Pre-packaged reviews

[Dave Rosenthal]

A publicist recently emailed me, wondering why I hadn't reviewed a book she had sent. She said: "I realize that you may have read the book, but don't have time to write a review so I've included some mock reviews below that you may find possibly fits how you feel about the book. Feel free to choose one if this helps."
Then she listed 10 blurbs, including: "Great page-turner! Couldn't put it down!"
At first, I thought it was a joke. Then I realized she might be serious, believing that I can't come up with my own cliches. So I'm wondering: Is it a joke? Or do these sorts of pre-packaged reviews come your way, too?

[Melissa]

Wow, I've never heard of this, but I think it's a little strange. I have a few reviews I haven't gotten to yet (these are books I read for me, not a requested review) and I'm thinking of doing some mini reviews for them, but if I didn't have anything to say about a book I would say that, instead of using a pre-packaged review.

[Bookish Ruth]

I've never had a publicist offer me mock-ups when inquiring about a book for review. Usually they just ask if I received the book and/or have had the chance to read it yet.

[Harvee Lau]

I like to think mine is the only way to see a book. Call me Book snob. No, I'd never use someone else's version of a review for my blog. The most I will do for a book that is not great is try to be super objective and bland, and not reveal my private, gut reactions, nor give a bad review. Those I might save for my Goodreads gab.

[Christine]

Hilarious. But I hope that someone sends a copy of this email on to whatever authors she's representing -- seems to me like she's doing a bit of a shoddy job. If getting good reviews is seen as a matter of cutting and pasting formula phrases, why bother sending the book out in the first place?

[Jenni Whittaker]

Yep, fab idea to inform the author. I bet they are horrified!

[Rita Schiano]

I don't think this is urban legend. I've heard of this being done to pepper amazon.com with reviews too.

[Biblio Brat]

I have never have come across this, but I've only been reviewing for a couple of years. I clearly state in my submission guidelines that I will not review a book if there are caveats and certainly not if those caveats would cause me to lose credibility with my readership (such as it is).

The above scenario just doesn't sound right. I hope that someone with more experience with reviewing and/or publicists can provide an answer. I'll be interested to see what they have to say.

[Jenni Whittaker]

I really could not believe this when I read it. How bad is that!

[Book Calendar]

It does not sound that surprising. It even reads like the blurbs on the back of books. I have not had any prepackaged reviews yet.

[Callista]

Wow I can't believe that happened. I've not received anything like that and I think it's wrong. No matter how many there are to choose from, none would be like my review.

[Lauren]

That's horrible!

[Kristen M.]

I've never seen anything like this either but it makes me think that this publicist is really out of touch.