- Honest reviews come from real readers, never from payment.
- Build a small advance reader team before launch.
- Make it easy: clear dates, links and a friendly request.
- Follow each store’s current rules.
Why early reviews matter
Reviews help new readers decide whether to try an unknown author. They are not a guarantee of sales, but a book page with no reviews can make a visitor hesitate. The aim is honest feedback from real readers, gathered in a way that respects the rules of each platform.
What not to do
- Do not pay for reviews or trade favours for them.
- Do not ask for positive reviews only. Ask for honest ones.
- Do not write reviews of your own book or ask others to post from fake accounts.
- Do not use services that promise a set number of reviews.
Stores can remove reviews and penalize accounts that break their rules, and review restrictions on close family and friends vary, so always check the current guidelines.
Build an advance reader team
Start with people who already enjoy your genre: readers on your email list, followers who engage with your posts, writing group friends who read widely and other authors in your genre. A group of 15 to 30 willing readers is a sensible starting point, because only some will finish the book and post a review.
How to ask
Keep your message short and friendly. Say what the book is, why you thought of them, the date you would like feedback, and where to leave it. Make clear there is no obligation and that you want honest opinions. Send the advance copy in a format that is easy to open, and a polite reminder a few days before the book goes live.
Where to look for readers
- Your own email list and social followers.
- Reader groups for your genre, where self-promotion is allowed.
- Review sites and services that connect authors and readers. Some charge fees, so read reviews of them and check their rules before you pay.
- Local library or book club contacts.
After the first reviews
Thank your readers. Notice what they praise, since those phrases can guide your description and marketing, and what they question, since that can guide your next book or edit. Keep inviting honest reviews from new readers, for example with a short note at the end of the book.
Common questions
How many reviews do I need?
There is no magic number. Focus on steady, honest reviews from real readers over time instead of a target for launch week.
Can I pay for reviews?
No. Paid reviews break the rules of major stores and can harm your account and your reputation.
Can friends and family review my book?
Many stores restrict reviews from people with close personal ties to the author, so check the current rules. Ask readers who have genuinely read the book and can be honest.
Planning your launch?
We can help you build a launch plan, including a reader team.
See Book Launch Strategy