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Keep Your Friends Close and Your... Work Enemy Closer?
Annalise Stratton has a chip on her shoulder and a whole lot to prove. After years of being dismissed as a spoiled daddy’s girl, she goes undercover with a brand-new identity at her new job, ready to show the world her brains and drive.
Everything's going smoothly—until she's tasked with training the new hire. He's irritating, insufferably smug, and seems to have made it his personal mission to test her patience. But when their boss assigns them a high-stakes project, late nights in the office turn into something far more complicated as sparks start to fly.
What Annalise doesn't know? Her infuriating coworker is hiding a secret of his own—and it's big enough to change everything.
Keep Your Friends Close and Your... Work Enemy Closer? is an 18+ romance, featuring a grumpy, sharp-tongued heroine. Happily ever after guaranteed!
Everything's going smoothly—until she's tasked with training the new hire. He's irritating, insufferably smug, and seems to have made it his personal mission to test her patience. But when their boss assigns them a high-stakes project, late nights in the office turn into something far more complicated as sparks start to fly.
What Annalise doesn't know? Her infuriating coworker is hiding a secret of his own—and it's big enough to change everything.
Keep Your Friends Close and Your... Work Enemy Closer? is an 18+ romance, featuring a grumpy, sharp-tongued heroine. Happily ever after guaranteed!
- GenresRom Com
433 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 2, 2025
11 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Jenna Fiore
13 books59 followersJenna has always had her head in the clouds, making up stories and creating characters. After years of working as a freelancer, she finally decided to put pen to paper and give this whole fiction thing a chance.
When she's not busy at her computer, she loves spending time with her husband, daughter, and insanely energetic dog who's always looking for trouble. She lives in the Pacific Northwest where she's constantly raking up pine needles in her back yard and dodging wild turkeys in her front yard.
Catch up with Jenna on her website, jennafiore.com, and stay up to date on future projects!
When she's not busy at her computer, she loves spending time with her husband, daughter, and insanely energetic dog who's always looking for trouble. She lives in the Pacific Northwest where she's constantly raking up pine needles in her back yard and dodging wild turkeys in her front yard.
Catch up with Jenna on her website, jennafiore.com, and stay up to date on future projects!
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 30, 2024
4.5 stars. Both Annalise and Max are undercover at their jobs, albeit for different reasons and end up working together. There are some sweet scenes, some shenanigans, and some steamy scenes that make this definitely worth reading.
I received an advance copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 30, 2025
Keep Your Friends Close and … Your Work Enemy Closer? is the second book in Jenna Fiore’s Stratton Sisters series. It’s a steamy workplace hidden-identity billionaire romance. While it’s a sequel to The Enemy of My Enemy Is… My Fake Boyfriend?, it can be read as a standalone.
29-year-old Annalise Stratton was introduced in The Enemy of My Enemy Is… My Fake Boyfriend? as Aria’s older sister. She is a rich society girl who is tired of being known as a done being the pampered "daddy's girl". She has gone undercover, changing her appearance and name, to work as an Acquisitions Editor at Insight Ink, a subsidiary of Echelon Enterprises. Known to her colleagues as the hardworking Cordelia, she is dismayed when she meets a strange, annoying man on the elevator at work one day. Then her boss, Veronica, brings him to her office and introduces him as Jared Jensen, her new colleague and officemate who she is responsible for training. Jared does everything he can to annoy Cordelia, even addressing her as Dee.
Billionaire Max Sterling is the CEO of Echelon Enterprises, who occasionally goes undercover at his subsidiary companies to get the real scoop on what’s happening. He’s fascinated by Cordelia and does his utmost to annoy her as the rumpled, noisy Jared Jensen. He doesn’t understand why Cordelia has so much disdain for Max, and why she makes fun of his alliteration.
When Veronica assigns them a high-stakes project, snaring a book deal with Venus La Fleur, a Pamela Anderson-type, Cordelia and Jared have to start working more closely. Soon their late nights in the office lead to less resentment and more attraction. Meanwhile they each are trying to figure out why the other person seems familiar, unwilling to remove their disguises and reveal their true identities. The reader is held in suspense while waiting for their true identities to blow up in their faces.
Keep Your Friends Close and … Your Work Enemy Closer? has definite The Hating Game vibes, but it’s a completely different story. What makes Keep Your Friends Close different is both characters are uber-rich, hiding under assumed identities, and aren’t competing for the same job. While I enjoy workplace romances and dislike billionaire characters, I really liked the characters in this story. Jared/Max and Cordelia/Annalise are good people, and I cared about what happened to them. Jared/Max’s annoying antics were hilarious, as were Venus’ animal-themed activities. Keep Your Friends Close and … Your Work Enemy Closer? contains graphic sex scenes and profanity, but is low angst.
I received an Advance Review Copy (ARC) from BookSirens for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
29-year-old Annalise Stratton was introduced in The Enemy of My Enemy Is… My Fake Boyfriend? as Aria’s older sister. She is a rich society girl who is tired of being known as a done being the pampered "daddy's girl". She has gone undercover, changing her appearance and name, to work as an Acquisitions Editor at Insight Ink, a subsidiary of Echelon Enterprises. Known to her colleagues as the hardworking Cordelia, she is dismayed when she meets a strange, annoying man on the elevator at work one day. Then her boss, Veronica, brings him to her office and introduces him as Jared Jensen, her new colleague and officemate who she is responsible for training. Jared does everything he can to annoy Cordelia, even addressing her as Dee.
Billionaire Max Sterling is the CEO of Echelon Enterprises, who occasionally goes undercover at his subsidiary companies to get the real scoop on what’s happening. He’s fascinated by Cordelia and does his utmost to annoy her as the rumpled, noisy Jared Jensen. He doesn’t understand why Cordelia has so much disdain for Max, and why she makes fun of his alliteration.
When Veronica assigns them a high-stakes project, snaring a book deal with Venus La Fleur, a Pamela Anderson-type, Cordelia and Jared have to start working more closely. Soon their late nights in the office lead to less resentment and more attraction. Meanwhile they each are trying to figure out why the other person seems familiar, unwilling to remove their disguises and reveal their true identities. The reader is held in suspense while waiting for their true identities to blow up in their faces.
Keep Your Friends Close and … Your Work Enemy Closer? has definite The Hating Game vibes, but it’s a completely different story. What makes Keep Your Friends Close different is both characters are uber-rich, hiding under assumed identities, and aren’t competing for the same job. While I enjoy workplace romances and dislike billionaire characters, I really liked the characters in this story. Jared/Max and Cordelia/Annalise are good people, and I cared about what happened to them. Jared/Max’s annoying antics were hilarious, as were Venus’ animal-themed activities. Keep Your Friends Close and … Your Work Enemy Closer? contains graphic sex scenes and profanity, but is low angst.
I received an Advance Review Copy (ARC) from BookSirens for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 16, 2025
Proving Herself . . .
Annalise Stratton is tired of being seen as a rich, spoiled kid with everything handed to her and she is determined to prove herself in the workplace using her own skills without getting any “help” from her father. She is unaware that the “new hire” at work she is told to train is actually the CEO, also working undercover to see what really goes on in the workplace. Annalise uses the name “Cordelia Dole” while Max Sterling becomes “Jared” and he immediately gets on Annalise’s last nerve. He comes off as arrogant, smug, stubborn, and readily admits to her that his mother “pulled strings” to get him this job -- which Annalise is guessing he is totally unprepared for! Clicking his pen over and over and over as she tries to discuss the work they do here and how he will fit in drives her crazy. He won’t even call her by her (fake) name of Cordelia, insisting her name is too long, and he wants to call her Dee! Hiding in the ladies room, she texted her co-worker Mona: "Emergency meeting in the bathroom. Please. I'm begging you." A frantic Mona rushed in to see what disaster had occurred, then advised that Annalise should go rapidly through the usual stuff with him, then assign him her worst project interspersed with busy work to keep him away. Annalise loved her job here and this guy was going to ruin everything for her. And of course when she returned to him, he continued to call her “Dee” since he pointed out it took only “point one six seconds” to say it that way… “and time is money, baby.”
When the two of them are given an important project to work on requiring late nights and close interaction, can they both resist the feelings that begin to draw them together? Will they be able to keep their “secrets” from being discovered? And would the truth require Annalise to walk out the door leaving everything she loves behind?
Annalise Stratton is tired of being seen as a rich, spoiled kid with everything handed to her and she is determined to prove herself in the workplace using her own skills without getting any “help” from her father. She is unaware that the “new hire” at work she is told to train is actually the CEO, also working undercover to see what really goes on in the workplace. Annalise uses the name “Cordelia Dole” while Max Sterling becomes “Jared” and he immediately gets on Annalise’s last nerve. He comes off as arrogant, smug, stubborn, and readily admits to her that his mother “pulled strings” to get him this job -- which Annalise is guessing he is totally unprepared for! Clicking his pen over and over and over as she tries to discuss the work they do here and how he will fit in drives her crazy. He won’t even call her by her (fake) name of Cordelia, insisting her name is too long, and he wants to call her Dee! Hiding in the ladies room, she texted her co-worker Mona: "Emergency meeting in the bathroom. Please. I'm begging you." A frantic Mona rushed in to see what disaster had occurred, then advised that Annalise should go rapidly through the usual stuff with him, then assign him her worst project interspersed with busy work to keep him away. Annalise loved her job here and this guy was going to ruin everything for her. And of course when she returned to him, he continued to call her “Dee” since he pointed out it took only “point one six seconds” to say it that way… “and time is money, baby.”
When the two of them are given an important project to work on requiring late nights and close interaction, can they both resist the feelings that begin to draw them together? Will they be able to keep their “secrets” from being discovered? And would the truth require Annalise to walk out the door leaving everything she loves behind?
February 1, 2025
OMG This was just so much fun!
Annalise worked at Insight Ink, a small publishing house. She loved it there, and she really felt like she was making a difference. Except for one little problem. All her coworkers knew her as Cordelia. In her defense, she was trying to escape the family name, and get credit for her work based on its merits. And she was doing a pretty good job at it. Until her boss assigned the new guy to work with her. On a very important project. The very annoying new guy. What a way to ruin a perfect day.
When Jared started his new job at Insight Ink, he wasn't sure what he was walking into, but he certainly didn't expect the absolute ire of his coworker. The one he would be working with daily. But he had to admit, she was fun to rile up. And it was so easy! Everything he did seemed to annoy her. Clicking his pen, squeaking his chair, crackling snack bags. Maybe he could have a little fun while he was here.
But somewhere in the middle of teasing and annoying her, Jared started to see another side of Cordelia. He still loved to rile her up, but he saw how dedicated she was to her job, and he really appreciated that. He really wanted to get to know her better, but he had secrets that, if she found out, it could ruin everything. But if he didn't tell her, she would never forgive him. He might have to take his chances.
Ahh! They were just so much fun together! Jared was purposely pushing Cordelia's buttons, and her reactions were just great. She wanted so much to hate him, but little by little, he wore down.
Add in some supportive-ish friends and coworkers, a team building retreat, and an adorable grandma, and this was all sorts of unexpected fun. I could not stop reading!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Annalise worked at Insight Ink, a small publishing house. She loved it there, and she really felt like she was making a difference. Except for one little problem. All her coworkers knew her as Cordelia. In her defense, she was trying to escape the family name, and get credit for her work based on its merits. And she was doing a pretty good job at it. Until her boss assigned the new guy to work with her. On a very important project. The very annoying new guy. What a way to ruin a perfect day.
When Jared started his new job at Insight Ink, he wasn't sure what he was walking into, but he certainly didn't expect the absolute ire of his coworker. The one he would be working with daily. But he had to admit, she was fun to rile up. And it was so easy! Everything he did seemed to annoy her. Clicking his pen, squeaking his chair, crackling snack bags. Maybe he could have a little fun while he was here.
