I call myself a NetGalley fangirl. I am a very happy user of NetGalley and I’m ARC obsessed.
But, when I’m declined a request to preview a title on NetGalley (my current approval percentage is 64%), it seems to increase my desire to read that book.
It makes me want to read that book even more than ever. Being rejected for a book makes me interested in it – reverse psychology, perhaps? You always want something that you can’t have, right?
Of course, my declined titles are usually really good books! After getting rejected, I usually end up tracking it on Goodreads, monitoring the rating, and reading the reviews. My thoughts are usually correct – most of them score high Goodreads ratings.
Here are a half dozen of the ones that got away, in order of publication:
- The French Girl by Lexie Elliott
- The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin
- The Blackbird Season by Kate Moretti
- Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
- The Lying Game by Ruth Ware
- The Arrangement by Sarah Dunn
The French Girl by Lexie Elliott
Release Date: February 20, 2018
Goodreads rating to date: 4.17 of 5
Brief Synopsis: Six university students from Oxford–friends and sometimes more than friends–spent an idyllic week together in a French farmhouse. It was supposed to be the perfect summer getaway…until they met Severine, the girl next door. One woman becomes trapped in the tangled bonds of friendship in an exhilarating debut novel of psychological suspense for fans of Fiona Barton, Clare Mackintosh, and Ruth Ware.
Review quotes that reinforce the hype:
“psychological thriller a twisty turning shocking story”
“This was one of the most enjoyable reads I’ve had in ages.”
“Most definitely a page turner”
“tangled relationships, deceptions, and ultimate realizations”
“Loved this book! When I wasn’t reading it I was thinking about it.”
UPDATE: 10/18/2017: I requested this book on Edelweiss and I was approved! <Jumping for joy!> I now have the privilege of reading this book and reviewing it. I’ll post my review closer to the publish date. Thank you to Fictionophile for your suggestion and encouragement for using Edelweiss.
The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin
Release Date: January 9, 2018
NetGalley rating to date: 4 stars
Goodreads rating to date: 4.19 of 5
Brief Synopsis: If you knew the date of your death, how would you live your life? It’s 1969 in New York City’s Lower East Side, and word has spread of the arrival of a mystical woman, a traveling psychic who claims to be able to tell anyone the day they will die. The Gold children—four adolescents on the cusp of self-awareness—sneak out to hear their fortunes. Their prophecies inform their next five decades. It is a deeply moving testament to the power of story, the nature of belief, and the unrelenting pull of familial bonds.
Review quotes that reinforce the hype:
“choices we make as kids ripple out into our adult lives”
“It will make a great book club choice with so many themes to discuss – family, choices, what makes a meaningful life.”
“This is the book everyone will be talking about this winter”
“I was so intrigued by the premise of this book and it did not disappoint”
“5 HUGE STARS!!!!!”
UPDATE: 10/11/2017: I requested this book on Edelweiss and I was approved! <Jumping for joy!> I now have the privilege of reading this book and reviewing it. I’ll post my review closer to the publish date. Thank you to Fictionophile for your suggestion and encouragement for using Edelweiss.
The Blackbird Season by Kate Moretti
Release Date: September 26, 2017
NetGalley rating to date: 4 stars
Goodreads rating to date: 3.98 of 5
Synopsis: Where did they come from? Why did they fall? The question would be asked a thousand times… Until, of course, more important question arose, at which time everyone promptly forgot that a thousand birds fell on the town of Mount Oanoke at all.” In a quiet Pennsylvania town, a thousand dead starlings fall onto a high school baseball field, unleashing a horrifying and unexpected chain of events that will rock the close-knit community.
Review quotes that reinforce the hype:
“Mysterious and engaging”
“It grabbed me from the very first page. Great characters and the story was good.”
“This book deserves an added sixth star.”
“The Blackbird Season had a number of twists and turns that kept you guessing until the end.”
“This book has all the makings of a deeper intrigue; unlikable characters, small town society with layers and layers of issues.”
I haven’t read this yet, but it’s on my TBR list. I will get to it SOON.
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
Release Date: September 12, 2017
NetGalley rating to date: 5 stars
Goodreads rating to date: 4.24 of 5
My rating, now that it’s published and I’ve read it: 5 of 5 stars 
See my full review here: https://readthisnotthat.blog/2017/09/25/book-review-little-fires-everywhere-by-celeste-ng/
The Lying Game by Ruth Ware
Release Date: July 26, 2017
NetGalley rating to date: 4 stars
Goodreads rating to date: 3.58 of 5
My rating, now that it’s published and I’ve read it: 4 of 5 stars 
See my full review here: https://readthisnotthat.blog/2017/08/21/book-review-the-lying-game-by-ruth-ware/
The Arrangement by Sarah Dunn
Release Date: March 21, 2017
NetGalley rating to date: 4 stars
Goodreads rating to date: 3.71 of 5
My rating, now that it’s published and I’ve read it: 5 of 5 stars
See my full review here: https://readthisnotthat.blog/2017/09/04/book-review-the-arrangement-by-sarah-dunn/
Which Netgalley books have gotten away from you?
Read This, Not That 
This is exactly what I’m afraid of on Netgalley, haha. I haven’t requested nor reviewed any books on there. I’m interested in many books on there, but feel the rejection rate would be high.
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Don’t let the rejections stop you! Just keep hoping and trying. It’s always fun to get a preview to an up-and-coming book. Good luck!
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I guess I’ll give it a try this month. It is a bit exciting! Thank you!
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Have you tried Edelweiss? The last time my request was declined on NetGalley, I requested it from Edelweiss and GOT IT! Same publisher…. go figure.
Like you, when I’m declined it makes me MORE determined to get the book.
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I’ve heard that Edelweiss can be daunting so I’m a bit intimidated. How do you like it? Is it easy the use?
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Edelweiss is much easier than it used to be as they have a new interface. Give it a try! You can check out the Edelweiss Reviewers group on Goodreads for some tips.
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I will! Thanks so much for encouraging me to do this, you’ve inspired me!!
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Thank you so much for your suggestion and encouragement of Edelweiss. I was approved for the DRC two days ago and I am SO EXCITED. The interface is daunting but I am learning as I go. THANK YOU for your comments, you are wonderful!
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Loved Little Fires Everywhere!
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