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. ( )