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 an '18+' round
Books that may contain explicit material. Including but by no means limited to horror and erotica. Books in other genres may be submitted. All authors must be comfortable with reading extreme and explicit material.

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 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.

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.

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:
Kat Kinney

Member Links
1. Melody Tyden
2. Azriel Hope
3. Sanam Asif
4. Mrs. Claire
5. Harry Old
6. J.C. Gatlin
7. Angela Panayotopulos
8. Nico J. Genes
9. William Collins
10. Eunice Nascimento

Book Links
1. Hired Lover
2. Celestine: 1900's Parisian Fairytale Romance
3. Crown of Fire
4. Ferreira's Revenge
5. Operation Bluebird
6. Darkness Hides
7. The Wake Up
8. Magnetic Reverie
9. Deathrunes and Dragons
10. See Beneath Your Beautiful

Hello! I'm interested in taking part with my book Hired Lover: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

I'm able to post reviews on Amazon.co.uk rather than .com - I assume that's alright?

If there's anything else I need to provide, please let me know.

Thanks!
Melody

Welcome Melody - being able to post to any Amazon store is all that we ask so you are fine :) Please do check back as the group fills and let me know if you see the name of anyone who you have ever reviewed before or who has reviewed you. :)

E.M. wrote: "Welcome Melody - being able to post to any Amazon store is all that we ask so you are fine :) Please do check back as the group fills and let me know if you see the name of anyone who you have ever..."

Great, thank you! I'll keep an eye out as others join. :)

I would love to join with my book Kittens, Puppies & Love. I can review on Amazon and Goodreads.

https://www.amazon.com/Kittens-Puppie...

Let me know what else needs to be done.

Sophie wrote: "I would love to join with my book Kittens, Puppies & Love. I can review on Amazon and Goodreads.

https://www.amazon.com/Kittens-Puppie...

Let me know what e..."

Sophie - Two things. (1) T sign you up I need a Goodreads link to your book please, and (2) your book looks as if it might fit better in one of the two 'General' rounds, although it can remain in this 18+ one if you wish.

Can I sign up with Celestine. I have no conflicts with this group. :)

Celestine: 1900's Parisian Fairytale Romance

E.M. wrote: "Sophie wrote: "I would love to join with my book Kittens, Puppies & Love. I can review on Amazon and Goodreads.

https://www.amazon.com/Kittens-Puppie...

Let..."

Just chatted with Trish and I'm okay with moving to the General group and saving this for more 18+ books. Thanks.

Hi! I'd like to join with The Wake Up (or The Art of War: a Novel, for those who've read the former).
The Wake Up: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
The Art of War: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

So far I'm reviewing Melody in another Goodreads group (it's not one of these Book Review groups, so I'm not overlapping in these groups).

Azriel has reviewed both of my books.

No other clashes so far.

Welcome Azriel and Angela - please do let me know of any new clashes which appear :)

Collette - you made it into the Out of This World Round so not adding you here.

Sophie - You're now in that General round.

Hi,

If possible I would like to join with Magnetic Reverie
Angela has reviewed me.

Welcome Nico - I am adding you in on the assumption that you have another book Angela can review, please let me know if not. Also please keep checking back and let me know any other clashes you spot as the group fills.

Yes, Angela can read Reverie Girl, the second one in the series. I'll check for clashes when new authors join

Collette wrote: "When my reviews eventually go live for the 'out of this world' round, I'd like to sign up for the 18+, if at all possible....

Here is the book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4......"

You can not sign up here until your previous round is completed.

Hi Collette! Don't repost the review on Amazon. That can cause problems or even cause the review to get rejected. Just wait for it to pop which can take several days.

Over in the other thread, you should go ahead and post whatever links you have. So if you have completed all four reviews, you should be able to post all four Goodreads links now. I believe I found 3 of them a few minutes ago. Then you can always go back and update the post with your Amazon links as they "pop."

Hi! I’d love to join this round with the first book in the Scavenger Girl Series.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

I don’t see any conflicts so far.

Welcome Jennifer - please keep checking back frequently as the round fills to let me know if you spot any clashes.

Collette has all her reviews in for 278. Thanks, Collette!

I'd like to join with Zendar: A Tale of Blood and Sand (book 1). Which is what I probably should have done in the last round! Anyways, Nico has read book 2 but not book 1 and Melody has read both released books from this series (but I could substitute with 1001 Islands or Unfathomable Chance if that works for her). I've read Angela's book.

Zendar: A Tale of Blood and Sand

If it's too much of an issue, let me know and I'll try to jump into another group. :)

Yup, K.T. (heya K.T.! :)) has read both my books. No other clashes so far.

K.T. - really sorry but I can't see how to fit your clashes in around those already in the group. Do try one of the other open groups instead :)

Collette wrote: "Hi E.m.,

I have completed the other other round. Please may I join this one?

Thanks and all the best."

You certainly may - please let me know what, if any, review clashes you have with those presently in the round :)

Welcome Collette - and yes, please do keep checking back :)

E.M. wrote: "K.T. - really sorry but I can't see how to fit your clashes in around those already in the group. Do try one of the other open groups instead :)"

Oh too bad! Okay. I'll try the other groups, see if I can fit in. :)

I'd love to join with my new novella.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

I have reviewed one of Jennifer Arnston's books, but I believe there are no other clashes.

Thank you.

Hi, I've just posted my last Goodreads review link in Group 273, am I able to join this one with Operation Bluebird please? (waiting for the Amazon link to become live for my last review so no worries if you need to prioritise those who are completely finished)

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

I've reviewed Nico's Magnetic Reverie, but no other clashes so far.

Harry wrote: "Hi, I've just posted my last Goodreads review link in Group 273, am I able to join this one with Operation Bluebird please? (waiting for the Amazon link to become live for my last review so no worr..."

update - Amazon link is now posted so I've done all my reviews in 273 :)

Welcome Will and Harry - please can you both keep checking back and make sure that you have no clashes with the people who join the round after you.

Hi
I'd like to join with my novel See Beneath Your Beautiful. I've been in a round with Angela before, but can't remember whether I reviewed her or she reviewed me.
See Beneath Your Beautiful

Welcome Eunice - do keep checking back both for clashes and because we should soon be moving to the next step :)

I'll step into the last spot if possible.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

I read Angela before but not this book.
I don't believe I have any other clashes or issues.

Ed has reviewed me already and I don't believe that I can review him, so Ed presents a clash for me.

Ed - sorry I can't fit you in this round. There are two others still recruiting you could see if you can fit in one of them.

Oh, Angela has reviewed a different book of mine, but that shouldn't be a problem with this book.

William wrote: "Oh, Angela has reviewed a different book of mine, but that shouldn't be a problem with this book."

Correct, I've reviewed one book by William before, but not the one listed. :)

And can confirm I've read + reviewed a different book by Eunice (SMILE AGAIN).

How do I submit a book for review?

Michael wrote: "How do I submit a book for review?"

All you need to do is make sure you are willing and able to abide by the rules posted on the opening post of this thread, then post the Goodreads link and your GR author page link to request to join the round. If you look through the messages on this thread so far you will see how others have 'signed up' :)

How do these group reviews work?
Does everyone read and review every other book or just one for one?

Michael wrote: "How do these group reviews work?
Does everyone read and review every other book or just one for one?"

As Rule (1) of the opening post says you will need to read and review 4 books in 12 weeks. You will be told which four books of those on the list (the four below you numerically when the round goes live) you need to read and review. In exchange, your book will be reviewed by the four people 'above' you on the list.

That seems reasonable. I am up for it!
How do I get started?

Michael wrote: "That seems reasonable. I am up for it!
How do I get started?"

All you need to do is make sure you are willing and able to abide by the rules posted on the opening post of this thread, then post the Goodreads link and your GR author page link to request to join the round. If you look through the messages on this thread so far you will see how others have 'signed up' :)

Hi. I'd like to enter my book. It is in Romance genre.

Here's the GR link to the Book:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

Author page link: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...

Mrs Claire wrote: "Hi. I'd like to enter my book. It is in Romance genre."

I would love to include you in the round, but you need to first claim your Goodreads Author Page and sign up with that.

To claim it, scroll to the bottom of this page and click the 'Authors' link under 'Work With Us'. That will walk you through all you need to do. It should only take a couple of days and then you can post the author page link here and sign up.

I look forward to welcoming you to the round then :)

E.M. wrote: "Mrs Claire wrote: "Hi. I'd like to enter my book. It is in Romance genre."

I would love to include you in the round, but you need to first claim your Goodreads Author Page and sign up with that.

..."
I all done :)

Mrs Claire wrote: "I all done :)"

It has yet to show up this is your author page:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

You need to sign up from it though it might take a day or so if you have only just claimed it :)

E.M. wrote: "Mrs Claire wrote: "I all done :)"

It has yet to show up this is your author page:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

You need to sign up from it though it might take a day ..."

Oh okay...

I'd like to join the review round

JC Gatlin
https://www.goodreads.com/jc_gatlin

Mystery-Suspense Novel:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

I would like to get in on the review round.
I never heard back from anyone about whether or not I had to be on Amazon. I'm not. I sell books on my own website.

Michael wrote: "I would like to get in on the review round.
I never heard back from anyone about whether or not I had to be on Amazon. I'm not. I sell books on my own website."

If you read the OP of the round it states:

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.

It is a requirement to have the ability to post a review to Amazon - it is not a requirement to do so, of course. However as Amazon reviews are what all here most wish to receive, it is hoped all will do so.