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
September 5, 2025

BICENTENNIAL SUMMER

By Mary Berelson
Rating:
4.5 / 5.0

An alternately heartwarming, heartbreaking, and laugh-out-loud funny novel, Mary Berelson's BICENTENNIAL SUMMER captures the fears, doubts, joys, and regrets of adolescence—along with the troubling realization...

September 5, 2025

BOURBON BASH

By Abby Reilly
Rating:
3.8 / 5.0

Abby Reilly's BOURBON BASH is a spirited small-town mystery that stands out for its immersive setting.

September 3, 2025

APOSTATE: The First Heresy

By C.J. Loveman
Rating:
3.5 / 5.0

C.J. Loveman's APOSTATE: The First Heresy provides a glimpse of the change that can be sparked when someone finds the courage to live authentically and...

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
Rating:
4.2 / 5.0

J.L. Spears’s DAEMON PROTOCOL is a smart, fun, and timely warning about the unintended consequences of reckless AI development.

September 1, 2025

PUT A BUG IN YOUR EAR

By Sam Sumac
Rating:
2.5 / 5.0

Sam Sumac’s PUT A BUG IN YOUR EAR wears its heart on its sleeve, but it can’t quite capture the fun of old-school movie magic.

IR Approved
Rating:
4.5 / 5.0

THE POWER OF DIGITAL IDENTITY: Winning Customer Trust and Transforming Experience is a lucidly written and comprehensive guide for businesses looking to improve their customer...

IR Approved
Rating:
4.5 / 5.0

Thoughtful and clear-eyed, David C. Blivin’s CROSSING THE CACTUS: A Blueprint for Tech Commercialization Success Outside Silicon Valley is a useful primer for anyone seeking...

August 29, 2025

THE ACADIAN: Olivier

By Phillip Daigle
Rating:
3.9 / 5.0

Phillip Daigle’s THE ACADIAN: Olivier (The Origins of Acadia Series Book 2) is a rich, exciting view on the complex colonial period of Acadian history.

IR Approved
August 27, 2025

GONE COUNTRY

By Hunter Snow
Rating:
4.6 / 5.0

Hunter Snow’s GONE COUNTRY is a witty, heartfelt romance that blends sharp banter, authentic musical detail, and slow-burn connection into a story that hits just...

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.

IR Approved
August 25, 2025

SUNSHINE ON THE CROOKED ROAD

By Ndirangu Githaiga
Rating:
4.0 / 5.0

SUNSHINE ON THE CROOKED ROAD is an engaging and enjoyable family drama. For international readers, Ndirangu Githaiga’s African setting and clever use of vernacular dialect...

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