Chain_39 Reviewer's Choice (Sep-Dec) > Likes and Comments

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message 1: by Lynn (last edited Sep 05, 2026 06:38AM) (new)

Lynn Helton This is a Reviewer's Choice chain.
In this chain, participants post reviews to two places: Goodreads & at least one place elsewhere. The second place to post the review is determined by the reviewer, such as BookBub, LibraryThing, TheStoryGraph, Readers' Favorite, Smashwords, Kobo, Audible, Amazon, B&N, IG, X/Twitter, FB etc. Authors don't request a specific place for that second review. Posting the review to more than two places can be arranged between reviewer & reviewee, if they like.

Any & all types of books, both fiction & non-fiction, are acceptable here. This means you might be reading anything from a book about tax returns to horror or erotica & 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.

Sign-ups for this chain are open! For 4 months, from now through August.

Please post your review no later than four weeks from the date you're added to the chain in message 2. You can always post reviews earlier & that's encouraged.

Any indie/SP author may join a chain & you may join a chain even if you’re currently involved in a read/review round.

Before you sign up, please make sure that:
1. You’ve thoroughly read & understand How Read/Review Chains Work (The Rules). Participating in the chain indicates your understanding & acceptance of the rules & 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 need to do this before joining a chain. Find the directions for claiming your author profile page here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/program.

3. You’ve completed any current commitment for any other read/review chains in this group (including a prior commitment in this one). Note: you can join a chain without having yet completed any current commitment for a read/review round.

4. Your book is fit & ready to be reviewed.
If it’s not, due to editing or other issues, you risk poor reviews.

5. You're ready to get started reading & have enough time to read & review a book within the chain timeframe.

6. You can provide — & 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 (you certainly may buy or borrow the book, if you want). Each participant is responsible for getting a review copy of their book to their reader in the chain & must be able to provide — & accept — at least PDF files. Many provide & 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; 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.
7. You have NO conflict with reviewing the person in the chain before you (see message 2 of this topic), i.e. they have NOT previously reviewed you, nor are you from the same household, or an editor, relative, or close friend of the author.
The first part is to avoid reciprocal reviewing. The second is because it’s a more-professional practice to avoid reviews from people in those relationships to the author.
To check for reciprocal reviews:
Go to your reviews through your profile (the link is under your portrait) & 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 previously read & rated an author's book 1 or 2 stars twice (or more times), don't sign up to read & review another book by that same author in this chain. Wait to be able to sign up to review a different author instead.

To sign up for this read/review chain, please:
1. Reply to this topic with the following details
a) Your Goodreads Profile link, including any additional names/profiles under which you publish, to help the other participants check for & avoid reciprocal reviewing.

b) Your Goodreads Book info link for your preferred book to get reviewed
Note: if you have other books, you need to be open to having one of them reviewed instead, to help keep the chain from stalling, since someone who has already reviewed that book can sign up & review a different book of yours.
c) Confirmation that you haven't been previously reviewed by the author you'll be reviewing (the one who'll be directly above you in the chain when you're added to it).

d) A disclosure statement regarding your use or non-use of generative AI for your book's interior content. Some example statements:
"I used {AI-based tool name} to generate content for my book."
OR
"I used {AI-based tool name} to generate interior artwork for my book."
OR
"I used {AI-based tool name} to generate the English translation of my book's text."
OR
"I didn't use generative AI in the creation of this book. I created all content myself."
AND

2. Provide contact information via this form - https://forms.gle/La173d8QzpzFTQsL8 - 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.
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.
By joining this chain, you agree to accept for reading & 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.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Each author reviews the book of the person who signed up directly before them on the chain, with the author in position #1 being the only exception... so person 2 reviews 1, person 3 reviews 2, etc.

Because you'll have just 4 weeks from the time you sign up to post your review, please begin reading/reviewing as soon as possible upon being added to the chain. Authors please get your book to your reviewer as soon as you can manage, to facilitate this.

The chain, showing participants & book links, is in message 2 of this topic. (Mods try to keep this updated as expediently as they can.)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Chain Parameters:
-Complete reading the book(s) & post your review(s) no later than four (4) weeks from the date you're added to the chain in message 2.

-If you need to get a review copy of the book you are to read & review, post in the chain 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 when you signed up to the chain) to pass along contact information so you can send/receive the review copy. Don’t post your email in the chain - it’s an open forum from which scammers can get that information.
Note, if you are signing for position #2 & the book in position #1 came from The Book List, that author might not be visiting the group regularly. You may post in the chain to try to coordinate for a review copy, but because it came off that list, the author isn’t required to provide a review copy. If they can’t/don’t, you might need to buy the book or read it via KU (if available).
-Please make sure your reviewer has gotten a copy of your book as soon as possible so they can start reading.

-As soon as you have gotten a copy of the book, through whatever means, please post in the chain that you've got the copy of the book.

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

When posting a review to places like IG, X/Twitter, etc., review in a new post on your own account. Don’t go to the author's account & paste your review as a comment on one of their posts - that comment's too easily lost.

Note that if you are going to be late posting your review, you need to post to the chain topic about the delay.
-After your review is posted, please reply to this topic with the links to your reviews (not the book page) so you can be "signed off" for reviewing. 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.

-If you've completed your previous chain-reviewing commitment(s) & it doesn't put you at the end of more than one chain, you may join an additional chain. (The only exception: you may be at the end of one "Audible" chain & one of the "non-Audible" chains at the same time.) Or you can sign up again in the current chain. So you can join a specific chain more than once.

- The chain is open for sign-ups for four months, at the end of which it will close & a new one will open.

Additional Notes:
-An Amazon review can sometimes take days to show up. So you might want to wait until the Amazon review appears, then review the book on Goodreads, and then post both links together in one message in the chain. 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.

-You can leave a disclaimer in your review, if you want. Just note that reviews stating 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 & chains you participate in may be recorded by Mods on a database. We don’t retain details of email addresses, etc. For the good of all, participants in any type of chain who persistently fail to post reviews, or DNF reviews, will find Mods less than willing to allow them in subsequent chains.

Questions? Please review How Read/Review Chains Work (The Rules) & check Questions about Review Chains for an answer. Still have questions? Please ask before signing up. If you need to talk to Mod about a sensitive subject (i.e. privately), post a message to that effect to coordinate with the Mod for that communication.


message 2: by Lynn (last edited Sep 05, 2026 06:56AM) (new)

Lynn Helton Chain #39 Reviewer's Choice

Participants & Book Links
You have 4 weeks to post your review from the time you're signed up, so please begin reading/reviewing as soon as possible upon being added to this chain. To facilitate this, reviewers and authors please coordinate to make sure the reviewer has a copy of the book as soon as possible.

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


1. The Siren's Cursed Kiss {from end of closed Chain #37} (Kat Kinney)
(No gen-AI used)

2. Ela Sharp {reviewed #1}
preferred book: Everheld: Outside the Lines of Love
(NO gen-AI used)

3. Tajammul Kothari {reviewing #2, due Oct 1 }
preferred book: Mixed Bag: Short Stories
(NO gen-AI used)

4. Christine Hees {reviewing #3, due Oct 2 }
preferred book: The California College Playbook
(NO gen-AI used)

5. Anna Mark {reviewing #4, due Oct 4 }
preferred book: Justice Never Comes Cheap
(NO gen-AI used)

6. {reviews #5}
preferred book:

etc.
(Symbols key:
participant is completely done with that review commitment,
✍︎ participant has provided one review link but hasn't yet posted the other link )
Note that all books are to be reviewed in 2 locations: Goodreads & a 2nd, additional location that the reviewer chooses.


message 3: by Ela (new)

Ela Sharp Hello,

If it is possible, may I join this round with Everheld?

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

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

No Gen AI used.

Kat has not reviewed me. I have read this book before, but she has plenty of other books for me to read :)

I have also filled out the form.

Thank you!


message 4: by Tajammul (last edited Sep 02, 2026 12:56AM) (new)

Tajammul Kothari I would like to join this round with my book "Mixed Bag: Short Stories"

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

I have filled out the form,

I haven't used any AI.

I have read Kat's chosen book but there must be others which I haven't read.

Also, I have no conflicts with Ela.

Thank you.


message 5: by Kat (new)

Kat Ela, if you are added to the chain, would you like to read the next book in the series that you haven't read The Siren's Cursed Kiss? Or I am happy to send you any of my other books, of course! Whatever you would prefer :).


message 6: by Christine (new)

Christine Hees Hello!
I would like to join with The California College Playbook. No gen-AI used.

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

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

I have filled out the form.
Thank you!

