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 was an 'Out of this World' round but since it is filling slowly, to make it more open to more authors, it is now 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. 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 to finish assigned books before leaving a review, 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.If you DNF* an assigned book, you run the risk of not being allowed into review rounds in the future.

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 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 (do not finish) 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.

Please state when signing up what authors already on the list have reviewed you, and which ones you have reviewed.

To check if you’ve reviewed someone, click your “My Books”, and type their name in "search and add books".
To check if someone else has reviewed you, go to their profile, click the middle link under their picture (x reviews) then type your name into “search and add books”

If you have more than one pen name or use a different profile to leave reviews, 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!



Your group moderator will be: Loralee Evans
Member Links
1. Seth Hobbs
2. Laura Koerber
3. Whittney Corum
4. Tenkara Smart
5. J A Freely
6. David Alyn Gordon
7. Emma C Buenen
8.Juliette Godot
9. Miriam Schwellnus
10. Loralee Evans

Book Links
1.Black Powder Black Heart
2. Wild Hare
3. Winter Wind
4. His Name is Junsaku
5. A Quick Spin Around the Galaxy
6. Jigsaw: Shadow Ball
7. The Raven's Call
8. The Drop of Heaven
9. The Millennial and the King
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...

Please Note: After discussion with other mods, I have slightly edited rule #10. It now states this:

10. You agree to finish assigned books before leaving a review, 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.If you DNF* an assigned book, you run the risk of not being allowed into review rounds in the future.

In other words, please finish a book before rating and reviewing it.

Ann wrote: "Can I join this group with black hole radio -furilani
Loralee has read all my books JA freely and I have no conflicts"

Ann, I've read JA's only book, and therefore can't move him out of my blindspot. If you have a book I have not reviewed, I can put you in spot 1, 2, 3, or 4.
Is Quick Stories and Poems yours, here:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
?
If so, I can add you. Otherwise, I won't be able to fit you as I had already promised JA a spot.
Best,
Loralee Evans

P.S. Also, Ann, it looks like J A Freely has actually read one of your books. I don't think I'll be able to fit you.

Tim wrote: "I would like to submit my dark fantasy book 'Labyrinth War' for consideration:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DMWTGY82

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

I have reviewed Fr..."

Hi, Tim, it doesn't look like I can fit you into this one. JA has only the one book, and I have also reviewed him.

Hi Loralee,

May I join with my latest, Jigsaw Shadow Ball. JA has not read it yet. I look forward to reading another one of your works if I am slotted in that direction. Please advise and take care.

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

Hi I would like to join this round with Wizard Bamzooki's Campaign

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

Loralee has reviewed me. I've not reviewed/been reviewed by the other author.

Hey, can I join with my book "Black Powder, Black Heart"?

https://www.amazon.com/Black-Powder-H...?

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

Loralee has reviewed me, David has reviewed me, Ann has reviewed me.

I have reviewed JR, Tim Goff.

Haven't reviewed JF Freely or been reviewed by him.

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

Loralee has reviewed me. I might have a book she hasn't reviewed. It doesn't matter if she reviewed The Dog Thief and Other Stories, because it is no longer published so she can review The Dog Thief even though it is the same book.

I have no conflicts with Freely.

Hello, I would like to join the group with a historical fantasy. I haven’t participated in any groups before, so no review conflicts. My author profile link is: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
My book link is: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

I’ve read through all the rules - apologise in advance if I’ve missed something

Laura, Seth, and David, I was able to fit you in. Laura, since the books needs to fit the Out of this World, I put in Wild Hare. Let me know if you'd like me to put in another fantasy/speculative book of yours. If you want me to, I will change it out.
J.R., since I have reviewed you and J.A. has reviewed your book, A Collection of Fabulous Fascinating Fairy Tales Volume 7, I won't be able to fit you in since I can't move J.A. from my blind spot.

Emma, it looks like I will be able to fit you, but I need you to do something first. You'll need to be able to message other authors, so please follow these instructions. Go to this link: https://www.goodreads.com/user/edit?t...
then scroll down a little way until you see "Who Can Send Me Private Messages:" when you get there, click "anyone" then scroll to the bottom and click the button that says "Save account settings".
Please do that, then post back here and let me know when you have.

Hi Loralee,

I am new here in Goodreads and would like to have the opportunity to join this group.
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...

Wild Hare will work, Thank you, Loralee.

Hi Loralee, I have changed that setting.

Thanks, Emma. There is a spot for you! Fiona, I'm so sorry, but this is currently an Out of this World review round, meaning books within the speculative realm (sci-fi, fantasy, steampunk, etc.) Your book appears to be a non-fiction book. I say currently, because if the round starts to take a long time to fill, I may change it to a General. Your book looks like it would be really informative! Keep checking back, and looking for rounds opening in the future. Look for In-the-world review rounds, or General rounds. Those would be appropriate for a non-fiction book.

I would like to join with my book, Winter Wind, book one of the Mothers of the Nation series
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

People I have reviewed: David Gordan

People who reviewed me: Laura Koerber, Loralee Evans

Welcome, Whittney! It looks like I was able to fit you.

It's been more than a week since we've had new people join this round. If we find ourselves waiting for a long time for those last three spots to fill, I may need to change this to a General round to make it a bit more open. But we'll give it a while longer.

General is fine with me. Whatever works for you. Thanks!

fine with me too

Okay! Thanks, folks. I've switched it over to a general round. Hopefully we can get those last three spots filled.

Sounds good, Loralee.

Linda wrote: "Can I join with my book Elena's Quiet Revival? I'm new here and have not read anyone on the lists.

Linda A. Sanchez

[book:Elena's Quiet Revival: Where silence met surrender, an..."

Hi Linda,

I currently have you signed up for Round 379 and the rules state you can only join one round at a time. If you would prefer to join this one, please let me know and I'll remove you from 379.

Thanks :)

I am new to the group and would like to join with my historical fantasy/magical realism/romance His Name is Junsaku. I have not been reviewed by anyone on the list before.

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

Tenkara,
I would love to add you! Before I'm able to do that, I need you to change your settings so that you can send and receive messages with other members of the group. To do that, go to this link: https://www.goodreads.com/user/edit?t...
Once there, scroll down until you see "Who Can Send Me Private Messages"
then, click "anyone".
After that, scroll down to the bottom and click "Save account settings"
Then post here again to let me know you did it!

Awesome - I changed it and now 'anyone' can send me messages. - Am I in the group now please? :) Don't want to miss anything

May I join with Arresting Mason or an alternate?

Seth, Laura, and Loralee have read from me. If they've read my chosen book, I'd be happy to send another. I have a large backlist.

I've read from JA and David, but not David's chosen book. However, I've read JA's chosen book, and it's his only work, so I can't get an alternate from him. If I can join this round, JA will have to go in my blind spot.

No conflicts with Emma or Whittney.

No AI is included in my books.

Thanks a lot!
Amber

Hi Loralee

May I join this group with my book - A Tale of renascence?
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

Laura, Whitney and You have reviewed me but I can offer other books
I have reviewed Seth, J.A. and David.

Regards
Dami

I have updated my email status to 'anyone' :) I am new to the group and would like to join with my historical fantasy/magical realism/romance His Name is Junsaku. I have not been reviewed by anyone on the list before. His Name is Junsaku

Tenkara, I was able to fit you in. Welcome! Amber and Arriah, I am so sorry! I wish I could fit you, but as you have both reviewed J.A., and it is his only book, and he can't move from the spot he is in, I can't fit you into this round. Have you tried this general round: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
?
It still has a few spots left to fill.

Awesome Loralee :) Cheers!

No problem, Loralee. Thank you. Will wait for another round to open up. :-)

Hi Loralee,
I would like to join in this group with my historical fiction: The Mule Spinners' Daughters

Thanks, G J Griffiths: G.J. Griffiths

Graham, it looks like I was able to fit you. It doesn't look like anyone has reviewed you, and it looks like you've reviewed only me and Laura, which fits you nicely into the #8 spot.
Let me know if you have any conflicts.

Everyone, if I was accurate in checking G.J.'s conflicts, then it appears we have just one spot left to fill! Please get ready to check and then comment if you are good to go.

Once we have that last person in the group, and you have all checked that you have no conflicts and have said you're good, we'll be ready to start.

Hopefully not much longer, now!

Loralee wrote: "Graham, it looks like I was able to fit you. It doesn't look like anyone has reviewed you, and it looks like you've reviewed only me and Laura, which fits you nicely into the #8 spot.
Let me know ..."

Thanks Loralee, I agree with your findings, If Laura and you have another book for me to review then I think we can go ahead.

I hate to throw off the good rhythm, but I checked, and I have reviewed one of G J Griffith's books before.

Thanks, for letting me know about that, Seth.
Darn it. I'm sorry G.J. Since you've reviewed Laura and so have I and Seth, I don't think I can move enough people to fit you into this round. I must have checked using your initials instead of your last name.

Hi Loralee,

Thanks for messaging me. I would like to join.

Here’s my info.

http://Goodreads.com/book/show/623315...

https://www.Amazon.com/Drop-Heaven-Le...

Thanks, Juliette. After checking if you've reviewed anyone here, and checking if anyone already here has reviewed you, it LOOKS like you can fit. From what I saw, you have reviewed Seth Hobbs and me, which puts you into #8 if I am correct.

Everyone, please let me know of any conflicts you can see, that I may have missed. It is a big help in avoiding review conflicts in the group.
Also, remember this from the first post:
'Please state when signing up what authors already on the list have reviewed you, and which ones you have reviewed.

To check if you’ve reviewed someone, click your “My Books”, and type their name in "search and add books".
To check if someone else has reviewed you, go to their profile, click the middle link under their picture (x reviews) then type your name into “search and add books”'

It is a big help to me in my efforts to find spots for you.

If I did not miss anything in searching for Juliette's reviews and who has reviewed her, then we have just one spot left to fill.

Again, please speak up if you notice a conflict and I have not.

I would like to join if i can submit https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

I have reviewed the following on both Goodreads and Amazon.

Antunites Unite
Terry Birdgenaw

Errant
Florian Armas

No Life but Immortality: Book 1 of Geryon's Code Cycle
Liudmila Brus

Predestined
Rachel Byrne

T.E.W. wrote: "I would like to join if i can submit https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

I have reviewed the following on both Goodreads and Amazon.

Antunites Unite
Terry Birdgenaw

Errant
Flo..."

Hi Tameka,

I see you've signed up here too. You can only sign up to one group at a time. So, first you need to post your missing Amazon reviews to Group 377, then you need to let me / Loralee know which group you want to join.

Thanks :)

I have updated group 377 Amazon review update as requested also I'm still waiting on the other two to become available to view. and I have chosen group 378

Hi - I'm new the the group and have a short novel for ages 8+ called Ramsay the Cat. Could I possibly be part of the next reading group?

Ramsay the Cat: Family-Friendly, Middle-Grade Fiction. (Funny, Heartwarming, Adventure, For Kids Ages 8+).

T.E.W., I can't let you in until all your reviews to both Goodreads and Amazon have come through, and links to those reviews are posted on the thread for Group 377.
Wolf, as long as you don't have any review conflicts with anyone one the thread, I can let you in, but first you need to set up the ability to message others.
Please go to this thread: https://www.goodreads.com/user/edit?t...
Then scroll down until you find "Who Can Send Me Private Messages:"
Click "anyone"
Then scroll to the bottom and click "Save Account Settings"

Hey Loralee I have clicked 'ANYONE' for 'Who can send me private messages' so I think I'm ready to go. Thanks for including me!

Thanks for that, Wolf! It looks like you also need to claim your author profile. Right now, you're posting from a regular user profile. You'll need to claim your author profile here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
and then from there, you'll need to set up the ability to message others.

Wow, I didn't know that wasn't current. I've submitted the claim to the author profile. Hope it happens soon.

Wolf, in checking your conflicts, it looks like you and Tenkara Smart have reviewed each other.
In the reading rounds, we don't allow reciprocal reviews as they get deleted by Amazon, and they tend to influence people to give ratings that aren't fully accurate.
Since the two of you have reviewed each other, I'm not comfortable having you both in the same round. But this round seems to be looking to fill a few remaining spots: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
You might try that, and see if E.K. can fit you in.

It's ok, Loralee, and I'll check out the other group. thanks again!

I have posted my zon links and Goodreads in 377 and don't have any conflicts.

T.E.W. wrote: "I have posted my zon links and Goodreads in 377 and don't have any conflicts."

I'm still waiting for one Zon link in 377 (unless I missed it.)