Imagine you found an intriguing book online (not much of a stretch, right?) but you’ve never read this author’s work before. Your finger hovers over the “Buy Now” button, but you ultimately scroll down instead until reviews fill your screen.
As you skim, some brim with enthusiastic praise while others are more critical, a mix something like this:
“Deeper and darker than I wanted for a ‘Rock Star Romance’” – Donna
“Addressing complicated issues with finesse, grace, and poise” – Miriam
“slow burning…rather smoldering. Kept me reading and reading!” – Brittany
“Even though I couldn’t connect with Adeline (like, at all), I still respected her and appreciated her struggles and her arc so much!” – Grace
“The author hit all the right notes in this story.” – Suzie
Let’s say you do sometimes like romances that deal with tough issues, but today you’re shopping for a light, heartwarming novel. So, you add the book to your “Want to Read” list on Goodreads and then head back to the retailer and find something that fits your current mood.
The reviews did exactly what they were meant to do: they filled in any gaps in expectations left by the cover and blurb, and helped you make an informed purchasing decision.
If some of these reviewers had hesitated to share their thoughts because there were other reviews posted or their opinion happened to be in the minority, the snapshot of what readers really think would be limited and less helpful. So, don’t hesitate to lend your voice to the discussion by leaving a review. You help other readers each time you do!
This goes double when you’ve read a new release. Since it takes a while to build up a good pool of reviews, without the first few readers leaving their thoughts, how will the next on-the-fence shopper know whether to read or to keep looking?
If you’re stuck on what to write, here are some suggestions to get you started:
- Be honest. Don’t worry about the author reading the review and taking offense. Some authors find reading reviews helpful. Some of us don’t, so we decide to encourage them for readers’ sake while not reading them ourselves.
- Be tactful. Remember you’re reviewing the story, not the author. Even the less enthusiastic review excerpts I quoted are focused on the readers’ experience with the genre, the characters, and the writing, without making remarks about the author. The comments fairly express what other readers should expect, and that’s perfect!
- Be brief—or be long! Maybe you really enjoyed a book and sigh wistfully every time you think of it, but you can’t think of what to write in the review. Just write that—”I enjoyed this and sigh wistfully every time I think of it.” Or, perhaps a book resonated deeply with you and you can expound on a dozen reasons you think others out to read it. Go ahead and write your list.
- Avoid spoilers. You don’t need to include a plot summary, which can easily spoil plot points. However, content or trigger warnings can be helpful, and if you feel led to include a list of those, go for it. If anything you write might be a spoiler, warn the reader by putting “SPOILER” somewhere before the info.
- Say what you liked and didn’t like. Consider areas like the characters, setting, plot, pacing (were you bored at any point, or did it pull you right along?), chemistry in the romance, and themes that resonated with you.
- Mention any particularly strong response you had to the story. This one’s optional, but if an element of the story kept you thinking after the final page, why not mention it? Or was there a character you loved to hate? Perhaps the book inspired tears or laughter? Any of these show that the story drew you in and will help other readers understand whether it might do the same for them.
- Suggest the kind of reader who might enjoy a story. This is also optional, but it can be a quick way to help others understand the feel of the story. Try this format: If you liked *insert TV show, book, genre, or movie,* you might like this book!
If you’re familiar with my current series (or clicked the links), you’ve probably guessed the sample reviews are about To Bring You Back, the first of the Rhythms of Redemption Romances.
I try to set the right expectations with my blurb, but I love how these reviews—even the ones that aren’t quite glowing—set the right reader expectations. What a service to other readers!
Would you like to help other readers make decisions about my next book? I’m setting up my advance reader and launch teams for my July release, To Begin Again. As I mentioned, those first few reviews can be especially important!
If you’re selected for the team, you’ll receive an early copy and I’ll ask that you leave reviews on retail and other bookish sites like Goodreads and Bookbub. If that sounds fun, learn more about the book and apply here. But act quickly! Sign ups close 5/27/22.
In case you’d like more info about book reviews and launch teams, I’ve rounded up some other Inspy Romance posts that touch on the subjects:
Twelve Ways To Be An Awesome Launch Team Member
What Type of Book Reviews Do You Leave?
In Defense of Negative Reviews
What is the last book reviewed? Do you have tips for what to write in a review?
