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:
Trish Butler

Member Links
1. Bella Nox
2. Paula Riehle
3. Audrey Driscoll
4. Josie Johnston
5. A. Claire Everward
6. David Øybo
7. Trish Butler
8. Dave Saari
9. Nico J. Genes
10. Guy E. Estes

Book Links
1. Delusional in Darkness
2. Sarah's Fall
3. She Who Returns
4. Starred
5. A Tangled Web
6. JULEBORD (The Holiday Party) - Book II
7. A Redway Acres Companion I
8. Albatross
9. Magnetic Reverie
10. Out of the Shadows

I would like to submit my book Essence for this review round. Though I have two other books listed, I'm only interested in reviews for Essence. Thanks.

Here is the link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

Hi there.
I'd like to join with my book Delusional in Darkness. Should I have clashes, there are 2 other books to the series that I can share.


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

I'd like to join with Albatross:

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

Charles has already reviewed it. I have other books if there are more clashes.

Charles wrote: "I would like to submit my book Essence for this review round. Though I have two other books listed, I'm only interested in reviews for Essence. Thanks.

Here is the link: https://www.goodreads.com/..."

Charles, if you are not willing to have the other books reviewed in the case that to fit people in the round I have to have someone re-review you, then I regret it is not possible to include you in these rounds.
Please confirm you are ok with your other books being reviewed if that is necessary.

Welcome Bella and Dave - please do make sure you check back frequently to spot any review clashes. Thank you.

E.M. wrote: "Welcome Bella and Dave - please do make sure you check back frequently to spot any review clashes. Thank you."

Will do! Thanks, EM

Hello! This is my first time doing anything like this, so apologies in advance if I get something wrong. I would like to submit my book Sarah’s Fall for review.

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

Thanks!
Paula

Paula - Great that you have signed up and don't worry all will be explained every step of the way. If you get confused please just post a question here or PM me and I will do my best to advise you

That said, I'd love to add you but before I can you need to set your messaging status to allow people to communicate with you.

Your setting for 'Who Can Send Me Private Messages' needs to be 'anyone'.

Please follow this link to change your privacy setting.

https://www.goodreads.com/user/edit?t...

Let me know when that is done and I can add you to the group.

I'd like to submit my novel Out of the Shadows. Occult, crime, and some romance.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

Guy - as I just said to Paula, I'd love to add you but before I can you need to set your messaging status to allow people to communicate with you.

Your setting for 'Who Can Send Me Private Messages' needs to be 'anyone'.

Please follow this link to change your privacy setting.

https://www.goodreads.com/user/edit?t...

Let me know when that is done and I can add you to the group.

Sorry, I thought I already had it set to that. Done.

Welcome Guy - and please remember to check back frequently for clashes as the group fills.

Hi I'd like to join the group with my book Starred. Contemporary romance, cursing and open door bedroom scenes.
I've already reviewed Dave Saari's Albatross
Here's the link for Starred:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

Welcome Josie - please remember to check back frequently and let me know if you spot any clashes.

Hello, not sure if I would fit in with JULEBORD (The Holiday Party) in this round. Bella has previously reviewed me.

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

Paula wrote: "Hello! This is my first time doing anything like this, so apologies in advance if I get something wrong. I would like to submit my book Sarah’s Fall for review.

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

Thanks! Pretty sure I changed the setting correctly. Please let me know if there's still an issue--and I appreciate the offer to DM. :)

Welcome Paula and David - please keep checking back frequently for any review clashes as the group fills and don't worry about being new Paula, everything you need to know will be explained as we go along and you can always ask here or PM me if you get confused.

Hi E.M,
On this group I only have a clash with Dave Saari. If you prefer to delete me from the General group, I'll be happy to join this one withA Tangled Web

A. Claire wrote: "Hi E.M,
On this group I only have a clash with Dave Saari. If you prefer to delete me from the General group, I'll be happy to join this one withA Tangled Web"

Again I need to know the nature of the clash. If you have been read by Dave I can fit you in, if you have read him I can't.

Hi,

I'd like to join with my book Magnetic Reverie.

I'm not sure though if I can be fit, having in mind my clashes:
I've read Bella (the listed book) & Guy (not the listed book).
Dave read this one, but he could read the second book in the series.
David read both Reverie books, but he could read other one.

I have read David's JULEBORD but he's not read mine
Nico has read 2 out of my 3 books but I've not read her book.
(Nico, guess you'll get to finish the trilogy if this works out :) )

Bella wrote: "I have read David's JULEBORD but he's not read mine
Nico has read 2 out of my 3 books but I've not read her book.
(Nico, guess you'll get to finish the trilogy if this works out :) )"

Thanks, Bella.

Just FYI if you have read David's book, then he cannot read you as this group does not allow reciprocal reviewing. That's why he's in your blind spot on the list (he only has one book out).

I've taken a cursory look and I think it will work to fit Nico in but E.M. has the final word on setting up rounds.

Cheers!

Trish

Hey,

Thought I would join in with this one if it works.

E.M. I've sent you a PM.

I've reviewed Dave but not Albatross
and Nico but not the second book in the Reverie series if that's ok.

A Redway Acres Companion I
Trish Butler

Trish

I would like to join this round with She Who Returns.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
I have not reviewed any of the authors listed so far, nor been reviewed by any of them.

Welcome Nico, Trish and Audrey - please remember to check back frequently, both because there might be a clash and because as soon as that last spot fills we will be moving into the checking phase.

Thanks, E.M.

If everyone checking back can have a quick look at the list at the top of this thread, The order has changed with these last few additions. Any problems let us know!

One to go then! Hurrah!

Trish

I’m in a good spot.

I have reviewed Albatross by Dave Saari so i will another of Dave's titles, that's all

All good for me.:)

I haven't read any of the authors listed so far.

E.M. wrote: "A. Claire wrote: "Hi E.M,
On this group I only have a clash with Dave Saari. If you prefer to delete me from the General group, I'll be happy to join this one withA Tangled Web"

A..."

I read Dave, can I read another book of his? Because this means I cannot access both groups...

Welcome A. Claire! Many apologies I had confused Dave and David in my mind - David only has one book and his 'blindspot' was already taken, however Dave has other books and I can fit you in to read him again. :)

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.

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.

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.

good to go

Sorry I now have a clash - I have previously reviewed A Claire Everward.

Josie wrote: "Sorry I now have a clash - I have previously reviewed A Claire Everward."

Thanks for the info Josie - hopefully, solved by a minor tweak?

Good to go.

Good to go!:)

Good to go.

Good to go!

PS For anyone, but particularly those reviewing me, my ebook will be free starting tomorrow. Grab it when you can.

Thanks

Trish

I am good to go!
Audrey

Good to go.

Good to go with the alternate books as already discussed above.

E.M. wrote: "Welcome A. Claire! Many apologies I had confused Dave and David in my mind - David only has one book and his 'blindspot' was already taken, however Dave has other books and I can fit you in to read..."

Thank you! I'll gladly read another book of his. Thank you!! I'm good to go :)

I did review two of Nico’s books before - but will be happy to review an alternative - except this should be good to go…

Looks like we are ready to roll!

START DATE: 04-May-22

END DATE: 27-July-22

Round 1 – post your review by 25-May-22
Round 2– post your review by 15-June-22
Round 3 – post your review by 06-July-22
Round 4 – post your review by 27-July-22


As AUTHORS you SEND your book file to:

308-01__Bella Nox
Guy E. Estes for round 1
Nico J. Genes for round 2
Dave Saari for round 3
Trish Butler for round 4

308-02__Paula Riehle
Bella Nox for round 1
Guy E. Estes for round 2
Nico J. Genes for round 3
Dave Saari for round 4

308-03__Audrey Driscoll
Paula Riehle for round 1
Bella Nox for round 2
Guy E. Estes for round 3
Nico J. Genes for round 4

308-04__ Josie Johnston
Audrey Driscoll for round 1
Paula Riehle for round 2
Bella Nox for round 3
Guy E. Estes for round 4

308-05__ A. Claire Everward
Josie Johnston for round 1
Audrey Driscoll for round 2
Paula Riehle for round 3
Bella Nox for round 4

308-06__ David Øybo
A. Claire Everward for round 1
Josie Johnston for round 2
Audrey Driscoll for round 3
Paula Riehle for round 4

308-07__ Trish Butler
David Øybo for round 1
A. Claire Everward for round 2
Josie Johnston for round 3
Audrey Driscoll for round 4

308-08__ Dave Saari
Trish Butler for round 1
David Øybo for round 2
A. Claire Everward for round 3
Josie Johnston for round 4

308-09__ Nico J. Genes
Dave Saari for round 1
Trish Butler for round 2
David Øybo for round 3
A. Claire Everward for round 4

308-10__ Guy E. Estes
Nico J. Genes for round 1
Dave Saari for round 2
Trish Butler for round 3
David Øybo for round 4

As REVIEWERS you will receive books for review from:

308-01__Bella Nox
Paula Riehle for round 1
Audrey Driscoll for round 2
Josie Johnston for round 3
A. Claire Everward for round 4

308-02__Paula Riehle
Audrey Driscoll for round 1
Josie Johnston for round 2
A. Claire Everward for round 3
David Øybo for round 4

308-03__Audrey Driscoll
Josie Johnston for round 1
A. Claire Everward for round 2
David Øybo for round 3
Trish Butler for round 4

308-04__ Josie Johnston
A. Claire Everward for round 1
David Øybo for round 2
Trish Butler for round 3
Dave Saari for round 4

308-05__ A. Claire Everward
David Øybo for round 1
Trish Butler for round 2
Dave Saari for round 3
Nico J. Genes for round 4

308-06__ David Øybo
Trish Butler for round 1
Dave Saari for round 2
Nico J. Genes for round 3
Guy E. Estes for round 4

308-07__ Trish Butler
Dave Saari for round 1
Nico J. Genes for round 2
Guy E. Estes for round 3
Bella Nox for round 4

308-08__ Dave Saari
Nico J. Genes for round 1
Guy E. Estes for round 2
Bella Nox for round 3
Paula Riehle for round 4

308-09__ Nico J. Genes
Guy E. Estes for round 1
Bella Nox for round 2
Paula Riehle for round 3
Audrey Driscoll for round 4

308-10__ Guy E. Estes
Bella Nox for round 1
Paula Riehle for round 2
Audrey Driscoll for round 3
Josie Johnston for round 4


Please remember the commitment you are making to your fellow group members. If you pull out after the start date for any reason it is the other members who will be faced with the problem of finding a replacement, or missing out on reads/reviews, through no fault of their own. Please don’t ask the moderators to chase after replacements as we just don’t have the time.

It is the responsibility of the author to get their book to their readers in a format the reviewer can manage. Everyone must be able to provide and accept PDF. You may buy or borrow the books you are due to read if you wish, and I’m sure the author will appreciate the verified review, but IT IS NOT COMPULSORY. There are no set dates for the start of each round. You can each work at your own pace, within the limits of the round deadlines.

All reviews must be posted to GR. We also encourage members to post on Amazon. When you have posted your reviews, please post the links to each of your reviews, not the book page in this thread.
The mod of each round will record whether members have posted reviews on Amazon and for the good of all, members who persistently fail to post reviews or DNF reviews to Amazon, will find mods less than willing to add them to subsequent groups.

Postings to other sites are by agreement by both author and reviewer.

If I’ve missed something that results in you being asked to review someone who has already reviewed you, please let me know asap.

To exchange book files, my advice is to use PM to give email addresses to each other (save the chance of spammers getting your addies from this open forum).

Setting up and modding these rounds is a labour of love, with a lot of emphasis on the ‘labour’. If you want to show appreciation for all the hard work we admins put in for the group, you could download one of our books as a ‘thank you’.

Happy reviewing, everyone :)

GUIDE FOR THOSE NEW TO THESE ROUNDS.

Quick 'start-up' summary for anyone new who might be scratching their heads. You are reviewing the four books 'below' you on the list.

Firstly please make sure your private message status is set to 'Anyone'. You can find it under Account Settings > Edit my user Profile > Settings > Privacy > Who Can Send Me Private Messages.

You can, of course, choose to buy any or all of the books or read the books on KU, if you are a subscriber and the books are available there. If you can buy it adds weight to your review as it gives the 'Verified Purchase' stamp on Amazon.

However, as not everyone can buy, you should PM the four people who will be reviewing you (the four above you on the original list of names) through their Goodreads author pages. Click on the down arrow beside the 'Follow Author' button under their picture and it opens a menu which will allow you to message them.

Ask what kind of file they would like or say you can only offer PDF.

Don't forget to ask where to send it so they can give you their email.

The four people who you are reviewing should be in touch with you in a similar way.

Please make sure you have exchanged ALL FOUR books - or have been assured by your reviewers they will buy your book or read it through KU - as soon as possible. Some people read fast and it can be very frustrating to have to wait a long time to get hold of a book you are committed to review.
Don't forget to post the links to your reviews here so you can be signed off for them.

Please post your review to Goodreads, your own Amazon store and any other Amazon stores you might have access to as well.

The wonderful Trish Butler will be modding this round and will be by shortly to say hello. Please PM her ongoing with any issues. Thanks.

Righty-ho fellow authors, the wonderful Trish Butler here! Whoo hoo!

I'm in charge now. I see some very familiar names and a few newbies to me if not to the group as a whole. Don't worry I'll be gentle.

Firstly, an enormously big thank you to the marvellous E.M. for all her hard work pulling this round together and getting us started.

As mentioned, some people read fast and get all their reviews done very quickly. As I am never one of those people, I understand how it can feel rather intimidating if you are still on book one. Don't panic, you have 3 weeks per book and I will be with you until the bitter end - reviewing in this one as well as modding. I'll pop up the occasional reminder that a round is coming to an end etc. ANY problems please PM me. I worry much less if I hear from people.

Feel free to pop up your Goodreads review link before the Amazon one has been approved, but when the Zon one comes in, please post a separate message - I don't get notifications for edits and won't know to go hunting for it.

When you do post your links they should be to your own review, not the book page. Plus, please shorten the links (always a good practice with any social media anyway). For Amazon take out the word ref and everything after it on the URL, for Goodreads the ? and everything after that. Press enter and you'll see your review still pops up (always a good test before copying and pasting here). If you need any more detailed instructions on that or on finding the review page for your review LMK and I'll pop them up here.

Last FYI - I'm a Brit who's spent 22 years in the US and just moved back to the UK, hence my mix of word spelling between UK/US, and if nothing else we are polite! Any questions, I'm here for you.

Off you jolly well go then, mateys!!

Cheers.

Trish

For anyone reviewing me (and anyone else if interested) I've made my book free for a few days, so grab it here.
https://www.amazon.com/Redway-Acres-C...

Cheers.

Trish