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It Girl #9
Devious: An It Girl Novel
Jenny Humphrey could have lost everything she'd worked so hard for when the reality show her adoring freshman fans were filming backfired on her in the most publicly humiliating way...but it meant she found out who her friends were - maybe Waverly is big enough for four IT girls?
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2009
37 people are currently reading
2564 people want to read
About the author
Cecily von Ziegesar
105 books2,969 followersCecily von Ziegesar is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Gossip Girl novels, upon which the hit television show is based.
Cecily von Ziegesar was born in New York City. Her childhood dream was to grow up to be a ballerina; she began lessons at age 3 and auditioned for the School of American Ballet at age 8, but was rejected.
As a teenager, von Ziegesar commuted to Manhattan at 6 a.m. to attend the Nightingale-Bamford School. After graduating from Nightingale, von Ziegesar attended Colby College before spending a year in Budapest working for a local radio station.
Von Ziegesar returned to the United States to study creative writing at the University of Arizona, but dropped out shortly thereafter.
Back in New York, while working at book-packaging firm Alloy Entertainment, von Ziegesar became inspired to create the Gossip Girl series, which follows the lives of privileged teenagers in New York. The series climbed to the top of The New York Times best-sellers list in 2002. A spin-off series, The It Girl, made the list in 2005.
The Constance Billard School for Girls in Gossip Girl is based upon an exaggerated version of von Ziegesar's alma mater, Nightingale. She also culled events from the book from the lives of her extremely wealthy friends, as well as her own life as a perpetual gossip.
She lives in Brooklyn, New York with her family.
Cecily von Ziegesar was born in New York City. Her childhood dream was to grow up to be a ballerina; she began lessons at age 3 and auditioned for the School of American Ballet at age 8, but was rejected.
As a teenager, von Ziegesar commuted to Manhattan at 6 a.m. to attend the Nightingale-Bamford School. After graduating from Nightingale, von Ziegesar attended Colby College before spending a year in Budapest working for a local radio station.
Von Ziegesar returned to the United States to study creative writing at the University of Arizona, but dropped out shortly thereafter.
Back in New York, while working at book-packaging firm Alloy Entertainment, von Ziegesar became inspired to create the Gossip Girl series, which follows the lives of privileged teenagers in New York. The series climbed to the top of The New York Times best-sellers list in 2002. A spin-off series, The It Girl, made the list in 2005.
The Constance Billard School for Girls in Gossip Girl is based upon an exaggerated version of von Ziegesar's alma mater, Nightingale. She also culled events from the book from the lives of her extremely wealthy friends, as well as her own life as a perpetual gossip.
She lives in Brooklyn, New York with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
December 20, 2009
Okay so I love this series, and I can't believe Classic is going to be the last :0(
The idea of the new dean is a little Private series, but I liked it. I really like Jenny with the dean's son super cute. I don't know where that will take us but with the most recent Gossip Girl book my thought is not fair.
I DO NOT like the dean's daughter. I don't know who she thinks she is.
I like Sebastian and Brett together, and hope they work out til the end of the series. I'm so glad she is straight now, makes her character more interesting.
Callie is going to have a lot to get through in the next book and all with old flames being back. Poor Brandon always gets screwed :0( I would like to see him with a good local girl, kinda like Jenny but not here cause I like her with deans son.
Tinsley and Julian are cute together, I think she made a mistake in this book. But hopefully it's not to late. I feel she got screwed in this book just as much as Brandon did. I really like her a lot too. There is not one character in this series I don't like. So I am super sad to see it end.
Excited to see how the series ends!
The idea of the new dean is a little Private series, but I liked it. I really like Jenny with the dean's son super cute. I don't know where that will take us but with the most recent Gossip Girl book my thought is not fair.
I DO NOT like the dean's daughter. I don't know who she thinks she is.
I like Sebastian and Brett together, and hope they work out til the end of the series. I'm so glad she is straight now, makes her character more interesting.
Callie is going to have a lot to get through in the next book and all with old flames being back. Poor Brandon always gets screwed :0( I would like to see him with a good local girl, kinda like Jenny but not here cause I like her with deans son.
