Star Rating System

I have never been a fan of the star system for many reasons; however, our society judges everything from restaurants to doctors and, yes, unfortunately, books. As I began this journey as a reviewer, I wrestled with approaching this highly subjective rating system. As a result, I developed the following criteria for my reviews:

• Five Stars: I loved the book to the point that I will enthusiastically tell others about it and even reread it. It must have an excellent plot with believable characters that capture my heart. This is truly reserved for those books that I consider outstanding and near flawless. I will likely read every book, past or future, by this author.
• Four Stars: I thoroughly enjoyed it, and while there may have been minor concerns, these did not detract from the overall story. The plot was solid, and the characters were likable or even unlikable! I have no reservations about sharing this book with others. I will likely reread this author.
• Three Stars: I liked the book but found myself distracted by errors that detracted from the story. However, the story was still good and one that I can recommend. I might reread this author if the opportunity presents itself.
• Two Stars: I struggled to complete the book due to significant concerns about writing style, editing, plot, and/or characters. Some elements were good, but these were overshadowed by the concerns.
• One Star: I did not finish the book due to significant concerns about writing style, editing, plot, and/or characters.