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 a Clean round
Fiction and non-fiction, adult and children's books are acceptable.
No explicit violence or explicit sexual situations. If you have to wonder if an aspect of your book could be considered offensive, this is probably not the group for you!

Please note it is always possible that the books you are assigned may contain material you find upsetting or offensive. If you can't commit to this, please do not sign up.

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. Please note the Review Group will back any reviewer's right to express their opinion about a book, but personal comments about a fellow author are against both Review Group and Goodreads policy.

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, it’s 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:
Chrys Cymri

Member Links
1. Cat Green
2. S.D. Brown
3. Jenny Graves
4. Kris Ruhler
5. Audrey Rich
6. Jojo Debrazza
7. Whittney Corum
8. Ann Birdgenaw
9. Angela Panayotopulos
10. Mary E. Hughes

Book Links
1. Silenced in Salem
2. I Escaped The Gold Rush Fever: A California Gold Rush Survival Story
3. Naturally Supporting Cancer Treatment
4. Strands of Time
5. Where's There Smoke There's Fire: A Short Story
6. Cast Out
7. Mix Blood 2nd edition
8. Black Hole Radio - Bilaluna
9. I Love You, Grandma and Grandpa!
10. Imagine Violet Blooming

I'd like to join with my new middle grade book- I Escaped the Gold Rush Fever
It's co-authored with Scott Peters.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

Hi EM,
My first time going through the rounds. Can I submit my YA book:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

I can only post amazon reviews on amazon.ca Please advise. Thanks

I'd like to submit "Imagine Violet Blooming" the third book of the Violet Trilogy. Imagine Violet Blooming

Hi, E.M. I would like to submit my book, 'Naturally Supporting Cancer Treatment', please.

Kris wrote: "Hi EM,
My first time going through the rounds. Can I submit my YA book:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

I can only post amazon reviews on amazon.ca Please advise. Th..."

It is absolutely fine for you to post reviews to your local Zon store - we are all in such a place and you will find reviews for your book from these rounds may pop up all over the world too :)

However I can't add you to the round until you have set your messaging status to allow people to communicate with you.

In order to participate in this round, your setting for 'Who Can Send Me Private Messages' needs to be 'anyone'.

Please follow this link to check - and if necessary change - your privacy setting.

https://www.goodreads.com/user/edit?t...

Welcome S.D., Mary and Jenny - please be sure to check back frequently to spot any clashes as they might appear. Thanks.

E.M. wrote: "Kris wrote: "Hi EM,
My first time going through the rounds. Can I submit my YA book:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

I can only post amazon reviews on amazon.ca Plea..."
I have changed my private message settings.

Hi! I'd love to join with my children's picturebook, I LOVE YOU, GRANDMA & GRANDPA! https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

I've just completed my reviews for Group 302 (just waiting on 1 Amazon link to appear).

So far I've read S.D., but not the book listed here.

Mary has reviewd me but I believe I have other books she hasn't read.
perhaps if we trade places it will work okay

Welcome Kris and Angela - please be sure to check back frequently as the group fills and report and review clashes you might spot. Thanks.

Hi EM

Can you add me to this group with Black Hole Radio - Bilaluna

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

I have already read Jenny's and Angela's books.

Ann - I have added you but need you to confirm that Angela has a book you have not reviewed that you are able/willing to read even if it is not a 'clean' book. I ask because you have read the book Angela is offering for this round, but I don't think all Angela's books would fit the 'clean' category, but I could be mistaken.
Please let me know ASAP.

Hi, I’m not in this round but wanted to say I reviewed Black Hole Radio, so Ann can’t review the book I co authored with SD Brown.

thanks Scott!
I'm on thre road and can only check in when I have wifi.

Thanks Scott!

S.D. - I assume you have another book Ann can review?

Yes I do, but would prefer to have this book reviewed if possible.

S.D. - I completely understand that and as ever strive to do all in my power to facilitate that. Sadly though there is no other way I can see to fit Ann in the round as she has to go in Jenny's blind spot as Jenny only has the one book which Ann has already read. So I'm really sorry but that is not going to be possible in Ann's case.

E.M. wrote: "Ann - I have added you but need you to confirm that Angela has a book you have not reviewed that you are able/willing to read even if it is not a 'clean' book. I ask because you have read the book ..."

Not a problem. I have checked out her other books and would like to review any of them, especially the one about fractured fairytales.

Ann wrote: "Not a problem. I have checked out her other books and would like to review any of them, especially the one about fractured fairytales."

Thanks for that :)

Loralee - really sorry but I can't see how to fit you in. If you can see a way please do let me know. I would be grateful if you were able to mod the round, but since I can't fit you in you may prefer to go to another round and mod that.

E.M. wrote: "S.D. - I completely understand that and as ever strive to do all in my power to facilitate that. Sadly though there is no other way I can see to fit Ann in the round as she has to go in Jenny's bli..."