Tinsley and Julian are cute together, I think she made a mistake in this book. But hopefully it's not to late. I feel she got screwed in this book just as much as Brandon did. I really like her a lot too. There is not one character in this series I don't like. So I am super sad to see it end.
Excited to see how the series ends!
December 15, 2009
It breaks my heart that they're ending this series with the next book, because after a couple of disappointing entries (particularly the extremely tedious Thanksgiving in Infamous), the ghostwriters really hit their stride with this one. I'll admit, the occasional lapses in editing annoyed me -- at the end of the last book, a new teacher was replacing a retiring one, and at the beginning of this one, they've stolen the plot of the most recent Private books and suddenly it's a new dean (except since it's a boarding school, shouldn't it be a headmaster?). Also people's eyes occasionally change color, since apparently it's hard to keep track of the ridiculously disproportionate number of Waverly students who have green eyes.
Never the less, Devious really gets it right -- all of the concurrent plots are interesting, and (aside from the aforementioned new dean) actually pretty reasonable. I think part of it is that each of the main characters is somewhat in her own orbit in this book, so we don't get a lot of interaction between them. Normally, all the mean-girl infighting is what I like best, but I think in this case leaving a lot of it out makes it feel a bit more fresh instead of it being the same-old same-old. Brett actually probably has the weakest plot in this book (even though I usually like her quite a bit), and that's mostly because hers feels the most recycled. Callie is way less annoying then she's been in the last few books though, and even everyone inexplicably falling in love with Jenny is less annoying than usual.
Maybe I'm just getting sentimental and sad because they're closing out all my favorites... nah, I think they really did kick it up a notch for this one.
Never the less, Devious really gets it right -- all of the concurrent plots are interesting, and (aside from the aforementioned new dean) actually pretty reasonable. I think part of it is that each of the main characters is somewhat in her own orbit in this book, so we don't get a lot of interaction between them. Normally, all the mean-girl infighting is what I like best, but I think in this case leaving a lot of it out makes it feel a bit more fresh instead of it being the same-old same-old. Brett actually probably has the weakest plot in this book (even though I usually like her quite a bit), and that's mostly because hers feels the most recycled. Callie is way less annoying then she's been in the last few books though, and even everyone inexplicably falling in love with Jenny is less annoying than usual.
Maybe I'm just getting sentimental and sad because they're closing out all my favorites... nah, I think they really did kick it up a notch for this one.
October 15, 2017
Probably would give this a 3.5/5! Definitely an improvement from the last few books, still ridiculous plot lines though!
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September 22, 2024can these fucking kids throw ONE (1) party without causing some kind of property damage
December 30, 2025
Continuity problems
December 9, 2024
Full review here
November 4, 2010
Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com
The students at Waverly have returned to campus after Christmas break. It's the start of what is known as "Jan Plan." The students get a month to work on group or individual projects. There are no other classes to worry about, so it will pretty much be a month-long party.
When the students report to the Chapel for their welcome back speech, they are stunned to find that Dean Marymount is gone. In his place is a young and apparently hip Dean Dresden. What's more, the Dean has brought his two gorgeous teenagers, Isaac and Isla, with him.
As you can imagine, there will be all sorts of hijinks going on at Waverly. Jenny encounters Isaac when she tries to convince the new dean to allow her to work on her art project alone. There's been a policy that sophomores have to work in groups, but Jenny's idea is a solo one. Tinsley teams up with Isla for a crazy photography project. And Callie finds herself unexpectedly working with her old boyfriend, the needy Brandon, on, of all things, a psychology love experiment.
Some of the people aren't what they seem, and as a raucous party at the Dean's house grows out of control, true colors will be shown.
DEVIOUS was definitely a more lighthearted piece of the IT GIRL puzzle. Without classes thrown into the mix, the students of Waverly can cause more havoc and get into way deeper trouble. I probably enjoyed this one even more because it was really different from the other books in the series.
Reading any of the IT GIRL novels is as sinful as sitting down and watching "Gossip Girl" or "90210," only better....the book lasts longer.
The students at Waverly have returned to campus after Christmas break. It's the start of what is known as "Jan Plan." The students get a month to work on group or individual projects. There are no other classes to worry about, so it will pretty much be a month-long party.