But somewhere in the middle of teasing and annoying her, Jared started to see another side of Cordelia. He still loved to rile her up, but he saw how dedicated she was to her job, and he really appreciated that. He really wanted to get to know her better, but he had secrets that, if she found out, it could ruin everything. But if he didn't tell her, she would never forgive him. He might have to take his chances.
Ahh! They were just so much fun together! Jared was purposely pushing Cordelia's buttons, and her reactions were just great. She wanted so much to hate him, but little by little, he wore down.
Add in some supportive-ish friends and coworkers, a team building retreat, and an adorable grandma, and this was all sorts of unexpected fun. I could not stop reading!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 28, 2025
Oh my! I love this amusing enemies to lovers workplace romcom that made me laugh to tears over and over again! The characters are great and the chemistry between them sizzles from the start with their witty banter, bickering and steamy love scenes. The plot in a nutshell: an employee with hidden identity has to team up with an obnoxious co-worker who happens to be her boss gone undercover and whom she loves to hate. Above all, the way "Jared" teased "Dee", that he even researched how best to rile her up and her efforts to punish him were hilarious. It was great to see how they both slowly grew together as a team and as friends who support and understand each other, and how they fell in love with each other.
Annalise Stratton aka Cordelia Dole has built her own career without relying on her family's name and wealth or being judged for it. She works successfully under a false identity as an editor in a publishing house and is very happy until her boss gives her a new co-worker to train and work with as a team.
Max Sterling aka Jared Jensen is a very successful businessman who goes undercover to get to know the company processes and his employees on a personal level. He admires Cordelia's professionalism but doesn't understand why she loathes him, Max, so much.
Slowly, a partnership and friendship develops between Jared and Cordelia and it becomes increasingly difficult for Max to maintain his double life...
If you like lighthearted workplace romance novels with great dynamics, lots of LOL moments and some spice, you are sure to enjoy this book!
I received a free ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and left voluntarily.
Annalise Stratton aka Cordelia Dole has built her own career without relying on her family's name and wealth or being judged for it. She works successfully under a false identity as an editor in a publishing house and is very happy until her boss gives her a new co-worker to train and work with as a team.
Max Sterling aka Jared Jensen is a very successful businessman who goes undercover to get to know the company processes and his employees on a personal level. He admires Cordelia's professionalism but doesn't understand why she loathes him, Max, so much.
Slowly, a partnership and friendship develops between Jared and Cordelia and it becomes increasingly difficult for Max to maintain his double life...
If you like lighthearted workplace romance novels with great dynamics, lots of LOL moments and some spice, you are sure to enjoy this book!
I received a free ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and left voluntarily.
January 19, 2025
Annalise was fed up never really getting any recognition for her achievements,only her last name. People either hated her or sucked up to her for what they could get from her name. Deciding to make a stand she became Cordelia and finally see if she could achieve her dreams. Enjoying her job and finally making friends she only hoped it could last. Then the new guy started Jared and sure enough they were teamed up together. What was this guy's problem, everything he did was to annoy her. Eating snack after snack crunching his way through chips, slurping his drink. But he was definitely handsome even with the stupid mustache and cheap wrinkled suits. Ok Jared has a secret that he can't let slip out and yes annoying his colleague was very entertaining. But why on earth was he drawn to her so much, and maybe its time for him to admit the truth. This is a story that you sit there thinking could this really happen, yet wishing for a happy outcome. But the saying about the truth always comes out is certainly true in this book. But can they actually accept the truth without it affecting them. Can Annalise still keep her job or will it all end in tears. Sit back and enjoy the to and fro between the couple and the steamy situations they find themselves in. I totally loved this story and was rooting for Annalise to be more confident in herself for who she was and not just her family's name
May 28, 2025
Very entertaining work, enemies-to-lovers romance.
