@structuredsucc@mastodon.social When it comes to novels (and sales thereof), reviews do not matter to discovery. Discovery has already happened if a potential reader encounters a review. Reviews do not drive sales. Sales drive reviews. With somebody reading the book (a "sale"), there can be no review. The "social proof" argument only matters if the cover art and surrounding blurb-age fails first and the potential reader seeks confirmation of the decision they've already made.