To feel really irritated by my friend asking me to review her book…

[RunicWords]

So a friend of mine has self-published a book for kids. It seems nicely written with cute illustrations. But I don’t think it’s exceptional. She’s asked me to help her by reviewing it on Amazon.
Of course I’ve said I will… once I’ve purchased it of course, otherwise it won’t be a ‘verified purchase’.
I looked on Amazon and she already has multiple 5-star reviews (nothing less) … they must all be from friends as it’s only just come out and how would anyone know about it otherwise? Now it’s really bugging me as I often rely on reviews when I buy books and other stuff, and the thought of being hoodwinked by reviews like that enrages me.
On the other hand, fair play to her, she’s gone for it, she needs the support and encouragement, and it would be really mean not to help, right?
I can’t decide what to think, please help!!

Just tell your friend that you’re going to be honest so she might get a 5 star, she might get a 1 star. She has to be prepared for that. I’ve personally got nothing against family and friends reviewing books as long as they’re objective. Maybe your friend’s book is actually worthy of the 5 stars?

You sound like a lovely friend 🙄

Read the book and review accordingly? Give your friend prior notification that you will give an honest review?

I think anyone buying a kids book would look for professional reviews or personal recommendations.

If it’s self published with a load of 5 stars you know it’s mates.

Just write Cute Illustrations! And leave it at that.

Amazon reviews and ratings are a complete pile of horse shit. I would have no problem helping a friend out with a review given that 99% of review on there are bollocks.

Don't give her an honest review, ffs! She's your friend. Nobody will see her book. For most writers who are self published, the first few reviews are almost always from friends and family who've been given the publication date in advance.

In what way are they bollocks? I'm a writer and know tons of writers. There's only been one person I know of where I've thought the reviews were bought in.

I've written reviews that Amazon has cancelled without warning, saying they thought they weren't genuine. One was for someone who'd reviewed one of my books and one was a review I wrote of a truly awful book.

The whole system in flawed! I saw a video recently by Mike WInnett in which he demonstrates how easy it is to be a "best selling author" on Amazon. He book is literally empty - I think every page says something along the lines of "type something here" or suchlike.

Also read an article about how publishers PAY bookstores and supermarkets to feature particular books on their "best sellers" shelves.

I only trust recommendations from family/friends.

Give her a nice review. You don’t have to say it’s a literary masterpiece. You can say something along the lines of, this is a really sweet book about xyz with cute pictures. I especially liked x character’s hat. Discerning readers can read between the lines, just like on Tripadvisor.

Just do it, to help your friend. Regardless of your opinion, she has spent months writing the book, and a little appreciation wouldn't go amiss.
Everyone knows the first few reviews are from friends and family.

Bloody hell! It's your friend! If you gave a speech at her wedding would you say "it's only fair that I'm honest - I'd give her 2.5 stars as a wife"... ?

It doesn’t have to be exceptional for you to give your friend a nice review. Give her an honest review about the nice things like the cute illustrations and say something factual about the moral of the story or a problem it could help a child with or whatever.

BUT, I do think it’s cheeky fuckerish of her to ask for a review when what she’s really asking for is a sale.

I hate nepotism with a passion. BUT helping out a self published friend is just a nice thing to do, it's likely the book won't lead to anything. But if it does I doubt it would be because of friend's reviews on Amazon. I would hate to think my friends couldn't be bothered to take 2 mins to leave a review, after I take an interest in their lives.

It's literally the same as taking the time to listen to a boring anecdote and replying "oh that sounds nice" not "I don't give a duck" thought that goes through your head.

@SoftwareDev yes I used to work in publishing! Waterstones do NOT decide which books go in the window, or even in the big circular tables, and which ones just go on the shelves with only the spines visible. Publishers pay for those slots for the authors they're most invested in.

Absolutely ALL publishing - ‘traditional’ and self-publishing - relies on early reviews.

They may not all be ‘bought’ in the sense that they’re honest reviews and no obligation to post a 5-star review, but most early reviewers do post positively, because they want their own record to reflect that they don’t do negative reviews. So that they keep getting offered advance copies of books to review…

It is what it is.

But if she’s your friend and the book us halfway decent, give her a good review as quick as you can. It really helps.

This

1st wave reviews for self published= friends/family giving 5 star reviews giving the book some exposure
2nd wave reviews= if the book really isn't exceptional, I'm sure those reviews will bring the rating down.

Tbh, we have a family friend who writes children books. There are like 17 characters with complicated names. The adults struggle to follow. It's aimed at 3-5 probably. But if he asked me to review, I would likely give 5 star and try to envision who would love the book and aim my review at that person.

I can see how much care, love and effort this person put in. From this perspective, it is the sweetest book.

But please do what you feel is the right thing to do.

All the best

Now it’s really bugging me as I often rely on reviews when I buy books and other stuff, and the thought of being hoodwinked by reviews like that enrages me

YABU to be this naive about the review process. I also think you are being a bit tight towards your friend. Read it and write some nice things.

This is sort of true and sort of not true at her same time.

Publishers pay for the privilege of being included in the promotions that go on the tables and window and front of store. But Waterstones head office buyers actually choose those books - it’s just they’re choosing from a small selection each publisher shows them that they know they’re willing to spend marketing money on to promote. Again, it is what it is, pretty circular. But not bad faith or misleading.

It's not the review I object to, as much as being forced to buy her book.
I'd just say you didn't realise you had to buy a copy to leave a review and you don't really need a book.

BUT, I do think it’s cheeky fuckerish of her to ask for a review when what she’s really asking for is a sale

Most paperback books cost less than £5, and a Kindle version can be as little as £0.99. Why wouldn't a friend make the gesture?

I wouldn’t leave a review at all. I wouldn’t want to lie for someone by saying it’s great if it isn’t.

A friend of mine used to be contracted to a publisher, and one of the terms of her contract was that she’d write a certain number of positive Amazon reviews for the publisher’s other authors. She said she had to spend far more time on that and marketing/PR (mostly by engaging with fans on social media) than on the actual writing.

I’m a writer and I have never ever heard of this! Was she employed by some unknown publisher startup?!

one of the terms of her contract was that she’d write a certain number of positive Amazon reviews for the publisher’s other authors

That is… non-standard.

I’ll assume your friend’s ‘publisher’ was not exactly top tier legit.