Let’s talk about something many of us struggle with: writing book reviews. You know the feeling—you’ve just finished a book, and you loved it, but when it’s time to put those feelings into words, you freeze. What do you even say? How do you explain why the book gripped you, made you laugh or cry, or why you couldn’t put it down?

Trust me, you’re not alone. Writing a review can be really challenging, and it’s not just about finding the right words. So, let’s dig into why that happens and how you can make the process easier, especially if you want to help out indie authors like me!

Why Writing a Book Review Can Be So Difficult

When you finish a book you love, you know you want to share that feeling with others. But here’s the tricky part: turning that feeling into coherent thoughts. Our emotions about a story are often broad and abstract—”I loved it” or “It made me feel something.” But those emotions can be hard to break down into specific reasons.

There’s actually a cognitive reason behind this! After reading, your brain has absorbed a ton of information—characters, plots, themes, emotions—and it can feel overwhelming to condense all that into a few sentences. It’s almost like trying to write a recap of a complex dream. How do you explain why a certain scene made your heart race or why a character’s journey resonated with you?

This can lead to review paralysis, where you just don’t know where to start. And that’s totally okay! You don’t have to be a professional critique to write a meaningful review.

Tips for Writing a Book Review (Without the Stress)

If you’ve ever struggled to write a review, here are some tips to make the process easier:

1. Keep It Simple: You don’t need to write an essay! A few sentences are enough. If you loved the book, just say so. Your review can be as simple as, “I really enjoyed this book! The characters were well-developed, and the plot kept me hooked.”
2. Create Your Own Template: A great way to streamline your review writing is to create a personal template. For example:
   • What did you like about the book (characters, plot, writing style)?
   • What was your favourite part or scene?
   • Would you recommend it to others, and why? Following this structure helps organise your thoughts and makes it easier to get started.
3. Focus on One Thing: If writing an entire review feels daunting, focus on one thing you really loved. Was it the main character’s growth? A specific twist? Just talk about that! You don’t have to cover everything.
4. Pretend You’re Talking to a Friend: Sometimes, imagining that you’re just chatting with a friend about the book can help. How would you describe the story if someone asked, “What did you think of it?” Write it down just like that—casual, easy, and honest.
5. Write a “Quick Take”: If you really don’t know what to say, you can even write a quick one-liner like, “Great for fans of dark fantasy,” or “Perfect for a weekend binge-read.”

Why Reviews Are So Important (Especially for Indie Authors)

Here’s the part where I get a little personal: reviews are a lifeline for indie authors. We don’t have big marketing teams or massive budgets behind our books, so we rely heavily on word of mouth—and reviews are a huge part of that. Your thoughts, whether it’s a quick sentence or a detailed analysis, help other readers discover new books and give authors like me the encouragement to keep going.

Even if it feels like your review won’t make a difference, trust me—it absolutely does. Every review adds weight and visibility to a book, especially on platforms like Amazon and Goodreads. It also lets other readers know that someone else enjoyed the book, which can be the difference between them clicking “buy” or moving on.

Every Review Counts

At the end of the day, the most important thing is that your review is honest and from the heart. Whether you write a one-liner or a detailed breakdown, it’s your voice that matters. So, next time you finish a book and feel stuck, remember—it doesn’t have to be perfect. Just sharing your love for the story is more than enough.

Happy reading and reviewing!