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Cleaning Her House
Spending the summer in her small West Virginia hometown after 25 years away, Elinor takes on the task of helping her hospitalized mother by decluttering the hoarded family home. But everyone has an opinion about how she should do the cleanup. The hunky county inspector demands that Elinor dump the junk in a hurry, and he keeps coming around, pressuring her and at the same time tempting her. Meanwhile, her bossy elder sister insists there must be a slow and careful sort, yet Mom is furious that Elinor dares to touch her possessions at all. What should Elinor do, when family secrets, surprises on the doorstep, and a rocky romance complicate the daunting task of cleaning her house? Cleaning Her House is a warm, stand-alone women's fiction novel featuring a rich variety of characters, a romance with a hint of steam, family secrets, and a ton of clutter. There's a happy ending, too. (Maybe not for the clutter.)
419 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 2, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 17, 2018
3.5 stars.
I didn't know what I was thinking when I requested this book. I don't really read women's fiction. Romance yes, but not ones that are more of a chicklit. But anyway, I enjoyed reading this. it was a very quick and easy read. The plot wasn't that complicated and the romance is okay. The steam was light too. But I love the family aspect. The characters are interesting enough and kept me entertained.
Overall, a fine read. :)
I didn't know what I was thinking when I requested this book. I don't really read women's fiction. Romance yes, but not ones that are more of a chicklit. But anyway, I enjoyed reading this. it was a very quick and easy read. The plot wasn't that complicated and the romance is okay. The steam was light too. But I love the family aspect. The characters are interesting enough and kept me entertained.
Overall, a fine read. :)
August 17, 2018
I was drawn into this story from the start and couldn't stop reading it until the end. This is a story about family relationships, expectations, loss and gain. Irene is an extraordinary writer, able to bring her characters to life in a way that you care about them. You cheer their successes and want to help them overcome their weaknesses.
The story is about a woman, Elinor, a youngest sister, expected to discharge her family responsibilities by cleaning out her mother's (a hoarder) home while her mother recovers from an illness in a rehab facility. The cleaning process continues into her life's relationships and all the lives she touches.
I enjoyed this book very much!
The story is about a woman, Elinor, a youngest sister, expected to discharge her family responsibilities by cleaning out her mother's (a hoarder) home while her mother recovers from an illness in a rehab facility. The cleaning process continues into her life's relationships and all the lives she touches.
I enjoyed this book very much!
August 10, 2018
This family drama covers far more than the very basic need to clear out the clutter that their mother had built up over the years. It draws out the responses of adult children who've never had answers to their questions and their resulting dysfunctional behaviour. The psychology behind the need to hoard made me think twice about the fine line between the things that I store “just in case it comes in useful”, and hoarding for some deeper psychological reason. The first quarter of the book moved very slowly and the tension between the two sisters was very tangible. After the scene was set, the plot moved along at a more interesting pace, bringing in new characters and revealing truths that had never been aired. Just when I got excited about how things would eventually come together, the novel came to an abrupt ending, leaving the reader guessing. The story is however, well written and highlights the difficulties of family dynamics. Race and Elinor's romance doesn't take centre-stage, but does add an enjoyable dimension. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
August 11, 2018
I received an advanced copy and this is my voluntary review. Irene Varatanoff never fails to give us a wonderful story that is both heartwarming and funny. Here is a family who has to declutter their mothers hoarded up house. Elinor gets chosen to do the work because she is on sabbatical and is free to do it. You meet Race Ericson the county health inspector who is pushing Elinor to work faster. Their love grows as the house gets decluttered. A family trail that will bring everyone together. Would recommend this to all who love a good story.
August 5, 2018
In Cleaning Her House by Irene Vantanoff you find Elinor upset by her older sister, Bossy Betsy in cleaning her mother’s house after she became ill. Little did she know her mother was a hoarder and her house and yard were a disaster. While Elinor is trying to clean up (which is never ending) the county inspector shows up, Race. Sparks flew when he showed up unannounced and Elinor thought him to be her blind date that Bossy Betsy set up. Elinor started recalling issues she had which she had harbored for years about abandonment, anger, relationship issues and her mother. Throw in a secret and you have problems that Elinor just as soon not deal with. How do you deal with all this when you were only here temporarily? Is her family helping her deal with her life or making it worse? And what part does Race play in this whole situation?
