If you've spent any amount of time lurking around BookTok or bookstagram, you've probably seen people talking about Kindle Unlimited.
Usually accompanied by someone dramatically announcing that they "saved £300 this month."
Which immediately makes you wonder...
Am I missing out?
As someone who reads well over 100 books a year (yes, I know... I also wonder where the time goes), I've been using Kindle Unlimited for years, and I get asked all the time whether it's actually worth paying for.
The short answer?
For me, absolutely.
But it isn't the right choice for everyone.
Here's my honest review, including what Kindle Unlimited is, who it's best for, and whether it could actually save you money.
What Is Kindle Unlimited?
Kindle Unlimited is Amazon's monthly ebook subscription service.
Instead of buying individual books, you pay one monthly fee and can borrow from a catalogue of millions of ebooks, along with thousands of audiobooks and magazines.
Think of it as Netflix... but for books.
You don't own the books permanently, but you can borrow up to 20 titles at a time and return them whenever you like to borrow something new.
If you're someone who tears through books as quickly as I do, that's a dangerous amount of temptation.
How Much Does Kindle Unlimited Cost?
At the time of writing, Kindle Unlimited costs around the price of one paperback each month.
That means if you read just two or three eligible books every month, you've probably already got your money's worth.
If you regularly buy new releases, the maths becomes even more convincing. GIRL MATHS.
What Books Are Available?
This is probably the biggest misconception.
Not every Kindle book is included.
Popular traditionally published books come and go, while many independent authors have their books available all the time.
The catalogue is especially strong if you enjoy:
Romance
Fantasy
Thrillers
Psychological thrillers
Cozy mysteries
Contemporary fiction
Young Adult
Romantasy
I've discovered some absolute favourites that I'd never have picked up if they'd required me to spend £5 or £10 on a whim.
That's one of my favourite things about Kindle Unlimited, it encourages you to take chances.
The Pros of Kindle Unlimited
I've Saved a Small Fortune
Let's be honest.
Books aren't cheap.
If you're reading five, ten or even twenty books a month, buying every single one quickly becomes an expensive hobby.
Kindle Unlimited has easily saved me hundreds of pounds over the years.
Probably more.
Although I'd rather not calculate it because I'd only end up using the savings as an excuse to buy more books.
It Helps Me Escape Reading Slumps
One of the biggest reasons I love Kindle Unlimited is that I never feel guilty abandoning a book.
If I'm 15% into a novel and it's just not clicking?
Back it goes.
No buyer's remorse.
No stubborn determination to finish because "I paid for it."
That freedom has genuinely helped me avoid some very long reading slumps.
It Encourages Me to Try New Authors
Some of my favourite authors were complete unknowns to me until I found them on Kindle Unlimited.
Without the subscription, I'd probably never have taken the risk.
Now they're automatic pre-orders.
The Downsides
It's not perfect.
Not Every Bestseller Is Included
If you're subscribing because you expect every viral BookTok title to be available, you'll probably be disappointed.
Some are included.
Many aren't.
The catalogue changes regularly, so availability can vary.
You Don't Own the Books
Once you cancel your subscription, you lose access to any books you've borrowed.
If it's a book you'll want to reread every year, you might still decide to buy a copy.
It Can Be Overwhelming
There are so many books.
Sometimes choosing what to read becomes harder than actually reading.
My TBR certainly hasn't got any smaller.
Who Should Get Kindle Unlimited?
I'd recommend it if you:
Read at least two books a month.
Love discovering new authors.
Enjoy romance, fantasy or thrillers.
Prefer reading on a Kindle or Kindle app.
Often finish books in just a few days.
If you're only reading a handful of books each year, it probably isn't worth paying for every month.
You could always subscribe for a few months, binge-read everything on your list, then cancel until you're ready to do it again.
My Favourite Thing About Kindle Unlimited
This might sound strange, but my favourite part isn't actually saving money.
It's removing the pressure.
Because I haven't individually paid for each book, I'm much more willing to experiment.
Some books become unexpected favourites.
Some get returned after three chapters.
Either way, I don't feel like I've wasted money.
Reading becomes fun again instead of feeling like a financial commitment.
Is Kindle Unlimited Worth It?
For me?
Without question.
As someone who reads over 100 books every year, it pays for itself many times over.
I've discovered brilliant authors, escaped countless reading slumps and saved far more money than I'd care to admit.
That said, it really comes down to how much you read.
If you only finish a few books each year, buying them individually probably makes more sense.
But if you're constantly adding books to your wish list and wondering where your book budget disappeared...
Kindle Unlimited is definitely worth considering.
Final Thoughts
Reading is one of my favourite hobbies, and anything that makes it easier, cheaper and more enjoyable gets a big thumbs up from me.
Will Kindle Unlimited magically stop you buying physical books?
Absolutely not.
Trust me.
You'll still somehow convince yourself you need that gorgeous sprayed-edge special edition.
But it might just stop your bank account crying quite so often.
And that's a win in my book.
Molly
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