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Fair in Love
Travis McAllan is one of America's top country music stars—loved by fans, he lives the dreamed-of life of a country boy who has made it. The lifestyle of a star, however, comes at a cost, and Travis keeps his sexuality a secret until he meets Geoff Randsell. The attraction is immediate and jolts Travis from his life of pretense.
Geoff has a secret of his own—he’s in a rocky relationship, and he’s not impressed by Hollywood glitz. When he falls for Travis, Geoff is swept off his feet, and he is both dazzled by and apprehensive about the celebrity lifestyle of private planes, mansions, and travel.
When a photographer sells a picture of Travis and Geoff to the tabloids, their courtship and private world comes under fire. Travis must risk his music career to be with the man he loves, and Geoff has to make the difficult choice to accept a life in the public eye.
In the face of increasing pressure, Travis and Geoff must stay true to themselves to get to the altar and say “I do.”
Geoff has a secret of his own—he’s in a rocky relationship, and he’s not impressed by Hollywood glitz. When he falls for Travis, Geoff is swept off his feet, and he is both dazzled by and apprehensive about the celebrity lifestyle of private planes, mansions, and travel.
When a photographer sells a picture of Travis and Geoff to the tabloids, their courtship and private world comes under fire. Travis must risk his music career to be with the man he loves, and Geoff has to make the difficult choice to accept a life in the public eye.
In the face of increasing pressure, Travis and Geoff must stay true to themselves to get to the altar and say “I do.”
- GenresM M Romance
230 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 18, 2015
1 person is currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Jerry Sacher
13 books6 followersJerry Sacher was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, but he's always had a soft spot in his heart for San Francisco. He has been writing stories since he was able to put pen to paper, and he's come a long way since those stories about the Titanic. He currently lives in the Boystown area of Chicago in an apartment crammed with books.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
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May 23, 2015I straight up love this cover! How genius!
May 26, 2015
Rounded up from 1.5/5. This review was originally posted at http://justloveromance.wordpress.com.
The saying goes that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but it was the cover of Fair in Love that drew me in. I love that it resembles a magazine cover, which seemed perfect for a story about a celebrity. Unfortunately, the cover was about the only good thing about this book.
The summary sounded intriguing, but the novel did not live up to expectations. Almost from the start, I found myself questioning the characters’ actions. Instant attraction is one thing, but semi-public kissing after knowing each other for five minutes, when one of the characters is still in a relationship, is another thing altogether. In fact, Geoff’s treatment of his boyfriend Doug is abhorrent, but excused over and over again because Doug is apparently a terrible person and an awful boyfriend… a boyfriend who is shown to be devoted, tries to initiate sex (which Geoff refuses), and has a passion to make movies. Honestly, Doug is probably the only character in this entire novel that I actually liked.
This novel is a hot mess. The characters are flat and uninteresting, when they’re not being inconsistent. The plot is boring… there’s no zing, no drama. Every time something big is foreshadowed, it quickly subsides and the characters move on as though it’s just another day. There is no emotional connection.
The characterization of Travis is bizarre and stereotypical; as someone who is also from just outside of Dallas, I can firmly say that I have never heard anyone utter the phrase “Shucks” or say things like “I’m awful glad ya came to meet me.” He decides to come out of the closet, not caring about possible repercussions (which are foreshadowed, but, of course, do not pan out into anything). He pressures Geoff to quit his job and come on tour with him after knowing him for only a couple of days, urges him to become a public figure, to move in with him, to marry him (literally a day after asking him to move in).
Geoff, on the other hand, is selfish and inconsistent. He cheats on his boyfriend (who literally only wants what makes Geoff happy). He is friends with a woman who hates said boyfriend for literally no good reason and who pushes Geoff away from Doug because he “can’t offer you the advantages that Travis can” (which are fame and money). He is uncomfortable with fame and attention, but apparently has a secret dream to “be the fashion leader of West Hollywood” (when this is never once implied or shown elsewhere).
(And don’t get me started on Geoff’s friend Lu, a character that had me gritting my teeth every time she opened her mouth.)
I finished the novel, although I’m not sure how. I’m giving this novel a 1.5 out of 5, because I think it has potential, but was just poorly written and characterized. All of the promise is there: two men in love, with challenges in their way (the music industry, Travis’ bigoted pastor uncle, Geoff’s ex, even a hurricane that threatens to drown both men while on vacation), and the promise of a HEA at the end. Unfortunately, the book does not live up to that promise.
The saying goes that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but it was the cover of Fair in Love that drew me in. I love that it resembles a magazine cover, which seemed perfect for a story about a celebrity. Unfortunately, the cover was about the only good thing about this book.
The summary sounded intriguing, but the novel did not live up to expectations. Almost from the start, I found myself questioning the characters’ actions. Instant attraction is one thing, but semi-public kissing after knowing each other for five minutes, when one of the characters is still in a relationship, is another thing altogether. In fact, Geoff’s treatment of his boyfriend Doug is abhorrent, but excused over and over again because Doug is apparently a terrible person and an awful boyfriend… a boyfriend who is shown to be devoted, tries to initiate sex (which Geoff refuses), and has a passion to make movies. Honestly, Doug is probably the only character in this entire novel that I actually liked.
This novel is a hot mess. The characters are flat and uninteresting, when they’re not being inconsistent. The plot is boring… there’s no zing, no drama. Every time something big is foreshadowed, it quickly subsides and the characters move on as though it’s just another day. There is no emotional connection.
The characterization of Travis is bizarre and stereotypical; as someone who is also from just outside of Dallas, I can firmly say that I have never heard anyone utter the phrase “Shucks” or say things like “I’m awful glad ya came to meet me.” He decides to come out of the closet, not caring about possible repercussions (which are foreshadowed, but, of course, do not pan out into anything). He pressures Geoff to quit his job and come on tour with him after knowing him for only a couple of days, urges him to become a public figure, to move in with him, to marry him (literally a day after asking him to move in).
Geoff, on the other hand, is selfish and inconsistent. He cheats on his boyfriend (who literally only wants what makes Geoff happy). He is friends with a woman who hates said boyfriend for literally no good reason and who pushes Geoff away from Doug because he “can’t offer you the advantages that Travis can” (which are fame and money). He is uncomfortable with fame and attention, but apparently has a secret dream to “be the fashion leader of West Hollywood” (when this is never once implied or shown elsewhere).
(And don’t get me started on Geoff’s friend Lu, a character that had me gritting my teeth every time she opened her mouth.)
I finished the novel, although I’m not sure how. I’m giving this novel a 1.5 out of 5, because I think it has potential, but was just poorly written and characterized. All of the promise is there: two men in love, with challenges in their way (the music industry, Travis’ bigoted pastor uncle, Geoff’s ex, even a hurricane that threatens to drown both men while on vacation), and the promise of a HEA at the end. Unfortunately, the book does not live up to that promise.
May 27, 2015
I really wanted to love this book. The premise was fantastic (I love country music)- but I never completely warmed to the characters.
There were a few fairy-tale moments in this book. I enjoyed the time the men spent together in Texas and I liked Geoff’s relationship with Lu. I liked the complexity of Travis’ relationships with his family.
I just didn’t believe in the love story. I was never sure how invested Geoff was in Travis. I kept wondering (hoping?) he would go back to Doug. Once the two men were a couple, Travis seemed uninterested in Geoff’s needs. Travis’ reluctance to stand up for himself and Geoff with his family made him seem weak. Less leading man than scared little boy.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review for Inked Rainbow Reviews.
There were a few fairy-tale moments in this book. I enjoyed the time the men spent together in Texas and I liked Geoff’s relationship with Lu. I liked the complexity of Travis’ relationships with his family.
I just didn’t believe in the love story. I was never sure how invested Geoff was in Travis. I kept wondering (hoping?) he would go back to Doug. Once the two men were a couple, Travis seemed uninterested in Geoff’s needs. Travis’ reluctance to stand up for himself and Geoff with his family made him seem weak. Less leading man than scared little boy.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review for Inked Rainbow Reviews.
June 5, 2015
I am sorry to say that I just couldn’t get through this. The writing is pretty scattered and the dialog, storyline and plot felt awkward and unrealistic.
There is no steam or chemistry between the MCs yet the relationship moves from “just met” to “I love you” before even 50% of the book.
I wanted to like this – the cover is phenomenal and the blurb sounded intriguing, but the payoff wasn’t there.
No rating, DNF
There is no steam or chemistry between the MCs yet the relationship moves from “just met” to “I love you” before even 50% of the book.
I wanted to like this – the cover is phenomenal and the blurb sounded intriguing, but the payoff wasn’t there.
No rating, DNF
Want to read
April 13, 2017Fair in Love
by Jerry Sacher
Publication Date: May 18, 2015
Genres: Contemporary, LGBT, M/M, Romance
Synopsis: Travis McAllan is one of America's top country music stars—loved by fans, he lives the dreamed-of life of a country boy who has made it. The lifestyle of a star, however, comes at a cost, and Travis keeps his sexuality a secret until he meets Geoff Randsell. The attraction is immediate and jolts Travis from his life of pretense.
Geoff has a secret of his own—he’s in a rocky relationship, and he’s not impressed by Hollywood glitz. When he falls for Travis, Geoff is swept off his feet, and he is both dazzled by and apprehensive about the celebrity lifestyle of private planes, mansions, and travel.
When a photographer sells a picture of Travis and Geoff to the tabloids, their courtship and private world comes under fire. Travis must risk his music career to be with the man he loves, and Geoff has to make the difficult choice to accept a life in the public eye.
In the face of increasing pressure, Travis and Geoff must stay true to themselves to get to the altar and say “I do.”
FAIR IN LOVE EXCERPT
“Where were you, Lu?” Geoff asked. “Our table is ready.”
“Take a look at this.” Lu pulled a magazine out of her purse and handed it to Geoff. The page was marked at an article titled “Travis McAllan – Gay?” There were pictures of him and Travis in his kitchen in each other’s arms, holding hands, and nearly undressed. “Did you know about his, Geoff?”
“No, but there were a couple of times we thought someone was hanging around the house.”
“You were just on the phone with Travis. Did he say anything?” Lu asked, but she was interrupted by the loud clamor of Goeff’s phone. It was an incoming call from Traivs. Geoff looked up from the screen and back at Lu.
“He probably knows now.”
Travis knew almost before Goeff. He had finished talking to him on the phone and was sitting on the back porch strumming his guitar when his brothers and Marc came outside, all speaking and gesturing at once.
Travis laid aside the guitar and stood up, holding out his hands. “Y’all sound like a bunch of hens. What’s the matter?”
“This is the matter!” Don spat, throwing a copy of People magazine’s Country Special at Travis’s feet. He picked it up and flipped through the photos of himself and Geoff. He closed it calmly and lifted his head to face the three men in front of him.
“They’re good pictures,” Travis said, folding up the magazine and dropping it next to his guitar.
FAIR IN LOVE PLAYLIST
Direct Link: https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotif...
About Jerry Sacher
by Jerry Sacher
Publication Date: May 18, 2015
Genres: Contemporary, LGBT, M/M, Romance
Synopsis: Travis McAllan is one of America's top country music stars—loved by fans, he lives the dreamed-of life of a country boy who has made it. The lifestyle of a star, however, comes at a cost, and Travis keeps his sexuality a secret until he meets Geoff Randsell. The attraction is immediate and jolts Travis from his life of pretense.
Geoff has a secret of his own—he’s in a rocky relationship, and he’s not impressed by Hollywood glitz. When he falls for Travis, Geoff is swept off his feet, and he is both dazzled by and apprehensive about the celebrity lifestyle of private planes, mansions, and travel.
When a photographer sells a picture of Travis and Geoff to the tabloids, their courtship and private world comes under fire. Travis must risk his music career to be with the man he loves, and Geoff has to make the difficult choice to accept a life in the public eye.
In the face of increasing pressure, Travis and Geoff must stay true to themselves to get to the altar and say “I do.”
FAIR IN LOVE EXCERPT
“Where were you, Lu?” Geoff asked. “Our table is ready.”
“Take a look at this.” Lu pulled a magazine out of her purse and handed it to Geoff. The page was marked at an article titled “Travis McAllan – Gay?” There were pictures of him and Travis in his kitchen in each other’s arms, holding hands, and nearly undressed. “Did you know about his, Geoff?”
“No, but there were a couple of times we thought someone was hanging around the house.”
“You were just on the phone with Travis. Did he say anything?” Lu asked, but she was interrupted by the loud clamor of Goeff’s phone. It was an incoming call from Traivs. Geoff looked up from the screen and back at Lu.
“He probably knows now.”
Travis knew almost before Goeff. He had finished talking to him on the phone and was sitting on the back porch strumming his guitar when his brothers and Marc came outside, all speaking and gesturing at once.
Travis laid aside the guitar and stood up, holding out his hands. “Y’all sound like a bunch of hens. What’s the matter?”
“This is the matter!” Don spat, throwing a copy of People magazine’s Country Special at Travis’s feet. He picked it up and flipped through the photos of himself and Geoff. He closed it calmly and lifted his head to face the three men in front of him.
“They’re good pictures,” Travis said, folding up the magazine and dropping it next to his guitar.
FAIR IN LOVE PLAYLIST
Direct Link: https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotif...
About Jerry Sacher
Jerry Sacher currently lives in Chicago with his partner Dean and two cats in an apartment crammed with books.
He writes every day from the local coffee shop, his “office,” and when he’s not writing, his interests are San Francisco, the Titanic, and listening to records on an antique phonograph.
Website • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads
July 7, 2017
This one started off great, I was excited then blah. It seemed to drag and the same things were repeated over and over. Ugh. What a letdown.
October 21, 2017
Okay I rarely say this but this book needed more sexy time and less omg do I really love him.
June 24, 2015
A Joyfully Jay review.
3 stars
There was so much about this book that I loved before I even began to read. I absolutely loved the cover of this book. I am a total sucker for celebrities and this cover screamed to me “music star” with its magazine-like cover. The blurb sounded intriguing. Once I started reading, the plot was interesting – country music star with a televangelist preacher uncle who spews homophobic slurs from the pulpit and a brother who keeps trying to throw bimbos at his brother with the belief that if he throws enough of them at him that one will stick. Going incognito, Travis sneaks off to a coffee shop and sits at a table with Geoff and his friend Lu.
Geoff is in a tenuous relationship with Doug. His best friend, Lu, hates his boyfriend and is always pushing other men in front of him hoping he will find the man of his dreams. When she takes him to a meet and greet, he runs into the man who sat at their table the night before – country star Travis McAllan. Despite hating country music and voicing his distaste of the McAllan Brothers music, Geoff agrees to escape the party with Travis. The two begin a whirlwind courtship in secret until they are thrust into the public eye when the paparazzi snap a photo of the two together.
Unfortunately, there were things about this book that I really didn’t like. The obvious is that Geoff is in a relationship with Doug while carrying on with Travis. While there was no sexual cheating going on, there was plenty of emotional cheating. I think what bothered me the most was that Doug was really a likeable character, and I found myself wanting to root for him. Despite being “told” what an awful boyfriend that he is, all we “see” is that he seems to be devoted to Geoff to the point where he is willing to step aside if that is really what Geoff wants. However, Geoff doesn’t really know what he wants. I found Geoff to be selfish. He’s carrying on with Travis while dangling Doug on a string. Even when forced to make a choice he was wishy-washy, which made no sense to me since he seemed to think Doug was a bad boyfriend.
Read Wendy’s review in its entirety here.
3 stars
There was so much about this book that I loved before I even began to read. I absolutely loved the cover of this book. I am a total sucker for celebrities and this cover screamed to me “music star” with its magazine-like cover. The blurb sounded intriguing. Once I started reading, the plot was interesting – country music star with a televangelist preacher uncle who spews homophobic slurs from the pulpit and a brother who keeps trying to throw bimbos at his brother with the belief that if he throws enough of them at him that one will stick. Going incognito, Travis sneaks off to a coffee shop and sits at a table with Geoff and his friend Lu.
Geoff is in a tenuous relationship with Doug. His best friend, Lu, hates his boyfriend and is always pushing other men in front of him hoping he will find the man of his dreams. When she takes him to a meet and greet, he runs into the man who sat at their table the night before – country star Travis McAllan. Despite hating country music and voicing his distaste of the McAllan Brothers music, Geoff agrees to escape the party with Travis. The two begin a whirlwind courtship in secret until they are thrust into the public eye when the paparazzi snap a photo of the two together.
