[archived]Round_132 "General" -Done! > Likes and Comments

This is a "General" 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 can be published, finished works, available at Amazon & other online booksellers; or not-yet-published, i.e. ARC files & pre-order books. If the book is not yet published, you must be able to provide an ARC file and the book must be able to be reviewed in at least one other place in addition to Goodreads.

Participants post reviews to Goodreads and at least one place elsewhere. Amazon is the preferred second location.

However, if it's not feasible for you to review on Amazon (either the book's in pre-order or you cannot review on Amazon), that second location could be BookBub, LibraryThing, TheStoryGraph, Readers' Favorite, Smashwords, Kobo, Audible, B&N, IG, X/Twitter, FB etc.

When posting your review to places like IG, X/Twitter, etc., please create a new post, on your own account, in which you review the book. Don't go to the author's account and paste your review as a comment on one of their posts - that comment is too easily lost in all the activity on the platform.

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.

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. 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 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.

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 be sure to check back periodically as the round fills, to report any new conflicts and 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. (And if the round expands to a 4-way or 5-way round, reviewing follows the same pattern, just expanded for the additional participants.))

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

Participants & Book Links
1. Lennea Rose✓ - Sweet Child Of Mine
2. Keerthana Balamurugan✓ - Angelo Sapiens and the Serpent's Stone
3. J.R. Gibson✓ - Wizard Bamzooki's Controversies

(✓ 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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Good morning,
I’d like to join with my book ‘Sweet Child of Mine’ please.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Hi Lynn,
I would like to join with my book Angelo Sapiens and the Serpent's Stone for this round..

Hi Lynn,
I have not reviewed Keerthana nor has she reviewed me.
Thanks!

Welcome to the round, Lennea and Keerthana.

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.

If possible, I'd like to join with my pre-order title Consumptive Cur.

I can provide a PDF to my reviewer via email. Since it can't yet be reviewed on Amazon, I recommend posting 2nd reviews on Instagram or X/Twitter. You could also post on LibraryThing: https://www.librarything.com/work/362...

No conflicts detected with either of the two others in this group.

T.B. wrote: "If possible, I'd like to join with my pre-order title Consumptive Cur.
I can provide a PDF to my reviewer via email. Since it can't yet be reviewed on Amazon, I recommend posting ..."

Welcome to the round, T.B.

I see the book also on Bookbub (https://www.bookbub.com/books/consump...) and TheStoryGraph (https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/1...) so there are several options for the reviewer to chose from for the second location for the review.

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Final Check
--------------
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.

Filled out the form. I am good to go! 🙃

T.B. wrote: "I'm afraid I have to withdraw from this round because..."

I've removed you from the round as you requested.

I spent 7 years writing my trilogy.
So yes, I definitely wrote my books.
It is too bad that there are so many people out there that want to bring everyone down. What ever happened to kindness and respect? I feel like it is lost in this world.
That makes me sad! 😔

"I doubt any human wrote any of that" is a pretty strong statement.
It took me around a year and a half to finish this book, and a lot of that work was done during a difficult period in my life.
Anyways, everyone is entitled to their opinion. But dismissing a book as AI-generated without proper evidence, and before even reading it or at least the opening chapters, feels completely unnecessary to me.

Good luck with your book.

Hi. I would like to join this round with Wizard Bamzooki's Controversies:

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

I've not read/been reviewed by any of the other authors in this round

My bad for opening up a discussion that didn't belong in a round. I apologize Lennea and Keerthana for that.

T.B., please note that you can just say that you need to leave a round. No reason needs to be posted.

Everyone, I've weeded out some comments to keep the round focused on its purpose and stop the comments sliding into personal attacks.

-----------

And note please that concerns about other's book(s) are best discussed privately with Mods rather than posted publicly. That's what the "Questions / Contact Admin/Mods" topic is for (https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...) and I've edited message 1 of that topic to hopefully make that clearer.

Welcome to the round, J.R.

- - - - -

And we're back to the final check again... :)

(Lennea, you're already set for #1 below - I see your contact info from your response earlier.)

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Final Check
--------------
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.

Hi Lynn , is it too late to add my to the round just above JR? I have Read him before and have no conflicts with Keerthana ?
Black Hole Radio - Nebulis

Ann wrote: "Hi Lynn , is it too late to add my to the round just above JR? I have Read him before and have no conflicts with Keerthana ?
Black Hole Radio - Nebulis"

Ann, the round is in the Final Check stage, so it's not open to new participants unless someone drops out.

