Bizarre Review

Because Amazon sent them an email and they thought they had to review the book.

A fabulous insight into the freebie hoarder. At least it was 3 stars! Could have been worse

I suspect that Amazon reviewing is a contest for some people. After all, there is a leader board. Perhaps this is just an extension of that.

Two of the oddest reviews were" picked up the book for the cover.  Will be back later to review the content. "
Other one was "Just testing something.    This book was gifted to me from the author. "

I am still betting on the email since I get emails almost everyday asking me to review something.

I've queued up this review and your last weird one on my review blog. I can take them out if you want.

cinisajoy said:

Other one was "Just testing something. This book was gifted to me from the author. "

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I'm guessing that one was because they thought Amazon wouldn't allow a review that mentioned receiving the book as a gift.

Lydniz said:

I'm guessing that one was because they thought Amazon wouldn't allow a review that mentioned receiving the book as a gift.

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No, it was to see if a gifted book came through as a verified purchase. For the record, no they do not show up as verified purchases.

Could the reader be using them as placemarkers? Maybe they go to their own review page and look for reminders on why they picked up certain book when they did. Kind of like a notes section for their TBR pile.  

I heard you can email amazon and ask them to remove the review, because as the reviewer stated they haven't read the book.

I've seen angry one-star reviews from people who get those e-mail prompts from Amazon. "I haven't even had a chance to read it yet!" "Why do I have to write a review?!" etc.

Why do they think they HAVE to review? What do they think will happen if they don't? I have no idea.

It boggles my mind.

hayley said:

I heard you can email amazon and ask them to remove the review, because as the reviewer stated they haven't read the book.

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This hasn't worked for me yet. I report these every time I see them, and I've never seen one removed.

I emailed Amazon to ask them if they could stop using a review from my brother as the lead review and got an email back saying that the review system was totally automated and he'd have to delete the review to change it.

hayley said:

I heard you can email amazon and ask them to remove the review, because as the reviewer stated they haven't read the book.

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KDP sometimes removes those types of reviews on .uk, but never on .com

Mystery Maven said:

I've seen angry one-star reviews from people who get those e-mail prompts from Amazon. "I haven't even had a chance to read it yet!" "Why do I have to write a review?!" etc.

Why do they think they HAVE to review? What do they think will happen if they don't? I have no idea.

It boggles my mind.

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Some people think that because a company asks them to do something, they have to do it or they can't use that company again.

Also,
Why worry about one weird review?
If you are that concerned about what one person said, then please quit reading your reviews.
Did someone lie to you and say everyone will love your book, you are perfect? If that is the case please quit listening to my strange aunt.

It is like I told another author, some people will love you, some won't like you and others will hate you because of your eye color.

Don't worry about reviews. They are nothing more than opinions. Opinions are like armpits, everyone has at least one and some of them reek.

SeanDGolden said:

I emailed Amazon to ask them if they could stop using a review from my brother as the lead review and got an email back saying that the review system was totally automated and he'd have to delete the review to change it.

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See, this is what I don't get about Amazon. The TOS makes it sound like family reviews aren't allowed. (I'm not blaming you. I had a really embarrassing one I never asked for from my grandma when I wrote under my real name) But they refuse to remove them when they're reported.

cinisajoy is right. I have a 3* review that says

Amazon will not stop bugging me until I give a review so  here.  or something like that.

I agree it seems he was somehow compelled to leave a review

Amazon keeps asking me to review one of my own books. Go figure.

I saw a book once that had a bunch of odd reviews. Poor grammar, shortened words, odd names with no other reviews. Then I noticed that they were all done on the same day and there were about thirty of them.

Then it hit me. They were students and the teacher had assigned them the book to read! They must of had to review it for homework or something. Most of them read like a text message and clearly a majority had not read it at all. I remember feeling so so sorry for that author. Nice that the teacher thought the book was good enough to include in her class, but to let them review it without seeing the reviews first? Criminal.

What the hell was that teacher thinking?