Quick answer: you can get paid to read books in the UK by writing reviews for sites like Online Book Club, Kirkus Indie and BookBrowse (about £5 to £60 per review), beta reading for authors (about £30 to £150 per manuscript), proofreading (about £20 to £40 an hour once established), or narrating audiobooks through ACX or Voices by INaudio (from about £40 per finished hour). Free-book sites like NetGalley pay in books, not cash.
If you’re the person who reads three books on holiday while everyone else is still on chapter one, this one’s for you! I love the idea of being paid for something you’d happily do anyway, but I also want to be upfront: most “get paid to read” sites pay modest amounts, and the better-paid routes need a bit of skill or kit. Here’s what really works for UK readers in 2026.
Ways to get paid to read books UK: at a glance
| Route | Typical pay | Open to UK? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Book Club | About £5 to £50 per review (paid in USD) | Yes | Beginners building a record |
| Kirkus Indie reviewer | About £40 to £60 per review | Yes | Confident writers |
| BookBrowse | About £48 per review | Yes (often ebooks) | Polished reviewers |
| The US Review of Books | Paid per review (rate given on application) | Yes | Regular reviewers |
| Beta reading | About £30 to £150 per manuscript | Yes | Fiction lovers with good feedback skills |
| Proofreading / copy-editing | About £20 to £40 an hour once established | Yes | Detail-spotters |
| Audiobook narration (ACX, Voices by INaudio) | About £40 to £400+ per finished hour | Yes | Great reading voices |
| NetGalley, Lovereading | Free advance books (no cash) | Yes | Getting started |
| Book content + affiliate links | Commission on sales | Yes | Bookstagram, BookTok, blogs |
Rates checked October 2026. US sites pay in dollars, so the pound amount moves with the exchange rate.
1. Get paid to review books
Online Book Club
The easiest place to start. You apply with a free sample review, then get offered books to review. Pay is roughly £5 to £50 per accepted review, with the top rates kept for experienced, high-level reviewers. Most people get 3 to 6 paid reviews a month, paid by PayPal. Your first reviews may be unpaid while you level up.
Kirkus Indie
Kirkus is one of the few big US review outlets that takes UK reviewers. You’ll need a CV and published writing samples. Pay is about £40 to £60 for a 350 to 400 word review, with a two-week deadline. You can’t pick your books, but you do choose your genres.
BookBrowse and The US Review of Books
BookBrowse pays around £48 per review (600 to 1,000 words) but accepts fewer than 1% of applicants. The US Review of Books also pays per review and accepts UK residents.
2. Beta reading for authors
Beta readers read unpublished manuscripts and give honest feedback on plot, pacing and characters. Authors pay about £30 to £150 per manuscript, depending on length and how detailed your report is. Find work on Fiverr, PeoplePerHour and author groups on Facebook and Reddit.
My tip: create a simple one-page feedback template (what worked, what confused you, where you got bored). Authors love clear, kind, specific notes, and it’ll speed you up.
3. Proofreading and copy-editing
If typos jump off the page at you, proofreading is one of the best-paid reading jobs. Established UK proofreaders earn about £20 to £40 an hour. Start on Fiverr, Upwork or PeoplePerHour, or apply to Scribendi, which hires UK freelancers. Reedsy pays well but accepts only around 1% of applicants. A course or membership of the CIEP (Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading) helps you charge more.
4. Narrate audiobooks
Audiobook narration is the highest-paying way to read for money. On ACX (Audible’s platform) beginners can expect around £40 per finished hour, mid-level narrators £80 to £200, and established narrators £400+. You can also choose royalty-share deals. Voices by INaudio (formerly Findaway Voices) accepts UK narrators directly.
- Reality check: each finished hour takes around 6 hours of recording, editing and mastering.
- Kit: a decent USB or XLR microphone and a quiet, soft-furnished room (a wardrobe full of clothes works wonders!).
- US paperwork: ACX asks UK narrators to complete a W-8BEN tax form.
5. Get free books (and build experience)
NetGalley (netgalley.co.uk) and Lovereading give you free advance copies in exchange for honest reviews. They don’t pay cash, but they’re brilliant for building a review portfolio to show paid sites, and for saving money on books.
6. Turn your love of reading into content
Bookstagram, BookTok and book blogs can earn money through affiliate links (for example Amazon Associates or Bookshop.org), brand partnerships and ads. It takes time to build an audience, but it’s the route with the biggest long-term upside. Starting a blog? See my how to start a blog UK guide.
7. Bonus: sell the books you have read
Finished a pile of paperbacks? Trade-in sites like WeBuyBooks and Ziffit let you scan the barcode and get an instant price, with free collection. Or sell popular titles on Vinted or eBay for a bit more.
How much can you realistically earn?
| If you… | Realistic monthly earnings |
|---|---|
| Review 4 books a month on Online Book Club | £20 to £100 |
| Do 2 beta reads a month | £60 to £300 |
| Proofread 10 hours a month | £200 to £400 once established |
| Narrate one short audiobook (5 finished hours) a month | £200+ at beginner rates |
From April 2027, side-hustle income up to £3,000 won’t need a full tax return, though tax may still be due above £1,000. My side hustle tax guide explains it, and there are more ideas in my side hustle ideas list.
Watch out for “get paid to read” scams
- Never pay a fee to “unlock” reading jobs.
- Be wary of sites promising £100s a day just for reading.
- Legit review sites ask for a sample review, not your bank details upfront.
- Get paid via PayPal or bank transfer, never gift cards or crypto.
Get paid to read books UK: FAQs
Can you really get paid to read books in the UK?
Yes. UK readers can earn by reviewing books for sites like Online Book Club, Kirkus Indie and BookBrowse, beta reading, proofreading or narrating audiobooks. Pay is usually modest unless you build skills.
How much do book reviewers get paid?
Roughly £5 to £60 per review depending on the site and your experience. BookBrowse pays around £48 and Kirkus Indie around £40 to £60 per review.
Is Online Book Club legit?
Yes, it is a real site that pays reviewers via PayPal, but new reviewers start with unpaid or lower-paid reviews and the highest rates are for experienced members.
How much do audiobook narrators earn in the UK?
On ACX, beginners earn around £40 per finished hour, mid-level narrators £80 to £200 and established narrators £400 or more. Each finished hour takes about 6 hours of work.
How do I become a beta reader?
Offer beta reading on Fiverr or PeoplePerHour, join author groups, and use a clear feedback template. Authors typically pay £30 to £150 per manuscript.
Is NetGalley paid?
No. NetGalley gives free advance copies of books in exchange for reviews, which is useful for building experience but does not pay cash.
Sources
Last updated: 28 October 2026. Rates change and US sites pay in dollars. This is general information, not financial advice.
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About the author: Dr Kalpana Govindaraasan is the PhD scientist, former secondary science teacher and mum behind MoneySavvyUK, turning complex household money topics into practical steps.