Writing from the Heart: How to Write a Book Review That Matters
I recently received the following email from a reader and it made me think about how important it is to write from your heart.
“Dear Mollie:
I don’t think I have posted reviews before, because I never know what to say. The reviews that I have read kind of scare me; they sound so knowledgeable and sophisticated. I only know whether I enjoyed a book or not. Do you have to be taught how to review a book?”
I only know whether I enjoyed a book or not.
This email touched me deeply because it’s a question I know many readers wonder about. If you’ve ever hesitated to leave a review because you weren’t sure how to express your thoughts, you are not alone.
The truth is, you don’t have to be a literary critic to write a great review. The best reviews come from the heart. They don’t need to be long, scholarly, or full of fancy words. They simply need to be honest and genuine.
Why Book Reviews MatterAs an author, I can’t tell you how much a review means to me. When you take a few moments to share your thoughts, you help other readers decide whether a book is right for them. You also support authors—especially independent authors like me—by helping our books reach a wider audience.
Think of it this way: when you recommend a book to a friend, you don’t pull out a literary analysis. You simply say, “I loved it!” or “The characters stayed with me long after I finished.” A review is just that—a conversation with other readers.
How to Write a Simple Yet Meaningful ReviewIf you’re unsure where to start, here are a few simple questions to guide your review:
1. How did the book make you feel?Did it make you laugh, cry, swoon, or keep you on the edge of your seat?Did you feel transported to another place or time?Example: “This book swept me away to Tuscany, and I felt like I was right there, drinking wine under the stars!”
From Mollie
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Example: “I fell in love with the hero! His devotion to the heroine melted my heart.”
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Example: “If you love feel-good romances with a touch of adventure, this book is for you!”
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4. Short and Sweet Works Too!A review doesn’t have to be long. Even a single sentence helps!
Example: “This book was a beautiful escape—I couldn’t put it down!”
Reviews of My Books—From Readers Just Like YouI want to share a few reviews from readers who wrote straight from the heart. They weren’t professional critics—just book lovers like you.
Love in Venice“Mollie Mathews has a way of making you feel like you’re right there, walking through the winding streets of Venice. I fell in love with the city and the characters. A truly magical read!”
Love in Montana“This book had me laughing, crying, and completely immersed in the love story. Jack and Lizzie’s chemistry was sizzling, and I couldn’t get enough of their banter!”
Love in Tuscany“I finished this book in one sitting! The descriptions of Tuscany were so vivid, and the romance was utterly swoon-worthy. I can’t wait to read more by Mollie Mathews!”
Ready to Write Your First Review?If you’ve ever read one of my books—or any book—that moved you, I encourage you to share your thoughts. Remember: there’s no wrong way to write a review. Whether it’s a heartfelt paragraph or a single sentence, what matters most is that it’s your voice.
And if you’d like to leave a review for one of my books, you can do so on:
Amazon Goodreads BookBub
Thank you for supporting books and authors—you make a difference!
Have you ever struggled with writing a review? Or do you have a favorite book review you’ve written or read? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
Mollie Mathews
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