Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews

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Publication Date:

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Genre: Fantasy (Urban Fantasy)

Blurb:

"On the outside, Dina Demille is the epitome of normal. She runs a quaint Victorian Bed and Breakfast in a small Texas town, owns a Shih Tzu named Beast, and is a perfect neighbor, whose biggest problem should be what to serve her guests for breakfast. But Dina is...different: Her broom is a deadly weapon; her Inn is magic and thinks for itself. Meant to be a lodging for otherworldly visitors, the only permanent guest is a retired Galactic aristocrat who can’t leave the grounds because she’s responsible for the deaths of millions and someone might shoot her on sight. Under the circumstances, "normal" is a bit of a stretch for Dina.

And now, something with wicked claws and deepwater teeth has begun to hunt at night....Feeling responsible for her neighbors, Dina decides to get involved. Before long, she has to juggle dealing with the annoyingly attractive, ex-military, new neighbor, Sean Evans—an alpha-strain werewolf—and the equally arresting cosmic vampire soldier, Arland, while trying to keep her inn and its guests safe. But the enemy she’s facing is unlike anything she’s ever encountered before. It’s smart, vicious, and lethal, and putting herself between this creature and her neighbors might just cost her everything."

Funny story/bit of confessional. I get bored and post on Reddit random book recommendations sometimes and this was one. Someone told me it was a good read and it was.

I love this book, this is my first Ilona Andrews book and the duo made me into a fan. Honestly, I can't sing the praises enough. It's the perfect easy read to break up any longer reads or just on a vacation. Its so fun discovering the world that exists within ours and felt very original. I have never read a book about an innkeeper and how it tied into Dina's power was really cool. The writing is also really good.

Dina runs an inn called Gertrude Hunt and it's one that is not super popular. She was a Shih Tzu named Beast (who's adorable) and one resident at the Inn, Caldenia. Caldenia is hilarious and will be there for a lifetime due to her crimes. There is a hot neighbour, who is an alpha werewolf. The creatures stalking the neighbour are fresh and exciting. Dina asks the hot neighbour Sean to get ride of the creature, but ends up killing the first herself. Sean and Dina end up having to work together to take them out.

I love Dina. Other writers should take note on how to write a badass female protagonist. She is not afraid to ask for help, but is not a damsel in distress. Dina is hilarious and an endearing narrator. I want to be her friend. She has good character progression. The love interest is perfect, as its a slow build. Sean also is a fully formed character. The plot is good and fast moving, I also liked how the world building was done.

4.5 wine glasses out of 5.

I'd recommend this book to anyone looking for a bad ass female protagonist or just into urban fantasy. It's a nice short read that has many good things going for it. There was nothing I disliked about it. If you want a bit of humour, perfect bonus for you!

Cheers, Jen.