Cozy Mysteries discussion

So often I find with cozies that when arc copies are given out reviewers are more likely to give them positive reviews.

Divena wrote: "So often I find with cozies that when arc copies are given out reviewers are more likely to give them positive reviews."

I think this is inevitable, as we are generally a polite bunch. But if you read the reviews carefully, you can usually find if the reviewer had issues with it. In general, I pay little attention to the number of stars a book has, since people treat them differently, and they’re often a bit inflated. But looking at what people actually say has steered me to—or away from—some books.

Divena wrote: "So often I find with cozies that when arc copies are given out reviewers are more likely to give them positive reviews."

I suspect at least part of that is because those who review said books tend to request only those books from series or by authors they already know they like. There are some authors I don't care for, so I don't request their books to review, and as a result, I've automatically weeded out some books that otherwise would have gotten less than favorable reviews.

No. It takes months for the book to be available to readers. By then I have found I've forgotten about the ARC reviews. I no longer pay attention to them.

Barb wrote: "Divena wrote: "So often I find with cozies that when arc copies are given out reviewers are more likely to give them positive reviews."

I suspect at least part of that is because those who review ..."

I get arcs from Netgalley often but I usually request based on the cover and description. So many times and author is completely new to me. And I'll read reviews to see what other people thought but most of the time the reviews don't give me any insight.

MadameZelda wrote: "It takes months for the book to be available to readers. By then I have found I've forgotten about the ARC review."

Many of those who post reviews for ARCs months ahead of the actual pub date are going against the wishes/instructions of the publisher. I get a lot of ARCs from NetGalley, and most of them include a request not to publish reviews more than a week or two before the book's pub date. I may actually read the book before then, but I rarely post my review early.

I get ARCs from #NetGalley and have no qualms whatsoever about leaving a bad review for a bad book.

Barb wrote: "MadameZelda wrote: "It takes months for the book to be available to readers. By then I have found I've forgotten about the ARC review."

Many of those who post reviews for ARCs months ahead of the ..."

Thanks. I didn't know that. Those who post so early in advance, it's as though they crave bragging rights. (I think I'll get some hate comments now!)

I get ARCs from several different sources, both ebook and print. I have no problems giving a negative review if I feel the book just isn’t done well, or if there are too many things wrong with it. For myself, I can’t imagine that every single book someone reads is a five star book. No one likes every book they read, and it’s unrealistic to think they do.

As for Barb’s comment, it’s not that we crave bragging rights; it’s that the publisher asks that the reviews be posted soon. They offer the books for that reason. They want people to read them, and reviews are a good way to get people to do so. They have an area where you list the places you’ve posted your reviews, and the links to them. They want to see the reviews. If you have no plans on posting a review, they probably wouldn’t offer you any more books. It’s a business, and bloggers like myself recognize that and accept the terms.

Many say they post their reviews as soon as they finish reading so they don't forget to post the review later. That's where "note to self" comes in handy, at least for me.

Not all publishers ask advance readers to hold their reviews, but it's hard for me to keep track of which ones do and which don't, so I just hold *all of my reviews until close to the pub date. It's easier for me, and I still get approved for new books, so waiting apparently isn't a bad thing :)

I don't go out and solicit ARCS, but when I do get any, I will leave honest reviews. If I was given an ARC, will mention that at the bottom of the review, but it won't change what my review says.

I don't have much money but want to help writers make money. That's why I almost only write reviews whenever I get an ARC. I never write a review at an.early stage. I get a deadline and keep to it no matter what the other reviewers do. I don't mind giving two or three stars once in a while.

I get ARCs from NetGalley and in the mail from publishers. I never have a problem with giving a low rating. In fact, I had one book (not a cozy) that I gave 1 star. And it deserved it and I wasn't the only early reviewer who had given it such a low rating. Mostly I don't get books that are that bad though. And I choose what I want to review so really I am only reading books I would otherwise read anyway.

I seldom give 1 or 2-star reviews, not because I inflate the scores, but because it I think a book is that bad I probably didn’t finish. I do take a fair number of ARCs writing reviews for the Great Escapes blog tours, and so far I’ve never had a book that was less than a 3-star—a “that was a good enough read.” I’m very fussy about which ones I take, though—they have to interest me and the blurb has to be well-written.

I always indicate at the begining and end of my blog posts how I got the book being reviewed.

MadameZelda wrote: "Barb wrote: "MadameZelda wrote: "It takes months for the book to be available to readers. By then I have found I've forgotten about the ARC review."

Many of those who post reviews for ARCs months ..."

It's not at all about craving bragging rights. It's just you get the book months in advance usually and post your review as soon as you are finished to move on to the next one.

The Bookish Hooker wrote: " I may turn in my review on NetGalley quickly so they can get a feel for what readers are thinking about the book, but I don't feature it on my blog or on Goodreads until about a week before publication."

That's my M.O. too -- I post to NetGalley as soon as I finish the book, but don't post to GR or anywhere else until just before the book's pub date. I include a note to the publisher with my NetGalley review telling them when I plan to post it publicly. I can't remember when my last request was denied, so they're apparently ok with that :)