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 extreme and explicit material.

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. Colin Rink
2. William Hart
3. Laura Koerber
4. Dave Saari
5. Arriah Kiprujistho
6. Ed Morawski
7. Dillon Jepsen
8. P.I. Kane
9. Isaac Nasri
10. Charles C. McCormack

Book Links
1. Chase of the Rising Sun
2. Roller Rink Starlight: A Memoir
3. Wild Hare's Daughter
4. Albatross
5. Those Were Not Love Letters But Still I Fell in Love
6. Chloe Dolls
7. A State of Mind
8. Saved by the Bell
9. Into the Violet Gardens
10. Essence

IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO ANYONE SIGNING UP TO JOIN THIS ROUND

Please note that Goodreads has recently made a privacy reset to their private messaging system. This means that they have shifted the default setting to restrict those who can message 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...

Hello!

I would like to put my book chase of the rising sun in for consideration in this. Did the 18+ round last time and it was a lot of fun.

Thanks!

Colin

Welcome Colin - do remember to keep checking back often to see if you have any clashes with those who sign up. Thanks.

I'd like to join this group with my book Roller Rink Starlight:

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

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

Welcome William - Please keep checking back with any clashes you might spot as the group fills. Thanks.

E.M. wrote: "Welcome William - Please keep checking back with any clashes you might spot as the group fills. Thanks."

Will do. And thank you, E.M.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5... I'd like to join with WIld Hare's Daughter. It is a sequel. WIlliam Hart's name is familiar. I think he has read one of my other books. I will check. Thank you

Yep, he has read me! But not this book.

Welcome Laura - as ever, please keep checking back frequently and let me know if you spot any clashes with those who join. Thanks.

I'd like to join with Albatross.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

Laura has reviewed my previous book, but this one is brand new.

Welcome Dave - please make sure to check back often and let me know of any review clashes with people who join the group.

I'd like to join with A State of Mind.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Welcome Dillon - please keep checking back frequently to spot any review clashes. Thanks.

I'd like to join with

https://www.amazon.com/Chloe-Dolls-Ed...

It will be on goodreads soon.

Laura has reviewed me before but not this book. No one has read this book as of yet.

Ed wrote: "I'd like to join with

https://www.amazon.com/Chloe-Dolls-Ed...

It will be on goodreads soon.

Laura has reviewed me before but not this book. No one has read this book a..."

As soon as the book has a GR listing please post it here and I can add you to the group.

Here it is:

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

I would like to put my book up for this review group. Of the currently listed membership, I see no conflicts.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

Welcome Ed and Charles - as ever please keep checking back frequently and let me know if you spot any review clashes ongoing. Thanks

CHarles reviewed on of my books but not this one.

I would like to join with my book Oracle's Hunt. William Hart reviewed me. That's the only clash.

Welcome A. Claire - please do keep checking back frequently and let me know if your spot any clashes as the group fills. Thanks.

I reviewed one of David Saari's books. Not this one .I think this is a clash since the names below me will review me, right? Charles has reviewed one of my bookd but not this one, so maybe he could be swapped for David?

Thanks for that info, Laura, hopefully sorted now.

Hello,
I'm new to the Review Group. I'd like to join with

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

Could you please tell me what to do now?

Welcome P.I. - Please keep checking back here frequently so you can see when we advance the group. When the group is full I will post full instructions as to what you need to do next.

E.M. wrote: "Welcome P.I. - Please keep checking back here frequently so you can see when we advance the group. When the group is full I will post full instructions as to what you need to do next."

E.M. Thank you!

I would like to join this round. I have finished the other round I’m in. Clashes wise, I have reviewed one of Claire’s books before but not the one here, and William has reviewed my work. My book title is Killer Looks: The Forgotten History of Plastic Surgery in Prisons. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

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

I hope EM is okay. It is not like her to go this long without responding. Or maybe the covid is making me worry too much.

Laura wrote: "I hope EM is okay. It is not like her to go this long without responding. Or maybe the covid is making me worry too much."

I am sorry I caused you such concern. I've been having issues with notifications on GR.

Zara - really sorry but due to other clashes I can't see a way to fit you into this round.

E.M. wrote: "Laura wrote: "I hope EM is okay. It is not like her to go this long without responding. Or maybe the covid is making me worry too much."

I am sorry I caused you such concern. I've been having issu..." I'm just glad you are okay

Getting excited for this group! Just wanted to say that whoever I get I will be purchasing a copy of your book either print or ebook format to show support :)

Good morning. This is Isaac Nasri, cyberpunk author of Into the Violet Gardens. I've completed the previous round from last year. I'm interested in enrolling in this round by any chance.

Book: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/sho...

Hello everyone.

I will join, if it's possible.
This is my first book
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
This is my second book
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

Clashes:
I have read & reviewed Colin's book, and he has read & reviewed my first book
William has read & reviewed my first book. I have not read his book.
Neither of them have read my second book.

Let me know if it works out for me to fit in!

Isaac - happy to add you, but please first let me know if you have any review clashes with anyone in the group. Thanks.

Bella - Provided Isaac fits in, I regret the round is full.

E.M. wrote: "Isaac - happy to add you, but please first let me know if you have any review clashes with anyone in the group. Thanks.

Bella - Provided Isaac fits in, I regret the round is full."

Thanks EM! Another round! :)

No clashes

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.

Remember that you can check if you have reviewed anyone before by going to your reviews through your profile (the link is under your portrait), and searching their name. You can check if someone has reviewed you in the same way through their profile and searching for your name.
Please check all those who are the 4 above and 4 below you.
If you have no review clashes - or if you are scheduled to review someone who you have reviewed before but can see they have another book available just post 'Good to go :)' or words to that effect.

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

If you are new to these rounds do not worry, full instructions will be provided at every stage.

I have no clashes as I am new to the group.
Good to go.

I've reviewed Laura and Claire, but in both cases different books. I see no clashes and am good to go.

No clashes :). Good to go

Good to go

good to go.

good to go

Good to go

Good to go

Just need to hear from A, Claire and Ed. I have PMd them both so hopefully they will post soon.

No clashes.

Not to be overzealous but are we ready to start crushing this reading round???