I will gladly accept review requests from authors and publishers. One thing I ask, please at least scan over this page and see if your request fits, then in you email request please tell me the hidden ‘password’ that is found on this page.
At this point in time, I am only able to accept ebooks or physical book copies. My preferred ebook format is epub, but I can also accept and read, Mobi or PDF files if needed. (Gifting through Bookfunnel or Prolific Words links are also fine.)
NOTE: I no longer have an Amazon account. This means I cannot review on Amazon or Audible, and I cannot receive gifted ebooks from Amazon. I also cannot receive books using the “send to Kindle” options.
I can and am willing to post to any other store website, just not Amazon. (I do have a Goodreads account still, just not an account with the Amazon store itself.)
If you’re an author that I’ve already reviewed here on Books Less Travelled, please shoot me an email! I’d love to add another piece of your work to my blog (some ways we could do that might include an interview, guest post, or even another review!).
Speaking of interviews, I have begun featuring interviews on the blog previously, and if you’d be interested in an interview, or even possibly a giveaway, please feel free to mention that in your email. I won’t ask, so it’s up to you to say whether or not you’d like to participate in any of these extra ways to get the words out about your books.
A few things you should know before sending me a Review Request:
📕 I am the only one here, and so that means I can’t always get around to reading/reviewing your book as soon as I’d like. I tend to have rather a long ‘To-Read’ list and, as of right now, I’m the only one reading requested books.
This turn-around time is shorter that in times past, but the fact still remains that I do get busy with life sometimes, and from week to week never know how much of my time can be solely devoted to reading.
It may take me a bit to get to your book, but if I’ve agreed to a review request, I will get to it.
(I try for 2-4 weeks after I receive the book, but if it’s an ARC not due for a few months, a review might have to wait until closer to the publish date, so I can get to the ones getting published sooner reviewed on or before their publish date!)
Since I tend to have fewer books that are ‘upcoming releases’ on my TBR lately, I can prioritize these requests better now. Many of my TBR books are currently backlist/previously released titles, so upcoming releases will be read ASAP above my general TBR, as will all review requests.
(Books that are releasing within a month or less if receiving the review request/book will have priority over other book requests, but all review requests will be a priority and will be read and reviewed ASAP have agreed to the request and after I have receive the book.)
My goal is to post my review as close to the release date (unless the author would like the review shared sooner) as possible, but again I’ll try to read these ASAP after receiving the book to guarantee a timely review.
📕 I’ll state whether or not I were given a copy of your book. It looks something like
“I RECEIVED A COPY OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW”
It usually comes right at the top.
Note: I still always mention this, but as Amazon have cracked down on this phrase, I don’t always use this format, I do always mention ‘review’ or ‘advance’ copies when reviewing, but for Amazon only, it might either be reworded, or a more subtle mention near the beginning of the review.
📕 I’m always as COMPLETELY honest as possible about my thoughts on a book. It’s sometimes not the prettiest, nor the kindest thing in the world, but it’s honest. In the end, that’s what you asked for. Not all books are for everyone, and you can’t change someone’s opinion. If I didn’t like it, I didn’t like it. I’m sorry. I do try to be as considerate and thoughtful in my reviews as possible, but I will mention any concerning content or anything I wasn’t a fan of in the story if it comes up.
I try to consider the things I’d like to know about a book before reading (content warnings, especially for unexpected things like violence/gore in what appeared to be a ‘cutesy fluff story’ ((example: in a war/soldier story this type of content is to be expected, but not so much a cupcake bakery romance…)), or potential things that might keep me from enjoying a story that might not have be clear before starting, etc.)
I try to avoid sharing spoilers as well, but if say… so and so character is clearly cheating and it isn’t stated as being that type of story/romance, then I’ll probably not enjoy it and others might not either.
(Although, I will say up front if I’m not interested in a book. I won’t accept any requests if I’m sure the book is a good fit, or if there’s a high probability that I won’t end up liking the story. I read for enjoyment, so it’s not fair to either of us if I don’t take that into consideration when deciding on the requests I do or don’t approve.)
📕 I’m the only one currently here for requests and reviews, and my reading tastes have changed dramatically over the years. I am most comfortable reading Christian Fiction; including; Christian Romantic Suspense, Christian Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Contemporary/dramas, some Biblical Fiction, and the like.
See my Goodreads for a better idea. I also enjoy children’s books and picture books, and some cook books and things like gardening/homesteading non-fiction books, so I’m open to reviewing those too.
📕List of things I won’t read or review: Erotica, “steamy” romances, Gay/Trans/LGBT+, Fantasy, Sci-fi, paranormal/supernatural, Political (this one is only for detailed stuff, a little political intrigue in a fiction story is different, just no modern/current political affairs content), Self-Help, or Fitness.
📕 I post my reviews on several sites. I do not post the whole review on social media often, it’s more of a small snippet/mini review and the link to the blog post for anyone who wants to read my full review.
As of March 20th, I post my reviews here on my blog, Goodreads, Facebook, Bookbub, and Instagram.
If you have any specific sites you would like my review for your book posted on, please state the websites where you prefer them to be posted in your request email. I’m always looking for new ways to connect with my readers and get my reviews out there, so any suggestions are welcome and much appreciated.
If you would like your review posted on Smashwords, you have to provide me with a coupon code for the book from Smashwords so I can get the book from them in order for me to be able to post a review there.
I also review on NetGalley, BookSprout, and Edelweiss if I received your book from one of those sites.
📕 If I don’t accept your review request and you write another book, please feel free to email me a review request for the other book.
📕 Hassling me won’t make the process any faster or more enjoyable for either of us…
📕📕 If you are requesting a review for SEVERAL books, you MUST send in SEPARATE review requests, in SEPARATE emails!
(If it’s two books being requested, then it’s TWO separate request in TWO SEPARATE emails. ((So, for however many books are being considered for review, that’s the number or requests and emails there should be. That way I can make sure we are both on the same page about which books are being requested about.
Yes, even if it’s for the same series, please. I know it seems redundant, but it really help me keep everything straight and to better guarantee I don’t miss something or accidentally overlook a request when approving or responding to the request for another book you sent me. It’s just better for us both this way. Thanks for understanding.)
You are welcome to REPLY to an email you sent with another request, but PLEASE don’t send it as one long message! This way I don’t miss read a request. I am quickly looking over the email or trying to check over my request in a hurry. I try to read everything you say and to take the time to check every request, but sometimes I miss things…
If you are replying to a past request, please be sure that I have already reviewed the original title before adding a reply with a new request.
Please do not say “I would also like you to read my other book ‘x’, so I’ve also attached it.” It’s annoying; I accepted the book I accepted, if you’d like me to read more than one of your books, you must send in a request for each book. I also don’t always have time for two at the time I have accepted the first request, and may have other people wanting a review.
If I have reviewed the first book you requested, any requested after won’t take priority until I’ve caught up on my other requests reads…It just wouldn’t be fair to other authors. There is a slight exception if it’s a series or another related book (Prequel, companion, sequel, etc.) to the book I just read/reviewed for you.
I will happily get back to you and would be glad to read more of your books, just please don’t expect to be bumped to the front of the line! 🙂 📕📕
What your email should contain:
📕 The title of the book (and cover image, if possible)
📕 The name of the author (as listed on the cover/store websites)
📕 The genres in which you consider your book
📕 The Blurb/Synopsis*
📕 All of the links to your social media accounts (if you want them mentioned in my blog post for reviews, interviews, or guest post)
📕 Links to where the book is currently being sold (see above about the social media links, same concept…)
Although all the links aren’t required for me to consider and accept a request, if you don’t provide a way for readers to find you and your book, I won’t often have the time to search for them, and that might discourage some readers if there isn’t a link easily found on the post. If I don’t have time to find the links, odds are they won’t either.
*I get my blurbs from Goodreads, so if you want a certain synopsis/blurb posted on the review, state that in your email.
Setting up the review takes just as long, if not longer, than writing the actual review. You help me out SO much by sending me the links to everything. It makes the process a million times faster.
You don’t have to send me a copy of your book before I give you my answer. In fact, Please DON’T! It makes me a bit uncomfortable when you do, even though I don’t download it unless I give you a definite yes.
If I rejected your book:
If I reject your book, I can assure you that it is with a heavy heart and not personal in any way. I will reject a book if I am not sure I would enjoy reading it…It would be entirely unfair of me to accept a book review request for a book I won’t enjoy. To people who would enjoy that type of book, it might be amazing. A book that’s amazing by it’s own standards doesn’t deserve a bad review.
Another reason I might reject your request, although it hasn’t happened thus far, is because you offer little to no information about your book. I receive many review requests a week; it makes it much easier for me if I don’t have to hunt down information or click links to the blurb. It’s much easier to turn down a book that you know nothing about…I’m sorry, but it’s true.
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Thank you so much for even considering asking me for a review! My contact info, email and social media accounts are listed on my contact page.
Happy reading!
**By sending me an email you’re giving me permission to add you to my email list. You may receive emails if I am looking for authors to interview/participate in a giveaway.
****All review requests sent in after March 20th, 2024 must follow these requirements. Any who don’t will be bumped down the list, and possibly rejected.**
I usually rate books 3-4 since most of them I find to be pretty average, but still over all good books. The 4s have more going for them, but were still not quite enough to be part of my All Time Favorites shelf. That said, I’ve rated a lot more 5-star reads lately as I’ve found books that have more perfectly matched my tastes/interests.
PERSONAL RATING SYSTEM
5 – I loved it! One of my Top Favorites
4 – Really liked, but it just didn’t make it to my all time favorites list.
3 – it was OK, but could have been better.(Average quality)
2 – it was bad enough that I had considerable trouble finishing it
1 – it was terrible, and I regret reading it (If I DID finish it)
I hate starting a book and not finishing it, so I will suffer through most, you know if I don’t even finish a book, that’s a very bad sign. Some just are not my style or taste, and might be great books for readers who enjoy that genre, but others are all around bad. Just because I give it a low rating/don’t finish it does not mean the book is an overall bad book, but you might want to check what other readers have said about it to be sure it’s not a waste of time. * I have done this, there is no shame in it!* XD
Request for Reviews are accepted on a selective basis, though I will take fewer requests if my time is limited, and I’ve found I often get a lot of my reads from other methods like ARC teams (often found on Facebook or Instagram) and blog tours.
This does not mean I won’t take requests, but I try to only agree to read books I feel fit my tastes, and are likely to get a good rating/review. If you have read this, or at least visited this page, and still wish to request, please mention this ‘secret word’ so I know you have checked my Review Policy before requesting. Say: echidna.
This Does Not guarantee a glowing review, as I strive to be as honest and unbiased as possible, but I’m more likely to finish and enjoy books that fit my tastes from the start.
I will also consider taking Interviews, Guest Posts, Spotlight posts, Promo posts, Cover Reveals, Title Reveals, Book Trailer Reveal, and Blitz style posts in the mean time. Thank you for your time and interest!
(I will also only accept these after considering if the book is a good fit for me/my blog, or something similar to other things I’ve posted, since that’s the sort of books I like and tend to share and is what my subscribers and followers have come to expect from my posts.)
Books Less Travelled 