Emily Conrad writes contemporary Christian romance that explores life’s relevant questions. Though she likes to think some of her characters are pretty great, the ultimate hero of her stories (including the one she’s living) is Jesus. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and their energetic coonhound rescue. Learn more about her and her books at emilyconradauthor.com.
The last book I reviewed was a historical “Love Unforeseen” by Penny Zeller. I once read not to review past the first 3 chapters and try to keep to this (unless something is said in the blurb) I may say something generic as to why I liked the book later on but I don’t like to give anything away especially those hidden gems that authors put in books. I like surprises.
I don’t always read reviews but if not sure about a book will check the reviews and often the 3 star ones. If a book has been out for a few months and no reviews I tend to think either no one bought the book or people are to polite to review it so will normally give it a miss. I do know Amazon can take up to a week to approve a review.
I review all of the books I read on Bookbub and Goodreads, and share about them on my FaceBook page. I can’t review on Amazon, since I only use gift cards on there, and though it’s way over $50 I spend, it doesn’t match their guidelines. I can also review of Barnes and Noble and ChristianBook, though most of the books I read can’t be reviewed there, as they are in KU on Amazon and not wide.
Oh, that’s great advice about not mentioning specific plot points past chapter 3! I hadn’t heard that before, but that makes great sense.
It makes sense to read 3-star reviews if you’re unsure. I bet they lend helpful perspective!
I knew Amazon had guidelines about money spent on their site, but I didn’t realize gift cards didn’t count toward it. Reviews other places are helpful too though! I’m a big fan of Bookbub for deals and for how they promote recommendations/reviews of a book if it goes on sale with one of their featured deals. :)
I love reviewing on Bookbub. You click the descriptions add a line or two and hit submit
The last book I reviewed was a promise for his daughter by Danielle Thorne. I don’t review every book I read only some of them but I leave reviews on Goodreads bookbub and Amazon when I leave reviews.
Yes, me too! I like the “recommend” feature they have too.
It’s so helpful that you leave reviews a few places!
If an author sends me an book or an advanced copy of the book I always try to do an review before the book comes out but it doesn’t always happen cause lately I have been really busy
Okay so a question for you Emily, I would love to be part of your ARC team (read & leave reviews) but one of the prerequisites is leaving a review for one of your books. I have not (yet) read anything by you but am always interested in a new-to-me writer and the book sounds amazing! I have reviewed books in the past & have been part of many launch teams so I know what it means to be one. I don’t have a lot of time for launching a book, but I certainly am willing to leave reviews on all the sites I can, and I will submit it to the blog I often participate in with other readers. Does this sound like I could be on your ARC team even though I’ve never reviewed (or read) any book by you? I would love to help!
You’ve touched on all the points I have done in the past with a book review. Even if the book doesn’t necessarily resonate with me for one reason or another, I’ve never blamed the author. I’ve always stated the reasons why…maybe I didn’t connect with the characters, or the storyline didn’t hold my interest or something like that. I’ve had books where I’ve DNF (did not finish) because there was content I didn’t expect, or maybe it was labeled as Christian fiction but was in no way Christian or something extreme. For those either I don’t leave a review or if they were books specifically for review, I’ve had to reach out to the author and let them know why I couldn’t leave one. There are times (thankfully rare!) where I’ve left a review but stated trigger points…..say abuse or drinking or whatnot…because I DO want other readers to know up front what to expect. I would not want to read a book that had triggers I didn’t know about and then be completely turned off because of them. If I knew ahead of time, I probably would not pick up the book. For example, I dealt with spousal abuse with my ex years ago, so I have a really hard time reading a story with that in it and most times avoid them. It has nothing to do with the author (they are probably amazing) but I will avoid that particular book. Maybe they have other ones I would enjoy. I NEVER discount the writer….or try not to anyway :-)
And I really don’t like when other readers post spoilers! That’s like watching a movie and your friend tells you how it ends or the details….it just ruins it for me. I want other readers to find out things in the book for themselves.
One thing I would add, when I leave a review, I don’t reveal anything more than the back cover blurb does. Because again, I don’t want to ruin the story for other readers.
What a great discussion today! Reviews are awesome for readers & writers as well. They don’t have to be long or eloquent, just basically what you thought of the story!
Oh yes, and to answer your question: the last book I reviewed was “All That It Takes” by Nicole Deese. She is an AMAZING author & I have loved every one of her books.
I don’t leave reviews for every book, but those that really stand out to me I do. Like I said, I used to part of many launch teams but I just don’t have the time to all that anymore. Once in a while, for sure I do but only because I WANT to (if that makes sense). It just became a chore & I NEVER want reviewing to feel like that :-)
You’re so right about how reviewing shouldn’t feel like a chore! Sounds like you have several good rules of thumb when approaching reviews. I’d love to have you on the ARC team! It sounds like you’re a blogger, in addition to being a reader/reviewer, and I’ve been handling those ARC copies a little differently. If the story sounds intriguing based on what you saw on the form, go ahead and shoot me an email at emilyconrad (at) sbcglobal (dot) net. :) Thanks for taking an interest!
They do. Often 5 star are friends, authors or people who always give 5 star (I trust those of people I know more). 4 star is often the most honest. But 3 stars is still a good read and often quite helpful. (I will read one star at times) Normally I know when I want to read a book and have learnt get clouded by others (Have a book I need to read but due to some comments don’t want to read it now).
I only use gift cards on amazon and am able to review there. Maybe it depends how we get them. Some I have are for birthday or Christmas. I don’t have an issue at Amazon Australia as I do buy things there.
My last review was for THE MAP OF NIGHT by Kimberley Starr. I just wrote a few sentences on what I liked.
Sounds like it was a good book! I haven’t heard of it, so I’m off to look it up :)
America The People by Terry Overton, Essential Ingredients by Kathleen Robinson-An ARC Fatal Forensic Investigation by Darlene L. Turner.
don’t review
I review all my books on a few different sites. I always put 5 stars due to buying or getting books I like.
I review my books & tell others about how good it is & tips on if they like special things to read the book.
I like that you add in special feedback suited to their tastes. Books aren’t one-size-fits-all, so it’s great to keep the other person’s preferences in mind when recommending books!
Sounds like you know just which books to pick for yourself, if they’re all 5 stars! That’s great!
Sounds like you’ve been a busy reader! Thanks for posting reviews!
I appreciate long reviews even with spoilers sometimes! This is especially important in non-Christian, secular “clean” books. Even if the author is a Christian, I want to know if there are any sexual content, ideas or anti-Christian beliefs in the book or witchcraft or pagan spiritual practices shown as correct or valid.
I usually read reviews from 1 to 3 stars because it is more likely that there I will find the answer to whether I would really like the book or not than in those of 4 or 3 stars where there are usually only praises and sometimes little information such as “this book is wonderful”. you should read it” doesn’t tell me anything if I don’t know the commenter.
What great examples of how much reviews, even the low ones, can help other readers! You’re not alone in preferring to glean details from lower reviews. I’ve heard of others doing that too.
This was a great article! Wholeheartedly agree with your spot-on points!
Thanks, Jaycee!!
The last book I reviewed was Honeycombs and Homecomings by Ellie Thornton. I’m in the habit now of reviewing everything I read, but I can only post on Goodreads and Bookbub since Amazon doesn’t let me. Still, I always try to keep in mind everything you pointed out in your post and especially appreciate it when other people mention some content concerns in their reviews.
Wishing you the best with your launch!
You’re not alone in having trouble with reviews on Amazon, but I’ve been really impressed lately by everything Bookbub does with reviews/recommendations there, so it’s great that you still review where you can! And thanks for the well-wishes!
Great article! I never read reviews before I read a book, too many times they are a plot rehash and I prefer to make up my own mind. If I’m unsure I’ll download a sample of the book or buy a free or 99c book to see if I like it and sometimes that’s an effective strategy. I try to leave reviews but get very stuck on how to encapsulate in words my feelings about the book, so often then I’ll check out the reviews for descriptive words. I always leave a rating on Apple and write reviews there, on BookBub, Kobo and Goodreads when I’m well enough. I am going to bookmark this to read next time it’s time to write a review, thanks!
So glad the post was helpful, Dianne! I hear you on sometimes struggling to come up with words. You’d think it’d be easy for a writer, but sometimes it even helps me to see what others say in similar situations. Great tip about reading the sample to get a real taste of the story!