Help for Reviewers
Read books for free! All we ask in exchange is for you to share your thoughts and write an honest, unbiased review. If you are willing to accept this, hop in and join us today!
Reading Alley offers a variety of books from different genres that cater to all types of reviewer interests. Have the opportunity to read and review pre-published books from both popular and up-and-coming authors before they hit the shelves.
Earn Great Rewards Too
From the moment you sign up with us, you are automatically enrolled in the Reading Alley Rewards Program. The program gives RA Points for participating in the activities at the site. Accumulate enough points to redeem attractive rewards!
Check our enhanced rewards program here.
Sign Up
If you're ready, signing up at Reading Alley is a simple 3 step process:
  1. Account Sign Up.
    Sign up for your free acount here.
  2. Email Verification.
    We will send verification email ID to the email address that you specified during the sign up process. Click on the link in the email to verify your account.
  3. Complete Your Profile.
    Log in, go to My Profile and fill in your bio and other personal information including your genres of interest and social media accounts.
This will complete your account sign up process. You may now start browsing and requesting for books to review. Please see the FAQ questions below for more details.
Frequently Asked Questions
    Account Sign-up
  • I have not written any reviews before. Can I still sign up for an account?
    Yes. The important thing is to have a willingness to invest some time and pen your honest, unbiased thoughts on a book. Guide topics will be provided to help ensure you cover all aspects that can help provide other readers a good insight into a book.
  • I do not want to write a review, and I am not an author or publisher. Can I still sign up for an account?
    We discourage readers requesting for free books with no intention of writing a review. Authors and publishers at Reading Alley provide free copies of their books with the understanding that they will get an honest, unbiased review or feedback on their work. This is the basic trust we promote at our site, and what we seek every member's understanding to uphold.
  • Which member type should I select when registering?
    Reading Alley offers 3 distinct member types. During sign up, you will need to select the most appropriate type that fits your profile.
    • Member/Reviewer:
      • Readers who want to review
    • Author:
      • Authors who want to submit their books for review
      • Independent authors who self-publish their books
      • Personal assistants of authors who are authorized by the authors to put up their books for review
    • Publisher:
      • Publishing companies that publish different authors' works
      • Publicity companies (inclusive of publicists)
    • Requesting Books
  • Why do I need to update my profile?
    Before you can request for a book, we require you to update your profile. At the very least, please fill in your bio, genre interests and social media links, if any.
    Publishers and authors will check a reviewer's profile and credentials before approving or declining a request. Note that publishers and authors are after exposure for their books. Their decision to grant approval for a review copy will depend on their impression on whether the reviewer can give them the exposure they're looking for.
    Also check out the next question on the ways to increase your chances of getting approval for your requests.
  • How many books can I request?
    You can have a maximum of 5 outstanding book requests at any given time. You can free up a slot when you submit a review on any of the books you requested.
  • How do I increase the chances that my request will get approved?
    Update your Profile Page with as much relevant information as possible. Factors that can affect your chances of being approved are:
    1. Where you post reviews
      • Do you own a blog where you post your reviews?
      • Or are you a member of a review site/blog that posts your reviews?
      • Do you post your reviews on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Good Reads and other online book sites?
    2. Your reach
      • How many followers do you have?
      • On which social media are you active?
      • How many page hits and page views does your blog get?
      • Or, if you don't have a blog, the stats of the review site or blog in which you're a reviewer also helps.
    3. Also, your review ratio at Reading Alley
      • Do you have an acceptable review-to-approval ratio? I.e. how many reviews you've submitted vs. how many requested books were approved.
      • When was the last time you submitted a review?
    To update your profile, go to My Profile page.
  • Where can I see the books available at Reading Alley?
    Books listed on Reading Alley span across a variety of genre of both fiction and non-fiction. These titles may already be published for sale or they could be advanced galleys (advanced reader copies or ARCs) awaiting future publication.
    You can browse all available books on the respective genre pages. In addition, the Reading Alley site home page and the Fiction and Non-Fiction home pages showcase Featured Books and books that have been Recently Added.
    Note that not all books will be available for review at a given time. Books that are available for review will have a 'Request' button on the top right of their respective book page.
