Read & Rate - Empowering Indie Authors with Genuine Reviews and Community Support.Read & Rate is a unique platform built to support self-published authors by helping them gain authentic, impactful reviews on Amazon. Our community-driven model allows authors to earn points (InkDrops) by reviewing each other’s books and then spend those points to request reviews for their own work, creating a balanced and supportive environment. We’re committed to quality and transparency, with strict adherence to Amazon's guidelines and robust anti-review-swapping algorithms to ensure fair and honest feedback. Beyond reviews, Read & Rate provides resources for authors to improve their visibility, connect with a community of fellow writers, and access expert services, such as editing, cover design, and marketing.Our subscription plans offer flexible options for new and experienced authors alike, helping them boost their book’s ranking and reach new audiences. With Read & Rate, authors can grow their readership, improve their craft, and support each other’s success in a friendly and encouraging environment. Join us to experience a supportive community that champions indie authors and helps them thrive in the world of self-publishing!
Read & Rate (readnrate.com) has 13 customer reviews on Five Star Index, with an average rating of 3.6 out of 5.
Also known as
readnrate.com
Website
readnrate.com
Category
Sales & Marketing
Location
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Listed on Five Star Index
2026
About these reviews
Replies
The company replied to 85% of reviews.
Latest
Most recent review: February 2026.
Edits
Reviews are shown as their authors wrote them. The company can reply, but cannot edit them.
Score
This company cannot pay to remove reviews or change its score.
The flirting begins when he gives her a different name for his cup each morning. I loved the process of the two working out their fears and perceived liabilities. The big elephant in the room is why some men need to exploit women. The other elephant in the room is how men navigate women's newfound independence. Love is a new menu item, which is measured by mutual caring and nurturing consideration. The novel moves quickly, and all the questions are answered at their own perfect time. Thank you, TJ Dell.
AP
Ali P.
An expensive platform without being responsible!
I have two books on this platform, but I couldn’t get even one review during this period! This is a paid platform not something free! So any changes to platform should consider the books that are already in your platform.
Response from Read & RateJan 14, 2026
Hi Ali, thank you for the feedback. I’m sorry to hear you felt the platform didn't meet your expectations. However, I want to clarify that during your subscription, your book did receive 7 reviews.
Our support team enjoyed answering your questions, and we always strive to help authors succeed. Ultimately, readers choose what resonates with them, and getting that much engagement in a week and a half is a strong start. We hope you will consider trying us again in the future!
MP
Michael P M.
Edited after receiving help from Customer Service.
Edit: The publishers reached out to me and explained the problem, which is something the competition doesn't do, so I am changing my score. These guys bore with me and helped with the confusing UI.
Now that I understand it (waiting for help from the team is a must) I am glad they called me back. I am still in my 10-day trial, waiting for my first review.
How this works is you earn ink drops for reviewing other books, and then you can ask for your own. Time will tell if this will work. I hope I get one bite.
Signed up for an author account (10-day free trial) and was sent on a wild goose chase. Was given a free reader profile (No instructions on what to do). Two separate User Interfaces to navigate (1 was broken and kept exiting out). Author profile broken. Customer support is absent. The word circle was misspelled on the email confirmation verification page. The website looks old and outdated.
Response from Read & RateJul 29, 2025
Hi Michael, thank you for leaving a feedback. You subscribed earlier today, We did answer your live support request, we also sent you an email without any answer from your part. This situation is unfortunate as you're leaving a review but you did not use the platform or even answer our response to your request. We thank you for trying us and we wish you the best success with your books.
SD
Scott D.
Bottom line: ReadNRate can't perform and lies to cover that fact
ReadNRate is no more honest than stuffing these pages with reviews from their shills would indicate.
I tried their service for the review period and a little over a week into a paid subscription. I provided seven quality reviews for lengthy books. In the early going, I immediately got two reviews back, 5-star reviews, though the written text was not of the same quality I was producing.
Too easy - I suspected at the time that those reviews were being produced by company employees for show (that is, to create the illusion of legitimacy through the free trial, like all those fake come-ons you get when you sign up for a dating site), but let it go.
I never got another reader, much less a review, in the two and a half weeks after those first two. I had earned so many "InkDrops" that I maxxed out the number of review requests the site allows (three per book) and the number of books I could put on the "Top Shelf" (a gimmick that lasts a short period to supposedly provide incentives to reviewers - it doesn't work, and is actually meant to draw down your InkDrops and waste the effects of all those reviews you're putting out).
So at the end of that period, I had all these InkDrops I couldn't spend on reviews, no readers, and no reviews coming my way. When I complained, at first this Manuel Denault character (as they say in Texas, "all hat and no cattle") ran his mouth promising all these changes they were doing to fix problems they knew they had (they have exactly one problem, and they can't fix it: They are a book review websites with not nearly enough reviewers, period.)
When a week later, nothing had changed and I was stuck where I was, I called him out: Put up or shut up. He shriveled from THAT like he had a lot of practice. Now suddenly he's claiming I didn't understand the obvious (no reviewers when you have three quality books at 4.8 average ratings plus on Amazon is pretty easy to understand). When I called that bluff, suddenly it's like I'm Stormy Daniels calling him out for his short-stemmed mushroom cap, and he's trying to usher me out the door before anyone else finds out he's got nothing.
