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Cruel Player
An Enemies to Lovers Sports Romance
Keira
I always imagined that being the smart girl in college would be totally different then being the smart girl in high school.
Oh, how wrong I was.
Popular girls and cliques still exist in college—and they’re in the dorm next door.
But I should’ve known better.
I made the mistake of going to MSU; a football school that worships their athletes almost as much as they do Monday Night Football.
And the jocks of this school are essentially kings. Kings, who are only good for one thing: Dirty Daydreams.
Not that I have time for that. I’m here on an academic scholarship and I can’t let a single thing destroy my once chance at happiness.
But when I’m suddenly faced with my secret crush in high school, Nate Buckingham, star quarterback and every sophomore girl’s wet dream, I’m right back where I was at fifteen.
He may be hotter than ever, but we couldn’t be any more different.
And I’m too smart to fall for a chiseled jaw and a gorgeous smile.
So why am I suddenly weak in the knees and damp between my thighs with every glance he sends my way?
Nate
Nate Buckingham, aka ‘The Buck’, aka, ‘Big man on campus.’
God, how I hate those f*cking titles.
Don’t get me wrong, there are perks to being, ripped, six-two and the star quarterback.
And most of those perks come in short skirts and cheerleading uniforms.
But that’s all they can be . . . perks.
Because I’ve got my eye on the prize, and one wrong hookup could throw off my entire game.
I’m so close to finishing school and getting drafted–when she shows up.
Wicked smart, with fiery green eyes and messy bun; newly arrived Freshman, Keira Wells, has been the source of many late-night spank-bank sessions since my high school days.
But all she’s ever seen in me was a jock who played on—and off—the field.
And even though she acts like she can’t stand me, I see the heat in her eyes. The desire that she tries to fight when I catch her watching me.
Our connection is undeniable.
And I’m tired of settling for the fantasy.
I want the real thing. I want Kiera.
But when we finally stop holding back, the rest of the world may be ready to pull us apart . . .
This is a full-length standalone college sports romance with a alpha hero and a spunky heroine. No cheating and HEA guaranteed.
Keira
I always imagined that being the smart girl in college would be totally different then being the smart girl in high school.
Oh, how wrong I was.
Popular girls and cliques still exist in college—and they’re in the dorm next door.
But I should’ve known better.
I made the mistake of going to MSU; a football school that worships their athletes almost as much as they do Monday Night Football.
And the jocks of this school are essentially kings. Kings, who are only good for one thing: Dirty Daydreams.
Not that I have time for that. I’m here on an academic scholarship and I can’t let a single thing destroy my once chance at happiness.
But when I’m suddenly faced with my secret crush in high school, Nate Buckingham, star quarterback and every sophomore girl’s wet dream, I’m right back where I was at fifteen.
He may be hotter than ever, but we couldn’t be any more different.
And I’m too smart to fall for a chiseled jaw and a gorgeous smile.
So why am I suddenly weak in the knees and damp between my thighs with every glance he sends my way?
Nate
Nate Buckingham, aka ‘The Buck’, aka, ‘Big man on campus.’
God, how I hate those f*cking titles.
Don’t get me wrong, there are perks to being, ripped, six-two and the star quarterback.
And most of those perks come in short skirts and cheerleading uniforms.
But that’s all they can be . . . perks.
Because I’ve got my eye on the prize, and one wrong hookup could throw off my entire game.
I’m so close to finishing school and getting drafted–when she shows up.
Wicked smart, with fiery green eyes and messy bun; newly arrived Freshman, Keira Wells, has been the source of many late-night spank-bank sessions since my high school days.
But all she’s ever seen in me was a jock who played on—and off—the field.
And even though she acts like she can’t stand me, I see the heat in her eyes. The desire that she tries to fight when I catch her watching me.
Our connection is undeniable.
And I’m tired of settling for the fantasy.
I want the real thing. I want Kiera.
But when we finally stop holding back, the rest of the world may be ready to pull us apart . . .
This is a full-length standalone college sports romance with a alpha hero and a spunky heroine. No cheating and HEA guaranteed.
116 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 17, 2020
904 people are currently reading
223 people want to read
About the author
Shae Sullivan
55 books113 followersShae Sullivan is the author of wicked sexy contemporary romance featuring alpha males who fight for their women, and keep them up all night long.
Shae Sullivan is a lover of coffee, cats, and comfy sweaters, who lives in a small town in New England. She's probably the only southern transplant in the town, but that doesn't phase her one bit.
She loves sitting by a warm fire, reading a super hot book, and hanging out in her local bookstore.
When she's not chasing after this new writing dream of hers, you can find her on social media, on her Facebook page here: http://bit.ly/ShaeSullivan.
And don't forget to sign up for her newsletter here: https://www.subscribepage.com/ShaeSul....
Exclusive sneak peeks, giveaways, and free books will be the norm!
Shae Sullivan is a lover of coffee, cats, and comfy sweaters, who lives in a small town in New England. She's probably the only southern transplant in the town, but that doesn't phase her one bit.
She loves sitting by a warm fire, reading a super hot book, and hanging out in her local bookstore.
When she's not chasing after this new writing dream of hers, you can find her on social media, on her Facebook page here: http://bit.ly/ShaeSullivan.
And don't forget to sign up for her newsletter here: https://www.subscribepage.com/ShaeSul....
Exclusive sneak peeks, giveaways, and free books will be the norm!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
March 11, 2020
Eh. I really didn't care too much for this one. I think I'm trying to find books that fit a certain mold for me, and nothing has been fitting for me. I was hoping this one would do it, but it didn't. It fell way flat. There was a ton of potential, but it was a mess all the same..
*SPOILERS*
I don't know why I feel the need to write this full review or such a small book, but I guess I'm going to. This book had all sorts of issues, mainly it was FULL of grammatical errors that even a high school English student could have fixed. For example, the TV show Jeopardy wasn't capitalized, there were words missing from some sentences and added to others, it was just all very odd.
Another thing was the odd dual perspective. I absolutely LOVE hearing from both sides of a story. I love dual perspectives. But this was written odd to me. We would have one scene with Kiera, then we would switch to Nate who would go through the same scene we just did with Kiera, then his own, then we would move to Kiera and live that second scene through her. It was odd and just felt REALLY unnecessary.
The plot was another thing I didn't like. Things moved super quick and not in a good way. I don't mind instalove but this was just weird. Kiera was kind of a bitch to start with and Nate seemed a little, weak for lack of better terms. It was BOOM sex, then lots of sex, then more sex...then we would move weeks and then months and then YEARS at a time. It was SO weird. And I hated this whole thing with Tracy or whatever. That made no sense whatsever. Do these authors even actually watch or read about football? Literally NO ONE CARES what your girl looks like, shit most of the time you don't even KNOW what your girl looks like. So why was it made such a big fucking deal?
Sigh. My search for another #nerd or The Deal continues..
*SPOILERS*
I don't know why I feel the need to write this full review or such a small book, but I guess I'm going to. This book had all sorts of issues, mainly it was FULL of grammatical errors that even a high school English student could have fixed. For example, the TV show Jeopardy wasn't capitalized, there were words missing from some sentences and added to others, it was just all very odd.
Another thing was the odd dual perspective. I absolutely LOVE hearing from both sides of a story. I love dual perspectives. But this was written odd to me. We would have one scene with Kiera, then we would switch to Nate who would go through the same scene we just did with Kiera, then his own, then we would move to Kiera and live that second scene through her. It was odd and just felt REALLY unnecessary.
The plot was another thing I didn't like. Things moved super quick and not in a good way. I don't mind instalove but this was just weird. Kiera was kind of a bitch to start with and Nate seemed a little, weak for lack of better terms. It was BOOM sex, then lots of sex, then more sex...then we would move weeks and then months and then YEARS at a time. It was SO weird. And I hated this whole thing with Tracy or whatever. That made no sense whatsever. Do these authors even actually watch or read about football? Literally NO ONE CARES what your girl looks like, shit most of the time you don't even KNOW what your girl looks like. So why was it made such a big fucking deal?
Sigh. My search for another #nerd or The Deal continues..
March 5, 2020
Awful!
Full of grammatical errors. Book could have been half the length if not for the repetitiveness. I don’t need the entire story from both character’s perspectives. Skipped half just to finish!
Full of grammatical errors. Book could have been half the length if not for the repetitiveness. I don’t need the entire story from both character’s perspectives. Skipped half just to finish!
March 14, 2020
Keira was a btch, didn’t like her. Zero chemistry and very weird when they did get it on. Hot cover, he was gorgeous but there was no repartee. Got bored, didn’t finish 🤷🏽♀️.
May 2, 2023
About Halfway I started skimming
I'll start with giving her props for the nonstereotypical heroine because I did appreciate that part. But...
The story was more summary than scene and while I know it's fiction, it's not supposed to read like it's fake. Like nobody that's supposed to have the sort of self respect Kiera does is going to watch a guy date her least favorite person for weeks, have it shoved down her throat, watch him dump her and then let that same guy take her for breakfast directly after that happens and let him kiss her in the coffee shop. Nobody guy right from studying with zero flirtation going on to fucking with a guy they haven't been dating. No early 20s guy is going to tell a girl he's barely able to converse with that his accidental inappropriate wood that's happened just randomly walking down the sidewalk without even conversing with her yet is for her. Not unless they're a super random sleezeball saying it for shock value. Most guys I know are not super comfortable with people knowing they got a boner just looking at a pretty girl. It is not the same as that girl being your girlfriend or it happening after some sort of actual interaction. This is a girl he's trying to work up the nerve to ask out and a normal person would be embarrassed by that random display of interest when he's still supposed to be in the playing it cool phase. The scenes that weren't summaries (which most of them were summaries of things happening off the page) moved like whiplash with illogical and unrealistic behavior on the part of the characters. The dialog was even worse in terms of nobody on the planet actually talks like that that. Nobody just starts sharing their drakest secrets and innermost embarrassing thoughts the first time they have a meal with their crush. Because if anyone one actually spoke like that to a first date that date would think they're a stage five clinger and run for the hills at the very first opportunity. These are the types of things that might be shared with someone you've known long enough to develop trust with but not on the first date with someone you've never really talked to before.
The ideas are there but the writing is middle school level juvenile yet filled with scenes way too adult for that age. Real people don't act or talk anything like these characters do. There's a reason the steadfast rule of writing is show not tell. Nobody wants to read a very long summary of a book the author didn't bother to actually write. Additionally there's more to editing than spell check and the amount of wrong words in this is ridiculous. Things like not instead of no etc. Overall this might work as a vague outline to a good book mature, realistic reactions and dialog could be woven in but it's not what I'd actually call a book.
I'll start with giving her props for the nonstereotypical heroine because I did appreciate that part. But...
The story was more summary than scene and while I know it's fiction, it's not supposed to read like it's fake. Like nobody that's supposed to have the sort of self respect Kiera does is going to watch a guy date her least favorite person for weeks, have it shoved down her throat, watch him dump her and then let that same guy take her for breakfast directly after that happens and let him kiss her in the coffee shop. Nobody guy right from studying with zero flirtation going on to fucking with a guy they haven't been dating. No early 20s guy is going to tell a girl he's barely able to converse with that his accidental inappropriate wood that's happened just randomly walking down the sidewalk without even conversing with her yet is for her. Not unless they're a super random sleezeball saying it for shock value. Most guys I know are not super comfortable with people knowing they got a boner just looking at a pretty girl. It is not the same as that girl being your girlfriend or it happening after some sort of actual interaction. This is a girl he's trying to work up the nerve to ask out and a normal person would be embarrassed by that random display of interest when he's still supposed to be in the playing it cool phase. The scenes that weren't summaries (which most of them were summaries of things happening off the page) moved like whiplash with illogical and unrealistic behavior on the part of the characters. The dialog was even worse in terms of nobody on the planet actually talks like that that. Nobody just starts sharing their drakest secrets and innermost embarrassing thoughts the first time they have a meal with their crush. Because if anyone one actually spoke like that to a first date that date would think they're a stage five clinger and run for the hills at the very first opportunity. These are the types of things that might be shared with someone you've known long enough to develop trust with but not on the first date with someone you've never really talked to before.
The ideas are there but the writing is middle school level juvenile yet filled with scenes way too adult for that age. Real people don't act or talk anything like these characters do. There's a reason the steadfast rule of writing is show not tell. Nobody wants to read a very long summary of a book the author didn't bother to actually write. Additionally there's more to editing than spell check and the amount of wrong words in this is ridiculous. Things like not instead of no etc. Overall this might work as a vague outline to a good book mature, realistic reactions and dialog could be woven in but it's not what I'd actually call a book.
June 13, 2020
DNF! I got 37% in and just couldn’t anymore. First, this is by no stretch of the imagination an enemies to lovers book. Second the unbelievably cheesy dialogue in the sex scene (that happened way to damn fast for what was said earlier in the day). I didn’t have any desire at all to see how ridiculous the story would get from there.
I swear I’ve never read a more juvenile sex scene and the plot (that I managed to get through) was just blah. What beta readers said this was good? 🙈 This author needs to read some books on writing dialogue and bone up on how to add some dimension to the characters that would help immensely.
I swear I’ve never read a more juvenile sex scene and the plot (that I managed to get through) was just blah. What beta readers said this was good? 🙈 This author needs to read some books on writing dialogue and bone up on how to add some dimension to the characters that would help immensely.
January 28, 2021
I spent half of this short book saying "WTF" silently in my head. I get that the main characters are young and can be dumb but Nate is extra. The story starts with the MSU quarterback (Nate) having had a crush on a girl he went to high school with (Keira) that now is a freshman at his college. Good so far. She's intelligent, pretty, and nice person. Still doing good. Now Nate decides that in order to get closer to her he needs to start dating the popular girl (Vanessa) on her floor who is mean to her...um...no Nate. That's a horrible idea. He's walking around campus with this other girl holding hands, kissing, hanging out in her dorm room, etc. Why would Keira think that seeing you with a girl she hates means that you secretly want her instead? Plus it's mean to Vanessa, even though she sucks, to be dating her if you don't even like her.
When Nate and Keira do get together, everything is great for like 9-10 months, even though they both still kind of sort of think they'll probably have to break up when Nate gets drafted. Nate is apparently in love with Keira for months but neither of them says it. Then the crazy VP of Marketing as MSU gets involved and breaks them up over image and optic issues? First, I've worked at 2 Universities and attended a 3rd, no where was the VP of Marketing that involved in student athlete's lives or liaising with recruiters/scouts for pro sports. Secondly, how would forcing Nate to break up with the quiet, smart girl and then fake date the cheerleading captain (Tracy) make him more likely to get drafted? How is dating an otherwise unimpressive biology major better optics than your actual girlfriend? The argument that she would make a better NFL wife also makes no sense since the whole proposed relationship with Tracy is fake. Nate never tells Keira what's going on and she catches him in the most hurtful way. Nate, you're a jerk! Then, more than a year later, Nate randomly shows up at Keira's house and is like...oh by the way, the whole thing was a fake and I've always loved you, and then her response is like...oh, ok, let's get back together and move half way across the U.S. with my mom. Um...no. No, kids. This is a big mess of bad choices. I'm glad it was short because it's probably the only reason I finished it. Besides the actual characters, the writing was pretty good and the only reason it got any stars at all.
When Nate and Keira do get together, everything is great for like 9-10 months, even though they both still kind of sort of think they'll probably have to break up when Nate gets drafted. Nate is apparently in love with Keira for months but neither of them says it. Then the crazy VP of Marketing as MSU gets involved and breaks them up over image and optic issues? First, I've worked at 2 Universities and attended a 3rd, no where was the VP of Marketing that involved in student athlete's lives or liaising with recruiters/scouts for pro sports. Secondly, how would forcing Nate to break up with the quiet, smart girl and then fake date the cheerleading captain (Tracy) make him more likely to get drafted? How is dating an otherwise unimpressive biology major better optics than your actual girlfriend? The argument that she would make a better NFL wife also makes no sense since the whole proposed relationship with Tracy is fake. Nate never tells Keira what's going on and she catches him in the most hurtful way. Nate, you're a jerk! Then, more than a year later, Nate randomly shows up at Keira's house and is like...oh by the way, the whole thing was a fake and I've always loved you, and then her response is like...oh, ok, let's get back together and move half way across the U.S. with my mom. Um...no. No, kids. This is a big mess of bad choices. I'm glad it was short because it's probably the only reason I finished it. Besides the actual characters, the writing was pretty good and the only reason it got any stars at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2020
Geek & Jock Romance
Well the story was sweet. I'm not personally a fan of college romance with the high school drama but this wasn't too bad. Keira and Nate's romance was so weird... Nate pretty much went from dating and fooling around with a popular girl to trying to find Keira (the geek) so she could help him pass his classes. But when they do meet up he has a hard on and confesses his feelings for her, not creepy at all LOL. Anyway then they jump into this whirlwind romance and make out in the coffee shop then pretty much transition into having sex in a study room. It was so quick. The fall out between them was a tad childish but I guess that was to be expected. Like I said it was overall cute and maybe just not my cup of tea.
I did not like the narrator at all, she sounded very young. When the sex scenes came up I was cringing a bit, I just couldn't get into it. She also didn't really change her voice for the male either so quite a few times I forgot who was talking.
Well the story was sweet. I'm not personally a fan of college romance with the high school drama but this wasn't too bad. Keira and Nate's romance was so weird... Nate pretty much went from dating and fooling around with a popular girl to trying to find Keira (the geek) so she could help him pass his classes. But when they do meet up he has a hard on and confesses his feelings for her, not creepy at all LOL. Anyway then they jump into this whirlwind romance and make out in the coffee shop then pretty much transition into having sex in a study room. It was so quick. The fall out between them was a tad childish but I guess that was to be expected. Like I said it was overall cute and maybe just not my cup of tea.
I did not like the narrator at all, she sounded very young. When the sex scenes came up I was cringing a bit, I just couldn't get into it. She also didn't really change her voice for the male either so quite a few times I forgot who was talking.
April 7, 2020
Ugh!
This book reads like a b-movie of better stories in this genre. The dialogue is stilted and sophomoric, here is an actual quote “I know you’ll never believe this, but I always thought you were cool and pretty”. This is supposed to be a college kid talking not a 5th grader. The entire story is hard to read because even though the general plot hooks you, the writing isn’t good enough to back it up. Between the bad writing, other woman drama, game playing to (unbelievable) instalove, random year long separation etc there is just nothing good to latch onto. There is no saving this one. If you want a meaty college sports with the player type of book try “Misadventures of a college girl”.
This book reads like a b-movie of better stories in this genre. The dialogue is stilted and sophomoric, here is an actual quote “I know you’ll never believe this, but I always thought you were cool and pretty”. This is supposed to be a college kid talking not a 5th grader. The entire story is hard to read because even though the general plot hooks you, the writing isn’t good enough to back it up. Between the bad writing, other woman drama, game playing to (unbelievable) instalove, random year long separation etc there is just nothing good to latch onto. There is no saving this one. If you want a meaty college sports with the player type of book try “Misadventures of a college girl”.
March 16, 2020
This book was good. Minus the few grammatical errors and the line about the defensive line not stopping enough sacks. Um, he's the quarterback. That's the offense. The offensive line is supposed to protect the QB and block the sacks. I could've overlooked those things, but I couldn't overlook the ending. It just seemed so rushed and not believable. Just give me a little more time and detail here in the ending.
March 18, 2020
Cute
This book had a great story line but I hot tied of the dual pov. Each pov was a recap of each scene that happened just from the other perspective. By the time I reached chapter 8 I started skipping Kiera pov. I think the story could have been so much better, but it was rushed to the point when you finally started connecting with the character it was like the doors slammed shut and the conection was lost
This book had a great story line but I hot tied of the dual pov. Each pov was a recap of each scene that happened just from the other perspective. By the time I reached chapter 8 I started skipping Kiera pov. I think the story could have been so much better, but it was rushed to the point when you finally started connecting with the character it was like the doors slammed shut and the conection was lost
March 1, 2020
Disappointing
Mostly my review has to do with the way this story is written. It starts as telling the story as it happens Then when it starts getting good it goes to a recap. Which is disappointing as you don’t get to experience it with them. So the reader isn’t invested in the characters. And the way it ends is the same.
Mostly my review has to do with the way this story is written. It starts as telling the story as it happens Then when it starts getting good it goes to a recap. Which is disappointing as you don’t get to experience it with them. So the reader isn’t invested in the characters. And the way it ends is the same.
April 2, 2020
I hate a weak heroine
The first issue is the Grammer. I don't think the author had anyone do a simple Grammer and spell check. It's very frustrating to know that you paid money for a book that appears to be thrown together. The heroine is written to be strong, but is, by action, incredibly weak... Especially towards the end. Not worth the time or money!
The first issue is the Grammer. I don't think the author had anyone do a simple Grammer and spell check. It's very frustrating to know that you paid money for a book that appears to be thrown together. The heroine is written to be strong, but is, by action, incredibly weak... Especially towards the end. Not worth the time or money!
December 29, 2022
Good
This was a good story. I was a little upset with Nate using Vanessa to get to Keira. Bad form. I also didn't like it when Corky tried his crap. No one should interfere in anyone's life and tell them who to date or anything. I am just glad Nate recorded Corky and exposed him in the end. To bad they both had to suffer just to be together. Thank you.
This was a good story. I was a little upset with Nate using Vanessa to get to Keira. Bad form. I also didn't like it when Corky tried his crap. No one should interfere in anyone's life and tell them who to date or anything. I am just glad Nate recorded Corky and exposed him in the end. To bad they both had to suffer just to be together. Thank you.
March 30, 2020
I hate to bash an author, but this is pretty terrible.. I only got to 25% and it was painful. Each chapter is like a retelling of the one before but from the other character’s perspective... so much “telling” and not enough “showing” at all.
Just don’t waste your time.
Just don’t waste your time.
May 8, 2020
Amazing!
A thoroughly enjoyable sport and nerd book but also emotional. Once I started I didn't want to put it down. The intense drama crashed into me and left me crying but the ending made up for it and I'm smiling.
A thoroughly enjoyable sport and nerd book but also emotional. Once I started I didn't want to put it down. The intense drama crashed into me and left me crying but the ending made up for it and I'm smiling.
May 10, 2020
Not my style
I didn’t care for the writing style. It was a lot of internal thoughts without a lot of dialogue. It was also a lot of repeating the exact same situations just from the H & h point of view.
I didn’t care for the writing style. It was a lot of internal thoughts without a lot of dialogue. It was also a lot of repeating the exact same situations just from the H & h point of view.
June 10, 2020
Good Story
This book had a really good story line and the characters where great, but I could have done with out all the recap from each character when switching POV. Also a lot of grammer errors.
This book had a really good story line and the characters where great, but I could have done with out all the recap from each character when switching POV. Also a lot of grammer errors.
January 3, 2021
Great read
This book has great characters and plot which made it a very easy and enjoyable read from page one. This is the first book I have read of this authors and I will definitely be checking out more of their work.
This book has great characters and plot which made it a very easy and enjoyable read from page one. This is the first book I have read of this authors and I will definitely be checking out more of their work.
March 26, 2021
It wasn't for me. I felt like the story had no substance. It was like watching a bad movie with real bad actors it felt all fake which I know bottom line it is. But the whole story felt fake and rushed with heaps of grammatical errors.
February 23, 2020
Loved it! Nate and Keira are so cute together.
February 29, 2020
Quick story
This story progresses way too quickly! I love that is had duel POV, but it replays the previous chapter. I wanted more and I didn’t get it!
This story progresses way too quickly! I love that is had duel POV, but it replays the previous chapter. I wanted more and I didn’t get it!
Read
March 23, 2020DNF
March 30, 2020
Not great grammar, and a lot of repeating of the story across chapters
April 21, 2020
Great story line
I think the story could’ve been so much better if it wasn’t rushed.I did like the storyline. I like the fact it had the duel POV, but not that it repeated itself.
I think the story could’ve been so much better if it wasn’t rushed.I did like the storyline. I like the fact it had the duel POV, but not that it repeated itself.
May 31, 2020
Couldn’t finish it, I really tried but... it was just boring
September 16, 2020
...what is DIS hunny?
September 30, 2020
2.5stars.
December 19, 2020
Meh
It was somehow boring and overly dramatic at the same time. Did not enjoy. The only reason I have gave 2 stars was because I didn’t catch any grammatical errors.
It was somehow boring and overly dramatic at the same time. Did not enjoy. The only reason I have gave 2 stars was because I didn’t catch any grammatical errors.
April 20, 2021
Absolutely loved it only took a couple of hours to read could not put it down. Sleep could wait. Really really enjoyed it
July 30, 2021
Just a feel good simple read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews