things. Because he’s funny and sarcastic and…mine. It’s a scary thought. I think Pontus is mine. He’s mine. “I think you are my person,” I say. Loudly, as I stare at him. “Jonas always said you were,” Pontus almost whispers. “He said we fit like a glove. I never thought he would be right.’
Reading Sophia Soames’ books is joyful! Watching her very unique characters make their way through life is an exercise in opening your eyes to eclectic circumstances, heart pounding emotions, and the happiness that brings people together.
The Naked Cleaner was such a fantastic experience in reading. My heart was so onboard with the ‘wierdos’ that become so much more to each other. Louis and Pontus are definitely different souls, yet they are the bravest when they recognize their other half and find their way to be what each needs to feel completed.
October 15, 2023
Great story but needs a warning ⚠️
So I liked the story but what I wasn't expecting was the explicit nature of the book.
Don't get me wrong it is a fab read but to be sitting on a bus and suddenly in the middle of very detailed 'exercise' was a bit uncomfortable.
The story is fab and the character development works well. And I definitely learned about Naturism which was fascinating.
So I liked the story but what I wasn't expecting was the explicit nature of the book.
Don't get me wrong it is a fab read but to be sitting on a bus and suddenly in the middle of very detailed 'exercise' was a bit uncomfortable.
The story is fab and the character development works well. And I definitely learned about Naturism which was fascinating.
October 8, 2023
How fun!!
What a quirky and fun read! I didn't know much about the author or the subject, but the title was intriguing so I jumped in. So glad I did! I thoroughly enjoyed the train wrecks that were Pontus and Louis! They should have never worked, but lo and behold they did, and boy did they! Once they started communicating, their walls came crashing down! Such a fun side story about the naturist side of Louis, too. Just a fun book.
What a quirky and fun read! I didn't know much about the author or the subject, but the title was intriguing so I jumped in. So glad I did! I thoroughly enjoyed the train wrecks that were Pontus and Louis! They should have never worked, but lo and behold they did, and boy did they! Once they started communicating, their walls came crashing down! Such a fun side story about the naturist side of Louis, too. Just a fun book.
October 11, 2024
I found this story to be delightful and humorous and rather well written. It’s romantic and funny and a little weird which was oddly rather great. Both the characters have their quirks but work very well together and I found myself chuckling away as I read it. It is so much better than I expected, this is my first book by this writer, and I really enjoyed it
February 13, 2023
Wonderful!
What a wonderful story. I got really involved in the characters. One infuriating me. And one making me feel sorry for him. Eventually they were both delightful. I hope to read more by this author.
What a wonderful story. I got really involved in the characters. One infuriating me. And one making me feel sorry for him. Eventually they were both delightful. I hope to read more by this author.
January 13, 2024
A fast paced MM novella that ticks lots of boxes.
Obviously due to its length, you know there has to be an almost 'insta-love' element to The Naked Cleaner.
Pontus and Louis are like 2 sides of the same coin, balancing out each others' 'weirdness'! That makes this a sometimes humourous, sometimes wtf? story.
Needless to say, although short, we have the required HEA.
Obviously due to its length, you know there has to be an almost 'insta-love' element to The Naked Cleaner.
Pontus and Louis are like 2 sides of the same coin, balancing out each others' 'weirdness'! That makes this a sometimes humourous, sometimes wtf? story.
Needless to say, although short, we have the required HEA.
October 8, 2023
Absolutely perfect!
A really cute fluffy grumpy/sunshine m/m romance. You won’t be able to put it down, it’s hilarious and fluffy and sweet and a great little pick me up story.
A really cute fluffy grumpy/sunshine m/m romance. You won’t be able to put it down, it’s hilarious and fluffy and sweet and a great little pick me up story.
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