  • I saw "2X Rewards" on some of the books. What does it mean?
    A book that has a "2X Rewards" label on top of it is a Featured Book. Reviewers who submit reviews for that book will get double the RA Points that he would normally receive. Check out the questions on the Reading Alley Rewards Program in the Members' Help section for more details.
  • How do I request for a review copy?
    Click on the cover to go into the book details page. Books that are available for review have a 'Request' button on the top right.
  • Why is there no Request button on some of the books?
    Books that do not have a Request button are not available for review.
  • What happens after I request for a book?
    After you click the Request button, the author/publisher of the book will receive your request and determine whether to approve or decline your request. You will receive an email once your request is processed.
    If your request is approved, you may proceed to download a copy for review. If your request is declined, you may continue to browse and request other titles on the site.
    • Downloading and Reading Books
  • What are the formats of the books offered on Reading Alley for review?
    Reading Alley offers the following formats for review: PDF, EPUB, MOBI and Kindle.
    Note that availability of a particular format will depend on what the author or publisher provides.
  • Can I share the files that I downloaded from Reading Alley?
    No. You are violating copyright if you do so, which is punishable by law. Read more about piracy and its consequences. The files that you receive from Reading Alley are for your own personal reading only.
  • Where can I read the ebooks I downloaded from Reading Alley?
    You can read your downloaded ebooks on one of the following devices:
    • Computer/Laptop - PDF, EPUB. Via apps like Adobe Reader (PDF), Adobe Digital Edition (PDF, ePUB).
    • iPhone/iPad - PDF, EPUB. Via apps like Bluefire Reader, ebook Reader.
    • Kindle tablet - PDF, MOBI, Kindle ebook
    • Kobo - PDF, EPUB
    • Nook - PDF, EPUB
    • Sony Ebook Reader - PDF, EPUB
  • I don't have a Kindle, but I want to read the Kindle ebook. Can I do that?
    Yes. Check out this link for more information.
  • How do I set up my Kindle to receive review copies from Reading Alley?
    Make sure you have done the following:
    • On your Amazon Account, go to Manage Your Content and Devices.
    • From Settings, scroll down to Personal Document Settings.
    • Under Approved Personal Document E-mail List, add kindle@readingalley.com.
    • Take note of your kindle email address, which you can find on this same page under Personal Document Settings. The email ends in '@kindle.com' or '@free.kindle.com'.
    • Then, go to My Profile at Reading Alley, and input your kindle email address under Account Info.
    If you are still encountering problems, please contact us.
  • I sent a review copy to read on my Kindle, but I never received it. Why?
    You may not have set up your Kindle to receive review copies from Reading Alley. Check out the previous question's answer regarding setting up your Kindle and your account at Reading Alley.
    Another thing is to make sure you are in a Wi-Fi zone when you send a review copy to your Kindle.
  • Does Amazon charge fees if I choose to send the review copy to my Kindle?
    Amazon doesn't charge fees for delivery of personal documents to Fire & Kindle devices transferred over Wi-Fi, via USB, or delivered to Kindle reading apps. However, there is a document processing fee if you use Whispernet on Kindle devices. For more information, please refer to this link.
    • Writing and Posting Reviews
  • Do I have to write a review?
    Yes. Authors and publishers have put a lot of work in all the books you request. When they provide a review copy for free to reviewers, it is with the understanding that they will get an honest review or feedback.
    The exception to this are books received as a winner of contests, giveaways, promotional activities, etc.
  • Can I submit a negative review?
    Yes. However, please make sure your review is unbiased and tackle points in the book. Don't use the review as a personal attack on the author.
  • What happens if I don't submit a review (and I have no intention of submitting a review)?
    The following things may happen:
    • The publisher/author may not approve your future requests for other books up for review.
    • Your review-to-approval ratio will decline and will reflect poorly on you.
  • I want to write a review, but I don't know how. Can you give me some guidelines?
    A review is basically your opinion about the book. It reflects what you think and feel about the book after reading it. However, sometimes, what you feel about the book could be so big and so wide and varied that it's hard to organize your thoughts. To give you a starting point in writing your review, we've come up with some guide topics that may help organize your views, provided in the Review Guideline section below.
