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The Elite #1
Unknown
My best friend is dead
Those who I call family are telling me the one I love is a monster
I’m Sorry…the last text he ever sent
Now I’m not sure what to believe.
I’m sent on a mission to find him no matter the cost. I find myself undercover with The Elite a team working outside the law to hunt down the worst criminals.
I’m going to use this team as a way to find the truth. To find him and get the answers I deserve.
Revenge might just destroy me but this is what I was trained for.
No one will ever see this coming. Including my own fucking heart…
Those who I call family are telling me the one I love is a monster
I’m Sorry…the last text he ever sent
Now I’m not sure what to believe.
I’m sent on a mission to find him no matter the cost. I find myself undercover with The Elite a team working outside the law to hunt down the worst criminals.
I’m going to use this team as a way to find the truth. To find him and get the answers I deserve.
Revenge might just destroy me but this is what I was trained for.
No one will ever see this coming. Including my own fucking heart…
295 pages, ebook
Published August 20, 2022
70 people are currently reading
257 people want to read
About the author
G.P. Darling
6 books285 followersG.P Darling is a pen name that pays homage to where a decades-old friendship started and survived the best and worst of times.
Some moms who decided to quit just reading romance and write some of our own. When not reading or writing you can find us together with our 10 kids, drinking a cocktail, and probably cursing like sailors while laughing so hard we tinkle ourselves.
Illinois residents and Taco enthusiasts.
Some moms who decided to quit just reading romance and write some of our own. When not reading or writing you can find us together with our 10 kids, drinking a cocktail, and probably cursing like sailors while laughing so hard we tinkle ourselves.
Illinois residents and Taco enthusiasts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
November 26, 2022
Loved it. Great concept
August 20, 2022
I went into this book completely blind and ohh man I was not expecting this book!! I DEVOURED it.
Nat is looking for someone in order to find answers about her best friends death. Joining the elite team is her best option. And hot mama!! Very criminal minds vibes (one of my favorite shows BTW) and the team is kinda the best. All different personalities and walks of life and all feel some sort of way with a new member, Nat, joining their team.
This book was hot and also action packed. Super suspenseful, filled with so many twists and turns and I am absolutely HOOKED.
Nat is looking for someone in order to find answers about her best friends death. Joining the elite team is her best option. And hot mama!! Very criminal minds vibes (one of my favorite shows BTW) and the team is kinda the best. All different personalities and walks of life and all feel some sort of way with a new member, Nat, joining their team.
This book was hot and also action packed. Super suspenseful, filled with so many twists and turns and I am absolutely HOOKED.
August 8, 2022
Omg y’all this book was so amazing. Nat is a kick ass women. I love King and his asshole nature, Stryker is amazingly bossy, and sweet sweet Conrad who is by far my favorite. Conrad was a virgin and I just want to say hell yes to finally getting to read a book with a male virgin. This book contains some pretty awesome twists as well. BJ and Marcela are like my the perfect new best friends, I kind of want them as my friends after reading this. There is also the perfect amount of spice to action ratio. I definitely did not want to put this book down and when I got close to the end I was not ready for it. Also that ending was killer and I can’t wait for the second book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2022
This is the authors debut novel. It was so amazing! Nat is try to find out what happened to her best friend. This book has criminal mind vibes. I loved how the guys are with Nat. This book has some twist and turns that I did not see coming. And that cliffhanger omg I need book two.
August 20, 2022
Mix a little bit of the Bratva with a healthy dose of an elite crime-solving organization, then add some spice, and you get Unknown. It is an enjoyable read that reminded me of the late 90’s tv show La Femme Nikita.
After her best friend was killed at the hands of her other best friend, our FMC, Natalie, has been assigned to an elite unit that hunts down criminals with fewer constraints than most organizations. She is secretly there to discover the whereabouts of her murdering friend, but first, she must survive the devastating hotness of the male members of her team.
This is a fast-burn why choose romance with almost all members giving into their base desires without restraint. It makes for a fun read as the characters often get distracted by their urges. An enemies-to-lovers relationship is thrown in, so the whole unit is not immediately enamored with Natalie.
Book one ends on a massive cliffhanger, so I expect book two has some fantastic twists in store.
