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Dakota Plains #2
Dakota Dream
“I came to America expecting to be married.”
Clara Johanson had a ticket to America and a photograph of a blond, curly-haired, blue-eyed man to prove her point. But when she arrived in Soldahl, North Dakota, the man who met her at the train station, Dag Weinlander, was definitely not blond and, to make matters worse, he obviously hadn’t bathed in days. At least she knew she would see the joy in her sister’s face when she surprised her by arriving at her Soldahl home.
As Clara began her unexpected life as a single, Norwegian immigrant, she experienced the truth of God’s Word that “weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Along the way she helped others, even Dag Weinlander, experience that truth too, as she stepped into a new Dakota Dream far different than the one that brought her all the way from Bergen, Norway.
Dakota Dream is the second book of the Dakota Series that features the intertwining lives of five inspiring women, all who live in the early 1900s in the immigrant community of Soldahl, North Dakota.
Clara Johanson had a ticket to America and a photograph of a blond, curly-haired, blue-eyed man to prove her point. But when she arrived in Soldahl, North Dakota, the man who met her at the train station, Dag Weinlander, was definitely not blond and, to make matters worse, he obviously hadn’t bathed in days. At least she knew she would see the joy in her sister’s face when she surprised her by arriving at her Soldahl home.
As Clara began her unexpected life as a single, Norwegian immigrant, she experienced the truth of God’s Word that “weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Along the way she helped others, even Dag Weinlander, experience that truth too, as she stepped into a new Dakota Dream far different than the one that brought her all the way from Bergen, Norway.
Dakota Dream is the second book of the Dakota Series that features the intertwining lives of five inspiring women, all who live in the early 1900s in the immigrant community of Soldahl, North Dakota.
128 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1993
571 people are currently reading
452 people want to read
About the author
Lauraine Snelling
160 books2,048 followersAward-winning and bestselling author Lauraine Snelling has over 80 books published with sales of over 4.5 million. Her original dream was to write horse books for children. Today, she writes adult novels about real issues centered on forgiveness, loss, domestic violence and cancer in her inspirational contemporary women’s fiction titles and historical series, including the favorite, Blessing books about Ingeborg Bjorklund and family.
Lauraine enjoys helping others reach their writing dreams by teaching at writer’s conferences across the county. She and her husband Wayne have two grown sons, and a daughter in Heaven. They live in the Tehachapi Mountains with a Basset named Sir Winston ob de Mountains, Lapcat, and “The Girls” (three golden hens).
Lauraine enjoys helping others reach their writing dreams by teaching at writer’s conferences across the county. She and her husband Wayne have two grown sons, and a daughter in Heaven. They live in the Tehachapi Mountains with a Basset named Sir Winston ob de Mountains, Lapcat, and “The Girls” (three golden hens).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
July 21, 2019
..
Clara Johanson is picked up from the train depot by Dag Weinlander and delivered to her sister and her husband's home in the country. Neither knew of the joke being played on them. Clara was optimistic and acclimated to her new environment rather easily. Dag had been demoralized by his step-mother and brother so much throughout his life that he felt like a worthless human being, which reflected in the way he carried himself. Clara was stupified by the dirty, unkempt man that escorted her to her new home. It turns out this fellow was a diamond in the rough! Get ready for a transformation that will blow your socks off!
Clara Johanson has a ticket to America, a written proposal of marriage, and a photograph of a blond, curly-haired, blue-eyed man to prove her point. But when she arrives in Soldahl, North Dakota, the man who meets her at the train station, Dag Weinlander, is definitely not blond and, to make matters worse, he obviously hasn’t bathed in days.
Dakota Dream is the second book of the Dakota Series, Christian historical, that features the intertwining lives of five inspiring women who live in the early 1900s in the farming community of Soldahl, North Dakota. Many young women traveled to the uncharted lands in the western United States to become brides. This story features a young lady named Clara Johanson, who originated from Norway.
Unfortunately, there were a few discrepancies that niggle at your brain. But I overlooked those in favor of reveling in the inspiration and blessings that these folks received.
