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 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 (DO NOT FINISH) 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 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. Florian Armas | The Other Side
2. Tenkara Smart | His Name is Junsaku
3. Eliza Thorncroft | A Hedgerow Hollows Tale: Hedgehog's Birthday Surprise
4. Shoshana Yarin | Story Time With YaYa
5. Matt Savino | Land Without a Continent: A Road Trip through Mexico and Central America
6. S.D. Brown | Alabaster Alibi
7. Jane C.R. Reid | Allure of the Stone: Tales from the Stones, Crystals and Precious Gems
8. Jennifer Abrahamsen | Forging the Future: Elven Roots, Book 3
9. T.E.W. Tameka E. Wesley | Remnants : The Forsaken Goddess & The Eternal Flame
10. Gene Kendall | Efficient and Divine: Honey Locust

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 listed one of my books to get us going. When signing up, please tell me if you have reviewed any of the authors already on the list, or if they have reviewed you. I'm also not adding anyone until their 'Who Can Send Me Private Messages' setting is 'anyone'.

I would like to join with The Other Side (or something else, if needed).

I've added Florian -- I've reviewed Florian before, but not this book. Everyone, please list your review conflicts when signing up.

I'm in for Land Without a Continent if we can avoid conflicts: https://www.amazon.com/Land-Without-C...

Gene, you have reviewed my book.

I would like to enter with my book
Remnants : The Forsaken Goddess & The Eternal Flame https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Also so far I have no conflicts

T.E.W. has reviewed me, not this book.

I'd like to join this group. I have read both gene and Florian but not all of their books.
Black Hole Radio -Furilani

May I join with "The Tale of the Young Witch"?

Florian has reviewed one of my other books. Gene has read an earlier version of "The Tale of the Young Witch." I read T.E.W.'s book. I had read one of Ann's other books, but she has helped me with one of my other books, not "The Tale of the Young Witch." I haven't reviewed Matt, and Matt hasn't reviewed me.

Okay, I think I have a list that works. If anyone sees a conflict, please let me know.

I would like to join with:
Hypochondriac Gambler
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hypochondria...
No conflicts so far.
Many thanks,
Neil

I would like to join with The Millennial and the King: How to Become a Legend if that is still possible

a few conflicts:
- Matt Sarvino has reviewed my book
- I have reviewed Ann Birdgenaw's Black Hole Radio - Furilani
- I have reviewed Gene Kendall, but not this book

Sorry, Miriam, but there are too many conflicts to work you in this time.

I have already reviewed Joseph's other book under a pseudonym. Does that matter?

Ann wrote: "I have already reviewed Joseph's other book under a pseudonym. Does that matter?"

Yes, if you've reviewed Joseph under any name, you can't send him your book. As the list stands, Joseph would have to drop out since there's no room to place you in each other's blind spots.

Not sure if I can join with From the Drop of Heaven..?

I’ve read Anne’s
I think Florian read mine
I’ve read Gene’s

I think that’s all.

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

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

I've reviewed Matt's book
I have reviewed Florian, but not this book
Gene has reviewed this book, but I have others

Sorry, Gene, on reflection I've decided to withdraw my application to include Hypochondriac Gambler at this time.

I do apologise for the inconvenience caused.

Neil

Hi Gene,

I have written a collection of short Stories named "Mixed Bag- Short Stories" and I would love to join this group but unfortunately I don't have access to Amazon at the moment. Maybe in the future but not currently.

Is is possible if I post the reviews on Goodreads and on my blog?

By the way, its all good to me if the authors here don't post a review of my book on Amazon. Goodreads will suffice.

Please let me know!

Thanks

I would be interested in joining with my book of children's stories: Story Time with Ya Ya
https://pagepublishing.com/books/?boo...
I have reviewed Birdgenaw and Wesley.

Tajammul -- You need to be able to post to Amazon, per the opening post. Sorry.

Neil -- Thanks for letting me know. Maybe another time.

Thomas -- I was able to work you in.

Juliette -- I'd like to add you, but please check for conflicts on each name. (The best way: Go to your Reviews page and type in the name of other authors in the thread. That will tell you if you've read them in the past. Then go to the profile of other authors in the thread and click on their "My Books" page, this time searching for your name. That will tell you if they have read you in the past.) We can't rely on memory when making the lists; that causes issues later on. :)

I've added Shoshana and rearranged the list again. Please, everyone, keep looking for conflicts.

I'd love to join this group with my novel, His Name is Junsaku. I do not have any conflicts.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Hi
I'm Eliza Thorncroft and I would like to join with my debut children's book A Hedgerow Hollows Tale: Hedgehog's Birthday Surprise. First timer, to review or be reviewed. I don't have any known conflicts. Let's connect!
-Eliza

Gene hi, I am Sass Green and also write as Cat Green. I would like to join with my book Her Dark Prince
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FDQHH5G7

I am Sass Green and have written as Cat Green,I would like toi submit my book Her Dark Prince https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FDQHH5G7


Florian has read me
I have read Shoshanna
Ann has read me
I have read Gene
I’m checking Tomas and T,E,W, now

Sorry, Sass--it looks we are full, assuming Juliette can fit.

I looked at Juliette's page and think there can be a way to go forward.

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.

If you write under a pen name or have additional Goodreads profiles, then you'll have to follow these instructions for every pen name or additional Goodreads profile.

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.
If you spot a clash or someone in the four below you who has no book you can review, please say.

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.

And having checked through the list, I can affirm I have no conflicts.

Also, FYI, I'm not going to be available online much this weekend, so the earliest we'll likely get started is Monday.

I don't have conflicts.

Good to go

I don't see conflicts.

I have already reviewed Juliette's book.
I have reviewed Florian, but not this book.
I have already reviewed Matt's book.

Thomas reviewed my book. I have no other conflicts with the people above me.

I have no conflicts with the 4 people below me.

I have not reviewed the 4 people above me (I was #2, so I have not reviewed #1, #10, #9, or #8). Hope I got that right :)

Sorry Gene, but I have read Juliette's book so she can't read mine. :-(

Oops, I did review Ann Birdgenaw so she cannot review mine. Didn't check below very good, sorry...

Okay, everyone. Thanks for your responses.

I'm sorry, but in light of some of these conflicts, it looks like both Juliette and Thomas will have to sit this round out.

I apologize for any inconvenience! When we receive two new sign-ups, I'll have us check again.

Hi, I'd like to join with any of my books.

I have reviewed all of Gene's gooks and several of Ann's but not all of them and one of Tenkara's but not all of them.

Florian has reviewed me but not all of my books.

I have no conflicts with the others.

Sorry, Laura, but there are currently too many conflicts for you to fit.

I would like to join with my book Half of Me

Linda A. Sanchez

I have read Shoshana and her listed book, Ann Bridgenaw and her listed book, & T.E.W and listed book. I can read any other book they have, and I don't believe anyone in this group has read my book.

Gene are there conflicts with me (Sass Green Cat Green) ?


Florian has read me
I have read Shoshanna
Ann has read me
I have read Gene
Tomas has read me
TEW has read me

reply | edit | delete | flag

Sorry, Linda and Sass, but there are too many conflicts to add you.

Can you consider my book "Allure of the Stone"?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
No one here has read it
Tenkara Smart has read another of my books
I have read Anne Bridgenaw’s Blackhole Radio
I have read Gene Kendall but not this book

Assuming Anne has an alternate book to offer, Jane should fit based on the conflicts I've recorded.

For the record, these are the listed conflicts. If there's any additions or corrections, please let me know.

Gene can't send to Florian
Gene can't send to Matt
Matt can't send to Gene
T.E.W. can't send to Florian
Ann can't send to Gene
Ann can't send to Florian
Shoshana can't send to Ann
Shoshana can't send to T.E.W.
T.E.W. can't send to Shoshana
Tenkara can't send to Jane
Jane can't send to Ann
Jane can't send to Gene

Also, it looks as if Notifications haven't worked today, so that might be something for everyone to be watching out for.

I'm not sure it's necessary to mention but I did review one of Jane's book - Becoming Catherine - and to my knowledge, Jane has not reviewed His Name is Junsaku which is the book I'm listing. :)

Tenkara wrote: "I'm not sure it's necessary to mention but I did review on of Jane's book - Becoming Catherine - and to my knowledge, Jane has not reviewed His Name is Junsaku which is the book I listing. :)"

To avoid reciprocal reviews, Jane wouldn't be reviewing your book, Tenkara.

Hi Gene,

Not sure If I'd fit in, BuT I'd like to join with Alabaster Alibi.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

I have reviewed you and Florian's name is familiar. Will check to make sure there are no other conflicts ASAP.
And I have read Ann.

I've also read Jane.

I have no conflict with Florian.