Review Policy

Below is a comprehensive book review policy. It covers everything you need to know about how books are reviewed and what Carmen and Sash are looking for when accepting review requests.

Preferred Book Formats

We accept ebook and physical copies, Carmen, in particular, might review some audiobooks, but will not accept review requests for audiobooks.

So, if you wish to send us a review request then we ask that you please only send digital or physical copies. We accept all digital formats.

If you have inquiries about an unfinished manuscript you would like MBJ to beta-read, proofread or edit indicate so here and we will get back to you within 72 hrs.

GENRES WE WILL REVIEW

Unfortunately, we are utter and complete scaredy cats so we will not be reviewing any horror novels. Sorry to all you horror authors out there!

We love to read books from Indie authors and publishers. And, because Sash is an editor, self-published authors are her jam, she is happy to assist authors on perfecting their manuscript(s).

Below you will find a list of genres we accept for review.

Sash

- Children’s Fiction
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Erotica
- General Fiction (Adult)
- Historical Fiction
- History
- Humour
- LGBTQIA+
- Literary Fiction
- Multicultural Interest
- Mystery & Thrillers
- New Adult
- Nonfiction (Adult)
- Romance
- Sci Fi & Fantasy
- Sports
- Women’s Fiction

Carmen

- Biographies & Memoirs
- Children’s Fiction
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Cooking, Food & Wine
- Crafts & Hobbies
- Entertainment
- Erotica
- General Fiction (Adult)
- Historical Fiction
- History
- Home & Garden
- Humor
- LGBTQIA
- Literary Fiction
- Multicultural Interest
- Mystery & Thrillers
- New Adult
- Nonfiction (Adult)
- Outdoors & Nature
- OwnVoices
- Politics
- Romance
- Sci Fi & Fantasy
- Self-Help
- Teens & YA
- Travel
- True Crime
- Women’s Fiction

Book Review Format

We intend for all reviews to follow the same basic format and be judged by the same criteria, with some exceptions. Therefore, all reviews will contain a picture of the cover taken either from Goodreads or MBJ.

Reviews will include the following: title, author, publisher, publication date, genre, affiliate links or a spoiler warning if applicable.

Next, there will be a synopsis, once again, taken from Goodreads. If you are an author or publisher and would like to provide MBJ with a synopsis feel free to do so.

Most importantly, book reviews are graded out of 100%. This will be clear at the beginning and end of the review.

RATING SCALE

In order to provide the best review, we will be grading books in five categories. All categories are based on a 10-point scale.

Enjoyability: We will look at how we as individuals felt after finishing the book. Essentially, we ask ourselves, how much did we enjoy what we just read?
Character and character development: How believable were the characters? How believable was their development? In other words, are the characters well-developed and do they continue to develop throughout the book?
Originality: How well did the author handle tropes? How effective were their attempts at creating a story that is original even if the tropes are not. We recognize that there is nothing new under the sun, but every writer has their own voice and is able to put their own spin on a overused to trope to make it their own.
Plot development: Involves not only the pacing of the narrative but how each event plays into the plot’s development.
Story believability: How believable is the story as a whole? How do the characters, themes and settings work to create a believable world for the reader?

ROMANCE NOVELS

In the case of romance novels, the Steamy/Romance factor scale is measured by peaches, chosen purposefully to be more inclusive because everyone has butts.

As self-proclaimed romance-aholics, we thought it might be a great idea to include an additional rating scale when reviewing romance novels. This scale surrounds the “hotness” of a book.

Hallmark Movie or Korean Dramas the protagonists barely touch and only kiss/have sex the once or not at all. The descriptions of said sex are PG or even G rated (fade out to black).

Third Base is where the sex happens. It’s not as hot or as graphic, but it happens and it’s all about the flowery descriptions.

Heavy Petting, the romance is heating up. The plot is the focus but sex happens and is written well, bordering on graphic/erotica.

Erotica with feelings; we’re talking hot sex and a relationship, the plot is secondary but the sex is descriptive and makes us blush. Maybe, don’t read in public.

Hard Core Book Porn and we’re not talking shelfies here. This is a book that you flick the bean to hidden under the mattress, but oh so delicious.

NOTE

MBJ promises readers, authors and publishers that reviews will be honest and constructive as we are very aware that it is hard work crafting a world for readers, and as such, constructive criticism will always be our goal.

We recognize that there will always be an inherent subjective bias when writing a review. With this in mind, we aim to acknowledge those biases in our ratings to create an informative and entertaining review for our readers.

We reserve the right to reject a request for review. Whether we accept or reject, you will hear from us within 24-48 hrs.