Online consumer reviews (OCRs) have become a crucial factor in consumer decision-making, especially with the rapid expansion of user-generated content. However, there is limited research on how OCRs influence the purchasing intentions of Arab consumers. Applying Western review models to different cultural contexts without proper analysis may pose challenges. This study seeks to explore how various aspects of OCRs impact the buying decisions of Arab consumers. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study gathered quantitative data from a survey (633 responses) and qualitative insights from interviews (15 participants), which were analysed sequentially. While both quantitative and qualitative data were collected, this paper primarily focuses on the qualitative findings. The results show that key review factors, such as valence, comprehensiveness, readability, and images, along with some secondary factors, like review volume and the reviewer’s experience, significantly affect purchase intentions. In contrast, reviewer identity disclosure and reputation were not found to be important for Arab book shoppers. The semi-structured interviews confirmed the importance of reading OCRs before making a purchase, highlighted the influence of various factors, and introduced a new element: the shared perspectives between the reviewer and the reader of the review. This study offers valuable theoretical contributions and practical recommendations for developers of online review platforms and book publishers to enhance user experience and boost sales.