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Hot Bed of Scandal #1
Exposed: Misbehaving with the Magnate
Forbidden desire
Seven years ago Gabrielle was the housekeeper's daughter, and Luc Duvalier, as the heir to a vast fortune, was forbidden! One hot kiss got Gaby banished, but she's returned home determined to face Luc as an equal - in every way!
Unleashed passion!
The heat between them is all-consuming, and they both know it is only a matter of time before they give in - despite the scandal this will cause. But this maverick magnate doesn't care - he aims to keep Gaby so busy that she never leaves again!
Seven years ago Gabrielle was the housekeeper's daughter, and Luc Duvalier, as the heir to a vast fortune, was forbidden! One hot kiss got Gaby banished, but she's returned home determined to face Luc as an equal - in every way!
Unleashed passion!
The heat between them is all-consuming, and they both know it is only a matter of time before they give in - despite the scandal this will cause. But this maverick magnate doesn't care - he aims to keep Gaby so busy that she never leaves again!
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 2009
26 people are currently reading
417 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Hunter
286 books422 followersAustralian born Kelly Hunter is a three time Romance Writers of America Rita finalist, a USA Today Bestselling author and loves writing to the demands of the short category romance form.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
January 7, 2015
There is a scene in this book (page 81 for me), where the characters discuss what look very much like title options for their story - ‘Comte’s convenient mistress’ and ‘billionaire’s preferred plaything.’ Luc points out that he is neither a comte or a billionaire, but that doesn’t seem to get in the way of other wrongness in titles, and I almost had a strange turn. I have a deep suspicion that Harlequin Presents are always being meta, and then when a book is so blatant about it I don’t know what I’m supposed to think. Was Kelly Hunter really having a gentle poke at HP titles and their wrongness, or should I just accept that Gabrielle is in the habit of coming up with a position description for each of her romantic affairs? Originally, was she the surfer’s innocent sweetheart?
She’s chatty about stuff like that, so I suppose it’s possible. After an absence of seven years one of the first things out of her mouth to Luc was an anecdote about the guy who took her virginity and how she hadn’t liked it all that much. Perhaps it was jet lag.
So seven years ago, Gabrielle was sixteen and living with her horrible mother who was housekeeper for a rich French family who make champagne. Gabrielle was super into Luc and one day she kissed him in the champagne cave (double entendre) and got exiled to Australia. When I skimmed the blurb without really paying much attention I thought that this was a sort-of version of the Audrey Hepburn movie ‘Sabrina,’ but with different countries and jobs and a longer exile. It’s not like ‘Sabrina’ at all which is fine, I made a mistake. Not that I’m desperately into ‘Sabrina’ either - it’s a good thing Audrey Hepburn can really wear clothes and Humphrey Bogart can transcend the wearing of clothes that remind me of my grandad, because if I sit down and think about the plot it doesn’t go well.
Gabrielle’s brother runs a vineyard in Australia with her, and she’s come back to France to sell Australian wine and maybe set up her own vineyard, and she’s doing that in the region she grew up. And she’s also come home because her best friend, Luc’s sister, mentioned that while her mother was sick her mother asked to see Gabrielle, and she thought there might be some chance of reconciliation. She is certainly not returning to get it on with Luc, or to have Luc help her with the wine business, or to buy wine property and maybe someday have a boozy wedding and a bunch of babies. Oh no, not at all.
Luc is almost within the acceptable age bracket to have kissed a sixteen year old without it being too terrible, and he’s good at his wine stuff and really very pretty. Since it’s all French people they are probably doing all their talking in French, and they all have sexy accents, there’s no one to draw attention to how awesomely French they are, which is a little disappointing. I think there is only one non-French character with a speaking role, and he was a King and therefore off in his own category of cool.
There’s these kind of juicy potential conflicts that don’t really go anywhere. Gabrielle had a more terrible childhood than Luc knew about with her horrible mother, but given that Gabrielle discusses this with the sister, and it stays in the ‘Luc doesn’t need to know this’ zone, it’s more in the ‘growth of Gabby’ space than the ‘Gabby and Luc getting it on’ space. The unresolved issues with the mother are presented as ‘here is this awful backstory, here’s a bit of why she was like that, all good now? Right, let’s move on.’ Gabrielle’s brother and Luc’s sister have their own book, and Luc and Gabrielle’s story is their setup, and the backstory is part of their setup too.
