Book Review Trio: Honest Reader Feedback from Two Sisters and a Retired English Teacher

Ever wonder what would happen if you handed your novel to a Hallmark queen, a chocolate-slinging artist, and a retired English teacher with a penchant for fast cars? Texas author Vicky Goggin did—and the results were golden.

When she needed thoughtful feedback on the second book in her Mountain Gods series—a delicious blend of chick lit, mystery, and the supernatural—she turned to my aunt, my mom, and her boyfriend Mike. Or as I like to call them: the Oracle Sisters and the Professor of Plot.

Mary Anne and Martha (yes, really) spent decades running a chain of Hallmark stores together. Add in Mom’s experience running a Fannie Mae chocolate shop and moonlighting as an artist, and you’ve got two seasoned pros who know what readers crave. They devour 2–3 books a week and offer a rare combination of warmth, wisdom, and sales-savvy intuition.

Then there's Mike—a retired English teacher who now writes about IndyCar races. He's fast on grammar, sharp on story arcs, and has a secret soft spot for well-written dialogue.

Together, they’ll tackle your manuscript with care and candor, answering 15–20 yes/no, multiple choice, and 1–5 rating questions. They’ll also provide a handful of open-ended responses that reflect not just their opinions, but their personalities.

If you're looking for feedback that's both heartfelt and insightful—with a dash of Southern charm and literary horsepower—you’re in the right place.