August 14, 2018
This is a wonderful tale of dealing with family and secrets from the past. Elinor, and her siblings, face the task of clearing their mothers house after she is hospitalised. Elinor is given the daunting task of sorting all her mothers clutter, but while she painfully sorts she finds herself surrounded by old friends, new friends, her family and the one man she may be able to love. Secrets are revealed and Elinor and her siblings finally come to terms with their past.
January 19, 2019
Cleaning Her House is a family drama combined with a small town romance. Have you ever seen the TV show Hoarders? It’s a bit like that, just without the professional help, but with all the drama and secrets.
Elinor’s elderly mother is recuperating after illness and she can’t come home until her house has been properly cleaned. Elinor has taken on the task of cleaning the house and discovers that her mother is a hoarder, something that Elinor’s sister and brother cannot seem to cope with.
Moreover, she’s up against local country inspector Race who will not give her a break and is a bit of a jackass to her, and apparently Elinor has to have him. It seemed a bit strange, as I found him a bit rigid and annoying.
I liked the writing, but the book could easily have been cut down, it’s pretty long and I would have liked an epilogue.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Elinor’s elderly mother is recuperating after illness and she can’t come home until her house has been properly cleaned. Elinor has taken on the task of cleaning the house and discovers that her mother is a hoarder, something that Elinor’s sister and brother cannot seem to cope with.
Moreover, she’s up against local country inspector Race who will not give her a break and is a bit of a jackass to her, and apparently Elinor has to have him. It seemed a bit strange, as I found him a bit rigid and annoying.
I liked the writing, but the book could easily have been cut down, it’s pretty long and I would have liked an epilogue.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 23, 2018
Defiantly charged by her sister, Bossy Betsy, to clean out their mother, Patricia’s, house, Elinor Goggins finds herself way overwhelmed by the multitude of boxes filled with stuff, by the tarps covering junk on the lawn, by the overstuffed garage and basement and by the pure filth all over the house. Patricia is a massive hoarder. Complaints have been piling up against her. A stroke forces her to rehab and the opportunity to clean out all the junk opens.
Cleaning her House takes an impressive look into hoarding and how it affects others. More to the story is how the level of junk amassed by Patricia almost pales in comparison to the levels of emotional junk both Elinor and Betsy deal with in their lives. Elinor has walled off her heart and when she meets Race-inspector and home contractor, he challenges her heart and her developing tendency to hoard, too. Betsy is fighting a battle with her husband over their son’s life decisions. As the junk get sorted and cleared, so does the junk Elinor and Betsy horde.
Cleaning her House takes an impressive look into hoarding and how it affects others. More to the story is how the level of junk amassed by Patricia almost pales in comparison to the levels of emotional junk both Elinor and Betsy deal with in their lives. Elinor has walled off her heart and when she meets Race-inspector and home contractor, he challenges her heart and her developing tendency to hoard, too. Betsy is fighting a battle with her husband over their son’s life decisions. As the junk get sorted and cleared, so does the junk Elinor and Betsy horde.
October 29, 2018
Cleaning Her House is a cute small town romance with a spunky heroine and a "dishy" hero. The subject matter is unique because it deals with Elinor's mother who is a hoarder. Poor Elinor has to clean up her childhood home, which is a feat she can't do by herself. We're given some insight on why Elinor prefers to be alone and somewhat distant from her brother and sister, as well as her mother. As she goes through her mother's possessions, she learns about the woman who birthed and raised her, including why she needs roots and companionship in the form of family, and possibly a romantic partner who at first drives he crazy (but he's a great kisser).
A nice tender story that has Gilmore Girls vibe. An appealing romance that would make a great TV movie.
A nice tender story that has Gilmore Girls vibe. An appealing romance that would make a great TV movie.
January 1, 2022
Hoarder alert
An enjoyable read following the tribulations Elinor encounters when she gets conned into clearing out her mother's house by her bossy older sister Betsy while her mother recovers from a stroke in hospital and then a nursing home. Elinor had not realised that her mother had turned into a hoarder extraordinaire since she had left home decades earlier with the house, garden and garage chock-a-block of boxes, bags and cartons of every conceivable object and rubbish possible. Then to add to her frustration, she continues to have confrontations with Race Ericson, the health inspector that starts out as a pain in the butt, but ultimately comes to mean so much more and assists her as the house is modified for her mother's return.
An enjoyable read following the tribulations Elinor encounters when she gets conned into clearing out her mother's house by her bossy older sister Betsy while her mother recovers from a stroke in hospital and then a nursing home. Elinor had not realised that her mother had turned into a hoarder extraordinaire since she had left home decades earlier with the house, garden and garage chock-a-block of boxes, bags and cartons of every conceivable object and rubbish possible. Then to add to her frustration, she continues to have confrontations with Race Ericson, the health inspector that starts out as a pain in the butt, but ultimately comes to mean so much more and assists her as the house is modified for her mother's return.
December 25, 2025
Small town romance and story revolving around family, mental illness, substance abuse, and dysfunction.
I really wanted to like this, but I just did not. I was bored by the story but not the characters. I honestly enjoyed the characters except for the elderly parents as well as the older sister and I also liked the premise of the story.
The book was just tedious and I think the ages of the characters at times wouldn't allow me to feel connected.
I thought Elinor was great and I understood her issues. Even her brother Mark was someone I cared about. Betsy I was over and absolutely did NOT care about what happened with her nor her family by page 30. Race was alright, but I didn't feel that much chemistry between him and Elinor.
I really wanted to like this, but I just did not. I was bored by the story but not the characters. I honestly enjoyed the characters except for the elderly parents as well as the older sister and I also liked the premise of the story.
The book was just tedious and I think the ages of the characters at times wouldn't allow me to feel connected.
I thought Elinor was great and I understood her issues. Even her brother Mark was someone I cared about. Betsy I was over and absolutely did NOT care about what happened with her nor her family by page 30. Race was alright, but I didn't feel that much chemistry between him and Elinor.
December 25, 2025
Small town romance and story revolving around family, mental illness, substance abuse, and dysfunction.
I really wanted to like this, but I just did not. I was bored by the story but not the characters. I honestly enjoyed the characters except for the elderly parents as well as the older sister and I also liked the premise of the story.
The book was just tedious and I think the ages of the characters at times wouldn't allow me to feel connected.
I thought Elinor was great and I understood her issues. Even her brother Mark was someone I cared about. Betsy I was over and absolutely did NOT care about what happened with her nor her family by page 30. Race was alright, but I didn't feel that much chemistry between him and Elinor.
I really wanted to like this, but I just did not. I was bored by the story but not the characters. I honestly enjoyed the characters except for the elderly parents as well as the older sister and I also liked the premise of the story.
The book was just tedious and I think the ages of the characters at times wouldn't allow me to feel connected.
I thought Elinor was great and I understood her issues. Even her brother Mark was someone I cared about. Betsy I was over and absolutely did NOT care about what happened with her nor her family by page 30. Race was alright, but I didn't feel that much chemistry between him and Elinor.
November 16, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. It's like an episode of Hoarders, without all the professional help. Family drama, secrets, romance. How would you handle cleaning out a hoarders house without them there to help? The mental issues behind the hoarding and just wow. It's a no win.
I wasn't too sure about Elinor and Race's relationship, how it started out. I personally wouldn't be able to forgive and forget. I skimmed over the bedroom scenes. They weren't bad, but not really needed either (for me anyhow).
The only thing lacking is the ending, I was really hoping for more. Maybe an epilogue :-)
I wasn't too sure about Elinor and Race's relationship, how it started out. I personally wouldn't be able to forgive and forget. I skimmed over the bedroom scenes. They weren't bad, but not really needed either (for me anyhow).
The only thing lacking is the ending, I was really hoping for more. Maybe an epilogue :-)
February 11, 2019
Great read! Interesting for those who have to help someone prepare someone for New status of needing more ways to be safe at home by yourself and coming home to a whole new life. Interesting how a family sometimes turns out when we are adults with our own lives and family to deal with and even New people introduced in different ways plus become a part in our lives! Downsizing to the extremely a few surprises along the way!!
Anyone , who would like a tangled web and a little pushy shovel between siblings as well as a very good outcome in the end!
Anyone , who would like a tangled web and a little pushy shovel between siblings as well as a very good outcome in the end!
December 14, 2019
The beginning of the story stared with a lead character who came home to clean her mother’s house who was a hoarder. I liked the end much more than the beginning. The beginning I felt it was about The lead character getting stuck cleaning her mother’s house, with ungrateful siblings, a nasty mother and mostly her need for sex. As the story went on characters developed and as you read you learned about the characters and their stories. Easy read. Ok book.
March 12, 2020
Great read
I really enjoyed this book. It talks about hoarding in ways you can understand. It tells of how it can affect family. Informative but a great story too. I cannot wait to read more from this author. This was a book that will make you look at your own stuff in a different way makes me want to get rid of some of my junk.
I really enjoyed this book. It talks about hoarding in ways you can understand. It tells of how it can affect family. Informative but a great story too. I cannot wait to read more from this author. This was a book that will make you look at your own stuff in a different way makes me want to get rid of some of my junk.
October 10, 2020
Storyline was interesting
Learning above hoarding was interesting. The family dynamics were well developed and seemed very realistic. The relationship between the two main characters would have been just as interesting without all the sexual issues. The book could have been better and shorter without all that. In fact I would have rated it four stars.
Learning above hoarding was interesting. The family dynamics were well developed and seemed very realistic. The relationship between the two main characters would have been just as interesting without all the sexual issues. The book could have been better and shorter without all that. In fact I would have rated it four stars.
May 22, 2021
I enjoyed reading this book. A peak into the dynamics of a family when a person dies or as in this case a hoarder is put in medical care and will not be released until her home is safe. The job falls to the youngest of the family and the other member shy away from helping her. She commits to the house for her mother even though she cannot get along with her and at the same time find a romance.
December 12, 2019
Story: 2/5 (It was okay/meh)
I've watched the show Hoarders before and have a weird fascination with it. Usually it's about the before and after pictures. I thought maybe a book would be interesting too, but I'm not so sure. Maybe the process of cleaning out a hoarder's house should be kept to a 50 minute episode. So this is a family drama with a bit of romance mixed in. If you want to call it that. I didn't like Race. The romance between Elinor and him was weird and didn't feel believable. He was such a dick to her. He yelled at her and was rude and this was just the first meeting. I'm not sure if this was supposed to be a hate-to-love scenario, but it just didn't work for me. His actions and her reactions to them didn't make sense. It made both of them unlikeable: him for being such a freaking jerk and her for "melting" every time he was around. Ew.
Then there was her family. Her siblings were jerks. Her mother was a jerk. I thought Elinor was a good character by herself. I liked her and the way she treated the teens and even the neighbors. She tried to be a good person. I think this story would have been better if the romance wasn't in it at all. And I don't usually say that. Or maybe if it was a slow build and Race was... you know.. a nice person. The excuse that he's just "passionate" about poverty and sanitation is not a good enough reason for him to be such a jerk to her in the beginning. Not attractive. And I'm assuming we're supposed to find him attractive.
The writing was good, but really, this book could have been cut way down. 400+ pages is pretty long for a contemporary. Too long. I was at about the 50% mark when I started to feel like "Is this over yet??" I think 100-150 pages could easily be cut out and have this be a more well-paced book. By the last quarter of the book I was just skimming the paragraphs just to get it over with. That's too bad. I'm sure no author wants to have that be the result of their work.
**This review copy was provided for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
Challenges:
2018 Goodreads Challenge
I've watched the show Hoarders before and have a weird fascination with it. Usually it's about the before and after pictures. I thought maybe a book would be interesting too, but I'm not so sure. Maybe the process of cleaning out a hoarder's house should be kept to a 50 minute episode. So this is a family drama with a bit of romance mixed in. If you want to call it that. I didn't like Race. The romance between Elinor and him was weird and didn't feel believable. He was such a dick to her. He yelled at her and was rude and this was just the first meeting. I'm not sure if this was supposed to be a hate-to-love scenario, but it just didn't work for me. His actions and her reactions to them didn't make sense. It made both of them unlikeable: him for being such a freaking jerk and her for "melting" every time he was around. Ew.
Then there was her family. Her siblings were jerks. Her mother was a jerk. I thought Elinor was a good character by herself. I liked her and the way she treated the teens and even the neighbors. She tried to be a good person. I think this story would have been better if the romance wasn't in it at all. And I don't usually say that. Or maybe if it was a slow build and Race was... you know.. a nice person. The excuse that he's just "passionate" about poverty and sanitation is not a good enough reason for him to be such a jerk to her in the beginning. Not attractive. And I'm assuming we're supposed to find him attractive.
The writing was good, but really, this book could have been cut way down. 400+ pages is pretty long for a contemporary. Too long. I was at about the 50% mark when I started to feel like "Is this over yet??" I think 100-150 pages could easily be cut out and have this be a more well-paced book. By the last quarter of the book I was just skimming the paragraphs just to get it over with. That's too bad. I'm sure no author wants to have that be the result of their work.
**This review copy was provided for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
Challenges:
2018 Goodreads Challenge
October 26, 2018
An entertaining and enjoyable read. It's well written, the characters are interesting and likeable and the plot is engaging.
Recommended!
Many thanks to Irene Vartanoff and Netgalley for this ARC
Recommended!
Many thanks to Irene Vartanoff and Netgalley for this ARC
November 7, 2018
Thank you Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I didn't know what to expect initially. A story surrounding a hoarder is unusual and a complex topic. The author did an incredible job depicting the emotional and frustrating process of sorting and cleaning up her mother's house. Her personal journey in understanding her mother's struggle, the conflicts of dealing with her siblings and the possibility of find true love with Race is a huge undertaking for a person with abandonment issues. I'm glad that Race was there to firmly see her through the project and show her she is worthy of love and forgiveness.
Will try other novels from this author. I definitely recommend.
I didn't know what to expect initially. A story surrounding a hoarder is unusual and a complex topic. The author did an incredible job depicting the emotional and frustrating process of sorting and cleaning up her mother's house. Her personal journey in understanding her mother's struggle, the conflicts of dealing with her siblings and the possibility of find true love with Race is a huge undertaking for a person with abandonment issues. I'm glad that Race was there to firmly see her through the project and show her she is worthy of love and forgiveness.
Will try other novels from this author. I definitely recommend.
November 10, 2018
This book gives more than expected. It is a heart warming story that is a perfect blend of romance, secrets, and family with their complications. The characters are engaging and the story is well paced. I was pleasantly surprised by just how much I enjoyed this one. Highly recommend!
January 6, 2019
Cleaning Her House by Irene Vartanoff is a complex and heartwarming story about hoarders, families and new chances.
When Elinor, a collage professor takes sabbatical she gets pulled into family drama. Her elderly mother is recuperating after her illness and can't come home until her house is cleaned properly. Elinor's sister and brother don't realize what an impossible job Elinor has involuntarily taken on, and can't accept the fact that their mother is a hoarder.
Not only has she to battle a lost cause, but local county inspector Race will not give her a break. The problem is that those two can't keep their hands to themselves and hot summer nights get sizzling hot.
She also finds unopened letters from her father who abandoned them years ago and finds out her mother has been lying for twenty five years.
Gripping tale of loss and forgiveness, about sibling rivalry and past mistakes and opening your heart for love that will touch all of us. There is a lesson to be learned on every page. So many complex relations between characters of this book. So many problems that need solving. Each of them is fighting their own battle.
Truly moving story that will break your heart and give you hope. A must read.
When Elinor, a collage professor takes sabbatical she gets pulled into family drama. Her elderly mother is recuperating after her illness and can't come home until her house is cleaned properly. Elinor's sister and brother don't realize what an impossible job Elinor has involuntarily taken on, and can't accept the fact that their mother is a hoarder.
Not only has she to battle a lost cause, but local county inspector Race will not give her a break. The problem is that those two can't keep their hands to themselves and hot summer nights get sizzling hot.
She also finds unopened letters from her father who abandoned them years ago and finds out her mother has been lying for twenty five years.
Gripping tale of loss and forgiveness, about sibling rivalry and past mistakes and opening your heart for love that will touch all of us. There is a lesson to be learned on every page. So many complex relations between characters of this book. So many problems that need solving. Each of them is fighting their own battle.
Truly moving story that will break your heart and give you hope. A must read.
January 14, 2019
Cleaning Her House is a family drama combined with a small town romance. Have you ever seen the TV show Hoarders? It's a bit like that, just without the professional help, but with all the drama and secrets.
Elinor's elderly mother is recuperating after illness and she can't come home until her house has been properly cleaned. Elinor has taken on the task of cleaning the house and discovers that her mother is a hoarder, something that Elinor's sister and brother cannot seem to cope with.
Moreover, she's up against local country inspector Race who will not give her a break and is a bit of a jackass to her, and apparently Elinor has to have him. It seemed a bit strange, as I found him a bit rigid and annoying.
I liked the writing, but the book could easily have been cut down, it's pretty long and I would have liked an epilogue.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Elinor's elderly mother is recuperating after illness and she can't come home until her house has been properly cleaned. Elinor has taken on the task of cleaning the house and discovers that her mother is a hoarder, something that Elinor's sister and brother cannot seem to cope with.
Moreover, she's up against local country inspector Race who will not give her a break and is a bit of a jackass to her, and apparently Elinor has to have him. It seemed a bit strange, as I found him a bit rigid and annoying.
I liked the writing, but the book could easily have been cut down, it's pretty long and I would have liked an epilogue.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews