A little guide to how I rate the stories that keep me company
Let’s get one thing straight first — reading is personal.
Every rating you see on this blog reflects my experience with a book: how it made me feel, how invested I was, and whether I’m still thinking about it long after the final chapter.
This page is your handy little cheat sheet to understanding how I rate books here on Between the Pages & Pixels — from star ratings to spice levels, DNFs, and everything in between.
⭐ Star Ratings
Overall reading experience
My star ratings are based on enjoyment, engagement, emotional impact, and vibes.
Not perfection. Not popularity. Just how the book worked for me at the time I read it.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Absolutely Loved It
A standout read. I was hooked, emotionally invested, and probably thinking about it when I wasn’t reading it.
Would happily reread and recommend without hesitation.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Really Enjoyed
A strong, enjoyable read that kept me engaged and satisfied.
Maybe a tiny nitpick or two, but overall a great time.
⭐⭐⭐ — It Was Okay
An average read. I didn’t hate it, but it didn’t fully sweep me away either.
Enjoyable enough, just not unforgettable.
⭐⭐ — Not for Me
I struggled to connect with the story, characters, or writing.
Finished it, but it wasn’t an enjoyable experience overall.
⭐ — Did Not Enjoy
A rare rating. Something just didn’t work for me at all — whether that was pacing, plot, characters, or writing style.
🌶️ Spice Rating
Heat level & explicit content
Spice ratings reflect how explicit and frequent the sexual content is, not how good the book is.
A book can be low-spice and still earn five stars — and a spicy book can still miss the mark.
🫑 — No Chili (Sweet / Kisses Only)
Affection, tension, and maybe a kiss or two.
No explicit content. Closed-door vibes only.
🌶️ — Fade to Black / Minimal
Little to no on-page sexual content. Any intimacy is subtle or implied.
🌶️🌶️ — Mild
Some on-page intimacy, but not graphic or frequent.
🌶️🌶️🌶️ — Moderate
Noticeable spice with clear on-page scenes, but balanced with plot.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ — Spicy
Multiple explicit scenes. Heat is very much part of the reading experience.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ — Very Spicy / Explicit
Heavy spice, frequent explicit scenes, and minimal fade-to-black moments.
🌶️ Spice is subjective — what feels mild to one reader might feel spicy to another.No guilt. No pressure. Just honest reading choices.
❌ DNF (Did Not Finish)
Because not every book is meant for every moment
If I DNF a book, it simply means I stopped reading before finishing — not that the book is “bad.”
Most of the time, a DNF comes down to:
- Not being in the right mood
- The timing not feeling right
- Struggling to connect with the story or characters
- Pacing or writing style not clicking at that moment
📖 Important note:
If I DNF a book, there’s a very good chance I’ll retry it in the future when it feels right.
Some books deserve a second chance — just at a different time.
That said, there are occasions where I’ll DNF for good if I feel confident the book simply isn’t for me, even on a reread attempt.
When a book is marked as DNF, I’ll always be transparent about:
- How far I got
- Why I stopped
- Whether I plan to revisit it or not
No guilt. No pressure. Reading should be enjoyable, not a chore.
🖤 Vibes Matter
I’m a vibe reader through and through.
Mood, tropes, pacing, characters, and even when I read a book can influence my experience and rating.
Things that often impact my ratings:
- Emotional connection
- Found family & relationship dynamics
- Comfort vs chaos vibes
- Audiobook performance (when applicable)
- Whether the story lingers after finishing
You’ll often see Vibes, Tropes, and Mood Notes included in my reviews to give extra context beyond the stars.
🎧 Formats Matter Too
I read across multiple formats — paperback, eBook, and audiobook — and I always rate based on the format I experienced.
Narration, pacing, and performance can elevate (or sometimes hinder) an audiobook experience, and that’s reflected in my reviews.
✨ A Final Note
All ratings on this blog are honest, personal, and based on my reading experience — not trends, hype, or popularity.
If our tastes align, amazing.
If they don’t, that’s okay too — reading would be boring if we all liked the same things.
Thanks for being here and sharing this cozy little reading corner with me 🖤📚
Between the Pages & Pixels 