Worse, a reviewed author stands a real chance of getting their reviews pulled and their Amazon accounts closed because it turns out ReadNRate plays fast and loose with the Amazon rules. ReadNRate is truly incompetent when it comes to "Verified Purchaser" reviews. When you don't get what you paid for (via InkDrops) they force you to chase down the review to show them. Obviously, if an author is forced to find the Amazon review and the reviewer's name, then the whole idea of preventing quid-pro-quo favorable reviews goes out the window.
ReadNRate is so desperate for members now that they are giving complete lip service to Amazon's rules, leaving authors exposed to punishment from Amazon though the writer's done nothing wrong.
Response from Read & RateJun 20, 2025
Hi Scott,
Thank you for trying Read & Rate and for taking the time to leave feedback. We decided to remove you from our community, canceled your subscription, and refunded you, as you made it clear you were more focused on finding problems, threatening lawsuits against us and even Amazon, instead of taking responsibility and focusing on your book success. Despite our repeated efforts to help you, guide you, and even offer support on basic features like unsubscribing from helpful emails you labeled as spam, you showed no willingness to be helped or to engage constructively.
However, much of what you've stated is misleading or incorrect, and it's important to clarify for anyone reading this:
1. Your Reviews Were Real: The two reviews you received came from verified, active members. Our system does not generate fake reviews, and we do not allow our staff to review books. Every reviewer is a registered user who chooses what to read and review.
2. You Maxed Out Requests: You state you couldn’t spend your InkDrops, but in fact, you used them all and maxed out both book and copy limits. Your books were already in the library with the maximum copies allowed. As we’ve explained multiple times, the point is not to overload the library, but to allow natural selection from active members.
3. Top Shelf is Not a Gimmick: It gives real visibility by placing your books in a more limited pool. Members using Top Shelf see results when their covers and listings are appealing and competitive. But it’s not magic. If your book is not selected, adding more copies won’t change anything. There is no point flooding the library with copies of books that haven’t been selected.
4. False Claim About Amazon Risk: This is categorically false. Read & Rate is fully Amazon compliant. We do not allow review swapping. All reviews must first be posted on Amazon as regular customer reviews. We manually verify each one. If a review is not tagged “Verified Purchase,” we follow Amazon’s lead and adjust the InkDrops unless the reviewer can provide proof of purchase. That’s standard, fair practice, not “forcing” anyone. We do not encourage or permit authors to contact reviewers, and we don’t provide names.
5. Verified Purchase Tag Is Amazon-Controlled: If Amazon does not apply the Verified tag, it’s due to how the book was acquired or how quickly the review was posted. We explain this thoroughly in our support. Blaming us for Amazon’s internal logic is simply not accurate.
6. You Received Support: You had direct contact with the founder and support team. You were answered respectfully, and your concerns were addressed repeatedly. What you’ve called “lip service” was our real effort to walk you through how things work. Unfortunately, it appears you chose not to listen.
We understand our platform may not be for everyone. But making false claims about dishonesty or risk to other authors is irresponsible. We work hard to protect our members, keep reviews compliant, and offer an honest space for authors and readers.
We wish you the best with your books, and we genuinely thank you for trying the platform.
— Read & Rate Team
DR
duane R.
Independent authors are no longer alone.
Considering how difficult it is for independent authors to obtain reviews, I believe in their concept of helping one another. Otherwise, you are just one voice out there screaming in the wilderness of looking for a review. Their method is more honest than the others, where if you have a lot of money, you buy reviews. I wish them all the best.
Response from Read & RateApr 2, 2025
Hi Duane,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! Your words truly reflect the heart of what we’re building at Read & Rate; a space where self-published authors can support one another and grow together, without needing deep pockets or gimmicks.
We’re so glad the mission resonates with you, and we’re honored to have you in the community. Wishing you continued success with your books and remember, you’re never alone in this journey!
Warmest thanks,
The Read & Rate Team
MC
M. C. R.
An honest way to get book reviews
I'm very happy I discovered Read & Rate. I've tried Pubby and I just wasn't satisfied since so many utilize the program and my book got lost in the sea. Read & Rate has a similar structure and continues to make adjustments to help get authentic readers to read and review your book(s) on multiple platforms. In order to get inkdrops you also have to give back by reading and reviewing books, which is fair. One just has to spend inkdrops wisely. I've received a good amount of positive reviews for multiple books and it's an honest way to boost reviews on Amazon.
Response from Read & RateJan 11, 2025
Thank you for your support! We’re thrilled to have you as part of the community, and we wish you incredible success with your books!
EI
Eike
nice team
I reviewed them negatively by mistake. They got in touch and were very kind.
Response from Read & RateDec 20, 2024
Hi Eike,
Thank you for sharing your feedback. Unfortunately, we could not find any record of a user with your name either on our platform or through our secure payment processor, Stripe. Additionally, we have not received any inquiries regarding this matter via our live chat support or email.
Please note that subscriptions can be canceled at any time. However, if the cancellation occurred after the end of your current billing period, it is standard for the payment to be processed. We want to emphasize that we are always happy to issue refunds for valid cases and would never deny a legitimate refund request.
If this review was posted in error, we encourage you to reach out to us directly at [email protected] so we can investigate and resolve the issue, including processing a refund if applicable.
We look forward to assisting you.
Best regards,
The Read & Rate Team
