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:
Trish Butler
Member Links
1. J.C. Gatlin
2. Audrey Driscoll
3. Laura Koerber
4. Angela Panayotopulos
5. J.E. Rowney
6. Ian G. Welch
7. Trish Butler
8. Balroop Singh
9. William Hart
10.Cam Lang

Book Links
1. Darkness Hides
2. Tales from the Annexe: seven stories from the Herbert West Series and seven other tales
3. The Dog Thief and Other Stories
4. The Art of War: a Novel
5. Starting Out
6. Eternal Damnation - Quest for Justice
7. A Redway Acres Companion I
8. Slivers: Chiseled Poetry
9. Roller Rink Starlight: A Memoir
10.The Concrete Vineyard

Hi E.M., I am interested in signing up for this general group with my novel, The Concrete Vineyard. Here is my book link:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

Whoops, I forgot my author link:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Welcome Cam - do please keep checking back frequently so you can spot any review clashes as the group fills. Thanks.

Hi,

I would like to join with my book ADHD: LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL
My Goodreads profile is here Nico J. Genes

So far no clashes :)

I'd like to enter this group with my book Roller Rink Starlight: A Memoir:

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

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

No clashes yet.

Please sign me up with Starting Out

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

I’ve read and reviewed Cam and Nico before.

Yup, J.E. has reviewed my novel. Other than that, no other clashes.

Welcome Nico, William and J.E. - thanks for reporting the clashes and please keep checking back and reporting on any more as we fill. :)

Hello, i would like to join this reading group!

My book is Chase of the Rising Sun
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

and my author bio is here
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Only conflict I have is with the Concrete Vineyard, as i've read that book before, also read another one of JE Rowling's book before but not starting out.

Welcome Colin - please keep a close eye on the thread and let me know if you spot any more clashes.

Hi E. M. I would like to join with my latest release Slivers: Chiseled Poetry
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

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

I've reviewed Nico and Hart, same books.
J.E. has reviewed me but not this book.

I’m not sure if Cam has another book that I can read for the round?

Unfortunately I only have the one book to date.

I think that means Cam and I need to be in each other’s blind spots?

As Balroop states above, she has already reviewed my book, Roller Rink Starlight--so I think it's a clash. But maybe that depends on where she's placed on the list.

J.E. wrote: "I think that means Cam and I need to be in each other’s blind spots?"

OOps - well spotted!

Colin - I'm sorry but as you signed up after J.E. and would also need to be in Cam's blind spot to be able to be in this round I have to remove you again. My apologies. Your book would fit in the 18+ round (all books are allowed in that round) if you wish to sign up there instead.

Welcome Balroop - please keep checking back frequently to report any clashes that arise ongoing.

William - as you have other books it is not a problem for Balroop to review you again.

Hi! :) Can I join? I've read Balroop, JE, and Nico (but not these books) and would gladly read works from them again!

But if I don't fit, EM, can you please add me to the 18+ group instead (289)?

For my readers I can provide either The Art of War: a Novel (first choice) or The Wake Up (second choice) -- whichever they haven't read.

Sorry EM, Nico would need to be below me, as I’ve read her before.

Dang that sucks. Would be able to message me the link to the 18+ round so I can sign up? Have fun reading everybody, looks like some great stories. If anyone here wants to do a 1 to 1 review aside from the reading group please feel free to message me!

Thanks

Colin

I'd like to join with my mystery Darkness Hides.

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

I don't see any clashes with the group so far. :)

Welcome J.C. - please keep checking back often to look for possible clashes that might arise as we fill. Thanks.

Colin - the 18+ group is HERE

J.E. - Hopefully all sorted now :)

Great thanks!

E.M. wrote: "Welcome J.C. - please keep checking back often to look for possible clashes that might arise as we fill. Thanks.

Colin - the 18+ group is
HERE


J.E. - Hopefully all sorted now :)"

I would like to join this round with Tales from the Annexe: seven stories from the Herbert West Series and seven other tales.

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

I have reviewed two of J.E. Rowney's books, but otherwise have no conflicts so far.

Welcome Audrey - please keep checking back as we fill to spot any other clashes. Thanks.

Hi E.M. I believe is better for me to move to group 289 (18+ with another book). I kindly ask you to sign me out from here. Sorry for any inconvenience. See you :)

Hi E M, I would like to join this round with my book Eternal Damnation - Quest for Justice.
My Goodreads book link - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

Nico wrote: "Hi E.M. I believe is better for me to move to group 289 (18+ with another book). I kindly ask you to sign me out from here. Sorry for any inconvenience. See you :)"

No problem!

Welcome Ian - please let me know if you have any clashes in the group so far and keep checking back to report any you might notice as we fill the group. Thanks :)

I have no issues/clashes with any of the 4 authors below me. Would I be jumping the gun if I began reading?

Cam wrote: "I have no issues/clashes with any of the 4 authors below me. Would I be jumping the gun if I began reading?"

Yes, you would Cam, because if someone joins with a clash one of those might be reading you instead, in the final list...

Oh well, it was worth a try.

E.M., could I fit in this round (and be removed from the Children's/YA, at least for now)? As I mentioned in my PM, I have no conflicts with Cam, William, J.C. or Audrey.

I have been reviewed by Ian and J.E.

I have reviewed Balroop.

Unless I am mistaken, I think I could fit in slots 7 or 8. I will still be willing to mod the Children's/YA once it's full, even if I'm not able to participate.

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

My Book, Puppies and Portals: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Welcome Loralee - please keep checking as usual. Thanks :)

I have read / reviewed an early book by Loralee but not this latest one.

Yes, this is a new book you have not read yet, Ian.

E.M. wrote: "Welcome J.C. - please keep checking back often to look for possible clashes that might arise as we fill. Thanks.

Colin - the 18+ group is
HERE


J.E. - Hopefully all sorted now :)"

Hi E.M. Swift-Hook, I asked a while back if I could join the group but haven't heard back... please confirm? :)

Hello. I’d like to join in with my novel See Beneath Your Beautiful, if you can fit me in.

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

J.E Rowney has reviewed a different book of mine. I have reviewed Balroop, but a different book. J.C has reviewed this book and at the moment, I don’t have a different book for him to review.

I have read two books by Angela, and she has other books I could read. I have not read or been read by Eunice before.

Angela has read the book I’m offering for this round and at the moment, I don’t have another book she can read.

Welcome Angela - sorry that I missed you before. I think I can fit you in ok.

Eunice - really sorry but I can't see a way to squeeze you in the round this time.

E.M. wrote: "Welcome Angela - sorry that I missed you before. I think I can fit you in ok.

Eunice - really sorry but I can't see a way to squeeze you in the round this time."

Thanks, EM. Loralee's reviewed me before, so I can't review her. For anyone who's already read both The Art of War + The Wake Up, I could offer The Cardiology of Broken Things (I'm a coauthor).

As the lists stands, I've been read by:
Audrey, Loralee, and JC Gatlin.

I've read:
J.E. and Balroop.

I'll be willing to withdraw to make room for Angela, since she asked to join before I did!

Thanks Loralee -it was getting a bit Mission Impossible there.

Hopefully the present running order works..if anyone spots an issue in it please let me know right away. Thanks :)

If you need one more I could join with The Dog Thief. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

Some names on the list look familiar but none of the book titles are. I will check real quickly and comment.

I've read two of JE Rowdney's books but not the one in this round. I think Balroop has reviewed one of my books. I think I was in a round with William Hart but I did not read his book.

Loralee wrote: "I'll be willing to withdraw to make room for Angela, since she asked to join before I did!"

Thank you, Loralee -- much appreciated. <3