My Clean Sweep Book Review - No Spoilers
Plot Summary
Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews is a fun urban fantasy with some sci-fi twist that feels easy, fast, and memorable. The story puts me in the shoes of Dina Demille, who appears to run a charming B&B in a small Texas town—except her inn is anything but ordinary. The Gertrude Hunt is a magical, sentient refuge for intergalactic travelers. On the outside, Dina builds a quiet life with her feisty Shih Tzu, Beast, and tries to blend in with her neighbors. But when something starts slaughtering pets and livestock—something with claws no normal animal could have—Dina can’t ignore it.
She gets tangled with her mysterious new neighbor, Sean Evans, an alpha werewolf struggling to understand his own powers, and the formidable vampire Arland, who arrives on his own secret quest. Together, they face off against deadly creatures stalking the town while trying to keep the magic and chaos hidden from the outside world. The narrative mixes quirky humor, high-stakes battles, and clever problem-solving, all told through Dina’s sharp, resourceful, and sometimes snarky perspective.
Why I Love This Book
I love how Clean Sweep balances heart, humor, and action. Dina is a total badass, even if she doesn’t look like one at first. She’s quick-witted, loyal, and handles supernatural threats without giving up her kindness or sense of responsibility. The magical inn is honestly one of my favorite settings ever—it’s alive, clever, and filled with surprises.
The side characters shine. Sean is broody but loyal, and Arland is not your typical vampire—he’s funny, oddly formal, and unexpectedly charming. Caldenia, the inn’s permanent guest, is both terrifying and hilarious. I never get bored, because something wild is always happening—whether it’s monster attacks, political vampire intrigue, or just trying to keep breakfast normal.
I also love that the book drops me right into its universe and just lets me figure things out. The world is big, weird, and full of otherworldly politics, but the story moves fast and makes me want to keep reading. There’s a hint of a love triangle, but romance is light and doesn’t drown out the adventure, which I actually appreciate.
Who Will Like This Book
If you love urban fantasy with original world-building, witty dialogue, and strong heroines, you’ll like this. It’s a great fit if you want a story where the romance is slow-burn and secondary to the main plot. Fans of magic inns, werewolves, and vampires with a twist will feel right at home.
If you enjoy fast-paced, slightly zany stories with humor, found family, and supernatural politics, this is your kind of book. But if you want hard-edged, dark romance or full-on sci-fi, this isn’t as heavy as that—it’s lighter, funny, and full of heart.
Tagged As
urban fantasy, paranormal romance, magical inn, sentient house, shapeshifters, psychic powers, vampires, werewolf hero, strong heroine, hidden worlds, slow burn, allies to lovers, love triangle (light), humor, mystery, monster hunt, found family, small town, series, HEA, indie romance.
Steam Level
🌶️🌶️ | Mild
The romance is hinted at, with plenty of chemistry and attraction, but physical intimacy stays light in this first book. If you want sweet tension, hilarious banter, and a bit of blush-worthy flirtation without explicit scenes, this is a good pick. The series promises more heat later, but here, the focus is on building relationships and trust.
