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A Seductive Boss
Would you like to travel to France without taking a plane? Would you like to learn about the way French men partake in love affairs? How they seduce women? How they make love? Follow your American compatriots who experience all of the above—and more—when they are in my wonderful country. - Marie-Louise Damberte
Book 3: Seductive Boss
When Jessica finally finishes her architectural studies and then goes to Paris for an internship, she can barely speak a word of French. Gaëtan, another intern at the firm where she’ll work, meets her at the airport. He quickly falls in love with her and tells her to watch out at work, especially because her new boss is very seductive. She doesn’t take his advice and quickly becomes under the spell of Etienne, an internationally famous architect. He’s especially interested in Jessica’s Chinese origins so that he can conquer more of the market in China. Their affaire takes over her life more than she could ever have imagined. Can she nonetheless go back to Gaëtan, whom she realizes she truly loves?
Book 1: A Spicy Business Trip to Paris
When Marilyn learns that she’s going to be responsible for expanding a new luxury line of sports clothing for SLC Sport & Co. in Paris, she jumps with joy. She’s even more excited because her co-worker Laurent, a Frenchman, will be going with her. He’s seductive, enthusiastic, and funny. But it turns out to be Yann, Laurent’s old friend and manager of a popular Paris nightclub, who excites Marilyn beyond her wildest dreams. Yann is secretive, subdued, and silent—just the opposite of Laurent. Yann helps Marilyn discover Paris and at the same time conquers her. But what future does she have with this enigmatic man? Will she ultimately discover his secret?
Book 2: Antique Hunting
This is a story about a young woman who has just bought a very old house on the outskirts of Montgomery, Alabama. She goes to Paris to find antiques that will work best with her soon-to-be renovated place. Her life so far has been without many surprises, until the untimely death of her husband of three years. She will soon experiences all sorts of adventures in France. Shy and naïve when she arrives, she is able of overcoming each obstacle such that she moves forward despite the tests that are put in her path.
Book 3: Seductive Boss
When Jessica finally finishes her architectural studies and then goes to Paris for an internship, she can barely speak a word of French. Gaëtan, another intern at the firm where she’ll work, meets her at the airport. He quickly falls in love with her and tells her to watch out at work, especially because her new boss is very seductive. She doesn’t take his advice and quickly becomes under the spell of Etienne, an internationally famous architect. He’s especially interested in Jessica’s Chinese origins so that he can conquer more of the market in China. Their affaire takes over her life more than she could ever have imagined. Can she nonetheless go back to Gaëtan, whom she realizes she truly loves?
Book 1: A Spicy Business Trip to Paris
When Marilyn learns that she’s going to be responsible for expanding a new luxury line of sports clothing for SLC Sport & Co. in Paris, she jumps with joy. She’s even more excited because her co-worker Laurent, a Frenchman, will be going with her. He’s seductive, enthusiastic, and funny. But it turns out to be Yann, Laurent’s old friend and manager of a popular Paris nightclub, who excites Marilyn beyond her wildest dreams. Yann is secretive, subdued, and silent—just the opposite of Laurent. Yann helps Marilyn discover Paris and at the same time conquers her. But what future does she have with this enigmatic man? Will she ultimately discover his secret?
Book 2: Antique Hunting
This is a story about a young woman who has just bought a very old house on the outskirts of Montgomery, Alabama. She goes to Paris to find antiques that will work best with her soon-to-be renovated place. Her life so far has been without many surprises, until the untimely death of her husband of three years. She will soon experiences all sorts of adventures in France. Shy and naïve when she arrives, she is able of overcoming each obstacle such that she moves forward despite the tests that are put in her path.
142 pages, Paperback
Published September 16, 2014
1 person is currently reading
213 people want to read
About the author
Marie-Louise Damberte
3 books9 followersI am Marie-Louise Damberte, a French novelist. I share my time between France and the States. I have strong roots in France, where I spent much of my childhood. I'm clearly fascinated with French culture. I decided to keep a house in France, even after I met my husband in Los Angeles.
Let's get one thing clear: I love the United States. I love the cultural diversity of its people, its dynamic nature, and the spontaneity and kindness of Americans. Yet I remain fascinated by the differences between the two countries. It's hard to accept the many clichés about France that I hear from my American friends. That's why I decided to help American readers discover the true France through my novels in the series Romance in France. My readers will discover what's not presented in the guides.
I take readers to Paris, to Provence, and elsewhere in France through the steps of my novels' American heroines who are visiting my country and certainly want to meet the celebrated French lover. You'll find the manager of a famous Paris nightclub, an architect, an antique dealer, a musician, a decorator . . . all from the comfort of your living room couch.
I love to interact with my readers, so don't hesitate to contact me at ml(at)damberte(dot)com. Or visit my Web homepage at www.damberte.com.
Let's get one thing clear: I love the United States. I love the cultural diversity of its people, its dynamic nature, and the spontaneity and kindness of Americans. Yet I remain fascinated by the differences between the two countries. It's hard to accept the many clichés about France that I hear from my American friends. That's why I decided to help American readers discover the true France through my novels in the series Romance in France. My readers will discover what's not presented in the guides.
I take readers to Paris, to Provence, and elsewhere in France through the steps of my novels' American heroines who are visiting my country and certainly want to meet the celebrated French lover. You'll find the manager of a famous Paris nightclub, an architect, an antique dealer, a musician, a decorator . . . all from the comfort of your living room couch.
I love to interact with my readers, so don't hesitate to contact me at ml(at)damberte(dot)com. Or visit my Web homepage at www.damberte.com.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 26, 2016
I received this book from the author for an honest review. 3.5*
Jessica Steel, an architectural student who hoped to land an internship to become a licensed architecture and pursue her dream. When her aunt, Kate told her about her 3-years internship in Paris, she was scared but ecstatic knowing it was a paid internship.
In Paris, she met another intern at the firm where she'll be working at named Gaëtan, and the boss Etienne.
Her boss quickly escalated things and before she knows it, she already wrapped around his finger. (I know something is wrong when he saw her at the library.)
I had this feeling that Etienne will not be good to her and hoped that she'll end up with Gaëtan instead. Author made a very good character out of Etienne because I really hate his gut. I really can feel what Jessica is feeling from it. But, poor Gaëtan, he didn't get much exposure except earlier and ending chapter of this book and only been mentioned a few times here and there.
Top of all, I really enjoyed 'sightseeing' in Paris through this book. I didn't looked up all the place immediately but I will soon and re-read this with ready images of places in Paris in my head. If you haven't been to Paris, this book will help you to find great place to visit.
Friendly note : grammar and spelling errors expected.
Jessica Steel, an architectural student who hoped to land an internship to become a licensed architecture and pursue her dream. When her aunt, Kate told her about her 3-years internship in Paris, she was scared but ecstatic knowing it was a paid internship.
In Paris, she met another intern at the firm where she'll be working at named Gaëtan, and the boss Etienne.
Her boss quickly escalated things and before she knows it, she already wrapped around his finger. (I know something is wrong when he saw her at the library.)
I had this feeling that Etienne will not be good to her and hoped that she'll end up with Gaëtan instead. Author made a very good character out of Etienne because I really hate his gut. I really can feel what Jessica is feeling from it. But, poor Gaëtan, he didn't get much exposure except earlier and ending chapter of this book and only been mentioned a few times here and there.
Top of all, I really enjoyed 'sightseeing' in Paris through this book. I didn't looked up all the place immediately but I will soon and re-read this with ready images of places in Paris in my head. If you haven't been to Paris, this book will help you to find great place to visit.
Friendly note : grammar and spelling errors expected.
November 19, 2014
E foi com este livro que voltei às leituras de livros em inglês. “A Seductive Boss” é um livro de fácil leitura, com uma escrita simples, com poucos floreados, bastante objectiva e visual.
Infelizmente não posso dizer que tenha gostado ou não do livro. A verdade é que, apesar de conter descrições capazes de nos alcançar, não consegui fazer parte da narrativa nem das suas personagens. E, como já fui referindo nas diferentes opiniões que aqui escrevo, este é um factor determinante para mim. Não criando empatia com as personagens, é-me muito difícil apreciar a obra na íntegra.
A narrativa desenvolve-se em torno de Jéssica, uma recém-arquitecta que deixa o seu país de origem para frequentar um estágio de 3 anos em França. Quando chega, ela conhece o seu director: Ethienne, um homem sedutor, com o qual acaba por se envolver.
Para transmitir melhor aquilo que achei do livro, acho que a palavra mais adequada para o descrever é “previsibilidade”. Não é uma história brilhante. É uma história simples com um princípio, meio e fim, e apenas isso, sem grandes desenvolvimentos, caracterizações e sentimentos. E talvez esse tenha sido o problema.
Apesar disto, senti que a linguagem foi adequada, o que tornou fácil e, de certa forma, agradável a sua leitura.
It was with this book that I returned to reading in english. “A Seductive Boss” is a easy reading book, with a language that is simple, objective and clear.
Unfortunately, I can’t decide if I liked or not of this narrative. In one hand is filled of very good descriptions, but in other hand we can’t be part of this story, we can’t feel with its charecters. And, as I’ve been writting in my other reviews, this is very importante to me. If I can’t feel anything for the carecters, Ican’t like a story.
The book is about Jessica, a new arquitect that left her country to do a internship of 3 years in France. When she arrives, she meets her new director: Ethienne, a seductive man, with whoom she falls in love with.
In order to better understand what i really thought about the book, i will use the word “predictable”. It is not a brilliant story. It's a simple one, with a beginning and an end and only that. It doesn’t have much caracterization and feelings. And that might have been the problem.
Despite this, the way that it was written was adequate, which make my reading easier and pleasant.
http://bloguinhasparadise.blogspot.pt...
Infelizmente não posso dizer que tenha gostado ou não do livro. A verdade é que, apesar de conter descrições capazes de nos alcançar, não consegui fazer parte da narrativa nem das suas personagens. E, como já fui referindo nas diferentes opiniões que aqui escrevo, este é um factor determinante para mim. Não criando empatia com as personagens, é-me muito difícil apreciar a obra na íntegra.
A narrativa desenvolve-se em torno de Jéssica, uma recém-arquitecta que deixa o seu país de origem para frequentar um estágio de 3 anos em França. Quando chega, ela conhece o seu director: Ethienne, um homem sedutor, com o qual acaba por se envolver.
Para transmitir melhor aquilo que achei do livro, acho que a palavra mais adequada para o descrever é “previsibilidade”. Não é uma história brilhante. É uma história simples com um princípio, meio e fim, e apenas isso, sem grandes desenvolvimentos, caracterizações e sentimentos. E talvez esse tenha sido o problema.
Apesar disto, senti que a linguagem foi adequada, o que tornou fácil e, de certa forma, agradável a sua leitura.
It was with this book that I returned to reading in english. “A Seductive Boss” is a easy reading book, with a language that is simple, objective and clear.
Unfortunately, I can’t decide if I liked or not of this narrative. In one hand is filled of very good descriptions, but in other hand we can’t be part of this story, we can’t feel with its charecters. And, as I’ve been writting in my other reviews, this is very importante to me. If I can’t feel anything for the carecters, Ican’t like a story.
The book is about Jessica, a new arquitect that left her country to do a internship of 3 years in France. When she arrives, she meets her new director: Ethienne, a seductive man, with whoom she falls in love with.
In order to better understand what i really thought about the book, i will use the word “predictable”. It is not a brilliant story. It's a simple one, with a beginning and an end and only that. It doesn’t have much caracterization and feelings. And that might have been the problem.
Despite this, the way that it was written was adequate, which make my reading easier and pleasant.
http://bloguinhasparadise.blogspot.pt...
September 25, 2014
Romance in France- A Seductive Boss is by Marie-Louise Damberte. It is set in France and she gives a beautiful description of the places they go in Paris. Having been to Paris, I could see the various places vividly. The characters are realistic to a point and then I am not sure they would behave in the same manner as she has them do. There are many grammatical errors that, since I taught English, glared out at me and interfered with my reading. They probably do not bother the average reader. In spite of these problems, I did enjoy the book. It was fresh and took a look at a young girl coming to Paris to become an intern in an architect firm.
Jessica is graduating with a degree in architecture and is ready to find a firm in which to intern. She has to be an intern for three years before she will be considered an architect. Through her Aunt Kate’s friendship with Etienne, she lands a paid internship in Paris. Jessica, who has never traveled, is thrilled with this opportunity. Since Jessica is Asian, Etienne is glad to have her on his team. He does a lot of business in China and wants Jessica because she speaks Mandarin. Now, she has to learn French as well.
Jessica finds her job exciting. The first thing Etienne has her do it to go with another lady to the department stores and redo her wardrobe to make it perfect for the business. She loves the clothes and shoes and has learned to put on makeup which makes her just more beautiful. Little does she know what her job totally consists of. When she finds out, she will be totally shocked. Can she complete her job? Will she leave Paris never to return? Will the friends she has made stand by her?
It is an excellent book and I enjoyed reading it.
Jessica is graduating with a degree in architecture and is ready to find a firm in which to intern. She has to be an intern for three years before she will be considered an architect. Through her Aunt Kate’s friendship with Etienne, she lands a paid internship in Paris. Jessica, who has never traveled, is thrilled with this opportunity. Since Jessica is Asian, Etienne is glad to have her on his team. He does a lot of business in China and wants Jessica because she speaks Mandarin. Now, she has to learn French as well.
Jessica finds her job exciting. The first thing Etienne has her do it to go with another lady to the department stores and redo her wardrobe to make it perfect for the business. She loves the clothes and shoes and has learned to put on makeup which makes her just more beautiful. Little does she know what her job totally consists of. When she finds out, she will be totally shocked. Can she complete her job? Will she leave Paris never to return? Will the friends she has made stand by her?
It is an excellent book and I enjoyed reading it.
September 28, 2014
Young romance, naiveté, experience is a powerful teacher
This romantic novel is actually for older YA, is almost as short as a novella, and has explicit sexual scenes but it is entertaining and worthwhile reading. An American, Jessica has just graduated in architecture and needs to intern for three years to qualify totally and her Aunt has found a paid internship for her in Paris with an internationally famous architect, Etienne. Jessica learned Mandarin as a child from her mother and Etienne is drumming up excellent customers in China and Jessica will be able to promote this. She also has to learn French, which she does not speak.
Jessica is not a sophisticated young woman and Etienne is the epitome of a sophisticated Frenchman with no qualms about seducing any attractive young women who come within his purview. He also takes advantage of their naiveté and manipulates and uses them. The story encompasses this usurpation of girls who hire out at his firm, the utter lack of morality he has in using them and will Jessica wake up to this or will he destroy her?
Although this story has too much sex in it for the younger adults, it would be truly enjoyed by older youth. It is well written, both places in France and the characters are well described, but it does need to be edited due to several typos or grammatical mistakes.
I received a complimentary copy of this e-book for an honest review.
This romantic novel is actually for older YA, is almost as short as a novella, and has explicit sexual scenes but it is entertaining and worthwhile reading. An American, Jessica has just graduated in architecture and needs to intern for three years to qualify totally and her Aunt has found a paid internship for her in Paris with an internationally famous architect, Etienne. Jessica learned Mandarin as a child from her mother and Etienne is drumming up excellent customers in China and Jessica will be able to promote this. She also has to learn French, which she does not speak.
Jessica is not a sophisticated young woman and Etienne is the epitome of a sophisticated Frenchman with no qualms about seducing any attractive young women who come within his purview. He also takes advantage of their naiveté and manipulates and uses them. The story encompasses this usurpation of girls who hire out at his firm, the utter lack of morality he has in using them and will Jessica wake up to this or will he destroy her?
Although this story has too much sex in it for the younger adults, it would be truly enjoyed by older youth. It is well written, both places in France and the characters are well described, but it does need to be edited due to several typos or grammatical mistakes.
I received a complimentary copy of this e-book for an honest review.
September 26, 2014
I was given a copy of this book for my true and honest review.
I am unsure how to rate this book, as it really wasn't my style of story. I'm not sure it was even a 3 star read, but it did have it's good points.
This is a story of a young architect, Jessica, and her sleazy boss Etienne. He's the head of a large architectural firm in Paris. Jessica signs on for a 3 year internship. She is immediately seduced by her new boss, and that's where the story takes a really ugly turn for me.
I didn't really enjoy the story, as I have a hard time with characters that "fall in love" with people they don't really know, as is the case in this book. I didn't really care for any of the characters. Jessica is weak, and she demonstrates this in ways that make my skin crawl. Etienne is a creep and I can't even begin to see how anyone could work for someone like that. It just wasn't believable. And the supporting characters are also less than exciting to read about.
The author does a good job of describing Paris, the surroundings and the life that Jessica is now leading. However, the writing is choppy and almost foreign. There are a lot of French phrases, that I didn't care enough about to look up. It's hard to explain the writing, it just wasn't my style I guess.
I am unsure how to rate this book, as it really wasn't my style of story. I'm not sure it was even a 3 star read, but it did have it's good points.
This is a story of a young architect, Jessica, and her sleazy boss Etienne. He's the head of a large architectural firm in Paris. Jessica signs on for a 3 year internship. She is immediately seduced by her new boss, and that's where the story takes a really ugly turn for me.
I didn't really enjoy the story, as I have a hard time with characters that "fall in love" with people they don't really know, as is the case in this book. I didn't really care for any of the characters. Jessica is weak, and she demonstrates this in ways that make my skin crawl. Etienne is a creep and I can't even begin to see how anyone could work for someone like that. It just wasn't believable. And the supporting characters are also less than exciting to read about.
The author does a good job of describing Paris, the surroundings and the life that Jessica is now leading. However, the writing is choppy and almost foreign. There are a lot of French phrases, that I didn't care enough about to look up. It's hard to explain the writing, it just wasn't my style I guess.
August 31, 2016
Such an interesting book... Hmmm...
I loved the description, first and foremost. I felt like I was in Paris: I could see the city through the eyes of Jessica, who is a regular girl from America.
The main problem I had with the book was the quick jumps. The character development was a bit quick, for example. Gaetan likes Jessica, but how can he still like her right after knowing that she had an affair with her boss, even though he had warned her before? Realistically, a guy who had to go through that would be hurt and not be able to immediately go back: he'd have to think about the situation at least for a little bit, regardless of how much he loved the girl. There was also some side characters that end up being with Jessica and the others towards the end, but I wish we had seen them throughout the story more.
Otherwise, it was a good book. It was certainly not your average "bad affair" storyline: there are twists that make you cringe, maybe even spark anger within you. But that means that the book did a good job in being able to stir your emotions!
This is a very good and short book to read if you are looking for something that'll quench your reading needs!
I loved the description, first and foremost. I felt like I was in Paris: I could see the city through the eyes of Jessica, who is a regular girl from America.
The main problem I had with the book was the quick jumps. The character development was a bit quick, for example. Gaetan likes Jessica, but how can he still like her right after knowing that she had an affair with her boss, even though he had warned her before? Realistically, a guy who had to go through that would be hurt and not be able to immediately go back: he'd have to think about the situation at least for a little bit, regardless of how much he loved the girl. There was also some side characters that end up being with Jessica and the others towards the end, but I wish we had seen them throughout the story more.
Otherwise, it was a good book. It was certainly not your average "bad affair" storyline: there are twists that make you cringe, maybe even spark anger within you. But that means that the book did a good job in being able to stir your emotions!
This is a very good and short book to read if you are looking for something that'll quench your reading needs!
October 20, 2014
What girl would turn down a paid internship in Paris? No one, of course! So our main character Jessica is off to Paris to intern at a prestigious architectural firm.
Trusting that the owner of the firm will be professional (after all, he is a friend of her aunt) Jessica places her trust in him. Swoon worthy gorgeous would be a way to describe this man. But oh what a frenchman he is... he is gorgeous as well as player! Jessica is so naive and innocent and no matter what advice she gets, she still falls prey to his seduction and manipulation.
I found this book interesting and entertaining. It showed me through the inexperienced eyes of our Jessica, how a young woman really feels about going out into the world full of trust and dreams. Although this would not be what I would call a coming of age story, it does show the growth in our young protagonist and the lessons learned through her connection to her boss Etienne. You also do not want to miss how her co-worker Gaetan plays into this plot line. Who said good guys finish last?
Trusting that the owner of the firm will be professional (after all, he is a friend of her aunt) Jessica places her trust in him. Swoon worthy gorgeous would be a way to describe this man. But oh what a frenchman he is... he is gorgeous as well as player! Jessica is so naive and innocent and no matter what advice she gets, she still falls prey to his seduction and manipulation.
I found this book interesting and entertaining. It showed me through the inexperienced eyes of our Jessica, how a young woman really feels about going out into the world full of trust and dreams. Although this would not be what I would call a coming of age story, it does show the growth in our young protagonist and the lessons learned through her connection to her boss Etienne. You also do not want to miss how her co-worker Gaetan plays into this plot line. Who said good guys finish last?
November 7, 2014
A Seductive Boss by Marie-Louise Damberte
Wanted to read this book because of the picture of the Eiffel Tower on the front and the storyline.
Jessica is able to leave NYC and get paid to work at a company in Paris that her aunt help set up. She is not only introduced to the work field, love the architecture discussions, but the different culture and being part of sexual events that she discovers first hand.
Some of the French words left me wondering what was being discussed as they were not translated but otherwise it fit into the book. Took me by surprise, all the erotic sex scenes and how she embraces it to fit in.
With the detailed descriptions of the buildings I felt I could go there and not get lost. quite a picture the book portrays. Story goes into depth as time goes on and I'm quite shocked at some things that happen and surprised at the ending-didn't see it coming but loved the future plans.
I received this book from Goodreads early reviewer program in exchange for my honest review.
Wanted to read this book because of the picture of the Eiffel Tower on the front and the storyline.
Jessica is able to leave NYC and get paid to work at a company in Paris that her aunt help set up. She is not only introduced to the work field, love the architecture discussions, but the different culture and being part of sexual events that she discovers first hand.
Some of the French words left me wondering what was being discussed as they were not translated but otherwise it fit into the book. Took me by surprise, all the erotic sex scenes and how she embraces it to fit in.
With the detailed descriptions of the buildings I felt I could go there and not get lost. quite a picture the book portrays. Story goes into depth as time goes on and I'm quite shocked at some things that happen and surprised at the ending-didn't see it coming but loved the future plans.
I received this book from Goodreads early reviewer program in exchange for my honest review.
April 7, 2016
I feel that the story progressed far too quickly and didn't have a lot of depth to it. I didn't really get to know any of the main characters because of this so I didn't really connect to any of them.
Jessica seemed quite naive for somebody who had just graduated and I was so mad that she didn't see right through her boss as I did, as a reader I could tell he was only out for one thing. Which also leads me to say that I found the sex scenes between Jessica & Etienne a little uncomfortable; they felt a little forced, abuse like, which I don't think they were meant to but Etienne seemed sleazy from the off.
It was also obvious from the start that Gaetan had taken a deep interest in Jessica and I felt a little sorry for him; him and Jessica's roommate Christelle were the only characters I really took a liking to but I wish the story would have involved more of Gaetan.
2.5* as I really couldn't connect.
Jessica seemed quite naive for somebody who had just graduated and I was so mad that she didn't see right through her boss as I did, as a reader I could tell he was only out for one thing. Which also leads me to say that I found the sex scenes between Jessica & Etienne a little uncomfortable; they felt a little forced, abuse like, which I don't think they were meant to but Etienne seemed sleazy from the off.
It was also obvious from the start that Gaetan had taken a deep interest in Jessica and I felt a little sorry for him; him and Jessica's roommate Christelle were the only characters I really took a liking to but I wish the story would have involved more of Gaetan.
2.5* as I really couldn't connect.
March 5, 2015
When I first seen this book I thought it was going to be very interesting. With that being said I was not able to finish this book. I got to about 50% and realized I really do not know anything about the main characters. I like to know my characters and feel that I am actually part of them as I am reading.
Jessica Steel feels kind of weak to me. Things happen so fast with her boss I don’t even think she knows how she feels or even what happened and then Boom, next chapter she is in love. Say what?
The other issue that I had with the writing style is things progressed really, really fast. A week or two would go by in a paragraph.
I really wanted this to be a good read and I really think that it could if time was spent on the characters and filling in the missing time frames.
Other readers might truly enjoy this book, however I do not think that it was for me.
Jessica Steel feels kind of weak to me. Things happen so fast with her boss I don’t even think she knows how she feels or even what happened and then Boom, next chapter she is in love. Say what?
The other issue that I had with the writing style is things progressed really, really fast. A week or two would go by in a paragraph.
I really wanted this to be a good read and I really think that it could if time was spent on the characters and filling in the missing time frames.
Other readers might truly enjoy this book, however I do not think that it was for me.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews