Since I’m not the type of person to believe I can have a singular experience, I want to say that all of us book reviewers have had situations where we’ve had to review books we did not particularly like.

I’m talking about books where either the plot didn’t make sense, the characters were annoying, or the writing style simply felt off, and you absolutely couldn’t enjoy the book, which makes it hard to write your review.

I can’t speak for others, but I usually have a hard time writing a book review when I either loved the book too much or didn’t like anything about it. If you’ve ever felt like this, then this post is probably for you.

For books you didn’t particularly like, I know it can feel tricky to criticize the book without sounding mean or even slightly condescending.

As someone who has been reviewing books for years, I have some tricks I use that always help me pull through.

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I’ll talk in a bit about why you should absolutely review a book whether or not you liked it, but always remember that your opinion is valuable.

The truth is, a book can’t be for everyone, so even if it didn’t work for you, someone else might still love it and that’s just one reason you should totally write your review.

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Why Review a Book You Didn’t Like?

Let’s start with why it’s actually important to review a book, even if you didn’t enjoy it.

1. Honesty is Key

When your reviews include both positive and negative opinions, it shows that you’re being honest and balanced.

If all your reviews are glowing, people might not take them as seriously.

2. It Helps Others

Your perspective can be super helpful for potential readers. Just because you didn’t like the book doesn’t mean others won’t.

Your review can help them figure out if the book’s style, plot, or characters are something they’d enjoy.

3. It’s Constructive for the Author

Believe it or not, authors and publishers often appreciate honest feedback—especially if it’s constructive.

It helps them learn what works and what doesn’t.

How to Review a Book You Didn’t Enjoy Reading

1. Start with a Friendly, Balanced Introduction

Before you start writing what didn’t work for you, it’s good to start your review with a friendly, neutral tone.

You don’t want to come out swinging with all the things you disliked.

Instead, acknowledge that everyone has different tastes and give a little insight into why you picked up the book in the first place.

This helps show that you went into it with an open mind.

Here’s an example:

When I picked up Do-Re-Mi Book, I was really intrigued by the idea of a mystery set in 1920s Paris. I love a good historical fiction, and the book’s description sounded right up my alley. Unfortunately, though, it didn’t quite live up to my expectations.

See how that doesn’t sound overly negative right away? It shows that you gave the book a fair chance and that your disappointment wasn’t just because the book wasn’t your usual genre or style.

2. Be Specific About What Didn’t Work (And Why)

Now it’s time to talk about what didn’t work for you, but be specific.

Avoid vague statements like “It was boring” or “I just didn’t like it.”

Think about the exact reasons you didn’t enjoy the book and explain them clearly. This way, your review is more helpful to others.

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I. If You Didn’t Like the Plot

Maybe the story dragged, or maybe it was confusing.

Whatever the case, explaining what didn’t sit right with you can help readers understand where things went wrong.

This gives specific feedback and explains how the plot affected your overall reading experience.

II. If the Characters Fell Flat

Sometimes, you just can’t connect with the characters.

Maybe they didn’t feel real, or their actions didn’t make sense.

Explain what about the characters made it hard for you to engage with the story.

This helps future readers understand that, for you, the character development wasn’t strong enough to keep you invested.

III. If the Writing Style Didn’t Click

Some writing styles just don’t click for everyone.

Maybe it was too detailed, too simple, or just not your thing.

Again, explaining why can help others decide if they might have a similar issue.

Instead of saying the writing was “bad,” you’re showing that it was a style choice that didn’t work for you.

3. Offer Some Constructive Criticism

Critiquing a book doesn’t mean you have to tear it apart.

If you can, try to offer some ideas on how the book could have been better for you.

Constructive criticism can be really helpful and shows that you’re thinking about the book thoughtfully.

For example:

I think the book could have benefitted from tighter pacing. Some of the slower sections could have been shortened, and more time could’ve been spent fleshing out the characters’ backstories. That might have helped me connect more with the story.

This kind of feedback is useful because it offers a solution to the issues you had with the book.

4. Mention Any Positives (If There Are Any)

Even if you didn’t like the book overall, there might be a few things that were done well.

It’s always good to point those out. It keeps your review balanced and shows that you can appreciate certain elements, even in a book you didn’t enjoy.

Even though you had issues with the story, you’re acknowledging something the author did well.

This makes your review feel more balanced and fair.

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5. Don’t Make It Personal

When writing a negative review, it’s important to remember to criticize the book, not the author.

It’s easy to get frustrated with a book and end up making personal comments, but it’s best to keep things professional and focus on the story itself.

Instead of saying something like:

The author clearly has no idea how to write a mystery.

Try focusing on the story:

The mystery itself felt predictable, and I wasn’t surprised by the final reveal.

This keeps the tone respectful, even though you’re expressing negative feedback.

6. Think About the Book’s Audience

Sometimes, the reason you didn’t like a book is that it just wasn’t for you.

Maybe it’s a slow-paced literary novel, and you prefer fast-paced thrillers.

If that’s the case, it can be helpful to mention who the book would appeal to, even if it didn’t work for you.

By doing this, you help other readers who might enjoy the book, while still being honest about your experience.

7. Wrap It Up with a Clear Conclusion

In your conclusion, sum up your overall thoughts on the book.

You don’t have to go into detail again—just briefly state how you felt about it and who you think it might appeal to.

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Writing a review for a book you didn’t like can feel awkward at first, but with a little thought and balance, it’s absolutely doable—and can even be fun!

Remember, the goal isn’t to tear the book down but to share your experience in a way that’s helpful to other readers and constructive for the author (if they happen to come across your review).

At the end of the day, not every book will be a hit with every reader, and that’s perfectly fine.

Being honest, fair, and specific in your review is the best way to share your thoughts while respecting the effort that went into the book—and helping other readers find what works for them.

Now that you’ve got the tools, writing your next review—whether you loved or hated the book—will feel a lot more manageable. Happy reviewing!