Writing a good book review is more than sharing whether you liked a book or not. A well-crafted review helps readers decide if a book is right for them and helps authors grow by providing meaningful feedback. Whether you're reviewing for a blog, YouTube channel, social media, or a publication, this guide will help you learn how to review a book the right way.
Let’s break down what to include, what to avoid, and how to make your review useful, honest, and engaging.
🧱 What to Include in a Book Review
When writing a book review, it’s important to balance information, insight, and your personal experience. A strong review should start with a spoiler-free summary, then share your honest reaction, highlight what worked well, and offer gentle, constructive feedback if needed. Think of your review as a guidepost for other readers—something that helps them decide if the book is right for them. Including your overall thoughts, a sense of who might enjoy the book, and optional rating details will make your review both useful and trustworthy.
1. A Brief Summary (Without Spoilers)
Start your review with a short, spoiler-free summary of what the book is about. This should be no more than 3–5 sentences and give potential readers an idea of the genre, premise, and tone.
Example:
“In The Moonlit Path, a quiet librarian discovers she can speak to ghosts—but only the ones who’ve died in her town’s library. As she uncovers their stories, she realizes a dark secret connects them all.”
Tips:
- Avoid major plot twists or the ending.
- If the book is part of a series, mention that too.
2. Your Overall Reaction
Let readers know how you felt about the book as a whole. Was it emotionally powerful? Entertaining? Confusing? Share your authentic experience—but keep it respectful, even if it wasn’t your favorite.
Example:
“This book pulled me in right away with its eerie atmosphere and complex characters. While the pacing slowed in the middle, the final act delivered a strong emotional punch.”
3. Strengths of the Book
Highlight what worked well. This could include:
- Strong character development
- Vivid world-building
- Unique premise or voice
- Effective pacing or structure
- Beautiful or impactful writing
Tip: Try to support your praise with specific examples (without spoilers).
4. Constructive Criticism (If Any)
It’s okay to point out what didn’t work for you, as long as it’s respectful and specific. Avoid vague statements like “It was boring” and instead say:
“I struggled with the pacing in the middle chapters, which felt slower compared to the intense opening.”
Keep in mind:
What doesn’t work for you may be exactly what another reader enjoys, so keep your tone balanced and professional.
5. Who You’d Recommend It To
Give readers an idea of who the book is best suited for.
Example:
“Perfect for fans of slow-burn mysteries, small-town secrets, and supernatural suspense with heart.”
This helps the right audience find the book, even if you personally didn’t love it.
6. Your Rating (Optional)
Some reviewers use star ratings (like 1–5 stars), while others write without scoring. If you choose to rate:
- Be consistent with your scale
- Explain why you gave that rating
- Avoid "review bombing" or emotional scoring (like giving 1 star because of shipping delays)
✍️ Tips for Writing Great Book Reviews
- Be honest—but kind. Honesty builds trust with readers, but cruelty does nothing for your reputation.
- Write for readers, not the author. Your review should help other potential readers decide if the book is a good fit.
- Use your own voice. Whether casual, snarky, professional, or passionate, your authentic tone makes your review more engaging.
- Mention trigger/content warnings if applicable. Some reviewers include this in a separate section to inform sensitive readers.
- Disclose relationships. If you got a free copy or know the author, mention it for transparency.
🚫 What to Avoid in Book Reviews
- ❌ Spoiling the plot without warnings
- ❌ Attacking the author personally
- ❌ Reviewing a book you haven’t read
- ❌ Writing only one or two vague sentences
- ❌ Using AI-written reviews without editing (authenticity matters!)
📣 Where to Share Your Book Reviews
Once your review is written, you can post it in multiple places:
- Goodreads
- Amazon - if you bought the book from Amazon or got a free ebook link from the author.
- Your personal blog or website
- Facebook groups or reader forums
- StoryGraph, Reedsy Discovery, or BookSirens
Cross-posting helps grow your reach and builds a consistent review portfolio.
Final Thoughts: A Review Is a Gift
Whether a book wowed you or wasn’t your cup of tea, your thoughtful review helps fellow readers make informed decisions—and helps authors improve and connect with the right audience.
So write with care, curiosity, and your unique perspective. Every review adds value to the reading world.
📌 Quick Book Review Checklist to Help Ensure Your Review is Awesome and Fair
- Spoiler-free summary (2–5 sentences)
- Your overall thoughts and emotional reaction
- Strengths of the book
- Constructive feedback (if needed)
- Who would enjoy this book
- A clear and respectful tone
- Optional rating (with reasoning)
- Shared on multiple platforms
✅ Detailed Book Review Checklist for New Reviewers
Write honest, helpful, and spoiler-free reviews every time
📚 Before You Start Writing
- I finished reading the entire book
- I understand the basic genre, themes, and tone
- I know my review audience (readers, not the author)
- I’m ready to write an honest but respectful opinion
🧱 What to Include in Your Review
- A spoiler-free summary (2–5 sentences)
- My overall reaction (what I liked/disliked and why)
- The book’s strengths (e.g. plot, characters, writing style)
- Any constructive criticism (if applicable, explained respectfully)
- Who would enjoy this book (the target audience)
- Optional: a rating (with a quick explanation)
✍️ Writing Style & Tone
- I used my authentic voice (professional, casual, passionate, etc.)
- My tone is respectful, even if I didn’t enjoy the book
- I backed up my opinions with specific reasons or examples
- I mentioned any content or trigger warnings readers should know
- I disclosed if I received a free copy or know the author
📤 After Writing
- I proofread my review
- I formatted it clearly (paragraphs, spacing, etc.)
- I posted it to:
- Goodreads
- Amazon
- My blog/website
- BookTok / BookTube / Bookstagram
- StoryGraph or other reader platforms
- I used relevant hashtags or categories
🚫 Things to Avoid
- I didn’t spoil key plot points or the ending
- I didn’t attack the author personally
- I didn’t rely entirely on AI without editing
- I didn’t post a review without reading the book