BookBub reviews from authors and readers tell two sides of the story.
Many authors love how it helps them sell more books and reach a bigger audience, but others feel the advertising costs are too high and getting approved for promotions is tough.
On the flip side, readers enjoy daily emails packed with discounted and free books across all kinds of genres, making it a go-to spot for book lovers.
But is BookBub really worth it? That’s the big question.
Today, we’ll look at real experiences to help authors decide if it’s a smart investment and readers figure out if it’s the right place to find their next favorite book.
How Does BookBub Work?
BookBub is a book lover’s best friend and an author’s secret weapon for book promotions.
It connects readers with amazing book deals and helps authors reach a massive audience.
For Readers: You sign up for free, pick your favorite genres, and get daily emails with free or heavily discounted eBooks tailored just for you.
No need to look around—BookBub always discovers the most amazing offers for your tastes!
For Authors: BookBub provides paid promotions to authors to put their books in front of millions of readers.
Most effective is the Featured Deal, in which discounted books are sent via daily email.
Pricing fluctuates according to the genre and the number of viewers, but for many writers there are significant sales and reach increases.
Is BookBub Legit? Here’s What You Need to Know
With so many book platforms out there, it’s natural to wonder if BookBub is the real deal.
Both authors and readers have questions—does it actually help authors sell books? Are the deals for readers legit?
Let’s check it out.
Is BookBub Really Worth It?
There are authors that are concerned about the unreliability of BookBub’s paid promotions.
Although there have been some reported large sales of books, there are also those who report having wasted money for what they received in return.
The truth? Results vary!
Achieving success is influenced by book genre, pricing, and the time of year.
A lot of successful authors rave about BookBub, but it is by no means a guarantee for success.
How BookBub Keeps Things Trustworthy
BookBub doesn’t just promote any book—it has a strict approval process to ensure quality.
Authors have to submit their books, and BookBub determines which books merit to be included, according to the popularity and reviews.
This contributes to making the platform stable and provides readers with good quality recommendations.
Moreover, readers can make a sincere review which will become a place of community consensus for book readers.
Is It Safe to Use?
For readers, BookBub is totally free—just sign up and get daily deals.
For authors who pay for promotion, for example, the platform provides secure payment services, but there have been rare reports of billing errors.
While these issues are rare, it’s always good to double-check charges and stay informed about how ad budgets work.
The Verdict
So, is BookBub legit?
Absolutely—but like any marketing tool, success isn’t guaranteed.
Readers can rely on the site for good book prices, while authors can expand their audience, although the outcome may vary.
As an author, due consideration to planning and investment should be made before starting.
And if you’re a reader, you’ve got nothing to lose—just sign up and start discovering great books at unbeatable prices!
BookBub Reviews from Real Authors Uncensored Experiences You Should Know.
If you’re an author thinking about using BookBub to promote your books, you’re probably wondering—does it actually work?
The answer depends on how you use it.
Many authors, from indie writers to best selling novelists, have shared their reviews, and while some have seen massive success, others emphasize the need for a solid marketing strategy beyond just BookBub promotions.
Let’s take a look at what real authors have to say!
1. Katie Cross – Great for Exposure, But Marketing is Key.
Independent writer Katie Cross thinks BookBub is a great way to find new readers.
Nevertheless, she emphasizes that authors should not make it their own, continuous marketing is needed to sustain the momentum.
Katie Cross shares her views and opinions as a BookBub guest blogger published 16th of January 2025.
Her insights into her experiences and her strategies can be found in the various blog posts that are exploring the effectiveness of BookBub for authors.
👉 Takeaway: BookBub is a great way to attract new readers, but sustained success is dependent on sustained marketing beyond just promotions.
2. Mark Dawson – “The Gold Standard” for Promotions
USA Today bestselling author Mark Dawson swears by BookBub, calling it the “gold standard” for book promotions.
He’s used it to generate thousands of downloads, boost visibility, and drive sales for his book series.
Mark regularly publishes on his blog and through social media the success stories he has achieved, and talks about how BookBub has enabled him to access new readers.
One can read more about his experience on his website or in interviews.
👉 Takeaway: Having a good backlist of books, BookBub can be a winner to get your books in front of a huge number of readers.
3. Joanna Penn – Reaching Readers Worldwide
Author and entrepreneur Joanna Penn has successfully leveraged BookBub to go global from local markets.
She appreciates that it has a global reach, which fosters her global sales.
When discussing her own use of BookBub, Joanna is regularly mentioned in her podcasts and blog.
For detailed insights, check out her website, where she shares marketing strategies for authors.
👉 Takeaway: Want to reach international readers? BookBub is one of the greatest resources to reach and extend an audience across nation lines.
4. Katherine Center – A Sales Explosion That Attracts New Audiences.
Bestselling author Katherine Center saw a significant increase in book sales as a result of BookBub promotions.
She reported that the platform brought her books to new readers who otherwise would have never found her.
Katherine’s experiences with BookBub can typically be found in author interviews or articles about successful book marketing strategies.
👉 Takeaway: If you seek to build a fan base, BookBub can get you into those new reader groups.
5. Ruth Ware – Perfect for Avid Genre Readers
Thriller author Ruth Ware found BookBub incredibly effective, particularly because it reaches dedicated readers who love grabbing discounted books in their favorite genres.
Her promotions resulted in strong sales.
Ruth occasionally shares her promotional experiences through interviews or on her social media platforms, highlighting the impact of BookBub on her book sales.
👉 Takeaway: If you write in a popular genre (like thrillers or mysteries), BookBub can connect you with highly engaged readers eager to explore new books.
6. Tessa Dare – Boosting Older Books & New Releases
Romance author Tessa Dare had a positive experience with BookBub, noting that it didn’t just help with new book launches—it also revived interest in her older books.
Tessa has mentioned her positive experiences with BookBub in author panels and discussions about book marketing.
👉 Takeaway: BookBub isn’t just for new releases. If you have a backlist of books, it can help bring them back into the spotlight.
7. David Baldacci – Staying Visible in a Crowded Market
Bestselling thriller writer David Baldacci values BookBub’s ability to keep his books visible in a highly competitive market.
He’s seen increased sales and exposure across his entire catalog.
David often discusses his promotional strategies in interviews, where he highlights the role of BookBub in reaching new audiences.
👉 Takeaway: Even well-known authors use BookBub to stay relevant and continuously attract new readers.
BookBub Reviews from Real Readers – What People Are Saying
BookBub has built a strong community of book lovers who rely on the platform to discover new reads and grab amazing deals.
But what do real readers think about it?
Here’s a look at seven BookBub users who shared their reviews across different online platforms.
1. Alex (Reddit User) – Personalized Picks That Keep Readers Hooked
Alex, an active Reddit user, shared how much they appreciate BookBub’s tailored recommendations based on their reading interests.
They love that the platform doesn’t just focus on indie books—it also offers great deals on well-known authors.
Checking the daily BookBub email has become a regular habit for them.
📌 Source: Alex’s review can be found in Reddit discussions about book discovery platforms.
💬 Takeaway: The mix of indie and mainstream books makes BookBub appealing to a wide range of readers. Plus, the personalized recommendations keep users engaged.
2. Marlene (Blog Commenter) – A Troll-Free Reading Space
Marlene, a self-proclaimed Boomer, admitted that she found BookBub’s interface a bit tricky at first.
However, she stuck with it and now enjoys how easy it is to follow authors and get updates on new releases—without the need to subscribe to multiple newsletters.
She also praised the troll-free environment, which she prefers over Goodreads.
📌 Source: Marlene’s review appears in comment sections of various book blogs discussing BookBub.
💬 Takeaway: BookBub is a great alternative for readers looking for a clean, drama-free book community where they can follow their favorite authors hassle-free.
3. Kathy (Blog Commenter) – Supporting Authors with Reviews
Kathy loves leaving reviews for books she enjoys, especially to help authors gain more visibility even on BookBub.
She finds it rewarding that BookBub notifies followers about new releases, though she noted that this only applies to full-length novels—not short stories.
📌 Source: Kathy’s insights can be found in blog discussions on BookBub’s community features.
💬 Takeaway: BookBub fosters a supportive environment where readers can help authors succeed. However, writers focusing on short stories might find its notification system limiting.
4. Ruth (Blog Commenter) – Excited to Dive In
Ruth recently discovered BookBub and was excited to explore its features after reading about it on book blogs.
She liked the idea of following authors and leaving reviews, which made her eager to dive deeper into the platform.
📌 Source: Ruth’s thoughts appear in comments on blogs that discuss reader experiences with BookBub.
💬 Takeaway: New users often find BookBub intriguing and are drawn to its interactive elements, like following authors and engaging with book recommendations.
5. Anne (Book Blogger) – “Goodreads for Grown-Ups”
Anne, a well-known book blogger, described BookBub as “Goodreads for grown-ups.”
She appreciates the civilized discussions and lack of trolling, which she feels sets it apart.
She also loves that big-name authors like Margaret Atwood and Lee Child share book recommendations on the platform.
📌 Source: Anne’s full review is available on her blog, where she compares BookBub to other book platforms.
💬 Takeaway: If you’re looking for a mature, drama-free space to discover books—without the usual online chaos—BookBub might be the perfect fit.
6. John (BookBub Blog Reader) – Curated Lists for Easy Discovery
John enjoys browsing BookBub’s handpicked book lists and weekly recommendations.
He finds them super helpful for discovering quality books without having to scroll endlessly through random suggestions.
📌 Source: John’s thoughts are shared in reader review discussions on various book blogs.
💬 Takeaway: If you’re someone who likes well-curated book recommendations, BookBub’s weekly lists make book discovery effortless.
7. Emily (Kindlepreneur Reader) – Finding Hidden Gems
Emily is a big fan of BookBub’s personalized emails, which introduce her to new authors she wouldn’t have found otherwise.
She especially loves the discounted and free book deals that match her favorite genres.
📌 Source: Emily’s review is frequently mentioned in comments on articles reviewing BookBub’s services.
💬 Takeaway: BookBub is a fantastic tool for discovering new authors and enjoying exclusive book deals tailored to your interests.
Conclusion
BookBub reviews show that it’s a great platform, but whether it’s right for you depends on your goals.
For readers, it’s a no-brainer—you get access to discounted and free eBooks, plus personalized recommendations to discover new authors easily.
For authors, it’s a powerful way to reach millions of readers, often boosting sales and visibility.
However, the high promotional cost and competitive approval process for Featured Deals can be challenging.
Some authors see huge success, while others don’t get the results they hoped for.
At the end of the day, BookBub is legit, but your success depends on how you use it.