The easy answer is—yes.
But, what is too gushy and what’s wrong with being gushy?
Think back to the last book you read that had you spellbound and doing back flips because you loved it so much. How often did you rave about it to your friends and family? How many times have you re-read it? These are the books you can’t stop talking about, the ones you drive your friends and family around the bend with all your chatter.
We all have books that we’re nuts about. I am a nut for Louis L’Amour; some would say I’m a crazed Nancy Drew fan, too.
Now think about the book a friend keeps bugging you to read. The masterpiece of all masterpieces. Yes, you’re getting the idea.
The feeling when you’re the one gushing versus the one being gushed to is vastly different? You’re sharing and praising a book you know everyone will love. Everyone else is just, well, they’re going overboard.
Your positive review can go overboard, too. There is a subtle balance between recommending a book and shoving it in everyone’s face and kissing up the author.
Here is where you need to walk away from your words and from the book. Have someone else read your review and then rate your gushiness scale. Yes, I’ve done this, too.
However, this doesn’t mean you need to withhold your enthusiasm. I have a review where I took an entirely different route, I wrote it as I was reading. I was so locked into the story and characters I was talking out loud—don’t tell me, oh no that didn’t just happen, don’t you leave me hanging, don’t you dare do that.
I couldn’t figure out how else to explain the storyline without giving it away and why I was so enthralled by the story.
Was I too gushy? The author didn’t seem to think so neither did my gushiness proofer.
I’ve said it before, reviewing is a balancing act. Sometimes you’ll want to smile and acknowledge a good tale while other times you’ll want to jump and scream and set off fireworks over a fantastic-can’t-put-down-page-turner-over-too-soon YES MUST READ.
Realize what you’re writing can say more about you rather than bring attention to the novel and author.
As with a non-glowing review, be prepared to stand by your words…your gushiness.