Free, legitimate book reviews come from readers, bloggers, and reviewers who choose to read your book, usually in exchange for a free copy, not from paying a service for a customer review. They take more time and patience than paid options, and you can't control what they say, but they're a real and rule-compliant way to build reviews without spending money.
Only some sites and offers described as "free reviews" are legitimate. Anything that guarantees a positive review, or that pays or reimburses readers, isn't compliant with retailer rules. See Are Paid Book Reviews Legitimate?.
This is the least glamorous option and often the most effective one. Ask your newsletter subscribers, social followers, and past readers directly, as described in How to Ask for Book Reviews. It costs nothing but your time, and readers who already like your work are more likely to follow through.
Giving away free advance copies in exchange for an honest review, with no purchase required, is a well-established practice. Options include:
See What Is an ARC? for how to run this kind of campaign, including staying within Amazon's rules on free copies.
Many bloggers review books for free, in exchange for an advance or finished copy, as part of their normal content. This takes research and personalized pitching rather than a mass request. See How to Get Reviews From Bloggers, Journalists, and Librarians.
Goodreads reviews are free in the sense that you don't pay for them, though running a Goodreads Giveaway does involve a fee. Beyond giveaways, readers who already use Goodreads may review your book without any prompting once it's listed, and you can look for reader groups that discuss review requests within their own guidelines. See How to Get Reviews on Goodreads.
Some libraries have programs for reviewing self-published or local authors' books, particularly for collection consideration. Availability varies widely by library system, so check with your local library's collection development or readers' advisory staff.
Genre-specific writing groups and forums often include members willing to read and review new releases, sometimes through organized review threads. These communities usually have their own rules about pacing requests and reciprocity, so read them before posting.
Some services run periodic giveaways or contests offering a free review to a randomly selected entrant. Entrada runs a weekly drawing for a free, unbiased professional review; entries are accepted once per week, and winners are notified by email. Confirm the contest is currently running before entering or linking to it, since offers like this can change or end.
Be wary of any free-review offer that:
A free review is only worth having if it's honest. A guaranteed positive review isn't a real review, and using one risks the same rule violations as paying for one directly.
Free reviews take longer and are less predictable than paid ones. You can't set a firm deadline with a volunteer reviewer the way you can with a paid service, and not everyone who agrees to read will finish or post. Combine free options with a paid professional review if you want something guaranteed and ready by a specific date. See the Book Reviews 101.
Want a Guaranteed Review by a Set Date?
Free reviews take patience. If you need something ready by a specific date, Entrada's professional reviews come with a guaranteed turnaround: $289 for 5 to 8 weeks, or $389 for a 3 to 4 week rush review.
Get a Professional Book Review →
Or see if our free review drawing is currently open.
Yes. Readers, bloggers, and reviewers who choose to read and review your book, usually in exchange for a free copy, are a legitimate and common source of reviews.
Mainly time and unpredictability. Volunteer reviewers can't be held to a deadline the way a paid service can, and not everyone who agrees to read will finish or post.
Yes, as long as you don't require a review in exchange or try to influence what the reviewer says. See Amazon's Review Rules for Authors.
Not necessarily. Free reviews are unpredictable, while a paid professional review comes with a guaranteed turnaround, which matters if you're working toward a launch date.