I received a negative or inaccurate review. What should I do?
We get it: receiving a negative or inaccurate review stings. You've poured your heart into your book, so it can feel pretty personal when someone leaves a one-star review or completely misses the point of your story. Let's talk about how to handle these moments while protecting both your reputation and your sanity.
Why you shouldn't try to change reviews
Here's the deal: all major book platforms have strict rules against authors trying to influence reviews. If you reach out asking a reviewer to change their feedback, it can result in serious penalties or even getting kicked off the platform.
The reason behind this is pretty straightforward. If authors start pressuring readers, reviews lose their trustworthiness. Nobody wins when readers feel intimidated into leaving positive feedback. So as frustrating as it might be, the best move is to let the review stand and resist the urge to engage with the reviewer.
That said, if a reader crosses the line into personal attacks, that's different. Reach out to our support team at [email protected], and you can also report the review to the platform where it appeared.
One thing to remember: all reviews on Booksprout are private. Only you can see them, so they won't affect your reputation. For reviews on other platforms, only the platform itself can remove content that violates their terms of service.
Take this moment to look for opportunities
Even when a review feels unfair or just plain wrong, it can be an opportunity to step back and see your book through a reader's eyes. Ask yourself:
- Is there any way the reader could have misunderstood something in your book?
- Could your book benefit from adding or updating trigger warnings?
Sometimes you might spot small tweaks that could make your book clearer or easier to navigate. Other times, there won't be any changes needed, and that's completely fine. Negative reviews happen for all sorts of reasons, and they often reflect one reader's personal experience rather than your book's overall quality.
Focus on the readers who love your work
It's totally normal to feel disappointed or frustrated by a negative review. But here's what we recommend: shift your attention to the readers who genuinely enjoy your book.
The best way to move forward? Start a new review campaign. Getting more reviews from readers who connect with your work will naturally lessen the sting of that negative one. Plus, you'll find more of your people: the readers who truly get what you're trying to do and love sharing their enthusiasm for your book.