I give my honest opinion. If my opinion is not favorable and I get denied later books because of it I wouldn't sweat it. There are a gazillion books out there to read. I'd just pick a different publisher.
I always give my honest opinion. If I gave my time to read the book, they can respect my honest opinion. I am careful to give constructive criticism and not just "I hated this, this was stupid." Especially if the book is not published yet, they may fix or change things! I have had this happen when I've given feedback and authors have e-mailed me the changes personally.
I've been reviewing a very long time and have so many books in my TBR, with new ones coming out all the time, that I don't really care about getting approved by Netgalley or freebies from an author. Actually getting those stresses me out. No more! No MORE I say (please remind me of this in a month or two). I do admit to bumping up a review by a half point from a 3 1/2 to a 4 but that's only when a system doesn't allow for 1/2 points and my text always includes all of my feelings on a book. I can't imagine having to think "good thoughts" about a book I despised in order to get more books. That seems incredibly stressful and would cause me to burn out immediately.
Yes, I need that group. Maybe we could call it BAftB ~ Back Away From the Button. Our rule could be: Before you hover your mouse, list 5 reasons why you must click the button. "Because I want it" is not sufficient reason to be included. LOL
I don't take netgalley's any more as I've got too many coming in from other places, but when I did review there I told it like it was. I've declined to review books too and also told the publishers why, didn't seem to affect my ability to pick more. In fact, even though I don't take them any more I'm still getting netgalley emails pre-approving me for books from publishers I rated poorly in the past. Is your friend new to netgalley?
That's what I figured. When you first start out it seems a bit like biting the hand that feeds you when you have to tell publishers/authors you think their book is no good. Tell your friend that feeling soon goes,lol.
I always write an honest review, actually, even after reviewing one book with 2 or 3 stars, but where I wanted the next in the series anyway, I was still approved.
I also send just a note if I didn't finish a book. I don't want to spend time on writing DNF reviews, but I think the publishers deserve to know I stopped reading, where, and why :)
Hopefully, your friend will realize that she can be honest about her reaction to a book and still get more eARCs :)
10 years ago
If a publisher blacklisted me for an unfavorable review, I'd expose them like nobody's business. I gave a Netgalley book 2 stars recently.
My average rating on goodreads is 2.88 and I still get approved for ARCs so yeah, being honest doesn't blacklist you. Since she is new, I can see why she was nervous but you should direct her to this post so she doesn't feel lonely out there :) I've been alone on not liking a book a decent amount of times but guess I am narcissistic enough to not doubt my opinion and post the unfavorable review anyway. I think losing credibility with readers would be way worse than losing the opportunity to get ARCs.
I also send just a note if I didn't finish a book. I don't want to spend time on writing DNF reviews, but I think the publishers deserve to know I stopped reading, where, and why :)
Hopefully, your friend will realize that she can be honest about her reaction to a book and still get more eARCs :)