validate([ 'book_recommendation_id' => 'required|exists:book_recommendations,id', ]); $user = $request->user(); if ($user->total_votes > 0) { $user->decrement('total_votes'); Vote::create([ 'user_id' => $user->id, 'book_recommendation_id' => $request->book_recommendation_id, ]); return response()->json(['message' => 'Vote successfully cast.']); } return response()->json(['message' => 'No remaining votes.'], 403); } }