Welcome to my review policy page! Before sending your inquiry, please be sure to carefully read this page and include the hidden ‘password’ in your request.

This is primarily a book blog, but I review similar and related items here on occasion as well. Things like book boxes, art supplies, bookish merch, and similar items. If you are inquiring about a review or feature post for an item that is not a book, I still suggest you look through the guidelines on this page. This will help you identify the types of books I read and review here, and will likely be useful when considering the type of merchandise and items I might also be willing to feature here on Books Less Travelled.
If needed, I’ll add a special section for this, but right now I think the genres and related details will give you a working idea of the type of products that might be a good fit.

I currently accept ebooks and physical book copies.
(I don’t read audiobooks often, but I can still review them. Feel free to ask.)

My preferred digital format is epub. I can accept others, if needed.
Gift links provided through sites like Bookfunnel or Prolific Works work too.

On Booksprout, feel free to add me or request that I join your review team there if I’ve agreed to review a book for you there, or if you’ve listed a sequel there to another book I’ve read.

NOTE: I cannot currently review on Amazon or Audible. I also cannot use or receive audiobooks through Audible or Audible gift codes, as I do not have an active account there. (Spotify codes do work, though.)

If you’d be interested in an interview or a giveaway, please feel free to mention that in your email. I usually won’t ask since I know you’re busy. If interested, let me know you would like to participate in any of these extra ways to promote and help get the word out about your books, and I’ll see what we can work out.

A few things you should know before sending me a Review Request:

📕 I am the only one here, and I’m only human.

It may take time for me to get to your book, but if I’ve agreed to a review request, I will get to it. Approved requests and eARCs both take priority over my other TBR books, as I respect your time. I try to keep the turnaround window agreed upon when possible.

~~I aim for a 4-6 week turnaround from the time I receive the book to the time I have the review posted. This doesn’t always happen, but it’s the goal. The turnaround time does not start until I have the book in my possession and ready to be read.~~

📘 I’ll state in my review if I was given a copy of your book. It looks something like:

“I RECEIVED A COPY OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW”

It usually comes right at the top. Rarely do I use that exact wording…

Note: I previously changed the wording due to Amazon’s policies, and I have since started doing this for all sites and reviews posted. It will still always be mentioned for review copies and ARCs, as per FTC‘s requirements, but the wording it somewhat changed, and I use a slightly different variation on my blog from my other cross-posted reviews.

📗 I always try to be as unbiased as possible in my review. The result is sometimes not the prettiest, nor the most flattering thing in the world, but it’s honest. In the end, that’s what you asked for, and that’s what I offer. Not all books are right for everyone, and you can’t change or control someone else’s opinion. If I didn’t like it, I didn’t like it. It happens.

That said, I do try to be as considerate and thoughtful in my reviews as possible. While I will mention any concerning content or anything I wasn’t a fan of in the story if it comes up, I do try to be respectful of the author and to keep comments, good or bad, focused on the book itself.

I also try to consider the things that I would have liked to know about a book before reading (content warnings, especially for unexpected things like violence/gore/bullying and/or spice in what otherwise appeared to be a ‘cutesy fluff’ story. {Please don’t take offense to that term being used here. It’s not meant to be offensive, just one clear example I can offer that was based on past reading experiences.}

((Example: In a war/soldier story, violence or similar content is likely to be expected, but not so much a cupcake bakery romance or other Hallmark type story…Yes, it’s happened before. *Shudders*))

This is also true for potential things that might keep me from enjoying a story that might not have been clear before starting, and weren’t clearly warned about in the blurb or review request. Abuse and/or spicy scenes are a few examples. If it’s clear upfront, that’s one thing, but they don’t make for good “surprises” or plot twists if it’s not clearly warned about in the blurb or listed as part of a list of potential content ‘warnings’ made available beforehand.

I do occasionally read fade-to-black or stories where married couples are clearly ‘married’, but I don’t want to read about these things, and will skip books that focus too much on intimacy or physical attraction. (Even ‘clean’ books if the focus of the story is too heavily on the ‘objectifying’ aspects.) I don’t appreciate that type of ‘surprise’, and at least want to know to expect it if heavy content is to be included. The same goes for more intense/war-type stories, which I usually prefer, but still like a heads up so I can be sure I’m in the right mindset before diving in. I try not to read heavier stories back-to-back, so this helps me to plan accordingly.

I don’t expect the whole story to be laid out and spoiled. I just like knowing that there’s some potentially triggering content up ahead. The heads-up for these heavier topics is absolutely appreciated, and it could be as simple as a short list of A themes and scenes to be aware of where these triggers are concerned is fine. I’m sure I’m not alone in this, as the world is dark enough without added unpleasant surprises in our reading time. Things like is the content ‘on-screen’, mentioned in passing, or a past event that a character is remembering? I don’t need all the details, but things like this go a long way to helping me plan and know the kind of story I’m going to be consuming.

While I try to avoid sharing spoilers as well, if the story ends up having a situation such as a main character who is clearly cheating/abusive, and it isn’t clear that this was that type of story, then I will probably not enjoy it, and honestly, others might not either. So, while I likely won’t include details, I will definitely warn about it in my review in case someone else, who’s like me, is wondering if it’s the right book for them. Transparency matters.

📕 I often read the following Christian Fiction genres.

  • Historical Fiction/Romance
  • Contemporary Romance/Fiction
  • Romantic Suspense
  • Mystery/Thrillers
  • Biblical Fiction

Take a look at my Goodreads for a better idea of what I like.

I also occasionally enjoy non-fiction genres, including:

  • History
  • Cook Books
  • Gardening/Homesteading/DIY
  • Crafty/Sewing/Crochet books

📕List of things I won’t read or review: erotica, “steamy” romances, gay/trans/lgbt+, magical/mystical fantasy, sci-fi, paranormal/supernatural, horror, mythology or folk/fairy tales, political (this one is only for detailed stuff, a little political intrigue in a fiction story is different, just no modern/current political affairs content), christian motivational/non-fiction, lifestyle, self-help, or fitness books.

I also don’t celebrate or read books focused on, or strongly featuring, holidays like christmas, easter, halloween, new year’s, etc. I personally only participate in the Biblical feasts and Holy Days such as Passover, Pentecost, Sukkot, etc.

📕 I try to post my reviews on several sites. I usually do not post the whole review on social media due to space, but I will share a shortened snippet/mini review and the link to the blog post for anyone who wants to read my full review.

As of January 10th, I can post reviews here on my blog, Goodreads, Facebook, Bookbub, Instagram, Kobo, B&N, Romance.io, and StoryGraph.

If you have any specific site(s) where you would like me to post my review, please state them in your request email. I’m always looking for new ways to support authors and to help readers find new authors, so your suggestions are welcome and much appreciated.

If you would like your review posted on Smashwords, you will have to provide me with a coupon code for the book from Smashwords so I can get the book through them, enabling me to post the review there. 

I can also review on NetGalley, BookSprout, and Edelweiss, if I received your book from these sites.

📕  Even if I don’t accept your original review request, if you write another book and think I might enjoy it, feel free to send me a review request for the new book.

📕  Hassling me won’t make the process any faster or more enjoyable for either of us… Just don’t.

📕📕 If you are requesting a review for SEVERAL books at once, you MUST send me SEPARATE review requests for EACH book, in SEPARATE emails. It makes things so much smoother and guarantees that I can better serve you.

(If it’s two books being requested, then it’s TWO separate requests sent in TWO SEPARATE emails. For however many books are being considered for review, that’s the number of requests and individual emails there should be. That way I can make sure we are both on the same page about which books are being considered, and which books I have already agreed to or denied requests for.)

Yes, do this even if it’s for a series, please. I know it seems redundant, but it really helps me keep everything organized and better guarantees I don’t miss something or accidentally overlook a request when approving or responding to the request for another book you sent me. It’s better for us both this way. I appreciate your understanding.)

You are welcome to REPLY to an email you sent with another request, but PLEASE don’t send it to me as one long message! This way, I am less likely to misread a request. I am often quickly reading over the email or trying to check new requests in a hurry, and might misunderstand what’s being asked if several requests are bunched together in a single email. I try to read everything you send me, and take the time to check every request, but sometimes I miss things… I’m human.

If you are replying to a past request, please be sure that I have already finished and reviewed the original title before adding a reply with a new request.

Please don’t say, “I would also like you to read my other book ‘x’, so I’ve also attached it.” It’s frustrating when you presume I’ll accept without even asking; I accepted the book I accepted. If you’d like me to read more than one of your books, that’s fine, but you must send in a request for each book. Additionally, I don’t always have time for two at the same time.

I will happily get back to you and would be glad to read more of your books, just please don’t expect to be bumped to the front of the line! 🙂

What your email should contain:

📕 The title of the book (and cover image, if possible)

📕 The name of the author (as listed on the cover/store websites)

📕 The genre(s) in which you consider your book, and why you think I’d be a good fit.

📕 The Blurb/Synopsis*

📕 Links to your social media accounts (if you want them mentioned in my blog post for reviews, interviews, or a guest post.)

📕 Links to where the book is available for purchase (Especially if you sell books directly, or if they are sold on sites that aren’t quite as commonly known.)

While the links aren’t required for me to consider and accept a request, if you don’t provide a way for readers to find you and your book, I don’t often have the time to search for them all, and that might discourage some readers if there isn’t a link easily found on the post.

*I usually get the blurbs from Goodreads. If you want a different version of the synopsis/blurb posted on the review posted here, you’re welcome to state that and include the alternate blurb in your email.*

Setting up the review takes nearly as long as writing the actual review. You help me out SO much by sending me the links to everything. It makes the process a million times faster.

Please DON’T send me a copy of your book before I give you my answer! It makes me uncomfortable when you do. Even though I won’t download it unless I give you a definite ‘yes’ beforehand, I still don’t like it when authors do this.

If I rejected your book:

If I reject your book, I can assure you that it is with a heavy heart and not personal in any way. I will reject a book if I am not sure I will enjoy reading it. It would be entirely unfair of me to accept a book review request for a book that I know I won’t enjoy. To people who would enjoy that type of book, it might be an amazing read. A book that’s amazing by its own standards doesn’t deserve a bad review from me simply because I wasn’t the right audience. Especially if I know ahead of time that it’s not a good fit.

I will also tell you if I don’t have time to read the book at the time that I receive your request. In this case, if you are willing to receive the review at a later time, I might be able to work with you. It depends on case-by-case.

 ~~

Thank you for your interest in having your book reviewed by me and having it included on my blog.


**By sending me an email, you agree to being added to my collection of authors/publishers contact email list. I rarely ever reach out apart from responding to the request or with the review links, but it’s possible. By reaching out, you may receive an email from me at a later date if I am looking for authors who might want to take part in an interview, write a guest post for the blog, or am looking for those who would like to participate in a giveaway opportunity to reach new readers.


****All review requests sent in after January 10th, 2026 must follow these requirements. Requests that don’t will be rejected.**

I usually rate books 3-4 out of 5 since most I find to be somewhat average, but still over all good books. This has been slightly higher lately, but still. The 4s have more going for them, but were still not quite enough to be part of my All Time Favorites shelf. I have found that I’ve rated a lot more 5-star reads lately though, as I’ve begun to find books that more perfectly matched my tastes/interests of late. 

PERSONAL RATING SYSTEM

5 – I loved it! One of my Absolute Favorites

4 – Really liked, but it just didn’t make it to my all time favorites list.

3 – it was OK, a good story but could have been better.(Average quality)

2 – it was bad enough that I struggle and had considerable trouble finishing it

1 – it was terrible, and I regret reading it (If I DID finish it)

I dislike starting a book and not being able to finish it, so I will suffer through most. So, if I don’t even finish a book, it’s a very bad sign. Some just are not my style or taste, and might be great books for readers who enjoy that genre, but others are all around bad. Just because I give it a low rating/don’t finish it does not mean the book is bad overall, but you might want to double-check what other readers have said about it to be sure it is not going to be a waste of your time.

Request for Reviews are accepted on a selective basis, though I will take fewer requests if my time is limited. I won’t always deny a request for this reason, but might not respond right away if this is the case.

I find many of the books I read from other sites, such as ARC teams (often found on Facebook or Instagram) and blog tours.

This does not mean I won’t take requests, but I try to only agree to read books I feel fit my preferences, and are likely to get a good rating/review from me. This does not guarantee a glowing review, as I strive to be as honest and unbiased as possible, but I’m more likely to finish and enjoy books that fit my tastes from the start. If you have read this far, or at least visited this page, and still wish to submit a request, please mention this ‘secret word’ so I know you have checked my Review Policy before requesting. Say: harpazo.

I am open to taking interviews, guest posts, spotlights, cover/title/trailer reveals, and blitz-style posts in addition to review requests.

(I will also only accept requests for these options after considering if the book is a good fit for me/my blog, or if it is something similar to other books I’ve posted about and reviewed. I tend to focus my blog around my personal reading interests as that’s the type of books I enjoy and is the type of books and topics my subscribers and followers have come to expect from my posts.)