At least she knows she will see joy in her sister’s face when she surprises her by arriving at her Soldahl home.As Clara begins her unexpected life as a single, Norwegian immigrant, she experiences the truth of God’s Word that “weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Along the way she helps others, even Dag Weinlander, experience that truth too, as she steps into a new Dakota Dream far different than the one that brought her all the way from Bergen, Norway.
Dear reader, can you imagine traveling across the ocean by ship and then across the United States by train to finally arrive in the western state of North Dakota to marry someone you only hold a picture of? Only when you arrive, you discover that he is not at the depot to meet you and no one recognizes his picture? In this case, all is not lost. It appears that God has a plan for this young lady, You have the opportunity to read this short story in order to experience the adventure laid before you.
Amazon Reader Review; 'Clara a young Norwegian woman leaves her home and travels to the Dakota's on the strength of a smudged letter she cannot read, a man's picture and a ticket to America where her sister Nora lived and had married. They had both been saving their money so Clara could come to America. When she gets there no one recognized the picture and no one comes forth to say where the ticket and picture came from. But God works in mysterious ways and soon Clara is involved in helping others and making a wonderful life in a new land. Easy read with good characters and a great story."
God knew what he was doing when he brought Clara into a town filled with such extraordinary people, including her older sister, Norah, which helped tremendously. However, the other people in town that helped shape this woman's future were phenomenal. There wasn't an abundance of excitement or mystery per se, but a natural flow of togetherness.
This story by Lauraine Snelling provides excellent entertainment. It is based on the expectation the failed to materialize. The resolution was not that unexpected, but it took quite some time to run the gamut of changed circumstances before it blended together before they finally reached a happy conclusion
This is a short, clean, and wholesome read that I would recommend to any reader that enjoys the mail-order bride genre. Can you believe that there are still some readers out there that have never experienced even one of these nuggets of inspiration?
Plus, I accessed this series through the Amazon Prime Kindle Unlimited program.
Clara Johanson is picked up from the train depot by Dag Weinlander and delivered to her sister and her husband's home in the country. Neither knew of the joke being played on them. Clara was optimistic and acclimated to her new environment rather easily. Dag had been demoralized by his step-mother and brother so much throughout his life that he felt like a worthless human being, which reflected in the way he carried himself. Clara was stupified by the dirty, unkempt man that escorted her to her new home. It turns out this fellow was a diamond in the rough! Get ready for a transformation that will blow your socks off!
Clara Johanson has a ticket to America, a written proposal of marriage, and a photograph of a blond, curly-haired, blue-eyed man to prove her point. But when she arrives in Soldahl, North Dakota, the man who meets her at the train station, Dag Weinlander, is definitely not blond and, to make matters worse, he obviously hasn’t bathed in days.
Dakota Dream is the second book of the Dakota Series, Christian historical, that features the intertwining lives of five inspiring women who live in the early 1900s in the farming community of Soldahl, North Dakota. Many young women traveled to the uncharted lands in the western United States to become brides. This story features a young lady named Clara Johanson, who originated from Norway.
Unfortunately, there were a few discrepancies that niggle at your brain. But I overlooked those in favor of reveling in the inspiration and blessings that these folks received.
At least she knows she will see joy in her sister’s face when she surprises her by arriving at her Soldahl home.As Clara begins her unexpected life as a single, Norwegian immigrant, she experiences the truth of God’s Word that “weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Along the way she helps others, even Dag Weinlander, experience that truth too, as she steps into a new Dakota Dream far different than the one that brought her all the way from Bergen, Norway.
Dear reader, can you imagine traveling across the ocean by ship and then across the United States by train to finally arrive in the western state of North Dakota to marry someone you only hold a picture of? Only when you arrive, you discover that he is not at the depot to meet you and no one recognizes his picture? In this case, all is not lost. It appears that God has a plan for this young lady, You have the opportunity to read this short story in order to experience the adventure laid before you.
Amazon Reader Review; 'Clara a young Norwegian woman leaves her home and travels to the Dakota's on the strength of a smudged letter she cannot read, a man's picture and a ticket to America where her sister Nora lived and had married. They had both been saving their money so Clara could come to America. When she gets there no one recognized the picture and no one comes forth to say where the ticket and picture came from. But God works in mysterious ways and soon Clara is involved in helping others and making a wonderful life in a new land. Easy read with good characters and a great story."
God knew what he was doing when he brought Clara into a town filled with such extraordinary people, including her older sister, Norah, which helped tremendously. However, the other people in town that helped shape this woman's future were phenomenal. There wasn't an abundance of excitement or mystery per se, but a natural flow of togetherness.
This story by Lauraine Snelling provides excellent entertainment. It is based on the expectation the failed to materialize. The resolution was not that unexpected, but it took quite some time to run the gamut of changed circumstances before it blended together before they finally reached a happy conclusion
This is a short, clean, and wholesome read that I would recommend to any reader that enjoys the mail-order bride genre. Can you believe that there are still some readers out there that have never experienced even one of these nuggets of inspiration?
Plus, I accessed this series through the Amazon Prime Kindle Unlimited program.
August 10, 2022
In this book we get the story of Nora's sister Clara and Dag, the local Blacksmith. Clara was brought to town under false pretenses by Jude, Dan's younger and spiteful brother, in the hopes of humiliating Dag. Thankfully God had other ideas, because Jude's plan failed miserable.
The romance was sweet and I loved that Dag found someone to care for him, after the way his stepmother and half-brother treated him.
The romance was sweet and I loved that Dag found someone to care for him, after the way his stepmother and half-brother treated him.
March 7, 2014
I really enjoyed this historical fiction/romance about Carla and Dag. It takes place in the early 1900's. Someone sent Carla the money to come to North Dakota from Norway. The letter with the money she received had gotten wet and was unreadable, but the money and picture of a handsome, curly-haired, blonde man were intact, and she was very willing to marry this man when she got to North Dakota. However, he never showed up to get her. She started working for a sick, elderly woman, helped the woman get well, and, together, they helped Dag find his self-esteem. It's a good Christian novel with quite a few quotes from the Bible.
April 6, 2019
Dollycas’s Thoughts
We met Nora Johanson in Dakota Dawn, the first book in this series. Now we meet her sister Clara who received a plane ticket to bring her from Norway to Soldahl, North Dakota along with an unreadable letter and a photo of a man with blond hair and blue eyes. After days of travel and then hours waiting at the train station, she is disappointed when a man that looks nothing like the man in the picture shows up to take her to her sister’s home. Concentrating on seeing her sister and meeting the man she is going to marry, she gets in the boarish man’s buggy while trying to escape his smell. She knows got has a plan for her.
In Dakota Dream, Clara’s new life begins by helping others including Dag Weinlander, the man who met her at the station. With perfect amounts of drama and romance, we travel back to a very exciting time in American history.
I felt so bad for both Clara and Dag at first but in the end, they turned the tables. Hard work and perseverance along with their faith made a new life for them both.
The author is an expert at catching moments in time with stories everyone can enjoy and I sure did.
We met Nora Johanson in Dakota Dawn, the first book in this series. Now we meet her sister Clara who received a plane ticket to bring her from Norway to Soldahl, North Dakota along with an unreadable letter and a photo of a man with blond hair and blue eyes. After days of travel and then hours waiting at the train station, she is disappointed when a man that looks nothing like the man in the picture shows up to take her to her sister’s home. Concentrating on seeing her sister and meeting the man she is going to marry, she gets in the boarish man’s buggy while trying to escape his smell. She knows got has a plan for her.
In Dakota Dream, Clara’s new life begins by helping others including Dag Weinlander, the man who met her at the station. With perfect amounts of drama and romance, we travel back to a very exciting time in American history.
I felt so bad for both Clara and Dag at first but in the end, they turned the tables. Hard work and perseverance along with their faith made a new life for them both.
The author is an expert at catching moments in time with stories everyone can enjoy and I sure did.
June 8, 2015
A cute story. I didn't read the first book in this series, but that didn't stop me from enjoying this read. I felt bad for Dag and how his brother treated him...
The ending was sweet and I liked that there was an epilogue.
The ending was sweet and I liked that there was an epilogue.
June 5, 2015
Another Great Book
Continuing the North Dakota series about the lives of Norwegian immigrants. Still ingrained are the strong ties of their faith in our Lord and how He takes care of every need. Not always their plan, but His.
Continuing the North Dakota series about the lives of Norwegian immigrants. Still ingrained are the strong ties of their faith in our Lord and how He takes care of every need. Not always their plan, but His.
Read
August 19, 2014I can tell this is one of her early books. She definitely got better!
March 4, 2023
In Dakota Dream, Clara Johanson (Norah’s sister from Dakota Dawn) received a ticket to her sister’s town and a picture from a handsome stranger offering to pay her way to Dakota if she’ll be his wife. Clara agrees. But when she arrives at her sister’s house, no one knows who this man is.
What she doesn’t know is that Jude Weinlander brought Clara over to play a trick on his brother, Dag. He signed Dag’s name to the letter but sent his own picture. Dag is tasked with meeting Clara at the train station and taking her to the Detchman’s. He does not make a good first impression, with matted hair and beard and filth from the livery where he works.
Clara stays with her sister until the pastor asks if she can come and stay with an elderly woman who is not doing well and needs full time care. Clara has no idea the change this will make in her life—and in her relationship with Dag.
What she doesn’t know is that Jude Weinlander brought Clara over to play a trick on his brother, Dag. He signed Dag’s name to the letter but sent his own picture. Dag is tasked with meeting Clara at the train station and taking her to the Detchman’s. He does not make a good first impression, with matted hair and beard and filth from the livery where he works.
Clara stays with her sister until the pastor asks if she can come and stay with an elderly woman who is not doing well and needs full time care. Clara has no idea the change this will make in her life—and in her relationship with Dag.
April 22, 2019
Dakota Dream
Dakota Dream, a sure sign that someone is hoping to have a happy life. This story is one of love and redemption,forgiving others so they can forgive themselves for what they have done wrong. The families here have shown that love and help can get them what they want as they try to learn the English language so they can converse with the rest of the people in their small town. Clara learns how to love and not be resentful of others. She came here to marry a man only to find that he was already married. This is a great book and one that is well worth reading. The love of God and fellow man is shown throughout this book. This was a free read and a great one. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill
Dakota Dream, a sure sign that someone is hoping to have a happy life. This story is one of love and redemption,forgiving others so they can forgive themselves for what they have done wrong. The families here have shown that love and help can get them what they want as they try to learn the English language so they can converse with the rest of the people in their small town. Clara learns how to love and not be resentful of others. She came here to marry a man only to find that he was already married. This is a great book and one that is well worth reading. The love of God and fellow man is shown throughout this book. This was a free read and a great one. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill
March 18, 2024
“Dakota Dream” by Lauraine Snelling – Sequel to “Dakota Dawn” – Book Review
(Part of a series: “Dakota Dawn”, “Dakota Dream”, “Dakota Dusk”, and “Dakota Destiny”.)
3.5 stars
Clara Johanson (sister of Nora Johanson from prequel “Dakota Dawn” by the same author) is sent passage from an unfamiliar source to emigrate to America. She receives a letter from a mystery man with a picture of a curly-haired ‘dream’ man with a dimple in his right cheek, along with the ticket.
When she arrives in Soldahl at the train station after travelling from Norway by ship then train, an unknown man, Mr. Dag Weinlander (the blacksmith), perceived by Clara as never having heard of a bath ‘let alone taken one’ and ‘rude’, collects her and drives her to her sister Nora’s farm. Clara has assessed Mr. Weinlander in an unkind, mocking manner as a man that ‘needs help’.
Weeks go by, and Clara is still no closer to identifying the man who booked and paid for her passage. She has since gone to work for an elderly lady, Mrs. Norgaard (referred to as ‘herself’ by everyone, including the doctor), who needs a boost to her spirit and has been confined to her bed since her husband’s death. Clara’s personality undergoes a change as she brings hope and care to Mrs. Norgaard.
She concocts a plan with Dag that has the shadings of a lighthearted scheme, but it backfires, spiritually speaking, and is discontinued by both of them.
I appreciate the spiritual aspect of this book. Not a fan of the abrupt ending, what was it, less than a page? I thought the epilogue would take care of it, but it, too, was a little less ‘rounded’ than I would have preferred.
A heartwarming read. Powerful ultimate ending found within the epilogue. Profound spiritual truths throughout.
PET PEEVE: There was one pet peeve in both of the books mentioned in this review (top). Each sister, respectively, dips her finger in raw batter (Nora) and a jar of fresh jam (Clara) and licks it. People then eat these products unsuspectingly (cookies and jam) afterward. Disgusting and gross.
(Part of a series: “Dakota Dawn”, “Dakota Dream”, “Dakota Dusk”, and “Dakota Destiny”.)
3.5 stars
Clara Johanson (sister of Nora Johanson from prequel “Dakota Dawn” by the same author) is sent passage from an unfamiliar source to emigrate to America. She receives a letter from a mystery man with a picture of a curly-haired ‘dream’ man with a dimple in his right cheek, along with the ticket.
When she arrives in Soldahl at the train station after travelling from Norway by ship then train, an unknown man, Mr. Dag Weinlander (the blacksmith), perceived by Clara as never having heard of a bath ‘let alone taken one’ and ‘rude’, collects her and drives her to her sister Nora’s farm. Clara has assessed Mr. Weinlander in an unkind, mocking manner as a man that ‘needs help’.
Weeks go by, and Clara is still no closer to identifying the man who booked and paid for her passage. She has since gone to work for an elderly lady, Mrs. Norgaard (referred to as ‘herself’ by everyone, including the doctor), who needs a boost to her spirit and has been confined to her bed since her husband’s death. Clara’s personality undergoes a change as she brings hope and care to Mrs. Norgaard.
She concocts a plan with Dag that has the shadings of a lighthearted scheme, but it backfires, spiritually speaking, and is discontinued by both of them.
I appreciate the spiritual aspect of this book. Not a fan of the abrupt ending, what was it, less than a page? I thought the epilogue would take care of it, but it, too, was a little less ‘rounded’ than I would have preferred.
A heartwarming read. Powerful ultimate ending found within the epilogue. Profound spiritual truths throughout.
PET PEEVE: There was one pet peeve in both of the books mentioned in this review (top). Each sister, respectively, dips her finger in raw batter (Nora) and a jar of fresh jam (Clara) and licks it. People then eat these products unsuspectingly (cookies and jam) afterward. Disgusting and gross.
June 11, 2019
Fans of When Calls the Heart will love this little romantic novella. Clara Johanson travels from Norway to desolate North Dakota as a potential mail order bride, but when she arrives, her intended husband is nowhere to be found. Clara finds herself being an invaluable help to a homebound spinster, a young family suffering from deadly fever, and to her sister and her family. Along the way—surprise—romance creeps in. Again, fans of romance, Little House on the Prairie, and all things North Dakota will dig this faith based tale.
November 23, 2022
Dakota Dream is the second book in Ms. Snelling's Dakota Plains series. I enjoyed her first story Dakota Dawn and the introduction to Norah Johanson. In this second book we are introduced to Norah's younger sister Clara, who she has been wanting to bring to America. Clara has received a ticket in the mail for her passage. In the letter is a picture of a good looking blond curly haired young man. She assumes from the circumstances that he has sent for her to be his bride. She is picked up at the train station by the town smithy and taken to her sisters farm. The adventure starts there.
January 26, 2019
Dakota Dream is so far my favorite in this series. I loved Clara and Dags story. However I was surprised that Nora and Carl weren’t in this a whole lot. I’m hoping they’ll be more prominent in the next book. Mrs. Snelling has yet to truly disappoint me with her writing.
This short book makes for a fantastic read of your looking to kill time or even just looking for a good book in general. The best thing to do though would be to start with the first book Dakota Dawn.
This short book makes for a fantastic read of your looking to kill time or even just looking for a good book in general. The best thing to do though would be to start with the first book Dakota Dawn.
August 21, 2020
Loved the book
Lauraine Snelling never ceases to draw me into the story immediately and make me feel I am part of it all. Being Danish I could visualize and almost taste the julekake as my Mom made it every Christmas.I
The characters are great! My Dad grew up in Western Nebraska - so have been to North Dakota. A very heartwarming story - and I laughed, cried and prayed right along with the characters.
Lauraine Snelling never ceases to draw me into the story immediately and make me feel I am part of it all. Being Danish I could visualize and almost taste the julekake as my Mom made it every Christmas.I
The characters are great! My Dad grew up in Western Nebraska - so have been to North Dakota. A very heartwarming story - and I laughed, cried and prayed right along with the characters.
