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Rachelle Rea Cobb

make your words work for you

10 Steps to Writing a Book Review Guaranteed to Turn Readers into Fans

Do you love spreading the word about your favorite authors? Here are some simple steps to writing a book review that is sure to communicate to others how much you love your latest read (or don’t!).

1. Include an Image of the Cover

The image draws in your fellow reader. Yes, they are judging the book by the cover, so choose a good image, rather than one that’s blurry or fuzzy. Directly beneath the cover, provide the short summary of the story (otherwise known as back cover copy) provided by the publisher.

2. Link to a Purchase Page

Highlight the cover and link the cover to a purchase page. Don’t just paste the link in the body of your post. Additionally, any time you say the book or the title, link those words to a purchase page.

(Are you an Amazon affiliate who plans on using your affiliate links as purchase links? Keep reading to learn how to properly disclose.)

3. Share What You Loved

Hint: There is no correct way to structure your book review.

You don’t even have to have a consistent structure! Some book review bloggers prefer to just write about the book. I applaud them, but I’m a list-maker, so I like to use the “sandwich” method and start with something positive that I liked about the book. Sometimes it’s the vivid writing, the well-developed plot, or the fact that I couldn’t put it down. I praise the author for writing done right. It is my pleasure to say thank-you to authors who wrote a book I enjoyed reading.

Few things are too silly to put in this section of your review. If you stayed up until 2 a.m., your readers want to know! If you have peanut butter on a page because you couldn’t put the book down even to make your lunch, they’ll laugh with you. If you were so into the book that you tripped walking up the stairs, they just might start to wonder where they can get the book for themselves.

Yes, I’ve done that!

Tech Tip: Each time you mention the author’s name, link to their website.

4. Share What You Didn’t Like as Much

This is the part book review bloggers never like to write. Especially if I know the author. It’s hard to write something less-than-praiseworthy about a book. If I am reviewing it, I probably liked it, but I don’t fall head-over-heels in love with every story.

Still, our goal as book bloggers is to write honest reviews. Include whether or not the hero annoyed you, the heroine seemed too perfect, or if the ending sagged. Read an example of a critical comment here.

I have it on good authority that authors would prefer you kindly pointing out what you didn’t love about their book. Rather than choosing not to write a review because you would rather not say anything negative.

5. Explain Why You Recommend this Book

I sometimes leave out this section, but more often than not I make sure to point out who I recommend the book to (historical fiction fans, YA lovers, etc.). I want my friends to laugh at the heroine’s antics, sob when that beloved secondary character dies. I want them to enjoy that happy sigh when they read The End. This is one last opportunity for you to exclaim over the excellent writing or sigh over the sweet romance.

Book review bloggers have the privilege of influencing. Readers want to know who might enjoy the book you’re promoting!

how to support your favorite books

6. Tell Us About the Author

I always include a snippet of who the author is. Readers usually want to know about the person behind the story. I copy and paste the short biography included on the author’s website. I always make sure to include a link to the author’s blog.

7. Include Fun Extras and Links

  • Does the book have a book trailer? Link to it!
  • Does the author have a Facebook page, a Twitter profile, or a Pinterest board devoted to the book you’re reviewing? Link to them!
  • Have you written reviews of the author’s other books? Link to them!
  • Does the book remind you of a song you heard on the radio? Link to it!

Tech Tip: The more links scattered throughout your post, the more search engines will love it (SEO). View an example of my typical Extras section here.

8. Post your Review

In addition to my blog and book review page, I always post my review in as many of these places as I can:

      • Amazon 
      • Goodreads 
      • Christian Book Distributors 
      • Books A Million 

The more places your review is posted, the more support for the author and publisher!

Tech Tip: Consider starting a pinboard with covers of your favorite books (or books that you know you want to read). Pin the covers of the books you review directly from your blog, so they link to your review. 

10 essential steps to writing a book review

9. Join a Book Review Bloggers Program

Request or receive FREE books from these networks and write up reviews on your blog & retail sites!

    • HarperCollins: BookLook Bloggers
    • Zondervan Teens: Z Street Team
    • Revell Reads Blog Tour Program
    • Tyndale Blog Network
    • Bethany House Blogger Review Program
    • Moody Publishers Blogger Review Program
    • NetGalley
    • Book Crash
    • B&H Blogger Network

I also adore the Hoopla app, which allows me to borrow five e-books for free each month. It’s easy! Just sign up with your library card.

10. Always Include a Disclosure

If you receive a book from a publisher or author to review, you must mention that in your review. This is required by law, not so that readers will think you’ve been bribed, but so that they will know you have been given the book. If you are an affiliate with Amazon or another source, you also must mention that the review contains affiliate links (before the link).

Example: Click here to read my full disclosure.

Download the checklist

Never forget any of these key components to writing quality book reviews again! (Plus when you enter your email address below to download the checklist, you’ll receive access to my library of resources for writers + bloggers!)

More Resources

    • 20 Ways to Support Your Favorite Books
    • How to Write Creative Book Reviews, Jessica Telian
    • 7 Ways to Write Good Book Reviews, The Savvy Book Marketer
    • Can’t judge a book by its…review? Kindred Grace
    • Creating Buzz About Your Favorite Books, Kindred Grace
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Hi, I’m Rachelle

Wife. Mama. Freelance editor. Author of six books. Voracious reader. I’m married to a man with the same name as my fictional hero, and we are living our happily ever after with our daughter in a fixer-upper by the sea. I’m a fan of chai and lemonade (though definitely not together). Read more…

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Our family looks ahead to this January day with mi Our family looks ahead to this January day with mingled grief and hope.

Today is ten years since my grandpa went Home to heaven, on my grandparent’s 45th wedding anniversary. Ten years. The world is poorer without him.

His passing was my first experience with grief. I was 19 and a sophomore in college.

He was an Air Force vet, a dedicated saver, a committed family man who made my grandma smile like no other, and a great grandpa. Willing to go make a grocery store run on a whim so I could bake cookies. Intent on teaching us that hard work and love can lead to a great life.

I can still smell the woodsy scent of his flannel checkered shirts, feel the scruff on his cheek, hear his voice.

How I would have loved to introduce him to his grandson-in-law, who is uncannily so like him. I missed him on our wedding day, so I carried his picture in my bouquet.

Most of all, I would have loved to introduce him to his great-granddaughter whom we affectionately call our Rosebud, the name he gave me when I was little.

But instead on this day, I’ll remember all he taught me about love and honor. See you in the Morning, Grandpa.
One year ago today, we celebrated making it to the One year ago today, we celebrated making it to the third trimester. God is gracious.
Dear Rosalie, I caught you eating a post-it note Dear Rosalie,

I caught you eating a post-it note the other day. As I rescued it from your mouth, I shook my head and told you you’re a lot like me. 

You love books and paper, fruit, clutter-free surfaces (or at least it seems that way when you pull everything off the couch!), freshly clean laundry, music, and when Daddy comes home.

But I just want to write you a little note to tell you it’s okay if you’re not much more like me at all. I can’t wait to see your beautiful personality bloom as you grow, our little Rosebud. You’re such a gift.

As you grow bigger and stronger, I can start to see more willfulness in you and I pray you let the Lord mold that into a fierce strength that protects others and also stands up for yourself. I can start to see a caring spirit in you as you take care of your toys or snuggle into me, and I pray you let the Lord mold that into a gentleness that whispers to the world of His Spirit’s healing touch. And I can start to see some unmistakeable firstborn-daughter traits like precision and type-A-ness busting through, too, and I pray you let the Lord lead you to use those skills for good—and remember that relaxing a little is good, too.

I’m so thankful for you. So blessed to be your mommy.

Happy 9 months, dear Rosebud.

#LetterstoRosalie
Hi, my name is Rosalie and I’m 39 weeks old toda Hi, my name is Rosalie and I’m 39 weeks old today! 

This week, I learned how to give kisses and drink from a straw cup. I also finally made my gingerbread house (with help) because better late than never, right?

 I still clap for everybody all the time. I’m a born encourager. And Mommy and Daddy bought me a new toy, a tunnel! I’m obsessed!

I play hard all day long, sometimes lapping the living room and kitchen with extra energy! But at bedtime I am the sweetest, because I love when Daddy reads my Bible story and then we tuck me in and I lay my head on Mommy’s shoulder like, “Good day, guys. Let’s do this again tomorrow.”

#LettersfromRosalie
Hi, my name is Rosalie and I’m 38 weeks old toda Hi, my name is Rosalie and I’m 38 weeks old today! 

This week, I learned I’m terrified of the Instant Pot quick-release. But it’s not my fault, Mommy shrieked the first time, too! What I am a fan of? Laundry baskets. And bath time! With Daddy and toys, of course.

Also, I gave Mommy a thumbs up this week and she was so excited, I decided not to do it again for a while. 😉 #LettersfromRosalie
Hi, my name is Rosalie and I’m 37 weeks old toda Hi, my name is Rosalie and I’m 37 weeks old today! Happy New Year! I rang in the New Year  sound asleep, despite the many fireworks (thank the Lord for sound machines!).

I am jumping into January with lots of giggles and smiles. I carry my toy doughnut almost everywhere now (around the house, in the car seat and stroller, and even sometimes into the crib!). Other favorites include my Rudolph-in-a-box, lint roller, and crinkly water bottles (bonus points if there is water still left inside!).

This week I started stepping between furniture, but no hands-free fun just yet! 

#LettersfromRosalie
This came in the mail today! Devin and I are looki This came in the mail today! Devin and I are looking forward to reading it together. Fittingly, the baby wipes photobombed. #FridayReads
Rachelle Rea Cobb

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