How to get Book Reviews

If you want your book to succeed, you can’t afford to hope for reviews and cross your fingers. You need to PLAN for them.

That might sound a bit daunting, especially if you’re already feeling overwhelmed by everything else that comes with publishing. Editing, covers, formatting, keywords, launch plans… and now reviews as well?

Take a breath. This doesn’t have to be complicated or pushy. Once you understand how reviews actually work—and why they matter so much—you can build them in as a simple, natural part of your publishing process.

Let’s walk through it together.

Reviews Don’t Just “Happen” (And That’s Not Your Fault)

One of the biggest myths I see is this:

“If my book is good enough, people will leave reviews.”

I wish that were true. In reality, most readers don’t leave reviews unless they’re asked.

People are busy. They finish your book, they enjoy it, and then they move on with their day. They may mean to leave a review, but unless there’s a reminder or a prompt, it usually doesn’t happen.

That’s why reviews need to be part of your strategy from day one—not something you wait for “later” when you’re already discouraged by slow sales.

This doesn’t mean nagging people or begging. It simply means:

• Being intentional about where and how you ask  
• Making it easy for readers to leave a review  
• Remembering that asking for a review is not rude—it’s part of being an author

If you’ve ever thought, “No one’s reviewing my book, what’s wrong with it?” chances are, there’s nothing wrong with your book at all. You probably just haven’t built a review system yet.

Why Reviews Matter So Much (Even More Than You Think)

A quality book is the foundation. You absolutely need that first: solid editing, professional cover, clear genre, good formatting. None of what I’m about to say replaces quality.

But once your book is ready, reviews become one of the biggest drivers of two things:

1. Reader trust
2. Visibility on platforms like Amazon

Let’s start with trust. When a potential reader lands on your book page, they’re asking themselves, “Can I trust this author with my time and money?” A good cover and description get them interested. Reviews help them feel safe to buy.

• Reviews show that other people have read and enjoyed the book.  
• They help clarify who the book is for (and who it’s not for).  
• They provide proof that you’re not the only person who thinks your book is worthwhile.

Now, visibility. Amazon’s algorithm is trying to figure out: which books do readers actually like and engage with?

While we don’t know every detail of how the algorithm works (no one outside Amazon does), we do know reviews play a role. In general:

• Books with more genuine reviews tend to get shown to more readers  
• Early reviews can help your book get a stronger start  
• Consistent reviews over time tell Amazon your book still has life

This is why even excellent books can struggle without reviews. They never get enough traction to be seen, so they never sell enough to build momentum.

Think of reviews as the bridge between your finished book and the readers who’d love it—but can’t find it yet.

Where Reviews Should Go (And What Matters Most)

For most authors, especially if you’re self-publishing, your two main platforms to focus on are:

• Amazon – The most influential place for reviews, because it’s often where people are buying. Each country store (US, UK, Australia, etc.) has its own reviews.  
• Goodreads – A social platform for readers. Many people check Goodreads alongside or even before Amazon.

If you’re just starting, don’t worry about being everywhere. Focus on Amazon first, then add Goodreads when you’re able.

As you ask for reviews, give readers a direct link to your book’s Amazon review page to make it easy. The harder it is to leave a review, the less likely they’ll follow through.

How to Start Building Your First Reviews (Ethically and Safely)

You can absolutely grow your reviews over time without doing anything shady or breaking Amazon’s rules. In fact, it’s important that you don’t break the rules—because Amazon can and does remove reviews they think are suspicious.

Here are some practical, ethical ways to begin.

1. Ask your existing audience

Even if your “audience” is small right now, it still counts.

You might have:

• A few email subscribers  
• A small social media following  
• Colleagues, critique partners, or beta readers  

When you launch (and ongoing), be clear and specific:

• Tell them WHY reviews matter (you’re not just collecting compliments; you’re trying to help the book get found).  
• Ask if they’d be willing to leave an honest review.  
• Give them the direct link and a gentle timeframe: “If you can leave a review in the next week or so, it would really help.”

You’re not telling them what to say. You’re not offering anything in return. You’re simply asking.

2. Use the back of your book wisely

The end of your book is prime “review invitation” space.

After your last page (and any author notes), add a short, friendly request, such as:

“If you enjoyed this book, would you consider leaving a brief review on Amazon or Goodreads? It doesn’t have to be long—just a sentence or two makes a big difference. Thank you for supporting my work.”

Many readers genuinely don’t realise how important reviews are. When you explain it, they’re often happy to help.

3. Know the rules about friends and family

This is where a lot of authors get frustrated.

Amazon has systems in place to detect relationships—shared addresses, shared payment methods, obvious connections on social media—and may remove reviews they think are biased.

So:

• – You can’t pay for reviews, offer gifts in exchange for positive reviews, or “swap” reviews in a way that requires positivity.  
• – You shouldn’t push family members who live with you to review on Amazon; those reviews are more likely to vanish.  
• – You can ask people you know to review, as long as they’re not being compensated and Amazon doesn’t flag the relationship.

If a review disappears, it’s usually because Amazon’s systems have flagged it—not because your book is bad.

To protect yourself, always aim for honest, voluntary, un-incentivised reviews.

Growing Reviews Over Time (Not Just at Launch)

Your launch isn’t the only time you can build reviews. In fact, continuing to collect reviews is one of the best things you can do for your book long-term.

Here are a few ongoing strategies:

• ARC (Advance Review Copy) readers – Create a small team of readers who get early access to your next book in exchange for considering leaving an honest review at launch. No pressure, no guarantees—just an invitation.  
• Newsletter reminders – Every so often, include a short note: “If you’ve read and enjoyed [Book Title] and haven’t left a review yet, would you mind popping one on Amazon? It really helps.”  
• Review communities and platforms – There are legitimate platforms where readers request books to review, or where authors can submit their books to be considered for review. Done properly, these stay within Amazon’s rules because you’re offering a free copy for an honest review, not paying for a positive one. To find out which ones I recommend – join the publishwithpurpose.com.au platform TODAY.

The key is consistency. A few new reviews each month can be just as powerful—if not more—than a big spike followed by silence.

The Mindset Shift That Makes This Easier

Many authors feel uncomfortable asking for reviews because it feels like self-promotion. Try reframing it this way:

• You’re not asking for praise.  
• You’re asking for help connecting your book with the readers who need it.

Readers can’t buy a book they never see.  

And most reviews will never happen if you don’t ask.

When you treat reviews as part of your publishing strategy—just like editing, covers, and keywords—you take back a bit of control. You stop waiting and start building.

If you’d like to see this broken down step-by-step, including examples, common mistakes, and some of the review platforms I recommend, you’re welcome to watch the full lesson inside our membership.

You can grab a free trial here:  

www.publishwithpurpose.com.au

You’ll get access to all of our videos, plus ongoing support, live Q&A calls, and practical guidance through the whole publishing process—at your own pace, without the overwhelm.

Kathy Shanks

Turtle Publishing was founded in 2020 by self-employed designer and happily married mother of two, Kathy Shanks. With 20 years of design experience and having created her own journal in 2019, where she subsequently believes that the ‘universe started throwing books at her’, Kathy is passionate about creating designs that convey the right emotion and ‘vibe’ to the right audience and specialises in budget friendly publishing solutions.