About My Reviews
What Should You Know About My Reviews?
My book reviews are honest opinions and assessments of the story. To maintain the integrity of my reviews and the review system as it's intended, I will NOT withhold reviews. I also will not engage in any of the following myths or practices: see HERE.
My book reviews are honest opinions and assessments of the story. To maintain the integrity of my reviews and the review system as it's intended, I will NOT withhold reviews. I also will not engage in any of the following myths or practices: see HERE.
Star Rating:
5 Great Book/Love It
4 Good Book/Like it
3 Okay Book/There was a mix of ‘good’ and ‘could use improvement’
2 Not So Good Book /Not my cup of tea
1 “Let’s not go there” (*In fact, I generally try not to go there. I read book descriptions, other reviews, and download a sample before purchasing so if the selection has made it past all those filters and I still hate it, then something must have been misleading.)
I also use half and quarter stars. (For example a 4.5 equates with a "really like it.") I have personally read all of the books reviewed on this site in their entirely, and some I've read more than once. 5+ star reviews are all ones I've read multiple times.
If I DNF a book, I will generally leave a review on Goodreads explaining why.
*I have a zero tolerance policy for authors caught bad mouthing, harassing, or bullying myself or a fellow reviewer. This includes sending trolls to reviews in an attempt to discredit them or pester them.
Full Disclosure: Books reviewed on this blog are either ones I purchased myself or received as an ARC from the author or an affiliate of the author for an honest review. My reviews are completely unbiased and not influenced by how the book was obtained, though they are all obtained by legal means. I do NOT condone book sharing or pirating in any form. If you came to my blog looking for anything of that nature, shame on you and go familiarize yourself with copyright laws!
I also use half and quarter stars. (For example a 4.5 equates with a "really like it.") I have personally read all of the books reviewed on this site in their entirely, and some I've read more than once. 5+ star reviews are all ones I've read multiple times.
If I DNF a book, I will generally leave a review on Goodreads explaining why.
*I have a zero tolerance policy for authors caught bad mouthing, harassing, or bullying myself or a fellow reviewer. This includes sending trolls to reviews in an attempt to discredit them or pester them.
Full Disclosure: Books reviewed on this blog are either ones I purchased myself or received as an ARC from the author or an affiliate of the author for an honest review. My reviews are completely unbiased and not influenced by how the book was obtained, though they are all obtained by legal means. I do NOT condone book sharing or pirating in any form. If you came to my blog looking for anything of that nature, shame on you and go familiarize yourself with copyright laws!
What My Reviews Include:
Reviews include a brief premise of the book in case this is the first time a reader is hearing about it, and because that is the proper way to write a formal review as generally taught in high school English class. If you're new to reading/writing reviews, check out Book Reviews 101 on this site.
If I take the time to read a book, I will give it a thorough review.
The beginning has to hook me, but the end should leave me with a good feeling.
Reviews include assessment and analyses of plot, characterization, relevant themes, the romantic aspect, and the often all important ending. If you're labeling your title a romance then it better have an HEA because that's a significant element of the genre.
I do not write fan girl reviews or promo reviews. That's not a reviewer's job.
When relevant, recommendations on similar titles or other books in the series will close the review. When reviewing books in a series I will note if I have read the previous books or if I am new to the series. I don’t have a problem reviewing books out of sequence as along as I can follow along.
Beginning in 2017, my reviews posted on Goodreads will include safety details. This is important to many of my GR friends and followers.
If I take the time to read a book, I will give it a thorough review.
The beginning has to hook me, but the end should leave me with a good feeling.
Reviews include assessment and analyses of plot, characterization, relevant themes, the romantic aspect, and the often all important ending. If you're labeling your title a romance then it better have an HEA because that's a significant element of the genre.
I do not write fan girl reviews or promo reviews. That's not a reviewer's job.
When relevant, recommendations on similar titles or other books in the series will close the review. When reviewing books in a series I will note if I have read the previous books or if I am new to the series. I don’t have a problem reviewing books out of sequence as along as I can follow along.
Beginning in 2017, my reviews posted on Goodreads will include safety details. This is important to many of my GR friends and followers.
How I Can Help Authors & Readers:
Book reviews are posted here on the blog, Goodreads, and Bookbub (upon request). I no longer post to Amazon. I'll link the review on Twitter and Facebook and tag the author(s) so they know the review has been posted.
I don’t discriminate against backlist titles; if I liked the book it doesn’t matter if it’s new or old, I’m happy to promote it. I don't think a good book should have an expiration date. At the same time, I’d love to help give a new book more exposure. I’ll review titles from established publishers as well as independent authors. As of late, I’ve mainly been reading indie works.
In addition to book reviews, I also enjoy doing author and character interviews. I participate in cover reveals, release blitzes, and blog tours for titles that interest me. Effective 1/2019 This blog has discontinued relations with Give Me Books Promotions due to an impasse over book reviews. The blog does not condone the bad behavior of authors complaining over reviews nor will it support any company that allows such authors to dictate reviewer lists for all of the company's clients. With that in mind, I will consider participation in cover reveals, release blitzes, and blog tours if you are partnered with a promo host whose policies and practices I find acceptable or you are hosting a promotion on your own,
What I Read: I prefer contemporary and new adult romance titles. I reserve science fiction for my husband, who enjoys it. I keep historical fiction on the book shelf in the young adult genre for my kids’ studies. And paranormal is great on my TV screen but I can’t get into it in my books—I need the visuals. So basically NO paranormal, fantasy, or historical.
Most of the titles I currently read contain strong language and/or detailed sexual situations. So reader discretion is advised if that bothers you. These titles are for mature audiences whether it says so or not. Just assume they are unless I say otherwise.
Book reviews are posted here on the blog, Goodreads, and Bookbub (upon request). I no longer post to Amazon. I'll link the review on Twitter and Facebook and tag the author(s) so they know the review has been posted.
I don’t discriminate against backlist titles; if I liked the book it doesn’t matter if it’s new or old, I’m happy to promote it. I don't think a good book should have an expiration date. At the same time, I’d love to help give a new book more exposure. I’ll review titles from established publishers as well as independent authors. As of late, I’ve mainly been reading indie works.
What I Read: I prefer contemporary and new adult romance titles. I reserve science fiction for my husband, who enjoys it. I keep historical fiction on the book shelf in the young adult genre for my kids’ studies. And paranormal is great on my TV screen but I can’t get into it in my books—I need the visuals. So basically NO paranormal, fantasy, or historical.
Most of the titles I currently read contain strong language and/or detailed sexual situations. So reader discretion is advised if that bothers you. These titles are for mature audiences whether it says so or not. Just assume they are unless I say otherwise.
Personal Preferences and Reading Hard Limits:
I prefer full length novels with no cliff-hangers (although
there are always exceptions to that rule).
HEA’s are a must. Consider it the whole ‘book escape’ thing—I like
books that leave the reader with a good feeling. Also consider the genre. In other words, if it doesn't have an HEA, it shouldn't be labeled romance.
I’m extremely partial to first person narratives. A third person narrator in a romance book tends to make me feel distanced from the characters, and I often have a hard time getting into the story.
I'm not fazed by swearing. Have a character that drops the F-bomb a hundred times? It won't offend me.
One word I will not tolerate in a romance book is BREEDING! You can read why HERE.
Graphic or detailed hook-ups between the H and h are perfectly fine, and probably pretty hot ;-) Between someone else in the story, probably not. I don't tolerate cheating between the H and h or reading about extensive hook-ups one of them has with someone else when they aren't together. I read romance to read about the main couple and their love story. I do not want to read "romances" that include any of the following: See HERE.
I do not like love triangles. I do read menages though I'm still a bit picky with them. They must have a group HEA, meaning all parties are together at the end.
Both the H & h must be healthy--this includes being STD free.
I don’t want to read about an h who’s pregnant to some other guy or an H that gets another girl pregnant. Babies between the H and h are fine, in fact it’s usually pretty sweet provided the child isn't kept a secret from one of them. I don't find a deadbeat dad or a mother who kept her child from it's father romantic so basically no secret babies.
I don’t like stories that make me cry; I like ones that make me smile and occasionally laugh. The purpose of reading romance for me is to get lost in an engaging story as an escape from all the depressing things on the news or seen first-hand in real life. If you'd describe the story as "a good ugly cry" then it's not something I'm interested in.
I'm not a fan of large amounts of angst or unnecessary misunderstandings, especially OW or OM drama. (This isn't daytime TV.)
I’m extremely partial to first person narratives. A third person narrator in a romance book tends to make me feel distanced from the characters, and I often have a hard time getting into the story.
I'm not fazed by swearing. Have a character that drops the F-bomb a hundred times? It won't offend me.
One word I will not tolerate in a romance book is BREEDING! You can read why HERE.
Graphic or detailed hook-ups between the H and h are perfectly fine, and probably pretty hot ;-) Between someone else in the story, probably not. I don't tolerate cheating between the H and h or reading about extensive hook-ups one of them has with someone else when they aren't together. I read romance to read about the main couple and their love story. I do not want to read "romances" that include any of the following: See HERE.
I do not like love triangles. I do read menages though I'm still a bit picky with them. They must have a group HEA, meaning all parties are together at the end.
Both the H & h must be healthy--this includes being STD free.
I don’t want to read about an h who’s pregnant to some other guy or an H that gets another girl pregnant. Babies between the H and h are fine, in fact it’s usually pretty sweet provided the child isn't kept a secret from one of them. I don't find a deadbeat dad or a mother who kept her child from it's father romantic so basically no secret babies.
I don’t like stories that make me cry; I like ones that make me smile and occasionally laugh. The purpose of reading romance for me is to get lost in an engaging story as an escape from all the depressing things on the news or seen first-hand in real life. If you'd describe the story as "a good ugly cry" then it's not something I'm interested in.
I'm not a fan of large amounts of angst or unnecessary misunderstandings, especially OW or OM drama. (This isn't daytime TV.)
Lastly, a significant (non-disposable) character's death is my final big deal-breaker (no pun intended). I absolutely won’t read about the death of a child. And no Romeo and Juliet ending. I like (read require) both my H and h alive in the finale!
So with that said, to submit for consideration for review, see the contact tab...
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