Is one star, or three stars worse?

So I’ve been having a discussion with my family about book reviews (or, any kind of reviews for that matter). Is a one-star review, or a three-star review, worse?

Before you all shout at once ‘One Star, Stupid!’ hear me out as I explain why this is even a question. When you give something a one-star review, is it because the content is truly bad, or simply because you aren’t the right audience for it? If a book or movie has gone through tons of editing, testing, even pre-screenings, and yet I still feel it deserves only one star, maybe it just wasn’t made for me.

And so, if that’s the case, if we were the creator of said piece of work, perhaps we’d be able to shrug that off and say, ‘fair enough’.

I’m trying to think of anything that would get a one star from me. Maybe a really bad piece of sci-fi. I don’t like sci-fi at the best of times (except the amazing Andy Weir) and so if I’m giving it a one star, it’s a really bad (in my humble opinion) example of that genre. I don’t think I have ever given anything a one star.  

That’s usually not a case of me being the wrong reader. It’s more that the book itself feels like a wrong-fit. You go in expecting something great and instead you feel underwhelmed. It’s not terrible, it’s just not anything.

Whenever I give a book three stars (and yes, I’m now feeling guilty and considering deleting all my past three-star reviews from the record), it’s because I couldn’t connect with it. I wanted to, even expected to, but it just didn’t happen.

Maybe every character grated on me. Maybe no one felt worth rooting for. Maybe I didn’t click with the writer’s voice or their message. Maybe the book should’ve been a blog post. Or maybe it’s a non-fiction that doesn’t offer anything new.

That’s when I land on three stars.

So now you can probably see why, as a new author, the three-star review is the one I dread the most.

The thought of my book feeling ‘meh,’ or like it didn’t say anything new, stings more than someone who just wasn’t the right audience.

Not that I’m welcoming one-star reviews (please don’t!), but weirdly, it’s the three-star that feels like it could knock my ego a bit harder.

I’m not brilliant with rejection. It’s something I’ve tried to be honest about in this week’s podcast. I’d like to pretend that negative feedback in any scenario (warranted or not) just slides off me like water off a duck’s back, but it doesn’t. I don’t love it at the best of times, but when you’ve poured yourself into writing an actual book? It’s even harder to hear. Still, I’m learning to step up and do the thing anyway.  

The book’s official publication date is tomorrow, 4th December. So, if you’ve been thinking of buying a copy (or three) now is a GREAT time. Reviews will start rolling in soon, and it’s time for me to put my big-girl pants on.

I’ve put this book into the world knowing that some people will love it (my husband does, even if he’s the only one), some people will hate it, and some people will find it…mediocre (shudder). 

What’s helping me cope with this - at least in theory; I’ll let you know how it goes when it actually happens...

I also get to define what success means for me. 

Is my definition of success adoration from the masses? The problem with that is it’s a pretty fragile foundation (and highly unlikely).

Could success instead mean that I completed something that demanded a lot from me and put something I believe is positive, encouraging, and meaningful out into the world?

Could it mean that, for some people, it has an impact and helps set them on the right path for the next season of their lives? That feels like a much better hope.

If you’re navigating real (or imagined, or possible future) rejection, it helps to reflect on your own definition of success. Are you measuring it by other people’s opinions or by outcomes, or by whether you actually did what you set out to do?

On top of that, choosing who you listen to is crucial. Pay attention to the encouragers. Look to those who want to see you succeed and will hold you up when you’re disappointed.

Those are the opinions that stand the test of time.

As my nephew put it so simply in a text, while we were discussing the downsides of one- and three-star reviews (and my looming rejection anxiety):

Choose your own version of this truth.

I hope this encourages you today to step away from the metrics and opinions and instead focus on the measures that matter.

After all, it’s easy to be a critic; it’s so much harder to step into the arena.

I’ll leave you with the famous words of Theodore Roosevelt  - Man (Woman) in the Arena.

With love, and daring greatly, 

Hannah x

P.S. All joking aside, reviews are HUGELY important. Especially good ones. And if you’ve enjoyed the book, can I please ask that you consider giving it a review? Amazon is probably the key place, and also goodreads.com 

P.P.S Our small but mighty team have been working around the clock to push the book this last couple of weeks, if you’ve not yet bought a copy, would you consider it please? It’s also available as an audio book, or e-book. Maybe one for a stocking? Or, could you share about it on social media? Each share honestly makes a huge difference. Thank you so much, you are all amazing. I’ve felt so supported these past few weeks.

P.P.P.S. If you’re a medical professional, you might like a listen to this podcast episode I recorded with Dr Nish Manek on the Next GenCast: https://bit.ly/NextGenCast