    One more thing on reviews: Confine your opinions and comments on the book. Keep spoilers to a minimum.
  • What are inappropriate reviews?
    Make sure you don't submit inappropriate reviews. Inappropriate reviews are reviews that could be:
    • Badly written.
    • Offensive, such as when the review attacks the author.
    • Plagiarized.
    The moderator reserves the right to evaluate situations on a case-by-case basis. The decision of the moderator is final.
    One important thing to note is that inappropriate reviews are different from negative reviews.
  • Will my review be posted on the site?
    When you submit a review, it will be visible only to the author or publisher of the book. However, the author or publisher may at his discretion post your review at the site.
  • Why is there an option to write a feedback?
    The feedback option is for you to provide a direct feedback to the author or publisher. If, for some reason, you aren't able to write a review (for example, the book turns out to be not to your liking or it won't be fair to write a review when you can't finish reading the book), you may provide a feedback directly to the author or publisher instead, with points listed as to the reasons you aren't able to read further or decided against a review. Or points for improvement (an example would be a suggestion for a second edit, if the numerous editing errors prevented you from reading further).
    It is only courtesy to give an answer (whether by feedback or review) to the author or publisher who has given you a review copy in good faith.
    Feedback is visible only to the author or publisher of the book; it will not be publicly visible. You are subjected to the same guidelines as with writing a review and therefore abusive or non-constructive messages will not be tolerated.
  • Can I still submit a review after I had given a feedback?
    Yes.
  • Why do I need to put an FTC Disclosure statement in my review?
    The FTC requires that bloggers who post reviews disclose the source of the book they are reviewing. Click here for more information.
    Hence, to comply with this requirement, please mention in your review that you got a copy of the book from the author/publisher through Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
  • Can authors quote from my reviews?
    When you use the Reading Alley site, you grant authors the right to quote your reviews for whatever purpose they deem fit, in full or in part, throughout the world in any media. You will be given full credit for your reviews.
  • I want to post my review on Amazon. What do I need to do?
    To post your review on Amazon, the headline on your review at Amazon should be exactly the same as the headline at Reading Alley.
  • I want to post my review on Goodreads. What do I need to do?
    To post your review on Goodreads, include the headline at the start of your review when posting to Goodreads.
  • How do I submit the Amazon and Goodreads links of my review?
    When the author approves your review for posting at the site, you'll receive an email from Reading Alley. First, post your review on Amazon and Goodreads using the guide on the preceding two questions. Once you're done, click on the link inside the email and you'll be taken to a page where you can input your Amazon and Goodreads review links.
    • Rewards Program
  • What is the Rewards Program?
    Reading Alley offers incentives to reviewers as a means of encouraging them to actively participate in the activities at the site. All reviewers are included in the Rewards Program from the moment they sign up at Reading Alley.
    As a reviewer, you are rewarded for being active and participating in the different activities we have at the site. You earn RA Points upon completion of the activity.
    RA Points are credited to your account. You may see your balance on your profile page
    Check out our enhanced rewards program here.
  • How do I earn RA Points?
    You may earn RA Points via the following activities:
    Activity Base RA Points Remarks
    Review submission
    First 10 submissions - 10 Points
    11th-30th submissions - 1 Point
    Must be within the first 30 submitted reviews for the book, and
    Must be submitted within 3 months from approval of request
    Post review in Amazon (by invitation)
    First 10 submissions - 5 Points
    11th-30th submissions - 1 Point
    Post review in Goodreads (by invitation)
    First 10 submissions - 5 Points
    11th-30th submissions - 1 Point
    Ad hoc activities like the Grand Opening Event, etc As and when, so drop by the site often to be updated on upcoming events. Or Like our Facebook page and be a Twitter follower to receive updated news.
    More RA points-earning activities coming soon!
  • How can I accelerate the number of RA Points I earn?
    Every review you submit earns you a base of 1 RA Point. If you are the first 10 reviewer of a book, you will earn a base of 10 RA Points instead. In addition, there are ways you can accelerate earning RA Points:
    • Upgrade your Reviewer Level. When you first sign up, you start as a New Reviewer. As you submit reviews, your account will be upgraded to Regular, Silver, Gold, and Platinum level accordingly. Click here for more information.
    • Review Promoted Books. Certain books will have '2x Rewards' labeled on top of their book covers. These are books that have more intense promotion on the site. Submitting a review for these titles earn you double the amount of RA Points that you normally get.
    • Post Your Review on Amazon and Goodreads.
    • Participate in Activities. From time to time, we will conduct ad hoc activities where participants have the chance to win attractive prizes, including RA Points.
  • How many extra RA points do I earn with books that are indicated with 2x Rewards?
    Please refer to Scenario A of the next question.
  • Can you give me an illustration of the different ways I can earn regular and extra RA Points?
    For all the scenarios below, we assume the review is one of the first 10 submissions of the book.
    Scenario A: You submitted a review for a Promoted Book.
    Promote Book Multiplier = 2 x Base RA Points
    = 2 x 10 RA Points
    = 20 RA Points
    Instead of 10 RA Points that you earn with a regular submission, you get 20 RA Points.
    Scenario B: You are a Platinum Reviewer, and you submitted a review for a non-Promoted Book.
    Regular Review 10 RA Points
    Platinum Reviewer + 10 RA Points
    Total 20 RA Points
    Scenario C: You are a Platinum Reviewer, and you submitted a review for a Promoted Book.
    Regular Review 10 RA Points
    Promoted Book + 10 RA Points
    Platinum Reviewer + 10 RA Point
    Total 30 RA Points
  • When do I get double RA Points for a Promoted Book?
    Scenario Double RA Points Remarks
    Scenario A
    I requested and was approved to review a non-Promoted Book. Subsequently, the book was Promoted, and then I submitted a review. Do I get double RA Points?
    		 Yes Conditions:
    • Your review must be in the first 30 submitted, and
    • Must be submitted within 3 months of approval
    Scenario B
    I submitted a review for a Promoted Book. However, the promotion was over when I submitted the review. Do I get double RA Points?
    		 Yes Conditions:
    • Your review must be in the first 30 submitted, and
    • Must be submitted within 3 months of approval
    Scenario C
    I requested to review after the promotion was over and subsequently submitted the review within 3 months of approval. My review is also one of the first 30 that was submitted for the book. Do I get double RA Points?
    		 No The promotion was over when you requested to review the book. You will, however, get the base 10 RA Points.
  • When do I get the points in my account?
    Your RA Points is recalculated once a corresponding action is performed, i.e. submit a review, post the review on Amazon and Goodreads and submit the links, author reports your review as inappropriate, etc.
  • What if my review was flagged and found to be inappropriate?
    Should you receive any RA Points for a review that was subsequently found to be inappropriate, the points you received corresponding to the review will be deducted accordingly.
  • I've received an email inviting me to post my review on Amazon. What do I need to do to earn the additional 5 RA Points?
    1. When you post your review on Amazon, the headline on your review at Amazon should be exactly the same as the headline at Reading Alley.
    2. Get the direct Amazon URL of your review.
      On the book page, search for your review and click on the headline.
      That will take you to a page that contains only your review. Copy the URL at the top of the page.
    3. Click on the link in the email. It will take you to the page where you can submit your Amazon review link.
      Alternatively, go to the page where you submitted your review at Reading Alley. On the top right, click on "Edit Review". You'll be taken to a page where you'll see in blue letters "Post this review on Amazon and Goodreads to earn additional PA points. Update your links here." Click on that link.
    4. Paste the URL inside the box that is beside the words Amazon. Click "Submit Links" when you're done.
      Note: You can submit the Amazon link and Goodreads link at the same time.
  • I've received an email inviting me to post my review on Goodreads. What do I need to do to earn the additional 5 RA Points?
    When you post your review on Goodreads, please follow these points:
    1. Since Goodreads does not ask for a headline, include it at the start of your review when posting to Goodreads.
    2. Get the direct Goodreads URL of your review. Copy the URL at the top of the page.
    3. Go to the page where you submitted your review at Reading Alley. At the bottom, you'll find two fields where you can submit your Amazon and Goodreads Links.
    4. Paste the URL inside the box that is beside the words Goodreads Link. Click "Submit Review" when you're done.
    Note: You can submit the Amazon link and Goodreads link at the same time.
  • What can I get for my RA Points?
    The list of prizes you can exchange for your accumulated RA Points can be found here.
  • When can I redeem the prizes?
    Anytime, as long as you have the minimum required number of points in your account.
    • Reviewer Level
  • What is Reviewer Level?
    Each reviewer starts off as a new member and rises through the ranks, as determined by the Reviewer Score.
  • What is the Reviewer Score?
    Reviewer Score is essentially the ratio of reviews submitted to requests approved, combined with other factors computed to derive the overall score. What is important to note is that as long as you submit the reviews for books you requested, you should have a healthy Reviewer Score.
  • What are the different Reviewer Levels? How many extra RA Points do I get at certain levels?
    Reviewer Level Reviewer Score Bonus RA Points
    New Reviewer Upon Registration
    Probationary Reviewer Less than 20%
    Regular Reviewer 20% to 49.99%
    Silver Reviewer 50% to 74.99%
    First 10 submissions - 2.5 Points
    11th-30th submissions - 0.25 Point
    Gold Reviewer 75% to 89.99%
    First 10 submissions - 5.0 Points
    11th-30th submissions - 0.5 Point
    Platinum Reviewer 90% and above
    First 10 submissions - 10 Points
    11th-30th submissions - 1 Point
  • When is my Reviewer Score updated?
    Your Reviewer Score is recalculated every time a review is submitted.
  • What if my review was subsequently flagged and found to be inappropriate?
    Your Reviewer Score will be recalculated to reflect the corresponding deduction.
  • Why is Reviewer Level important?
    Aside from getting extra points, your Reviewer Level may be one of the deciding factors whether your request to review a book is approved or declined.
  • What does it mean if I'm a Probationary Reviewer?
    You won't be able to request books for review until you improve on the score. You can do this by completing the reviews on the outstanding books on your bookshelf. Once you've raised your score to 20% or more, you will be allowed to request for more books.
    • Others
  • I'm a reviewer. Can I place a book on the site for review?
    No. Only authors and publishers or their representatives (like personal assistants and publicity companies) can place books on the site for review.
Writing Review Guide
A review is basically your constructive opinion about the book. However, sometimes what you feel about the book could be so big and so wide and varied that it's hard to organize your thoughts.
The topics below aim to give you a starting point in writing your review. It is not necessary to touch every topic when writing your review; answering 3 or 4 questions would provide a decent review of the book. Some questions may also not be applicable to the book you’ve read, so you may skip accordingly in these cases. Of course, you are likewise not confined to these points.
  • Overall Impression
    After reading the book, what is your overall impression?
    Example: Impossible to put down! Witty and bold, I Kissed an Earl is a refreshingly delightful historical romance from Julie Anne Long. (from the review of I KISSED AN EARL by Julie Anne Long at The Romance Reviews)"
  • Characters
    Who are the major characters? What can you say about them? What kind of people are they? Are they realistically drawn by the authors? Do you like them? Who was your favorite character? Why?
    Example: Violet is really not your usual heroine. Even I find her unusual. She's spoiled and arrogant and the most amusing things came out of her mouth, but the weird thing is, I like her. I like her wit, her observations of life and people, her penchant for mischief, and best of all, her love and loyalty and passion for her family. (from the review of I KISSED AN EARL by Julie Anne Long at The Romance Reviews)
  • Character Development
    Did the characters grow over the course of the story? Not all do, of course, as may be the case of plot-driven stories.
    Example: Though she starts off somewhat immature, Jane evolves into a marvelously wise, perceptive heroine, and it's that journey that makes her such a remarkable character. (from the review of SEASON FOR SCANDAL by Theresa Romain at The Romance Reviews)
  • Story / Plot / Conflict
    Was it realistic? Believable? Too fast? Or non-existent? Applicable for romance or books with romantic elements.
    The romantic development between Violet and Flint was like the slow unfurling of a rosebud, sweet and romantic and delicate, but when it reached full bloom, the passion was hot and savage and toe-curling. (from the review of I KISSED AN EARL by Julie Anne Long at The Romance Reviews)
  • Pacing of the Story
    Was it fast? Slow? Just right? Was it gripping? Did it keep you turning the pages?
    Example: I absolutely adored several things about DEATH IS THE PITS, first of which is the murder mystery/whodunit storyline. The pace was quick and the wit was sharp and Ms. Rossi kept the twists and turns going. Every 5 minutes I could see another character being the culprit, and though I thought I figured out the real story, the truth kept me guessing until the very end. (from the review of DEATH IS THE PITS by Suzanne Rossi at The Romance Reviews)
  • Author's Voice and Writing Style
    How was the author’s prose? Was it clear? Was the writing fluid or choppy? Is this her debut novel or is she a seasoned author? You may want to add a few short quotes to give readers a sense of the author’s writing style.
    Example: The writing was perfectly balanced between fun and sexy... (from the review of TOUCHED BY MIDAS by Brenna Zinn at The Romance Reviews)
  • Dialogue
    How was the dialogue? Was it realistic? Awkward? Etc.
    Example: Right from the first chapter, we enjoy some snarky fun with Tate and Noelle, their banter witty and delightful, compelling the reader to join them on their journey, which was laden with fun, heart and both quiet and hot moments. (from the review of TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD by Jamie Wesley at The Romance Reviews)
  • Wordbuilding
    What can you say about the world that the author has built? Was it believable? Can you "see" it?
    Example: This is a story dripping with historic detail. From Susanna's beloved garden to the costumes and places, readers will quickly find themselves enmeshed in the world that the author has created for her characters. Though the detail does slow the plot down at times, it is worth it for the level of sensory descriptions and vivid images. This vibrant world is the perfect environment for such strong, courageous and unique characters. (from the review of THE CHARMER by C.J. Archer at The Romance Reviews)
  • Emotions the book elicited in you
    Did it make you cry? Laugh? Want to read it again? Did you care for the characters? Can you relate to the characters or the story? Did you wish the book would never end? Why?
  • Ending of the story
    What is it about the ending that you want to tell readers? No spoilers, please! But maybe the ending jumped out at you because it was unexpected, or it was crappy, or something.
    Example: The ending of this book was a pure joy. The over-the-top drama, the last minute, perfectly-worded declarations and the beautiful sincerity in each word makes this a stunning conclusion to a fun and ultimately moving tale. (from the review of ASKING FOR TROUBLE by Tessa Bailey at The Romance Reviews)
  • Other Factors
    This refers to other stuff that may have jumped out at you that couldn’t be classified under any of the above. Maybe the book is a part of a series, and you’d like to mention it.
    Example: It isn't often that a series unfolds and develops in a way that keeps readers' attention and expectations high through each and every installment, but Dianne Duvall has done a marvelous job thus far with her Immortal Guardians. I loved being introduced to other Guardians and loyal vampires, who spice up this series and will inevitably drive it forward, and will be thrilled to see what she is planning next. (from the review of NIGHT UNBOUND by Dianne Duvall at The Romance Reviews)
  • Target Audience
    You may include a warning for readers who may be offended with or who may not like the subject of the book. For example, not everyone likes to read about violence, bondage or ménage, etc.
  • Overall Recommendation
    Do you recommend the book or not? Who do you recommend it to?
    Example: I highly recommend this series to not just paranormal romance lovers, but also to readers who enjoy thrillers, even those who do not ordinarily read romances. (from the review of THE LAST KISS GOODBYE by Karen Robards at The Romance Reviews)
  • Other Helpful Questions
    What was your favorite part/scene in the book? Why?
    What do you like best about the book?
    What do you dislike about the book?
    Would you read more by this author? Why or why not?
If you have not done so, please also read about our warning against writing inappropriate reviews.
Other Questions?
If you have another question not addressed in this section, please contact us here.
Topics
Follow Reading Alley
Contact Us
Send us an email: support@readingalley.com

Home About Us Privacy Policy Policy on Piracy Terms and Conditions

2014 - 2018 Reading Alley. All Rights Reserved.