[archived]Round_123 "General" (reviews on GR & Amz)-Done! > Likes and Comments

This is a "General, Goodreads & Amazon" round
Any and all types of books, both fiction and non-fiction, are acceptable here. This means you might be reading anything from a book about tax returns to creative nonfiction to horror or erotica and anything in between. Books must be published, finished works and available on Amazon.

In Goodreads+Amazon rounds, every participant must be able to leave a review on their local Amazon store, so everyone’s starting with the same options. Participants post reviews to Goodreads, and please also post on your own Amazon store and any other Amazon stores you might have access to.

Before you sign up, please make sure:

1. You’ve thoroughly read and understand How Read/Review Rounds Work (The Rules). Participating in the round indicates your understanding and acceptance of the rules and compliance with them.

2. You’ve claimed your Goodreads author page.
If you’re on a regular Goodreads user account, rather than an author account, you’ll need to do this before joining a round. You’ll find the directions for claiming your author profile page here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/program.

3. You’ve completed your review commitment if you’re currently in another read/review round in this group. (You can’t sign up to a new round until after you’ve completed that review commitment (posted both review links) in the other round in this Goodreads group.)

4. Your book is fit and ready to be reviewed.
If it’s not, due to editing or other issues, you risk poor reviews. For GR+Amz rounds, your book must be currently available for sale or free download at Amazon and other online booksellers (not pre-order).

5. You have enough time to read and review a book within the round timeframe of four weeks.

6. Your book fits the round theme.

7. You can provide — and accept — at least PDF files.
You’re not expected or required to buy the books you’re scheduled to read, although that’s a nice gesture. And doing so for GR+Amz rounds will give a "Verified Purchase" review on Amazon, which is a nice thing for the author. Each participant is responsible for getting a review copy of their book to their reader in the round and must be able to provide — and accept — at least PDF files. Many provide and accept other formats as well. Please ask your reader’s preference if you can provide files in a variety of formats. And many authors have books available via KU and others might provide Smashwords coupons.

Note that International Copyright laws apply: you cannot sell or give away material you’ve received, without the author’s express permission.

8. You are able to submit reviews to Amazon.

(On Amazon, only people who have spent $50 in the last year can leave reviews in each of their stores. If you’re uncertain about your Amazon reviewer status, try to post a "test" review before you sign up for the round. If you’re unable to post reviews on Amazon, please don’t sign up for GR+Amz rounds. Instead, look for rounds that say “reviews on GR+ (NOT Amz)”.)

9. You agree to provide a contact email address when the Moderator requests it.

This is necessary to allow for sending/receiving a review copy, if needed, as well as to allow the Mod to contact you about your reviewing commitment, if needed. Emails must not be used for marketing purposes or sold. The "Final Check" post for the round will have a link to the form in which you'll provide your contact email.

To sign up for this read/review round, please reply to this topic with these details:

1. Your Goodreads Profile link

Please also include any additional names/profiles under which you publish, to help the other participants check for and avoid reciprocal reviewing.

2. Your Goodreads Book info link for your book that you want to have reviewed

3. Specify which of the other authors in the round have previously reviewed any of your books (if none, please specifically say so), and also which of the other authors in the round you have previously reviewed (if none, please specifically say so), to help everyone avoid reciprocal reviews. Also, state any relationship you have with other members in the round.

It’s a more-professional practice to avoid reviews from the same household on a book from that same household, or if you are an editor, relative, or close friend of the author. And Amazon doesn’t allow this anyway.

How to check for reciprocal reviews:
Go to your reviews through your profile (the link is under your portrait), and search for the other author’s name. Check if someone has reviewed you in the same way… through their profile, searching for your name.

Please check back as the round fills to report any new conflicts.

And be sure to check back periodically, so you don't miss out on anything in the round (note that Goodreads notifications aren't reliable).

By joining this round, you agree to accept for reading and reviewing whatever book you are scheduled for. Please note that it’s possible that the book you’re scheduled to read may contain material you find upsetting or offensive. You are expected to finish the book — that’s only fair. If you can't commit to this, please don’t sign up.

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Round Parameters:

-Four weeks to complete reading the book and post your review.

Read the entire book and write your unbiased and honest review of the book, making every attempt to avoid spoilers if possible, and post it. For what constitutes a book review for this group (and for reviewing tips), please see Book Reviewing.

-After your review is posted, add the link(s) to it to this reading-round topic so the Mod can "sign you off" for the round.

When you add your link(s) to this topic, make sure the links are to your own review not the book page. Please shorten the links (always a good practice for any social media). See Finding review links to post them in the group for specific tips.

Additional Notes:

-Reviews that state you received a copy "in return" or "in exchange" for a review will probably be removed/disallowed by some retailers. If you wish to add a disclaimer, the following would be more acceptable: "I received a free copy from the author without an obligation to review".

-Your Goodreads details and the rounds you participate in may be recorded by Mods on a database. We don’t retain details of email addresses, etc.

If you have questions, please first review How Read/Review Rounds Work (The Rules) and check Questions about Review Rounds for an answer. If you still have questions, please ask before signing up.

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Each author will review one other book in this reading round.

(Person 1 reviews 2. Person 2 reviews 3. Person 3 reviews 1. )

Please don’t get books or begin reading/reviewing until the Mod has posted that the round has started.

Participants & Book Links
1. Seth Hobbs✓ - Black Powder, Black Heart: A Dark Flintlock Fantasy Novel
2. Peter J. McKenna✓ - Sunset Gardens
3. Chelsea O'Hara✓ - Absent

(✓ means the participant is done with their review commitment, ✍︎ means the participant has provided one review link but hasn't yet posted the other link)

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Be sure to read through all the rules as they have been updated - especially regarding how sending/receiving review copies will work and providing contact information to facilitate that.

Can I join this round with "Black Powder, Black Heart?" Thanks.

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

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C...?

Seth wrote: "Can I join this round with "Black Powder, Black Heart?" Thanks.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2......"

Certainly Seth and welcome to the round.

Since Goodreads notifications aren't reliable, please be sure to check back periodically to report any new conflicts and avoid missing out on anything posted in the round.

Hello, I would like to join this round with "Sunset Gardens." Thanks!

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

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

I have no conflicts with Seth.

Peter wrote: "Hello, I would like to join this round with "Sunset Gardens." Thanks!
Goodreads profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Book info: https://www.goodreads.com/book/s..."

Welcome to the round, Peter.

Since Goodreads notifications aren't reliable, please be sure to check back from time to time to report any new conflicts and avoid missing out on anything posted in the round.

hello, i have not reviewed either, Peter has reviewed me.. Seth has not. is there space for me? Thanks.
Elias
Chelsea O'Hara

Chelsea wrote: "hello, i have not reviewed either, Peter has reviewed me.. Seth has not. is there space for me? Thanks.
Elias
Chelsea O'Hara"

Chelsea, it looks like Peter has already reviewed this book of yours. To help me figure out where you can fit in the round, do you have another book he could review?

S. Lynn wrote: "Chelsea wrote: "hello, i have not reviewed either, Peter has reviewed me.. Seth has not. is there space for me? Thanks.
Elias
Chelsea O'Hara"

Chelsea, it looks l..."
yeah, Absent :)

Chelsea wrote: "yeah, Absent :)..."

Wonderful! Welcome to the round Chelsea.

Since Goodreads notifications aren't reliable, please be sure to check back periodically to avoid missing out on anything posted in the round.

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Final Check
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Hi everyone and welcome to this Read/Review Round!

Just a couple more things before the round can get underway...

1. Everyone please provide your contact information via this form - https://forms.gle/KjqB9uuHuYbPwpfG8

This will allow for sending/receiving a review copy, if needed, as well as allow the Mod to contact you about your reviewing commitment, if needed. If you want to create a new email account only for use for this review group, see Getting a review copy for a list of the supposedly best free email providers.

2. I think we're good on having no one set for a reciprocal review, but everyone please do one last double-check for reciprocal and other review conflicts. You can’t be listed to review someone who reviewed you before and vice versa. It’s all about who has already read whom, when positioning the readers in the slots.

Please double-check these things (please don't rely on memory):

a) Have you previously reviewed the person directly above you on the list in message 1 (the list wraps around so the last number is "above" 1.)?

If you have, please post a reply that says so. That way we can fix the list so as to avoid a reciprocal review, which isn’t allowed here.

b) Have you already reviewed the book listed for the person directly below you on the list (the list wraps around so "1." is "below" the last number)?

If you have, post a reply that says so. That way we can fix the list so it shows the correct book for reviewing.

c) Are you an editor, relative, close friend, or from the same household of either the person whose book you'll be reviewing or the person who'll be reviewing your book?

If so, please state any relationship you have with those other members. It’s a more-professional practice to avoid reviews from people in those relationships to the author. And Amazon doesn’t allow this anyway.

Reminder of how to check for reciprocal reviews:

Go to your reviews through your profile (the link is under your portrait), and search for the other author’s name. Check if someone has reviewed you in the same way… through their profile, searching for your name.

If you have no review conflicts, and have filled out & submitted the form, please post a reply with "Ready to start”, or similar words.

After everyone has posted that they’re ready, I'll post the official "start the round" message to get the round rolling! :)

Please don’t get books or begin reading/reviewing until that official "start the round" message has been posted. The order can still change before then.

Chelsea has reviewed "Asylum Seekers" by me, but not my other books, so this should work out. No other conflicts, from what I see.

Seth wrote: "Chelsea has reviewed "Asylum Seekers" by me, but not my other books, so this should work out. No other conflicts, from what I see."

Thank you for that information, Seth.

Also, please complete both parts of the final check, as listed in message 11 above, to be ready to go. Thanks!

sorry i completely missed Asylum Seekers when i checked!
good to go

Looks good to me!

Chelsea wrote: "sorry i completely missed Asylum Seekers when i checked!
good to go"

Chelsea, please complete both parts of the final check, as listed in message 11 above, to be ready to go. Thanks!

okay.. looks good, good to go.

I filled out the email form. Everything else looks good. Thanks!

Thank you all - let’s get this round going!

You have four weeks to read and review.
Start date: March 4, 2026
End date: April 1, 2026

Please post your review no later than APRIL 1, 2026.

As AUTHORS, you’ll send your book file to your reviewer, and as REVIEWERS, you’ll receive a book file to read.

1.__Seth Hobbs
You're reviewing Sunset Gardens (Peter J. McKenna).
Chelsea O'Hara is reviewing your book, so please make sure they have a copy to read.

2.__Peter J. McKenna
You're reviewing Absent (Chelsea O'Hara).
Seth Hobbs is reviewing your book, so please make sure they have a copy to read.

3.__Chelsea O'Hara
You're reviewing Black Powder, Black Heart: A Dark Flintlock Fantasy Novel (Seth Hobbs).
Peter J. McKenna is reviewing your book, so please make sure they have a copy to read.

It's the responsibility of each author to get their book to their reader in a format the reader can manage. Everyone must be able to provide — and accept — at least PDF files. You may buy or borrow the book you are due to read, if you want, but it’s not required.

Please honor the commitment you’re making to your fellow group members to give an honest review.

Quick "start-up" summary:

-Get a copy of the book you're reviewing as soon as possible. You’re reviewing the book "below" you on the list. There are several methods for getting a copy of the book to read and review:

1. You can choose to buy the book, but you don’t have to. If you do buy, certainly the author will appreciate the verified review on Amazon.

2. You can choose to read the book through KU, if you’re a subscriber and the book’s available there.

3. You can request a review copy from the author.

If you need to get a review copy of the book you are to read & review, post in the round requesting a review copy from the author of the book you're to review. Then the Mod will email both of you (using the contact information you provided in the form during the "Final Check" phase) to pass along contact information so you can send/receive the review copy. (See Getting a review copy for more details.) Don’t post your email in the round - it’s an open forum from which scammers can glean information.

When the author has sent the review copy, they need to post in this topic that they have done so.

Everyone, when you have gotten a copy of the book you are to review (through whatever method), post in this topic that you have a copy.

-Please make sure you have sent your book - or have been assured by your reviewer they will buy your book or read it through KU - as soon as possible so your reader can start reading.

-For this round, you’re requested to please post your review to Goodreads, and on your own Amazon store and any other Amazon stores you might have access to. Posting a review to other sites is by agreement between both author and reviewer.

We understand that outside world commitments can sometimes make it difficult to complete a review on schedule. If you're going to be late getting your review in, you need to post to the round topic about the delay. Failure to post or complete reviews can result in repercussions, as detailed in How Read/Review Rounds Work (The Rules).

-After you’ve posted your reviews, please reply to this topic with the links to your reviews (not the book page) so you can be "signed off" for reviewing.

Be sure to shorten your links to remove possibly personal information and give you a clean link to post (remove the "?" or "ref" and everything after it).

You can post your Goodreads review link before the Amazon one has been approved. But since Amazon can take days to post the review, it might be better to wait until the Amazon review appears, then review the book on Goodreads, and then post both links together in one message in this topic. If you don't have the Goodreads and Amazon links on the same date, please don't edit your original post to add the second link as it's unlikely the Mod will see that. Create a new post with the link.

For GR+Amz Rounds:
The moderator will note whether participants have posted reviews on Amazon. Members who persistently fail to post to Amazon will find mods less than willing to add them to subsequent GR+Amz rounds, as joining these rounds indicates both a capability and a willingness to review on Amazon.

For the good of all, participants in any type of round who persistently fail to post reviews, or DNF reviews, will find mods less than willing to add them to subsequent rounds.

Please let me know ASAP if I missed something that results in you being asked to review someone who’s already reviewed you.

Feel free to ask questions if you need to.

Happy reading & reviewing! :)

If you need to send/receive a review copy, please note the updated information in message 19 above, under "Quick "start-up" summary", for how that works for this group, now that DMs are gone.

Got my copy of Absent through Kindle Unlimited. Seth, please let me know if you need one from me. Thanks!

I got a KU copy of Peter's book already, so no worries! Thanks! Chelsea can get mine on KU, but if not, let me know and I can send a PDF.

Thank you for posting that you have copies of the books you are to read, Peter and Seth.

Chelsea, have you gotten a copy of the book you are to review?

I got myself locked out of goodreads! sorry, yes. ill be using KU :)

Chelsea wrote: "I got myself locked out of goodreads! sorry, yes. ill be using KU :)"

Glad to hear you're back in GR. No worries and thanks for letting us know you got the book!

My reviews for Absent:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Peter wrote: "My reviews for Absent:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

Thank you for those review links, Peter. You're all done with your reviewing commitment for the round. The contact information that you provided for this reviewing commitment has been deleted.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R36HNKH...

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

Here's mine. Thanks!

Seth wrote: "https://www.amazon.com/review/R36HNKH...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Here's mine. Thanks!"

Thank you for the review links, Seth. You're all done with your reviewing commitment for the round.

The contact information that you provided for this reviewing commitment has been deleted.

A reminder that this round's reviewing deadline is coming up: April 1.

If you're going to be late getting your review in, please post to the round topic about the delay.

Still waiting on Amz...

Chelsea wrote: "Still waiting on Amz..."

Thank you for letting us know!

I'm seeing that they're sometimes taking even longer now to get those reviews up (ugh!). Hang in there. 🙂

It's taking forever!
Here's Gr for now: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
So sorry for the delay.

Chelsea wrote: "It's taking forever!
Here's Gr for now: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
So sorry for the delay."

Thank you for that review link. And no worries. They hung onto one of mine well beyond what felt reasonable - and then posted it. 🤷‍♀️

Hello, I'm not in the group - but just saying Hi!
Not sure how to contact folks, so I'm saying hi here.
Not sure when I'll be back in the rounds
but I will

be well!
(Thank you for the newsletter!)

S. Lynn wrote: "Chelsea wrote: "It's taking forever!
Here's Gr for now: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
So sorry for the delay."

Thank you for that review link. And no worries. They hung onto one..."

It's still not live, I'm unsure what to do? should i resubmit or wait it out? my other reviews have been so much quicker!

Chelsea wrote: "It's still not live, I'm unsure what to do? should i resubmit or wait it out? my other reviews have been so much quicker!"

I've heard that Amazon's implemented a new process to review reviews. Many people have waited two weeks or more for the book review they wrote to show up.

I don't see anything in your Goodreads review that seems like it would upset Amazon. I'd be inclined to try submitting it again if it was mine.

I have tried to submit the review again, twice,
I keep getting this message 'We apologise but Amazon is not accepting reviews on this product from this account. For more information or to contact us, please see our community guidelines.'
I'm so sorry it's being so difficult!

No need to apologize. Do you have a friend or family member who could submit the review for you under their account? That's a possible work-around.

YAY!
I have an account with .com to, so I reviewed on there.. was up within 2 minutes.
Hope that's okay!
https://www.amazon.com/review/R3MY5NW...

Chelsea wrote: "YAY!
I have an account with .com to, so I reviewed on there.. was up within 2 minutes.
Hope that's okay!
https://www.amazon.com/review/R3MY5NW..."

That's perfect!

You're all done with your reviewing commitment for the round. Thank you!!

The contact information that you provided for this reviewing commitment has been deleted.

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And that wraps up this round. Thank you all for participating!
(I'll file the round away in a bit.)