Indie book reviews

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IndieReader’s reviewers are tough, but fair

Our Reviewers won’t judge your book as compared to other self-published titles, but against other books, period. Our ratings are based on the following criteria, although reviewers are able to award partial stars (i.e. a 1.3 or a 4.7), rather than rounding up or down to a whole or half number.

1/5

Really bad 
Work on it.

2/5

Mediocre
1-2 bright spots.

3/5

Good
Worth reading.

4/5

Very Good
1-2 spots that need work

5/5

Excellent!
Must-read.

* IndieReader receives compensation for most of the books it reviews, along with copies of those books.

IR Approved
June 14, 2026

A SMILE IN EVERY SEASON

By Paul Z Alber
Rating:
4.4 / 5.0

Reflecting on LGBTQ relationships, religious customs, and family values, Paul Z. Alber's A SMILE IN EVERY SEASON illustrates in depth the experiences of finding acceptance,...

IR Approved
May 18, 2026

I AM DANVERS

By Kate Kaminski
Rating:
4.2 / 5.0

Written by Kate Kaminski, I AM DANVERS proves an innovative prequel-meets-origin-story for the novel Rebecca and the character of Mrs. Danvers.

May 16, 2026

TWINE: A Novel

By Joshua Senter
Rating:
3.5 / 5.0

Joshua Senter’s raw, startling TWINE paints a vivid portrait of a rural town full of complex characters, even as superfluous passages dictating backstory bog down...

IR Approved
March 19, 2026

THE COLOR OF OUR NAMES

By Mahitab Mahmoud
Rating:
4.3 / 5.0

THE COLOR OF OUR NAMES is a culturally grounded and meticulously structured novella by Mahitab Mahmoud, providing a disciplined examination of identity in the face...

IR Approved
January 21, 2026

BRAVE: Story of a Trans Woman

By K.K.
Rating:
4.1 / 5.0

Written by K.K., BRAVE: Story of a Trans Woman offers piquant commentary on the chaotic, harrowing, but ultimately uplifting story of a trans woman's journey...

IR Approved
December 10, 2025

Lost Village

By Michael Saver
Rating:
4.0 / 5.0

Michael Saver's LOST VILLAGE sets the stage for what promises to be a series of clever, tight-knit murder mysteries.

IR Approved
November 10, 2025

DÉJÀ VU

By Niki C.
Rating:
4.0 / 5.0

Written by Niki C., DÉJÀ VU is a profoundly moving and beautiful piece of prose poetry, as well as a formidable cry of overwhelming pain...

Rating:
3.8 / 5.0

C.J. Loveman’s PROTOCOL HERESY: The Limp in the Code draws on moving and meaningful subject matter, although it doesn’t fully develop that potential across its...

September 3, 2025

PROMISE KEEPER

By Verde Arzu
Rating:
3.9 / 5.0

Verde Arzu’s PROMISE KEEPER never loses sight of its rich and timely thematic heart.

IR Approved
August 27, 2025

A FRIEND OF DOROTHY’S

By Richard Willett
Rating:
4.5 / 5.0

Richard Willett’s A FRIEND OF DOROTHY’S beautifully evokes how the AIDS crisis complicated the humanity of gay life for men in the ‘80s and ‘90s.

May 28, 2025

MAKE THE DARK NIGHT SHINE

By Alan Lessik
Rating:
3.8 / 5.0

Though it feels overly simplistic at times, Alan Lessik’s MAKE THE DARK NIGHT SHINE remains a captivating vision of humanity in the interbellum period.

May 14, 2025

A SMILE IN EVERY SEASON

By Paul Z Alber
Rating:
2.3 / 5.0

While the underlying subject matter is rich and fascinating, Paul Z. Alber's A SMILE IN EVERY SEASON struggles to overcome its structural problems.

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