You’re reading an excerpt from a book online. Maybe it’s something someone recommended to you, maybe it’s something you stumbled upon while looking for something else. Either way, you’re reading and everything about it is just perfect. Realistic dialogue? Check. Smooth writing? Check. Action that draws you in and leaves you wanting more? Check. Your mouse is hovering over the “Buy” button before you even finish reading. You think to yourself “This is going to the top of my TBR pile”.
And then there it is: that last sentence that is so off, so jarring that you cry out in disappointment and frustration! Your excerpt experience has been ruined! What if there are more blundering sentences like that, ones that take you right out of the story and throw you on your butt on the sidewalk? Your hand trembles. Now you are afraid. Very afraid.
You think, maybe it’s just because the excerpt’s cut-off point is in an odd place? Maybe the rest of the book won’t be like that. But do you really want to take that chance?
What about you? Would you chance it or give it a pass?