It's okay..... Your job is so complicated... thanks

Ann wrote: "E.M. wrote: "Ann - I have added you but need you to confirm that Angela has a book you have not reviewed that you are able/willing to read even if it is not a 'clean' book. I ask because you have r..."

Thank you, Ann! Unfortunately the fractured fairytales book is still pending release, but I do have a historical fiction WWII war romance (think Captain Corelli's Mandolin, but a bit darker) + a dark fantasy novel available if those are okay (there is some graphic violence in both (the former includes war, the latter has a school shooting, a cafe bombing, etc.), but no--from what I recall--graphic sex/drugs/overly adult language).

Angela wrote: "Ann wrote: "E.M. wrote: "Ann - I have added you but need you to confirm that Angela has a book you have not reviewed that you are able/willing to read even if it is not a 'clean' book. I ask becaus..."

Thanks Angela, I am fine with either of those. :-)

I’ve reviewed S D brown but not this book

Hello, I'm Whittney corum and would like to add my book to the review list.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

Whittney wrote: "Hello, I'm Whittney corum and would like to add my book to the review list.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6..."

I would love to add you to the group Whittney, but first you need to change your privacy settings so the mods and the others in the group can communicate with you at need.

In order to participate in this round, your setting for 'Who Can Send Me Private Messages' needs to be 'anyone'.

Please follow this link to check - and if necessary change - your privacy setting.

https://www.goodreads.com/user/edit?t...

Thanks :)

No conflict with Whittney

Whittney wrote: "Hello, I'm Whittney corum and would like to add my book to the review list.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6..."

I just now changed it thank you, now you can private message me.

Hello I would like to join with my cozy book, second in the series. I am publishing the paperback first but have not uploaded it yet. My first book is here, Poisoned in Provence.
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Cat - very happy to add you here, but can you please say if you have any review clashes with others in the group? Thanks :)

Thank you. I do not see who my reviewers will be here. But under my name Cat Green you can see my last reviews in my profile above.

Under Sass Green:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

It looks like KT Munson Gila Reddy Diana Febry and Florian Armas

no conflicts with either Cat or Whittney

Cat as Sass Green has reviewed me.

Hi I reviewed one of Cat's books Poisoned in Provence. No clashes with Whitney

Welcome Whittney and Cat - please keep checking back frequently in case more clashes appear.

Hi Please can I join with my Children's book Cast Out?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B15MGBF...

Jojo wrote: "Hi Please can I join with my Children's book Cast Out?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B15MGBF..."

You most certainly can, Jojo - but before I can add you I need to have the Goodreads link to your book (not the Amazon one) and you need to change your privacy settings so the mods and the others in the group can communicate with you at need.

In order to participate in this round, your setting for 'Who Can Send Me Private Messages' needs to be 'anyone'.

Please follow this link to check - and if necessary change - your privacy setting.

https://www.goodreads.com/user/edit?t...

Thanks :)

Thank you so much. I have changed my settings to anyone can message.

Here is the Goodreads link to the book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

Thank you :)

That's perfect! Welcome Jojo - please keep checking back frequently as the round will be progressing to the next stage soon. Full instructions on what you need to do at every step of the way will be provided :)

no conflict with Jo Jo

Thank you :)

E.M. Hi. Hard to tell from these messages if I'm in or out ..

Cat - You are in. If you read Message 1 you will see the list of all those accepted into the round - you are No. 1 on the list. If you read Message 36, you will see your welcome to the round :)

Thanks! Excited to be part of it.

No conflicts for me either thus far!

I reviewed I Escaped The Gold Rush Fever: A California Gold Rush Survival Story. The review on amazon isn't up yet but here's the link to the one on GoodReads. I Escaped The Gold Rush Fever: A California Gold Rush Survival Story by Scott Peters

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I loved this book, the voice you had for Hudson was wonderful. I could feel myself in your setting and that is important in a book. I also thought having an activity in last pages is good for those who are in education. I could see a class read the book and then do the activity in the back of the book.



View all my reviews

I would love to join this round with my book, New Hope (if you can fit me in). I just posted my last review in round 304. Both Ann and Cat have read this book, but I do have another one.

Book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Whittney wrote: "I reviewed I Escaped The Gold Rush Fever: A California Gold Rush Survival Story. The review on amazon isn't up yet but here's the link to the one on GoodReads.

I Escaped The Gold Rush Fever: A ..."

Whittney - You should not have reviewed ANYONE yet as we have not begun the round and you have not been assigned books to review.

I will have to move you to SD's blind spot and you may either delete the review you have done or leave it. But you will still need to do the four reviews you are assigned once the round starts.

Please review no more books until the round is filled and you are told who you should review.

Thank you.

Amanda - I'm really sorry but I can't fit you in with those clashes. Please keep an eye out for new rounds.