Unfortunately, there were things about this book that I really didn’t like. The obvious is that Geoff is in a relationship with Doug while carrying on with Travis. While there was no sexual cheating going on, there was plenty of emotional cheating. I think what bothered me the most was that Doug was really a likeable character, and I found myself wanting to root for him. Despite being “told” what an awful boyfriend that he is, all we “see” is that he seems to be devoted to Geoff to the point where he is willing to step aside if that is really what Geoff wants. However, Geoff doesn’t really know what he wants. I found Geoff to be selfish. He’s carrying on with Travis while dangling Doug on a string. Even when forced to make a choice he was wishy-washy, which made no sense to me since he seemed to think Doug was a bad boyfriend.
Read Wendy’s review in its entirety here.
May 29, 2015
I have to firstly admit it is very rare for me that I would read a book that has a strong GLBT feel to it as it's not normally my preference to read but this book had captured me from the front cover firstly as it is like a magazine design , so a big thumbs up to the cover designer as you definitely did your job in attracting readers to the book. The second part of what drew me to the book was the country music feel to it as I adore my country and western music and band stories. In Fair in Love we meet Travis who is the youngest brother in the McAllan Brothers Band, he is a songwriter and the hottest one around. Lately though he has been a bit distant and more so since the drummer left , his brothers think that its because he needs to get laid by a chick but what they don't realise is that Travis is in fact gay and the reason he is down is because he slept with the drummer who now quit due to the incident. Meanwhile the other half of the relationship at the end will be Geoff , who is currently in a rocky road of a relationship and wants to be done with all the fake glitz and glam that Hollywood and living in Hollywood brings to the picture. When Travis and Geoff met, it's a instant feeling and the two start seeing each other on the sly - but what will happen when their secret lives are leaked to the tabloids. Can Travis and Geoff embrace the backlash and publicity that will follow when they are announced that firstly Travis is Gay and secondly he is in love with Geoff.
Jerry Sachar's brings to the table a book that shows readers that in the Game of Relationships - all is "Fair in Love" and War, but True Love will always Triumph.
Jerry Sachar's brings to the table a book that shows readers that in the Game of Relationships - all is "Fair in Love" and War, but True Love will always Triumph.
June 11, 2015
Storyline: 3
Angst: 1
Tissue: 0
Value: 4
Panty Scorching: 0
Over All Rating: 3 Stars
Kindle eARC
Reviewed by Robin
Geoff is an attractive gay VP in Human Resources at a bank with a best friend Lu (think Liz Taylor) and a boyfriend Doug who is struggling in the movie industry. Travis is the closeted lead singer in the country band, The McAllan Brothers. His family is conservative including an uncle who is a TV Evangelist. Geoff and Travis end up running into each other at a coffee shop. What could these two have in common?
“Travis closed his eyes and set his mind on the handsome young man he had met at Starbucks. He’d never had a chance to get his name, but he’d composed an entire song about him.”
I want to just say I LOVE the cover! It’s so clever. I also really liked the idea of this particular story with country stars coming out right now. I was really excited to read this book.
“Yet another place in Geoff was thinking only of Travis, with his handsome face and curly hair and his sexy voice. It was the thought of Travis that seemed to chase away the chill in the room that night.”
I wish there had been more communication with the two characters. They don’t seem to share what is bothering them or any information that I would have liked to know when I am in a relationship with someone. I also don’t feel like they resolve some of their issues at all. I did like how Doug’s character evolved from the beginning to the end. He seemed to have matured and grew by the end of the book.
I enjoyed the story and hope to read more MM books about country stars in the future!
Angst: 1
Tissue: 0
Value: 4
Panty Scorching: 0
Over All Rating: 3 Stars
Kindle eARC
Reviewed by Robin
Geoff is an attractive gay VP in Human Resources at a bank with a best friend Lu (think Liz Taylor) and a boyfriend Doug who is struggling in the movie industry. Travis is the closeted lead singer in the country band, The McAllan Brothers. His family is conservative including an uncle who is a TV Evangelist. Geoff and Travis end up running into each other at a coffee shop. What could these two have in common?
“Travis closed his eyes and set his mind on the handsome young man he had met at Starbucks. He’d never had a chance to get his name, but he’d composed an entire song about him.”
I want to just say I LOVE the cover! It’s so clever. I also really liked the idea of this particular story with country stars coming out right now. I was really excited to read this book.
“Yet another place in Geoff was thinking only of Travis, with his handsome face and curly hair and his sexy voice. It was the thought of Travis that seemed to chase away the chill in the room that night.”
I wish there had been more communication with the two characters. They don’t seem to share what is bothering them or any information that I would have liked to know when I am in a relationship with someone. I also don’t feel like they resolve some of their issues at all. I did like how Doug’s character evolved from the beginning to the end. He seemed to have matured and grew by the end of the book.
I enjoyed the story and hope to read more MM books about country stars in the future!
June 11, 2015
Reviewed by Sue
Who wouldn't fall for a good ole country boy???
Geoff Randsell had been in a relationship for a while and the new in love spark had gone. His partner Doug made films, the tacky low budget kind. He had dreams and aspirations and while he was trying to find them the time he had left for Geoff had all but disappeared.
On a night out with his best friend Lu, a chance meeting with a handsome stranger was about to change Geoffs world.
Travis McAllen was a country star in one of the biggest bands around. He and his brothers were at the top of their game so Travis felt he had no choice but to keep his sexuality hidden.
When the stranger he meets in a Starbucks turns up at one of his concerts though, that is all going to change.
After a heart to heart with Doug, Geoff can finally explore whatever is going on with Travis without feeling guilty about cheating and the relationship that follows is a sweet, tentative one.
Will it survive the interference from one of Travis's brothers and his God fearing Uncle, will the fans accept who he is when it all comes out, and what will happen whe Geoff comes face to face with Doug, has he really gotten over the man that he thought was his forever.
This was a lovely story about 2 men and the obstacles they face to be together.
May 25, 2015
I really don't like to trash talk a authors hard work, but this book was so not for me. I love m/m romance books but this book is the readers equivalent of watching paint dry.
The two main characters are as stiff as cardboard and not in a good way if you know what I mean.
The blurb for this book had so much potential, I felt the writing didn't live up to it in the end. There was no emotion no connection between any of the characters, this book for me was just words on a page I felt nothing while reading it. I've read a few m/m romance books this week and it's really getting on my nerves that we still have to have a character that is so very anti gay to put a downer on it all, I know in the real world not everyone accepts gay people but it would be nice sometimes to read a story that focuses on the love between two people instead of the fact that it happens to be two guys in love and the problems other people have with that fact.
The two main characters are as stiff as cardboard and not in a good way if you know what I mean.
The blurb for this book had so much potential, I felt the writing didn't live up to it in the end. There was no emotion no connection between any of the characters, this book for me was just words on a page I felt nothing while reading it. I've read a few m/m romance books this week and it's really getting on my nerves that we still have to have a character that is so very anti gay to put a downer on it all, I know in the real world not everyone accepts gay people but it would be nice sometimes to read a story that focuses on the love between two people instead of the fact that it happens to be two guys in love and the problems other people have with that fact.
June 12, 2015
I wanted this book to be different than what it was. There....I said it. *sigh* The characters seemed wishy-washy to me rather than having a concrete personality. One minute they were all gung-ho about their relationships and the next they were doubting their feelings.
This book could have been so much better with just a little more fleshing out and the help of more reading prior to release. Or maybe it just isn't for me? I really don't know. I wanted to like it because while I was looking for sex scenes and didn't get any, this could have been an amazing story.
ARC received in exchange for review.
This book could have been so much better with just a little more fleshing out and the help of more reading prior to release. Or maybe it just isn't for me? I really don't know. I wanted to like it because while I was looking for sex scenes and didn't get any, this could have been an amazing story.
ARC received in exchange for review.
May 24, 2015
I'm sorry but both main characters had zero chemistry. I was more interested in Doug. The book didn't make sense.
June 5, 2015
Great cover, shame about the contents.
August 5, 2016
Oh, okay. I was going to thrash this book, but now when I look at its rating, it feels like kicking a sick puppy. So, I won't say anything, but yeah, the rating reflects.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews