Romance book reviews. Reviews of books that make my heart race, have a beautiful love story, and a happy ending.

Romance book reviews. Reviews of books that make my heart race, have a beautiful love story, and a happy ending.

Aestas Book Database

Why I Don’t Run Advertising On My Blog…

by · 195 Comments

Hey everyone! I’ve held back from posting about this for a while, but recent events have made me feel that it’s time to publicly state where I stand on this topic. Here goes…

Aestas Book Blog DOES NOT charge anyone anything in exchange for any kind of promotion.
I do not sell advertising space on my blog, I do not charge for posts or featured books, and nobody can pay their way onto one of my lists (including BookDB). There is NO PAYMENT in exchange for any service on my blog. Period.

Why?

My personal feeling is that if I charged for advertising or promotion, it would compromise the integrity of my recommendations. If I were paid to promote one book, how could a reader truly trust the next book I recommended? How would you really know if I was telling you it was good because I truly believed that? Or because I was paid to promote it? I value the trust that you have in me as a blogger very highly and that is the reason why I do not charge authors/publishers for any blog service at all.

I also DO NOT charge authors/publishers to run giveaways. My policy is simple: I only give away books by authors I’ve read/loved. That’s my way of keeping what I promote focused on what I can genuinely recommend. Sometimes the prizes come from me personally, and sometimes they’re offered by authors/publishers, but I’d never charge them to run a giveaway on my blog. Never.

I also DO NOT accept free books in exchange for reviews/promotions. I purchase every book I read myself. I’d never suggest you buy a book I wouldn’t buy myself. Even when I read ARCs, I always buy a copy on release day if I reviewed it to keep my blog free of bias. And I only review books I like/love to keep my blog positive without compromising its integrity.

I also don’t believe in “exclusive” content. The only person who benefits from exclusivity is the blog, not the author. Being exclusive limits reach because the only way to access that post is from one source. I hate that. My blog is offered exclusive content all the time but my response is always the same: let everyone post it. If I like the sound of it, I’ll post it too but let it be shared and enjoyed by everyone together.

The reason I’m saying this now is that some other blogs have made public statements regarding charging authors/publishers for giveaways and advertising, and while I don’t judge how anyone else does things, I wanted you to know how I run my blog. Yes I do earn income from it and it is more than just a hobby, but I do not charge authors/publishers to do so. Over the years, I’ve been frequently asked by authors about my advertising policy (since I never had one posted on the blog) and I’ve always responded privately explaining everything you’ve read here. So I just thought it was time to make it public and tell all of you as well.

So… How do I choose which books to post, promote, review, add to lists?? There’s only ONE criteria: I have to genuinely like the sound of it. That’s it. If I like the sound of it, I’ll post it. If I don’t like the sound of it, I won’t. It’s that simple. That way EVERY SINGLE BOOK posted on Aestas Book Blog or its social media is an honest recommendation or suggestion from me that you can always trust. ♡

Comments

  3. Love your blog. I have nearly all my recommendations from you.
    My bank balance may not like it though.

    Reply

  5. This is why yours is the only blog I follow anymore.
    Thank you for letting us know and for all your hardwork. Love your blog.

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  6. Very well said 🙂 I can’t understand why anyone would want to rave about something they didn’t love and I follow your blog because it’s obvious the emotion is genuinely there about every book you read.

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  9. Hey aestas…my name is hesti, i’m from indonesia and i love love your blog from the first time i know it….^_^

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  12. I’m so glad you cleared that up! I wondered, because I read 99% of the books you’ve reviewed. Some I liked, loved and others I was like nope, didn’t like it. Basically, you’ve been right on point in your reviews. I appreciate your blog, I look forward to reading your reviews!!! I’m a huge fan, would I’ve to meet you!

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  13. Your recommendations have never failed me and I’ve found a number of new authors by trying books you’ve enjoyed. Thank you! And thank you for sharing this post. It says a lot about the integrity of your praises.

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  15. This is why I love your blog and follow your recommendations exclusively. Your integrity and love for the genre shows through all you do. Thank you!

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  17. You’re awesome and you are by far my favorite book blog! Thank you for all you do! I am sure it’s an extreme amount of time and enrgy and I know we all really appreciate it so much. However, my bank account does not thank you ?

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  19. Wow! I lived your blog before now I have even more respect and love for you! Well said. Keep up the great work!

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  20. I love all the books that you recommend. We do have the same taste in books and if you recommend it, I know that I’ll love it. So thank you. You’re doing a great job!

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  21. I love your blog and I think the way you do it is awesome! I’m glad you wrote this, because I’ve always wonder how bloggers did all this. I knew some did it as a hobby and others have said that this is how they make there living. But I never knew how. Glad to hear how u do it and I can respect that. Keep up the amazing blogs!!! ❤️❤️

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  22. I love your blog and recommendations. Your post speaks volumes of the kind of person you are ?

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  24. Thank u your r the only site that I go to when I feel like ready a book. Because I never go wrong on choosing a book from your blog I have always trusted your judgement. Thank u for being honest.

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  25. Thank you for your honesty and your trust in us, your followers. That all bloggers were as honest and as willing to keep their blogs without being ‘beholden’ to other people. Love your blog. Remain blessed

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    • You’re very welcome! ♡ That’s why I don’t even do blog tours or promise reviews etc. I do things on my own terms and like you said, am not ‘beholden’ to anyone.

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  28. I’ve discovered so many wonderful authors because of you! Your honesty and genuine love of books are why you shine above all the rest. Thanks for all you do 🙂

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  31. LOVE YOU! You know you’re my most trusted source and I’ve found some of my most favorite reads thanks to you! Keep doing what you’re doing, you are awesome at it xo

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  34. This is why I always have you saved under my favorites, so does my sister. Thanks for the integrity and honesty!

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  35. Love your blog! I check your site nearly everyday. To be sure of how genuine your recommendations are is nice, thanks for sharing. I appreciate so much all the hard work you put into it! A good deal of my weekly book purchases come from your recs.

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  37. The moment a blogger starts charging for posting content/reviews in their blog (other than advertisement) the whole thing becomes a job. I think it takes the fun away. I buy 95% of the books I review and 99.9% of the giveaways I run are paid by me. How bloggers manage their blog has never affected my view of them or their credibility. I trust most bloggers to be honest with what they like and what they believe is worth recommending. Of course I don’t read every I get recommended but I totally get what you mean though.

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  38. This is why your blog is the only one I have saved as a favorite and go to for books recommendations. Your post today confirms what I already knew … You’re a kind and guine person whose love of a good HEA is evident in every blog.

    Thank you for what you do, I enjoy it immensely. 🙂

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  39. Hi Aestas I’m Vani from India . I love your blog , your recommendations and your reviews. You’re my go to for all new books! Thank you!

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  44. Never had a doubt 🙂 Since I gave up blogging your blog is the top on my list for that very reason. I trust your reviews 100%

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  45. As the other commenters before me said…you’re awesome! I really appreciate your integrity and honesty, but most importantly your excitement and passion to share what you love. This is the only book blog I refer to now, your reviews are excellent and the ease to navigate around the site makes it easy and visually appealing. Love the new look btw and I keep checking everyday for the special blog feature!

    Reply

    • Thank you so much! And I’m hard at work putting the finishing touches on the special feature. It’s just SO big that it’s a lot to fine tune. Can’t wait to share it with you soon!

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  47. This is why I love your blog, I love it so much I ended up starting my own blog instead of just writing reviews on Goodreads. It’s amazing, because I only launched mine this weekend and in my “About Me,” section I said I will only be posting reviews on books I would personally recommend to my friends and followers. Now reading this.. you are truly an inspiration Aesta!! Much love and respect from yours truly. XOXO -MyMy

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  48. I admire this about you and your blog. Thank you for being honest with us in all your reviews.

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  49. No wonder I organically gravitated for following your blog so closely as to what I want to read. Thank you for that and the explanation of who you come to the decisions you do.

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  51. You know , I’ve tried to follow a lot of blogs. They would have a few good reccommendations but it got to where there were raving reviews on books that were just terrible. The books were crap yet the bloggers would rant and rave on the book or the authors as a whole and how great they were. I thought that maybe I just wasn’t seeing what the blogger saw but after a while it became very apparent that they were being paid to promote. Since stumbling onto your blog , I’ve had a much better experience. I have never gotten a book based on your review that was bad. And since then , I practically shop from your page. Thank you for keeping reading honest and fun

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    • Yeah, I don’t understand the motivation to rave about a book you don’t genuinely love. For me, recommendations have to be real otherwise there’s no way I’d enjoy blogging. It has to come from the heart ♡

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  52. Your blog is awesome! Some of my favorite books have come from this site. Thanks you for the great reviews.

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  53. This is why everyone loves to come to your blog, your real and you tell us exactly why you love what you do.
    Thank you for bring us hours of honest enjoyment from all your recommendations. <3

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  54. And THIS is exactly why I love your blog and I trust your recommendations blindly.

    I dont trust other reviewers/bloggers simply because they become to caught up on wanting the authors/publishers to like them and keep giving them ARCs or exclusive content and advertisement and they give what they call “honest reviews” of the books but are truly not honest at all. It happened too many times to count and it is why I came across your blog and stayed loyal because I love that you are different. And honest.

    Thank you for being you and for having this policy and for sharing with us! 🙂 xo

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  57. I have never found a recommendation I have not loved. You are my go to source for what to read. I recently read the entire Fever series by Karen Marie Moning from going thru your list because I was looking for something to read while waiting on The Beast by JR Ward. THANK YOU for your site.

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  60. Luv luv luv your blog my bank doesn’t with al my one click moments but I do haha??
    Thanx for sharing this xxx ❤❤❤

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  62. Aestas, I know that this must be a very important topic for you to aproach it in such a heartfelt way. This passion that you have for books shines through and from my perspective, this only highlights your integrity and honesty for all the reviews you have done. I can honestly say that I dont buy a book until I see your thumbs up in aproval for it. So thank you for being genuine and keep up the amazing job that you’re doing. Ines Vieira

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    • It really is. It’s probably the most important thing that I’d want people to know about the way I run my blog. Thank you so much ♡

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  63. I never questioned it, but I love that you blogged about it. Your passion for the books you review shines right through; no wonder you have so many devoted readers who won’t read a book until you give the thumbs up. Keep up the good work!

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  64. Aestas,
    For the last 2 years been following ur blog week after week .. with ur reviews i and our friends have explored a lot of new authors and we thank u for the hard work, passion and the genuine in the blog .

    Cheers
    Gomes

    Reply

  65. That’s why you are my #1 blog for recommendations! Your recomendatios always have a 4 or 5 of 5 stars from me when I read them so I always know I enjoy everything you post and review! Thank you for all the work you put0 into this blog!!!!! Love it!

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  66. I love and trust your recommendations ALWAYS!!! PLEASE don’t EVER change!!! When you say a book is amazing, I’m 1-clicking without thinking twice…and you have never failed me!

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    • I promise not to change! This is the foundation my blog was built on and quite frankly, it wouldn’t be the same blog if I ever changed this about it so this policy is a forever one ♡

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  67. You are my “go-to” blogger and you have not steered me astray in a recommendation yet. Love your blog and thank you!

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  68. You are the only blogger I go to. The ONLY one. I love your recommendations and I love your integrity. Thanks thanks thanks for all you do!!
    5 plus stars

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  69. I’ve read many books on your recommendation and I know they’re genuine, that you read and loved it. I never thought they were anything else.

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  75. Thank you for sharing this and I really appreciate knowing this about your blog. I check your blog several times a week and get quite a few of my books via your recommendations. I read about 2-3 books/week, so I am always on the hunt for a book. When looking for a book though, I many times have multiple screens open and don’t always purchase by clicking on the book from your blog. While this was not intentional, if I decide to purchase a book based on your recommendation, I will now make sure to always circle back to your blog to click on the book and purchase so you get credit. Your blog is amazing and I value the integrity you put behind it.

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  76. I’m so clueless I didn’t know blogs were charging to post things for authors.

    I always know your stance on reviews and purchasing books. I always purchase regardless if ARC or not. That’s one of the reasons I’ve followed you for so long. We tend to have the same views on blogging and most books?

    I’m dying to find out what the “bar” at the top of your blog will feature!! Can’t wait!!

    You know I love ya!!

    Reply

    • Yeah, it’s not something I would have usually addressed (I haven’t for years) because what a blog does on their own site is their own business, but some made very open statements recently about charging for giveaways/advertising and I was really concerned that if I didn’t speak up, people might assume that I ran my blog the same. And while I don’t judge anyone else, I definitely run things differently and wanted to be sure the way I chose to run my blog was openly stated and clear so there was no confusion.

      And I cannot freaking WAIT to show you that black bar feature!!!! OMG. I’ve been working non-stop on it forever and it’s getting SO close to being finished! Soooooooooooon! 😀

      XO

      Reply

  77. I absolutely love your blog and recommendations. I have found many books because of you!! I had no idea about any of this as I am not a blogger, etc. but thank you for the info. Thank you again for turning us onto these books and authors.

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  78. Seasoned blog readers can easily tell that you are the “Consumer Reports” version (meaning no advertising influence) on content.

    You are my #1 go-to blog for my romance addiction and I have never been disappointed with your recommendations. In fact, I purchase virtually every book you love.

    I do use your links as I feel strongly that you should benefit from all the work you do to maintain, promote and produce this wonderful resource.

    While I didn’t need the information you shared in this post, I do believe that it will benefit even casual readers.

    P.S. I am a business book author and new romance book lover who appreciates your work..

    Reply

    • Thank you! And I totally hear you — I can instantly tell as well. For me, keeping the recommendations/suggestions real and honest are my top priority 🙂

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  79. I enjoy your blog, your energy is contagious and I have discovered so many new authors because of you. Stay true to yourself and continue the excitable momentum.

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  81. Amazing post. The fact that you only purchase a book to review and don’t expect/accept free copies is very rare, but makes a very solid and poignant point. Bravo! You’re sort of a Badass. 🙂

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  82. Coming across your blog a few years ago made me realize my passion for reading. Thank you for all your do and please don’t change a thing.

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  86. And this is why I only read your blog now. I use to read another book reviewer’s blog but it got to the point where it was all about the authors and promoting their books weather they were good or not. I am so happy I found your blog!!! We like the same books and your reviews are awesome. Thank you so much.

    Reply

  88. These are the reasons I do not subscribe to other blogs. I cannot purchase books at the same prices shown on your blog (being South African), but the recommendations are always solid.

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  89. Aestas, that probably explains why I highly rely on your recommendations and your feelings on a book if I need to pick it up. Appreciate all the time that you spend of this blog and thus benefiting us !!!

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    • I’m glad it helps explain things! I’ve debated for over a year whether or not I should state this publicly but honestly, I’m really glad it’s finally out there. 🙂

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  90. I haven’t been disappointed yet in any book I’ve read based on your review. Although to be perfectly honest, most of the books I choose to read, are because of the snippets you post on Facebook, more so than the review itself. 🙂

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  92. I’m so impressed and proud of this message you’ve posted. Like your other admirers, I’d have never thought that any of your recommendations or reviews were in any way biased or based on any other criteria other than your excellent literary eye and emotion. Words are not enough to thank you for directing me to and sharing some of the very best moments of my life!!!

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  93. As always very well stated. This and so many other reasons are why you are the only blogger I turn to for recommendations and reviews❤️❤️ Thank you for your honesty!

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  94. I can’t remember how I came across your blog a little over a year ago, but I am so glad I did. I have followed a few others but yours is by far the best. You are always spot on in your reviews. You and I have similar tastes and I can always rely on your reviews to determine if I am going to devote time to reading a book. I love that you always want the HEA and that you are not afraid to give us enough information to make our own decisions without giving the story away. I look forward to receiving your emails to see what new and exciting stories are out there, just waiting to be read. I reiterate others comments that you are the best and now the only blog I follow and that I’ve read just about everything you have recommended. Keep up the good work, my friend!

    Reply

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