12 Handy Tips for Writing ARC Reviews That Readers & Publishers Will Love

Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs) are a great way for book bloggers, reviewers, and influencers to get their hands on books before they hit the shelves.

Reviewing ARCs can help build a relationship with publishers and boost your credibility as a reader.

But once you’ve got that shiny new ARC in your hands (or inbox), the real challenge begins: how do you review it in a way that’s valuable, fair, and engaging?

In this guide, we’ll go over some actionable tips for reviewing ARC books.

Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned pro, these tips will help you provide thoughtful reviews that readers and publishers will appreciate.

Pin This For Later

1. Read the Book Thoughtfully (Don’t Rush Through It)

It can be tempting to rush through an ARC, especially if you’re trying to stay on top of a busy reading schedule.

But if you want to write a thoughtful review, it’s essential to take your time with the book.

Publishers send ARCs to get detailed, honest feedback—so, if you breeze through the book, you might miss important details or fail to understand the nuances of the story.

Here’s what you can do:

Take notes while reading: Jot down your thoughts, favorite quotes, and any questions that arise. It’s much easier to remember your reactions when they’re fresh.
Pay attention to pacing, characters, and themes: These are often the most important elements that both readers and publishers care about.
Give yourself time to reflect: Sometimes, your feelings about a book evolve after you’ve had a day or two to process it. Don’t jump straight to reviewing until you’ve had time to mull it over.

This approach not only helps you write a well-rounded review but also shows publishers that you take their books seriously.

2. Be Honest but Constructive

One of the most important rules of reviewing an ARC is honesty.

Publishers expect honest feedback, even if the book didn’t resonate with you.

However, there’s a fine line between being honest and being overly harsh.

Here’s how you can navigate this:

Balance the positives and negatives: Even if you didn’t enjoy the book, try to point out something it did well. Maybe the writing was strong, or the concept was interesting, even if the execution fell flat for you.
Be constructive: Instead of simply saying, “I didn’t like this book,” explain why. For example, “I found the characters difficult to relate to because their motivations weren’t clear,” gives valuable insight that can help both the publisher and the author.
Avoid personal attacks: Critique the book, not the author. Stick to discussing the story, characters, and writing style without making it personal.

Honest, constructive feedback builds trust with both publishers and your readers.

They’ll come to see your reviews as reliable and balanced.

Also See: How to Write a Book Review for a Book You Didn’t Like (and Still Be Fair)

3. Consider the Book’s Genre and Audience

One common mistake reviewers make is judging a book based on their personal preferences without considering its intended audience or genre.

If you’re reading a YA romance but generally dislike romance, it’s important to remember that the book isn’t necessarily bad—it might just not be for you.

When reviewing ARCs, keep these things in mind:

Know the genre’s conventions: Each genre has its own set of “rules.” For example, thrillers rely on tension and twists, while literary fiction may focus more on character development and themes. Evaluate the book based on how well it meets the expectations of its genre.
Consider who the book is for: Ask yourself, “Would fans of this genre or demographic enjoy this book?” If so, make it clear in your review that while it wasn’t for you, it might appeal to readers who love that genre.
Don’t compare genres unfairly: Avoid saying something like, “This fantasy novel isn’t as good as the last romance I read.” Each genre has different standards.

By being genre-conscious, your review will resonate better with the book’s intended audience and provide more value to your readers and publishers.

4. Be Mindful of Spoilers

Spoilers are a big no-no in ARC reviews unless you give a clear warning.

Remember, most people reading your review haven’t had the chance to read the book yet, and you don’t want to ruin key plot points for them.

Here are some spoiler-friendly tips:

Avoid giving away major twists, endings, or surprises: Focus on how the book made you feel and its overall themes instead of delving into specific details that could spoil the story.
If you need to discuss a spoiler, give a clear warning: Some reviewers use a “spoiler section” at the end of their review or mark spoilers with a warning like “Spoiler Alert.”
Talk around the spoilers: You can still provide a meaningful review without giving away everything. For example, instead of saying, “The main character dies,” you could say, “The ending took a bold, unexpected turn that will leave readers emotional.”

Respecting spoilers shows your readers that you’re considerate of their experience and helps build trust.

Pin This For Later

5. Include Trigger Warnings Where Necessary

More and more readers appreciate knowing if a book contains potentially upsetting or triggering content, like violence, abuse, or mental health struggles.

As an ARC reviewer, it’s important to mention trigger warnings in your reviews.

This doesn’t mean you need to list every possible trigger, but being aware of the major ones can help:

List common triggers: If a book contains things like sexual assault, violence, or substance abuse, mention that in your review so sensitive readers are aware.
Place the trigger warnings at the beginning: This gives readers a heads-up before they dive into your full review.
Use general language: Instead of detailing the triggering scenes, simply say something like, “This book includes depictions of mental health struggles that may be triggering for some readers.”

Providing this information shows you’re considerate of your audience’s well-being, and it adds value to your review by helping readers make informed choices.

You May Also Like: 15 Fool-Proof Methods To Promote A Brand New Blog & Boost Traffic Instantly

6. Discuss What Worked (and What Didn’t)

When reviewing ARCs, it’s helpful to break down what aspects of the book worked well for you and which parts didn’t quite hit the mark.

This balanced approach not only makes your review more thorough but also helps other readers and publishers get a clearer idea of the book’s strengths and weaknesses.

Here’s how to structure this part of your review:

What worked: Maybe the world-building was incredible, the pacing kept you hooked, or the character development was top-notch. Highlight these aspects and explain why they stood out to you.
What didn’t: Were there plot holes? Did the ending feel rushed? Was the dialogue unrealistic? Don’t be afraid to point out what didn’t work, but do so in a way that’s constructive and respectful.

When you break down the pros and cons, your review feels more balanced and helps both readers and publishers understand what the book does well and where it might need improvement.

7. Keep Your Review Length Appropriate

There’s no one-size-fits-all for review length, but you want to strike a balance between being thorough and not overwhelming your readers.

Most ARC reviews fall in the range of 300-600 words, depending on the book and how much you have to say.

Here are some tips for managing review length:

Focus on the key points: Don’t feel the need to analyze every single detail. Instead, stick to the most important aspects—plot, characters, pacing, and overall impression.
Be concise: While it’s great to be thorough, avoid going off on tangents. Keep your sentences clear and to the point.
If you have a lot to say, use subheadings: Break up your review with headings like “Plot,” “Characters,” and “Writing Style.” This makes it easier for readers to skim and find the information they care about.

By keeping your reviews manageable in length, you’ll be more likely to engage readers who may not want to wade through long paragraphs of text.

Related: 50+ Unique Post Ideas For Book Bloggers So You Never Run Out of New Content

8. Format Your Review for Easy Reading

A well-formatted review is not only easier for your audience to read but also more SEO-friendly.

Think about how you consume content online—do you prefer blocks of text or skimmable, organized information? Most people prefer the latter.

Here’s how to format your reviews effectively:

Use short paragraphs: Aim for 2-3 sentences per paragraph. This keeps the review readable, especially on mobile devices.
Include subheadings: Breaking up your review with subheadings like “What I Loved,” “What Could Be Better,” or “Final Thoughts” makes it easier to digest.
Use bullet points or lists: When discussing multiple points, bullet points are a great way to organize your thoughts and make your review more skimmable.

Formatting your review thoughtfully helps keep readers engaged, which is important in today’s fast-paced digital world.

Pin This For Later

9. Provide a Rating (Optional)

Not all ARC reviewers include ratings, but they can be helpful for both publishers and readers.

If you do choose to rate the book, be consistent with how you assign stars (or other symbols) and what those ratings mean.

Consider this rating scale:

5 stars: Outstanding book that I loved and would recommend to everyone.
4 stars: Really good, with only minor issues.
3 stars: Solid read, but it had some flaws.
2 stars: Not great, but it had some redeeming qualities.
1 star: Didn’t work for me at all.

When giving a rating, make sure to explain why you gave the book that score.

For instance, if you’re giving a 3-star rating, you might say something like, “I enjoyed the plot, but the pacing dragged, which affected my overall enjoyment.”

If you prefer not to include a rating, that’s perfectly fine too.

Some reviewers find that discussing the book in-depth is more valuable than assigning a number.

10. Include a Personal Touch

Readers love to connect with the person behind the review, so don’t be afraid to inject a bit of your own personality into your ARC reviews.

Share your emotional reactions, whether the book made you laugh, cry, or kept you up at night.

Here’s how to add a personal touch:

Share your emotional response: Did the book stir a specific emotion in you? Mention it! For example, “I couldn’t stop smiling during the last chapter” or “This book left me feeling bittersweet long after I finished it.”
Relate it to your experiences: If something in the book resonated with you personally, feel free to share that connection in your review. It helps readers relate to you and your perspective.
Use a conversational tone: Write as though you’re talking to a friend about the book. This not only makes your review more engaging but also helps readers connect with your writing style.

Adding a personal touch helps your reviews stand out and makes your voice unique, which is something publishers will notice and appreciate.

Related Post: 25 Deadly SEO Mistakes That Could Destroy Your Book Blog & How To Fix Them

11. Promote Your Review on Multiple Platforms

Once your review is done, it’s important to share it on multiple platforms.

Publishers often look for reviewers who can spread the word about a book across different channels, so this can boost your chances of receiving future ARCs.

Here are a few ideas for where to share:

Your blog: Of course, this is the main platform if you’re a book blogger. Make sure to optimize your post for SEO by using keywords related to the book, author, and genre.
Goodreads: Goodreads is a fantastic platform for sharing ARC reviews. It’s where a lot of book lovers go to decide what to read next.
Amazon or other online retailers: Once the book is officially released, post your review on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or other online retailers to help support the book’s launch.
Social media: Platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok can be great for reaching a broader audience. Consider posting a quick review or creating content like a book photo or video.
NetGalley or Edelweiss+: If you received your ARC through one of these services, be sure to leave your review there as well.

Cross-posting helps your review gain more visibility and ensures that both the publisher and a wide range of readers see your feedback.

12. Meet Deadlines and Be Professional

When you receive an ARC from a publisher, they usually provide a publication date and may ask you to have your review up by a certain time.

It’s important to stay on top of deadlines to maintain good relationships with publishers.

Here’s how to stay organized:

Keep a calendar: Mark down the release dates of the ARCs you’ve received and set a reminder a week or two before to get your review ready.
Prioritize your reading list: If you have multiple ARCs, make sure to prioritize them by release date so you can post your reviews on time.
Communicate with the publisher: If you can’t meet the deadline for some reason, let the publisher know. They appreciate professionalism and may be understanding if you communicate early.

Meeting deadlines and being professional will make publishers more likely to send you more ARCs in the future.

Pin This For Later

Reviewing ARC books is a fantastic way to get involved in the book community, share your opinions with a wider audience, and build strong relationships with publishers.

The key is to approach each review thoughtfully, balancing honesty with respect, and always keeping your audience in mind.

Plus, you’ll continue to grow your presence in the book world and increase your chances of receiving more ARCs in the future.

Happy reviewing!