Annalise/Cordelia and Jared become work colleagues, and they get on each other's nerves and annoy each other at every turn. They may sit next to one another, but Cordelia is one rung higher on the ladder. Jared has his own way of approaching projects. What makes their power-balance even more interesting is that they are both pretending to be someone else. This creates some incredibly difficult and awkward situations. This novel is a well-written page-turner which has many unexpected developments. When two people have great chemistry and humour together, there is always a way to find their path to each other. There is a well-deserved HEA, making this a book I am more than happy to recommend.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Annalise/Cordelia and Jared become work colleagues, and they get on each other's nerves and annoy each other at every turn. They may sit next to one another, but Cordelia is one rung higher on the ladder. Jared has his own way of approaching projects. What makes their power-balance even more interesting is that they are both pretending to be someone else. This creates some incredibly difficult and awkward situations. This novel is a well-written page-turner which has many unexpected developments. When two people have great chemistry and humour together, there is always a way to find their path to each other. There is a well-deserved HEA, making this a book I am more than happy to recommend.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 13, 2025
I enjoyed this story a lot. I wasn't sure at the beginning because the characters had a real annoyance towards each other for no real reason, but that helped move forward the idea of enemies to lovers.
Annalise and Max are both undercover at their jobs pretending to be other people. Annalise is doing it to get away from her family name and prove she can make it on her own. Max does this periodically as the CEO to see how everything is running.
Annalise is paired up with Max at work, and he does everything in his power to annoy her. Not knowing that Max is who he is, she openly shares her hatred of him.
There is a fine line between love and hate, and it is best to keep your work enemies closer.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Annalise and Max are both undercover at their jobs pretending to be other people. Annalise is doing it to get away from her family name and prove she can make it on her own. Max does this periodically as the CEO to see how everything is running.
Annalise is paired up with Max at work, and he does everything in his power to annoy her. Not knowing that Max is who he is, she openly shares her hatred of him.
There is a fine line between love and hate, and it is best to keep your work enemies closer.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 21, 2025
4,5 ⭐️
This was another great story in the Stratton series. After Aria it’s Annalise who finds love. She’s working at a publishing firm under a false name, just to prove that she can be succesfull wirhout her name or her status preceding her. Max, the CEO, went also undercover in his own firm to see how everything went on. They are paired together to work on some projects and their banter is hilarious by times. It was funny how he tried to annoy her the whole time ( clicking his pen, munching chips…) and although it irritated her, she secretely also loved it. I was invested in the story and really wanted to know what was going to happen in the next chapter. Really curious to read the next Stratton story.
I received a copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was another great story in the Stratton series. After Aria it’s Annalise who finds love. She’s working at a publishing firm under a false name, just to prove that she can be succesfull wirhout her name or her status preceding her. Max, the CEO, went also undercover in his own firm to see how everything went on. They are paired together to work on some projects and their banter is hilarious by times. It was funny how he tried to annoy her the whole time ( clicking his pen, munching chips…) and although it irritated her, she secretely also loved it. I was invested in the story and really wanted to know what was going to happen in the next chapter. Really curious to read the next Stratton story.
I received a copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 9, 2025
What a hoot!! This is the first time I've read a story where both the lead female character and the lead male character where both undercover with things they were trying to keep quite about. This definitely made for a great story. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. The way Jared acts, I'm really surprised that Annalise didn't end up in jail for assault, or worse!! He definitely tries the patients of a saint. I laughed so hard when reading about the team building adventure, way to funny, and the hot tub scene, very hot!! Funny characters, steamy, and of course a perfect ending. I highly recommend you to read this book!!
January 20, 2025
A wonderfully well written romance by Fiore. I think this is the first book I've ready by Fiore and I certainly hope it won't be the last! Our main characters are Annalise aka Cordellia and Max aka Jared. I love the subterfuge of these characters but also the chemistry. Max / Jared was so sweet I just loved him and his persistence and dedication not only to Annalise but to his family as well was wonderful to see. Great balance of sweet and steam as well as character development and a smooth flowing storyline made this a great read and I'm super excited to read more - soon please :)
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 27, 2024
This is a story of 2 people who go undercover for different reasons. Annalise comes from a well off family but wants to prove she can make it on her own so gets a job and calls herself Cordelia.
