When you’re done reading, you can leave a review on any/all of these sites.

June 29: Paperbacks will be available for reviewers to purchase at cost (i.e. you only pay what Amazon charges me) for anyone interested.

July 14: eBook ARCs sent out to all reviewers

July 26: Paperback will be full price

July 28: Release date!!! eBook available for sale on Amazon in Kindle Unlimited!!!

What is an ARC?

An Advance Reader Copy is an edition of the book given to readers so that they can read and review prior to publication. The copy you receive will have gone through all main edits but there may still be minor errors that would be caught in proofreading.

How will I receive my ebook?

You should have received an email from me or from Bookfunnel directly with your unique ARC download. If you have not received your copy, please contact Alexis ASAP. Bookfunnel will have full instructions on how to get the book onto your preferred device, and you’ll be able to read on your computer, phone, or e-reader / kindle.

When is my review due?

Forced Promises will release on July 28th and ARCs will be sent on July 14th to give you two weeks to read prior to release. If you could review prior to August 17th, that would be amazing, but as long as you read with earnest intentions of reviewing, I’m fine with whenever <3

Where could I post my review?

Amazon, Goodreads, Bookbub, Romance.io, Fable, StoryGraph… Wherever you like! You’re also welcome to share on social media or in Facebook groups. For new releases especially, readers like to hear directly from people who read the book and can give unbiased answers to any questions.

How do I notify you of my review?

I don’t require reviewers to notify me of leaving a review this time, but you’re free to let me know on social media or through email that you’re done.

How do I protect my review account?

Amazon specifically has been banning reviewer accounts, and so there are some things that can hopefully make your account safer.

• Please include the wording “I received this book for free and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.“
• Do NOT include the words ‘in exchange for’ or ‘advance review copy’ as these may get your account flagged.
• Do not use Generative AI for your review (i.e. ChatGPT) because GenAI reviews are flagged for spam.

What should I say in my review?

Everyone’s review style is different, and the purpose of reviews is to have your opinion heard, and let other readers know if this book would be a suitable read for them or not. If you’re struggling for ideas on what to say, you can talk about:

• How did the book make you feel?
• When you think about the romance, the main characters, or the storyline, what emotions did it bring up?
• Did you connect with the characters?
• What was the writing style like? How was the pace?
• Did you have any favourite lines?
• Were there any moments that made a big impact?
• Did the story hold your attention?
• How would you rate the spice level?
• Which characters, scenes, or themes stood out?
• Was the story easy enough to follow?
• What kind of reader may enjoy this book?
• Would you recommend it? Why or why not?

What is a spice rating?

Some reviewers like to include a spice rating, and this is often a personal judgment on the quantity, intensity, or descriptiveness of sex scenes. If you look up “spice rating” on Instagram you’ll see a lot of examples. Depending on the reader, Forced Promises will likely fall between 2 and 4 spice using the following summary:

• 1 spice is fade to black
• 2 spice has one or two sex scenes with some description
• 3 spice has more explicit descriptions, more intense types of sex or kink
• 4 spice has a lot of explicit sex scenes, or sex with more taboo or forbidden aspects
• 5 spice has sex dominating the plot, is very taboo or extreme, and very descriptive

Should I tag you on social media posts?

I love being tagged and I genuinely appreciate anyone talking about my work <3 Please note I may not see or interact with your post as I get numerous notifications a day across multiple platforms that I’m not always active on.

Do I have to make / post graphics?

Absolutely not! I’ve provided graphics for people who enjoy posting on social media about what they’re reading, and you’re welcome to make your own, but it’s not a requirement at all. If you do make graphics, please do not use Generative AI, especially for the cover. Instead, use the cover files or mock-ups provided.

How will you use my review?

During the release period, I may use reviews in graphics or social media posts to let other readers know what early reviewers are saying. If you’d rather I not use your review in this way, please let me know in advance! I try to credit reviewers with either their first name and initial (Alexis A.) or by their social media account name.

My promise to you: I’m a professional author. I will not use your review on social media to make fun of you, insult you, degrade you, or humiliate you. If you feel any of my comments are unkind, let me know.

I found a trigger that wasn’t listed

If this happens, I am so sorry. Your mental health is important and I’ve tried to be very diligent about trigger warnings. If you notice one I don’t have listed, I’d appreciate if you contacted me at reviews [at] alexisabbott (dot) com so that I can add it for future readers.

I can’t get into the book, what should I do?

You are under no obligation to finish the book. If you choose not to finish the book, that is fine, and you can decide whether you’d like to leave a review or not. You do not need to let me know if this is the case, but you may wish to unsubscribe from newsletter reminders.

What should I do if I come across an error in the book?

The ARC copy you will receive has been through multiple stages of editing, however sometimes things get missed. If you notice a typo or a grammatical error, I’d appreciate you letting me know so I can make sure it’s corrected in the published version at reviews [at] alexisabbott (dot) com. Please note that this book is written in Canadian English, so there may be some unfamiliar spellings that are not typos (travelling, favour, centre, etc. Basically if there’s an extra “L”, “U” or “RE” instead of “ER” it’s probably a Canadianism).

I posted my review on Amazon but it’s not showing and/or it was rejected

Unfortunately this happens. Amazon is known to take weeks to approve reviews, or to reject reviews. If you could post your review on another site like Goodreads or Bookbub, that would be great, but I understand how Amazon is and don’t hold you responsible for their policies and actions.

I got ill / had a family emergency / life came up and I won’t get my review done in time

If anyone understands how life can derail plans, it’s me. I completely empathize, and I recommend you take care of what you need to take care of first. This is not a job, and it’s not the type of obligation that should leave you feeling heavy and unhappy. I want my book to bring you joy and comfort, and all I ask is that when life calms down, if you’re still able to read and review, that would be wonderful <3

Anything else I should know?

Please do not feed this book into any Generative AI program, in whole or in part as these programs are not confidential or secure, and can be used for piracy or plagiarism.

I also ask that you not upload this book to any piracy or book sharing sites, or give your ebook to anyone else, as that could potentially put my publishing account at risk.

To escape an arranged marriage, I’ll become the wife of a killer.
I had to flee the cult, or be forced to marry my own brother.
I have no money, no ID, no family.
Hated by my mother, disowned by my father.
My twisted salvation comes in the form of
a beautiful monster with silver eyes.

His need for revenge has him infiltrate the Bratva.
They demand a rite of initiation.
When he tells me to be a good girl and submit, I obey.
I’m touch-starved. Desperate for love.
And he publicly claims my innocence
to become one of them.

The Bratva and the cult want to destroy us.
But we’re already broken,
shattered by the dark secrets of our past.
And when we pick up each other’s pieces
Our tortured obsession is made lethal.

Trigger Warnings

I take trigger warnings very seriously, and want you to be informed if there’s anything I can think of that might be potentially upsetting. This is a dark book, and while the romance is built on mutual trust and respect, it is a slow burn to get there. Neither the MMC nor the FMC wants to hurt their lover, but the world they live in is very gritty and cruel.

If you read the book and notice there’s a trigger I’ve missed, please let me know.

Alexis Abbott is a Wall Street Journal & USA Today bestselling author who writes about dangerous men and the women who love them. If you can’t resist a bad boy who is a good man, you just found your next addiction. With heart-stopping action, mouth watering sex, and passionate romances that will leave you breathless, Alexis Abbott writes romantic thrillers like no one else can.

When she’s not writing your next book boyfriend, you’ll find her living a real life romance novel with her own bad boy soulmate in Bonavista, NL, Canada.