Re: Comment Clinic

(Anonymous) 2019-12-25 12:24 pm (UTC)(link)
As someone who's been in this position before: whatever you do, don't strain yourself and fake enthusiasm.

Even if lying through your teeth and trying to come up with nice things to say won't elevate your disappointment and make you resent the gift more than you already do (spoiler: it likely will!), the author will take your enthusiasm as encouragement and may actively try to get matched with you again, and then you'll be at the same place again next exchange.

If the fic looks like a well-meant, but failed effort, leave a short, polite thank you note. If the fic looks like spitefic, hit that reject button and wash your hands on it.