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Το καστέλο της λίμνης
Πόσο δύσκολο είναι να γκρεμιστούν τα αδιαπέραστα τείχη που έχεις χτίσει γύρω από την καρδιά σου;
Μετά την τραγική απώλεια που βίωσε πριν από τρία χρόνια, ο Αλέσιο Νταλ Λάγκο ζει αποτραβηγμένος στο μικρό νησί του, στη βόρεια Ιταλία, απ’ όπου και διευθύνει τον ιστορικό οίκο δημοπρασιών της οικογένειάς του. Οι δυσβάσταχτες ενοχές που κουβαλά τον έχουν κάνει απόμακρο και βλοσυρό –έναν σύγχρονο ερημίτη που κρατά τους πάντες σε απόσταση. Μέχρι που καταφτάνει στο καστέλο του η Σάρλοτ Σίμοντς, η οικονόμος του για τους επόμενους τρεις μήνες. Πόση αναστάτωση μπορεί να του προκαλέσει; Άλλωστε, ο Αλέσιο έχει μόνο δύο απαιτήσεις από εκείνη: να φτιάχνει εξαιρετικό εσπρέσο και να τον αφήνει στην ησυχία του.
Η Σάρλοτ ανέλαβε αυτή την προσωρινή θέση για να εμπλουτίσει το βιογραφικό της –ένα σημαντικό βήμα προς την εκπλήρωση του ονείρου της, να αποκτήσει τη δική της επιχείρηση. Όμως η έξαψη που της προκαλεί ο επιβλητικός, παράξενα σαγηνευτικός εργοδότης της είναι εντελώς ανάρμοστη… αν και υποπτεύεται ότι νιώθει κι εκείνος την ίδια έλξη. Και αυτό δε θα πάει καλά για κανέναν από τους δύο –ιδιαίτερα μόλις απελευθερωθεί η πανίσχυρη χημεία ανάμεσά τους…
Μετά την τραγική απώλεια που βίωσε πριν από τρία χρόνια, ο Αλέσιο Νταλ Λάγκο ζει αποτραβηγμένος στο μικρό νησί του, στη βόρεια Ιταλία, απ’ όπου και διευθύνει τον ιστορικό οίκο δημοπρασιών της οικογένειάς του. Οι δυσβάσταχτες ενοχές που κουβαλά τον έχουν κάνει απόμακρο και βλοσυρό –έναν σύγχρονο ερημίτη που κρατά τους πάντες σε απόσταση. Μέχρι που καταφτάνει στο καστέλο του η Σάρλοτ Σίμοντς, η οικονόμος του για τους επόμενους τρεις μήνες. Πόση αναστάτωση μπορεί να του προκαλέσει; Άλλωστε, ο Αλέσιο έχει μόνο δύο απαιτήσεις από εκείνη: να φτιάχνει εξαιρετικό εσπρέσο και να τον αφήνει στην ησυχία του.
Η Σάρλοτ ανέλαβε αυτή την προσωρινή θέση για να εμπλουτίσει το βιογραφικό της –ένα σημαντικό βήμα προς την εκπλήρωση του ονείρου της, να αποκτήσει τη δική της επιχείρηση. Όμως η έξαψη που της προκαλεί ο επιβλητικός, παράξενα σαγηνευτικός εργοδότης της είναι εντελώς ανάρμοστη… αν και υποπτεύεται ότι νιώθει κι εκείνος την ίδια έλξη. Και αυτό δε θα πάει καλά για κανέναν από τους δύο –ιδιαίτερα μόλις απελευθερωθεί η πανίσχυρη χημεία ανάμεσά τους…
256 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2023
46 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Annie West
910 books558 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Hello! I love writing passionate, intense love stories about sexy alpha men and the women who are their perfect match. Look out for my books with Harlequin (Presents) or Mills & Boon (Modern/Sexy) and for my indie stories, full of passion and intense emotion with a touch of glamour. My latest stories are my Hot Italian Nights series including 'Bound to the Italian Boss' June '17, 'The Italian's Bold Reckoning' July '17, 'At the Italian's Bidding' August '17 and 'Falling for the Brooding Italian' September '17.
Yes, I do like a dark, handsome hero!
You can catch up with my news at www.annie-west.com (where you can also sign up for my exclusive reader newsletter with giveaways and behind the scenes info). I'm on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/anniewest.au... and I adore hearing from readers. You can also contact me at annie(at)annie-west(dot)com
I live with my family at beautiful Lake Macquarie on the east Coast of Australia and my favourite things when not writing are good food, good company, great books, getting outside in nature and travel.
Bookwise, I'm a multi USA Today bestselling author with millions of books sold, in English as well as in lots of other languages. I've won the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award and the Romantic Book of the Year (Romance Writers of Australia). One of my favourite review quotes is from Romantic Times which said in its review of The Sheikh's Ransomed Bride 'This is what a love story could be.'.
Hello! I love writing passionate, intense love stories about sexy alpha men and the women who are their perfect match. Look out for my books with Harlequin (Presents) or Mills & Boon (Modern/Sexy) and for my indie stories, full of passion and intense emotion with a touch of glamour. My latest stories are my Hot Italian Nights series including 'Bound to the Italian Boss' June '17, 'The Italian's Bold Reckoning' July '17, 'At the Italian's Bidding' August '17 and 'Falling for the Brooding Italian' September '17.
Yes, I do like a dark, handsome hero!
You can catch up with my news at www.annie-west.com (where you can also sign up for my exclusive reader newsletter with giveaways and behind the scenes info). I'm on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/anniewest.au... and I adore hearing from readers. You can also contact me at annie(at)annie-west(dot)com
I live with my family at beautiful Lake Macquarie on the east Coast of Australia and my favourite things when not writing are good food, good company, great books, getting outside in nature and travel.
Bookwise, I'm a multi USA Today bestselling author with millions of books sold, in English as well as in lots of other languages. I've won the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award and the Romantic Book of the Year (Romance Writers of Australia). One of my favourite review quotes is from Romantic Times which said in its review of The Sheikh's Ransomed Bride 'This is what a love story could be.'.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
April 9, 2023
Who is this woman emerging from the lake? Conte Alessio Dal Lago doesn’t want strangers here at his castle, Charlotte Symonds likes to start her day with a swim no mater the weather and even more when she is starting her new temporary position as housekeeper at the Dal Lago Castello. Cinderella, Beauty and the beast will there be redemption and love?
Charlotte, knows that taking on this position is not going to be easy, but it will be good for her resume and she knows how to do an excellent job, but her first meeting with the Conte is not how she expected it to be, he does his best to be intimidating but Charlotte stand her ground, the one thing she did not expect was to so attracted to her new boss.
Alessio has not left the Castello since the loss of his wife he runs a huge business from home and is happy this way, but now there is someone new in his home and Charlotte is breaking down the walls that he has built up around his heart, she is showing him to live again. An employee, employer relationship is not supposed to happen but a short affair maybe just what he needs, but will it be enough?
I loved this story so much, such a beautiful romance, Alessio and Charlotte are perfect for each other and Annie West brings them together in the most beautiful, sensual and emotional way, this one had me turning the pages, the setting is just awesome an old castle, old stories of dragons and ancestors, together they will go forward, my thanks for another gorgeous story that had me smiling. Annie West you never disappoints in taking me on a gorgeous journey to a gorgeous HEA.
My thanks to the author for my copy to read and review.
Charlotte, knows that taking on this position is not going to be easy, but it will be good for her resume and she knows how to do an excellent job, but her first meeting with the Conte is not how she expected it to be, he does his best to be intimidating but Charlotte stand her ground, the one thing she did not expect was to so attracted to her new boss.
Alessio has not left the Castello since the loss of his wife he runs a huge business from home and is happy this way, but now there is someone new in his home and Charlotte is breaking down the walls that he has built up around his heart, she is showing him to live again. An employee, employer relationship is not supposed to happen but a short affair maybe just what he needs, but will it be enough?
I loved this story so much, such a beautiful romance, Alessio and Charlotte are perfect for each other and Annie West brings them together in the most beautiful, sensual and emotional way, this one had me turning the pages, the setting is just awesome an old castle, old stories of dragons and ancestors, together they will go forward, my thanks for another gorgeous story that had me smiling. Annie West you never disappoints in taking me on a gorgeous journey to a gorgeous HEA.
My thanks to the author for my copy to read and review.
April 13, 2023
Nice!
April 9, 2023
Oh... girl, why did you take him back?!
H and h met on a dig in Greece eight years ago. h fell madly in love with H. After a few months, H left h because her dad paid him off. She didn't think he knew who she was (daughter of a rich Greek businessman).
H didn't want the h told, but dad told her anyway because h was heartbroken.
Not sure if she was celibate, but H definitely wasn't and that just ticked me off... it's not like he was waiting to be worthy of her, but just have enough money, which seemed a poor reason.
Turns out H wanted the money as revenge because h's dad had paid a low price for his grandma's olive grove.
Poor excuse for taking the money and running, if you ask me.
H meets h at her dad's party in Greece and decides to woo her again. Dad (who apparently doesn't put names together) wants H to marry his daughter to take over the business.
Dad conveniently has major heart attack and surgery, so h agrees to marry H. Then waits until AFTER they are married to tell H she knows about the payoff and how it broke her heart. She flees.
H doesn't go after her, but meets her after a couple weeks to take her back to the island where they met. Does anything in Greece actually take place on land? Greece is apparently filled with billionaires and choked by islands.
I wouldn't have taken him back, but she does because he says he loves her now... she, of course, never stopped... but WHEN and WHY? They barely spend any time together.
No reason these two characters are together except their mutual attractiveness and the sex.
Disappointing.
H and h met on a dig in Greece eight years ago. h fell madly in love with H. After a few months, H left h because her dad paid him off. She didn't think he knew who she was (daughter of a rich Greek businessman).
H didn't want the h told, but dad told her anyway because h was heartbroken.
Not sure if she was celibate, but H definitely wasn't and that just ticked me off... it's not like he was waiting to be worthy of her, but just have enough money, which seemed a poor reason.
Turns out H wanted the money as revenge because h's dad had paid a low price for his grandma's olive grove.
Poor excuse for taking the money and running, if you ask me.
H meets h at her dad's party in Greece and decides to woo her again. Dad (who apparently doesn't put names together) wants H to marry his daughter to take over the business.
Dad conveniently has major heart attack and surgery, so h agrees to marry H. Then waits until AFTER they are married to tell H she knows about the payoff and how it broke her heart. She flees.
H doesn't go after her, but meets her after a couple weeks to take her back to the island where they met. Does anything in Greece actually take place on land? Greece is apparently filled with billionaires and choked by islands.
I wouldn't have taken him back, but she does because he says he loves her now... she, of course, never stopped... but WHEN and WHY? They barely spend any time together.
No reason these two characters are together except their mutual attractiveness and the sex.
Disappointing.
March 3, 2023
The Housekeeper And The Brooding Billionaire.
Back Cover read:
Is this forbidden Cinderella…
The key to his redemption?
Rumours surround the reclusive Alessio, Conte Dal Lago, yet Charlotte Symonds isn't intimidated. Housekeeping for such a prestigious aristocrat will help fulfil her dreams of running her own business. But she isn't prepared for her unexpected attraction to her new boss…
Wracked with guilt since his tragic loss, Alessio runs his billion-euro empire from his secluded Italian Castello. Until Charlotte opens his eyes to the world he's been missing -- and to a long-forgotten desire. But can he hope to maintain his impenetrable, emotional walls once their powerful chemistry is unleashed?
Reading the back cover blurb of a book is supposed to make you curious about the story within and Annie West latest March- April release was no exception.
Sometimes it can take me a few pages or chapters to make my mind up about the Hero in a story do I like him (yes, no, maybe) but I loved Alessio right from the start, you could feel his pain and how broken he felt right from the first paragraph. So, his way to deal with life was to withdraw to his very private Island and run his business remotely from there and have very little contact with the outside world.
Enter Charlotte Symonds his new temporary housekeeper (also loved her straight away) she doesn’t back down easily when told to leave and boy does, she then proceed to shake Alessio’s world up. So let the sizzle and sparks begin.
Charlotte makes Alessio realise that by completely cutting himself away from everything he has been neglecting the needs of the people that live and work on his island, so slowly with some gentle prodding he gets back to being involved in life again.
What an absolute pleasure this book was to read as both our hero and heroine come to understand themselves and each other, and in true Annie West style we finished with a lovely epilogue.
For me the most memorable scene will always be of Alessio and Charlotte dancing after the Festival Ball it immediately evoked memories of my favourite movie scene from The King and I when Anna and the King twirled around the floor to Shall we Dance (I’ve always considered it a very sensual moment in the movie) and that was how it felt reading such a beautifully written scene in the book.
Thank you, Annie, for another straight to the Keeper Bookshelf 5-gold star read ⭐️⭐️🌟⭐️⭐️
Back Cover read:
Is this forbidden Cinderella…
The key to his redemption?
Rumours surround the reclusive Alessio, Conte Dal Lago, yet Charlotte Symonds isn't intimidated. Housekeeping for such a prestigious aristocrat will help fulfil her dreams of running her own business. But she isn't prepared for her unexpected attraction to her new boss…
Wracked with guilt since his tragic loss, Alessio runs his billion-euro empire from his secluded Italian Castello. Until Charlotte opens his eyes to the world he's been missing -- and to a long-forgotten desire. But can he hope to maintain his impenetrable, emotional walls once their powerful chemistry is unleashed?
Reading the back cover blurb of a book is supposed to make you curious about the story within and Annie West latest March- April release was no exception.
Sometimes it can take me a few pages or chapters to make my mind up about the Hero in a story do I like him (yes, no, maybe) but I loved Alessio right from the start, you could feel his pain and how broken he felt right from the first paragraph. So, his way to deal with life was to withdraw to his very private Island and run his business remotely from there and have very little contact with the outside world.
Enter Charlotte Symonds his new temporary housekeeper (also loved her straight away) she doesn’t back down easily when told to leave and boy does, she then proceed to shake Alessio’s world up. So let the sizzle and sparks begin.
Charlotte makes Alessio realise that by completely cutting himself away from everything he has been neglecting the needs of the people that live and work on his island, so slowly with some gentle prodding he gets back to being involved in life again.
What an absolute pleasure this book was to read as both our hero and heroine come to understand themselves and each other, and in true Annie West style we finished with a lovely epilogue.
For me the most memorable scene will always be of Alessio and Charlotte dancing after the Festival Ball it immediately evoked memories of my favourite movie scene from The King and I when Anna and the King twirled around the floor to Shall we Dance (I’ve always considered it a very sensual moment in the movie) and that was how it felt reading such a beautifully written scene in the book.
Thank you, Annie, for another straight to the Keeper Bookshelf 5-gold star read ⭐️⭐️🌟⭐️⭐️
April 8, 2023
They dragged the reason for the 8 year separation out so long, by the time I got to it, I didn’t care. 😒
August 3, 2023
Read this as a joke, but i have read worse romance books
January 3, 2024
❌ Un Amor De Verano (Spanish Version)
April 19, 2023
After reading many, many books by author Annie West I know to expect a wonderfully satisfying story; I should also know to start reading early, since once I turn that first page I know I won’t put the book down until the very last page of the story, which in this case asks: “Were you enchanted by The Housekeeper and the Brooding Billionaire?” My answer to that is a resounding YES! Totally, completely, absolutely enchanted.
Alessio, Conte Dal Lago, is reclusive, somber, brooding. Also sad and lonely and shattered by grief and guilt and regrets. Recluse isn’t an option, it’s a necessity. He failed the people so very important to him so very spectacularly that he won’t trust himself to care again and fail again. So he runs his billion-dollar empire and cares for the people depending on him, but always behind a wall, at a distance.
Until he sees a mystery woman on his private beach and is somehow disturbed. That woman is Charlotte, the temporary housekeeper he hasn’t yet met. She’ll be there three months or so and then will leave, so her presence should barely cause a wrinkle in his life. Especially since he only has two rules for his housekeeper: make an excellent espresso and leave me alone. Well, turns out that for Charlotte the espresso is a cinch, but leaving him alone? Why is that so hard for her to do? She only wanted this job to put on her resume. Experience and a recommendation at this level will give her the boost she needs to start her own company. But that disturbing little tickle he felt when he saw her? Well, she feels it, too. And that won’t work for either of them. Or will it?
Alessio is enough to drive Charlotte crazy: handsome, brooding, hurting, loving, tender. So unintentionally endearing he should come with a health warning. When he grins he is simply irresistible. And Charlotte makes him grin. And want to hold her and take care of her, and . . . wait, these are the things he’s sworn never to do again.
Alessio has secrets too painful to share. Charlotte has a past too hurtful to reveal. But at the bottom of it all, whatever the secrets and pasts and he’s a billionaire and she’s a housekeeper and none of this fits their well-laid plans, they are simply a woman and a man caught up in an utterly natural attraction. An enchanting, beautiful attraction that we get to see unfold right before our eyes. This is what makes every Annie West book a perfect pleasure: her characters may behave badly but they are good and true and loyal and faithful. And that will make you smile and sigh with happiness each and every time.
Thanks to the author for providing an advance copy of The Housekeeper and the Brooding Billionaire for my reading (swooning) pleasure and honest opinion. I am voluntarily leaving this review; all opinions are my own. I recommend you read this, as well as everything else Annie West has written and writes in the future.
Alessio, Conte Dal Lago, is reclusive, somber, brooding. Also sad and lonely and shattered by grief and guilt and regrets. Recluse isn’t an option, it’s a necessity. He failed the people so very important to him so very spectacularly that he won’t trust himself to care again and fail again. So he runs his billion-dollar empire and cares for the people depending on him, but always behind a wall, at a distance.
Until he sees a mystery woman on his private beach and is somehow disturbed. That woman is Charlotte, the temporary housekeeper he hasn’t yet met. She’ll be there three months or so and then will leave, so her presence should barely cause a wrinkle in his life. Especially since he only has two rules for his housekeeper: make an excellent espresso and leave me alone. Well, turns out that for Charlotte the espresso is a cinch, but leaving him alone? Why is that so hard for her to do? She only wanted this job to put on her resume. Experience and a recommendation at this level will give her the boost she needs to start her own company. But that disturbing little tickle he felt when he saw her? Well, she feels it, too. And that won’t work for either of them. Or will it?
Alessio is enough to drive Charlotte crazy: handsome, brooding, hurting, loving, tender. So unintentionally endearing he should come with a health warning. When he grins he is simply irresistible. And Charlotte makes him grin. And want to hold her and take care of her, and . . . wait, these are the things he’s sworn never to do again.
Alessio has secrets too painful to share. Charlotte has a past too hurtful to reveal. But at the bottom of it all, whatever the secrets and pasts and he’s a billionaire and she’s a housekeeper and none of this fits their well-laid plans, they are simply a woman and a man caught up in an utterly natural attraction. An enchanting, beautiful attraction that we get to see unfold right before our eyes. This is what makes every Annie West book a perfect pleasure: her characters may behave badly but they are good and true and loyal and faithful. And that will make you smile and sigh with happiness each and every time.
Thanks to the author for providing an advance copy of The Housekeeper and the Brooding Billionaire for my reading (swooning) pleasure and honest opinion. I am voluntarily leaving this review; all opinions are my own. I recommend you read this, as well as everything else Annie West has written and writes in the future.
September 2, 2023
I liked it. The chemistry between hero and heroine was believable. I liked how hero fell for heroine and couldn't stay away from her for long.
I don't love that hero was married before and that he was a still so tortured by her and the baby's death 3 years later, but I did like that he was celibate for the 3 years because of it. I also liked that he wasn't in love with his wife.
I think hero and heroine still would have ended up together if she hadn't been pregnant. The way he reacted to the pregnancy wasn't the best, but how he reacted to thinking heroine was leaving him, he never would have been able to let her go. P.
I don't love that hero was married before and that he was a still so tortured by her and the baby's death 3 years later, but I did like that he was celibate for the 3 years because of it. I also liked that he wasn't in love with his wife.
I think hero and heroine still would have ended up together if she hadn't been pregnant. The way he reacted to the pregnancy wasn't the best, but how he reacted to thinking heroine was leaving him, he never would have been able to let her go. P.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
hq-to-read
March 17, 2024Rumors surround the reclusive Alessio, Conte Dal Lago, yet Charlotte Symonds isn’t intimidated. Housekeeping for such a prestigious aristocrat will help fulfil her dreams of running her own business. But she isn’t prepared for her unexpected attraction to her new boss… Wracked with guilt since his tragic loss, Alessio runs his billion-euro empire from his secluded Italian castello. Until Charlotte opens his eyes to the world he’s been missing—and to a long-forgotten desire. But can he hope to maintain his impenetrable, emotional walls once their powerful chemistry is unleashed?From Harlequin Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.
May 14, 2023
A very sweet and touching story
This was a very good read. The h was the temporary housekeeper to the H, who had shut his life off from everyone. His wife had died 3 years earlier and he was still mourning her death. He felt guilty about not protecting his wife so he shut down emotionally. The h was a warm, compassionate, beautiful woman who had her own childhood issues. They helped each other find their way back to living and learning to love. Great epilogue.
This was a very good read. The h was the temporary housekeeper to the H, who had shut his life off from everyone. His wife had died 3 years earlier and he was still mourning her death. He felt guilty about not protecting his wife so he shut down emotionally. The h was a warm, compassionate, beautiful woman who had her own childhood issues. They helped each other find their way back to living and learning to love. Great epilogue.
March 29, 2023
This was a beautiful romance with two beautiful people as H&H. A marriage between a 'Cinderella' and a 'Beauty & the Beast' trope, complete with castle... Attention grabbing from page one, where Alessio's pain is so tangible, to the Epilogue, which was very special. Thanks Annie West for a complete winner!
June 15, 2023
I enjoyed reading this story! Love how Alessio first meets Charlotte and she tells him she is his temporary housekeeper.His housekeeper Anna hired Charlotte because she has to leave to go to her daughter is having complication with the pregnancy. The is a immediate attraction between them and i love reading how they deal with it. Love how this ends. I recommend this book !
April 12, 2023
I adore a brooding tortured hero and Annie West's are among the best. The remote island setting, the family legend and the references to dragons lent it a dreamlike quality (as if I'd stumbled into a fairy tale for adults). So romantic! Finished it with a happy sigh.
April 27, 2023
The Housekeeper and the Brooding Billionaire by Annie West is a charming love story set in Italy. Very fast paced read that never slows down. Characters discuss their past and proceed to fall in love. This story shows to always believe in love.
April 24, 2023
Good story, but it didn’t make sense why he didn’t want to be with her, like so many of these story. The H always seems confused on my he can’t be with the woman. 🤦🏽♀️
June 8, 2023
I rarely read Mills and Boon stories anymore, but Annie West has managed it.
Great relatable characters and an interesting story in a setting that leaps off the page.
Loved it.
Great relatable characters and an interesting story in a setting that leaps off the page.
Loved it.
July 29, 2023
Snoozefest 🥱
August 13, 2023
Tortured hero is one of my favorite plots
December 10, 2023
Author lavished emotion on this but it feels perfunctory. Just ok.
July 8, 2025
love it!!
September 19, 2024
This is a compelling romance. From the very first page when Alessio wonders if he is seeing a ghost in the mist of the lake, only to discover not the ghost of his dead wife, but the very disturbing golden haired Charlotte, the temporary housekeeper he has yet to meet. Just as Alessio is stunned by Charlotte, she too is taken aback by the vitality of her new employer. Their's is an instant attraction that simmers behind their mutual masks. Alessio's mask hides his painful self torture of failure to save his wife, and Charlotte's mask hides the scars left from a bullying and rejecting father. From that first scene of their meeting, I knew that Charlotte was going to wreck havok with the walls poor Alessio had built around himself
Ms West is a talented author, and this is another romance for the keeper shelf.
Ms West is a talented author, and this is another romance for the keeper shelf.
March 6, 2023
A good but slow burn reunion story with a sweet heroine and a sexy hero!
safety info: heroine was a virgin when they met, during their 8 years apart they were not celibate. this is the impression i got at least.
safety info: heroine was a virgin when they met, during their 8 years apart they were not celibate. this is the impression i got at least.
February 27, 2025
Absolutely fabulous - one of Annie’s best!
August 28, 2023
It was okay, nothing special. A bit repetitive, characters that are not particularly likeable. An average romance which for me means it's not really worth reading.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews