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 General round
All fiction/ non-fiction accepted. This means you may be required to read anything from a book about tax returns to horror/erotica and everything in between.
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:
Kat Kinney

Member Links
1. Angela Panayotopulos
2. Nathan Milner
3. J.E. Rowney
4. S.D. Brown
5. Balroop Singh
6. J.P. Willson
7. Frank Parker
8. B.B. James
9. Gill Mather
10. Audrey Driscoll

Book Links
1. The Wake Up
2. An Elegant Loop
3. The Woman in the Woods
4. Alabaster Alibi
5. Magical Whispers
6. How To Become a Successful (Recovering) Alcoholic
7. Called To Account
8. Room Service
9. As The Clock Struck Ten
10. Hunting the Phoenix

I’ve completed my reviews for round 271.
I’d like to join with my new book, The Woman in the Woods, which I’m actually releasing on Jan 24th, before the rounds start. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...


If that’s not possible, please sign me up with I Can’t Sleep. https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/sho...

Thanks! x

I'd like to join with my book Called to Account. The genre is (fact based) historical fiction. An e-book is available from the publisher though not yet on Amazon, where you can obtain a print copy. I will be happy to provide a pdf or mobi version.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Called-Accou...

Yay, new rounds! I'd love to join with THE WAKE UP, dark fantasy (and, for those who've read it, I've got THE ART OF WAR: A NOVEL, historical/war fiction).

The Wake Up: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

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

I've read J.E. before, but none of the two books she's listed above. :)

Hi E.M. -long time...I'd love to join this round if I may. I have reviewed Angela before, both of these books if I remember correctly. Yup, both....
How To Become a Successful (Recovering) Alcoholic
J.P. Willson
Thank you...

hi E.M.

I'd like to join with my mystery, Alabaster Alibi
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

I'd like to join with Part 3 of The Violet Trilogy, "Imagine Violet Blooming" Imagine Violet Blooming which is historical fiction. I have read and reviewed Alabaster Alibi as well as Called to Account. And I have completed my commitment to the Historical Fiction Review Round.

Hi E.M.
I would like to join with Magical Whispers, my latest release:

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

Yep, the awesome J.P. has read both my books.

I've read at least a couple books by S.D., but not this one! Looks intriguing.

I've also read two lovely books by Balroop (including the one listed), but I see she has many others, so I'd be happy to read something else by her if available.

As we're getting more people signing up, please be sure to check for clashes and report anyone you may have read in the past, or who has read one of your books. This makes the sorting process go smoothly!

Welcome all - as Kat said, please check any clashes on the posted list and check back for any others as we fill. Thanks.

Gill MatherAs The Clock Struck Ten

I'd like to join with the above novel, a contemporary crime/mystery. Not sure if I can enter with more than one book. I've added a second book below. Sorry if that's not allowed. Gill

Hi Gill! You can enter one round at a time (and only one book within that round.) Which book would you prefer to enter?

Thanks Kat. In that case I'd prefer to leave in 'As The Clock Struck Ten'. I've therefore deleted the post about the other book. Gill

I’d like to join with “The Color of Sunshine” - a book two but can stand on its own and needs more reviews than book one. Or if you prefer or have read that, “Seeds of Change” which is book one.

Angela has reviewed both of those. Thank you!
I reviewed Balroop Singh, Magical Whispers but happy to read another.
I reviewed JP Willson’s first book but happy to read another.
I think that is all...

I reviewed Mary's book in a previous round. She reviewed mine in another.

Kat's comment appeared in my e-mail notifications but has not popped up here yet. My response: yes, I have reviewed Seeds of Change. Can't see, yet, what book she is requesting reviews for in this round. I guess her request is missing for the same reason your reply to me is - page not fully updated!

JE, Angela & Mary have read this book but I have others for them to choose.

Sorry, Frank, I deleted my comment. There were a few others I found (not just you--everyone is in a stressed head space these days!) so I just sent them to EM so we'll have them as we play with the sudoku.

As a reminder to all, a great way to check for clashes is to go to your bookshelf and just type in the names of others in the group. Then you can check their shelves for your name (I know my brain gets fuzzy after a year or so!)

I’ve reviewed Alabaster Alibi before. I’ve also reviewed the other books in Mary’s series, and other books of Balroop’s, but not the books they are bringing to this round. Lovely to see familiar authors whose books I’ve enjoyed!

If the round doesn’t start until after next week, please use The Woman in the Woods for this round for me rather than I Can’t Sleep. Thanks so much.

Welcome Gil.

Willow - sorry, I can't fit you in this round.

Frank and Mary - I am profoundly shocked to learn you have knowingly reviewed each other in these rounds and I am tempted to ban you both from the group for so doing. You damage the integrity of all we do here, by allowing that to happen and place the entire group - every single review and reviewer here - in a bad place. As it is if either of you is involved in such again it will result in an insta-ban. You can only be in the same group from now on in each others blind spots.

Everyone else - I can't underline how important it is you double-check all your clashes. Please follow this link if you don't know how to check.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

E.M. wrote: "Welcome Gil.

Willow - sorry, I can't fit you in this round.

Frank and Mary - I am profoundly shocked to learn you have
knowingly
reviewed each other in these rounds and I am tempted to ban yo..."

OK, E.M.

I'd like to join this round with Hunting the Phoenix.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
I have reviewed Angela's The Wake Up and J.E.'s Derelict but not I Can't Sleep.
I have not reviewed or been reviewed by anyone else on the list.

Welcome Audrey.

I'd like to join this round with my book An Elegant Loop. Angela has reviewed one of my other books and I have reviewed SD.

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

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

Nathan - I am very sorry but with the existing clashes and two sets of 'blind spots' baked in already, I can't fit you in.

Hi Emma , may I jump on this round please ? So far as I can see I have been reviewed by JP Wilson, and i reviewed Mary hughes , and S.D in past rounds ? Bev -Room service

Welcome B.B. - Not sure who you meant by 'Margret' as there is no one of that name in this round that I can see, but hopefully you should fit in that last slot.

Let's see...

Everyone - Please post to tell me if you have reviewed any of the four people above you on the list (the list wraps around so 10 is 'above 1). Please also check that if you have already reviewed any of the four people 'below' you on the list they have more books available that you have not yet reviewed and post to tell me if they have not.

You can check if you have reviewed anyone before by going to your reviews through your profile (the link is under your portrait ), clicking the 'Author' heading to get them in alphabetical author order, and then checking through to see. You can check if someone has reviewed you in the same way through their profile.

(fingers crossed) : )

B.B. wrote: "Hi Emma , may I jump on this round please ? So far as I can see I have been reviewed by JP Wilson, and i reviewed Mary hughes , and S.D in past rounds ? Bev -Room service"

Thanks for updating this, I have tweaked accordingly. Hopefully, that solves it.

I'm good. As B.B. said though, I have reviewed this book of hers- easy fix.

aaagh ? although Room service is a new edition now,as a last throw of the dice would this make a difference Emma? as in ( completely revised and updated edition )?

Alright - due to a number of people in the group failing to report all their clashes I need to make an executive decision to keep this show on the road. I am removing Mary from the group as she is one of those who have failed to do so and someone has to go.

I strongly advise anyone signing up for these rounds in future to check very thoroughly ALL the clashes they have with those in the group when they join so this kind of issue does not arise to bite them in the backside when we get to the final stages...

B.B. wrote: "aaagh ? although Room service is a new edition now,as a last throw of the dice would this make a difference Emma? as in ( completely revised and updated edition )?"

Hi BB! That's lovely that you've got a new edition. The issue here is that JP has already read your book, so cannot review it again (it can only be reviewed once in GR/Amz.) As this is the only book you currently have, you would need to go in JP's blind spot. However, Angela also needs to be in JP's blind spot for the same reason (he's read both of her books) and she signed up first.

I might suggest popping over to the 18+ round? They only have a few people signed up at the moment and it's likely you'll slide right in with few clashes?

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

Nathan - You are in as I can now fit you in the group.

J.P. - Are you happy to re-review the updated edition of B.B.'s book? If so she is back in and we might....might... maybe, possibly, be good to go. Unless I've missed another clash of course :)

Kat wrote: "The issue here is that JP has already read your book, so cannot review it again (it can only be reviewed once in GR/Amz.) ."

This is true - but reviews can be updated on both platforms. Although a move is still a good possibility.

Oh okay, that's cool if everyone is good with it!

Correction from S.D.
Sorry,
Audrey has reviewed Saving Bigfoot Valley written by "Spike Brown" , my alter ego. Just caught it.


If you you need to remove me to make things easier, i understand.

S.D. wrote: "Correction from S.D.
Sorry,
Audrey has reviewed Saving Bigfoot Valley written by "Spike Brown" , my alter ego. Just caught it."

Thanks - it still works with a tweak (Phew!)

J.P. and B.B. Please let us know your calls ASAP

I did review Saving Bigfoot Valley. Good thing you caught that!

E.M. wrote: "Nathan - You are in as I can now fit you in the group.

J.P. - Are you happy to re-review the updated edition of B.B.'s book? If so she is back in and we might....might... maybe, possibly, be good ..."

I'm so confused? Kidding, yes that's not a problem E.M. it was a while ago I read it...

So far so good on my end. I've previously reviewed all 4 of the people below me (Nathan, J.E., S.D., Balroop), but they all have additional books to read, so I'm set.

Regarding the 4 people "above" me, the 3 slots that are filled work well; I can provide Audrey with "The Art of War: A Novel", and Frank and Gill haven't read anything by me.

Looks like we might be ready for that final check again. :)

Everyone cross fingers, rub your lucky charm or pick a four-leaf clover and as before please post to tell me if you have reviewed any of the four people above you on the list (the list wraps around so (10) is 'above' (1). Please also check that if you have already reviewed any of the four people 'below' you on the list they have more books available that you have not yet reviewed and post to tell me if they have not.

You can check if you have reviewed anyone before by going to your reviews through your profile (the link is under your portrait), clicking the 'Author' heading to get them in alphabetical author order, and then checking through to see. You can check if someone has reviewed you in the same way through their profile.

When everyone has posted 'Good to go' we will be :)

Hi E.M. I don't have any clashes, as I haven't reviewed any of the four authors below me.
My books have been reviewed by Angela and J.E. but not this one.
So I'm good to go.
Thank you.

Its looking good E.M and thank you J.P : )

I haven’t reviewed anyone above me. As I mentioned, I have reviewed SD but I’m happy to review another book in SD’s catalog.

Still good!

OK, here's how I look:
I have not reviewed any of the authors above me (6-9)
Of those "below" me (1-4), I have reviewed Angela's The Wake Up but not The Art of War.
I have reviewed a different book by J.E. Rowney (Derelict), but not I Can't Sleep.
I have reviewed S.D. Brown's Saving Bigfoot Valley, but not Alabaster Alibi.
So I'm OK (I hope).

I’m good to go.

I guess we are found with I Can’t Sleep for my book for this round then. No worries!

JE, you might ask the four people assigned to read you individually which book they'd prefer? Those who read fast and might have all 4 books finished within a week may wish to read your book that's already out, but someone who reads at a more measured pace may be fine with a book that will be out in a week, especially if you're not first on their list anyway?