Six Things a Romance Book Review Should Do
What Do You Look for in Romance Book Reviews?
“When reading reviews, the best is one that sends me to the bookstore”
Ursula K. Le Guin Words Are My Matter
Why read a book review?
Book reviews have become an important way to see if a book will fit your reading preferences.
Before the Internet, I used to chose books by going to the bookstore or library or drug store. I’d see a cover or title that appealed to me. I’d take it off the shelf, read the back blurb, inside cover summary, and always read the first pages.
But between e-publishing and the incredible number of books being written, I have come to rely more and more on book reviews in selecting a romance to read.
In e-books, I still look for a professional cover, a clear blurb and a super opening chapter. It helps if the book has won an award or been a best-seller. But those things are not enough to tell me if I want to read on. This is where reviews become important.
Types of book reviews
Most book reviews are fairly brief. However, if you are familiar with book reviews from such places as Harper’s Magazine or the London Review of Books, then you know that book reviews can also be long essays that cover way more than a brief summary and personal recommendation of the book.
The review might include historical background, biographical material, or comparisons with other similar works. This type of review is great for stimulating an interest in the book’s subject matter, but is overkill for most romances.
What should a romance book review cover?
When I read a romance book review, I am looking for particular information. I do not need a long summary as that is covered by the blurb and the opening pages. A good book review goes beyond summarizing the story. What I want to know about a book are the following:
- Does it fit the romance genre? Is there a HEA or HFN?
- Is the plot/love story unique or creative?
- Are the characters interesting and have hidden depths?
- Does the writing flow so that I am not pulled out of the story by errors or awkwardness?
- How does the book compare to others I like or have read?
- Are there any specific issues that I as a reader should be aware of? Such as – Is the story dark and depressing? Is there abuse or vile terror? Does the story have a satisfying end or does it have one of those trick run-ons that try to make you buy the next book in the series?
Where to find romance book reviews
While Amazon and Barnes & Noble post plenty of reader reviews, a better source for romance book reviews are blogs and websites. Here is a list of some of them.
And of course there is Goodreads, where you can find thousands of reviews. This link will take you to some of mine.
Thank you for the list of review/blog sites. I definitely read reviews. If the site allows, I look for links to other reviews by the same person. If the review is negative or not especially flattering, I’m curious to know if the reviewer has a pattern of negative reviews or reads another type of genre’ so this story may be out of his/her comfort zone. I am especially curious if most of the reviews are good why one would be bad.
You make an excellent point. Knowing something about the reviewers likes and dislikes is important in how one values a review.
I think you’re right on with all of these Zara.
I’d also add, in addition to knowing it’s well-written and sucks you in, I want to know if I’m going to feel something. Will I laugh, cry, be uplifted, get angry, all of the above? And I definitely want to know if it’s hot and steamy. Bonus points for well-written, spicy sex scenes. 🙂
Great additions, Stacy. I will add them to the list.