All the ‘we must be apart’ conflict is on Gabby – she isn’t high status enough for Luc, she doesn’t want to go into business with Luc, she won’t stay at his house or tell him about stuff. I’m not saying that it’s a bad thing, these are all sensible things to have conflict about, and maybe that’s the problem – this book is missing the crazy. Luc wants to go to bed with Gabby from almost the moment she shows up, and doesn’t seem to have a lot of reasons of his own to not get it on. So while Gabby’s put in a fairly massive effort of becoming a wine rich person so she can be worthy of him, Luc’s just hung around, run his business, and managed to not have a girl around when Gabby does show up. It’s all very nice, but a bit bland.
She’s chatty about stuff like that, so I suppose it’s possible. After an absence of seven years one of the first things out of her mouth to Luc was an anecdote about the guy who took her virginity and how she hadn’t liked it all that much. Perhaps it was jet lag.
So seven years ago, Gabrielle was sixteen and living with her horrible mother who was housekeeper for a rich French family who make champagne. Gabrielle was super into Luc and one day she kissed him in the champagne cave (double entendre) and got exiled to Australia. When I skimmed the blurb without really paying much attention I thought that this was a sort-of version of the Audrey Hepburn movie ‘Sabrina,’ but with different countries and jobs and a longer exile. It’s not like ‘Sabrina’ at all which is fine, I made a mistake. Not that I’m desperately into ‘Sabrina’ either - it’s a good thing Audrey Hepburn can really wear clothes and Humphrey Bogart can transcend the wearing of clothes that remind me of my grandad, because if I sit down and think about the plot it doesn’t go well.
Gabrielle’s brother runs a vineyard in Australia with her, and she’s come back to France to sell Australian wine and maybe set up her own vineyard, and she’s doing that in the region she grew up. And she’s also come home because her best friend, Luc’s sister, mentioned that while her mother was sick her mother asked to see Gabrielle, and she thought there might be some chance of reconciliation. She is certainly not returning to get it on with Luc, or to have Luc help her with the wine business, or to buy wine property and maybe someday have a boozy wedding and a bunch of babies. Oh no, not at all.
Luc is almost within the acceptable age bracket to have kissed a sixteen year old without it being too terrible, and he’s good at his wine stuff and really very pretty. Since it’s all French people they are probably doing all their talking in French, and they all have sexy accents, there’s no one to draw attention to how awesomely French they are, which is a little disappointing. I think there is only one non-French character with a speaking role, and he was a King and therefore off in his own category of cool.
There’s these kind of juicy potential conflicts that don’t really go anywhere. Gabrielle had a more terrible childhood than Luc knew about with her horrible mother, but given that Gabrielle discusses this with the sister, and it stays in the ‘Luc doesn’t need to know this’ zone, it’s more in the ‘growth of Gabby’ space than the ‘Gabby and Luc getting it on’ space. The unresolved issues with the mother are presented as ‘here is this awful backstory, here’s a bit of why she was like that, all good now? Right, let’s move on.’ Gabrielle’s brother and Luc’s sister have their own book, and Luc and Gabrielle’s story is their setup, and the backstory is part of their setup too.
All the ‘we must be apart’ conflict is on Gabby – she isn’t high status enough for Luc, she doesn’t want to go into business with Luc, she won’t stay at his house or tell him about stuff. I’m not saying that it’s a bad thing, these are all sensible things to have conflict about, and maybe that’s the problem – this book is missing the crazy. Luc wants to go to bed with Gabby from almost the moment she shows up, and doesn’t seem to have a lot of reasons of his own to not get it on. So while Gabby’s put in a fairly massive effort of becoming a wine rich person so she can be worthy of him, Luc’s just hung around, run his business, and managed to not have a girl around when Gabby does show up. It’s all very nice, but a bit bland.
September 24, 2011
Banished, Gabrielle never could forget the circumstances that destroyed her life. Sent to Australia, after bieng caught kissing Luc Duvalier the heir of Duvalier, Gabrielle needed to be put in her place as the daughter of the housekeeper to the estate. Seven years later she has returned, now a successful winery co-owner and wanting to return home and to Luc if she is lucky enough.
Luc has been waiting for Gabrielle, keeping his emotions for her to himself all those years and not wanting to force a relationship she may not want to have. Luc only knows he will never be complete unless he has her by his side.
Exciting story, I liked this one a lot. I wish it had addressed a little bit more about her mother, which is a horrific element of the story but all in all enjoyable.
Luc has been waiting for Gabrielle, keeping his emotions for her to himself all those years and not wanting to force a relationship she may not want to have. Luc only knows he will never be complete unless he has her by his side.
Exciting story, I liked this one a lot. I wish it had addressed a little bit more about her mother, which is a horrific element of the story but all in all enjoyable.
Read
July 17, 2011Wow. I love Kelly Hunter and am totally amazed that I couldn't get into this at all. I sort of flipped around and skimmed and at no point did I feel like I needed to keep reading it. I guess this is the one that proves the rule that even my favorite authors can write a dud. Or at least one that is a dud for me.
I'll just keep my fingers crossed for the next one.
I'll just keep my fingers crossed for the next one.
not-for-all-the-tea-in-china
March 7, 2022Teens rich boy and poor girl separated after they were caught kissing.
Second chance years later.
Both NOT celibate during separation.. enough for me to skedaddle from this book. 😬
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Second chance years later.
Both NOT celibate during separation.. enough for me to skedaddle from this book. 😬
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
July 26, 2022
This title I misleading. I like the premise but the story is dry and repetitive. Just kinda a mixed bag of a story. Skip.
October 16, 2011
This was actually a kind of disappointing read. The book started out amazingly, with the humor, the characters, the plot all falling perfectly into place. But somehow, as the book progressed, it just wasn't good as before.
Let's start right from the beginning shall we? Luc and Gabrielle were childhood friends. But when she was 16, they finally gave in to the attraction between them and kissed. Of course, they were caught and she was sent away. He didn't protest about it. Then, some years later, can't remember how many, she returns to visit her sick mum. Of course, they meet again. And this time, the sexual attraction between them can't be denied. To be honest, I loved the sexual attraction and tension between them and I really really wished they would have dragged it out. I think you can see where the story goes on from there!
So I completely loved the first quarter of the book. It made me really laugh out loud several times, like the rolling on the floor with laughter kind of thing. For example, there was the time when Luc kissed Gabrielle, and after that when they were kinda caught by his sister, the things he said was just soooooo cute!!!! I won't say it here, cos it just wouldn't be funny and it would just spoil things.
Another part that I remember laughing like crazy about was the part where both of them asked his sister advice on what to wear and how to behave for dinner. It was just funny. Honestly, no words can describe it. Or maybe its just me, but I found it sooo funny, I was literally kicking my legs in the air as I lay down and read the book:)
Ok let's get on with it. As I mentioned earlier, I didn't like the book towards the end. This started from the moment they began their affair. Don't ask me why, I just prefer them to have that sexual tension. And besides, I found that once they began their affair, the book just lost its plot. How would I put it? No more was it a book with an excellent plot and characters, it was just any normal book where I just could not enjoy the plot.
Oh, I didn't really enjoy it when they were having all those wine meetings and stuff. Maybe its because I don't understand a whit about all those wine things. Hence, I just couldn't appreciate it. Perhaps it could have been shorter!
However, I did like the auction. That really showed me Luc's love for Gabrielle. I liked it when Rafe asked Gabrielle the question. What question? Read it for yourselves:P
The characters were very likable, but mainly at the beginning. Towards the end, everything just fell apart (to me) and I just couldn't enjoy it. I also didn't like their 'argument' scene. It wasn't realistic and was honestly quite forced. I thought it was rather trivial a thing to be 'fighting' about.
All in all, I did enjoy this book, but I really disliked it when they began their affair. I think the only thing that saved this book was the amazing start and a good finish. It's a pity though. When I read the start, I really thought this could be one of the best books I have read in a long time. Then the middle came and I was let down again.
Well, I still do feel the book is worth a try, if only for the fact of the awesome beginning and the fact that Luc is just hot. :) What can I say? I like my heroes to be hot:)
Let's start right from the beginning shall we? Luc and Gabrielle were childhood friends. But when she was 16, they finally gave in to the attraction between them and kissed. Of course, they were caught and she was sent away. He didn't protest about it. Then, some years later, can't remember how many, she returns to visit her sick mum. Of course, they meet again. And this time, the sexual attraction between them can't be denied. To be honest, I loved the sexual attraction and tension between them and I really really wished they would have dragged it out. I think you can see where the story goes on from there!
So I completely loved the first quarter of the book. It made me really laugh out loud several times, like the rolling on the floor with laughter kind of thing. For example, there was the time when Luc kissed Gabrielle, and after that when they were kinda caught by his sister, the things he said was just soooooo cute!!!! I won't say it here, cos it just wouldn't be funny and it would just spoil things.
Another part that I remember laughing like crazy about was the part where both of them asked his sister advice on what to wear and how to behave for dinner. It was just funny. Honestly, no words can describe it. Or maybe its just me, but I found it sooo funny, I was literally kicking my legs in the air as I lay down and read the book:)
Ok let's get on with it. As I mentioned earlier, I didn't like the book towards the end. This started from the moment they began their affair. Don't ask me why, I just prefer them to have that sexual tension. And besides, I found that once they began their affair, the book just lost its plot. How would I put it? No more was it a book with an excellent plot and characters, it was just any normal book where I just could not enjoy the plot.
Oh, I didn't really enjoy it when they were having all those wine meetings and stuff. Maybe its because I don't understand a whit about all those wine things. Hence, I just couldn't appreciate it. Perhaps it could have been shorter!
However, I did like the auction. That really showed me Luc's love for Gabrielle. I liked it when Rafe asked Gabrielle the question. What question? Read it for yourselves:P
The characters were very likable, but mainly at the beginning. Towards the end, everything just fell apart (to me) and I just couldn't enjoy it. I also didn't like their 'argument' scene. It wasn't realistic and was honestly quite forced. I thought it was rather trivial a thing to be 'fighting' about.
All in all, I did enjoy this book, but I really disliked it when they began their affair. I think the only thing that saved this book was the amazing start and a good finish. It's a pity though. When I read the start, I really thought this could be one of the best books I have read in a long time. Then the middle came and I was let down again.
Well, I still do feel the book is worth a try, if only for the fact of the awesome beginning and the fact that Luc is just hot. :) What can I say? I like my heroes to be hot:)
October 14, 2010
I liked this one quite a bit, despite it being a Harlequin Presents. I DO like some of them. Heroine is the daughter of the housekeeper at an old French vineyard/winery, coming back now after exile to Australia when she was 16 because she got caught kissing the owner's son. Mom's very sick, so she's come to see her, even though there's not much of a relationship between them. The owner's son has taken over, now the owner's died, and the sparks between them are still there. Oh dear.
The hero and heroine are on much more of an equal footing in this book than in many Presents. There are many relationships to mend--between the heroine and her mom, between the heroine and the owner's daughter, who was the best friend back when, and of course between the heroine and the hero. There's wine making and auctions and other glitzy-setting elements, but at heart, it's just a nice romance in an exotic setting.
The hero and heroine are on much more of an equal footing in this book than in many Presents. There are many relationships to mend--between the heroine and her mom, between the heroine and the owner's daughter, who was the best friend back when, and of course between the heroine and the hero. There's wine making and auctions and other glitzy-setting elements, but at heart, it's just a nice romance in an exotic setting.
April 1, 2012
I enjoyed Kelly Hunter's take on this second-chance-at-romance story. Some angst and lots of crazy chemistry between the h/h made the relationship interesting, and I liked the unusual European vineyard setting.
I think this is being offered as a free read now (at Amazon, anyway) so would definitely recommend picking up!
I think this is being offered as a free read now (at Amazon, anyway) so would definitely recommend picking up!
February 19, 2015
This was fun! And contains a fraught parent-child relationship (well, fraught is underselling it, the mother was historically abusive) that is not solved with hugs. It also contains a childhood lovers reunited story which was kind of awesome.
dnf
May 17, 2011Wasn't in the mood, may try it another time.
December 10, 2021
Almost nothing happens. The H and h openly admit from almost page 1 that they have the hots for each other but have some imaginary barriers holding them back which takes up 80% of the remaining text. Random angst on behalf of the h still recovering from her inferiority complex. Random twist at the end about a secondary character. The H and h end up sleeping together on their first night out together so all the angst was actually pointless. The h's mom was evil and I had no emotion - neither pity nor hate - for her. The couple of love scenes were glossed over. The book didn't pull me in nor made me interested on how it works out for the h's brother - H's sister so won't be reading the sequel to this.
PS: The author lets us know in the first few pages that the MCs were not celibate while apart. The H openly declares it to the h.
PS: The author lets us know in the first few pages that the MCs were not celibate while apart. The H openly declares it to the h.
November 16, 2017
3.5*
Luc was a prince of a hero! Not a$$holey at all, how refreshing! Love the setting of wine chateau in Champagne. Gosh I did not expect the matter of class to be so serious!
What I didn't get was how could Josien their mother be so cruel, to Rafe I could get it, but Gabrielle? Or did she see so much of herself in Gabby she tried to beat down her spirit so that Gabby would not make the same mistake that broke her own heart?
My library does not have book two, and I really liked Simone and Rafe.
The friendship between the girls, and relationship between Luc and his sis was funny and adorable.
Love the part where both Gabby and Luc went to Simone for advice! I still am not sure if she was helping or sabotaging the couple LOL
Luc was a prince of a hero! Not a$$holey at all, how refreshing! Love the setting of wine chateau in Champagne. Gosh I did not expect the matter of class to be so serious!
What I didn't get was how could Josien their mother be so cruel, to Rafe I could get it, but Gabrielle? Or did she see so much of herself in Gabby she tried to beat down her spirit so that Gabby would not make the same mistake that broke her own heart?
My library does not have book two, and I really liked Simone and Rafe.
The friendship between the girls, and relationship between Luc and his sis was funny and adorable.
Love the part where both Gabby and Luc went to Simone for advice! I still am not sure if she was helping or sabotaging the couple LOL
May 12, 2017
Leído el 25/05/2012
UN SUEÑO PROHIBIDO
Protagonistas: Luc Duvalier y Gabrielle "Gaby" Alexander
Argumento:
Iba a tenerla tan ocupada que ya no se marcharía jamás
Siete años atrás, Gabrielle era la hija del ama de llaves y Luc Duvalier, heredero de una gran fortuna, era un sueño prohibido. Por culpa de un beso robado, Gaby fue desterrada de su hogar, pero había vuelto a casa decidida a mirar a Luc de igual a igual, de todas las formas posibles.
La química entre ellos era tan intensa, que ambos sabían que solo era cuestión de tiempo que sucumbieran a ella, sin importar las consecuencias y el escándalo...
UN SUEÑO PROHIBIDO
Protagonistas: Luc Duvalier y Gabrielle "Gaby" Alexander
Argumento:
Iba a tenerla tan ocupada que ya no se marcharía jamás
Siete años atrás, Gabrielle era la hija del ama de llaves y Luc Duvalier, heredero de una gran fortuna, era un sueño prohibido. Por culpa de un beso robado, Gaby fue desterrada de su hogar, pero había vuelto a casa decidida a mirar a Luc de igual a igual, de todas las formas posibles.
La química entre ellos era tan intensa, que ambos sabían que solo era cuestión de tiempo que sucumbieran a ella, sin importar las consecuencias y el escándalo...
June 7, 2018
Hunter does such a good job of taking Harlequin category tropes and making them feel realistic without getting rid of the overpowering emotional aspect.
July 18, 2018
The French parts were a tad atrocious, but the story is cute
July 20, 2020
I read this book as part of Aftershock/Aftershock/Exposed: Misbehaving with the Magnate. This book didn't hook me quite as fast as Aftershock did, but it did eventually pull me in and I was sad to see it end. After reading this book, I am definitely interested in hearing Rafe and Simone's story in Revealed: A Prince and a Pregnancy.
April 15, 2018
A nice story, with a slightly corny ending
December 8, 2011
This was free on kindle and I usually understand that 'you get what you pay for' but this was a fun read with no noticeable grammar or typographic errors. There was a dash of French (I did find an error, but that is just my nit-picky nature coming out) and a heavy dose of romance. I really think it is sweet that Lucien sends his childhood playmate away once he understands that he can't control his sexual urges because she is only 16. I believe that age of consent in France is 16 so he would be within legal bounds to have consensual activities, but as he was 22 at the time, it would have been frowned upon. Perhaps this is the moment I should remind myself that this is a romance novel and not a law text on the Napoleonic code.
2 and a half stars
2 and a half stars
December 3, 2011
I don't know why I downloaded this novella. Yep, I'll call it novella due to it's.. shortness. LOL
So, I have no idea why. Probably because it was free and I had some time to kill.
It was an actually good read, considering the length. It was entertaining, the characters were likeable enough and hell, it was for free.
If you have an hour or two free, maybe check it out.
Be warned that it wasn't a great story, though. It was pretty average, although compared to other novels like it, slightly better, I think.
I hope I'll read something else by Kelly Hunter, preferably UF or PNR. But I suppose she's a Contemporary Romance author?
So, I have no idea why. Probably because it was free and I had some time to kill.
It was an actually good read, considering the length. It was entertaining, the characters were likeable enough and hell, it was for free.
If you have an hour or two free, maybe check it out.
Be warned that it wasn't a great story, though. It was pretty average, although compared to other novels like it, slightly better, I think.
I hope I'll read something else by Kelly Hunter, preferably UF or PNR. But I suppose she's a Contemporary Romance author?
February 28, 2013
2.75 stars. Rounding down, because it's not a great stand-alone book. It improves upon re-readings, after you've read Revealed: A Prince and a Pregnancy.
Very dark first book of a two-parter. I didn't really follow or enjoy it the first time through. I suggest that you have both books on hand before you begin.
This was my first Kelly Hunter.
Both book titles are AWFUL ! Blech!
Very dark first book of a two-parter. I didn't really follow or enjoy it the first time through. I suggest that you have both books on hand before you begin.
This was my first Kelly Hunter.
Both book titles are AWFUL ! Blech!
May 19, 2012
It wasn't bad, but it felt like the book didn't know what it wanted to be - angsty or light or uplifting or what. It didn't totally work for me on any of those levels, though it was a quick read and not torturous. But the last name of the hero - Duvalier - just reminded me of Papa Doc, which was not cool.
April 11, 2012
A bit of fluff during a very, very long book!
This was ok, but not brilliant. Mind you I wasn't expecting brilliant. It's well written, the descriptions of place and situ are good. The story is ok but it left me with questions and for a fluff book, I don't want questions, I just want plain fluff.
This was ok, but not brilliant. Mind you I wasn't expecting brilliant. It's well written, the descriptions of place and situ are good. The story is ok but it left me with questions and for a fluff book, I don't want questions, I just want plain fluff.
November 14, 2010
Delicious tension, dark pasts, and irresistible passion. What really made this book for me is the honest, touching portrayal of Gabrielle's family estrangement, and how family difficulties have made her a strong woman today.
May 9, 2011
I loved this book. It was funny, sweet, sexy and I had a hard time putting it down. While all of the characters were engaging, I found myself falling in love with Simone as a supporting character and I can't wait to get the sequel so I can read her story.
May 29, 2012
What an unexpected and delightful surprise!
I downloaded this as a Kindle freebie last year and finally got around to reading it.
I was hooked instantly and was loathe to put it down. The characters came to life for me and I thoroughly enjoyed their journey and their Happy Ever After.
I downloaded this as a Kindle freebie last year and finally got around to reading it.
I was hooked instantly and was loathe to put it down. The characters came to life for me and I thoroughly enjoyed their journey and their Happy Ever After.
September 2, 2013
i need to really grow out of mnb romance, i realize it now!! this book was a complete waste of time. a smart lady falling in love with a tycoon. lot of family drama. ugly romance scenes topped with grammar errors. i seriously need a break. shall get back to Indian writers i guess.
January 2, 2012
Could't finish.
August 27, 2011
i enjoyed the book, but still could never quite figure out why the heroine's mother was so horrible to her children all their lives, till the very end of the book.
August 27, 2011
Good novella - a lot of tension, passion, and story at a good pace and just enough character development. The ending was a bit lighter than I would've liked.
August 24, 2012
I found this one quite refreshing...something to read a book with some great dialogue (and not standard as per the genre), the characters were flawed and believable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews