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Golden Earrings
A powerful saga of family, love, honour and betrayal
You who judge me: come! Let me tell you a story …
Paloma Batton is the granddaughter of Spanish refugees who fled Barcelona after the Civil War. A disciplined student with the School of the Paris Opera Ballet, Paloma lets little get in the way of her career until she receives a visit from an otherworldly being who leaves her with a pair of golden earrings.
Sensing that she has been given a quest, Paloma begins exploring her own Spanish heritage and makes the connection between the visitor and ‘la Rusa’, a woman who rose from poverty to become one of the great flamenco dancers of modern times.
La Rusa died while living in Paris in 1952. Her death was ruled a suicide but as Paloma begins to unravel the secrets of the past, she discovers more than one person who had good reason for wanting la Rusa dead, including Paloma’s own grandmother.
GOLDEN EARRINGS is a story that moves between two great cities: Barcelona in the lead up to the Civil War and Paris in the 1970s. It is the story of two women and the extremes to which they are willing to go for love. It is a story of great passions -- and great betrayals -- where nothing is quite as it seems.
Praise for TUSCAN ROSE:
‘Impeccable research into the terrible times of Mussolini’s Italy makes this story of sacrifice and salvation unforgettable’ WOMAN’S DAY
You who judge me: come! Let me tell you a story …
Paloma Batton is the granddaughter of Spanish refugees who fled Barcelona after the Civil War. A disciplined student with the School of the Paris Opera Ballet, Paloma lets little get in the way of her career until she receives a visit from an otherworldly being who leaves her with a pair of golden earrings.
Sensing that she has been given a quest, Paloma begins exploring her own Spanish heritage and makes the connection between the visitor and ‘la Rusa’, a woman who rose from poverty to become one of the great flamenco dancers of modern times.
La Rusa died while living in Paris in 1952. Her death was ruled a suicide but as Paloma begins to unravel the secrets of the past, she discovers more than one person who had good reason for wanting la Rusa dead, including Paloma’s own grandmother.
GOLDEN EARRINGS is a story that moves between two great cities: Barcelona in the lead up to the Civil War and Paris in the 1970s. It is the story of two women and the extremes to which they are willing to go for love. It is a story of great passions -- and great betrayals -- where nothing is quite as it seems.
Praise for TUSCAN ROSE:
‘Impeccable research into the terrible times of Mussolini’s Italy makes this story of sacrifice and salvation unforgettable’ WOMAN’S DAY
528 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
145 people are currently reading
1283 people want to read
About the author
Belinda Alexandra
21 books753 followersBelinda Alexandra has been published to wide acclaim in Australia and internationally. She is the daughter of a Russian mother and an Australian father and has been an intrepid traveller since her youth. Her love of other cultures is matched by her passion for her home country, Australia, where she is a volunteer carer for the NSW Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service (WIRES).
Belinda is also an ambassador for the World League for the Protection of Animals (Australia) and lives in Sydney with a menagerie of adored pets.
Join Belinda's community of readers at facebook.com/BelindaAlexandraAuthor
Belinda is also an ambassador for the World League for the Protection of Animals (Australia) and lives in Sydney with a menagerie of adored pets.
Join Belinda's community of readers at facebook.com/BelindaAlexandraAuthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 183 reviews
January 29, 2012
This is a masterfully crafted, rich feast of a read. Knowing too well the amount of time, effort and hope that goes into writing a novel, I won’t review a book unless I have only good things to say about it … and I have lots of terrific things to say about this one.
Alexandra creates a passionate, deeply interwoven story about a girl, Celestina, born in Barcelona’s early 20th century ghettos, who survives to become a world class Flamenco dancer. Through Spain’s turbulent civil unrest, she becomes involved with the Montello family whose wealth and naïve sense of privilege amidst Spain’s elite represent everything she has been raised to hate. The book opens in 1970s Paris with Celestina’s ghost appearing to a young, disheartened ballet dancer named Paloma who lives with her grandmother, Mamie, in the same building where they run a small ballet studio. In the solemn quiet of that early morning, Celestina wordlessly gives Paloma a set of golden hoop earrings. And so the mystery begins.
The book’s setting sweeps expertly between Franco’s dictatorial ascendency in Spain and 1970s Paris. Even while we read about Paloma’s more contemporary challenges, the brutal atmospherics of Spain’s civil war and their implications for individuals − in this case Celestina, her family and all of the Montella family members − permeate the story. Alexandra’s characters love, hate, betray and are betrayed. The romance and intrigue build with slow-burning intensity, as does the full realisation of the destructiveness of key characters’ deep-seeded misperceptions and misunderstandings about each other as a result of their shattered circumstances. Just when you might think that Alexandra can’t raise the stakes any higher, she does.
She also clearly did extensive research. Not only is the story satisfying, but so is the history lesson. In considering early 20th century history, many of us may be inclined to focus on the two world wars to the extent that they overshadow the ferocity of Spain’s civil war and the ways in which it scarred its population. This account will certainly encourage you to reflect on that further. Her knowledge of the cultural and artistic details of her eras − including the emotional and technical aspects of Flamenco dancing, piano concertos, Catalan traditions and language − is equally impressive.
I was particularly gobsmacked by this book’s structure. Alexandra tells the story from three points of view while working between two different eras. Plenty of experienced writers would falter with this. But instead of rehashing prior scenes, Alexandra moves from each point of view to the next in a way that seamlessly moves the story forward. This was definitely a book that I was sorry to see end.
Alexandra creates a passionate, deeply interwoven story about a girl, Celestina, born in Barcelona’s early 20th century ghettos, who survives to become a world class Flamenco dancer. Through Spain’s turbulent civil unrest, she becomes involved with the Montello family whose wealth and naïve sense of privilege amidst Spain’s elite represent everything she has been raised to hate. The book opens in 1970s Paris with Celestina’s ghost appearing to a young, disheartened ballet dancer named Paloma who lives with her grandmother, Mamie, in the same building where they run a small ballet studio. In the solemn quiet of that early morning, Celestina wordlessly gives Paloma a set of golden hoop earrings. And so the mystery begins.
The book’s setting sweeps expertly between Franco’s dictatorial ascendency in Spain and 1970s Paris. Even while we read about Paloma’s more contemporary challenges, the brutal atmospherics of Spain’s civil war and their implications for individuals − in this case Celestina, her family and all of the Montella family members − permeate the story. Alexandra’s characters love, hate, betray and are betrayed. The romance and intrigue build with slow-burning intensity, as does the full realisation of the destructiveness of key characters’ deep-seeded misperceptions and misunderstandings about each other as a result of their shattered circumstances. Just when you might think that Alexandra can’t raise the stakes any higher, she does.
She also clearly did extensive research. Not only is the story satisfying, but so is the history lesson. In considering early 20th century history, many of us may be inclined to focus on the two world wars to the extent that they overshadow the ferocity of Spain’s civil war and the ways in which it scarred its population. This account will certainly encourage you to reflect on that further. Her knowledge of the cultural and artistic details of her eras − including the emotional and technical aspects of Flamenco dancing, piano concertos, Catalan traditions and language − is equally impressive.
I was particularly gobsmacked by this book’s structure. Alexandra tells the story from three points of view while working between two different eras. Plenty of experienced writers would falter with this. But instead of rehashing prior scenes, Alexandra moves from each point of view to the next in a way that seamlessly moves the story forward. This was definitely a book that I was sorry to see end.
July 25, 2013
I listened to this wonderful book as an audio book, i cannot recommend this story enough. One of the best stories ive read in a long time
Beautifully read by Caroline Lee who is a gifted actor and narrator who has worked extensively in theatre, film, and television as well as having narrated many audiobooks.
Beautifully read by Caroline Lee who is a gifted actor and narrator who has worked extensively in theatre, film, and television as well as having narrated many audiobooks.
August 3, 2018
What can I say about this book!! This is the 2nd time I have read it and I loved it even more. I can almost forgive Belinda Alexandra for white gardenia which I found extremely boring.
Golden earrings is the story of Paloma, an aspiring ballerina in the 70s Paris and her Spanish ancestors. Through twists and turns she tries to unveil the story of a ghost that visits her and gives her a pair of golden earrings. At the same time she's trying to cope with the loss of her mother and the attitude of her father as well as the judges of the Paris Opera who she did not impress the first time she tried to join the corps de ballet.
I felt so moved by the story that takes place in the 30s in Barcelona and was in tears by the end of the book. I could empathize with every character, even if they had completely different points of view, their respective actions were justified. I found the atrocities of the civil war quite appalling at times, but I understand that the descriptions had to be raw to make the reader as well as the main character Paloma realize that nothing should be taken for granted.
In a nutshell this is a compelling read about well-kept secrets, sacrifice, betrayal and redemption. Highly recommended!!!
Golden earrings is the story of Paloma, an aspiring ballerina in the 70s Paris and her Spanish ancestors. Through twists and turns she tries to unveil the story of a ghost that visits her and gives her a pair of golden earrings. At the same time she's trying to cope with the loss of her mother and the attitude of her father as well as the judges of the Paris Opera who she did not impress the first time she tried to join the corps de ballet.
I felt so moved by the story that takes place in the 30s in Barcelona and was in tears by the end of the book. I could empathize with every character, even if they had completely different points of view, their respective actions were justified. I found the atrocities of the civil war quite appalling at times, but I understand that the descriptions had to be raw to make the reader as well as the main character Paloma realize that nothing should be taken for granted.
In a nutshell this is a compelling read about well-kept secrets, sacrifice, betrayal and redemption. Highly recommended!!!
October 22, 2022
Algunos datos erróneos sobre España.
November 8, 2020
3.5 stars
A good family saga covering the Spanish Civil War, something I knew virtually nothing about and flamenco dancing. Historical fiction is marvellous as it not only gives you gorgeous, passionate tales but also history lessons, and there was a great deal to absorb in this tale.
Although the narrator Caroline Lee was exceptional in her narration I do recommend reading this book rather than listening to the audiobook as this story is a little hard to follow there being so many characters and flipping back and forth to different timelines. I had to consult the book every so often to figure out who was who and what was what. The story is quite complex I really think I need to return to this book to make more sense of it.
White Gardenia is still my all time favourite of Belinda Alexandra’s books.
A good family saga covering the Spanish Civil War, something I knew virtually nothing about and flamenco dancing. Historical fiction is marvellous as it not only gives you gorgeous, passionate tales but also history lessons, and there was a great deal to absorb in this tale.
Although the narrator Caroline Lee was exceptional in her narration I do recommend reading this book rather than listening to the audiobook as this story is a little hard to follow there being so many characters and flipping back and forth to different timelines. I had to consult the book every so often to figure out who was who and what was what. The story is quite complex I really think I need to return to this book to make more sense of it.
White Gardenia is still my all time favourite of Belinda Alexandra’s books.
August 13, 2015
Izgalmas családregény, amely bemutatja a 20. század eleji spanyol történelmet. A regény egy része Spanyolországban játszódik a múltban, a másik része 1975 körül Párizsban.
September 1, 2018
Muy entretenido.
July 25, 2022
Loved the plot, the characters, the narration. Very engrossing and engaging listen.
February 16, 2024
Hauntingly beautifully written this book is set in the time of the Spanish revolution. Recommended.
September 18, 2018
Golden Earrings is a historical family saga of love, honor, and betrayal. Paloma Batton was happy and contented with her life as a student of the School of the Paris Opera Ballet when someone leaves her a pair of golden earrings. Paloma Batton then started to explore her family's Spanish heritage and found out more than she thought. The readers of Golden Earrings will follow Paloma Batton to see what the secrets her family was hiding.
I enjoy reading this book. Golden Earrings is well written and researched by Belinda Alexandra. I like the way Belinda Alexandra incorporated the historical facts into the plot of Gold Earrings. From the start of Golden Earrings, it captured me with the settings, intrigue and the characters of this book. Belinda Alexandra did a great job of portraying her characters and the way they interact with each other. At times while reading Golden Earrings is made me sad in what some of the characters had to endure during the Spanish Civil War.
The readers of Golden Earrings will learn about the Spanish Civil War and Paris during the 1970's. Golden Earrings highlights the dedication you need to become a prima donna ballerina.
I recommend this book.
I enjoy reading this book. Golden Earrings is well written and researched by Belinda Alexandra. I like the way Belinda Alexandra incorporated the historical facts into the plot of Gold Earrings. From the start of Golden Earrings, it captured me with the settings, intrigue and the characters of this book. Belinda Alexandra did a great job of portraying her characters and the way they interact with each other. At times while reading Golden Earrings is made me sad in what some of the characters had to endure during the Spanish Civil War.
The readers of Golden Earrings will learn about the Spanish Civil War and Paris during the 1970's. Golden Earrings highlights the dedication you need to become a prima donna ballerina.
I recommend this book.
December 31, 2013
I chose to read this as I had many years ago read (and loved) Wild Lavender. I also adore armchair travelling with novels set abroad. Golden Earrings is set in Spain and France so that was another tick in the box before I'd read the first page.
Golden Earrings is an epic tale of family, love and betrayal. Paloma is a ballet dancer living in Paris. An encounter with a ghost leaves her with a pair of earrings and a craving to learn of her Spanish heritage. We follow Paloma on her quest to find the truth of her family's involvement in the Spanish Civil War and their connection to La Rusa - the world's most formidable flamenco star.
The family and character connections are extremely well written as are the dance scenes. Last year in Valencia I saw an amateur flamenco show - it was breath-taking. The drive and the passion of the dance really come through in Belinda's writing. Ole!
Golden Earrings is an epic tale of family, love and betrayal. Paloma is a ballet dancer living in Paris. An encounter with a ghost leaves her with a pair of earrings and a craving to learn of her Spanish heritage. We follow Paloma on her quest to find the truth of her family's involvement in the Spanish Civil War and their connection to La Rusa - the world's most formidable flamenco star.
The family and character connections are extremely well written as are the dance scenes. Last year in Valencia I saw an amateur flamenco show - it was breath-taking. The drive and the passion of the dance really come through in Belinda's writing. Ole!
October 9, 2011
Would give 4.5 if I could. Really enjoyed this. It took me a little bit to get into but this always seems to be the case for me for books with historical settings, especially when I am not very familiar with the context (in this case during the Spanish Revolution). Once it grabbed me, it grabbed me, as her books always do.
March 14, 2021
Τι να πει κανεις για αυτο το βιβλιο!!Εξαιρετικο ,αριστουργημα,ανατρεπτικο..Το λατρεψα πραγματικα!!
July 7, 2019
7,5/10
Me ha gustado la historia, no obstante esperaba más, ya que me gusta mucho la autora. El hecho de que esté narrada en dos ejes cronológicos hace que no la haya disfrutado tanto, porque este tipo de narración nunca termina de engancharme. Tampoco me ha gustado que algunos hechos del pasado se anticipen antes de narrarlos eliminando así el efecto sorpresa, o que algunos acontecimientos llamativos simplemente se mencionen, pero, en general, ha sido una lectura que me ha gustado y ha sido interesante leer sobre la Guerra Civil española a través de una autora extranjera.
Me ha gustado la historia, no obstante esperaba más, ya que me gusta mucho la autora. El hecho de que esté narrada en dos ejes cronológicos hace que no la haya disfrutado tanto, porque este tipo de narración nunca termina de engancharme. Tampoco me ha gustado que algunos hechos del pasado se anticipen antes de narrarlos eliminando así el efecto sorpresa, o que algunos acontecimientos llamativos simplemente se mencionen, pero, en general, ha sido una lectura que me ha gustado y ha sido interesante leer sobre la Guerra Civil española a través de una autora extranjera.
August 24, 2017
Interesting story - my first time learning about Spanish history at the time of their revolution. This was a multi-generational story told by the viewpoints of 3 different women, jumping back and forth between present day and the past. Includes a mystery too. It got a bit slow at the end and I had to increase my audio speed to nearly 1.5 (which I never do) to keep it moving along.
June 16, 2017
What a fantastic book! I absolutely loved it. I got lost in the beautiful storytelling, the mesmerising story, the fate of the people, the history of Spain, the unfolding love, loss, tragedy and family secrets.
The book captures you from the beginning and it just sucks you in deeper and deeper. All the characters are captivating, and as you read on, you get more and more invested in their story. You feel for them, you cry for them, your heart aches for them.
A masterpiece.
The book captures you from the beginning and it just sucks you in deeper and deeper. All the characters are captivating, and as you read on, you get more and more invested in their story. You feel for them, you cry for them, your heart aches for them.
A masterpiece.
August 17, 2016
Interesting story which alternates between mid-1970s Paris and Barcelona in the years leading up to and during the Spanish Civil War of 1936-1939. Paloma is an 18 year old ballet dancer living in Paris in the mid-1970s. The dictator General Francisco Franco dies in late 1975, and Paloma's Spanish grandmother finally feels comfortable opening up to her and telling her story. Also, the ghost of a beautiful woman appears to her and gives her these golden hoop earrings, which, along with her grandmother's revelations, helps to lead her to discover her family's past and how they were affected by the Civil War, as well as flamenco dancing and lots of family secrets.
This was good, but I didn't like it as much the other Belinda Alexandra book that I've read, Sapphire Skies. A lot of family drama is revealed, so it was a little on the melodramatic side for my taste. I did enjoy learning about the Spanish Civil War, a war that unfortunately tends to get skimmed over because of WWII happening right afterwards. So much tragedy and injustice was inflicted on Spain during those decades. This book made me want to look up flamenco dance videos on YouTube (which I did!) so I could see for myself the beautiful, passionate dancing described in the book. 3 stars.
I listened to this on audiobook and was very disappointed with the narration. Caroline Lee is a great narrator for books set in the UK or Australia (she does the Kate Morton books), but she was the WRONG choice for a book about Spaniards. What were the producers thinking? Her affected "Spanish" accent didn't sound Spanish at all but more like a tortured Russian/Eastern European accent. Really annoying. To make matters worse, she had the wrong pronunciation on several Spanish names--one of these being a major character (Xavier), so it was a source of constant irritation.
This was good, but I didn't like it as much the other Belinda Alexandra book that I've read, Sapphire Skies. A lot of family drama is revealed, so it was a little on the melodramatic side for my taste. I did enjoy learning about the Spanish Civil War, a war that unfortunately tends to get skimmed over because of WWII happening right afterwards. So much tragedy and injustice was inflicted on Spain during those decades. This book made me want to look up flamenco dance videos on YouTube (which I did!) so I could see for myself the beautiful, passionate dancing described in the book. 3 stars.
I listened to this on audiobook and was very disappointed with the narration. Caroline Lee is a great narrator for books set in the UK or Australia (she does the Kate Morton books), but she was the WRONG choice for a book about Spaniards. What were the producers thinking? Her affected "Spanish" accent didn't sound Spanish at all but more like a tortured Russian/Eastern European accent. Really annoying. To make matters worse, she had the wrong pronunciation on several Spanish names--one of these being a major character (Xavier), so it was a source of constant irritation.
July 15, 2013
A historical setting brings different times and places ALIVE! In this case, the plot moves between the 1970s Paris back to the Spanish Civil War earlier in the century. The characters are all involved in an intriguing, and colourful family saga with an abundance love, hate and betrayal. We feel these emotions with them - in settings of wealth, deprivation, success and demoralisation.
This is the first Belinda Alexander book that I have read - and feel very anxious to read the other four.
Thank you Belinda for all your research, your brilliant imagination, and your talented writing!
( Just as a post-script. A lovely daughter bought two fridge magnets from Spain, as a gift. One is of a flamenco dancer - and the other of a bull fighter. They will keep Golden Earrings in my thoughts!)
This is the first Belinda Alexander book that I have read - and feel very anxious to read the other four.
Thank you Belinda for all your research, your brilliant imagination, and your talented writing!
( Just as a post-script. A lovely daughter bought two fridge magnets from Spain, as a gift. One is of a flamenco dancer - and the other of a bull fighter. They will keep Golden Earrings in my thoughts!)
October 15, 2011
The potential was there for me to really enjoy this book, but one thing kept stopping me. Look, Miss Alexandra, I do realise this book was set in Barcalona and Paris. But I find the random insertion of foreign words in an English novel to be really pretentious. Maybe now and then, in dialogue perhaps, but not every page or two.
It detracted from what was actually very good writing. It meant that for me, the Story couldn't just flow, because I was getting annoyed every other page.
I would give this author another shot, but I'll have to talk to my sister, who has read previous books, to avoid any others like this.
It detracted from what was actually very good writing. It meant that for me, the Story couldn't just flow, because I was getting annoyed every other page.
I would give this author another shot, but I'll have to talk to my sister, who has read previous books, to avoid any others like this.
June 6, 2012
I love love LOVED this book!
Belinda Alexandra is one of my all time favourite authors and she has yet again demonstrated why.
The storyline was full of adventure and twists worthy of any dancer, and while it was definitely not predictable, it was easy to follow. I would think I had figured it all out and then a new detail would be expertly woven in and I had to guess again.
The characters were colourful and their stories were told by switching seamlessly from one pint of view to another, one era to the next and back again.
I can honest say that the book was exciting right up until the very last page. I would love to read and re-read this book over again many times.
Belinda Alexandra is one of my all time favourite authors and she has yet again demonstrated why.
The storyline was full of adventure and twists worthy of any dancer, and while it was definitely not predictable, it was easy to follow. I would think I had figured it all out and then a new detail would be expertly woven in and I had to guess again.
The characters were colourful and their stories were told by switching seamlessly from one pint of view to another, one era to the next and back again.
I can honest say that the book was exciting right up until the very last page. I would love to read and re-read this book over again many times.
October 4, 2013
An out standing audio book brilliantly read! Alexandra is a fairly new Australian author and this was the first of her books that I have read. I will be hunting out other books by her because I enjoyed this book so much. It was a very powerful family saga with deep love and cruel betrayal set in two time periods. It has given me a better understanding of the Spanish Civil War and its affect on the Spanish people. I have also been enlighten about the passion and dedication a dancer of ballet and flaminco bring to their art. I also want to find other books read by Caroline Lee as she really brought the characters to life.
August 17, 2015
I love books that educate you on certain historical eras and introduce you to the sights and sounds of different countries from the comfort of your own armchair. It is a saga that flows from time to time and includes love, family and angst! We are introduced to Spain after the Civil War and 1970’s Paris. The visual imagery is simply stunning – you are totally drawn into the atmosphere and time. Drawing you into the world of flamenco dancing at times. Wonderfully drawn characters- a really well crafted story.
Belinda Alexander is a new author to me and I am now keen to read her other books.
With many thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for a copy of this book.
Belinda Alexander is a new author to me and I am now keen to read her other books.
With many thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for a copy of this book.
April 4, 2022
Zainteresowana opisem postanowiłam sięgnąć po "Złote kolczyki". Wciągająca fabuła rozgrywająca się w Barcelonie i tajemnica z przeszłości. Do tego historyczne tło Hiszpanii i opisana sytuacja ludności żyjącej w biedzie. Chwilami powieść trochę za długa, czasem mialam wrażenie, że czytam to samo po kilka razy razy jednak wiele momentów mnie wzruszyło. Wątek miłości gdzie spotyka się z odrzuceniem z powodu statusu społecznego. Chętnie poznam inne powieści autorki.
April 7, 2012
Absolutely awesome book... Again Belinda Alexandra takes us to another world and we are left feeling like we were in another time & place. I feel like I knew these people. When Paloma dance the flamenco I was tapping my feet. If you haven't read any of Belinda's books this is another good reason to start.
August 24, 2016
c2011: FWFTB: Spain, Castro, flamenco, ballet, ghost. A rather pedestrian effort showing no particular panache or new take on an old favourite. I could tell what was going to happen or rather how things were going to turn out within the first couple of chapters which made completing the book very difficult. Recommended to those of the normal crew that have not read too many 'family sagas'.
April 10, 2013
One of the most inspirational, descriptive, emotional and interesting books I've EVER read. It is now my favourite! :)
And will be dressing up as La Rusa tomorrow night for our colleges' themed dinner :D
And will be dressing up as La Rusa tomorrow night for our colleges' themed dinner :D
July 21, 2016
It took me a while to finish this book ...but what an awesome story that was !Oh my ...excellent and beautiful .Love ...hate...rich..poor...history...ghosts...it has it all... and multi generation secrets...Read it !
October 3, 2011
Very interesting book as I haven't read much about the history of Spain in the 20th Century. Easy to read family saga like all of her books
April 30, 2012
I was very disappointed with this one. I couldn't finish it. I am not sure why but I might go back to it in the future. Much anticipated but can't win them all.
August 25, 2012
Another great one from Belinda Alexandra. I love that I can actually learn things about historical events through her fiction.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 183 reviews