I have reviewed Kat's book.


message 7: by Lynn (new)

Lynn Helton Ela wrote: "...If it is possible, may I join this round with Everheld?
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
No Gen AI used..."


Certainly! Welcome to the chain, Ela. You're reading and reviewing book #1 from the list in message 2. Since it sounds like you'll need to pick an alternate, please let me know what that other book will be when you and Kat decide, so I can update the list. Please post your review no later than October 1. Thank you!

Also, since Goodreads notifications aren't reliable, please be sure to check back from time to time, so you don't miss out on anything posted in the chain.


message 8: by Lynn (new)

Lynn Helton Tajammul wrote: "I would like to join this round with my book "Mixed Bag: Short Stories"
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
I have filled out the form,
I haven't used any AI.
I have read..."


Welcome to the chain, Tajammul. You're reading and reviewing book #2 from the list in message 2. Please post your review no later than October 1. Thank you!

Also, since Goodreads notifications aren't reliable, please be sure to check back periodically, so you don't miss out on anything posted in the chain.


message 9: by Lynn (new)

Lynn Helton Christine wrote: "...I would like to join with The California College Playbook. No gen-AI used.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
https://www.goodreads.com/author/..."


I'm happy to add you to the chain Christine but, to be able to do so, I need "Confirmation that you haven't been previously reviewed by the author you'll be reviewing..." (as it says in message 1 under "To sign up for this read/review chain"). Tajammul signed up before you did, so that's who you need to look at please for any reviewing conflict. Thanks.


message 10: by Ela (last edited Sep 02, 2026 02:42PM) (new)

Ela Sharp Kat wrote: "Ela, if you are added to the chain, would you like to read the next book in the series that you haven't read The Siren's Cursed Kiss? Or I am happy to send you any of my other book..."

Yes, Kat, I was thinking the same. And, I got The Siren's Cursed Kiss from Amazon. Looking forward to reading it :)


message 11: by Ela (new)

Ela Sharp Lynn wrote: "Ela wrote: "...If it is possible, may I join this round with Everheld?
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
No Gen AI used..."


Hi Lynn,

I will be reading The Siren's Cursed Kiss by Kat.

Thank you!


message 12: by Kat (new)

Kat Ela wrote: "Yes, Kat, I was thinking the same. And, I got The Siren's Cursed Kiss from Amazon. Looking forward to reading it :).."

Thank you so much!


message 13: by Lynn (new)

Lynn Helton Ela wrote: "I will be reading The Siren's Cursed Kiss by Kat..."

Thanks! Updated the list.


message 14: by Christine (new)

Christine Hees I confirm that I have neither reviewed nor been reviewed previously by Tajammul.


message 15: by Christine (new)

Christine Hees I would appreciate a pdf-version of Tajammul's book.


message 16: by Tajammul (new)

Tajammul Kothari Hi Lynn,

Can you please share Ela's email so that I can get her book.

Also, need Christine's email for me to send her my book.

Thank you.


message 17: by Lynn (last edited Sep 03, 2026 07:17AM) (new)

Lynn Helton Christine wrote: "...I would like to join with The California College Playbook. No gen-AI used. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2......
...I confirm that I have neither reviewed nor been reviewed previously by Tajammul..."


Welcome to the chain, Christine. You're reading and reviewing book #3 from the list in message 2. Please post your review no later than October 2. Thank you!

Also, since Goodreads notifications aren't reliable, please be sure to check back from time to time, so you don't miss out on anything posted in the chain.


message 18: by Lynn (new)

Lynn Helton Christine wrote: "I would appreciate a pdf-version of Tajammul's book."

Tajammul wrote: "...Can you please share Ela's email so that I can get her book.
Also, need Christine's email for me to send her my book..."


I'll send out the emails with the needed contact information in a bit, when I can.


message 19: by Ann (last edited Sep 03, 2026 08:12AM) (new)

Ann Birdgenaw Can I fit into slot #5? Christine has read my books but not all and I can read Kat's book.
Ann Birdgenaw
Nebulis or any in the series


message 20: by Lynn (new)

Lynn Helton Ann wrote: "Can I fit into slot #5? Christine has read my books but not all and I can read Kat's book..."

I'm sorry Ann but no, you can't.

The way chains work is that when an author signs up they will be reviewing the person who signed up immediately before them. In this case that would have you reviewing Christine, which you can't because she has previously reviewed you.

But do keep checking back to see if someone else signs up who you can then sign up to review.


message 21: by Lynn (new)

Lynn Helton Christine wrote: "I would appreciate a pdf-version of Tajammul's book."

Tajammul wrote: "...Also, need Christine's email for me to send her my book..."

Christine and Tajammul, I've emailed you both each other's contact info to facilitate getting that review copy to Christine.


message 22: by Lynn (new)

Lynn Helton Tajammul wrote: "...Can you please share Ela's email so that I can get her book..."

Ela and Tajammul, I've emailed you both each other's contact info to facilitate getting that review copy to Tajammul.


message 23: by Anna (last edited Sep 04, 2026 11:00PM) (new)

Anna Mark I have finished my reviews/commitment for Chain 37. Can I join this chain with Justice Never Comes Cheap?

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

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

No IA

No review conflict with Christine


message 24: by Anna (last edited Sep 04, 2026 12:49PM) (new)

Anna Mark Ann wrote: "Can I fit into slot #5? Christine has read my books but not all and I can read Kat's book.
Ann Birdgenaw
Nebulis or any in the series"


Hi Ann. If I can join the chain and read Christine's book, maybe you can take a look at my book if you are interested in reading it. We have not read any of each other's books.


message 25: by Lynn (new)

Lynn Helton Anna wrote: "I have finished my reviews/commitment for Chain 37. Can I join this chain with Justice Never Comes Cheap?
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
No IA
No review conflict with Christine"


I'm happy to add you to the chain, Anna, but you need to please complete the sign-up, specifically #2 under "To sign up for this read/review chain" in message 1. Thanks.


message 26: by Ela (new)

Ela Sharp Below are the links for Kat’s book!

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

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/38204...

Thank you, Kat!
Thank you, Lynn!


message 27: by Kat (new)

Kat Thank you so much, Ela!


message 28: by Lynn (new)

Lynn Helton Ela wrote: "Below are the links for Kat’s book!
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/38204...
Thank you, Kat!
Thank you, Lynn!"


You're very welcome!

Ela, thank you for those review links. You're done with that reviewing commitment for the chain. Please delete any email contact information that you might have received for use for that review for this chain. Thank you!


message 29: by Anna (new)

Anna Mark Lynn wrote: "Anna wrote: "I have finished my reviews/commitment for Chain 37. Can I join this chain with Justice Never Comes Cheap?
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
No IA
No review conflict with C..."


Thank you. Oh, I didn't realize it was a new one for every chain. I have filled out the form now.


message 30: by Lynn (new)

Lynn Helton Anna wrote: "Oh, I didn't realize it was a new one for every chain. I have filled out the form now..."

Mods don't keep the contact information any longer than it's needed, so the contact info form needs to be filled out for each sign-up.

Welcome to the chain, Anna. You're reading and reviewing book #4 from the list in message 2. Please post your review no later than October 4. Thank you!

Also, since Goodreads notifications aren't reliable, please be sure to check back from time to time, so you don't miss out on anything posted in the chain.


message 31: by Anna (new)

Anna Mark Hi Christine, I’m reviewing The California College Playbook for the chain. Could I please get a review copy?


message 32: by Anna (new)

Anna Mark Lynn wrote: "Anna wrote: "Oh, I didn't realize it was a new one for every chain. I have filled out the form now..."

Mods don't keep the contact information any longer than it's needed, so the contact info form..."


I understand. Thank you 🙏


message 33: by Ann (new)

Ann Birdgenaw Lynn wrote: "Ann wrote: "Can I fit into slot #5? Christine has read my books but not all and I can read Kat's book..."

I'm sorry Ann but no, you can't.

The way chains work is that when an author signs up they..."


Okay. No Problem.


message 34: by Christine (new)

Christine Hees Hi Lynn, would you mind sending me Anna's email so that I can send her a copy? Thank you!


message 35: by Lynn (new)

Lynn Helton Anna wrote: "Hi Christine, I’m reviewing The California College Playbook for the chain. Could I please get a review copy?"

Christine wrote: "Hi Lynn, would you mind sending me Anna's email so that I can send her a copy? Thank you!"


Anna and Christine, I've emailed you both each other's contact info to facilitate sending/getting that review copy.


message 36: by Anna (new)

Anna Mark I have received the review copy.


message 37: by Lynn (new)

Lynn Helton Anna wrote: "I have received the review copy."

Great, thank you for the update.


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