When the students report to the Chapel for their welcome back speech, they are stunned to find that Dean Marymount is gone. In his place is a young and apparently hip Dean Dresden. What's more, the Dean has brought his two gorgeous teenagers, Isaac and Isla, with him.
As you can imagine, there will be all sorts of hijinks going on at Waverly. Jenny encounters Isaac when she tries to convince the new dean to allow her to work on her art project alone. There's been a policy that sophomores have to work in groups, but Jenny's idea is a solo one. Tinsley teams up with Isla for a crazy photography project. And Callie finds herself unexpectedly working with her old boyfriend, the needy Brandon, on, of all things, a psychology love experiment.
Some of the people aren't what they seem, and as a raucous party at the Dean's house grows out of control, true colors will be shown.
DEVIOUS was definitely a more lighthearted piece of the IT GIRL puzzle. Without classes thrown into the mix, the students of Waverly can cause more havoc and get into way deeper trouble. I probably enjoyed this one even more because it was really different from the other books in the series.
Reading any of the IT GIRL novels is as sinful as sitting down and watching "Gossip Girl" or "90210," only better....the book lasts longer.
April 13, 2010
Devious
Poppy is an imprint of Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Cecily von Readers
$9.99 Pages.230
ISBN: 9780316073943
Just because you solved everything it doesn't mean that you've solve everything. Devious is the ninth book of the It Girl series. Cecily von Ziegesar wrote many other novels such as the Gossip Girls series. In Devious, many rumors and dramas are flying around Waverly Academy Boarding School, between four protagonists. The Bestselling novel, is also about the lifestyles of high school students and the love life.
In the previous novel of Devious, Brett decided to spill out her feelings of Sebastian to Sebastian. Now in Devious, Brett entrust her heart to Sebastian. But throughout the book, Brett starts to loose his trust as the pages flip by one by one. On the other hand, Jenny Humphrey life was infected by a new student in the Waverly Academy Boarding School. In the very beginning of the It Girl series, Callie was dating Brandon, until Easy Walsh came and stole her heart. But throughout the series, things were going like a roller coaster between Easy and Callie and things doesn't work right. In Devious Brandon gave a chance to Callie, to start a relationship with her again. But later in the novel, Easy Walsh came out of the military school and Callie wants him back. But what will she do to Brandon?
Devious isn't the last novel of the It Girl series. There is still one more novel left to finish up the series. So be ready to seek out for the latest novel of the It Girl series.
Poppy is an imprint of Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Cecily von Readers
$9.99 Pages.230
ISBN: 9780316073943
Just because you solved everything it doesn't mean that you've solve everything. Devious is the ninth book of the It Girl series. Cecily von Ziegesar wrote many other novels such as the Gossip Girls series. In Devious, many rumors and dramas are flying around Waverly Academy Boarding School, between four protagonists. The Bestselling novel, is also about the lifestyles of high school students and the love life.
In the previous novel of Devious, Brett decided to spill out her feelings of Sebastian to Sebastian. Now in Devious, Brett entrust her heart to Sebastian. But throughout the book, Brett starts to loose his trust as the pages flip by one by one. On the other hand, Jenny Humphrey life was infected by a new student in the Waverly Academy Boarding School. In the very beginning of the It Girl series, Callie was dating Brandon, until Easy Walsh came and stole her heart. But throughout the series, things were going like a roller coaster between Easy and Callie and things doesn't work right. In Devious Brandon gave a chance to Callie, to start a relationship with her again. But later in the novel, Easy Walsh came out of the military school and Callie wants him back. But what will she do to Brandon?
Devious isn't the last novel of the It Girl series. There is still one more novel left to finish up the series. So be ready to seek out for the latest novel of the It Girl series.
April 4, 2023
Rereading my favorite series from middle/high school for the guilty pleasure nostalgia.
Things I loved about this book: Jan Plan (literally the cutest boarding school idea I've ever heard, well second cutest after Secret Satan), HEATH, Seb/Brett, Callie only wanting what she can't have, and (I can't believe I'm actually saying this but) the return of you know who at the end. Things I hated: Isaac and Isla. Not only are we introducing new characters too late in the series, but Isaac is lame for being into boring ass Jenny, and Isla because, well, you know why.
I'm really not looking forward to the final book, mostly because this series feels like it's ending way too quickly and should've been way longer, but also because I've never been a fan of cheesy wrap up endings to series. I had such a great time rereading this series though, and especially being able to read each book in only a few hours. What a quick, trashy, fun time! I feel like this series has gotten me out of a little bit of a reading slump, howeverrr, it has made me only want to keep rereading books from my middle/high school years instead of tackling my unread TBR, oops.
Things I loved about this book: Jan Plan (literally the cutest boarding school idea I've ever heard, well second cutest after Secret Satan), HEATH, Seb/Brett, Callie only wanting what she can't have, and (I can't believe I'm actually saying this but) the return of you know who at the end. Things I hated: Isaac and Isla. Not only are we introducing new characters too late in the series, but Isaac is lame for being into boring ass Jenny, and Isla because, well, you know why.
I'm really not looking forward to the final book, mostly because this series feels like it's ending way too quickly and should've been way longer, but also because I've never been a fan of cheesy wrap up endings to series. I had such a great time rereading this series though, and especially being able to read each book in only a few hours. What a quick, trashy, fun time! I feel like this series has gotten me out of a little bit of a reading slump, howeverrr, it has made me only want to keep rereading books from my middle/high school years instead of tackling my unread TBR, oops.
January 6, 2012
After taking a break from books like this for quite awhile, this was a surprisingly enjoyable read. Generally fluffy and the drama had little bite but I still found myself interested in the outcomes of all their romantic foibles.
I was pretty happy to see Brett and Sebastian manage to stay together for the course of the whole book. I like Sebastian and think he's good for Brett so it's nice to see them actually trying to make things work. I'm also interested in finding out more about Isaac though - he seems like a good guy. And on that note, it was disappointing seeing them retread the whole Brandon-Callie-Easy triangle again. I hope that in the end, Callie ends up alone, tbh. She really needs to realize that it isn't the worst thing in the world to not have a guy in your life (and she needs to learn how to appreciate a guy as awesome as Brandon (although the whole cheating on Hellie with Callie in this book definitely caused him to lose points with me).
Light and fun.
I was pretty happy to see Brett and Sebastian manage to stay together for the course of the whole book. I like Sebastian and think he's good for Brett so it's nice to see them actually trying to make things work. I'm also interested in finding out more about Isaac though - he seems like a good guy. And on that note, it was disappointing seeing them retread the whole Brandon-Callie-Easy triangle again. I hope that in the end, Callie ends up alone, tbh. She really needs to realize that it isn't the worst thing in the world to not have a guy in your life (and she needs to learn how to appreciate a guy as awesome as Brandon (although the whole cheating on Hellie with Callie in this book definitely caused him to lose points with me).
Light and fun.
April 26, 2010
It breaks my heart to know I've only got one more It Girl novel to go, but at least they're still infinitely more entertaining than most of the other series out there.
Jenny continues to be so much better here than she is in either the TV show or the original book series. She does the right thing because it's what she should do (and also because not getting in trouble for helping throw a party at the new Dean's house is getting her into trouble with her classmates). Tinsley gets tricked by someone who is far more similar to old!Tinsley, but you still buy it because I'm betting T is getting bored/lonely with Brett and Callie off doing their own things. Which is a big part of why I liked T's storyline more than Brett's or Callie's.
I really do Isla gets what's coming to her in the next book, though. In a big, big way.
Jenny continues to be so much better here than she is in either the TV show or the original book series. She does the right thing because it's what she should do (and also because not getting in trouble for helping throw a party at the new Dean's house is getting her into trouble with her classmates). Tinsley gets tricked by someone who is far more similar to old!Tinsley, but you still buy it because I'm betting T is getting bored/lonely with Brett and Callie off doing their own things. Which is a big part of why I liked T's storyline more than Brett's or Callie's.
I really do Isla gets what's coming to her in the next book, though. In a big, big way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2010
In the previous book, Adored, Brett's finally with Sebastian and Tinsley's back with Julian.
In Devious, drama strikes back. Callie feels like she's into Brandon again. Tinsley doesn't want she & Julian to be sweatpants couple. And so God sends her Isla, the daughter of the new dean, who's just like the old her, an attention seeker. Jenny get the dean's son, Isaac to like her. And he will not let anything bad to happen to her. Even if it's unfair. Brett's really jealous of Sebastian's ex-girlfriends and got jealous over something she just imagined.
Poor Tinsley & Brandon, when they think they're doing the right, it seems to be not right.
Devious is quite good. One of the most interesting It Girl books, perhaps.
The Jan Plan was totally fabulous! And the ending was... WOW! Easy coming back?
Seriously?
In Devious, drama strikes back. Callie feels like she's into Brandon again. Tinsley doesn't want she & Julian to be sweatpants couple. And so God sends her Isla, the daughter of the new dean, who's just like the old her, an attention seeker. Jenny get the dean's son, Isaac to like her. And he will not let anything bad to happen to her. Even if it's unfair. Brett's really jealous of Sebastian's ex-girlfriends and got jealous over something she just imagined.
Poor Tinsley & Brandon, when they think they're doing the right, it seems to be not right.
Devious is quite good. One of the most interesting It Girl books, perhaps.
The Jan Plan was totally fabulous! And the ending was... WOW! Easy coming back?
Seriously?
January 3, 2010
Devious was an excellent book. It was another book in the series The It Girl and it had so much drama. One of the main characters, Easy, is expelled from the boarding school (where it takes place) in an earlier book, and then comes back in this one! People fall through windows, new friendships are introduced as well as many new characters. Cecily Von Ziegesar truly has a talent for coming up with such a complex, creative plot. Some old characters really re-connect and become friends again, or enimies. I read this book in two days, non-stop reading.
This book is good for anyone who loves drama or glamour. I'm really excited for the next one in this series.
This book is good for anyone who loves drama or glamour. I'm really excited for the next one in this series.
January 1, 2012
The user Jacklyn had commented on my review on Adored and told me that I'd love Devious, it would reinforce my good sentiments about the it girl novels. And she was right - I really liked it. And there's only one reason that comes to my mind for this:
EASY! HE RETURNED!
It's so sad to know that after 1 book this series will be over. I want to read more about Easy, i'm a huge fan when it comes to him, I'd just read a million books about him - just so dreamy *here i smile goofily..yeah i loove him*
EASY! HE RETURNED!
It's so sad to know that after 1 book this series will be over. I want to read more about Easy, i'm a huge fan when it comes to him, I'd just read a million books about him - just so dreamy *here i smile goofily..yeah i loove him*
April 16, 2011
Me being fairly stupid had no idea that this was a series and picked this up form the library thinking it was just a one time story.
If you didn't know, I hate reading books in a series in the wrond order other than like, Geronimo Stilton.
Lemme jusy really quickly summarize the book.
Boys and girls. Flirting. Problems. Sneaking around. Party. Break up. Betrayals. Trouble. Hero comes. Hook ups. Cliff hanger.
:) Reading this book randomly just made me not want to read the series at all. SO I'm probably gonna take the series out of my to-read pile.
And yeah...
If you didn't know, I hate reading books in a series in the wrond order other than like, Geronimo Stilton.
Lemme jusy really quickly summarize the book.
Boys and girls. Flirting. Problems. Sneaking around. Party. Break up. Betrayals. Trouble. Hero comes. Hook ups. Cliff hanger.
:) Reading this book randomly just made me not want to read the series at all. SO I'm probably gonna take the series out of my to-read pile.
And yeah...
March 6, 2010
of course nothing profound, education and/or life-changing in this book... but it was definitely a really fun, quick read/distraction.
This was definitely my favorite of the 'it girl' series, to date.
I usually give this type of book only 3 stars... but I have to say I really did enjoy this one... and after ready a few 'deeper' books lately, this was really a nice little enjoyable side-track, so I went with four, for now. :^)
This was definitely my favorite of the 'it girl' series, to date.
I usually give this type of book only 3 stars... but I have to say I really did enjoy this one... and after ready a few 'deeper' books lately, this was really a nice little enjoyable side-track, so I went with four, for now. :^)
January 21, 2010
Well written, though I only connected with one of the characters. The others I found shallow, reckless, and foolish. While it is well written there were a few too many who cares details in it for my taste. Example, I really don't care if one of the girls slathers low fat cream cheese on an onion bagel -- and what's with all the designer label dropping? A sweater, is a sweater, is a sweater, whether its from the Gap, Nordstroms, or some JCPenny.
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November 13, 2009in the book a new girl name Isla comes to waverly and she befriends with Tinsley but in the end she actually blamed Tinsley for making her get hurt, and her brother(i forgot his name:( is really intrested in Jenny and so is Jenny, every girl is jealous of Jenny cause he like her:) In the end Easy comes back and Callie wants him back but looks like Isla has a crush on his_))
November 18, 2009
For some reason, reading this series -- especially the fall/winter stories -- always feels like settling in with a nice, comfy blanket wrapped around me. Far superior to its parent series Gossip Girl, the It Girl books are vibrant with a warm and lively cast of lovable characters. With the return of Easy and the accompanying ramifications, Devious was no exception!
December 1, 2009
People actually do talk to each other about their issues in this one, and a couple new characters are introduced, and we make it halfway-ish through January, so hey! progress, of a sort.
Incidentally, if you ever wanted an example of something that completely does not pass the Bechdel Test, this would be a canonical example thereof.
Incidentally, if you ever wanted an example of something that completely does not pass the Bechdel Test, this would be a canonical example thereof.
January 26, 2010
Hello boys and girls and welcome to anothe book about our new favorite place that isn't Manhatten, New York but a place called New Jersey with it's exclustive boarding school. Where owls like to play at night and have fun. Two new owls have joined to crowded nest called Waverly. I hope you had as much as a good time as me because the best is to come.
January 19, 2014
LOts more dirt and drama from my favorite Guilty pleasure series! I can't help but like Isla and Issaac and can't wait to see what they pull next. Pissed me off about Callie though, of course she wants brandon the minute he tries to be happy and then drops him at the thought of Easy. I think Brandon and Jenny are meant for each other anyway. I have to admit, Heath Vs Wild was hilarious!
July 11, 2017
It was okay, not one of my favorites but an easy flick to read. This is the 9th out of 10 books and the first out of the series that I have read. Though you don't need to read the whole serie to understand it. Sometimes I did get confused with the names because some names could be a girl or a boy and I was like; "What are you?"
March 31, 2014
I think throughout this series, the author continues to create events that surprise you even more each time, and she really has a thing for plot twists, which I love! I think that without plot twists, the reader starts getting bored because its just that persons life you know? The plot twists are needed in order to keep me interested.
February 29, 2016
It has been a while since I read the other books, so I was pleasantly surprised that I was dragged into the story almost instantly. It is such an interesting universe, and even though I am older than the main characters, I feel like I can relate to them based on my younger self. Fun and entertaing Reading!
January 27, 2010
I don't know what it is about these books, but I love them for a quick, fluffy read. The only annoying thing to me about them is the gratuitious dropping of brand names.
THis one seems to have a little more depth than the others in the series and it left me wanting more. Can't wait for #10.
THis one seems to have a little more depth than the others in the series and it left me wanting more. Can't wait for #10.
February 16, 2010
The new girl is a pain. She makes Tinsley a good girl. I love Tinsley here but Callie and Brandon's relationship would have worked if Easy didn't show up...
I really really hope Callie and Brandon get to have a good relationship. Why can't Callie give Brandon a chance?
I really really hope Callie and Brandon get to have a good relationship. Why can't Callie give Brandon a chance?
May 14, 2010
I normally can guess what is going to happen (though it doesn't make the series boring) but I was pretty much shell shocked in this one! I seriously can't believe Easy, and the dean, and his kids, and everything! When will June come?
November 17, 2011
Perfect hangover cure for a rainy Wednesday afternoon. Yes, a hangover on a Wednesday, but the Tea Party last night was SO AMAZING and worth it! And besides, isn't it always a good excuse to curl up with a big mug of tea and a good book?
July 8, 2015
I really liked this book!! Jenny is really growing up for me since on The It Girl. Now she's fearless, fun and easygoing. I'm really sad that Classic is the last book in the series and that I won't be able to hear about my favourite couple, Brett and Sebastian. :):)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews