City Book Review
Nine regional review outlets across two tiers, fast guaranteed turnaround in the editorial segment.
Main service site available on requestQuick Stats
| Founded | 2008 |
| Review type | Editorial (professional staff reviewers) |
| Turnaround | 3-4 weeks standard, 2-3 weeks expedited |
| Price range | Free (editorial) / $199–$399 depending on outlet tier and speed |
| Word count | 400-600 words typically |
| Audience | General readers, regional audiences, consumers |
| Accepts self-pub | Yes |
| Accepts ARC/digital | Yes |
| Reviews published | 70,000+ |
Best Use Case
CBR works best for indie authors who want a genuine editorial review at a price well below Kirkus or BlueInk, and who want to reach regional consumer audiences rather than exclusively the trade. The 9 publications each have distinct readerships tied to real cities and regions.
The two-tier pricing structure also lets you choose your outlet: Basic sites (Seattle, Portland, San Diego, Tulsa, Kids Book Buzz) for broader reach at lower cost, or Premium sites (San Francisco, Manhattan, Sacramento, Los Angeles) for higher-profile regional placement.
Pricing
| Outlet Tier | Publications | Standard (3-4 wks) | Expedited (2-3 wks) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Editorial | Any outlet (editor selects) | Free | N/A |
| Basic | Seattle BR, Portland BR, San Diego BR, Tulsa BR, Kids Book Buzz | $199 | $349 |
| Premium | San Francisco BR, Manhattan BR, City BR (Sacramento), LA BR | $249 | $399 |
Paid reviews guarantee publication on your chosen timeline.
What You Get
A professional editorial review of 400-600 words, published in one of CBR's 9 regional outlets. You choose the publication (subject to availability), and the review is permanently archived online, indexed by search engines, and freely shareable in press kits, Amazon listings, and marketing materials.
The Premium outlets (San Francisco Book Review, Manhattan Book Review, City Book Review/Sacramento, Los Angeles Book Review) carry stronger regional name recognition and are the right pick if you want the outlet name to do some heavy lifting in your press materials. The Basic outlets (Seattle Book Review, Portland Book Review, San Diego Book Review, Tulsa Book Review, Kids Book Buzz) are a smart choice for West Coast and regional authors, children's book authors, or anyone working with a tighter budget. Kids Book Buzz in particular is the only CBR outlet specifically positioned for children's and YA titles.
Reviews are written by professional staff reviewers, not crowdsourced readers. You can submit a digital ARC — no physical copy required.
Voice and Style
CBR reviews are written for readers, not the trade. The writing is accessible and leans positive without reading like a press release. Reviews typically open with a brief premise summary, move into the reviewer's assessment of character, pacing, or argument (depending on genre), and close with a recommendation for the target audience.
The tone is warmer than Kirkus and more reader-facing than BlueInk. Critical observations appear when warranted, but the default register is "enthusiastic guide" rather than "literary gatekeeping." For authors looking for a quotable review that won't intimidate general readers, that's an asset. For authors who want rigorous critical analysis, it's a limitation.
Analysis based on publicly available sample reviews.
The Honest Take
The paid tier is the most affordable professional editorial review available, and 70,000+ published reviews gives it a track record most newer services can't match.
The regional publication structure is both a feature and a limitation. "San Francisco Book Review" or "Manhattan Book Review" sounds compelling in press materials, but these aren't publications agents or major trade buyers monitor the way they monitor Kirkus or BlueInk. The audience is readers and regional bookstore customers, not acquisitions librarians.
For authors who want a polished, quotable review from a named outlet, at the fastest guaranteed turnaround in the segment, CBR delivers. If you're specifically trying to influence trade buyers or build an agent query package, spend the extra money on Kirkus or Clarion.
Pros
- Free editorial submission track (30-40% acceptance rate)
- Basic tier at $199 is among the most affordable professional editorial reviews
- 3-4 week standard turnaround — fastest guaranteed in the editorial paid segment
- Two-tier outlet structure: choose by city profile and price point
- 9 regional publication outlets with distinct readerships
- 70,000+ reviews published — established track record
- Consumer-friendly writing style for general reader audiences
Cons
- Regional publications don't carry trade weight with agents or major libraries
- Consumer-oriented reviews, not trade criticism
- Free track has no turnaround guarantee and is competitive
- Less brand recognition than Kirkus in the book trade