Max owns the company Cordelia works for but goes undercover as Jared as a experiment to see what how the staff work together.
With a few laughs and some sex scenes this is a enjoyable story and would thoroughly recommend.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Max owns the company Cordelia works for but goes undercover as Jared as a experiment to see what how the staff work together.
With a few laughs and some sex scenes this is a enjoyable story and would thoroughly recommend.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 2, 2025
Double whammy! Wow, this is excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed their banter, antics and that their attraction is not rushed. They make a great team and compliment one another personalities well. Resistance is futile and he knows how to romance with patience. This is so good that I never wanted it to end, that's rare for me. Very well laid out romantic story with some steam and plot focus that made me laugh and smile. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 12, 2025
I really enjoyed Keep Your Friends Close And Your… Work Enemy Closer? I didn’t feel like much happened in the book, though. It felt long for the plot. Max and Annalise were great, and I loved their work relationship. Annalise was a bit too hypocritical for me. And I didn’t think she was a very fleshed out character. We had so much more background to her sister, Aria, in the first book. I’m looking forward to reading Astrid’s book next!
I received a copy of this book from BookSirens. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received a copy of this book from BookSirens. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 10, 2025
First time reading this author. Annalise wants to make it in life as her own person and not because of her name or family.
Max is the CEO of Echelon Enterprises.
Tropes:
Enemies to lovers, undercover boss, workplace romance, billionaire, secret identity golden retriever x black cat, HFN romance.
A huge thank you to Jenna Fiore and Booksprout for providing me with an eARC book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Max is the CEO of Echelon Enterprises.
Tropes:
Enemies to lovers, undercover boss, workplace romance, billionaire, secret identity golden retriever x black cat, HFN romance.
A huge thank you to Jenna Fiore and Booksprout for providing me with an eARC book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 11, 2025
I received an advanced reader copy of this book and am reviewing it voluntarily
This was a lovely funny read the banter was so good
What are the odds two rich people giving false identities would end up in this situation
I can understand it must be hard to make it under your own merit when everyone knows your family name
This was amusing touching funny and romantic stubborn also comes to mind
Glad they sorted it out
Great read
This was a lovely funny read the banter was so good
What are the odds two rich people giving false identities would end up in this situation
I can understand it must be hard to make it under your own merit when everyone knows your family name
This was amusing touching funny and romantic stubborn also comes to mind
Glad they sorted it out
Great read
March 31, 2025
Het was wel leuk hoor! Er zaten echt leuke stukjes in. Ik vond het wel echt hard dat ze ontslagen werd... En hij stemde in omdat hij vond dat ze te goed was... Dat was niet aan hem... Die scène was echt pijnlijk. Snapte ook niet goed waarom ze opeens niet meer undercover wilde gaan. Dat ze de ceo als zondebok gebruikte was echt onnodig.
April 4, 2025
It was a good read but not as enjoyable as the first book. Max never seemed serious even when they were talking about more serious things affecting her career, their relationship. Annalise was easily riled up and at times I didn't particularly like her. I hope Astrids story is better. It took me a few days to read this as it got a bit boring.
January 21, 2025
I've read several books written by Jenna Fiore; she is becoming one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of her books.
This is the second book in the Stratton Sisters Series; it is a stand-alone book. The story is about Annalise, Max & Jared.
This is the second book in the Stratton Sisters Series; it is a stand-alone book. The story is about Annalise, Max & Jared.
January 17, 2025
This story was such a great read. I loved the characters and storyline. Lots of laughs. It was so entertaining. I couldn't put it down. Happy reading.
January 19, 2025
This was a good story. Loved the interaction between the characters and their immediate love/hate chemistry.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 20, 2025
The story and characters were well written and nicely developed. I enjoyed the chemistry and journey. Good read.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews