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 'In This World' round
Non-fiction books or fiction books that could have actually happened in contemporary and/or historical settings. So nothing set in the future, no magic, ghosts, elves, talking animals or creatures from outer space.

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 pressuring other members WILL NOT BE TOLERATED and will result in you being blacklisted.

12. You declare all Goodreads accounts when signing up for rounds, including all pen names and additional user accounts, so that these can be checked by moderators and other group members to ensure that there are not previous review conflicts.

13. Books which include AI-generated writing are not permitted. Reviews may not be written by AI.

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:
Gene

Member Links * Book Links
1. Gene Kendall * Ten Tiny Tales: Stories of Broken Elevators and Other Mundane Things
2. Amber Daulton *Arresting Mason
3.Balroop Singh * Just One Goodbye: Poems from the Heart
4. Thomas A. Burns Jr. * To Keep Our Honor Clean: A 3M Detective Agency Novel
5. Matt Savino * Land Without a Continent: A Road Trip through Mexico and Central America
6. Fiona Soutter * A Scientific Approach to Rewiring Self Love: Where Ancient Wisdom Meets Neuroscience: Understand Your Patterns, Release Your Blocks, and Create Lasting Self-Worth
7. Clive Hawkswood * Cutter's Feud
8. Miriam Schwellnus*The Millennial and the King: How to Become a Legend
9. Todd Iverson *Joe Hill For Congress: A Novel
10. Yatska Sokuleva * From Dating To Wedding 2: Comic Book Based on a True Story The Man A Practical Guide to Online Dating


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...

Hi, everyone. I've opened a new round, and have listed one of my books to get us going.

When signing up, please let me know if you've reviewed, or been reviewed, by anyone listed in the opening post.

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.

Hi Gene,
I would like to join this round with my latest book:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Thanks.

Thanks, Balroop. I've reviewed your previous books, so we'll keep that in mind going forward.

I'd like to join with To Keep Our Honor Clean.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Both Gene and Balroop have reviewed me, but not this book.

I'd love to join with Arresting Mason or an alternate.

I've read from Balroop. Gene has read from me. No conflict with Thomas.

Thanks!

Welcome, Amber and Thomas.
Amber -- I think the only way you can fit is if I review you again, which means you'll have to send an alternate.

An alternate sounds great, Gene. I have lots of books.

Hi everyone!

Gene, do I have a chance to join this group if I’ve already reviewed your book?
I understand it’s important to have 4 authors with whom I haven’t worked before in terms of reviews?

Hi Gene, I'd like to join with 'Cutter's Feud':

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

I've had other books reviewed by Balroop and Thomas - I hope that doesn't complicate things too much!

Welcome, Clive.
Yatska, I have alternate books you can review. Do you have conflicts with any of the other authors listed in the opening post?

Hi, Gene.

There are no conflicts with the authors from the list above.

Okay, Yatska. It looks like you fit.

Thank you, Gene!
Can I ask you to choose my second volume instead of the first?
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

I'd be interested in joining...https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Todd wrote: "I'd be interested in joining...https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2..."

Hi, Todd -- please let me know if you've reviewed, or been reviewed, by anyone listed in the opening post.

No to have reviewed or reviewed them.

Todd wrote: "No to have reviewed or reviewed them."

Thanks, Todd. There's one more step -- I noticed your Private Messages aren't open. Please follow these steps:
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...

Ok, I changed that too!

Hi Gene, I'd like to join with my travel memoir, Land Without a Continent: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

I just set up my author profile, so it's still pending approval.

Hi, Matt -- please let me know if you've reviewed, or been reviewed (through your account or a pen name), by anyone listed in the opening post.

I would like to submit my book Remnants: The Forsaken Goddess & The Eternal Flame for this round.

https://amzn.to/4hHNReF
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

If anyone is interested, I will make it available for free and or give redemption codes to all that choose my submission as long as it complying with the rules. Thank you!!!

Hi Gene, I have not reviewed or been reviewed by anyone on the list. This is my first goodreads review group.

I'd like to join this group.

I can fit in in 6th place provided Clyde is below me. That would leave me with Todd, who I have not reviewed, Yatska, who I have reviewed but I can do a different book by her, and Clyde who I have reviewed by not the book listed.

Above me, Balroop and Thomas have reviewed me but not all of my books--they can choose one. I have no conflicts with Amber.

I have reviewed all of Gene's books.

My author profile has been approved.

T.E.W. -- this round is for books set "in contemporary and/or historical settings. So nothing set in the future, no magic, ghosts, elves, talking animals or creatures from outer space." Your book doesn't seem to fit.

Also, a note to everyone signing up, let me know if you've reviewed, or been reviewed (through your account or a pen name), by anyone listed in the opening post. I can't add you until I know this info.

Laura -- thanks for working that out. :)
Please let me know which of your books you'd like reviewed.

Gene Kendall my entry is contemporary fantasy. My Remnants still be considered?

No animals, I see Gene Kendall 😭 Thank you. I'll stay on the look out for a forming group for my genre.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

This book was previously published as The Dog Thief and Other Stories but my publisher went out of business, and I had to published it myself. People who reviewed it before can review it again because Amazon thinks it's a new book.

Or they can choose Murder in A Gated Community or The Summer I Went Crazy, though my preference is The Dog Thief.

I think there's a conflict.
Laura has reviewed one of my books previously, and she's currently in the position to send me one of her book for review.
Here's the conflict: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

Oh shoot. Good catch Amber. I think that means I can't join.

No, wait. What if Amber was swapped for Todd? I am amazed at the moderators for being able to figure this out. It would drive me nuts! Anyway, if it doesn't work to have me in, I'll just have to wait until some other group opens up. Thanks!

I've tried to rework the list but there are too many conflicts for Laura to fit, so I'll have to take her name off.

Thanks for letting us know, Amber. Better to find out now than when the round starts going.

Hi, I would like to join this round with my book, Wizard Bamzooki's Agenda:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

I have reviewed Amber and Yatska (not the books listed) Gene has reviewed me. I have not read or been reviewed by any of the other authors.

Just one note to add. This story is supposed to be a pastiche of Trump's presidency, so under these rules it would classify as being contemporary, yet it features occasional references to magic/elves. In regards to the rules, where does this stand?

I've been looking over the rules, but I'm just not sure whether it qualifies as there are different types of magical creatures (e.g. Goblins) for example, but this refers to the contemporary worldwide issue of immigration. Having said that, since Yatska's story features anthropomorphic cats (having read the first book in her series) perhaps this might not be an issue?

If this is a problem, and doesn't fit the rule requirements I have put an entry for Wizard Bamzooki's Agenda into Group 377, as that is a general round.

J.R. -- Wizards would violate "So nothing set in the future, no magic, ghosts, elves, talking animals or creatures from outer space."

Also, please don't sign up for more than one round at a time. The rules prohibit participating in two simultaneously, and it's more work for the mods to discern who's signed up where.

Thanks for the confirmation.

Hi Gene, I like to join this group with my book, "Healing of a Psychotherapist: A Journey of Rebellion, Reflection, and Redemption,
.
https://www.goodrea ids.com/book/show/82939601-healing-of...

I have reviewed Gene Kendall's book "Love is Deadly," and Clive Hawkswood's book "The Seventh Coffin."

Balroop Singh reviewed my book "Essence" which was the previous edition of Healing of a Psychotherapist so would likely be a conflict.
thanks for your efforts. Charlie

Thanks, Charles. Assuming there are no other conflicts, it looks like you fit.

Never done this before and awaiting direction on whom I am swapping books with?
Thanks!

Todd wrote: "Never done this before and awaiting direction on whom I am swapping books with?
Thanks!"

Todd, the round begins after we have ten authors, and I post a message calling for confirmations that there are no review conflicts. Then, if there are no conflicts, I'll post the deadlines and list of reviewers.

I just want to let everyone know that if this group gets started in the next few days, I won't be able to respond until Friday. That's the next time I'll have internet access.
Thanks!
~ Amber

Looks like this may need to become a General round.

Gene wrote: "Hi, everyone. I've opened a new round, and have listed one of my books to get us going.

When signing up, please let me know if you've reviewed, or been reviewed, by anyone listed in the opening po..."

Hi Gene! I would like to join this round. It's my first time joining review groups so there shouldn't be any conflict with other review members.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

I'll be happy to add you, Fiona -- but first, we need you to make your Private Messages open. 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...

Hi Gene, I am new to the publishing game and would appreciate the opportunity to review and be reviewed. This is my book (coming soon in paperback): https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Hi, Miriam. Once you confirm that you have no review conflicts with the authors listed in the opening post, I'll be happy to add you as our tenth.

Gene wrote: "Hi, Miriam. Once you confirm that you have no review conflicts with the authors listed in the opening post, I'll be happy to add you as our tenth."
I have no review conflicts with any of the authors listed in the opening post.