After her best friend was killed at the hands of her other best friend, our FMC, Natalie, has been assigned to an elite unit that hunts down criminals with fewer constraints than most organizations. She is secretly there to discover the whereabouts of her murdering friend, but first, she must survive the devastating hotness of the male members of her team.
This is a fast-burn why choose romance with almost all members giving into their base desires without restraint. It makes for a fun read as the characters often get distracted by their urges. An enemies-to-lovers relationship is thrown in, so the whole unit is not immediately enamored with Natalie.
Book one ends on a massive cliffhanger, so I expect book two has some fantastic twists in store.
August 19, 2022
I love reading debut novels by authors! Especially ones that have the potential to go far and publish more and more great stories. I truly enjoyed this storyline and am looking forward to more in this world and more!
Malyshka, who we know more as Natalie or Nat is a princess in the Russian Bratva. Right away we are mourning alongside her for one of her best friends, Katia. With no reason why, we soon are told her other best friend Alexie is the killer and has left without a trace.
Fastforward one year, Uncle A has enlisted Nat in the best of the best "The Elite" groups who help solve crimes. Throughout the book we know she is on an undercover mission, but we don't know for what exactly. She quickly catches the eyes of fellow teammates, both Conrad and Stryker. The steam is hot, and the insta-attraction is fireworks. King is our Viking wildcard that doesn't quite trust Nat as quick as everyone else.
When closing in on a case, Nat is closer to her real world more than she ever realized. She discovers some facts that can't be real. As they get closer and closer to finding out the source of their case, King is on Nat. Revelations are made. People who are dead, are alive? And she is unfolding at the seams with all of the lies she has to keep up with.
The ending comes up way too fast with a ghost from her past. But just when she is finally about to get answers, King arrives with guns blazing...
I really enjoyed this storyline. It was like SVU meets RH and I was here for it. I felt like we didn't get quite enough answers though. I understand we wouldn't get them all, but we literally didn't get anything. lol. Why was she undercover to begin with? Does she really hate the Bratva or is she in this life and just following orders? Katia and Alexia are unknowns and I want to know why the entire year with no contact. Will King expose her, or will he hear her out?
I obviously have questions, but I enjoyed this read and am very much looking forward to book two. The storyline was unique and unexpected. A great debut novel.
*Overall 4/5
*Heat? 3/5
*Fast/Med Burn
*Multiple first person POV
*Ends on cliffhanger
Malyshka, who we know more as Natalie or Nat is a princess in the Russian Bratva. Right away we are mourning alongside her for one of her best friends, Katia. With no reason why, we soon are told her other best friend Alexie is the killer and has left without a trace.
Fastforward one year, Uncle A has enlisted Nat in the best of the best "The Elite" groups who help solve crimes. Throughout the book we know she is on an undercover mission, but we don't know for what exactly. She quickly catches the eyes of fellow teammates, both Conrad and Stryker. The steam is hot, and the insta-attraction is fireworks. King is our Viking wildcard that doesn't quite trust Nat as quick as everyone else.
When closing in on a case, Nat is closer to her real world more than she ever realized. She discovers some facts that can't be real. As they get closer and closer to finding out the source of their case, King is on Nat. Revelations are made. People who are dead, are alive? And she is unfolding at the seams with all of the lies she has to keep up with.
The ending comes up way too fast with a ghost from her past. But just when she is finally about to get answers, King arrives with guns blazing...
I really enjoyed this storyline. It was like SVU meets RH and I was here for it. I felt like we didn't get quite enough answers though. I understand we wouldn't get them all, but we literally didn't get anything. lol. Why was she undercover to begin with? Does she really hate the Bratva or is she in this life and just following orders? Katia and Alexia are unknowns and I want to know why the entire year with no contact. Will King expose her, or will he hear her out?
I obviously have questions, but I enjoyed this read and am very much looking forward to book two. The storyline was unique and unexpected. A great debut novel.
*Overall 4/5
*Heat? 3/5
*Fast/Med Burn
*Multiple first person POV
*Ends on cliffhanger
August 20, 2022
***4.5 Stars***
I liked this book and was in suspense for the majority of the book. I was trying to figure out what was going to happen and just when I thought I had things figured out, that ending completely threw me off. That cliffhanger left me wanting more so I can't wait for the 2nd book to come out.
Nat is an interesting character. She has lost so much in her life and is trying to find answers when she joins the Elite. I liked her character especially her sassiness. I love that she wouldn't just follow orders but would push for what she thought was right. Conrad is by far my favorite. He is so sweet and innocent which is typical for a male in RH books. Stryker is a control freak and I loved the dynamics between Nat and Stryker. King has trust issues which are completely justified. He is probably the character I am most interested in seeing develop more in book two.
If you enjoy books with suspense and some steam then you should give this book a try. I am hoping for even more steamy scenes in book two along with some answers to questions that I am left with!
I liked this book and was in suspense for the majority of the book. I was trying to figure out what was going to happen and just when I thought I had things figured out, that ending completely threw me off. That cliffhanger left me wanting more so I can't wait for the 2nd book to come out.
Nat is an interesting character. She has lost so much in her life and is trying to find answers when she joins the Elite. I liked her character especially her sassiness. I love that she wouldn't just follow orders but would push for what she thought was right. Conrad is by far my favorite. He is so sweet and innocent which is typical for a male in RH books. Stryker is a control freak and I loved the dynamics between Nat and Stryker. King has trust issues which are completely justified. He is probably the character I am most interested in seeing develop more in book two.
If you enjoy books with suspense and some steam then you should give this book a try. I am hoping for even more steamy scenes in book two along with some answers to questions that I am left with!
April 27, 2025
This was a rather refreshing concept, a nice combination between mafia and thrilling suspense. The story started rather abruptly with the FMC dealing with the loss of her best friend Katia and then all of a sudden her beloved Alexie disappears. Nat comes with quite the skillset as she is raised within the Bratva family and when Alexie ghosts her she is faced with the ultimate heartache. In her quest to track him down she ends up with the Elite - an organisation that deals with the worst criminals. She goes undercover agent and encounters quite an intriguing bunch of people.
The characters are definitely unique in the sense that each of them has unique set of skills that enable the team to deal with time -sensitive matters. This is an action - packed story where the plot runs alongside the passionate moments between the characters. Stryker, King and Conrad have to offer quite a lot and Nat is smitten with each of them for different reasons. What I really liked here were also the friendships with the girls that Natalia was able to form. She needed that after what she has endured.
Trust is a fragile concept and in this deadly game of hide and seek it is hard to tell what the genuine intentions are. As shadows from her previous life come to light, would Nat be able to make amends for her deeds or would she succumb to the downfall? I am genuinely intrigued to see how this plays out.
The characters are definitely unique in the sense that each of them has unique set of skills that enable the team to deal with time -sensitive matters. This is an action - packed story where the plot runs alongside the passionate moments between the characters. Stryker, King and Conrad have to offer quite a lot and Nat is smitten with each of them for different reasons. What I really liked here were also the friendships with the girls that Natalia was able to form. She needed that after what she has endured.
Trust is a fragile concept and in this deadly game of hide and seek it is hard to tell what the genuine intentions are. As shadows from her previous life come to light, would Nat be able to make amends for her deeds or would she succumb to the downfall? I am genuinely intrigued to see how this plays out.
August 14, 2022
Ugh that ending!!! I can’t wait for book 2 because I need to know what happens. But this book was fast paced, fast burn and super steamy while maintaining an amazing story and plot, which for me is the best kind of book. We have a lot left to learn about the characters but learned enough to be invested in each of them. There are so many questions that need to be answered but with each answer seems to be a new question. I am really hoping that Nat can get her team to forgive her secrecy and allow them to help her. I hope her past is not as crooked as it seems but even if it is, her harem will be there to put her back together. Can’t wait to see where this story goes!
August 15, 2022
Dude!!! A Criminal Minds vibe book and is RH!! I’m in. I’m all the way in. Nat is trying to figure out what happened to her best friend. This entire thing is shrouded in mystery and intrigue. Nat is now part of the Elite. A task force that operates similarly to a certain alphabet government organization but of course definitely doesn’t have that red tape monstrosity that surrounds them. Stryker is the leader with King pulling up the helm. Conrad, oh my sweet sweet Conrad. I’m all the way in love with him. And can we say yes to the male virgin!! And for god’s sake. Stryker has a mouth. And I need more. This book has some twists that made me go WTAF! I need book 2.
August 16, 2022
Stephannie's 5 + Star Review:
Omg, I really loved this one! There is action,
twists and turns that keep you guessing. Plus
a reverse Harlem that steam up the pages. This one
ends with a cliffhanger that had me screaming no.
I don't know what is going to happen next but I'm
Ready for more. It was easy to read and I was hooked
from the beginning. One click this one today.
Omg, I really loved this one! There is action,
twists and turns that keep you guessing. Plus
a reverse Harlem that steam up the pages. This one
ends with a cliffhanger that had me screaming no.
I don't know what is going to happen next but I'm
Ready for more. It was easy to read and I was hooked
from the beginning. One click this one today.
January 20, 2025
While trying to find out what happened to her best friends, Nat becomes a part of The Elite, a team dedicated to catching the biggest scum of the earth. When secrets from her past and present start to creep up on her, and the dangers for her new friends grow bigger every day, Nat is starting to be pushed into a corner. Will she find a way out? And what will happen to the relationships she started to build once they find out who Nat really is?
Unknown is an interesting contemporary debut, with a pretty original storyline. I liked the suspense within the series, the questions and the answers that are gradually given. I enjoyed the connections between Nat and the other women on the team, and the differences between Stryker and Conrad. I am usually not a fan of books with a fast burn, but it made sense here and didn't really bother me. Even though the story flowed quite well, it still seems like I am missing something to really grab it fully though. Maybe some answers in the second book will help.
Unknown is an interesting contemporary debut, with a pretty original storyline. I liked the suspense within the series, the questions and the answers that are gradually given. I enjoyed the connections between Nat and the other women on the team, and the differences between Stryker and Conrad. I am usually not a fan of books with a fast burn, but it made sense here and didn't really bother me. Even though the story flowed quite well, it still seems like I am missing something to really grab it fully though. Maybe some answers in the second book will help.
October 1, 2022
I really liked the idea of this book, but the execution honestly was a little shaky and I was kind of confused about the main character.
I definitely got the vibe of who the main character was supposed to be and I was so here for it, but she was so meek sometimes that I didn't believe it. I wish the author had maybe one more chapter of her backstory because maybe it would've made me warm up to the main character more. I also needed more of the backstory to understand what exactly happened between her and her old friends.
I just needed more reasons to connect with the world.
The elite team definitely gave me some Criminal Minds vibes which was awesome they gave me all the sexiness from those characters as well.
The ending was also very interesting so I'm looking forward to the next one...
I definitely got the vibe of who the main character was supposed to be and I was so here for it, but she was so meek sometimes that I didn't believe it. I wish the author had maybe one more chapter of her backstory because maybe it would've made me warm up to the main character more. I also needed more of the backstory to understand what exactly happened between her and her old friends.
I just needed more reasons to connect with the world.
The elite team definitely gave me some Criminal Minds vibes which was awesome they gave me all the sexiness from those characters as well.
The ending was also very interesting so I'm looking forward to the next one...
September 15, 2022
**ARC Review**
Mind Blown! This debut novel is phenomenal! This book is full of action, drama, steamy scenes, thrill, why choose (RH) and characters you love and love to hate. This is book 1 of The Elite series.
Natalie FMC-There is so much going on with Nat and you only get more and more into her life as the story goes on.
The Elite Team: The guys Stryker, Conrad, King are all so different but they give so much more. Conrad you fall for immediately! He’s the virgin MC and I loved this aspect of him. He’s sweet and funny with that sexy nerdy qualities. Stryker is the dominant one of the group and the group leader. He’s very much a control freak but you know how every FMC likes to be a little submissive. Now King, ugh I’m so frustrated with him! Specially when you think he is coming around!
BAM! That cliffy is intense and I am dying for the next book already!
Mind Blown! This debut novel is phenomenal! This book is full of action, drama, steamy scenes, thrill, why choose (RH) and characters you love and love to hate. This is book 1 of The Elite series.
Natalie FMC-There is so much going on with Nat and you only get more and more into her life as the story goes on.
The Elite Team: The guys Stryker, Conrad, King are all so different but they give so much more. Conrad you fall for immediately! He’s the virgin MC and I loved this aspect of him. He’s sweet and funny with that sexy nerdy qualities. Stryker is the dominant one of the group and the group leader. He’s very much a control freak but you know how every FMC likes to be a little submissive. Now King, ugh I’m so frustrated with him! Specially when you think he is coming around!
BAM! That cliffy is intense and I am dying for the next book already!
August 20, 2022
Omg, G.P. Darling is here with her debut book, Unknown, The Elite book 1 and she is setting center stage and lighting it on fire!!! This book was amazing from page 1 to the last. Sucks you in and holds you captive. Its a criminal minds meets the mafia setting, reverse harem, with some enemies to lovers vibes. I absolutely loved this book and cannot wait for book 2!
Nat goes in to join the elite task force under the eyes of her uncle to track down her ex, his son, who he says murdered her best friend. When a discovery into unkown organization and crosses into a Mafia group to close to home Nat doesnt know who to trust anymore. When the secrets lf not only hers but everyone from the team to mafia comes crashing down on her she doesnt know how shes going to get out alive.
This book med to fast burn with lots secrets, twists and turns to keep you guessing to the end. It does end with a cliffhanger.
Nat goes in to join the elite task force under the eyes of her uncle to track down her ex, his son, who he says murdered her best friend. When a discovery into unkown organization and crosses into a Mafia group to close to home Nat doesnt know who to trust anymore. When the secrets lf not only hers but everyone from the team to mafia comes crashing down on her she doesnt know how shes going to get out alive.
This book med to fast burn with lots secrets, twists and turns to keep you guessing to the end. It does end with a cliffhanger.
August 22, 2022
If you enjoy crime solving, mafia intrigue, strong female friendships, light bullying, and all the male attention on the MFC this book is for you! This medium/fast burn book is filled with intrigue and excitement. The relationships between Nat and guys really runs the gamut, and I can’t wait to see how everything unfolds in the next book. The friendship between the ladies is refreshing and hilarious. This is such a promising beginning for this series and I can’t wait to read the next installment.
August 22, 2022
I LOVED Unknown …. Picture criminal minds met a spicy chili pepper 🌶 and then had s🍑E🍆x with this chilli pepper then added ANOTHER and ANOTHER chilli pepper to mix… then made sexy chilli pepper elite babies… then this masterpiece of a book was born!! I am all in and needing the second book!! 🤣🤣
I love reverse harems and criminal minds is my favourite show.. so basically this mix was a total win for me!!!! I cannot wait to continue the next story. The cliffhanger was magnificent!! 🤩
I love reverse harems and criminal minds is my favourite show.. so basically this mix was a total win for me!!!! I cannot wait to continue the next story. The cliffhanger was magnificent!! 🤩
August 6, 2022
Fantastic!!!
I didn't want to put the book down. This story had everything! There was action, suspense, angst and loads of steam!! Also, so much mystery. I still have questions.
I loved Nat. She truly is a bad*ss! The guys are all swoon worthy(even grumpy King)and I loved that we got their POVs as well.
I thought this was a fantastic start to a new series! I can't wait to see where the story will go from here. With that ending I need book 2 as soon as possible!!!
I didn't want to put the book down. This story had everything! There was action, suspense, angst and loads of steam!! Also, so much mystery. I still have questions.
I loved Nat. She truly is a bad*ss! The guys are all swoon worthy(even grumpy King)and I loved that we got their POVs as well.
I thought this was a fantastic start to a new series! I can't wait to see where the story will go from here. With that ending I need book 2 as soon as possible!!!
August 7, 2022
This was the authors debut release and they hit out of the ballpark. It had everything you could want, drama, steamy scenes, characters you want to love and hate. We meet Nat, whose lost two of the most important people in her life and is on a mission. The twists and turns in this book are amazing and ones you wouldn't see coming. And oh my that ending.
August 22, 2022
Man what a cliff hanger. This is G.P. Darlings debut book it did not disappoint! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time to see where it was going next and just when I thought I knew….. Bam! You’re thrown a curve ball.
Sexy Characters ~ YES!
Excellent storyline ~ YES!
HOT Spice ~ YES YES YES!
Excellent writing and I can’t wait to see what happens next.
Sexy Characters ~ YES!
Excellent storyline ~ YES!
HOT Spice ~ YES YES YES!
Excellent writing and I can’t wait to see what happens next.
August 22, 2022
Gah! I don’t even know where to start! This book was everything!
Badass FMC
Sexy as sin men!
Steam
Suspense
A great storyline that you don’t see, which is a great change!
Be warned! There is a cliffhanger at the end! I can’t wait for book two!
Well done!
Badass FMC
Sexy as sin men!
Steam
Suspense
A great storyline that you don’t see, which is a great change!
Be warned! There is a cliffhanger at the end! I can’t wait for book two!
Well done!
August 15, 2022
Oh my god! That cliffhanger!!! I need more! I can not wait to see what happens next!!! I am beyond hooked!!!!
August 22, 2022
I was drawn to this book for the mystery first. Which I felt like the case took a while to really pick up and start to come together. It seemed like the romance became the main focal point in the beginning. Which I will not deny was steamy. Natalie sure got Stryker and Conrad all hot and bothered.
To be honest, I was feeling more of Stryker. Even if he came off a bit too domineering. There is some crude language used in the way that Natalie and Stryker talk to each other. While I did like these two, I was left waiting for the investigation to truly start. This did not happen until like the halfway point it seemed. From here, the story did pick up and move faster.
Then there is the mysterious King. He is a wild card in the story. This story does end in a bit of a cliffhanger. Overall, I still did like this book that I would read book two.
To be honest, I was feeling more of Stryker. Even if he came off a bit too domineering. There is some crude language used in the way that Natalie and Stryker talk to each other. While I did like these two, I was left waiting for the investigation to truly start. This did not happen until like the halfway point it seemed. From here, the story did pick up and move faster.
Then there is the mysterious King. He is a wild card in the story. This story does end in a bit of a cliffhanger. Overall, I still did like this book that I would read book two.
August 20, 2022
CRIMINAL MINDS VIBES + RH. This series is something I didn’t know I needed and now I want to know how I survived without it. This book pulled me out of a slump and I am so happy. The suspense, the twists and turns, they all kept coming and I didn’t know what was going to happen next. I really hope I don’t have to wait too long for book 2!
August 21, 2022
Very good book! I loved the different dynamics within the team and that geeks are represented too ❤️
I definitely had a few jaw dropping moments and that cliffhanger is a killer 😭😭 Nat is a badass b and im in love with king ❤️❤️
This book was such a good read and I cannot wait for the next book to come out!!
I definitely had a few jaw dropping moments and that cliffhanger is a killer 😭😭 Nat is a badass b and im in love with king ❤️❤️
This book was such a good read and I cannot wait for the next book to come out!!
August 20, 2022
It has been a while since I've read a suspense romance, and this debut novel has definitely piqued my interest once again!
Plenty of action and suspense that I'll be back for sure!
Yes, the author left us with quite the cliff-hanger.
Loved all the characters and so ready to learn more about them!
This is really good! If you like suspense with your steamy, this may just hit all the right spots!
Plenty of action and suspense that I'll be back for sure!
Yes, the author left us with quite the cliff-hanger.
Loved all the characters and so ready to learn more about them!
This is really good! If you like suspense with your steamy, this may just hit all the right spots!
August 22, 2022
Nat is such a bad B, she is strong and smart. I love how she stood her ground and even risked her own life to protect the people she cares most about. This book was a great start to hopefully a wonderful series.
August 20, 2022
3.5☆
This was an interesting book with great potential.
I enjoyed the underlying story line however I've really struggled to connect with the characters. Which is frustrating for me as I think with a bit more refinement these characters would blow my mind.
This storyline has kept me interested so I will be reading book 2 once released 😊
This was an interesting book with great potential.
I enjoyed the underlying story line however I've really struggled to connect with the characters. Which is frustrating for me as I think with a bit more refinement these characters would blow my mind.
This storyline has kept me interested so I will be reading book 2 once released 😊
August 20, 2022
This book was a great read that grabbed me and would not let me go. It was a really great read that moved along at a good pace, had interesting characters and a story that kept me reading and did not disappoint. This book is a must read that needs to be on my TBR list, no doubt about it.
August 21, 2022
4.5 stars
Not only a great debut but great introduction to this author for me. That ending had me wanting more look forward to read more.
Not only a great debut but great introduction to this author for me. That ending had me wanting more look forward to read more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews