If you want to give your favorite author a gift, write a review in three easy steps! Templates and examples included.

A Review = Thank You

Authors depend on reviews for a variety of reasons. Most authors are required to market their own books. For Amazon, the magic number of reviews that authors need to receive any promotion by Amazon is 100. After you’ve purchased a book, the next best way to thank an author is to write a review. The length of the review doesn’t matter. You can post reviews on Goodread, StoryGraph, Amazon, Barns & Noble, Instagram, Twitter/X, Pinterest, Facebook, etc.

If you’ve never written a review but would like to, you might enjoy these three easy steps and templates/examples. Through sharing this post, I hope to encourage you and to demonstrate how easy and simple it can be. If you have questions, I will be happy to answer them in comments.

Comments brighten an author’s day!

Writing a brief review in three easy steps:

One: Write a brief summary (including title and the gist of the story without spoilers)
Two: How did the reading experience make you feel?
Three: To whom will you recommend this book?

For a longer review, consider extras: themes, trigger warnings/content considerations, read alikes, format (print or audio), character or plot driven, structure (point of view, unique narrator, dual timelines), mood/tone, setting, genres/categories, etc.

Review Etiquette:

• @ the author …. To tag or not? It’s always OK to hashtag the title, but authors have different opinions about being tagged. I error on the side of caution and don’t tag. Authors seem to find my reviews through the hashtag. There are so many opinions on this that you will need to decide for yourself whether or not to tag. If you do tag, only tag for the most positive reviews. Never tag an author in a negative review.
• Be kind. (Remember that no two persons read the same book and what is not to your reading taste might be perfect for another reader)
• Include one positive.
• Avoid spoilers.

Long or Short?

The length of a review is not important. A two sentence review is as valuable to the author as one that is multiple paragraphs. Even a one sentence review that says “I enjoyed this book” is acceptable and appreciated.

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Three Templates To Get Started:

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Nonfiction Review Template:

Quote or Question (hook)
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Book’s Premise (#hashtag the title and add author)
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One Reason or Two Why You Enjoyed the Book
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Recommendation
(see graphic)

Text from above graphic if it’s difficult to read:

“People came together in a time of crisis regardless of their own personal shortcomings….it offers hope that all of us have that ability within us.” ~Jim Defede

#TheDayTheWorldCameToTown by Jim Defede shares the inspirational true story of how a small town of 10,000 individuals in Gander, Newfoundland worked together to care for 7,000 passengers and crew members the day 38 planes unexpectedly landed on September 11, 2001.

After reading the harrowing and tragic accounts of 9/11, I enjoyed this heartwarming true account of an event that happened the same fateful day which celebrates hospitality, doing your small part, strangers helping strangers, making a difference, diversity, and the goodness of humanity. I enthusiastically recommend The Day the World Came to Town for fans of narrative nonfiction, for readers who appreciate human interest stories, and for those who enjoy recognizing and celebrating every day heroes.

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Fiction Review Template 5 Stars

Quote or Question (hook)
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Book’s Premise (#hashtag the title and add the author)
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One or Two Elements You Enjoyed
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Recommendation
(see graphic)

Text from above graphic if it’s difficult to read:

“Tomorrrow will be better than today. I have value and I’m important.” ~Adunni

#TheGirlWithTheLoudingVoice by Abbi Daré is set in Nigeria and is a love letter of hope and encouragement to girls worldwide who are dreaming and striving to use their own Louding Voices.  I fell in love with fourteen-year-old Adunni, cheered for her, and hoped for her bright future. I appreciate being transported to a world I know nothing about and the thoughtful themes which include women’s rights, equal access to education, finding your voice, and overcoming oppression. If you’re looking for your next 5 Star read and enjoy stories like The Pearl That Broke Its Shell, I am Malala, and Amal Unbound, I highly recommend The Girl With the Louding Voice.

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Fiction Template for a 2 Star (meh) Read

Quote or Question (hook)
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Book’s Premise (#hashtag the title and add the author)
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One Element That Worked For You and One That Did Not
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Recommendation
(see graphic)

Text from above graphic if it’s difficult to read:

Have you ever moved in with a friend to share living expenses?

In #MomJeansAndOtherMistakes by Alexa Martin, Lauren and her five-year-old daughter move in with Lauren’s best friend, Jade. They are different in almost every way, but they have each other’s backs. Although I appreciate the snappy writing and the strong themes of friendship and women supporting women, I’m not a huge fan of stories with excessive profanity (Jade’s sections). Fans of contemporary women’s fiction with strong friendship themes and who don’t mind profanity might enjoy Mom Jeans and Other Mistakes.

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Happy review writing book friends!

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QOTD:

Do you write reviews?
Are these templates helpful?
Do you have a helpful tip about review writing to share?

Related Posts: How I Write a Fiction Review, 6 Tips For Writing Book Reviews

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ICYMI

Books as Gifts 2023 Recommendations

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Happy Reading Book Buddies!

“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.”
~Rainer Maria Rilke

“I love the world of words, where life and literature connect.”
~Denise J Hughes

“Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones.”
~Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

“I read because books are a form of transportation, of teaching, and of connection! Books take us to places we’ve never been, they teach us about our world, and they help us to understand human experience.”
~Madeleine Riley, Top Shelf Text

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***Blog posts may contain affiliate links. This means that at no extra cost to you, I can earn a small percentage of your purchase price.

I purchase or borrow from the library all books I review unless explicitly stated that the book is free (arc).

Amazon or an author’s (or publisher’s) website receives all credit for book covers and author photos.

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