So, I was having a conversation with another author and we were talking about reviews. As in book reviews. Reviews we write and reviews that are written about our books. She brought up a review that was written on her current release. She told me how the reviewer really liked the book, and left a great review–but the review also spoiled the twist at the end of the book. Now this is a contemporary romance, so there is no suspense involved, but my friend had written this cool twist that would more than likely be a surprise to the majority of readers.
A surprise unless they read the review, that is!
So, that got me to thinking. I know on Goodreads they have a button to push if you do have spoilers. That way the person reading your review can decide if they want to read the whole thing or not. I think I’ve seen on Amazon where the reviewer writes “spoiler alert” at the beginning. That is a great way to warn review readers.
As an author I know how important reviews are. And I try! I really try to write reviews. (Especially for books I LOVE!) But, I don’t retell the story. I give my reasons why I loved the book. I encourage people to buy the book. I describe the characters and explain why I liked them.
I saw a review on one of my friend’s books that was a 1 star review. I clicked on the comment and it said the pages were too yellow. What? This was a current book. Not sure how that happened. I received a 1 star review because (among other things) “The main character’s name is Honey. Honey. Really?” Suffice it to say the reviewer didn’t like the name. Eh—you can’t please everyone, I surmised.
I don’t mind critical reviews if there is something I can learn from them.
I’ve decided there are 4 groups of readers. 1-Don’t write reviews. 2-Writes long, involved reviews. 3-Write short, skimpy but heartfelt reviews. 4-Writes and rates every book they read. (So, I know this doesn’t encompass everyone, but it will do for this post.)
I’d love to know where you stand on the review spectrum. And I’d also love to know if you read reviews and if/how they impact you buying books. Personally, even if I read a bad review on a book I really want to read, I still buy the book. I don’t let bad reviews scare me away from reading a book. (Or writing, either!)
Also, speaking of reviews, you can’t leave one yet for my newest book, but you can preorder Their Surprise Second Chance here!
I can’t wait to read your comments–let’s talk reviews!
USA Today featured author Lindi Peterson lives in north Georgia, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with her husband and a lively array of cats, dogs and birds. She loves sharing life with her family and friends. Her passion for reading led her to writing, and then God spoke words of love into her heart and changed her life forever.
I am probably 4 I try to review most books I read and finish. I also try not to review past the first 3 chapters.
I sometimes read reviews if not sure about a book. I often start with one stars especially if most reviews are 5 star only. I do get annoyed when people put a 1 or 2 star with no review. I know that ratings from goodreads also go on Amazon and some people only leave a star rating but it would be nice to know why sometimes. When there is no review I dismiss the 1 and 2 star ratings.
I also know a few people who will put the spoilers cos they write a review like a book report and forget its a review and those reading mostly haven’t read the book
Jenny—We sound a lot a like. I do read 1 star reviews and find a lot of the times the review has nothing to do with the book–but maybe the packaging–or other things that aren’t helpful at all.
Thank you for visiting!
I usually only rate a book with stars or leave reviews from 3 upwards. If I really hate a book, I won’t finish reading it, and if I don’t like it, well… there is always someone who has already left a scathing review of a star expressing their discontent. Why make another putting exactly the same thing.
The exception is:
– If the book is supposed to be “clean and healthy” and it really isn’t… that’s false propaganda.
– If the book, despite being Christian, does not have characters who act as such and then do not redeem themselves or reflect (I can have a partying protagonist who usually gets drunk but should not reach the end of the book like that).
– SERIOUS theological problems I am not talking about bearable things but something where it really contradicts Christianity while pretending to be a Christian book.
Lilly—Truth here! I agree with your reasoning. We don’t want reviews that are misleading–or say the book is something it isn’t. And I am concerned with making sure my book is theologically correct.
And Thank you for visiting!
Hi Linda. Since retiring from teaching high school English 11 years ago, I have written 1,060 Amazon reviews. So am a #4. Most of my reviews are 4 or 5 stars and a paragraph long with a line about believable characters, twist and turn plot, and a believable resolution. I do NOT write spoilers or rewrite the blurb. Depending on the genre and book, I often state how the book related to me – characters (age, profession, health), setting (beach, mountains, small town, international), culture, food, pets. Since I read about 150 books a year, something that will remind me of the story. My reviews may be longer if the book is part of a series. I try to write a similar styled review and may included bits from other stories in the series. I am on numerous review teams for CCR, cozy mysteries, and historical romances. Reading and writing reviews keeps this retire’s mind active.
I read reviews for the Lake Bluff Book Club monthly selection (local library book club). I also read reviews for unknown authors or when I contemplate purchasing an interesting / best seller ebook that costs more than $3.99. Best wishes. Enjoy your weekend.
Renate—I want to be you!! I love reading and maybe I can get to reading more books soon. I like your review style as well. Sounds like someone reading the review will get a true and accurate review–without spoiling the plot–and thank you for being on review teams. I love that!
Thank you for visiting!!
Hi Linda, I’m probably a number 3, I try to leave reviews when I can but I don’t have time to write much. I would definitely not leave spoilers though, I hate it when that happens!
Sorry, Lindi, it autocorrected!
Ruthie–No worries!! It happens to me, too. I find I write shorter reviews as well. Thank you for visiting!
I try to review all of the books I read, since I’ve learned how important reviews are! However, I don’t usually read other reviews of books. Since “most” of the books I read are ARC’s from authors I already know I like, there aren’t reviews posted before I read. I will admit that I really, really wish I had read the review of one book that I bought, as I would NOT have bought that book, which would also mean I could still enjoy the first books by that author. However, since I read that book, it totally ruined that author for me! Now, I refuse to read any of her books. I try really hard not to put spoilers in my reviews!! Sometimes, that’s really difficult, but I do succeed!! lol!! I don’t review books that I don’t finish, and that honestly doesn’t happen much!! And, I won’t leave less than a 3 star review.
Trudy—Thank you for being a reviewer. That is truly a blessing to authors. And wow, your story sounds intriguing. I hate it when something like that happens with an author. It has happened to me before as well, though. We take the good with the bad. But we can make better decisions later about what we read. Thank you for visiting!
I’m #3! 😂 I personally don’t care for reviews that rehash the plot (hey, the blurb right above there does that perfectly!) & I REALLY dislike reviews that give spoilers unless it’s a trigger warning, or in the case of books for kids, I appreciate knowing about things I don’t want my kids reading about or things we would need to discuss. I do love how Goodreads handles spoilers. I usually only read reviews on authors I’m unfamiliar with though, just to make sure they’re what I want to read.
Hello Texas Momma–Oh, yes…I forgot about triggers. They are good to know and can be helpful when someone can’t read certain storylines. I do like to know if there are triggers. Thank you for visiting!
I am probably a #3. I don’t review all the books I read, but if I really like one, I will review it. I don’t normally read reviews before I buy.
Hi Bonnie, We think alike. :) Thank you for visiting Inspy!
Hi Lindi,
I’m between a 3 and a 4. I usually write a review but try to keep it simple unless it is a book that is sooooo good I can’t stop shouting out about it.
I’m like Renate, I’m retired and on many launch teams. I like to find ways that the book touches me personally.
I also don’t like reviews that just repeat the synopsis. I always think, “Ummmm, come on reader, you’re NOT the writer! They already wrote a GREAT synopsis!!”
I also find I’m not as eloquent in my words to express all the feelings I have regarding how the book touched me, so that’s why I keep it fairly short.
I always review on Goodreads. If I am reading ARC’s then I will post reviews at other sites. I do not read reviews. Everyone is different. We all have different tastes in books. I do not want to read someone elses take on a book. I want to develop my own opinion. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
This year, i’ve decided to write 2-4 sentence review on Amazon for every book I finish. A 2-4 sentence review is normal for Meg assuming the book has been reviewed on Amazon already. I do not leave spoilers but I will say if the book is a clean read or not.