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My first tour was with @CaffeineTours (technically with That Bookshelf Bitch bec this was in 2018), I unfortunately did not like the book but wanted to make a "safe" post that was basically "I didn't like it, but there were good points, so idk maybe you should try it".
I was committed to writing a review as I had promised, but I also didn't want to pressure myself into lying by saying I liked the book when I didn't.
When I talked this over with Shealea, she explained the purposes of the tour and asked me to consider posting an excerpt instead
When I talked this over with Shealea, she explained the purposes of the tour and asked me to consider posting an excerpt instead
(aka one that didn't include my negative opinions or dissuade others from picking the book up) and upload my review/post *after* the PROMOTIONAL blog tour. I was not offended that she asked me to wait until the PROMOTIONAL tour was over,
I did not think she had the intention of silencing my voice. I was just grateful I could still help in promoting a diverse book without: (1) having to lie about what I felt, (2) creating negative "press" during the promotional period.
I'm glad that was my first blog tour because right at the beginning I learned that I shouldn't feel forced to write good things about a book just because I received an ARC, or just because the author might read it, or just because plenty other people liked it.
