Why reviews are more important than stars (for readers, not writers)

By Nicki Edwards

Author of Country Town Life, Love and Medical Dramas
"Heartwarming Australian Romance"

Today I want to talk about reviews and why they're important to readers. (They're important to authors too, but only because good reviews make us feel better. *grin*)

Today's post therefore, is all about why reviews are important to readers.

I recently received the following review and I decided to unpack it and show why a review is better than just a rating. This was a Goodreads 4 star review of an advanced readers copy of  my new release "The Peppercorn Project" which comes out on May 31st. I don't know this reviewer personally but contacted her to gain permission to share her review.

"Unexpected but true, I really enjoyed this book."

The opening line of the review is important to readers because it shows why the reviewer has given the rating she has. This sentence also tells the reader that she wasn't expecting to like this book and that makes a reader think "hm...maybe I might like this book too."

The reviewer's usual genre isn't sweet romance, so, as a reader, now I'm curious. What was it about this book that made the reviewer not only choose it, but like it enough to give it 4 stars and say she enjoyed it? 

Readers of this review will know the author has 'hooked' the reviewer so they'll read on, wanting to know why. "hm...maybe I'll be hooked too."

"I have been reading a series that has a faster pace and needing a break, I decided to go for something slower...this one really worked for me."

Readers often change things up in their reading lists and this reviewer has explained what she likes about this book. It has a slower pace. Sometimes that exactly what readers are looking for (and vice versa).

Out of interest, I checked this reviewer's usual reading list (which is a good idea when you're reading reviews). Her list includes some of the following categories:

'pierced and tatted'
'makes me laugh'
'wounded warriors'
'hot and tingly'
'mystery crime suspense'

Did you see 'sweet' or 'clean' romance on her reading list? No. Neither did I. So, again, as a reader I'm even more intrigued. What was so good about this book that the reviewer chose to read outside her usual genre and enjoy it enough to give it 4 stars? Actually go back a step. Why did she request a copy to review in the first place? The cover perhaps? Other reviews? She's read my other books and enjoys them? Or is there another reason? If there is, wouldn't it be good to know what it was? 

Readers like to know why the reviewer chose to read this book.

You might be interested to know that the reviewer told me she'd never heard of me or my books, but the cover of "The Peppercorn Project" caught her eye then the blurb was enough for her to request it. Good to know how important covers are - they have to fit the genre.

"The book takes place in Australia which I love..."

Readers like to know where books are set. But why did the reviewer love it so much?

"(it was) a change of scenery when it comes to only reading books based in America. I liked the different use of language...and how different it is."

Another nugget of gold. As an Aussie author, it's not always easy to pick up an American reader, as they often don't like the settings, can't understand the language, don't get the Aussie lingo etc. etc. 

This sentence says a lot to other Americans who might read this review. "Hm perhaps I might like this book too."

"Now I know this trope is unpopular with the dead spouse so it won’t be for everyone and at times I had some difficulty with it."

Sometimes readers want to know the 'triggers' in a book. Death is a big trigger than may turn people off. Out of interest, did you know the 'dead spouse' trope is unpopular? I didn't. 

"I enjoyed how their relationship progressed...They only took their relationship to the intimate level really at the end of the book but I have to be honest I don’t care."

Very interesting. A reader whose usual reading style includes 'hot and tingly', DIDN'T CARE about the sweet behind closed doors scene. Other readers might think "hey, I'll change things up and try a sweet romance too."

"If you’re looking for something sweet and warm then this is a read for you."

The review finishes with a recommendation that sums it all up perfectly.

I look forward to your hearing your thoughts on this post. Does it challenge you to give reviewing a go? You never know, you might enjoy it so much, you start your own review blog.

If you do write a review, make sure you review it on Amazon or iBooks (or wherever you purchased the book) and on Goodreads. 

And if you don't feel comfortable doing that, why not just share a short review on your own Facebook page with a link to the book you've just read? Every author will love you for it.