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 'Novella' round.

Fiction and non-fiction, adult and children's books under 45,000 Words

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.

12. You state here what authors already on the list have reviewed you, and which ones you have reviewed. (If you can't remember, go to your or another author's profile, click the middle link under the picture, and type the name of the author you're wondering about in "search and add books".) If you have more than one pen name, LET US KNOW! I will do what I can to help you avoid reciprocal reviews, but ultimately, it is on you to avoid reciprocal reviews!

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.

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: Loralee Evans

Member Links
1. Laura Koerber
2. B.C. Hollywood
3. Casey Walsh
4. Sass/Cat Green
5. Tempest Miller
6. Gene Kendall
7. Scott Peters
8. E.K. Frances
9.Lynn Helton
10. Loralee Evans


Book Links

1. A Mountain in the Air
2. Shadow Apocalypse
3. Phelan's Gold
4. Billionaire's Bet
5. England 2K State Insekt
6. Ten Tiny Tales
7. I Escaped the Running of the Bulls
8. The Missing
9.Min: The Cat Who Guards the Castle
10. Ephraim's Garden


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...

Can a short story collection that is under 45,000 words join? This is my new collection: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Please can I join with The Missing.

Book link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
Author link: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Gene has reviewed me, but not this book. Loralee, I've reviewed that book, but I think you have more.

Thanks

I'd like to join with my new children’s picture book Min: the Cat Who Guards the Castle, if I can fit.

My GR book link: www.goodreads.com/book/show/208081707...
My GR author link: www.goodreads.com/lynnhelton
(I also write as S. Lynn Helton)

Gene, E.K. and David have all read me before, but not this book. I've already read all of Terry's books. I've reviewed Loralee before, but not this book.

(Although, I see someone already needs to be in Terry's blind spot, so maybe I won't fit in this round after all.)

David and Terry, I'm sorry, but I don't think I'll be able to fit either of you.
David, because you've reviewed Gene and me, and have been reviewed by E.K., I do not think I will be able to fit you in without conflicts, since Gene has reviewed both E.K. and me, and E.K. has reviewed me.
Terry, both you and E.K. have reviewed me, and since E.K. would need to be in your blind spot, which would put me reviewing E.K., which I can't do, I can't fit you.

Lynn, welcome. I will be able to fit you in!

David and Terry, I am sorry about that. Keep looking for new review rounds as they open.

Hi Loralee, I'd like to join with my new book I Escaped the Running of the Bulls. (18,000 words) I Escaped the Running of the Bulls I have reviewed you and Lynn.

Welcome, Scott. It looks like you should fit!

I would like to join with my book Billionaire's Bet. Lynn had reviewed it. I had reviewed on of Gene's books

Casey wrote: "Hi Loralee,
Would I be able to join with my novella, Phelan's Gold?
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
You have reviewed me and I have reviewed E.K. Frances.
Thank you."

Casey, I think I still need one more of your reviews over in round 355. As soon as all your reviews are in, you can join a new round. :)

Thanks, Kat. Casey, once you're finished in 355, come back and I'll see if I can fit you in.

Sass, not only have you reviewed Gene Kendall, you've also reviewed Scott Peters. And not only has S. Lynn reviewed you, I have also reviewed you. You also need to state that you write under the name of Cat Green.

I was able to fit you in, to spot 4.

Balroop, my apologies. Since I, Sass, and Gene have reviewed you, and you have reviewed Scott, E.K., and S. Lynn, I can't see a way to fit you in without review conflicts.

Can you fit me in with this? https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7...
It's three novella. SOme people have reviewed one or two but no one has reviewed the third one.

I have no prior connection to Sass.
I ahve reviewed Gene.
Scott, Lynn, Loralee, and EK have reviewed me but not the third novella.

I believe I've already read and reviewed all of P.L.'s currently available books. (Under S. Lynn Helton.)

And although I've already reviewed the book Sass has listed, I could review another of hers if that would help with the list order (it looks like "Rich & Sexy (Rich & Sexy #0.5" is also novella-length).

Laura wrote: "LYnn, have you reviewed me? I think I had you confused with S. Lynn."

They're both me! (I'm using the one without the "S" for my kids books.) And yes, I've reviewed you before, Laura, under S. Lynn Helton. I've already reviewed "Wild Hare's Daughter" and "Coyote's Road Trip".

Laura, I THINK I was able to fit you. Everyone please check to see if you have conflicts with Laura.
P.L., my apologies! With the existing conflicts, and with your conflicts, I do not believe I will be able to move anyone around. Please keep checking back to see when other rounds are forming.

I think that works. Numbers 10,9,8, and 7 have reviewed me but not this book. I have not reviewed or been reviewed by Sass. I can review Gene.

Just wondering how that's going to work with Laura's book... Will we just read and review that one novella that's only part of the whole book (once the round gets going, of course)?

I think so, yes. The novellas are Coyote's Road Trip, Raven Woman's Tavern, and A Mountain in the Air. There is an over-arching story arch which connects all three so they are best read in order. If someone has read one, then read the next one! NO one has to read more than one for this round. No one has reviewed the last one in the series.

And since this is a novella round, the books need to be 45,000 words or fewer.
Each person will be reading 1 novella from each of the four authors they're assigned to read (below), and in turn will have their novella read 4 times by the authors assigned to read them (above).

Just FYI, these are my existing reviews:
Laura Koerber has reviewed me.
Sass/Cat Green has reviewed me.
I have not reviewed, or been reviewed by Scott Peters.
I have reviewed E.K. Frances.
I have reviewed Lynn Helton.
I have reviewed Loralee Evans.
So, at this point, I don't see a conflict.

HI. About my three-in-one book. The total page count divided by three comes to 45000, so I think it qualifies. However, if there is an issue with it, I have other novellas including Encounters With Old Coyote which EK has read but not the others. Or Murder in a Gated Community which was read by Loralee but no one else. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

That's too long for this round, C.C. So you'd need to find another round. New ones open regularly, so keep checking back! But in the meantime, right now, you're not posting from your author profile. If you haven't yet, you'll need to claim your author profile here:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

You can also contact Goodreads with any more questions here: https://www.goodreads.com/about/conta...

Good luck!

Thank you for the information Loralee! I'm still new to this!

I would like to participate with my poetry chapbook "England 2K State Insekt". Only about 4000 words.
GR link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CTFWT5DC?...

First time so look forward to participating!

Hello,

I'd like to submit my apocalyptic horror novella, Shadow Apocalypse, for consideration. It's 38k words.
Author Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Book page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

It's my first time here so apologies if the book doesn't fit.

Tempest and B.C., welcome!

When the times comes, you will be reviewing the four people on the list below you, and you will be reviewed by the four people on the list above you. The list wraps, so 10 is above 1.

Depending on who signs up next, I might need to move you from where you are because of the need to avoid reciprocal reviews.

So long as you don't have any other pen names, it looks like you will fit. Also, since you're brand new, you don't seem to have reviewed or been reviewed by anyone here.
The ethics of this review group do not allow for reciprocal reviews since reciprocal reviews have the potential to skew ratings.
Please keep following for updates.

Everyone, we need just one more participant. Once that person has joined, I'll give some more instructions!

Hi Loralee,
I have just posted review links for my fourth round in 355.
Could I perhaps fill your tenth spot for this round with my romantic adventure novella? (42K words)
I have reviewed E.K. Frances' The Compound and you have reviewed my novel, The Darlings of the Downs. Other than that, I have no conflicts.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Casey, welcome!
EVERYONE, you now need to check to make sure you have NOT read the 4 people above you (who will be reading you), and that the 4 people below you (whom you will be reviewing) have NOT read you.
To do this, please read the information below:

Please, everyone do this. Do not rely on memory, as that has created problems in the past. Go to the profiles of the four people below you. (the list wraps, so 1 is below 10.) Under their pictures you will see some links. Click on the middle one that shows how many books they've reviewed. When you get to that page, type your name into the box that says "Search and add books" (not the one above it that says Search books) and see if they have ever reviewed you. Also, if you have pen names, type those in as well to see if they've reviewed you before.
After doing that, go to your own profile and type in the names of the 4 authors above you to see if you have ever reviewed them. If you have not reviewed the 4 above you, and the 4 below you have not reviewed you, come back here and type in "Good to go" or something equivalent to that.
Once all 10 people have done so, assuming there are no conflicts, we will be able to begin.

Here is the current lineup:
Member Links
1. Laura Koerber
2. B.C. Hollywood
3. Casey Walsh
4. Sass/Cat Green
5. Tempest Miller
6. Gene Kendall
7. Scott Peters
8. E.K. Frances
9.Lynn Helton
10. Loralee Evans

I have checked the 4 above me, and the 4 below me, and I am good to go!

No conflicts.

I'm good to go - thanks! :)

Good to go--my reviewers need to pick a book they haven't reviewed yet.

Good to go!

All good, thanks.

Good to go.

Good to go!

Thanks. No conflicts. Good to go

good to go!

Okay, we’re ready!
START DATE: 15-Apr-24
END DATE: 8-Jul-24






Round 1 – post your review by 6-May-24
Round 2 – post your review by 27-May-24
Round 3 – post your review by 17-Jun-24
Round 4 – post your review by 8-Jul-24

You will be SENDING your book file to the four people above you, and RECEIVING a book file from the four people below you. Read below, including the instructions further down.


As AUTHORS you SEND your book file to:



357-01__Laura Koerber
Loralee Evans for round 1
Lynn Helton for round 2
E.K. Frances for round 3
Scott Peters for round 4

357-02__B.C. Hollywood
Laura Koerber for round 1
Loralee Evans for round 2
Lynn Helton for round 3
E.K. Frances for round 4


357-03__Casey Walsh
B.C. Hollywood for round 1
Laura Koerber for round 2
Loralee Evans for round 3
Lynn Helton for round 4




357-04__ Sass Green
Casey Walsh for round 1
B.C. Hollywood for round 2
Laura Koerber for round 3
Loralee Evans for round 4




357-05__ Tempest Miller
Sass Green for round 1
Casey Walsh for round 2
B.C. Hollywood for round 3
Laura Koerber for round 4




357-06__Gene Kendall
Tempest Miller for round 1
Sass Green for round 2
Casey Walsh for round 3
B.C. Hollywood for round 4




357-07__ Scott Peters
Gene Kendall for round 1
Tempest Miller for round 2
Sass Green for round 3
Casey Walsh for round 4


357-08__ E.K. Frances
Scott Peters for round 1
Gene Kendall for round 2
Tempest Miller for round 3
Sass Green for round 4




357-09__ Lynn Helton
E.K. Frances for round 1
Scott Peters for round 2
Gene Kendall for round 3
Tempest Miller for round 4




357-10__ Loralee Evans
Lynn Helton for round 1
E.K. Frances for round 2
Scott Peters for round 3
Gene Kendall for round 4




As REVIEWERS you will RECEIVE books from:


357-01__Laura Koerber
B.C. Hollywood for round 1
Casey Walsh for round 2
Sass Green for round 3
Tempest Miller for round 4

357-02__B.C. Hollywood
Casey Walsh for round 1
Sass Green for round 2
Tempest Miller for round 3
Gene Kendall for round 4

357-03__Casey Walsh
Sass Green for round 1
Tempest Miller for round 2
Gene Kendall for round 3
Scott Peters for round 3

357-04__ Sass Green
Tempest Miller for round 1
Gene Kendall for round 2
Scott Peters for round 3
E.K. Frances for round 4

357-05__ Tempest Miller
Gene Kendall for round1
Scott Peters for round2
E.K. Frances for round3
Lynn Helton for round4

357-06__ Gene Kendall
Scott Peters for round1
E.K. Frances for round2
Lynn Helton for round3
Loralee Evans for round4

357-07__ Scott Peters
E.K. Frances for round 1
Lynn Helton for round 2
Loralee Evans for round 3
Laura Koerber for round 4

357-08__ E.K. Frances
Lynn Helton for round 1
Loralee Evans for round 2
Laura Koerber for round 3
B.C. Hollywood for round 4

357-09__ Lynn Helton
Loralee Evans for round 1
Laura Koerber for round 2
B.C. Hollywood for round 3
Casey Walsh for round 4

357-10__Loralee Evans
Laura Koerber for round 1
B.C. Hollywood for round 2
Casey Walsh for round 3
Sass Green for round 4


Please remember the commitment you are making to your fellow group members. If you pull out after the start date for any reason it is the other members who will be faced with the problem of finding a replacement, or missing out on reads/reviews, through no fault of their own. Please don’t ask the moderators to chase after replacements as we just don’t have the time.

It is the responsibility of the author to get their book to their readers in a format the reviewer can manage. Everyone must be able to provide and accept PDF. You may buy or borrow the books you are due to read if you wish, and I’m sure the author will appreciate the verified review, but IT IS NOT COMPULSORY. There are no set dates for the start of each round. You can each work at your own pace, within the limits of the round deadlines.

All reviews must be posted to GR. We also encourage members to post on Amazon. When you have posted your reviews, please post the links to each of your reviews, not the book page in this thread.
The mod of each round will record whether members have posted reviews on Amazon and for the good of all, members who persistently fail to post reviews or DNF reviews to Amazon, will find mods less than willing to add them to subsequent groups.

Postings to other sites are by agreement by both author and reviewer.

If I’ve missed something that results in you being asked to review someone who has already reviewed you, please let me know asap.

To exchange book files, my advice is to use PM to give email addresses to each other (save the chance of spammers getting your addies from this open forum).

Setting up and modding these rounds is a labour of love, with a lot of emphasis on the ‘labour’. If you want to show appreciation for all the hard work we admins put in for the group, you could download one of our books as a ‘thank you’.

GUIDE FOR THOSE NEW TO THESE ROUNDS.

Quick 'start-up' summary for anyone new who might be scratching their heads. You are reviewing the four books 'below' you on the list.

You can, of course, choose to buy any or all of the books or read the books on KU, if you are a subscriber and the books are available there. If you can buy it adds weight to your review as it gives the 'Verified Purchase' stamp on Amazon.

However, as not everyone can buy, you should PM the four people who will be reviewing you (the four above you on the original list of names) through their Goodreads author pages. Click on the down arrow beside the 'Follow Author' button under their picture and it opens a menu which will allow you to message them.
Ask what kind of file they would like or say you can only offer PDF.
Don't forget to ask where to send it so they can give you their email.
The four people who you are reviewing should be in touch with you in a similar way.

Please make sure you have exchanged ALL FOUR books - or have been assured by your reviewers they will buy your book or read it through KU - as soon as possible.

Some people read fast and it can be very frustrating to have to wait a long time to get hold of a book you are committed to review.

Don't forget to post the links to your reviews here so you can be signed off for them.

Please post your review to Goodreads, your own Amazon store and any other Amazon stores you might have access to as well.

I will be modding this round. Please PM me ongoing with any issues. Thanks.

For those whose book I'm reviewing, if it's available through KU, I'll get a copy there. Otherwise, I'll message you my email address to get a pdf review copy.


For those who will be reading and reviewing my book Min: the Cat Who Guards the Castle, it's available through KU, if you'd like to get it that way. Otherwise, I can send you a pdf copy - I've messaged you about that (although I accidentally messaged from my other pen name).

B.C. Hollywood for round 1
Casey Walsh for round 2
Sass Green for round 3
Tempest Miller for round 4

I will buy my copies.

E.K. Frances for round 1
Lynn Helton for round 2
Loralee Evans for round 3
Laura Koerber for round 4

I will buy my copies. Thanks!

Thanks, everyone! I have gotten the books I need, and I have either sent my book, or been assured that readers will get it from Amazon/KU.

Happy reading everyone!

If you have not yet contacted your 8 people (the people you are to review and the people who are to review you), please do so in the next 48 hours. If you have requested books and have not gotten them, please let me know.

Here is my first review: Billionaire's Bet
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/R15D6MD...
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

My 2nd review, Phelan’s Gold.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/R2Q1JMP...
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Thanks for the review, Loralee!
Casey.

Here's my review for my round 1 book Ephraim's Garden...

GR: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Amz: https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...

Here's my third review for Shadow Apocalypse.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/RR28LVG...
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Thanks, Lynn. Your 1st review is complete!