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A Clean Sweep
Prepare to be swept off your feet in this gripping and hilarious tale of unexpected love.Emily, a fifty-something widow, has long abandoned the idea of finding romance. Little does she know that a handsome twenty-something chimney sweep is about to turn her world upside down.As Emily grapples with the surprising arrival of this young suitor, her daughter Tabitha senses something amiss in her own relationship. Meanwhile, ABBA-loving Meryl, Tabitha's boss, believes she has found true love.But appearances can be deceiving. Emily's seemingly perfect sister, Celeste, may not have the idyllic marriage she portrays to the world. And Susan, a single and overweight woman, has resigned herself to a life of solitude, haunted by the memory of the one who got away.Get ready for an emotional rollercoaster as their lives intertwine. This captivating book will steal your heart, bring a smile to your face, and leave you yearning for your own chimney to sweep. Discover the power of unexpected love and the hope it brings in this unforgettable story.'Pick up a copy of this enchanting debut romantic comedy today!''A warm and witty read. Leaves you with a lovely fuzzy feeling. Fabulously entertaining … I didn't want to put it down!'Praise for A Clean Sweep'This book had me giggling from the outset. It's a warm, witty read with relatable and loveable characters whose lives all intertwine in some way.'Amazon Reviewer'I laughed and I shed tears, but mostly I found myself highly entertained by the internal dialogue and unwitting drama that followed each of the ladies of the book club.'Amazon Reviewer'A Clean Sweep is a light-hearted cozy romance full of brilliant characters that will delight the reader.'Amazon Reviewer
308 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2020
39 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Audrey Davis
11 books108 followersAudrey Davis survived secondary school on the West coast of Scotland. Rubbish at science but not too bad at English, she originally wanted to be an actress but was persuaded that journalism was a safer option. Probably wise. She studied at Napier College in Edinburgh, the only place in Scotland at that time to offer a journalism course.
Her first foray into the hard-nosed newspaper world was as a junior reporter in Dumfriesshire. Duties included interviewing farmers about the prize-winning heifers to reporting on family tragedies. She persuaded her editor to let her launch an entertainment column which meant meeting the odd celebrity – or just the downright odd. From there, she moved to the loftier rank of senior reporter back in her home patch. Slightly more money, fewer farm animals but a higher crime rate. As Taggart would say: 'There's been a murrrrder!'
After a stint in London on a video magazine – yes, she is that old – Audrey moved to Singapore with her fiancé. She tried valiantly to embrace the stinking heat, humidity and lack of jobs, although she did work briefly on a magazine which was banned by the government for 'artistic' use of naked men's bottoms.
Next on her adventures was a land Down Under where her main focus was raising Cost Centre One (aka firstborn) and coming to terms with the imminent arrival of Number Two. Still, she loved the Aussie way of life – BBQs, beaches and bring your own booze to restaurants – so it came as a blow when OH announced a move back to the UK. Not a job between use, the climate a possible deal breaker and an Exorcist-style vomiting infant on the flight home didn't bode well …
Always a survivor, Audrey sought out similar-minded friends (i.e. slightly bonkers), got the children into a good school and thought about taking up writing again. Sadly, thinking about it was as far as she got, unless you count shopping lists. Then, hubby drops another bombshell. Switzerland. As in – it's packing time again. Off to the land of cheese, chocolate, scarily efficient trains and a couple of teeny, tiny issues. Like driving on the 'wrong' side of the road and speaking a foreign language (French). The former was conquered fairly quickly (we'll skip over the wall demolition in week two), the latter remains an ongoing battle of the hopeful against the hopeless. At least she provides amusement for the local workforce.
It wasn't until 2016 that Audrey rediscovered her writing mojo with an on line Writing Fiction course. From there, her first novel – A Clean Sweep – was born, although it took a bit longer than nine months from conception. A short, darker prequel – A Clean Break – followed, and in November 2017 she published the first in a novella trilogy, The Haunting of Hattie Hastings Part One. Parts Two and Three followed, and were combined into a standalone novel in November 2018. Her third romantic comedy A Wish For Jinnie will be published in June 2020.
Her first foray into the hard-nosed newspaper world was as a junior reporter in Dumfriesshire. Duties included interviewing farmers about the prize-winning heifers to reporting on family tragedies. She persuaded her editor to let her launch an entertainment column which meant meeting the odd celebrity – or just the downright odd. From there, she moved to the loftier rank of senior reporter back in her home patch. Slightly more money, fewer farm animals but a higher crime rate. As Taggart would say: 'There's been a murrrrder!'
After a stint in London on a video magazine – yes, she is that old – Audrey moved to Singapore with her fiancé. She tried valiantly to embrace the stinking heat, humidity and lack of jobs, although she did work briefly on a magazine which was banned by the government for 'artistic' use of naked men's bottoms.
Next on her adventures was a land Down Under where her main focus was raising Cost Centre One (aka firstborn) and coming to terms with the imminent arrival of Number Two. Still, she loved the Aussie way of life – BBQs, beaches and bring your own booze to restaurants – so it came as a blow when OH announced a move back to the UK. Not a job between use, the climate a possible deal breaker and an Exorcist-style vomiting infant on the flight home didn't bode well …
Always a survivor, Audrey sought out similar-minded friends (i.e. slightly bonkers), got the children into a good school and thought about taking up writing again. Sadly, thinking about it was as far as she got, unless you count shopping lists. Then, hubby drops another bombshell. Switzerland. As in – it's packing time again. Off to the land of cheese, chocolate, scarily efficient trains and a couple of teeny, tiny issues. Like driving on the 'wrong' side of the road and speaking a foreign language (French). The former was conquered fairly quickly (we'll skip over the wall demolition in week two), the latter remains an ongoing battle of the hopeful against the hopeless. At least she provides amusement for the local workforce.
It wasn't until 2016 that Audrey rediscovered her writing mojo with an on line Writing Fiction course. From there, her first novel – A Clean Sweep – was born, although it took a bit longer than nine months from conception. A short, darker prequel – A Clean Break – followed, and in November 2017 she published the first in a novella trilogy, The Haunting of Hattie Hastings Part One. Parts Two and Three followed, and were combined into a standalone novel in November 2018. Her third romantic comedy A Wish For Jinnie will be published in June 2020.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
May 4, 2018
4 Delightful Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Well now, this book makes me wish I had a fireplace so I could call me A chimney sweep... OK now I feel stupid because I just figured out the title of this book! This was a fun book filled with fabulous characters that were so real, with real problems, and real reactions....
Emily was a 50 something-year-old widow, who is perfectly content with her single life... until Joe shows up to sweep her chimney.... now Joe is 30 and pretty much perfect (this is why I am wishing I had a fireplace).... Tabatha is Emily‘s daughter who has pretty much just decided that her current relationship is going nowhere fast.... Celeste is Emily’s sister who appears to have a solid marriage, but are things as good as they seem to be?There were even more characters including Susan and Tabatha‘s boss.... five real women, in five very different situations, all just trying to live the happiest lives they can....
In the beginning of this book I was a little overwhelmed with all these characters.... but as the book progressed I really got to know and appreciate every one of their stories.... although I have to admit Emily’s story was my favorite... I liked her relationship with Joe... and I liked her mother daughter relationship with Tabatha.... I also thoroughly enjoyed Tabatha’s story, I liked her... she had some sass! I think with so many characters in this book everyone will find someone to relate to...
Recommend to all fans of Women’s Fiction books filled with real women...
*** thank you to the author and Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for my copy of this lovely book ***
Well now, this book makes me wish I had a fireplace so I could call me A chimney sweep... OK now I feel stupid because I just figured out the title of this book! This was a fun book filled with fabulous characters that were so real, with real problems, and real reactions....
Emily was a 50 something-year-old widow, who is perfectly content with her single life... until Joe shows up to sweep her chimney.... now Joe is 30 and pretty much perfect (this is why I am wishing I had a fireplace).... Tabatha is Emily‘s daughter who has pretty much just decided that her current relationship is going nowhere fast.... Celeste is Emily’s sister who appears to have a solid marriage, but are things as good as they seem to be?There were even more characters including Susan and Tabatha‘s boss.... five real women, in five very different situations, all just trying to live the happiest lives they can....
In the beginning of this book I was a little overwhelmed with all these characters.... but as the book progressed I really got to know and appreciate every one of their stories.... although I have to admit Emily’s story was my favorite... I liked her relationship with Joe... and I liked her mother daughter relationship with Tabatha.... I also thoroughly enjoyed Tabatha’s story, I liked her... she had some sass! I think with so many characters in this book everyone will find someone to relate to...
Recommend to all fans of Women’s Fiction books filled with real women...
*** thank you to the author and Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for my copy of this lovely book ***
May 4, 2018
My Rating:
4.5
Favorite Quotes:
She hoped it was a passing phase. Her daughter had been through more phases than the moon. With a few total eclipses along the way.
Up Yours Chimney Services… they were members of the European Federation of Chimney Sweeps, which sounded very impressive. Perhaps they all met up once a year in The Hague or Brussels. She imagined a giant table around which sat dozens of men – perhaps women too – comparing brush lengths and discussing the merits of coal versus wood. Maybe having a sing along in Mockney accents.
Emily had known for weeks now that the tap was a nuisance but had pushed it to the bottom of the pile of jobs that needed doing. Like her taxes and shaving her legs.
“They can be a handful at times, but they’re adorable really.” Privately Tom thought they were about as adorable as a dose of genital herpes but wisely kept his thoughts to himself.
“She’s not the cause, just a symptom.” Which made this other woman sound like a rare medical condition rather than a brazen hussy who’d snaffled her man.
As Celeste still regarded exercise with trepidation and loathed having to wear trainers – so unattractive – she always opted for the park. At least it was flat there and she didn’t have to contend with disgustingly healthy individuals bounding past her while she wheezed red-faced up a slight incline.
My Review:
I smirked my way through this crisply written, delightful, cleverly amusing, and sweetly heart-squeezing tale. Written in the third person omniscient POV for multiple characters of both sexes, I adored the humorous observations and inner musings of the outstandingly quirky cast of characters. And there were plenty of them, all uniquely distinct, flawed, and endearingly bent. Each household was experiencing significant transition, which included and was not limited to excitement, heartbreak, disappointments, new love, lost love, and remarkable gains and losses. The storylines were rife with scandals, stressors, secrets, scares, shames, surprises, and scams. And I relished them all. I also added collywobbles to my Brit vocabulary list, which means a nervous or upset stomach and is a fun word to roll off the tongue. I am eager to put it into usage, although, hopefully, not in reference to myself.
4.5
Favorite Quotes:
She hoped it was a passing phase. Her daughter had been through more phases than the moon. With a few total eclipses along the way.
Up Yours Chimney Services… they were members of the European Federation of Chimney Sweeps, which sounded very impressive. Perhaps they all met up once a year in The Hague or Brussels. She imagined a giant table around which sat dozens of men – perhaps women too – comparing brush lengths and discussing the merits of coal versus wood. Maybe having a sing along in Mockney accents.
Emily had known for weeks now that the tap was a nuisance but had pushed it to the bottom of the pile of jobs that needed doing. Like her taxes and shaving her legs.
“They can be a handful at times, but they’re adorable really.” Privately Tom thought they were about as adorable as a dose of genital herpes but wisely kept his thoughts to himself.
“She’s not the cause, just a symptom.” Which made this other woman sound like a rare medical condition rather than a brazen hussy who’d snaffled her man.
As Celeste still regarded exercise with trepidation and loathed having to wear trainers – so unattractive – she always opted for the park. At least it was flat there and she didn’t have to contend with disgustingly healthy individuals bounding past her while she wheezed red-faced up a slight incline.
My Review:
I smirked my way through this crisply written, delightful, cleverly amusing, and sweetly heart-squeezing tale. Written in the third person omniscient POV for multiple characters of both sexes, I adored the humorous observations and inner musings of the outstandingly quirky cast of characters. And there were plenty of them, all uniquely distinct, flawed, and endearingly bent. Each household was experiencing significant transition, which included and was not limited to excitement, heartbreak, disappointments, new love, lost love, and remarkable gains and losses. The storylines were rife with scandals, stressors, secrets, scares, shames, surprises, and scams. And I relished them all. I also added collywobbles to my Brit vocabulary list, which means a nervous or upset stomach and is a fun word to roll off the tongue. I am eager to put it into usage, although, hopefully, not in reference to myself.
May 4, 2018
Book reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com
Widowed fifty-something Emily isn’t interested in dating again, no matter how much her daughter and friends try to persuade her.
At a recent book club held at her home, Emily tries to smoke her guests out when she lights the fire in her living-room. Something is causing an obstruction in her chimney. Looking up ‘Chimney Sweeps’ she comes across a company ‘Up Yours’ and on the name alone decides to hire them.
She’s in for a surprise though when twenty-something Joe turns up. He’s rather hunky and starts something stirring inside her. The feeling it would seem is mutual and it ends up being more than just her chimney being seen to!
How will Emily cope with a man half her age?
A Clean Sweep is an entertaining book that follows the life of ordinary Emily, her book club friends, her sister Celeste and her daughter Tabitha, who is having a relationship crisis of her own.
The book is filled with plenty of euphemisms and one-liners and is very amusing from the first page to the last. It also has a brilliant plot that you can delve right in to.
There were quite a lot of characters all with their own life problems which interweave themselves into the main plot. They were all a delight to get to know and their stories were all a pleasure to read.
This is a book about an ordinary woman, with ordinary friends set in London. It is light-hearted and would be a perfect beach read, something to keep you amused whilst lolling in the sun.
Widowed fifty-something Emily isn’t interested in dating again, no matter how much her daughter and friends try to persuade her.
At a recent book club held at her home, Emily tries to smoke her guests out when she lights the fire in her living-room. Something is causing an obstruction in her chimney. Looking up ‘Chimney Sweeps’ she comes across a company ‘Up Yours’ and on the name alone decides to hire them.
She’s in for a surprise though when twenty-something Joe turns up. He’s rather hunky and starts something stirring inside her. The feeling it would seem is mutual and it ends up being more than just her chimney being seen to!
How will Emily cope with a man half her age?
A Clean Sweep is an entertaining book that follows the life of ordinary Emily, her book club friends, her sister Celeste and her daughter Tabitha, who is having a relationship crisis of her own.
The book is filled with plenty of euphemisms and one-liners and is very amusing from the first page to the last. It also has a brilliant plot that you can delve right in to.
There were quite a lot of characters all with their own life problems which interweave themselves into the main plot. They were all a delight to get to know and their stories were all a pleasure to read.
This is a book about an ordinary woman, with ordinary friends set in London. It is light-hearted and would be a perfect beach read, something to keep you amused whilst lolling in the sun.
May 2, 2018
A Clean Sweep was a really lovely read that I flew through.
It follows Emily, Tabitha and Celeste. Emily and Celeste are sisters and Emily is also the mother to Tabitha.
Emily I just loved. She is widowed and whilst being pestered by her daughter and friends to get involved again, she isn’t actively looking. When Joe, the chimney sweep comes into her life, woah, her life certainly becomes more fun! I was actually quite jealous that I don’t have a chimney for some hunk to come and clean!
Each woman brings something different to the story. It is one very much about relationships and love. I think it is one that will give hope to all women out there, whether you are single, married, widowed or in a relationship.
A Clean Sweep is without a doubt a wonderfully entertaining read that will have you engrossed from the outset. A definite pick me up for those miserable days or perfect to read on a sun lounger.
My thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
It follows Emily, Tabitha and Celeste. Emily and Celeste are sisters and Emily is also the mother to Tabitha.
Emily I just loved. She is widowed and whilst being pestered by her daughter and friends to get involved again, she isn’t actively looking. When Joe, the chimney sweep comes into her life, woah, her life certainly becomes more fun! I was actually quite jealous that I don’t have a chimney for some hunk to come and clean!
Each woman brings something different to the story. It is one very much about relationships and love. I think it is one that will give hope to all women out there, whether you are single, married, widowed or in a relationship.
A Clean Sweep is without a doubt a wonderfully entertaining read that will have you engrossed from the outset. A definite pick me up for those miserable days or perfect to read on a sun lounger.
My thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
November 26, 2017
It’s a story about Emily, her family and book club friends. Emily is a fifty-something widow, whose life changes, when she calls for a chimney sweep after the smokey accident at the book club meeting. She didn’t search for love, but sometimes love just comes to your life unexpectedly. The book follows the lives of different women and their problems in life that are very realistic and relatable.
At first I was a little concerned about the fact that there are a lot of characters to follow, but it flowed very nicely and didn’t confuse at all. It was a well written book and I liked how each chapter was about different character and in the end it all tied together. I enjoyed reading it and would definitely recommend it.
At first I was a little concerned about the fact that there are a lot of characters to follow, but it flowed very nicely and didn’t confuse at all. It was a well written book and I liked how each chapter was about different character and in the end it all tied together. I enjoyed reading it and would definitely recommend it.
November 4, 2017
I thought I had lost my reading mojo before I started this book and then I found the first few chapters very slow I was becoming disheartened but then...I began to really warm to the characters and the book started to grab me.
I found the characters search for love and friendship realistic. The style of writing slowly pulls you in as the story unfolds until you are hooked.
I highly recommend this book.
I found the characters search for love and friendship realistic. The style of writing slowly pulls you in as the story unfolds until you are hooked.
I highly recommend this book.
May 8, 2018
This is the second (or third depending how you split the Haunting book up) book I have read of Audrey's so kind of knew what I was getting into.
This book follows the same humour as the Haunting of Hattie Hastings, which I loved so got on really well with the book.
The story follows a group of women all brought together for various reasons, mainly through a book club.
The book has laughs and tears in equal measures throughout and proves that you can find love anywhere and when you least expect it.
The story is a very easy read, which I finished within a couple of days, and you learn a great deal about each of the characters. The author deals with some very serious issues well and in a very sensitive manner.
Overall this is a very good and easy read, and I can't wait to read more by Audrey.
This book follows the same humour as the Haunting of Hattie Hastings, which I loved so got on really well with the book.
The story follows a group of women all brought together for various reasons, mainly through a book club.
The book has laughs and tears in equal measures throughout and proves that you can find love anywhere and when you least expect it.
The story is a very easy read, which I finished within a couple of days, and you learn a great deal about each of the characters. The author deals with some very serious issues well and in a very sensitive manner.
Overall this is a very good and easy read, and I can't wait to read more by Audrey.
November 4, 2017
Absolutely loved this book! All the characters were great & I loved the way the stories connected.
November 7, 2017
This was such a charming story, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I found myself getting quite emotionally involved with all the characters and I kind of hope there will be a sequel at some point (although it didn't end with a cliff hanger, so it isn't necessary, per se, I just want the story to continue!). That is just me being greedy though ;)
Emily is living her normal life, not expecting romance to come her way but one day it does, in a rather spectacular way. Her daughter Tabitha is in a relationship but is there trouble in paradise? Then there are the various members of Emily's Book Club, some of whom have unexpected stories in their pasts, which are revealed as the book goes on. All in all, I found the characters real, relatable, interesting and with more depth than might have been expected. It was an all-round positive book and I loved it!
I gave this book a well-deserved 5 stars.
I voluntarily reviewed this book and all opinions expressed are my own. Thank you to THE Book Club.
Emily is living her normal life, not expecting romance to come her way but one day it does, in a rather spectacular way. Her daughter Tabitha is in a relationship but is there trouble in paradise? Then there are the various members of Emily's Book Club, some of whom have unexpected stories in their pasts, which are revealed as the book goes on. All in all, I found the characters real, relatable, interesting and with more depth than might have been expected. It was an all-round positive book and I loved it!
I gave this book a well-deserved 5 stars.
I voluntarily reviewed this book and all opinions expressed are my own. Thank you to THE Book Club.
October 28, 2017
Like the compass points on a map, the lives of the woman in "A Clean Sweep" intersect and impact on one another. I laughed and I shed tears, but mostly I found myself highly entertained by the internal dialogue and unwitting drama that followed each of the ladies of the book club. When Emily smokes her book club meeting out, she obviously calls a chimney sweep. What she didn't expect was a man young enough to be her son who sets her well-ordered life on its end. As Emily and her circle of family and friends come to terms with the difficulties they each face, they also demonstrate that when women stand together, they can conquer insurmountable odds and that the sum of the whole is greater than the individual parts. This highly entertaining read is well written with a good flow of language and delightful characters that charm their way into one's heart. When there are so many interconnecting stories, it is difficult to write a review without spoilers, save to say that this book is well worth while reading. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
November 6, 2017
Loved this book, I loved the way the story connected and how it was written. It was a really easy read and one that I enjoyed immensely.
The first book Ive read by Audrey but I will definitely look out for her books in the future.
The first book Ive read by Audrey but I will definitely look out for her books in the future.
August 3, 2020
You’ll remember how much I loved The Haunting of Hattie Hastings, with its fantastic romance, intelligent humour and general gripping nature, while at the same time having me not want to finish. As a result, when I saw this, A Clean Sweep, by the lovely and amazing Audrey Davies, I jumped.
A Clean Sweep is the story of a number of different characters, all who are looking for something in their life. I’ll admit to not having read the blurb and so thinking this was just the story of Emily, a widow, and Joe, the lovely chimney sweep and then was nicely surprised!
I love multiple stories, and was intrigued to see where they would meet up and thrilled that I continuously knew who each of the characters were and could keep up with their lives. I’ll admit I’m a bit of a prude, so some of the cheekier moments weren’t totally my thing, but it didn’t really matter, I was so swept (see what I did there) up in everything else!
The storytelling is rich, intelligent and bright, I felt for all the characters, (even the ones I had thought I couldn’t warm to) and flew through the book to a satisfying, wonderful, feel good (and also very real) ending.
Rating: 4.5/5
A Clean Sweep is the story of a number of different characters, all who are looking for something in their life. I’ll admit to not having read the blurb and so thinking this was just the story of Emily, a widow, and Joe, the lovely chimney sweep and then was nicely surprised!
I love multiple stories, and was intrigued to see where they would meet up and thrilled that I continuously knew who each of the characters were and could keep up with their lives. I’ll admit I’m a bit of a prude, so some of the cheekier moments weren’t totally my thing, but it didn’t really matter, I was so swept (see what I did there) up in everything else!
The storytelling is rich, intelligent and bright, I felt for all the characters, (even the ones I had thought I couldn’t warm to) and flew through the book to a satisfying, wonderful, feel good (and also very real) ending.
Rating: 4.5/5
November 5, 2017
I really enjoyed reading about Emily, her friends and family. There is some lovely interplay between the lives of the various characters and some parts of the book made me laugh out loud. Emily’s romantic liaison with a younger man (a chimney sweep, hence the title) is just one thread in a tightly woven cloth of sheer delight!
There is so much more I would like to say, but it is impossible to do so without spoiling the read for others. Suffice it to say, if you are looking for a good book that will make you laugh and make you cry, but leave you feeling you’ve shared some wonderful moments with good friends, then this is the book for you.
There is so much more I would like to say, but it is impossible to do so without spoiling the read for others. Suffice it to say, if you are looking for a good book that will make you laugh and make you cry, but leave you feeling you’ve shared some wonderful moments with good friends, then this is the book for you.
October 28, 2017
Relationships are at the heart of this story and each of the characters are at a crossroads of change in their lives. Each chapter we learn a little more of each character individually and slowly we learn how they are all connected.
The story is very fast paced with lively words from page one that are so full of spark and energy they explode off the page with enthusiasm, sweeping the reader along in their energetic almost hyperactive way, that is thoroughly entertaining.
The story is very fast paced with lively words from page one that are so full of spark and energy they explode off the page with enthusiasm, sweeping the reader along in their energetic almost hyperactive way, that is thoroughly entertaining.
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January 12, 2020I loved this book ! Audrey Davis has an amazing way with words and a brilliant mind !
Wow all the different characters with their various types of relationships !! I could relate very closely some !
The idea of a chimney sweep with an older woman is very clever ! I love happy endings !
It was so witty I could not put it down ! I highly recommend this book and this author, she must be a very very special lady !
Thank you for giving me this wonderful holiday reading book !
Wow all the different characters with their various types of relationships !! I could relate very closely some !
The idea of a chimney sweep with an older woman is very clever ! I love happy endings !
It was so witty I could not put it down ! I highly recommend this book and this author, she must be a very very special lady !
Thank you for giving me this wonderful holiday reading book !
August 14, 2017
I loved the book! It wasn't at all what I expected. Audrey Davis has an amazing way with words, and I am sure this will not be my last read by this fantastic author. I loved Emily and other characters, and they reminded me of some of my British friends. You will end up falling in love with the characters and their lives. Highly recommend this book!
February 26, 2018
Hilarious and Heart warming
Simply brilliant. A perfect blend of romance, soap opera drama, friendships, and family. And plenty of humor to go around.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
Simply brilliant. A perfect blend of romance, soap opera drama, friendships, and family. And plenty of humor to go around.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
August 10, 2017
Leaves you with a lovely fuzzy feeling. Perfect for your next summer read for the train, the sun-lounger, the sofa or anywhere you want to indulge in a good leisurely read. Fifty-something Emily is not looking for romance but when she almost sets fire to the members of her book club one evening, the chimney sweep who comes to the rescue turns out to ignite something that proves far more difficult to extinguish than the chimney. A great read and highly recommended.
August 3, 2017
A feel good read ....
This book hooked me from the start and kept me turning the pages to see what was going to happen next. The characters are sympathetic and well drawn and the conversation funny and realistic. Definitely a feel good read to take on holiday or just curl up on the sofa on a rainy day – you will find yourself smiling and generally feeling really positive by the time you finish it!
This book hooked me from the start and kept me turning the pages to see what was going to happen next. The characters are sympathetic and well drawn and the conversation funny and realistic. Definitely a feel good read to take on holiday or just curl up on the sofa on a rainy day – you will find yourself smiling and generally feeling really positive by the time you finish it!
July 29, 2017
This book had me giggling from the outset. It's a warm, witty read with relatable and loveable characters whose lives all intertwine in some way.
The story follows as each character has a very real hurdle of some sort to overcome and is a brilliant reminder that you never really know what someone is dealing with, whether it be illness or loneliness, and how small acts of kindness can mean so much.
I'd definitely recommend this book and think there's definitely sequel potential - I'd love to see these women get together again!
Life really does begin at fifty!
The story follows as each character has a very real hurdle of some sort to overcome and is a brilliant reminder that you never really know what someone is dealing with, whether it be illness or loneliness, and how small acts of kindness can mean so much.
I'd definitely recommend this book and think there's definitely sequel potential - I'd love to see these women get together again!
Life really does begin at fifty!
October 20, 2017
A good read that bounces along at a good pace. Great for a holiday or beach read and definitely a pleasant experience!
Characters are quite well rounded and believable and the story is a fun feel good read.
Characters are quite well rounded and believable and the story is a fun feel good read.
July 19, 2017
52 year old Emily is a widow living an upper middle-class life in a desirable London neighborhood. Her circle revolves around her book club. Nobody expected the man of her dreams to be half her age.
This is a charming slice of life in modern London. Emily’s grown daughter is having relationship problems, another club member is getting a divorce, someone else has cancer. It reminded me of several Maeve Binchy books; real people with real problems, and action that hinges on the ebb and flow of relationships. Emily’s younger man is a chimney sweep and entrepreneur, hence the name of the book, which is a double entendre. But the freshness isn’t confined to Emily and there’s a happy ending for all. A charming and delightful read with clever dialogue.
This is a charming slice of life in modern London. Emily’s grown daughter is having relationship problems, another club member is getting a divorce, someone else has cancer. It reminded me of several Maeve Binchy books; real people with real problems, and action that hinges on the ebb and flow of relationships. Emily’s younger man is a chimney sweep and entrepreneur, hence the name of the book, which is a double entendre. But the freshness isn’t confined to Emily and there’s a happy ending for all. A charming and delightful read with clever dialogue.
June 17, 2017
I liked this one a lot, and thought it was highly entertaining to follow Emily and the other characters as the story twists and turns in ways that sometimes are predictable, and sometimes both surprising and hilarious. The writing is very British, and a few things went slightly above my head, but since I find it funny when a toe gets ‘a wee bit of a wallop’ or someone is sleeping with ‘a stripling of a lad’, it mostly just added to the overall delight.
The characters are well described and I’m sure everyone will have their own favorites – mine is Susan, who I found myself wanting to read more about, or perhaps Emily herself.
‘A clean sweep’ is a perfect read when you want to spend a lazy afternoon curled up with a book, and probably a very British ‘cuppa’.
The characters are well described and I’m sure everyone will have their own favorites – mine is Susan, who I found myself wanting to read more about, or perhaps Emily herself.
‘A clean sweep’ is a perfect read when you want to spend a lazy afternoon curled up with a book, and probably a very British ‘cuppa’.
May 3, 2018
Chimney sweeps, are they even a thing any more? I’ve lived in this house for thirteen years and I’ve never had my chimney swept. I may have to remedy that situation now that I’ve read this book as it can obviously lead to interesting encounters!
This is the story of a group of women – ordinary women with ordinary lives – and the not-very-extraordinary things that happen to them. Doesn’t sound very exciting, does it? Well, do you know what, there is drama and passion and tension and heartbreak and joy in the not-very-extraordinary lives of these women and the genius of this book is making a funny, page-turning and heart-warming story out of the ordinary things that happen to ordinary people like you and I.
Emily is a middle-aged woman, widowed from a mundane marriage and just happy trundling along day to day, not expecting much until a chance encounter with hunky Joe who comes to sweep her chimney (not a euphemism to begin with but it soon turns into one, and this book is full of them!) turns her life on its head. There is an instant attraction, but is the substantial age gap a stumbling block to a proper relationship?
“He is a twenty-something hunk who wouldn’t look twice at someone old enough to be his mother. Cougars, wasn’t that what they were called these days? Except Emily felt she was about as predatory as an ancient feline who craved nothing more than a saucer of milk and a good ear scratch.”
Emily’s daughter Tabitha has problems of her own. Stuck in a job she doesn’t want and a relationship that could best be described as ‘tepid’, her life is not at all what she imagined. Does she have the courage to make drastic decisions to change it all? And what will she say when she finds out about her mum’s toy boy?
“One old crone – who really should only have been let out at Halloween – had spent almost half an hour slathering “try me” samples of organically produced hand creams on her wizened claws. Then complained that the smells were ‘quite obnoxious’. As she scuttled off back to her broomstick, Tabitha resisted shouting after her that six different fragrances mixed together didn’t necessarily make for olfactory heaven. Maybe eye of newt and tongue of bat would have been more up her street. Up yours, Endora.”
Tabitha’s boss, Meryl, is searching for love online and thinks she may finally have found it in charming suitor, Miroslaw. But can you really know someone you meet online?
Emily’s sister, Celeste, is married to the love of her life, Martin. But ghosts from Martin’s past are threatening to upset the stability of Celeste’s seemingly charmed life, and she only has herself to blame.
Lonely Susan is battling life’s problems solo. When faced with the biggest challenge of her life, she wonders if things would have been different if she hadn’t thrown away her one chance at love twenty years ago. But there is no point is wishing she had made a different decision now, is there?
This book is set in an ordinary town that could be anywhere, it is not relying on a picturesque or exotic location for colour. These are women that you know, that you meet in every day life, that could be you. The things that happen to them are the things that happen to all of us, every day, everywhere. There are no shocking twists or outlandish escapades. The drama is the small drama that happens to all of us all of the time. The kind of thing that isn’t going to make ripples for anyone else in the wider world, it isn’t going to make the front page of the paper but that can change an individual’s life forever in an instant. The author very cleverly makes us care about the characters in this book so much that these ordinary things become as important to us as they are to the individuals involved and you become very invested in a positive outcome very quickly. Honestly, I was so impressed by how she has managed to draw such a poignant story out of things that, on the face of it, seem fairly undramatic.
This book is carried along by the author’s warm and engaging voice and the strong vein of humour that runs through the book. I was laughing out loud one minute and then my heart was breaking for one of the characters the next. I completely bought in to everything that was happening and really wanted everything to turn out well for them all. I read this book in one sitting, and the time just flew by. It is utterly charming and I would highly recommend it. It is refreshing to see such a fantastic story made out of ordinary lives, featuring real people. I loved it.
This is the story of a group of women – ordinary women with ordinary lives – and the not-very-extraordinary things that happen to them. Doesn’t sound very exciting, does it? Well, do you know what, there is drama and passion and tension and heartbreak and joy in the not-very-extraordinary lives of these women and the genius of this book is making a funny, page-turning and heart-warming story out of the ordinary things that happen to ordinary people like you and I.
Emily is a middle-aged woman, widowed from a mundane marriage and just happy trundling along day to day, not expecting much until a chance encounter with hunky Joe who comes to sweep her chimney (not a euphemism to begin with but it soon turns into one, and this book is full of them!) turns her life on its head. There is an instant attraction, but is the substantial age gap a stumbling block to a proper relationship?
“He is a twenty-something hunk who wouldn’t look twice at someone old enough to be his mother. Cougars, wasn’t that what they were called these days? Except Emily felt she was about as predatory as an ancient feline who craved nothing more than a saucer of milk and a good ear scratch.”
Emily’s daughter Tabitha has problems of her own. Stuck in a job she doesn’t want and a relationship that could best be described as ‘tepid’, her life is not at all what she imagined. Does she have the courage to make drastic decisions to change it all? And what will she say when she finds out about her mum’s toy boy?
“One old crone – who really should only have been let out at Halloween – had spent almost half an hour slathering “try me” samples of organically produced hand creams on her wizened claws. Then complained that the smells were ‘quite obnoxious’. As she scuttled off back to her broomstick, Tabitha resisted shouting after her that six different fragrances mixed together didn’t necessarily make for olfactory heaven. Maybe eye of newt and tongue of bat would have been more up her street. Up yours, Endora.”
Tabitha’s boss, Meryl, is searching for love online and thinks she may finally have found it in charming suitor, Miroslaw. But can you really know someone you meet online?
Emily’s sister, Celeste, is married to the love of her life, Martin. But ghosts from Martin’s past are threatening to upset the stability of Celeste’s seemingly charmed life, and she only has herself to blame.
Lonely Susan is battling life’s problems solo. When faced with the biggest challenge of her life, she wonders if things would have been different if she hadn’t thrown away her one chance at love twenty years ago. But there is no point is wishing she had made a different decision now, is there?
This book is set in an ordinary town that could be anywhere, it is not relying on a picturesque or exotic location for colour. These are women that you know, that you meet in every day life, that could be you. The things that happen to them are the things that happen to all of us, every day, everywhere. There are no shocking twists or outlandish escapades. The drama is the small drama that happens to all of us all of the time. The kind of thing that isn’t going to make ripples for anyone else in the wider world, it isn’t going to make the front page of the paper but that can change an individual’s life forever in an instant. The author very cleverly makes us care about the characters in this book so much that these ordinary things become as important to us as they are to the individuals involved and you become very invested in a positive outcome very quickly. Honestly, I was so impressed by how she has managed to draw such a poignant story out of things that, on the face of it, seem fairly undramatic.
This book is carried along by the author’s warm and engaging voice and the strong vein of humour that runs through the book. I was laughing out loud one minute and then my heart was breaking for one of the characters the next. I completely bought in to everything that was happening and really wanted everything to turn out well for them all. I read this book in one sitting, and the time just flew by. It is utterly charming and I would highly recommend it. It is refreshing to see such a fantastic story made out of ordinary lives, featuring real people. I loved it.
May 5, 2018
Right from the beginning this book had me smiling. I found it to be a real feel-good story. Emily is the main character. She's in her fifties, widowed, with a grown-up daughter, Tabitha. Life is fine but I'd say she's fairly unfulfilled. Until Joe turns up to give her chimney a good sweep (no, that's not just a euphemism!).
I loved Joe, I can't imagine anyone thinking otherwise. He's hunky and kind and just what Emily needs in her life, but he's a good 20 years younger than her so she has to wrestle with herself over whether her attraction to him is a good thing or not.
This isn't just Emily's story though. This is an ensemble piece, with Tabitha taking one of the lead roles alongside Emily's sister, Celeste, and her friend, Susan. All have similar unfulfilling lives to Emily and along the course of this book we see them all grow and find what they need to make them happy.
I liked almost all the characters and particularly the way they all helped each other and rallied round when needed. There's a really strong sense of friendship running throughout this story, and some genuinely likeable characters who I'd quite like to meet again (sequel perhaps?).
This is one of those books where, if it wasn't careful, it might have got a bit too twee. But I think what sets this one aside from other similar novels is the humour with which Audrey Davis writes about the situations her characters find themselves in. I have to admit to guffawing when Emily remembers that her late husband, Jim, was more Oral B than oral sex. See what I mean? That alone is such a clever line and really appealed to my sense of humour.
As I said, this is a feel-good, heart-warming sort of book. I got to the last page with a sense of satisfaction, enjoyment and a feeling of having spent time reading something that made me laugh, smile and feel quite sad at times. A Clean Sweep is a really sweet, charming read.
I loved Joe, I can't imagine anyone thinking otherwise. He's hunky and kind and just what Emily needs in her life, but he's a good 20 years younger than her so she has to wrestle with herself over whether her attraction to him is a good thing or not.
This isn't just Emily's story though. This is an ensemble piece, with Tabitha taking one of the lead roles alongside Emily's sister, Celeste, and her friend, Susan. All have similar unfulfilling lives to Emily and along the course of this book we see them all grow and find what they need to make them happy.
I liked almost all the characters and particularly the way they all helped each other and rallied round when needed. There's a really strong sense of friendship running throughout this story, and some genuinely likeable characters who I'd quite like to meet again (sequel perhaps?).
This is one of those books where, if it wasn't careful, it might have got a bit too twee. But I think what sets this one aside from other similar novels is the humour with which Audrey Davis writes about the situations her characters find themselves in. I have to admit to guffawing when Emily remembers that her late husband, Jim, was more Oral B than oral sex. See what I mean? That alone is such a clever line and really appealed to my sense of humour.
As I said, this is a feel-good, heart-warming sort of book. I got to the last page with a sense of satisfaction, enjoyment and a feeling of having spent time reading something that made me laugh, smile and feel quite sad at times. A Clean Sweep is a really sweet, charming read.
May 5, 2018
Emily lives with her husband memories, what would say, Tom, probably Tom would do this, Tom did that. Her sister Celeste wants to bring joy to Emily’s life and they are members of a book club. It is Emily’s turn to be a host of the book club and they all in her living room. Everything is fine but suddenly whole room fulfils with smoke. One more reason Emily to be depressed and disappointed. She finds a good sweep cleaning agency and everything goes upside down in her not so good life.
This book makes me think that everything that happens in life has a reason why it happens. I laugh a lot almost on every page I turn. I feel like I know Emily and I think oh this could happen to everyone, I could be like Emily in my fifties.
Emily is a simple woman, she just wants to live her life and evoke her husband memories, but love could happen anywhere and any time. She doesn’t expect love but she will find it in an unusual way.
Celeste has a perfect life, or she thinks that, but there is one big BUT… She is surrounded by lies and secrets. I love her positiveness and how she brings life to the book.
The third character is Emily’s daughter Tabitha. I like her but I enjoy more reading about her mother and her aunt.
The author did great thing with this book. I like Audrey Devis’s style and her humour is laugh out loud.
This book makes me think that everything that happens in life has a reason why it happens. I laugh a lot almost on every page I turn. I feel like I know Emily and I think oh this could happen to everyone, I could be like Emily in my fifties.
Emily is a simple woman, she just wants to live her life and evoke her husband memories, but love could happen anywhere and any time. She doesn’t expect love but she will find it in an unusual way.
Celeste has a perfect life, or she thinks that, but there is one big BUT… She is surrounded by lies and secrets. I love her positiveness and how she brings life to the book.
The third character is Emily’s daughter Tabitha. I like her but I enjoy more reading about her mother and her aunt.
The author did great thing with this book. I like Audrey Devis’s style and her humour is laugh out loud.
April 5, 2018
Picture this: A group of middle aged people living suburban existences wanting that little more excitement and adventure in their lives. One would like a new man in her life and in walks a gorgeous chimney sweep. Another has changed her name from Beryl to Meryl after her favourite film star and spends her time whenever possible singing to ABBA tracks- despite singing like “ a cat being given an enema”. A daughter whose love life has fallen flat on the floor and really wants to move jobs as well as boyfriends. A man who by chance sees his estranged daughter in the supermarket with her sons- he hasn’t seen her since she was small as his wife has kept him away. You get the gist of the subject matter of the book- A lighthearted look at life with a smile. It took me a little while to get into this book but once I did it was a thoroughly enjoyable read. Think suburban wives with the odd (in every sense!) man thrown in. An interesting take on life with its ups and downs and the love and losses along the way with a little humour and a rogue for good measure. A book to restore your faith in life and love.
For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/
or follow me on Twitter @nickijmurphy1
For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/
or follow me on Twitter @nickijmurphy1
May 6, 2018
The first thing I said to myself when I finished this was aww what a lovely book, not only is it lovely but it is full of LOL moments which tells a story about relationships, lies and second chances. This is the third book that I have read by the author and she is now becoming one of my favourite romantic comedy authors.
Those of you that follow my reviews know that it's not often I read books in this genre but when I do they really have to have that something special about them. and this book is just that. I loved the author's style of writing which made me feel part of the story.
I read it in just one morning I simply couldn't put it down when I was taken on a roller coaster ride of emotions where we meant an array of delightful characters who are realistic and easy to relate to. Without giving to much away, I absolutely loved Susan and her situation totally pulled on my heart strings! you will have to read it to see what I mean. I am just left wondering why we don't have chimney sweepers LOL
A Clean Sweep is a perfect uplifting summer days read which I highly recommend giving it 4 stars.
Massive thank you to Rachel Gilbey for inviting me to take part
Those of you that follow my reviews know that it's not often I read books in this genre but when I do they really have to have that something special about them. and this book is just that. I loved the author's style of writing which made me feel part of the story.
I read it in just one morning I simply couldn't put it down when I was taken on a roller coaster ride of emotions where we meant an array of delightful characters who are realistic and easy to relate to. Without giving to much away, I absolutely loved Susan and her situation totally pulled on my heart strings! you will have to read it to see what I mean. I am just left wondering why we don't have chimney sweepers LOL
A Clean Sweep is a perfect uplifting summer days read which I highly recommend giving it 4 stars.
Massive thank you to Rachel Gilbey for inviting me to take part
August 5, 2017
A light-hearted and entertaining romp through the lives of several disparate characters, A Clean Sweep gives us Emily, the not-so-grieving widow of an adulterer, Celeste, her materialistic and shallow sister, Tabitha, her unpleasant daughter, and Susan, a fat and socially-isolated 50-year-old. The four women's lives interweave until they are all woven together at the end, in a mass outbreak of happy-ever-after that is worthy of Messrs Gilbert and Sullivan.
I found the male characters rather flat, but the book is saved from mediocrity by the heart-breaking and utterly realistic portrayal of the interior life of the sad and overweight Susan. I actually cried real tears reading about her; it was utterly believable and very close to the bone. Well written indeed.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for the purpose of a fair review.
I found the male characters rather flat, but the book is saved from mediocrity by the heart-breaking and utterly realistic portrayal of the interior life of the sad and overweight Susan. I actually cried real tears reading about her; it was utterly believable and very close to the bone. Well written indeed.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for the purpose of a fair review.
May 2, 2018
An easy to read book on romance and relationships. This book falls under the genre of romantic comedy, however it also has really interesting story-lines on other characters. It took me a little while to warm to two of the main characters; I think Emily's daughter for example, was described as someone much younger than 29. However I was soon able to look past this and as the character developed, so did my interest in her.
The women face issues that a number of us can relate to, which makes you want to read on to see what happens. There's not much I can say on this, without giving too much away, however I really enjoyed reading about how the relationships developed but especially how they supported each other when needed.
Conclusion
A lovely light novel, perfect for a Sunday afternoon with a cuppa!
The women face issues that a number of us can relate to, which makes you want to read on to see what happens. There's not much I can say on this, without giving too much away, however I really enjoyed reading about how the relationships developed but especially how they supported each other when needed.
Conclusion
A lovely light novel, perfect for a Sunday afternoon with a cuppa!
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