But there are two other rounds currently looking for more participants: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... and https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...-.

S. Lynn wrote: "My bad for opening up a discussion that didn't belong in a round. I apologize Lennea and Keerthana for that.

T.B., please note that you can just say that you need to leave a round. No reason needs..."

Thank you Lynn..

Submitted the form and ready to start.. No review conflicts.

Submitted the form, ready to start

Hi Lynn,

Is this round officially underway? May I start reading the assigned book? I was wondering because Message 1 includes the following note:

"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."
So, I just wanted to confirm before getting started.
(Sorry! I am a little new to these rounds)
Thank you!

Keerthana wrote: "Hi Lynn,
Is this round officially underway? May I start reading the assigned book? I was wondering because Message 1 includes the following note:
"Please don’t get books or begin reading/reviewin..."

No worries, Keerthana!

No, the round isn't yet underway. I do literally post a new comment to start the round. I also change the round's title to remove the "pending" note and say "Full & underway" instead.

Right now, the round is still in its (second) "Final Check" phase. For this second check, we're waiting to hear back from Lennea that the (updated) "Participants & Book Links" list in message 1 doesn't have her set for reciprocal reviewing and that she is ready to go.

(Note, when the participants in a round change during the Final Check phase, as they did here, we have to go through the final check again.)

Sorry guys,
I didn’t realize I had to message again!

I have filled out the form. I have no review conflicts!
I am ready to go!

Thanks Lynn!

Sure Lynn.. Thanks !

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

You have four weeks to read and review.
Start date: June 25, 2026
End date: July 24, 2026

Please post your review no later than JULY 24, 2026.

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

1.__Lennea Rose
You're reviewing Angelo Sapiens and the Serpent's Stone (Keerthana Balamurugan).
J.R. Gibson is reviewing your book, so please make sure they have a copy to read.

2.__Keerthana Balamurugan
You're reviewing Wizard Bamzooki's Controversies (J.R. Gibson).
Lennea Rose is reviewing your book, so please make sure they have a copy to read.

3.__J.R. Gibson
You're reviewing Sweet Child Of Mine (Lennea Rose).
Keerthana Balamurugan 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.

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.

-Please post your review to Goodreads and also on your own Amazon store and any other Amazon stores you might have access to.

If you can't post a review on Amazon, please post your review at least one place elsewhere, such as BookBub, LibraryThing, TheStoryGraph, Readers' Favorite, Smashwords, Kobo, Audible, B&N, IG, X/Twitter, FB etc.

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).

If your second review is on Amazon, 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. Once 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 the good of all, participants 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! :)

Hi Keerthana,
I have downloaded your book on KU so need to send me a copy! I look forward to reading it!! 🙃

JR my book is also available on KU if you have it. 😊

Thanks Lennea..

J.R., I can read your book through KU..
Thanks

Hello,
My goodreads review for J.R.'s book: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My Twitter review: https://x.com/BKeerthana89279/status/...
I will also share the Amazon review once it shows up..

Keerthana wrote: "...My goodreads review for J.R.'s book: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My Twitter review: https://x.com/BKeerthana89279/status/...
I will also share the Amazo..."

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

(When that Amazon link comes through, please post it in a new comment. Thanks!)

Hi Lynn,
Please find the Amazon review link: https://www.amazon.in/gp/customer-rev...

Keerthana wrote: "...Please find the Amazon review link: https://www.amazon.in/gp/customer-rev..."

Fantastic, thank you!

Goodreads review for Sweet Child of Mine:

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

J.R. wrote: "Goodreads review for Sweet Child of Mine:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

Thank you for that review link, J.R.

When you have the link to your second review, please post it in a new comment So I don't miss it. Thanks!

Thank you JR. I am glad you enjoyed it!

Hello,
Here are my reviews for Angelo Sapiens and the Serpents Stone.

Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.ca/review/R2RG7I4D...

Lennea wrote: "...Here are my reviews for Angelo Sapiens and the Serpents Stone.
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.ca/review/R2RG7I4D..."

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

Amazon review for Sweet Child of Mine:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/RZZB1...

J.R. wrote: "Amazon review for Sweet Child of Mine:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/RZZB1..."

Thank you for that link, J.R. That completes your reviewing commitment for the round.

That wraps up this round. Thank you all for participating!

Everyone, please delete any email contact information that you received for use for the round. Thanks! (All Mod-collected contact information for this round has been deleted.)

I'll file the round away after a bit.