beta reader

Someone who reads a literary work before it is released to the public. A beta reader is not a professional in the field of writing and publishing, which allows them to offer objective feedback from the perspective of an ordinary reader. A beta reader can help an author fix inconsistencies in plotting that would confuse the average reader. I'm totally devastated that the beta readers called my book dull and unoriginal. I don't know why he still thinks his book is so great after getting feedback that the beta readers didn't enjoy it.