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Storm Fronts #1
Threadbare
Storm Fronts: Book One
All cybernetic soldier Vick Corren wanted was to be human again. Now all she wants is Kelly. But machines can’t love. Can they?
With the computerized implants that replaced most of her brain, Vick views herself as more machine than human. She’s lost her memory, but worse, can no longer control her emotions, though with the help of empath Kelly LaSalle, she’s holding the threads of her fraying sanity together.
Vick is smarter, faster, impervious to pain… the best mercenary in the Fighting Storm, until odd flashbacks show Vick a life she can't remember and a romantic relationship with Kelly that Vick never knew existed. But investigating that must wait until Vick and her team rescue the Storm’s kidnapped leader.
Someone from within the organization is working against them, threatening Kelly’s freedom. To save her, Vick will have to sacrifice what she values most: the last of her humanity. Before the mission is over, either Vick or Kelly will forfeit the life she once knew.
All cybernetic soldier Vick Corren wanted was to be human again. Now all she wants is Kelly. But machines can’t love. Can they?
With the computerized implants that replaced most of her brain, Vick views herself as more machine than human. She’s lost her memory, but worse, can no longer control her emotions, though with the help of empath Kelly LaSalle, she’s holding the threads of her fraying sanity together.
Vick is smarter, faster, impervious to pain… the best mercenary in the Fighting Storm, until odd flashbacks show Vick a life she can't remember and a romantic relationship with Kelly that Vick never knew existed. But investigating that must wait until Vick and her team rescue the Storm’s kidnapped leader.
Someone from within the organization is working against them, threatening Kelly’s freedom. To save her, Vick will have to sacrifice what she values most: the last of her humanity. Before the mission is over, either Vick or Kelly will forfeit the life she once knew.
280 pages, Paperback
First published August 20, 2019
15 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 17, 2020
This book blew me away.
Seriously, it’s like a spiral or the flow of the tides in and out. It started a little slowly because I was trying to have it be my book for reading at night. That didn’t work out as I needed to finish it so I wouldn’t just leave the characters’ fates unknown.
So I’ll not spoil any of it for you, but I will just say that it got me to laugh and cry IN THE SAME SENTENCE! Twice! Holy shit!
Seriously, it’s like a spiral or the flow of the tides in and out. It started a little slowly because I was trying to have it be my book for reading at night. That didn’t work out as I needed to finish it so I wouldn’t just leave the characters’ fates unknown.
So I’ll not spoil any of it for you, but I will just say that it got me to laugh and cry IN THE SAME SENTENCE! Twice! Holy shit!
August 26, 2023
As I started reading this story it reminded me a little bit of the Murderbot series, which I loved. How happy was I that the cybernetic main character is a hot kick ass female bisexual! I’m definitely going to keep reading this series because it’s fantastic. I also have a bit of a crush on Kelly.
This is the third time I wrote this review. Sometimes the goodreads reviews don’t upload. Oh well :)
This is the third time I wrote this review. Sometimes the goodreads reviews don’t upload. Oh well :)
August 23, 2019
A Joyfully Jay review.
5 stars
This is as much a journey of self-discovery as it is a romance, a thriller, or an action story. Vic is trying to fight her loss of identity and trying to desperately hold on to what little humanity she still has inside of her. Kelly becomes her escape, her anchor, the person who believes in her when she can’t believe in herself; Kelly is something that is hers, Vic’s, not VC1’s. When she loses memories and is given those moments back — like restoring a lost file — she still has to figure out what and how to feel now.
The skill and care taken by the author over every painful, soul-searing moment made this a tiring book to read, but a good one. I relished every flare of anger or sullenness because I knew that when the time was right there would be joy and happiness given the same attention. I loved this book. I hope you will, too.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
5 stars
This is as much a journey of self-discovery as it is a romance, a thriller, or an action story. Vic is trying to fight her loss of identity and trying to desperately hold on to what little humanity she still has inside of her. Kelly becomes her escape, her anchor, the person who believes in her when she can’t believe in herself; Kelly is something that is hers, Vic’s, not VC1’s. When she loses memories and is given those moments back — like restoring a lost file — she still has to figure out what and how to feel now.
