When to agree to a book review request…

And when to decline.

Book mail is awesome, but I don’t accept every offer.

Nearly a year ago, I launched this website and my social media accounts. I figured out that bookstagram thing, posting my reviews and having fun with book challenges, and my account started to grow. I created a NetGalley account to read ARCs for the first time. I started signing up for Goodreads and BookishFirst raffles. I saw requests for beta or ARC readers on Instagram and threw my name into the pot.

Authors and publicists began to contact me through Instagram, Twitter, and my website offering me free books in exchange for a review. I was floored. I was honored. I was humbled. Still am. It’s amazing to me that strangers think my platform is successful enough and my opinions worthy enough to put their work in my hands for publicity. They get something out of this, but they’re also taking a risk. So I am careful and intentional in my response.  

Here’s how I approach requests to review books:

1. Respond timely – Within a few days I need to say something even if I’m not ready to commit and provide my email or postal address. I always read the message carefully and the book blub before responding. My response always begins with a thank you for reaching out. If I’m not ready to say yes, I will give them a timeframe to respond again with my final answer. And I stick to it. It’s just good manners to follow through.
2. Read samples – Unless this is an author I have read before, I download the Kindle sample from Amazon or check out the Goodreads preview to make sure this book is a good fit for me (content, writing style, pace, etc). I mentioned in my last two posts that I want to review with positivity and I typically quit books I’m not enjoying. So I need to know we are a good fit for partnership because if I accept a free book, I believe I need to read the whole thing and write a review. Every time. (I will give private feedback if there is something extreme that makes me stop reading and decline a review. It only happened once so far and I had actually given them a heads up that the sample made me unsure and they chose to email me the eBook anyway so no harm done—integrity intact!)
3. Stick to favorite genres – My Goodreads and Instagram accounts clearly show that I heavily read Adult & YA Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and Detective/Crime novels. When I receive requests for anything other than my main three genres, I am up front that their book is outside my rating/reviewing comfort zone. I’ve agreed to read samples of memoirs and other fiction that isn’t my typical fare, but I’m very comfortable saying, “Thanks, but no thanks. Good luck to you.”
4. Get deadlines – Some raffles ask that you read the book within a certain number of weeks after receipt. If this is an ARC, I make sure I know when publication day is and if this author wants buzz as soon as I read it or to wait until pub day. If the deadline is too soon for me to manage, I’ll nicely decline. If there is no deadline, then the answer is an easy peasy “Yes please, I can’t wait.” I don’t apologize or make excuses for my own timelines and needs, but I do communicate timely and with specificity.
5. Physical books vs. eBooks – Not all gifts are equal and that’s ok! I’m happy to receive a free eBook. It’s a great gift. But I do prefer physical books in general so if I am given a choice, I’ll request a physical copy. They get a little more publicity too, like a book mail Instagram post. Since they spent money on postal shipping, and sometimes there are extra goodies inside the package/box, that deserves a little more attention, an honest display of my excitement and gratefulness.
6. Follow up – After my reviews are live on Goodreads (review link also tweeted), Amazon, social media, and sometimes other book retailers, I respond to the author/publicist with the relevant links so they can check them out and reshare them on whatever platform they choose. I thank them again for the gift and wish them good luck.
7. Take breaks – Most importantly, I don’t accept/request too much at once. If I’m feeling overwhelmed, then reading isn’t fun anymore and the resulting reviews might not be fair/good. I have stopped entering raffles, requesting through NetGalley, throwing my name in the pot for beta/arc readers, etc. when I have a lot of books on my “soon” TBR that I want to get through. I need to read for me first.

Reading is a passion, not a job. I am cautious and intentional with these requests so I can have fun supporting both traditionally published and self-published authors. Happy reviewing!