Readers trust other readers, so reviews help your book more than almost anything you can write about it yourself. The first ones are the hardest to get, and the most important to get honestly.
Start with advance readers
An advance reader copy (ARC) is a pre-release copy given to readers in the hope of an honest review. You can ask for a review, but you cannot make it a condition of the copy. To build a reader team:
- Invite people from your mailing list and your network who read in your genre.
- Make it easy: send the file in the format they prefer, with a clear date for when reviews can go live.
- Be clear that you want honest feedback. You are asking for a review, not a good one.
- Thank them, whatever they say.
Ask at the right moment
When the book is live, send your advance readers a short note with a direct link to the review page. A few lines is enough. People are generous, but they forget unless they are reminded once.
Put a request in the book
A short note at the end of the book, thanking readers and inviting them to leave an honest review, with a link, reaches people at the moment they have just finished it.
Reach out to reviewers
Reviewers, bloggers and podcast hosts who cover your genre may be willing to read your book. Research who they are, follow their submission guidelines, and send a short, personal message. Do not send the same message to everyone.
What to avoid
Retailers and review sites have rules designed to keep reviews honest, and breaking them can get reviews removed and accounts closed. In the UK the law applies too: since 6 April 2025, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 has banned fake reviews and reviews that hide an incentive. In general:
- Do not pay for reviews or offer rewards for them. Amazon allows free or discounted copies only if you do not require a review in return or try to influence it, and anything more, such as a gift card, invalidates the review.
- Do not review your own book, or ask friends and family to write reviews that pretend to be independent.
- Do not exchange reviews in organised swaps.
- Do not ask only for five stars. Ask for honest feedback.
Check each platform's current rules before you start, as they change.
Handling criticism
Not every review will be glowing, and that is fine. A spread of opinions looks more trustworthy than a wall of praise. Do not argue with reviewers or respond defensively. If a review reveals a real problem, such as a typo or a formatting error, fix it.
Be patient
Reviews accumulate slowly. A steady trickle from genuine readers over months is worth more than a rush at launch.
What a good review request looks like
Keep it short, personal and free of pressure. Thank the reader for taking the time, say when the book is live, link directly to the review page, and explain that an honest review, of any length, helps other readers decide. Send it once, with a gentle reminder if they ask for one, and no more.
Look after your reader team
Tell your advance readers how their feedback was used, send them the finished book if they would like it, and give them early news of your next one. A reader who feels valued is far more likely to read your next book, too. The timing of all this fits into your launch plan, and your mailing list is the easiest way to keep in touch.
What we do
Our book marketing service includes advance reader copies, review outreach and building the early readers every book needs, always within the rules of the platforms you publish on.
Want to know where your book stands?
Submit your manuscript for a free book review: the whole book, or at least the first three chapters. We'll read it and send you our feedback. There's no obligation.