The Complexity of Reviews

Reader reactions to books are fickle friends.

I’ve heard the advice to write the second book before reviews come in. It’s good advice! Bad reviews can swiftly tank a writer’s confidence and even good reviews can add pressure to live up to reader expectations. 

I thought, “Whew! My book doesn’t come out until August. I’ll have PLENTY of time.”

Except I forgot about one little thing: early readers.

My book has now been available for early readers on NetGalley and Edelweiss for a few weeks. That means reviews are beginning to roll out on the internet.

I really thought I was mentally prepared to cut myself off and ignore them. Turns out, I was wrong. I was addicted to Goodreads. I’d been checking it four and five times a day for updates on how many people added it as “to read.” No, the number didn’t usually change, but checking became a habit. The tab was open on my phone, so I refreshed. 

Suddenly, the to-read number wasn’t the only one changing.

Goodreads graph for Silent Sister aka the tab obsessively open on my phone.

There was one rating that got to me, not because of the stars, but because I recognized the name of who gave it. It messed with me for a solid 24 hrs. Given all the other recent Goodreads drama, I had to commit to abstaining from Goodreads altogether, or at least my book’s page. I wanted to stop. Really, I did. 

But it wasn’t that easy.

My mind thought about it multiple times a day and my thumbs started typing the website at least half of those. Every time I made a commitment to stop, something pulled me back: accidentally catching a glimpse of my book’s page while trying to check another book, seeing my book appear on my homepage because someone else was currently reading it. Something. Anything. 

Those I’ve shared my struggle with have been very supportive. They’ve offered to send me good reviews so I never need to see the rest, but I’m still figuring out if I should read even those. Reviews haven’t yet interfered with my writing process for book 2, but it’s easy to see how they could.

See, it would be easier to quit Goodreads if it wasn’t so fun! Ooh, three more people marked my book as “to-read.” Gasp! Six people are currently reading. Eep! Another five star rating! Yay! Plus, I’ve had SO much fun reading the reviews I’ve been tagged in on social media, and those are nothing compared to friends sending me their reactions while they’re reading or after they’ve finished. Those make me laugh with joy and cackle with glee. I save screenshots and reread them over and over.

At the same time, I am terrified of encountering the friend who does not love Silent Sister. It’s a book meant for teens; many of my friends are no longer teens and may not enjoy the style. I understand that! Truly. However, I’m not sure all my friends believe me, and I’m afraid they’ll feel awkward.

I’ve heard stories of writers losing friends because their friends don’t know how to overcome the awkwardness of not reading or not liking a book.

That’s why I’ve made a commitment to never ask someone if they’ve read it or what they think. I’d love to hear good things, but I never want to put someone in an awkward position. 

In fact, when I added one advanced reader copy to my classroom library, I made students sign up on a wait list using a Google form. Before they signed up, they had to agree to these terms:

1. I have never taught a book that every single reader has loved. Please know that even if you read and don't like this book, you will always be respected and valued. Your opinion of my book does not change my opinion of you. Also, I will NEVER ask you how you liked it. If you wish to tell me good things, I would LOVE to hear them, but I won't seek it out because I don't want to put anyone in an uncomfortable position.

2. I want to be fair, so the reading order will be randomized, and to prevent one person from clogging the train, the book will have a two-week limit on it before it needs to be returned.

3. NO SPOILERS. By signing up for this, you agree not to discuss the ending of the book with ANYONE who has not read it, and when discussing with someone who has read it,  do not do it within earshot of others. This is a way to respect fellow readers and me.

4. Reviews really make a difference, whether good or bad. If you read, I would love for you to leave a review on Goodreads.com. Please know this is not a requirement, and I have banished myself from checking my Goodreads page so I will never know if you left a review or what it says. I trust you to be respectful even if it wasn't a good fit for you as a reader.

It is infinitely scarier having people I know read the books than strangers. It is also exponentially more exciting. 

Before I go, I will leave you with the best review I’ve read so far: 

Wow! I feel like I have been struck by lightning! After turning the last page, tears streaming down my face, I found myself sitting on the couch, staring at the wall, immersed in thoughts about this extraordinary book and its captivating protagonists, Grace and Maddy. Their story not only touched my heart but left an indelible emotional scar that lingers.

Some books go beyond the conventional five-star rating; they deserve a grading system that denotes their exceptional nature. This book unequivocally falls into the category of plus 5 stars—truly remarkable and deserving of extra praises, applause, adoration, and high recommendations. The two words that come to mind to describe it are intelligent and poignant.

As I delved into the last third of the book, I was both shocked, as if the rug had been pulled out from under me, and moved to tears, with my emotions flowing like a torrent that threatened to blur the words on the page. It felt like driving in a car on a rainy day when the windshield wipers suddenly cease to work.

The plot centers around a significant mystery: during a class trip, two sisters go missing. While Grace is found injured, her sister Maddy remains lost. The narrative explores the events of that fateful night when the sisters ventured down to the lakeside far from their accommodation. What transpired that night, driving them to leave their rooms?

Grace, grappling with amnesia concerning the incident, confronts the possibility that she might be responsible for her sister's plight. She, the popular girl and star volleyball player, holds a scholarship in a prestigious college, while Maddy, the silent sister and poet, lives in the shadow of her more extroverted sibling. Maddy struggles with feelings of being unseen, unloved, and overlooked, like a second-hand, invisible sister.

Both sisters harbor secrets, conforming to societal expectations dictated by their high school roles. As Grace becomes a person of interest, she must unravel the truth, digging into her sister's life to understand her own role and prove she's not the one who harmed Maddy. But what if she did? What if the harm inflicted is irreparable?

This book transcends the realm of merely being good—it is excellent and utterly fascinating! I applaud Megan Davidhizar until my palms ache. She has secured a spot on my auto-approved author list. Don't miss the chance to read this fantastic book; it deserves a prominent place on your TBR list and an immediate read.

Many thanks to Random House Children’s/Delacorte Press for generously sharing this fantastic book's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.

-Nilufer O. on NetGalley