A goodreads friend that I hardly know asked me to read their book. I agreed because I actually thought it was a non-fiction adult book but turns out it’s a children’s book. I use that description loosely. I read it yesterday and it’s the most awful thing. Part of me wonders if I’m being trolled and the other wonders if this person legitimately thinks they did a good job.
My question to you is; Should I review honestly or one-star it and walk away?
cupcakesandmachetes 
If they are someone you don’t personally know, there should be no reason to sugar-coat your review.
Thanks! That’s kind of my train of thought too.
I think you need to review it honestly – not brutally though! That’s something I was reading a thread about on Twitter a couple of days ago. Why do people have to be brutally honest? Basically the thread was saying that when people are brutally honest the focus is usually much more on the brutal than the honest. As a book reviewer you have to say the things you didn’t enjoy and why you didn’t enjoy them, otherwise other people who trust your reviews will also think they should give the book a try. Of course it might work out for them – who knows. But, I still think you have to go down the honesty/constructive criticism approach.
Lynn 😀
Agree with this 100%. And a good, honest, critical review is always going to be taken better (over time) than one that just eviscerates its subject matter. It may take the writer time to come to terms with that but a good creator will eventually see that the review wasn’t mean spirited but honest and critical and they may then take those criticisms to heart for future endeavors.
Yeah, I’m thinking this is the route I’ll probably take. I don’t want to sugar coat anything but I also don’t want to destroy someone’s dream to write if this is a legitimate attempt at writing.
I’m definitely one of those people who tends to lean towards brutally honest but only on books I truly hate. I didn’t hate this, but it was definitely bad. I’ll probably do your suggestion of being honest but use the constructive criticism route.
I agree with the other commenters. I’d write a respectful but honest review. Hopefully this writer will appreciate your honesty.
Thanks. I think this is probably what I’ll do. 🙂
It’s certainly a bit of a quandary indeed, but I also think an honest but civil review is the way forward.
Thanks, I think that’s the route I’m going to take.
Hmm… this is a tricky one. If I was in your position I would definitely give it an honest review. However, I would not stop at that. Given that it’s your friend, I would also add some constructive recommendations and advise on what could have made this book better and what you would hope the author does differently in the future.
Good luck! ❤
I would use the word friend loosely. They added me and then a couple of days later asked me to read it. I think I’ll be honest and give constructive criticism. Thanks for the advice!
Ahhh- I see, well then go for it! Be as honest as needed!!! 🙂
Always be honest in everything you do.
Honesty is the best policy, just make sure your criticism is balanced. If you can make a suggestion on how they can improve the book, it will make your feedback less harsh and more constructive.
Thanks for the advice.
You’re welcome.
Oof, that’s a rough situation.
I totally get what you mean about the issue of being honest in your review, but not wanting to light their writing dreams on fire, stamp out the flames, and pee on the ashes. 😛
I think the people leaving the other commenters here have the right idea. Honesty and constructive criticism are probably the best route. Hopefully they’ll take it to heart and it will help their writing grow. 🙂
Yeah….I just dread writing it now lol. It was so bad. So bad.
Oh man this is rough and one of the many problems with reviewing things by people you (even sort of) know. One of the best ways to get out of it is to declare that it’s not your preferred genre so you don’t think you can give an adequate and/or accurate review. Since you’re not the intended audience, it wouldn’t technically be a lie!
It would not technically be a lie but at the same time, I don’t think people of the intended genre should read it. I found it a little inappropriate for the age group. I think I’m going to constructive criticism the hell out of it. If they delete me, oh well. Really if they follow my reviews, they probably should have known better than to ask me. Lol.
Ooooh, I got you. So it wasn’t even good for the intended audience. I agree with the other commenters then. You should do the concrit route. I find that telling someone why you feel/think a certain way about a part is really useful. That way you’re telling them what they can do to fix it instead of just shitting all over their work. Your reviews are usually good for that. You’ll at least say why something doesn’t work, even if they are brutal :p
Hah true. I think this will be a tomorrow morning project. When I have more time to sit and contemplate what I want to say.
I always believe that true friends accept the truth, even if it hurts. If they don’t, they were never my friend in the first place. It is hard to be honest in this case though. 😦
That’s is very true and I follow that with real life friends. In this case, I’ve accepted that they will either get very mad and/or delete me and that’s okay. It’s not someone I talk to very often so I’m probably thinking into more than I should anyway.