Please read over my Review Policy before contacting me about a review (contact information is below)
This page is to provide some information about the system I use to review books and my current policy regarding book reviews.
First off, let me say that each review I do is my opinion. That being said, there are bound to be some books here and there that I didn’t like and didn’t click with me. Please understand that it is my policy never to be unreasonably harsh or disrespectful of either the book or author; it just may be that a book didn’t work for me or simply wasn’t the book for me. Thus, I am fair and honest in all my reviews but if I didn’t like a book, I’ll say so.
In regards to genre, I tend to lean more towards YA Fiction (specifically Fantasy and Paranormal) and Queer Fiction. However, I am more than willing to take a look at other genres and do tend to enjoy books from a variety of differnt ones. I have listed my “Perferred Genres“, “Genres I’ll Consider” and “Genres I Typically Won’t Review” below.
Review Guidelines
1. My Rating System:
My ratings will be based on a star number scale from 1-5,
5 Stars: This is a must read and was so incredibly good in my opinion, that I am awestruck. This may include books that made me think about the characters or story long after I’d finished it or changed my life or opinions in some way.
4 Stars: I loved it and was happy that I read it. I would definitely recommend this book to others.
3 Stars: I enjoyed it, and consider it basically an okay read. Not great, mind you, but still good.
2 Stars: Did not enjoy. The book wasn’t for me, had major problems or wasn’t complete (i.e. it ended on a cliffhanger).
1 Stars: This is for books that majorly piss me off. It’s rare that I rate anything 1 star but there have been a few of them.
All reviews are posted on my site at rogersreads.com and include an affiliate link to purchase the book at Amazon or The Book Depository (if book is available there). All Reviews are also cross-posted to Goodreads and Amazon, and I often share my review links on other social media such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
2. Paperbacks and Hardbacks Only
At this time, I am only accepting books in paperback or hardback format (ARC’s are fine as long as they are bound). No eBooks or electronic manuscripts. I have nothing against authors who choose to publish exclusively in ebook format but physical books are more convenient for me at this time.
3. Positive and Negative Reviews
I do not promise anyone, whether they be author or publisher, a positive review in exchange for a review copy. I am completely honest in all my reviews and if I don’t like book, I’ll say so.
4. Timing
I do not guarantee that I will get to your book immediately. As I run a full-time business I may not be able to get to your book right away. I make it my goal to try and review any book that I receive within 3 weeks, though this is dependent on my workload. Books that have been sent to me unsolicited will be given last priority, meaning books that I’ve agreed to review will always take precedent over unsolicited books.
5. Self-Published/Independent Books
I am open to reading independently published books, as long is they meet my other criteria. I enjoy a good story, regardless of who published it.
6. All Reviews Are Final
I strive to give fair and honest reviews for every book I read. Thus, if I liked a book, I’ll rate it accordingly; likewise, if I didn’t like a book, I’ll rate it accordingly. Once I post a review, I will not remove it from my site or any third-party site on which I’ve posted it. I will not enter into discussion or correspondence with any authors or publishers who are unhappy with a review. Please respect my opinion.
7. No Cliffhangers
I do not consider books that end in cliffhangers to be complete books, thus I will not accept them. I typically rate any book with a cliffhanger a maximum of 2 stars so if your book ends with a cliffhanger and doesn’t stand on its own, you may not want to submit it to me.
8. Preferred Genres
Young Adult (YA)
I read a lot of Young Adult fiction, especially fantasy, science fiction, paranormal, adventure and historical fiction. I don’t read a lot of YA Contemporary but I may consider it depending on the synopsis (but overall, not a fan).
Middle Grade (MG)
I will read some middle grade, depending on the story. For instance, I enjoy books such as the Percy Jackson series and the Harry Potter series.
LGBT Romance/LGBT Fiction (Adult, YA)
I’m a big fan of Queer Fiction. I read and enjoy LGBT Romance as well as novels with LGBT characters portrayed in a positive light. Typically, I prefer “cleaner” romances rather than erotica though there are exceptions to the rule. I’m no prude and don’t mind love scenes – even steamy ones — in a novel. I just don’t enjoy it when the sex scenes overpower the plot.
Supernatural/Paranormal/Urban Fantasy (Adult, YA, Middle Grade)
This is one of my favorite genres – I’m also especially fond of time-travel stories and stories involving ghosts, zombies, magic, witches, werewolves and the like. I’m not too crazy about dystopian/apocalyptic fiction though I’ve read some that I’ve enjoyed (I love the Arc of a Scythe series). If the synopsis sounds good to me, I’d definitely consider it.
Fantasy and Science Fiction (Adult, YA, Middle Grade)
Fantasy and Sci-Fi are two other favorites of mine, though I lean more heavily toward fantasy.
Thriller/Suspense/Horror (Adult, YA)
Though I’m more of a paranormal fan than a hardcore horror fan, I do enjoy a well-told thriller or suspense novel — as long as there’s not a cliffhanger ending. I’m also not a fan of police procedurals — prefer psychological or domestic thrillers. No true crime novels.
Mysteries (Adult, YA, Middle Grade)
I use to read only a few mysteries per year but have been delving more and more into the genre because I typically enjoy them. I’m especially fond of cozy mysteries, though I’ll consider any mystery with an appealing plot.
9. Genres I’ll Definitely Consider
Literary Fiction
This isn’t a genre I read in regularly but I’m certainly not opposed to it. In fact, I’m trying to read more of it these days. Again, if the synopsis is intriguing, I’ll consider it.
Nonfiction
This depends on the subject matter. I read quite a few books on technology and the craft of writing but I’ll consider other non-fiction books if it sounds like something I’ll enjoy (biographies are a plus). No text books or books about sports, politics, accounting/bookeeping, finance, or economics.
Comics and Graphic Novels
I enjoy graphic novels and Manga though I don’t tend to read a lot of them. I would certainly consider reading them, however, depending on the story.
Short Story Collections
I don’t read a lot of short story collections but am open to reviewing them, depending on the theme or the topic. Not really a fan of experimental short stories, however.
10. Genres I Typically Won’t Review
Poetry
I’ve never been a fan. Though this year I read two novels written entirely in verse (“Long Way Down” and “The Poet X”) and I enjoyed both of them. So this is a genre that I may consider for the right collection.
Religious Fiction
I’ve had several people contact me recently to review their Christian fiction novels. The answer is No. Same goes for any other religious fiction that proselytizes or places their religion above others (or above no religion). I do not enjoy fiction with religious messages.
Erotica/Smut
I don’t mind love scenes in a story but if the novel consists of one sex scene after another, then it drifts into “smut” territory for me and that’s not something I enjoy. Romances with a good story are fine — sex-driven stoies are not.
10. Contact Me
If you would like to submit a book for review, please send me an email to roger@rogerhyttinen.com with a brief synopsis of the book and the publication date. I’ll answer your request as soon as possible.