I recently posted my opinions of the idea of offering your novel to readers for free on my blog. I would love to hear the opinions of others in the reading/writing community. If you have two-cents you'd like to share on this issue, please share and make yourself heard!
I don't have enough experience to know - but existing analytics conclusively demonstrate that undervaluation of any artwork by an artist (eg. author) causes their potential audience to undervalue the work in question. If the data are correct, better options might include giveaways on Goodreads (where reviews, shelves, and clicks build readership), donation of copies to libraries (build readership), gift copies to local media personalities (promotion). Donate copies to local firehouses where firefighters spend hours, and might want something to read (build audience).
The Journal of Ord