# Hidden Gems

> ARC and beta reader service with per-reader pricing ($3/reader after first 10, capped at $400), posting to 7 major review platforms, and a claimed 80% review rate across 16 genres.

Source: https://selfpublishingdirectory.com/beta-readers/hidden-gems
Website: https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com
Category: Beta Readers & ARC (https://selfpublishingdirectory.com/beta-readers)
Pricing: paid — $20–$400/per-campaign
AI-powered: no
Tags: arc-reviews, genre-specific, amazon-reviews, goodreads-reviews, beta-readers, romance-focus, per-reader-pricing
Last verified: 2026-05-14
Best For: Romance authors needing high-volume launch reviews with hands-off per-reader pricing — strongest in romance subgenres
Genre Focus: romance
Reader Pool Size: Thousands of genre-matched readers (romance-heavy)
Reader Source: built-in-pool
Service Type: ARC Reviews, Beta Readers, Reader Pool

Hidden Gems Books is an ARC distribution service founded in 2015 by Craig Tuch, a self-published romance author. The per-reader pricing model is the core differentiator: authors pay a $20 non-refundable deposit (covering the first 1–10 readers), then $3 per additional reader who signs up, up to a MAX cap of $400 for unlimited readers — typically 140 or more at the MAX tier. All reviewers are unpaid volunteers who receive only a free ebook.

Authors schedule a date on the Hidden Gems calendar, submit ebook files two days before the campaign runs, and receive a final invoice based on actual signups. Hidden Gems claims an 80% review completion rate, though this figure is self-reported.

## What You Get

- **Per-reader ARC distribution:** $20 deposit + $3/reader; MAX option caps at $400 regardless of how many readers sign up; billing in increments of 5 with partial refunds if fewer readers sign up than invoiced
- **7 review platforms:** Authors choose which platforms readers must post to — Amazon, Goodreads, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, BookBub, Apple Books, and Google Play Books
- **16 genres:** Romance, Erotica, Mystery, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Thriller/Suspense, Horror, Humor/Satire, Young Adult, Self-Help, General Non-Fiction, Faith/Spirituality, General Fiction, Cookbooks, Women's Literature, Children's Books
- **Paid beta reader program:** Separate service with an invitation-only pool of paid genre superfans ($5–$20 per reader); authors provide a 10+ question questionnaire; pricing based on word count and question count
- **Free tools:** Keyword Organizer and Blurb Previewer available at no charge

## Who It's For

- **Romance authors needing launch reviews:** The reviewer community is heavily romance-oriented; contemporary and steamy romance subgenres routinely attract 40–150 readers per campaign
- **Authors who want hands-off ARC distribution:** Hidden Gems manages the delivery and reminder process; authors submit files and wait
- **Authors in other popular genres:** Mystery, fantasy, and thriller authors can use the service but should expect 5–25 readers per campaign rather than 40–150

**Pricing:** $20 deposit covers first 10 readers; $3/reader beyond that. MAX option: $400 flat for unlimited readers (typically 140+). Example: 50 readers = $140; 75 readers = $215; 140+ readers = $400 MAX. Advance booking required — popular dates fill months ahead in romance.

## Strengths

- **Transparent per-reader cost:** Authors know exactly what they're paying per reader before the campaign runs; the MAX cap prevents runaway spend
- **Seven review platform options:** More platform flexibility than most competitors, including Kobo, Apple Books, and Google Play alongside Amazon and Goodreads
- **Established since 2015:** Craig Tuch is a well-regarded self-publishing educator; the service has a long track record in the romance community

## Limitations

- **Romance-dominant reader pool:** Other genres get significantly fewer readers per campaign; Hidden Gems is not optimized for niche or non-fiction categories
- **Advance scheduling required:** Popular launch dates can be booked months in advance, making last-minute campaigns impossible
- **Self-reported review metrics:** The 80% review rate is not independently verified; individual campaign results vary
- **Minimal reader vetting:** Readers self-select by genre at signup; there is no application or approval process comparable to BookSirens

## Alternatives

BookSirens ($10/ARC + $2/download, or $100/year unlimited) offers a 75% verified review rate with stricter reader vetting and a broader genre balance. For romance authors specifically, Hidden Gems' community depth can make it the stronger choice for launch campaigns; for other genres, BookSirens generally delivers more consistent results per dollar spent.