Advanced Copies for Review & Book Giveaways discussion

So this is the first book I've come across in my blogging/reviewing experience that I have felt is a poor fit for me (though I've only been doing this for a little over a year). I could use your advice and experience.

In another group, I saw that reviews were sought for a particular title. The synopsis appealed to me, so I requested a print copy. I only request books that I expect to enjoy.. It arrived. I started it, and the first pages starts out with a rape (not what I expected), which put me off, but I kept reading. I am not particularly far, but really not enjoying it as I expected to. If I hadn't signed up to review it, I would stop reading it and read something I like.

I am conflicted about what to do. Let the author know it is not a good fit for me and offer to return the book? Finish and publish a mixed review?

Thank you.

I appreciate a review whether it's good, bad, or indifferent. Not everyone is going to like a book. Those looking to purchase a book need to see both sides. It helps them decide whether they are going to take a chance. I think I would be more disappointed if all I saw was good reviews, get the book, and then don't like it myself.

You don't have to like a book to review it. A review should be based on other criteria, I.e. Is it easy to follow, does it flow, grammar, and so on.

I say see how far you can go with the book. If you definitely cannot finish, review it as a DNF and explain why in your review. It may help others who need to decide.

I agree with everyone. Write the review based on what you read. That way the author knows where to improve.

Thank you, everyone!!!

Okay, I kept reading, but had to stop at the second rape scene. I've written a honest review, but I'm still not super comfortable with how any of this went down. Thanks again for your recommendations!

While I am late here - before I publish a critical review, I will try to contact the author first, let them know why I didn't like the book and then ask if they are okay with it being published. I feel I do owe it to them to provide the feedback, but after a couple of bad experiences of publishing a critical review, including one where an author claimed his daughter was being harassed because her father wrote a "bad book" due to my negative review, I stopped immediately publishing them and decided to provide the feedback directly to them.

Lance wrote: "While I am late here - before I publish a critical review, I will try to contact the author first, let them know why I didn't like the book and then ask if they are okay with it being published. I ..."
Thanks. I just published my stuff but I’m not promoting my blog post like I usually do. I did let the author know that it wasn’t a great fit and that I posted an honest review. She has pretty much all positive reviews so mine might just get ignored.

Hopefully she thanked you for letting her know. Since I started providing the direct feedback if I didn't like a book, I have always received thanks for letting them know.

Yeah, never feel like you can't or shouldn't voice your opinions just because they are negative.
My sister is an indie author, and she said she was pleased when she got her first negative review because it legitimises the work. If you see a book with only 5 stars it's possible that it's only been reviewed by friends and family, if you see negative or middling reviews also (even if it's mostly positive) it gives you more of an idea of whether you'll enjoy it or not.

Just make sure you do negative reviews critically, rather than 'oh my god this was trash and I hate it', say 'I wasn't a fan of this book because of x, y and z'

Here are a couple of negative reviews I've written for books I've requested, don't know if this will help!

Written In Blood

Red As Blue