Book Love, Big Impact

Hi Reader,

Last week we talked about the importance of Amazon reviews for writers. This week we're talking about the other internet book powerhouse, Goodreads.

How to Write a Goodreads Review (and how it’s different from Amazon)

Goodreads is the cozy book club on the internet—more conversation, more context, more “why this worked for me.” Reviews here tend to be a bit longer and more in-depth than on Amazon because you’re talking to fellow readers first, not a storefront. Think: a friendly rec you’d give at your local indie shop, plus a few nerdy details for readers who love comps, tropes, and vibes.

Key differences at a glance

Purpose & audience:
• Amazon: Marketplace. Short, skimmable reviews help shoppers decide and boost a book’s sales signals.
• Goodreads: Community. Reviews can be longer, chatty, and personal—perfect for sharing why a book hit for you, what it pairs with, and where it sits on your shelves.
Length & depth:
It’s normal on Goodreads to add a little more: your reading mood, favorite trope moments, and a line you underlined.
Shelves & discovery:
Tag your review with shelves like “found-family,” “slow-burn,” or “heists”—these help other readers find the book by vibe/trope.
Spoilers:
Goodreads lets you hide spoilers. If you mention to a twist or late-book reveal, mark that section as a spoiler so future readers can enjoy the surprise.
Verified purchase:
Amazon shows “Verified Purchase.” Goodreads doesn’t—so reviews are welcome whether you borrowed, bought elsewhere, or listened on audio.

Star ratings: Goodreads vs. Amazon

Both use 1–5 stars, but the culture is slightly different.

Goodreads star meanings (their actual labels):
★☆☆☆☆ Did not like it
★★☆☆☆ It was OK
★★★☆☆ Liked it
★★★★☆ Really liked it
★★★★★ It was amazing
(There are no half-stars on Goodreads.) A 3★ on Goodreads is positive—“liked it”—and totally normal.
Amazon star culture (simplified):
3★ often reads as neutral/“meh” to shoppers. If you liked a book, consider 5★ (“really liked it”) on Amazon.

Paste-Ready Goodreads Review Template

Use this if you want a bit more room than my Amazon quick-hit template. Copy, fill in the brackets, and post:

Headline: [Emotion or vibe] — [Short hook]
Rating: ★★★★☆ (Really liked it)
Why I read it: I was in the mood for [trope/genre] and this promised [premise].
What I loved:
• [Specific character/relationship beat]
• [A craft moment—voice, structure, setting, humor, tension]
• [One scene or detail that stuck with you]
The vibe & tropes: [e.g., found family, slow burn, grumpy/sunshine, heist crew] — if you liked [Comp Title A] and [Comp Title B], this hits that sweet spot.
Pacing & tone: [e.g., brisk and bantery / lush and contemplative / high-stakes and twisty]
Who it’s for: Readers who enjoy [two to three qualities] and don’t mind [minor caveat, if any—e.g., a darker middle act, multi-POV, etc.]
Favorite line (optional): “[short quote]”
Content notes (optional): [Brief heads-up if relevant]
Bottom line: [One-sentence verdict—how you felt leaving the last page]

Killer Combo

Want to be a superstar? Post your fuller review on Goodreads, then paste a trimmed version on Amazon. That combo helps both readers (context!) and authors (visibility!) in under five minutes.

Consider

Think of a review as a high-five that the whole bookstore can see. It’s fast—two to five sentences—and it massively helps authors reach new readers, secure ads, and keep the creative lights on.

While We’re Talking About Reviews

If How to Turn Your Screenplay into a Novel has been your creative espresso shot, please drop a review—just a sentence or two—on Amazon or Goodreads. Reviews help other screenwriters + novelists find it and keep me writing tips and tricks for you.

👉 Amazon | 👉 Goodreads