Hidden Gems Books
Hidden Gems Books is an ARC service for authors that sends review copies to genre-matched volunteer readers and bills per reader who signs up.
At a glance
- Price
- From $20 (A $20 non-refundable deposit holds the date and covers the first 1-10 readers; additional readers are $3 each, up to a $400 MAX. You are billed only for readers who actually sign up (minimum order 50).)
- Platforms
- Web
- Outputs KDP-ready files
- No
- Touches your KDP account
- No
- Categories
- Reviews & ARC, Ads & Promotion
- Last checked
- 2026-11-09
Summary
Hidden Gems schedules an ARC date, shows your book's details to readers in its genre lists, and sends the book to those who reserve a copy; it reports an average review rate above 80% but guarantees neither the number of reviews nor the rating, and says such guarantees would break Amazon's rules. Amazon allows free copies as long as a review is not required and not influenced. Popular genres book up months ahead, and it also sells free and $0.99 newsletter promos.
Best for
- A launch-window batch of ARC readers in a popular genre
Pros
- Billed only for readers who actually reserve the book
- States plainly that it guarantees no review counts or ratings
Cons
- Deposit is non-refundable, and dates fill months in advance
- Per-reader cost adds up for large orders
Alternatives
- Booksprout: Booksprout is an advance reader copy platform for authors that distributes review copies to its reader community and sends automatic review reminders.
- BookSirens: BookSirens is an ARC distribution service for authors that promotes review copies to vetted readers and charges per download or a flat yearly fee.
- NetGalley: NetGalley is a digital review copy platform for publishers and authors that offers advance copies to librarians, booksellers, media and reviewers.
- StoryOrigin: StoryOrigin is an author marketing app for building mailing lists, arranging newsletter swaps and group promos, and managing review copies.
Sources
Facts on this page come from the vendor and these pages. Prices change; confirm on the vendor site.
- https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com/arc-faq/
- https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com/arc-program/
- https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G202101910
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