The skill and care taken by the author over every painful, soul-searing moment made this a tiring book to read, but a good one. I relished every flare of anger or sullenness because I knew that when the time was right there would be joy and happiness given the same attention. I loved this book. I hope you will, too.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
January 16, 2023
Terminator:Dark Fate meets Universal Soldier.
This book is going to knife you right in the feels. It's dark, gritty and physically and emotionally violent--and I loved it. Well, except for that one part.
Not gonna lie, I would have enjoyed a moment or two of levity and safety for these two women, but their story is relentlessly tense and gripping throughout.
The world-building is great. The characters are complex and easy to cheer for, as is their romance. I really wanted a happy ending for them.
About halfway through the first book I ordered the other two in the trilogy and started the second as soon as I closed the first.
The flow was a little wobbly for me at first with the alternating fist person POV and the two timelines being so close together, but I enjoyed the two characters so much I pushed past my confusion and didn't let it pull me out of the story.
I really enjoy EEI's crisp writing style with no unnecessary wordiness. Especially in a sci-fi. I didn't get bogged down in the science, despite there being plenty of room for questions with regard to biotechnology involved in cybernetic humans. I mean, how it all works isn't really the point and the human brain is so amazing and complex it really wasn't a stretch to fall into the possibilities of this technology.
I was super happy the team came together at the end for Vick and I can't wait to see what they get up to next.
Highly recommend, but this is NOT a feel-good story (Unless violence and heartbreak gives you warm fuzzies). It's mercilessly messy in all ways except the writing and the girl gets the girl. Know what I'm saying?
Well done!
This book is going to knife you right in the feels. It's dark, gritty and physically and emotionally violent--and I loved it. Well, except for that one part.
Not gonna lie, I would have enjoyed a moment or two of levity and safety for these two women, but their story is relentlessly tense and gripping throughout.
The world-building is great. The characters are complex and easy to cheer for, as is their romance. I really wanted a happy ending for them.
About halfway through the first book I ordered the other two in the trilogy and started the second as soon as I closed the first.
The flow was a little wobbly for me at first with the alternating fist person POV and the two timelines being so close together, but I enjoyed the two characters so much I pushed past my confusion and didn't let it pull me out of the story.
I really enjoy EEI's crisp writing style with no unnecessary wordiness. Especially in a sci-fi. I didn't get bogged down in the science, despite there being plenty of room for questions with regard to biotechnology involved in cybernetic humans. I mean, how it all works isn't really the point and the human brain is so amazing and complex it really wasn't a stretch to fall into the possibilities of this technology.
I was super happy the team came together at the end for Vick and I can't wait to see what they get up to next.
Highly recommend, but this is NOT a feel-good story (Unless violence and heartbreak gives you warm fuzzies). It's mercilessly messy in all ways except the writing and the girl gets the girl. Know what I'm saying?
Well done!
December 29, 2021
What a great read! It's brutal - physically, mentally and emotionally... but fcuk this is good.
There are triggers; physical violence, sexual, mental and emotional abuse. So read with care if you dare.
There are triggers; physical violence, sexual, mental and emotional abuse. So read with care if you dare.
August 30, 2019
Potential readers should be aware that his story contains a scene of rape towards the last third.
This book certainly has a number of things I didn't like:
- the rape scene, although not entirely badly written and (too) quickly exploring the victim's feelings, unfounded or justified, felt superfluous and unneeded in the grand scheme of things. ;
- each new revelation about the evil plot, who is behind it, why, and what they are doing, fall a little flat, and I'm not sure if it's because one can see them coming from quite far away or if it was more a problem with the writing (same thing with );
- speaking of writing, I was not 100% sold on it, it is certainly not awful but it's too... utilitarian or... "military" too often to really be to my taste;
- the relationship between the main characters feels entirely too codependant to be healthy, and this is merely mentioned by someone who knows the risk it presents, and then promptly discarded by the writing with the main characters, especially the one who should know better, not caring and just doing it without trying to find a way to be healthy in that respect. I am hoping this gets explored and resolved in the next book.
But I did like enough things to like the book:
- tbf, the emotions, including the burying and not recognizing of feelings by the main character (which at times could be too much but mostly felt realistic), feel really well written despite this too utilitarian technique of writing, which is to say, the book made me care for the characters;
- most characters (even secondary ones with varying degrees of success) are complex enough and relatable enough to get invested in them, obviously this goes especially for the two main characters, the "machine" moreso than the empath (who may be a bit too much fiercely caring loving too much of the time to be healthy and realistic, but still manages to be human and make mistakes). On that note, their dynamic is a bit too strong broody unemotional manly butch and weak effusive emotional feminine femme to my liking, but the emotional writing mentioned in the previous point doesn't really put it in relief often and generally makes it work, and this is somewhat a little counterbalanced by the manly one understanding she is not as unemotional as she thinks, and other plot points like the brain compatibility and the ;
- the pacing was well done, it was not even a consideration at any point;
- the use of the two POV for the two main characters, one per chapter, which is something that I find really hard to make work well, actually did here;
- even the big drama that makes them avoid each other for a while before they realize they can't live without each other is weaved into the story in a way that works, both as a consequence of and to advance the plot, and makes sense in the story, and the resolution is mostly believable and organic, even if it relies too much on the very Hollywood-like "we've been through hell so that my love for you could finally overcome my anger at you".
This book certainly has a number of things I didn't like:
- the rape scene, although not entirely badly written and (too) quickly exploring the victim's feelings, unfounded or justified, felt superfluous and unneeded in the grand scheme of things. ;
- each new revelation about the evil plot, who is behind it, why, and what they are doing, fall a little flat, and I'm not sure if it's because one can see them coming from quite far away or if it was more a problem with the writing (same thing with );
- speaking of writing, I was not 100% sold on it, it is certainly not awful but it's too... utilitarian or... "military" too often to really be to my taste;
- the relationship between the main characters feels entirely too codependant to be healthy, and this is merely mentioned by someone who knows the risk it presents, and then promptly discarded by the writing with the main characters, especially the one who should know better, not caring and just doing it without trying to find a way to be healthy in that respect. I am hoping this gets explored and resolved in the next book.
But I did like enough things to like the book:
- tbf, the emotions, including the burying and not recognizing of feelings by the main character (which at times could be too much but mostly felt realistic), feel really well written despite this too utilitarian technique of writing, which is to say, the book made me care for the characters;
- most characters (even secondary ones with varying degrees of success) are complex enough and relatable enough to get invested in them, obviously this goes especially for the two main characters, the "machine" moreso than the empath (who may be a bit too much fiercely caring loving too much of the time to be healthy and realistic, but still manages to be human and make mistakes). On that note, their dynamic is a bit too strong broody unemotional manly butch and weak effusive emotional feminine femme to my liking, but the emotional writing mentioned in the previous point doesn't really put it in relief often and generally makes it work, and this is somewhat a little counterbalanced by the manly one understanding she is not as unemotional as she thinks, and other plot points like the brain compatibility and the ;
- the pacing was well done, it was not even a consideration at any point;
- the use of the two POV for the two main characters, one per chapter, which is something that I find really hard to make work well, actually did here;
- even the big drama that makes them avoid each other for a while before they realize they can't live without each other is weaved into the story in a way that works, both as a consequence of and to advance the plot, and makes sense in the story, and the resolution is mostly believable and organic, even if it relies too much on the very Hollywood-like "we've been through hell so that my love for you could finally overcome my anger at you".
December 22, 2020
Review originally posted at Thoughts Stained With Ink:
This was such a wonderfully interesting and emotional read.
Full disclosure: this novel first got on my radar because it’s by an author represented by Naomi Davis, a friend of mine who I make a point to try and read at least one book by as many of her clients as possible, to help support both her and them. But honestly, even if Ire wasn’t a client of Naomi’s, the description of this novel definitely would have still caught my interest. I was also lucky enough that my library approved of my request to purchase this novel, so now so many others in my community have the chance to read this one, too!
And wow, should they.
This just hits you right in the feels and doesn’t let go, friends.
I also suck and it’s been a few weeks (months) since I read this book, so the finer details I can’t recollect while writing this review (I’m sorry, I am so behind on reviews!).
But I do distinctly remember how this book made me feel: like someone had slipped inside and gripped my heart and was slowly, ever so slowly squeezing harder and harder, daring me to keep reading and risk it bursting or breaking (and it did, just a little bit, especially at the end). I remember starting the book one night before going to bed and then looking down and seeing that I’d read half of it in one sitting and my chest was sore and I was desperately fighting for their love to work. But how was it going to when SPOILER and then SPOILER?! I just didn’t see a way.
When I finished the novel, I just felt heavy, but in a good way, if that makes any sort of sense. You connect with these characters instantly, you feel for them constantly and you just don’t want to let them go.
Luckily, Patchwork comes out in April of next year and I am so ready to read and see what happens next!
I also really enjoyed the sci-fi elements that were brought into this novel and how we get to see our group of characters grow and evolve. I also really enjoyed the way it was written, with the dual perspectives and timelines, and how they come together in the end to give you a full picture. I love it when an author can do that. The ending was brutal, though. Fantastic and brilliant, but remember that heavy feeling I mentioned? Oof, it took me a couple days to recover from that one.
All in all, this was a really enjoyable, emotional read that I would recommend to anyone who likes light sci-fi, badass, multi-faceted women, lesbian romance and a fun group of dynamic of characters to grow attached to!
Read on!
This was such a wonderfully interesting and emotional read.
Full disclosure: this novel first got on my radar because it’s by an author represented by Naomi Davis, a friend of mine who I make a point to try and read at least one book by as many of her clients as possible, to help support both her and them. But honestly, even if Ire wasn’t a client of Naomi’s, the description of this novel definitely would have still caught my interest. I was also lucky enough that my library approved of my request to purchase this novel, so now so many others in my community have the chance to read this one, too!
And wow, should they.
This just hits you right in the feels and doesn’t let go, friends.
I also suck and it’s been a few weeks (months) since I read this book, so the finer details I can’t recollect while writing this review (I’m sorry, I am so behind on reviews!).
But I do distinctly remember how this book made me feel: like someone had slipped inside and gripped my heart and was slowly, ever so slowly squeezing harder and harder, daring me to keep reading and risk it bursting or breaking (and it did, just a little bit, especially at the end). I remember starting the book one night before going to bed and then looking down and seeing that I’d read half of it in one sitting and my chest was sore and I was desperately fighting for their love to work. But how was it going to when SPOILER and then SPOILER?! I just didn’t see a way.
When I finished the novel, I just felt heavy, but in a good way, if that makes any sort of sense. You connect with these characters instantly, you feel for them constantly and you just don’t want to let them go.
Luckily, Patchwork comes out in April of next year and I am so ready to read and see what happens next!
I also really enjoyed the sci-fi elements that were brought into this novel and how we get to see our group of characters grow and evolve. I also really enjoyed the way it was written, with the dual perspectives and timelines, and how they come together in the end to give you a full picture. I love it when an author can do that. The ending was brutal, though. Fantastic and brilliant, but remember that heavy feeling I mentioned? Oof, it took me a couple days to recover from that one.
All in all, this was a really enjoyable, emotional read that I would recommend to anyone who likes light sci-fi, badass, multi-faceted women, lesbian romance and a fun group of dynamic of characters to grow attached to!
Read on!
August 23, 2025
A femme-forward sci-fi novel with a sapphic love story at its core? Yes, please. Vick is a character of struggle as she wrestles with what's left of her humanity, and Kelly is her anchor in the turbulent sea of her mind. I couldn't get enough of these two or the light sci-fi world that Ire created.
June 2, 2020
Threadbare is an awesome read! Fast-paced and purely engaging, this romance between Vik and Kelly is as beautiful as it is difficult. Looking forward to reading the book in the series!
February 20, 2023
Hooked from the beginning.
THREADBARE is another book I found on YONDER, the next generation reading app from the WEBTOON and Wattpad family of apps, that I’m really glad is available outside of it because I need more of this kind of scifi in my life. I would also call it a slight dystopia, just from how the government’s kind of run, but scifi first and foremost.
I think the biggest draw here is Vick and her inner struggle. Like literally. She’s more machine than human, yet she retains enough of her humanity to really struggle with that new reality of herself. Never mind that she’s not supposed to be that level of aware. She’s sort of a prototype, which makes the ethics of it all the more interesting. It’s definitely a book about man and machines and are machines that look human ever actually machines. I love playing around with that kind of thing and sitting with that information. Where does human end and machine begin, if at all?
The dynamic between Vick and Kelly is wonderful, and the struggle the two of them have as they manage this very odd relationship they must navigate is something else to watch. Gripping and fascinating. I couldn’t look away. Plus there’s actually a fair amount of action in this book. It’s not just focusing on two characters, but how these two characters function in this world and in this ever-increasingly dangerous scenarios that they’re put in. I was never for a second bored, that’s for sure.
I love the world that Ire created and how familiar it still is while at the same time not being set on Earth for a good chunk of it. It’s a very relatable scifi story for me and it makes the genre more accessible. It’s low on jargon and high on incredible character development and plot, which is what I need. There’s enough of the world to root me in the story and give me context, but it’s not going on for pages with details on machine development or what the moon station looks like or anything.
This is book one and I’m itching to get my hands on the others. I want to see where these women take their intense and complicated relationship and especially how Vick navigates the world with VC1, her machine self, kind of riding shotgun the entire time. Forever fascinated. Truly.
5
THREADBARE is another book I found on YONDER, the next generation reading app from the WEBTOON and Wattpad family of apps, that I’m really glad is available outside of it because I need more of this kind of scifi in my life. I would also call it a slight dystopia, just from how the government’s kind of run, but scifi first and foremost.
I think the biggest draw here is Vick and her inner struggle. Like literally. She’s more machine than human, yet she retains enough of her humanity to really struggle with that new reality of herself. Never mind that she’s not supposed to be that level of aware. She’s sort of a prototype, which makes the ethics of it all the more interesting. It’s definitely a book about man and machines and are machines that look human ever actually machines. I love playing around with that kind of thing and sitting with that information. Where does human end and machine begin, if at all?
The dynamic between Vick and Kelly is wonderful, and the struggle the two of them have as they manage this very odd relationship they must navigate is something else to watch. Gripping and fascinating. I couldn’t look away. Plus there’s actually a fair amount of action in this book. It’s not just focusing on two characters, but how these two characters function in this world and in this ever-increasingly dangerous scenarios that they’re put in. I was never for a second bored, that’s for sure.
I love the world that Ire created and how familiar it still is while at the same time not being set on Earth for a good chunk of it. It’s a very relatable scifi story for me and it makes the genre more accessible. It’s low on jargon and high on incredible character development and plot, which is what I need. There’s enough of the world to root me in the story and give me context, but it’s not going on for pages with details on machine development or what the moon station looks like or anything.
This is book one and I’m itching to get my hands on the others. I want to see where these women take their intense and complicated relationship and especially how Vick navigates the world with VC1, her machine self, kind of riding shotgun the entire time. Forever fascinated. Truly.
5
October 28, 2021
I picked up my copy of Threadbare directly from Ms. Ire; we both took part as panelists at a convention. I found her comments during our presentation thought provoking and illuminating, so I decided I need to read some of her work.
I am not disappointed at all.
The tension and conflict starts off right up front, and proceeds to build to a wonderful climax (I could say pun intended... you be the judge) and wrap up that allows this story to stand alone. There are clues aplenty from the beginning if one's enjoyment is figuring out where the writer is going; I do to some extent and so knew with some certainty who the final "bad guy" would be. No, I'm not telling you if I was right, wrong, nor who. The story will wrap you up in a great reading blanket if that's your preference, and I've no intention of spoiling your journey.
The primary characters are grounded, well rounded, and that contributes nicely to the alternating PoV throughout. Their supporting cast provide enough to be solid characters on their own, with promise to contribute more as the series continues. (Yes, I knew when I purchased this is the first of a series, with subsequent episodes already published.)
I am not disappointed at all.
The tension and conflict starts off right up front, and proceeds to build to a wonderful climax (I could say pun intended... you be the judge) and wrap up that allows this story to stand alone. There are clues aplenty from the beginning if one's enjoyment is figuring out where the writer is going; I do to some extent and so knew with some certainty who the final "bad guy" would be. No, I'm not telling you if I was right, wrong, nor who. The story will wrap you up in a great reading blanket if that's your preference, and I've no intention of spoiling your journey.
The primary characters are grounded, well rounded, and that contributes nicely to the alternating PoV throughout. Their supporting cast provide enough to be solid characters on their own, with promise to contribute more as the series continues. (Yes, I knew when I purchased this is the first of a series, with subsequent episodes already published.)
October 2, 2024
This is a slow-burn, f-f romance, with ice queen/cold butch elements that evolve as the story furthers into a darker, modern Gothic story with more mystery/thriller elements in there made me want to keep reading.
The lead is more butch, so if you're into butch leads (which I'm typically not myself), then you might really enjoy this as it is a Sci-Fi, futuristic, military setting with some steamy scenes in between all the pent-up angst.
It is not that long of a read, it did take me about 3 hours to read.
Just a really well done story and there was a little bit of angst and some physical "'relations" but it was mostly about the characters and the world they were a part of.
The lead is more butch, so if you're into butch leads (which I'm typically not myself), then you might really enjoy this as it is a Sci-Fi, futuristic, military setting with some steamy scenes in between all the pent-up angst.
It is not that long of a read, it did take me about 3 hours to read.
Just a really well done story and there was a little bit of angst and some physical "'relations" but it was mostly about the characters and the world they were a part of.
May 4, 2023
I'm a little concerned that I don't like lesbian romances. But I think it's just I've been unlucky. This one didn't work for me because the protagonists weren't capable enough; they kept trying things and failing utterly. I like more competence in my porn. Also the split machine/human thing didn't work for me, and the empath seemed kinda whiny.
But I finished! 2.5 stars, rounded up because I'm feeling good about powering through!
But I finished! 2.5 stars, rounded up because I'm feeling good about powering through!
August 31, 2025
Threadbare masterfully combines pulse-pounding missions with a deeply moving exploration of love and humanity. The world building and way Elle weaves the characters and story kept me thoroughly engaged and the connection between Vic and Kelly was palpable.
I really enjoyed this book and couldn't wait to dive in to the second.
Highly recommend this for those who love a little action with their romance as well as a little hurt/comfort.
I really enjoyed this book and couldn't wait to dive in to the second.
Highly recommend this for those who love a little action with their romance as well as a little hurt/comfort.
August 29, 2023
I loved the balance of sci-fi and romance in THREADBARE, where both aspects are inextricably entwined, in particular exploring the fascinating Ship of Theseus question of ‘self’ when a percentage of your body and brain have been replaced with cybernetic parts. LOVED the dynamic between cybernetic soldier Vick and her handler Kelly—these two characters complement one another perfectly.
January 18, 2024
a wonderful military sci-fi adventure
Loved getting to know the crew members and seeing them develop over time from an adversarial group to an effective team of comrades. Only thing holding it back for me is the following:
Trigger warning: Chapter 31 contains a vivid, on-page rape.
Loved getting to know the crew members and seeing them develop over time from an adversarial group to an effective team of comrades. Only thing holding it back for me is the following:
Trigger warning: Chapter 31 contains a vivid, on-page rape.
May 7, 2021
Such fun! Thank you Seattle Public Library for handing me this book in a Sci-fi bundle. I immensely enjoyed reading this lesbian sci-fi action adventure romance! Kind of schlocky but also kind of wonderful :)
October 15, 2022
Funny, smart, and more than a little raw. Like Philip K. Dick meets—okay, I don't normally read romance, so I don't have a comparison to offer. But the book is good. I've already ordered both sequels, and am eagerly awaiting their arrival.
November 26, 2020
Could’ve done without the rape scene.
dnf
December 18, 2024On page SA :/ - personal note: do not try to read again
January 31, 2020
A strong and interesting story. clearly the beginning to a series. I like that trauma and it's aftereffects are handled realistically I'm not a fan of some of the sources of some of that trauma.
Hopefully book two will do better in this regard. assuming the book actually gets published.
Hopefully book two will do better in this regard. assuming the book actually gets published.
October 1, 2023
Dark, imaginative, sexy.
October 6, 2019
Good science fiction f/f romance
This was a good science fiction romance. I would’ve liked a little more wrap up of what is going to happen next or a little more family and relationship time, but overall I enjoyed the book and would buy book 2 when it comes out
This was a good science fiction romance. I would’ve liked a little more wrap up of what is going to happen next or a little more family and relationship time, but overall I enjoyed the book and would buy book 2 when it comes out
September 30, 2019
This book was a page turner! I am looking forward to reading another book by this author.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews