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Brent Johner

Author, Reviewer, Critique Partner

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Reviews

If you are looking for the book reviews I post on this website, they are on HOME PAGE.

This page is about my policies regarding writing book reviews.


Book Review Policies

Effective: 7 July 2025.

If you want me to review your book, you need to know my rules.

Rule 1

I do not write negative reviews. If a book is not my vibe, I will not finish it and I will say nothing about it.

I also do not update DNF lists on review platforms. I may choose not to finish a book because I am in a bad mood. That is not on the author, so it will not be recorded on a list.

If I am reviewing your book, it is too late for a critique. There is no point in providing critical feedback to an author after a book is published. If you want critique support, please discuss it with me before you publish.

Rule 2

I either LIKE a book or LOVE a book. If I don’t like it or love it, I do not finish (DNF) it.

In general, I love about 5% of what I read. I like 85% of what I read. I DNF about 10% of what I read.

I would rather not leave stars, because star ratings imply recommendations, which are not something I do. But, some review sites require star ratings. So I have no choice.

NOTE – I never rate an author’s debut less than five stars (because star ratings are meaningless anyway). But you should be able to tell from the view that accompanies that five-star rating what I really thought about the book.

Rule 3

I do not review books if they are provided to me for less than what others are paying at that time. If I am to review a book, I must pay the same price that others are paying for it at that time. This is the law.

The only way I will review a book I did not pay for is if I can check it out from a library.

Previous DNFs

If I have DNFed one of your books previously, I am not open to reviewing another — unless I decide to do that entirely of my own accord.

Why I Have Rules

In the past, I have been asked to provide five star reviews from people who think I owe it to them because we are friends. Not only is this illegal, it is also immoral. I don’t want to be put in that situation anymore.

If you want me to read and review your book, I am happy to do that. If you are going to attach strings to your request, I am not the right person to ask.

Categories

  • Book Reviews
  • The Last Coffle

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