[FizzyWater]

I studied print journalism in college a long, long time ago. Part of the requirements of the degree was to spend a quarter writing for the school newspaper. I was assigned to the "theater" beat.

I got to review two books, a few plays, and at least one dance performance. I didn't pay for any of those. I wasn't asked to write my opinions in any way by honestly.*

My opinion would be, if you're up-front that a free book doesn't automatically buy them a favorable opinion, you're in the clear. (And, based on the post above, I'd say it would be safest to be up-front in the review that you received a copy of the book for free).

*As an OT aside, I remember two complaints. One was that I used the word "insipid" to describe an actress's performance. (The complaint was that I used that word instead of something simpler, not that I complained her performance wasn't very strong. I thought I was safe using that word writing for a college paper - who knew?) The other was that I obviously knew nothing about dance. I wrote what I enjoyed of the performance, but people involved in the performance complained I didn't say enough about their technical proficiencies. Ah, well. I wasn't about to make it up! I thoroughly enjoyed the performance and wrote just that - but hey, it wasn't enough for them.