Review Group discussion

The review group is the most successful group for peer reviews on goodreads. It hosts non-reciprocal reading/review rounds of ten authors with a variety of themes and genres, as well as ‘general’ rounds where any book is permitted, from non-fiction, to horror. When a round has ‘now forming’ in the title, there are places available, you can sign up. If it doesn’t, it’s full – look for another round or check back another time.

The Amazon rules state that authors/publishers are not allowed to specifically supply published books in return for reviews on Amazon. To comply with this rule, we don’t insist members review on Amazon, but we do insist that every participant in the round has the capacity to leave a review on their local Amazon store, so we all start with the same options.

The founding principle of the group is honest, non-reciprocal reviews, so please help maintain the integrity of the group by letting me know as you sign up if you have been reviewed by, or have reviewed another author in the group and do check back as the group fills to report any clashes. Usually places are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

This is an '18+' round
Books that may contain explicit material. Including but by no means limited to horror and erotica. Books in other genres may be submitted. All authors must be comfortable with reading explicit material.


Now for the boring stuff, but please read it, it saves a lot of time if everyone is on the same wavelength.
Before signing up below with your Goodreads author and Goodreads book link in the thread below, please ensure that:

1. You have enough time to read and review 4 books within the 12 weeks of time allowed.

2. Your book is currently available for sale on Amazon (not pre-order) and it complies with the individual round theme, if there is one.

3. Your book is fit to be reviewed.
If it is not, due to editing or other issues, you risk poor reviews. This is your problem, not that of the reviewers or the groups. For a small fee, the group admin will look at the first few pages of your book to advise. The number one error new authors make is not having their book beta read and edited, by non-family members.

4. You can submit reviews to Goodreads and Amazon.
Amazon allows only those people who have spent $50 in the last year to leave reviews in each of their stores. If you are unsure about your Amazon reviewer status, try posting a ‘test’ review before signing up. If you are unable to post reviews on Amazon, please do not sign up.

5. You can provide (and accept) at least PDF files.
You are not expected or required to buy the books you are allocated to review, but as this will give a ‘Verified Purchase’ review on Amazon, it is welcomed when you choose to do so. Many authors have books available via KU and others might provide smashwords coupons. Most authors can provide mobi and/or epub files directly by email. Please note: International Copyright laws apply. You cannot sell, or give away material you have received without the author’s express permission.

6. You have completed your reading if you are currently in another review round in this group. You can be involved in the ‘one for one’ list whilst you are in a round.

7. You have an author profile set up before you join.

8. Your Goodreads profile allows people to message you, i.e. your profile is not set to private.

9. You declare any relationship you have with another member in the round.
Amazon will not allow reviews from the same household on the same book or if you are an editor, relative or close friend of another member.

10. You agree that your reviews will be unbiased and honest, whatever the star rating, and you will try to avoid ‘spoilers’. i.e. giving away the finale of a book.

11. You will not ask a fellow author to change a review of your book because you don’t agree with it.
If you think you have a legitimate concern, talk to the mod of your round, NOT the other author. Personal attacks, or pressurising other members WILL NOT BE TOLERATED and will result in you being blacklisted.

Please note:
We all want reviews, its why we joined the group. It is bad taste to expect other people to review your book and then not do the same for other people in the group. People that DNF and/or don’t post reviews will find it difficult to get into a subsequent group.

It is not necessary to leave any kind of disclaimer in your review, but ultimately, it is up to individuals. Reviews that state you received a copy ‘in return’ for a review will probably be removed/not allowed by amazon.com. ‘I received a free copy from the author without an obligation to review’ would be more acceptable if you feel the need to add a disclaimer.

Your Goodreads details and the rounds you participate in may be recorded by the admin mod on a database. We do not retain details of email addresses etc.

Allocation is entirely random and there will NOT be any rearranging of the listing to accommodate personal preference. The ONLY circumstance in which you may duck out of giving a review is if YOU provide a stand-in reviewer.

The only way this group can function is if we trust each other to behave honourably. And it IS perfectly possible to give a fair-minded review of a text that does not coincide with our normal choice of reading matter. If you need a few hints/tips, please see this thread:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I will do my best to fit everyone into the group they request, but occasionally, particularly in the case of our more prolific good standing members, I may have to decline a member request to fit the maximum number of people into a particular round. I will always endeavour to start another round as soon as possible with that member in mind.

It is permissible to review an author more than once if a different book is available.
If you need anything clarified please ask, either by goodreads personal message to me or on the thread below, before signing up. It’s a pain to have to keep rearranging the list because people haven’t read the above.

Your group moderator will be:
Trish Butler



Member Links
1. Kat Kinney
2. Norma Nikutowski
3. D.M. Wolfenden
4. Rebecca Winkler
5. Trish Butler
6. Marco Ocram
7. Khloe Summers
8. Elizabeth Johnson
9. Arriah Kiprujistho
10. Matt Gianni

Book Links
1. Dark: A Dark Paranormal Romance
2. Turn Your Happiness ON: How to Light up your Days and Fill your Life with Joy
3. A Sea of Monsters & Other Tales
4. Winter Garden
5. Ctrl+Alt+Deleted
6. The Awful Truth About The Sushing Prize
7. While They Watch A Billionaire Bucket List Novel
8. Hasina: My Great Escape
9. Wishing for a Parallel World
10. Lever Templar (Castellum One #1)

I'd like to join, please!

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

I actually have a new release coming out next week (a paranormal romance with steamy scenes.) If the round is still forming at that point, I will switch over to that book. Otherwise, if everyone is ready to start before my release date, I'll be in with "Dyrwolf." Thanks and looking forward to some great reads!

Hi,

I would like to add my new-release non-fiction book (written under a different pen name).

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Thanks.
Sam.

I have reviewed Sam before. 😊

This is a new book and under a different pen name so there should be no problem.

I would like to join again with
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
I have also read Sam before

Sam wrote: "This is a new book and under a different pen name so there should be no problem."

Hi Sam! My understanding is since I've reviewed you before, I need to review you again or have you in my blind spot so there won't be a reciprocal review situation, even if you're using multiple pen names. 😊

But it's no problem. I loved your book on swimming techniques. I'm sure I'll love this one, too!

Oh yeah. That's correct. You can review me but I can not review you.

Sorry, I was only looking at things from my point of view.. lol.

Welcome Kat, Sam and D.M.!

thanks :)

Hi, I'd like to join in
my book (Sci-Fi, 300 pages) Symphony Of Destruction
Ken Goudsward

Could my book please be switched out with this one (my new release):

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

Thanks! 😊

Welcome Ken!

Kat - swapped books for you :)

Hi Everyone,

I'd like to take a go at this. My novel is a surreal comedy that plays with the tropes of mainstream fiction. See

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

This is the first time I've taken part in a review group round, so please let me know if I've made any newbie mistakes.

Best wishes

Denis Shaughnessy (Marco Ocram is my incompetent alter-ego.)

Welcome Denis/Marco.

Hi! I would like to be added to this group for a review...hope I'm doing it right. :)

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Hi E.M., I'd like to join, please. I've reviewed Kat before (DYRWOLF) and can review DARK (but she can't review me). The 18+ for my book is for violence in both the medieval and contemporary timelines. - Thanks, Matt

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

Kat wrote: "Yay another person!!! (Kat crosses her fingers and hopes our wonderful little round will make it off the ground.)"

Me too Kat!

LOL

Trish

Trish wrote: "Kat wrote: "Yay another person!!! (Kat crosses her fingers and hopes our wonderful little round will make it off the ground.)"

Me too Kat!

LOL

Trish"

😊

Khloe wrote: "Hi! I would like to be added to this group for a review...hope I'm doing it right. :)

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

https://www.go..."


Perfect!

T

I've decided to throw my hat into the ring (ok book, not hat) providing E.M. can work around Matt for me as I've already read his book and he doesn't have another out (though I'd be very happy to read it if he did!)

My mystery Ctrl+Alt+Deleted is a year old, so let's go with that.

Trish Butler

Thanks E.M.

T

Matt wrote: "Hi E.M., I'd like to join, please. I've reviewed Kat before (DYRWOLF) and can review DARK (but she can't review me). The 18+ for my book is for violence in both the medieval and contemporary timeli..."

Your book isn't that violent Matt. I'm squeamish, I should know! LOL

A book doesn't have to be in the 18+ category for someone to join, just that they have to be prepared to read 18+ books. :D

Trish

Please add me to this reading/review round. I am able to review on Amazon.
D. M. Wolfenden has reviewed one of my books, but not WINTER GARDEN. It is a new release.
I have read/reviewed Trish Butler's Ctrl-Alt-Deleted

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
WINTER GARDEN
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

I have completed the submissions for Group Round #222

Rebecca wrote: "Please add me to this reading/review round. I am able to review on Amazon.
D. M. Wolfenden has reviewed one of my books, but not WINTER GARDEN. It is a new release.
I have read/reviewed Trish Butle..."

Hey Rebecca,

E.M. puts the rounds together, but I'll just butt in here again and say that you could review my latest book which is #5 of my Redway Acres series. It should stand alone but covers some of the previous books a bit because there are parts that affected Amelia and we get to know those.
So if you're willing to review that, that would be awesome. Because I already have a clash with Matt and he doesn't have a second book (yet - I hope) you and I can't avoid each other. :D

Here's the link so you know what you're letting yourself in for. It's a historical fiction saga and 18+, so you know what that means! LOL
Redway Acres: Amelia

T

Trish wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "Please add me to this reading/review round. I am able to review on Amazon.
D. M. Wolfenden has reviewed one of my books, but not WINTER GARDEN. It is a new release.
I have read/revi..."

I would love to read yours. Hopefully the list above will get updated soon. I'm anxious to see what I'll be reading. :)

Welcome Khloe, Matt, Trish and Rebecca!

I think I've managed to fit everyone is around stated clashes, if not, please let me know.

I forgot to say Ken left for another round.

E.M. wrote: "Welcome Khloe, Matt, Trish and Rebecca!

I think I've managed to fit everyone is around stated clashes, if not, please let me know.

I forgot to say Ken left for another round."

Thank you, E.M.

You are a miracle-worker!

T

Hi E.M., in addition to Kat Kinney, I've also reviewed for Rebecca Winkler before (SOPHIE LOST AND FOUND), so I can review WINTER GARDEN but she can't review my book. - Thanks, Matt

I'd like to join with my book, The Dawnvel Druids, if there's still a spot open.

Cheers.

I've read William before, but not this book!

William wrote: "I'd like to join with my book, The Dawnvel Druids, if there's still a spot open.

Cheers."

Hey, William,

You have to finish a round before you can join another AND you'd have to choose a different book for me to read as I've already read and reviewed that one.

I'm not sure if E.M. can move Kat because she would have to read you too. Let's see if you finish #223 before we worry about it, but there are always other rounds opening up all the time.

Thanks.

Trish

Trish wrote: "William wrote: "I'd like to join with my book, The Dawnvel Druids, if there's still a spot open.

Cheers."

Hey, William,

You have to finish a round before you can join another AND you'd have to ..."

I've reviewed William's THE DAWNVEL DRUIDS also.

Hi,
I would love to join.
What do i need to do? this is my first time :)
My book series is on KU , this is the 1st book in the series.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WYQVY38

Thank you,
A.R. Zane

Hey A.R.,

Post the Goodreads links to your book and author page, e.g., message 25 by Rebecca.

A.R. wrote: "Hi,
I would love to join.
What do i need to do? this is my first time :)
My book series is on KU , this is the 1st book in the series.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WYQVY38

Thank you,
A.R. Zane"

Hi A.R.

Make sure you read all the blurb at the beginning of this thread (post #1) and you agree to all the terms. Also, check out the list of those already signed up and see if you've read/reviewed any of the books listed before.

Then post another message with a link to your GR author page and the GR page of the book you want to be reviewed using the add book/author link just above the message box.

If you have reviewed any of the authors already signed up before mention that too (if this is your first time I know that's unlikely, but worth checking).

When she's next online, E.M. will add you to the group list on the first post and we wait for one more willing victim... I mean participant! LOL

Let me know if you have any problems doing any of that or any questions. You can either pop them on this thread or message me directly through my author page. Click on my name above this message to get to that.

I'm modding this round and participating.

Good luck

Trish

Oh okay, I can always switch the book to the Dawnvel Druid's sequel, which just came out, if that helps.

Here, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

Yes, I'll have the 223 round finished shortly too.

Thanks.

A.R. - as Sam and Trish said, please post the Goodreads book link, then I can add you.

William - soon as you have posted all four of your reviews to your previous round you can sign up here.

I'd like to join I have reviewed Trish but a different book. I have already reviewed Matt's book. I don't recognize any of the others.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
I'd like to join with this dystopia, over 18 mainly for bad language.

Laura wrote: "I'd like to join I have reviewed Trish but a different book. I have already reviewed Matt's book. I don't recognize any of the others."

Hey Laura,

As you and I have both read Matt's book and he does not have another we can review, I don't THINK we can both be in this round, but E.M. will confirm.

Sorry!

I'm sure there will be more rounds forming soon.

Trish

I'll abide by whatever EM decides.

I changed my mind about what book to enter. If allowed in, I'd like to submit The Dog Thief https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

So sorry Laura - as Matt has only the one book and the one 'blind spot' as you signed up latterly to the round, by the conventions of this Review Group - not my personal decision at all - I regret that you'll have to wait for another round.

E.M. wrote: "So sorry Laura - as Matt has only the one book and the one 'blind spot' as you signed up latterly to the round, by the conventions of this Review Group - not my personal decision at all - I regret ..." THat's okay! There will be other rounds Happy reading you all

Hi everyone, I've finished the other round and would love to join this one with my latest book here, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

Thank you.

William - please tell me all your clashes with others already in the group.

Oh yes, sorry. Kat, Matt, Sam and Trish have read me before, but not this book.

Hi E.M., Based on my clashes with Kat, Rebecca, Trish, William, and Laura, I could switch groups if that would be better for Group 227 - please let me know, otherwise I'll stick it out. - Thanks, Matt

Thanks for that William.

Sadly, looking at your clashes in concert with everyone else's already in the group, I can't see any way to fit you in.

Really sorry about that, but new groups will be opening soon so do keep checking back.

E.M. wrote: "Thanks for that William.

Sadly, looking at your clashes in concert with everyone else's already in the group, I can't see any way to fit you in.

Really sorry about that, but new groups will be o..."

Thanks for trying E.M.

T