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!!

But you have to buy the book? Different to just skimming though and then doing a quick review.

I'd be happy to review but not be forced to but a full priced copy

what is so hard about writing a review for a friend? by your own admission it seems nicely written/ illustrated, did she ask you to say it was exceptional?

no, she didn’t so write the review and help a friend fgs.

Some friend...

You don't need to write that this is a masterpiece.

Simply write something brief and positive and focus on the aspects of the book you like.

Frankly you sound a bit jealous...

The OP has only stated that a friend has requested a review. OP could leave a review without spending anything. Verified sale doesn't mean anything in this case. You could read it in a library for free for all review readers know.

I think you are being over-scrupulous.

Yes, if you're buying a tin opener, you want to choose one with 5 star reviews that actually works.

If you're buying/reading a 'self published children's book' then you're pretty much guaranteed family/friend. Should it be a work of genius, it'll be picked up by a publisher (& this will probably already not have happened, & not for want of the author trying).

I'd just write something like 'Peter the penguin's journey to become a polar bear tamer is heart warming, & the illustrations of the seals were delightful!' & go about your day.

No one's going to buy the thing, & if they did, off the back of your review, well, you didn't exactly claim it would change their life.

You just said it was readable & the illustrations were cute, as per your OP.

yep, green eyed did come to mind.

for those talking about the issue of buying a book - if you genuinely can’t afford to that’s one thing but otherwise it’s weird that you’d be offended by the principle of buying the book. If your friend was selling stuff at a stall would you consider supporting her with a purchase?

This is funny
Well done

It's not hard to write a review. I like doing nice things for my friends and of course I want to help. I was caught out by my reaction. Who knows, maybe I want to write a book and I'm a bit jealous
It's just that anything less than 5 stars will look really mean-spirited now. Probably worse than no review. It just irks me because, like I say, I really rely on reviews, especially when weighing up books to read. Guess it's the principle.
But as people have suggested, I'll focus on the positives and think of the effort that's gone into it.

Ask her if she wants a 4 star one to make it look like a mix of reviews?

I wonder if this is the author whose posts I keep getting shown on Instagram, who has self published her first book for children! About a detective?

@Supe and @NoSquirrels I think it would be fair to say they didn’t produce many Booker nominees. But my friend made a decent living for a couple of years.

You sound exhausting!

A kindle version of a children’s book with cute illustrations available for 99p from a newly self published writer is highly unlikely.

Tell her you would be happy to review it, but you haven't received your complimentary copy yet.

I write, and I'd want my reviews to be a mix of 3 to 5 to look genuine.

But have pity on her - it's bloody brutal getting your work out there. Anyone who takes stock of the first dozen reviews is daft, but the fact is, without ANY reviews, you're on a hiding to nothing trying to sell.

Lol. Masses of online reviews are fake. It's a kids book, not investment advice. Do it or don't do it but don't pretend you're standing up for the little guy.

"5 STARS - Received promptly and nicely packaged"

It’s your friend. You’ve said the book is nicely written and cute. It’s not like you’ve got to lie.

If she was selling an item that was shit, breaks, not fit for purpose, of a rubbish standard, then I could understand this bothering you. But it’s a kids book. Just write a nice review.

In that case, the OP can ask for a copy and then review it. I am an author, and I can buy my own books at cost price.
I still think it's a small gesture of kindness to do for a friend. Believe me, it leaves a bitter taste when friends and family can't even be bothered to make the effort.

I'd just write something like 'Peter the penguin's journey to become a polar bear tamer is heart warming, & the illustrations of the seals were delightful!' & go about your day.

In fairness I would give this book one star as polar bears live at the North Pole and penguins in the far southern hemisphere, so they never meet....

Jeez - if my friend had written a book, I would both buy it and write a nice review. I swear on MN people seem to hate their "friends" if they cause them the slightest inconvenience and seem unable to have an actual conversation with them about anything.

She does, actually. I'd far rather have a friend who stands for a decent level of honesty, and who I can trust.

I'd be questioning my friendship with someone who asks me to write a fake review about a book I haven''t read, frankly. But be hanging on to someone who had the decency not to.

Fucking hell… 😆

Reviews are... mm, varied in their meaning depending on the item.

A kids book - if its legibly written, illustrations good, properly edited, a fun story - thats worthy of 5 stars. It doesn't have to be the next Gruffalo or some deep, thought provoking work of fiction.

If it's a book teaching you how to do something, or say a crime novel that needs a workable plot, interesting characters, etc - then you obviously need more than just the above for it to be worthy of five stars.

Some things I don't trust reviews on - goods I have bought on amazon have come with a note telling me if I leave a good review, they'll send me free stuff (and I tested that out once and they did!), so I don't trust those at all, but books are different, and Amazon do remove reviews that look dodgy!

But what if the narrative was that Peter the Penguin has to leave the South Pole on an epic journey to the North Pole in order to fulfil his ambition, Paq?