How to Handle Tough Reviews as an Indie Author (Without Losing Your Mind)

You’ve spent months (or years!) writing your book, polishing every scene, and finally putting it out into the world. Then, you check your reviews—and instead of glowing five-star praise, you see a two-star review (or worse).

Cue the heartbreak.

As an indie author, reviews can feel intensely personal, especially when you don’t have many yet. But negative reviews aren’t the end of the world—they’re part of being a published writer. So, how do you handle bad book reviews without spiraling?

Let’s break it down.

How to Handle Tough Reviews:

1. Acknowledge That It Hurts (But Don’t Stay Stuck There)

First, it’s okay to feel disappointed when you see a lower rating. You’re human. Your book is personal, and reading criticism—even if it’s fair—can sting.

Instead of pretending you don’t care, give yourself permission to feel it. Vent in a private space, go for a walk, or step away from Goodreads for a while. The key is to process your emotions without letting them consume you.

2. Do NOT Engage With the Reviewer (Trust...)

It’s tempting to explain your book’s choices, clarify something they misunderstood, or ask what went wrong. Don’t do it.

Book reviews are for readers, not authors. Responding to criticism—especially publicly—can backfire. Instead, let readers have their opinions and move on.

3. Not All Negative Reviews Are Bad (Some Offer Valuable Feedback)

Some three-star reviews actually contain constructive criticism that can help you grow as a writer. If multiple reviewers mention:

✅ Pacing issues

✅ Confusing plot points

✅ A character they didn’t connect with

…these are things you might consider improving in future books. Not every negative review is useless—some can be a free masterclass in understanding your audience better.

4. Remember: A 3-Star Review Is NOT a Bad Review

Many authors assume anything below five stars is “bad,” but here’s what star ratings really mean:

⭐ 5 Stars = Loved it!

⭐ 4 Stars = Really enjoyed it!

⭐ 3 Stars = Liked it, but had some critiques.

⭐ 2 Stars = Didn’t love it, but might work for others.

⭐ 1 Star = STRONG feelings.

A three-star rating is still positive. It means they liked your book enough to finish it! Even bestsellers have a mix of ratings—your book is no different.

5. Shift Focus to the Readers Who Love Your Work

It’s easy to obsess over one lukewarm review and forget about the people who adored your book. Instead of spiraling, try this:

📌 Reread your favorite reviews when you’re feeling down.

📌 Engage with readers who love your book—respond to kind messages, share fan art, and appreciate the support.

📌 Keep writing for your ideal readers, not for the people who weren’t a good fit.

Your biggest fans are out there, and they’re the ones who matter most.

6. All Authors—Even Famous Ones—Get Bad Reviews

Go look up your favorite book on Amazon or Goodreads. Chances are, it has one- and two-star reviews mixed in with glowing praise.

Negative reviews don’t mean your book is bad—they mean real people are reading it. And that’s the goal, right?

7. Keep Writing (Your Next Book Will Be Even Better!)

At the end of the day, every review—good or bad—means someone read your book. That’s a win.

The more books you write, the more readers who truly connect with your stories will find you. So, take a deep breath, shake off that review, and get back to what you do best: telling amazing stories.

Final Thoughts: The Best Way to Handle Bad Book Reviews

💡 Feel your feelings, but don’t dwell on them.

💡 Never respond to negative reviews.

💡 Look for useful feedback (but ignore the rest).

💡 Remember that even three-star reviews mean readers liked your book.

💡 Focus on the readers who love your work.

💡 Keep writing—your audience will grow!

Hopefully this helps you ease in on how to handle tough reviews as an indie author. Have you ever received a review that stung? How did you handle it?