I wrote a review for With A Twist by Heather Peters a while back. I got a copy from netgalley. It was super short only 40 pages and erotic romance.
I let netgalley know I had reviewed it and that was that I went and did other things.
I had requested another book from netgalley but have since canceled as reading on the computer is not something I enjoy. So a 40 page read is quick and not a problem.
I sadly didn’t like it. It happens no big deal. Well now I’m second guessing myself and the reason for this is that Heather Peters herself left a comment on my review. This is what she said.
Heather Peters said…
sorry you didnt like With a Twist; sadly, you were the only negative review Ive received; hope you read and like my future efforts. My characters are not cardboard cutouts, nor was my story a simple one; I think Ava/Shane were very complex for the amount of time and pages they were given. This is what erotic romance is all about.
March 25, 2011 3:13 PM
So now what? I was the only negative review and therefor I am wrong. Her character were not cardboard cut outs because she said they weren’t and I said other wise???
I get an author not wanting a negative review but I am now seriously questioning myself over my review. Should I have checked what others were writing in their reviews first and then written similar? Should I not have been so negative?
I genuinely am confused now about my reviews. I’m shocked anyone reads them at all. Thanks peoples 
But that authors themselves read them has me a little terrified now that I know they do. At least some anyway.
Should I filter my reviews or just say what I think. I don’t think I will change I mean if I don’t like something I’m not the kind of person who holds back. But this has thrown me for a loop.
I do need some advice here so if anyone wants to chime in please do.
Hi there! Alrighty, so you asked for some advice, I'm going to throw my two cents in. ^_^ If you have a blog and use any of the social networking sites including those formulated for bookish folks particularly, authors, publishers, and fellow readers are bound to read your reviews. Should you censor them? No, as they are your opinion. MY SUGGESTION is merely this….try to keep them balanced. For example, in my own reviews, I've read several (okay probably more than several) books that I just did NOT care for…BUT…despite the fact that I didn't like them and my reviews show the aspects that contributed to that final verdict, they also show the redeeming qualities as well. How so? Well, there had to be SOME reason you decided the read the book, right? Something about it caught your attention (and if there wasn't anything that did, why did you read it?), and that's as good a place as any to unearth the good amongst the bad. There you have it…my two cents. Okay, it might have been 5 cents, I get a little wordy sometimes. Happy reading! ^_^
I appreciate the response. I don't plan on censoring myself.
But perhaps I should have been more clear when reviewing With A Twist that I read it because it was short. Because in a 40 page book you will ONLY get cardboard cutout characters, what you have to push is the story. Which to me felt been there done that nothing original. Heather Peters visiting was surprising to me to say the least. Her comment while valid however what I really had issue with was her saying mine was the only negative review suggesting to me anyway that because of that what I thought was not then valid. Ok that and her they are not cardboard cutouts and mine hell yes they are it's only 40 pages I mean come on lets be realistic here!! In 40 pages of occasional sex she tried to create How Stella Got Her Groove back. It just doesn't happen. Perhaps I just got a bee in my bonnet over it and should have simply let it go.