How Authors Can Ask for Book Reviews Without Crossing the Line

When authors ask how to get book reviews, I start with independence. Reviews help readers decide whether a book is for them. They can also introduce a new release to readers, but a useful opinion cannot be bought or demanded.

The golden rule is simple: ask for an honest review, never a positive review.

That means no pressure, no reward, no hints about the star rating, and no condition that future benefits depend on reviewing. Readers do not owe an author a review. If they choose to leave one, the opinion should remain theirs.

How authors can ask for book reviews

A good place to ask is in the back matter of the book. Keep the request short and neutral.

Try this:

“Thank you for reading. If you have a minute, a short honest review on Amazon or Goodreads can help other readers decide whether this book is for them.”

That wording asks for honesty rather than praise.

A newsletter can work too. Give readers the relevant review link and remind them that a useful review does not need to be long. Two or three sincere sentences can be enough.

A clean request email might say:

“Hi [Name], thank you for reading [Book Title]. If you have a minute, I would be grateful for a short honest review on Amazon or Goodreads. Even two or three sentences can help another reader decide if the book is for them. No pressure either way.”

Keep advance copies unconditional

Advance reader copies need the same independence. Amazon currently allows authors and publishers to provide free or discounted book copies, but the copy cannot be conditional on a review and the author cannot try to influence the verdict. Goodreads likewise prohibits paid or incentivised reviews and says authors must not attempt to influence reviews.

So do not make continued ARC-team membership depend on posting reviews. Do not reward five-star ratings. Do not pressure a reviewer to soften criticism. A factual correction is different from asking someone to change their opinion. Do not offer gift cards, refunds, prizes, or future benefits in return for a review.

A neutral ARC note is enough:

“You are welcome to leave an honest review if you wish. Please disclose that you received an advance copy where the platform requires it.”

Let readers have their opinions

Authors should also resist the urge to argue with negative reviewers. Goodreads specifically advises authors not to engage with people who give negative reviews. If a Goodreads review appears to break the platform’s rules, report it rather than confronting the reviewer.

That advice travels well beyond Goodreads. A public argument rarely makes a disappointing review disappear. More often, it gives the review a much larger audience.

The long game is trust. Ask politely. Accept silence. Welcome honest reactions. Keep writing.

Send requests only through appropriate channels. On Goodreads, do not contact people simply because they have shelved your book. A newsletter invitation to willing subscribers is different from approaching strangers in a reading community.

Check the current Amazon book-review guidance, Goodreads review guidelines and Goodreads author guidelines before posting.

For our own submission route, read the indie author guidance before you submit a book for review. Consideration does not guarantee coverage.

For difficult feedback, see our negative-review guide.