September 20, 2024
Short book but good follow on to the first book. Clara arrives in Soldahl, North Dakota thinking she is coming from Norway to marry. But no man shows up that looks like the picture she has of him. Everyone she asks says they don't know who that is. At a loss of what to do, she ends up caring for an elderly lady who needs some joy in her life after losing her husband. How they connive together with the pastor's wife to get Dag to talk was a funny twist to the story. Fun read.
January 17, 2019
Such a great book
This was a Page Turner!! I loved how this story of a disappointed young adult traveling to meet her husband to be turned out. I love how she found a new purpose by going on a path she was not thrilled with. But she saw how God used her and that was great. Read this book. It was wonderful.
This was a Page Turner!! I loved how this story of a disappointed young adult traveling to meet her husband to be turned out. I love how she found a new purpose by going on a path she was not thrilled with. But she saw how God used her and that was great. Read this book. It was wonderful.
September 16, 2017
God Loves Each Of Us.
Even, if...we are unlovable! This was a warm, exciting book, going thru and around several peoples lives. Stay with this story, it is worth the wait for a sweet love story from THE MASTERS HAND!
Even, if...we are unlovable! This was a warm, exciting book, going thru and around several peoples lives. Stay with this story, it is worth the wait for a sweet love story from THE MASTERS HAND!
February 24, 2020
Doug and Clara
This is an exciting, adventurous, sweet love story written by LAuraine Snelling. LAuraine has done an exceptional job with the plot and the characters, both new and recurring. I feel you will enjoy discovering how Doug and Clara find their happily ever after.
This is an exciting, adventurous, sweet love story written by LAuraine Snelling. LAuraine has done an exceptional job with the plot and the characters, both new and recurring. I feel you will enjoy discovering how Doug and Clara find their happily ever after.
April 3, 2022
The story line was okay but not as good as her other books. There were a number of scenes where the point of view switched several times in the same scene. That made it difficult to follow which character's perspective it was.
January 17, 2018
Good series, small books.
August 16, 2019
Another winner.
Loving this series. It is a wonderful story and I enjoyed it so far. I love Christian Fiction. It just makes you feel
Loving this series. It is a wonderful story and I enjoyed it so far. I love Christian Fiction. It just makes you feel
November 17, 2019
Great Storyteller !
Enjoyed Dakota dream very much and Lauraine Snellings knowledge of life in the Dakota's and also the glimpse into immigrant life in Norwegian communities .
Enjoyed Dakota dream very much and Lauraine Snellings knowledge of life in the Dakota's and also the glimpse into immigrant life in Norwegian communities .
July 21, 2020
I enjoyed this second book in this series. It is a short book. Nice to catch up with characters from the first book.
September 16, 2020
Great story of God's work.
What a terrific way to tell the many ways people are blessed while helping others.
I Like Deg and would like to know all he has done for the town listed.
What a terrific way to tell the many ways people are blessed while helping others.
I Like Deg and would like to know all he has done for the town listed.
December 14, 2020
Very good read. Didn't want to put it down.
October 19, 2021
An interesting little story, I might have chucked it if it hadn't had some redeeming qualities, like the fact that it was a book pertaining to immigration and that emigrants from Norway were some of the main characters. I'm not looking for christian romance books when I go shopping but since Uncle Hugo's was destroyed I haven't got a lot of shopping choices so I've been going through our local little libraries digging for gold, silver, bronze, maybe just something cast iron, LOL! I was surprised by how much I could like a book that kind of miffed me with its religious undertones but it was so well written I have to say that it was definitely worth the read. If you are looking for some light-hearted reading give this book a try, I put it back in another Little Library so that it continues to go around to make someone else pleasantly surprised, remember don't judge a book by its back cover.
March 12, 2022
This second book in the series doesn’t disappoint. Nora’s sister is coming to North Dakota from Norway. Someone sent her a ticket to come and be his bride. The only problem is, he doesn’t show up!
July 16, 2022
Not my favorite but still good
January 1, 2024
Another well written Hallmark-esque book. It's a quick read, fairly predictable, but enjoyable!
September 18, 2025
Another easy read. sweet story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews