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The Stanislaskis #3-4
Loved You First: Falling for Rachel / Convincing Alex
Opposites attract in these two reader-favorite stories featuring the Stanislaskis!
Falling for Rachel
For passionate lawyer Rachel Stanislaski, work is her life. Assigned to watch over teenage delinquent Nicholas LeBeck, the last thing Rachel needs is Nick’s hotheaded stepbrother storming into her courtroom. Zack Muldoon is protective and stubborn, but whether he likes it or not, he needs Rachel’s help—both to keep Nick out of trouble and to reconnect with his younger brother. Rachel knows the importance of a family bond, but she hasn’t considered what excitement—or complications—a blossoming romance could add to their agreement. But Zack and Rachel’s chemistry is hard to ignore, and the two could be falling for each other faster than they realize.
Convincing Alex
Detective Alex Stanislaski thought he’d seen it all—until he mistakenly arrests the bold soap opera writer Bess McNee. Committed to understanding her characters, Bess often looks for research opportunities to help her write the best she can—and accidentally being arrested gives her the best opportunity of all. She decides to follow the sexy detective around to get ideas for her show, but Bess will soon discover that Alex is not only perfect for research but maybe a perfect match for herself, as well. Now all she has to do is convince him she’s right…
Falling for Rachel
For passionate lawyer Rachel Stanislaski, work is her life. Assigned to watch over teenage delinquent Nicholas LeBeck, the last thing Rachel needs is Nick’s hotheaded stepbrother storming into her courtroom. Zack Muldoon is protective and stubborn, but whether he likes it or not, he needs Rachel’s help—both to keep Nick out of trouble and to reconnect with his younger brother. Rachel knows the importance of a family bond, but she hasn’t considered what excitement—or complications—a blossoming romance could add to their agreement. But Zack and Rachel’s chemistry is hard to ignore, and the two could be falling for each other faster than they realize.
Convincing Alex
Detective Alex Stanislaski thought he’d seen it all—until he mistakenly arrests the bold soap opera writer Bess McNee. Committed to understanding her characters, Bess often looks for research opportunities to help her write the best she can—and accidentally being arrested gives her the best opportunity of all. She decides to follow the sexy detective around to get ideas for her show, but Bess will soon discover that Alex is not only perfect for research but maybe a perfect match for herself, as well. Now all she has to do is convince him she’s right…
459 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1994
611 people are currently reading
1579 people want to read
About the author
Nora Roberts
1,217 books60k followersNora Roberts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels, including Hideaway, Under Currents, Come Sundown, The Awakening, Legacy, and coming in November 2021 -- The Becoming -- the second book in The Dragon Heart Legacy. She is also the author of the futuristic suspense In Death series written under the pen name J.D. Robb. There are more than 500 million copies of her books in print.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
November 18, 2023
These are a little more cheesy than I like. Still okay read, though
March 25, 2016
Chasing Passion is a novel by Nora Roberts. It is actually two novels, Falling for Rachel and Convincing Alex. Both are great novels although the first is the best one.
Falling for Rachel is about Rachel Stanislaski, a public defender. Rachel has made her job as public defender her life. She does little, except with her family, when she is not working. It is not that she doesn’t want a life; she just doesn’t have time for one. Now, she is rushing to court to defend a young gang member who is being tried on burglary charges. The problem is that the arresting officer is her own brother who did nothing wrong with his arrest. The judge decides on a different punishment for Nick after his brother steps in to help. She sentences Nick to living with his brother and working for him as he gets his life straightened out. To add to this, she gives Rachel the job of court liaison with Nick and his brother. She has to be involved with Nick enough to make a reliable report with Nick. Now Rachel has to fight becoming too involved with Nick to be forthcoming in her report but more so, she has to fight becoming too involved with Nick’s brother, Zack.
Convincing Alex is about police detective Alex Stanislaski. He is out on the streets and arrests Bree McNee, a writer for a television series. Bree is out on the streets impersonating a hooker to get close to one so she can write a part in the television series. She connects with Rosalie but Rosalie’s pimp, Bobby, is another thing. Then his boss tells him he is to allow Bree to shadow him all day and answer all her questions, again for her show. However, there is a distinct romantic connection between Alex and Bree. Can he keep her out of trouble and keep his police deference away from her.
Both books are excellent.
Falling for Rachel is about Rachel Stanislaski, a public defender. Rachel has made her job as public defender her life. She does little, except with her family, when she is not working. It is not that she doesn’t want a life; she just doesn’t have time for one. Now, she is rushing to court to defend a young gang member who is being tried on burglary charges. The problem is that the arresting officer is her own brother who did nothing wrong with his arrest. The judge decides on a different punishment for Nick after his brother steps in to help. She sentences Nick to living with his brother and working for him as he gets his life straightened out. To add to this, she gives Rachel the job of court liaison with Nick and his brother. She has to be involved with Nick enough to make a reliable report with Nick. Now Rachel has to fight becoming too involved with Nick to be forthcoming in her report but more so, she has to fight becoming too involved with Nick’s brother, Zack.
Convincing Alex is about police detective Alex Stanislaski. He is out on the streets and arrests Bree McNee, a writer for a television series. Bree is out on the streets impersonating a hooker to get close to one so she can write a part in the television series. She connects with Rosalie but Rosalie’s pimp, Bobby, is another thing. Then his boss tells him he is to allow Bree to shadow him all day and answer all her questions, again for her show. However, there is a distinct romantic connection between Alex and Bree. Can he keep her out of trouble and keep his police deference away from her.
Both books are excellent.
August 17, 2010
This was not one of my favorites, but I bumped it up from two stars to three due to my feelings for Nora Roberts' books overall. I really couldn't connect with the second of the two stories, with Alexi and Bess. I didn't like how they met and it seemed like they fell in love without spending any real time together, so it was a stretch for me.
December 6, 2020
Falling For Rachel 3 stars
Convincing Alex 3 stars
I think falling for Rachel was my favourite out of the two, but Bess and Alexi had so many cute moments that I’m not 100% sure😂. I’m totally in love with the Stanislaskis.
Convincing Alex 3 stars
I think falling for Rachel was my favourite out of the two, but Bess and Alexi had so many cute moments that I’m not 100% sure😂. I’m totally in love with the Stanislaskis.
March 13, 2024
Absolutely lovely 🥰
July 6, 2015
I really enjoyed continuing to delve deeply into The Stanislaskis: Those Wild Ukrainians series by Nora Roberts. This edition of FALLING FOR RACHEL and CONVINCING ALEX are featured in the same cover. In my opinion, I think that the way in which this novel is structured is rather convent due to the fact that the reader can move from one novel to the other with ease. Not to mention, I believe that it was necessary for the third and fourth novel of this intriguing, exotic, exciting, and romantic series to be paired together because they contained so many similarities. For example, the first similarity that FALLING FOR RACHEL and CONVINCING ALEX shared is the setting. Both Rachel Stanislaski and her older brother, Alexi Stanislaski made their home in New York City. Unlike the setting of TAMING NATASHA, which was the first novel included in The Stanislaskis: Those Wild Ukrainians series, the atmosphere of these later novels was heightened by the constant rush and busyness of a big, packed city. In addition, the second similarity that FALLING FOR RACHEL and CONVINCING ALEX shared is the professional career paths that Rachel and Alex chose to pursue. Rachel was a lawyer employed with the Public Defender's Office. Likewise, Alex was a detective for the New York Police Department. Both of these occupations allowed both Rachel and Alex to help people and make the world a better place. And... Last but not least, the third similarity that FALLING FOR RACHEL and CONVINCING ALEX shared was the fact that their individual plots appeared to be more hinged on one another than any of the other previous novels in The Stanislaskis: Those Wild Ukrainians series. Even though readers see each member of the Stanislaski family throughout each novel, the movement and flow of TAMING NATASHA and LURING A LADY did not seem to contain as much interplay and crossover as FALLING FOR RACHEL and CONVINCING ALEX displayed from one to another.
FALLING FOR RACHEL: (5 stars) - I really enjoyed reading this novel by Nora Roberts. Just in I mentioned in my review(s) of TAMING NATASHA and LURING A LADY, I feel that the latter novel was even better than the former. Well... Now, after having read FALLING FOR RACHEL, the third novel included in The Stanislaskis: Those Wild Ukrainians series, I'm thoroughly convinced that as the lineage and the lives of this one remarkable family continue to unfold and reveal themselves, each novel will grow even better than the last. At least, that has been the conclusion that I've come to midway through this unique, compelling series of family security and romantic love; thus, I have extremely high expectations for the remaining members of the Stanislaski family and his/her individual journeys. So... Having made that prediction, I must admit that FALLING FOR RACHEL certainly didn't disappoint me or fall short of the expectations that I had prior to reading it in any way, shape, or form. I was intrigued and hooked from the beginning of the prologue. Just as I had been pleased to see a more intimate view of Mikhail Stanislaski's personality, ambitions, and life in LURING A LADY, I was anxious to become better acquainted with Miss Rachel Stanislaski on a more personal level. From both TAMING NATASHA and LURING A LADY, I had already learned that Nora Roberts had designed the youngest member of the Stanislaski family to be a force to be reckoned with in many ways. Rachel was an ambitious, beautiful, dedicated, determined, focused, hard-working, well-educated, intelligent, independent, and serious-minded, and successful woman. She had become a lawyer in order to make a difference in people's lives and make the world a better place. Because Rachel had other professional dreams that she wished to achieve after her time in the Public Defender's Office, Rachel chose to ignore the social aspects of her life. She was young and single, but she did not yearn for more satisfaction and happiness than her career could offer her. The career that she was building was all she needed. Or, so she thought, anyway.... However, once Mr. Nicholas LeBeck and Mr. Zackary Muldoon cross paths with Rachel, the situation became complicated and overwhelming for her. In addition to this difficult, unexpected situation, the boundary lines that had so efficiently separated Rachel's career and professional aspirations and her private life up to this point in time were forced to cross and become blurred. Knowing that she had a professional obligation to uphold with both Nicholas LeBeck and Zackary Muldoon, how would Rachel react to and handle the issues that bring that long-unwanted romantic involvement to the forefront of her life? Would she forbid any romantic entanglements to distract her from performing the task she was assigned to do? Would she convince herself that she was smart enough to explore the idea of a physical attraction while, at the same time, not allowing it to interfere with her career? Would she finally give in and admit that she was strong enough to balance both a relationship and a career? What lessons and truths would Rachel learn as she follows a path that placed Nicholas LeBeck on one side of her and Zackary Muldoon on the other? In my opinion, Nick and Zack were both attractive, strong, smooth-talking, and exciting characters. They both possessed a hard, raw edge to their outlooks on life km general. I appreciated the bad-boy, rough, and adventurous spirit that they both brought to Rachel's organized, much-too-mundane routine. FALLING FOR RACHEL was most definitely a gripping, page-Turner from beginning to end. The triangle of interaction among Rachel, Nick, and Zack kept me guessing, and the various twists and turns of the plot kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.
CONVINCING ALEX: (5 stars) - I really enjoyed reading this novel by Nora Roberts. Just as I mentioned in my review(s) of TAMING NATASHA, LURING A LADY, and FALLING FOR RACHEL, I wagered that each novel would be even more interesting and compelling than the one before. And...what's more? With each of the three aforementioned novels, I truly believe that I have been correct in making that assumption. Therefore, I set extremely high expectations for CONVINCING ALEX, the fourth novel included in The Stanislaskis: Those Wild Ukrainians series. I believed that this fourth journey into the lives of the Stanislaski family would be be the best yet at this point within the series. I was pleased to discover that my instincts about CONVINCING ALEX were correct; furthermore, I was ecstatic to learn that the expectations I had placed on this novel beforehand were not only met but tremendously exceeded. In my opinion, I found Mr. Alexi Stanislaski to be the most provocative member of the Stanislaski siblings. He was just as Ukrainian as the rest of the family. He was just as attractive as the rest of his family. However, I think the fact that he was a police officer and detective for the NYPD gave him the dark, dangerous, and rugged edge that neither his brother nor his sisters possessed. Then, of course, Mr. Alexi Stanislaski, a hard-core, no nonsense cop, crossed paths with the uncanny, unforgettable Miss Bess McNee. While Bess McNee possessed a more fanciful occupation and a more carefree outward personality than Alexi, she was just as adventurous and mysterious. These two characters couldn't possibly be any better suited for one another. Nora Roberts artfully complemented Alexi's and Bess's career paths and personalities by creating nail-biting intrigue and creepy twists and turns throughout the entire plot. CONVINCING ALEX was a passionate love story interwoven with suspicion, uncertainty, mistrust, and crime. But, would Alexi and Bess ever delve deeply enough into reality and find the romantic dream that both of them craved so desperately? Or... Would Alexi and Bess let pride, mistrust, and fear dictate their future?
FALLING FOR RACHEL: (5 stars) - I really enjoyed reading this novel by Nora Roberts. Just in I mentioned in my review(s) of TAMING NATASHA and LURING A LADY, I feel that the latter novel was even better than the former. Well... Now, after having read FALLING FOR RACHEL, the third novel included in The Stanislaskis: Those Wild Ukrainians series, I'm thoroughly convinced that as the lineage and the lives of this one remarkable family continue to unfold and reveal themselves, each novel will grow even better than the last. At least, that has been the conclusion that I've come to midway through this unique, compelling series of family security and romantic love; thus, I have extremely high expectations for the remaining members of the Stanislaski family and his/her individual journeys. So... Having made that prediction, I must admit that FALLING FOR RACHEL certainly didn't disappoint me or fall short of the expectations that I had prior to reading it in any way, shape, or form. I was intrigued and hooked from the beginning of the prologue. Just as I had been pleased to see a more intimate view of Mikhail Stanislaski's personality, ambitions, and life in LURING A LADY, I was anxious to become better acquainted with Miss Rachel Stanislaski on a more personal level. From both TAMING NATASHA and LURING A LADY, I had already learned that Nora Roberts had designed the youngest member of the Stanislaski family to be a force to be reckoned with in many ways. Rachel was an ambitious, beautiful, dedicated, determined, focused, hard-working, well-educated, intelligent, independent, and serious-minded, and successful woman. She had become a lawyer in order to make a difference in people's lives and make the world a better place. Because Rachel had other professional dreams that she wished to achieve after her time in the Public Defender's Office, Rachel chose to ignore the social aspects of her life. She was young and single, but she did not yearn for more satisfaction and happiness than her career could offer her. The career that she was building was all she needed. Or, so she thought, anyway.... However, once Mr. Nicholas LeBeck and Mr. Zackary Muldoon cross paths with Rachel, the situation became complicated and overwhelming for her. In addition to this difficult, unexpected situation, the boundary lines that had so efficiently separated Rachel's career and professional aspirations and her private life up to this point in time were forced to cross and become blurred. Knowing that she had a professional obligation to uphold with both Nicholas LeBeck and Zackary Muldoon, how would Rachel react to and handle the issues that bring that long-unwanted romantic involvement to the forefront of her life? Would she forbid any romantic entanglements to distract her from performing the task she was assigned to do? Would she convince herself that she was smart enough to explore the idea of a physical attraction while, at the same time, not allowing it to interfere with her career? Would she finally give in and admit that she was strong enough to balance both a relationship and a career? What lessons and truths would Rachel learn as she follows a path that placed Nicholas LeBeck on one side of her and Zackary Muldoon on the other? In my opinion, Nick and Zack were both attractive, strong, smooth-talking, and exciting characters. They both possessed a hard, raw edge to their outlooks on life km general. I appreciated the bad-boy, rough, and adventurous spirit that they both brought to Rachel's organized, much-too-mundane routine. FALLING FOR RACHEL was most definitely a gripping, page-Turner from beginning to end. The triangle of interaction among Rachel, Nick, and Zack kept me guessing, and the various twists and turns of the plot kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.
CONVINCING ALEX: (5 stars) - I really enjoyed reading this novel by Nora Roberts. Just as I mentioned in my review(s) of TAMING NATASHA, LURING A LADY, and FALLING FOR RACHEL, I wagered that each novel would be even more interesting and compelling than the one before. And...what's more? With each of the three aforementioned novels, I truly believe that I have been correct in making that assumption. Therefore, I set extremely high expectations for CONVINCING ALEX, the fourth novel included in The Stanislaskis: Those Wild Ukrainians series. I believed that this fourth journey into the lives of the Stanislaski family would be be the best yet at this point within the series. I was pleased to discover that my instincts about CONVINCING ALEX were correct; furthermore, I was ecstatic to learn that the expectations I had placed on this novel beforehand were not only met but tremendously exceeded. In my opinion, I found Mr. Alexi Stanislaski to be the most provocative member of the Stanislaski siblings. He was just as Ukrainian as the rest of the family. He was just as attractive as the rest of his family. However, I think the fact that he was a police officer and detective for the NYPD gave him the dark, dangerous, and rugged edge that neither his brother nor his sisters possessed. Then, of course, Mr. Alexi Stanislaski, a hard-core, no nonsense cop, crossed paths with the uncanny, unforgettable Miss Bess McNee. While Bess McNee possessed a more fanciful occupation and a more carefree outward personality than Alexi, she was just as adventurous and mysterious. These two characters couldn't possibly be any better suited for one another. Nora Roberts artfully complemented Alexi's and Bess's career paths and personalities by creating nail-biting intrigue and creepy twists and turns throughout the entire plot. CONVINCING ALEX was a passionate love story interwoven with suspicion, uncertainty, mistrust, and crime. But, would Alexi and Bess ever delve deeply enough into reality and find the romantic dream that both of them craved so desperately? Or... Would Alexi and Bess let pride, mistrust, and fear dictate their future?
July 10, 2019
FALLING FOR RACHEL
Good solid story and of course it is about a Stanislaski so nothing more to be said.
Rachel is the youngest sibling and the only one born in America, to her chagrin. She works as a public defender. A quirky judge makes her guardian of a mixed up wanna be gang member. Unfortunately, this also brings her into regular contact with his hunky older step brother, retired navy man and now bar owner Zackary.
These two fight their attraction all the way.
A few emotional hiccups later and Nick the young boy steps up in a big way by saving Zack’s life.
Great spending time with the Stanislaski family and these two new additions Zackary and Nick..
Owned this series in paperback and have read it a few times.
Always a pleasure to reread them all.
Read through my local library in Chasing Passion.
CONVINCING ALEX
Bess is a hard person to review. Totally unrealistic about the real world but sees the good in everyone. A bit over bubbly and apt to make snap judgments that everything is okay but that is part of her charm. She has been raised with money but jad absentee parents and has never really been loved for herself. She has a very interesting job but just doesn’t think things through.
Alex is our Stanislaski homicide detective. Though I liked him I never fell in love with him due to his sometimes cold, unbelieving of Bess feelings. True she has form in that department but she kept showing him.
Really saddened about Rosalie but her actions did help catch the killer but at a great cost.
Great spending time with this family. Always enjoy their interactions with each other and fun seeing the next generation arriving.
Owned this series in paperback and have read it a few times.
Always a pleasure to reread them all.
Read through my local library in Chasing Passion.
Good solid story and of course it is about a Stanislaski so nothing more to be said.
Rachel is the youngest sibling and the only one born in America, to her chagrin. She works as a public defender. A quirky judge makes her guardian of a mixed up wanna be gang member. Unfortunately, this also brings her into regular contact with his hunky older step brother, retired navy man and now bar owner Zackary.
These two fight their attraction all the way.
A few emotional hiccups later and Nick the young boy steps up in a big way by saving Zack’s life.
Great spending time with the Stanislaski family and these two new additions Zackary and Nick..
Owned this series in paperback and have read it a few times.
Always a pleasure to reread them all.
Read through my local library in Chasing Passion.
CONVINCING ALEX
Bess is a hard person to review. Totally unrealistic about the real world but sees the good in everyone. A bit over bubbly and apt to make snap judgments that everything is okay but that is part of her charm. She has been raised with money but jad absentee parents and has never really been loved for herself. She has a very interesting job but just doesn’t think things through.
Alex is our Stanislaski homicide detective. Though I liked him I never fell in love with him due to his sometimes cold, unbelieving of Bess feelings. True she has form in that department but she kept showing him.
Really saddened about Rosalie but her actions did help catch the killer but at a great cost.
Great spending time with this family. Always enjoy their interactions with each other and fun seeing the next generation arriving.
Owned this series in paperback and have read it a few times.
Always a pleasure to reread them all.
Read through my local library in Chasing Passion.
March 26, 2023
A Book to Hold Onto!
It's Roberts doesn't have to worry about disappointing her readers she knows how to deliver a romance that grabs your heart, so that you can't put down! It will make you feel every emotion you have in your heart! It's that good!
It's Roberts doesn't have to worry about disappointing her readers she knows how to deliver a romance that grabs your heart, so that you can't put down! It will make you feel every emotion you have in your heart! It's that good!
November 26, 2023
3 for the first book. 4 for the second. I preferred Alexi’s story and situation over Rachel’s. Connected with Bess in a way. Like that all the stories of the children weave together. Starting the first two books next.
September 4, 2017
Two stories featuring the Stanislaski siblings, Rachel and Alex. The people that enter their lives come with complications and love.
October 31, 2017
Two good romances. Part of a series.
November 27, 2018
Nice easy reading
April 25, 2019
Found these two stories really enjoyable. Bess was quite funny in the 2nd book, through feel like Racheal had more to her.
December 28, 2019
A bit dated now but okay.
February 21, 2021
I didn’t want to like this as much as I did and as much as I enjoyed Rachel’s story, Alexi’s story was what really sold this book for me!
library
July 30, 20210
August 31, 2021
This was titled Chasing Rachel but I guess it was renamed.
February 1, 2022
Another great family novel! Love Nora Roberts.
Read
August 28, 2022Good book
December 4, 2022
My love and enjoyment of these stories hasn’t changed in the decades since I read the originals.
April 15, 2023
A nice easy read. Loved reading their stories.
October 26, 2023
Good story, easy read as usual with Nora's books, but I could use less descriptive sex scenes! my God, they go on for pages and pages.😆
Read
November 22, 2023very good
December 8, 2023
Reread
Read this many years ago. Forgot how great it was. Gave me many happy and sad tears. Thank you, Nora.
Read this many years ago. Forgot how great it was. Gave me many happy and sad tears. Thank you, Nora.
January 22, 2024
This book is so good.
September 1, 2024
Not one of my favourites of Nora Roberts. It was just alright. I did not find myself drawn to the stories like I usually am when I get i to a book.
September 25, 2024
Not one of her best. Good stories nonetheless.
October 16, 2024
Nora roberts is always reliable for a good read and these two stories didn't disappoint.
January 19, 2025
Very Romantic
Interesting love stories, family and characters...they have pasts and stories but to by loved by these men would be worth the wait. Just couldn’t put the book down.
Interesting love stories, family and characters...they have pasts and stories but to by loved by these men would be worth the wait. Just couldn’t put the book down.
September 12, 2023
There are two stories in this one book but I will do my reviews separately. Love You First showcases the first story, Falling for Rachel. In this romance Rachel Stanislaski is a lawyer for the public defender’s office. She is given a case involving a teen boy who is troubled, lost and mixed up with a group of delinquents, the Cobras.
What Rachel doesn’t realize is there is a step-brother who comes to his brother’s rescue after being estranged and in the service for a number of years. When he returns he finds his brother, Nick, is in serious trouble and in jail accused of stealing some technical equipment.
Rachel manages to bond with Nick but finds herself drawn to the brother, Zach, who is dark, brooding and sexy. What transpires is a romantic romp between the two, but also trouble brews with Nick when he wants her too.
The Stanislaski family is a robust, close-knit and loving family who always watch over and take of their own. Nick has never known family and is blown over by the affection and attentions of this family. Will he be able to stay away from the negative influences of the Cobras or will he be saved by his long-lost brother and his lawyer, Rachel, who has a motherly bond with him?
An enjoyable read!
What Rachel doesn’t realize is there is a step-brother who comes to his brother’s rescue after being estranged and in the service for a number of years. When he returns he finds his brother, Nick, is in serious trouble and in jail accused of stealing some technical equipment.
Rachel manages to bond with Nick but finds herself drawn to the brother, Zach, who is dark, brooding and sexy. What transpires is a romantic romp between the two, but also trouble brews with Nick when he wants her too.
The Stanislaski family is a robust, close-knit and loving family who always watch over and take of their own. Nick has never known family and is blown over by the affection and attentions of this family. Will he be able to stay away from the negative influences of the Cobras or will he be saved by his long-lost brother and his lawyer, Rachel, who has a motherly bond with him?
An enjoyable read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews