October 2020 - Book Box Club Unboxing

Book Box Club Unboxing October 2020

I give you my unboxing of the October 2020 'From Afar' box.

Subscriptions:

I went for the full subscription for six months. You can select monthly, or 3 monthly, 6 monthly or soon I believe 12 monthly, as well as signing up for the pure books version, which comes without the swag and goodies. The boxes are now shipped slightly differently with tracking numbers.

The box itself:

It comes in a very cute and neat turquoise box, with paper filling to protect the book(s) and goodies, plus very attractive gift wrap around the book.

So pretty!

Inside:

Book - The Deep Blue Between by Ayesha Harruna Attah (signed sticker book plate).

Readers of South Korea Mug with artwork by Cindy King.

Chai Hot Chocolate by The Spice Kitchen.

Kingdom of Arawiya  room spray by Bookish Bazaar.

The Deep Blue Between Tea Towel with artwork by Helen Crawford-White.

From Afar Reading print by Book Box Club.

Love in Colour digital extract.

Bookish goodies: from Orbit and HarperCollins.



Clubhouse invite.

I received a special 10 box order loyalty pin.

I'll be reading the book over the next couple of weeks, so watch out for my review coming soon!

Check out my YouTube Channel!

Whatcha Reading Wednesday - The Deep Blue Between

As seen in the October Book Box Club box!!

The Deep Blue Between

by Ayesha Harruna Attah

What they say: Twin sisters Hassana and Husseina's home is in ruins after a brutal raid. But this is not the end but the beginning of their story, one that will take them to unfamiliar cities and cultures, where they will forge new families, ward off dangers and truly begin to know themselves.

As the twins pursue separate paths in Brazil and the Gold Coast of West Africa, they remain connected through shared dreams of water. But will their fates ever draw them back together?

A sweeping adventure with richly evocative historical settings, The Deep Blue Between is a moving story of the bonds that can endure even the most dramatic change.

More info

September 2020 Book Box Club Unboxing

Book Box Club Unboxing September 2020

I give you my unboxing of the September 2020 'Once Upon a Story' box.

Subscriptions:

I went for the full subscription for six months. You can select monthly, or 3 monthly, 6 monthly or soon I believe 12 monthly, as well as signing up for the pure books version, which comes without the swag and goodies. The boxes are now shipped slightly differently with tracking numbers.

The box itself:

It comes in a very cute and neat turquoise box, with paper filling to protect the book(s) and goodies, plus very attractive gift wrap around the book.

So pretty!

Inside:

Book - D: A Tale of Two Worlds by Michel Faber




Clubhouse invite.

Fairy Tales Cushion Cover by Sparrow + Wall

Fairy Tales snood with artwork by Rachael Preshy

Bookish Planner Pad by Vetoile

Auryn Enamel pin by Book Box Club

Ruby Slippers candle by Bookworm Candles

A Girl Made of Air Notecards

I'll be reading the book over the next couple of weeks, so watch out for my review coming soon!

Check out my YouTube Channel!

July 2020 Book Box Club Unboxing

Book Box Club Unboxing July 2020

I give you my unboxing video for the July 2020 'Magical Talents' box.

You can watch my unboxing video at the bottom of this post or click here. 

Subscriptions:

I went for the full subscription for six months. You can select monthly, or 3 monthly, 6 monthly or soon I believe 12 monthly, as well as signing up for the pure books version, which comes without the swag and goodies. The boxes are now shipped slightly differently with tracking numbers.

The box itself:

It comes in a very cute and neat turquoise box, with paper filling to protect the book(s) and goodies, plus very attractive gift wrap around the book.

The artwork is as beautiful as ever!

Inside:

Book - Splinters of Scarlet by Emily Bain Murphy. 

Clubhouse invite.

Splinters of Scarlet Adjustable Ring by Lisa Angel.

Magic Bottled Water Flask by Girl and Type.

Moana Magnetic Bookmark by TJ Lubrano (originally missing from box but replaced the next day).

Golden Althiometer Lipbalm by Mad About Nature.

Magical Studies Notebooks by Book Box Club.

Bookish extras: Future release card and bookmark.

I'll be reading the book over the next couple of weeks, so watch out for my review coming soon!

My Unboxing video:

Check out my YouTube Channel!

May 2020 Book Box Club Unboxing

Book Box Club Unboxing May 2020

I give you my unboxing video for the May 2020 'Dangers and Dragons' box.

You can watch my unboxing video at the bottom of this post or click here. 

Subscriptions:

I went for the full subscription for six months. You can select monthly, or 3 monthly, 6 monthly or soon I believe 12 monthly, as well as signing up for the pure books version, which comes without the swag and goodies. The boxes are now shipped slightly differently with tracking numbers.

The box itself:

It comes in a very cute and neat turquoise box, with paper filling to protect the books and goodies, plus very attractive gift wrap around the book (or in this case books).

The artwork is as beautiful as ever!

Inside:

Books - BURN by Patrick Ness. 

Clubhouse invite.

Hungarian Horntail Candle by Midnight Flame Co.

Smaug Foil Print with Artwork by Tim Ingle Art.

Dragon Egg Bath Bomb by Druid and the Witch.

Dragon Socks by Joe Cool.

Draconis Enamel Necklace by Book Box Club.

Bookish extras: Wonderland cards and Your Twisted sampler.

I'll be reading the book over the next couple of weeks, so watch out for my review coming soon!

My Unboxing video:

Check out my YouTube Channel!

Am Reading - Thorn

Thorn - Dauntless Path #1

by Intisar Khanani

What they say: For Princess Alyrra, choice is a luxury she's never had ... until she's betrayed.

Princess Alyrra has never enjoyed the security or power of her rank. Between her family's cruelty and the court's contempt, she has spent her life in the shadows. Forced to marry a powerful foreign prince, Alyrra embarks on a journey to meet her betrothed with little hope for a better future.

But powerful men have powerful enemies--and now, so does Alyrra. Betrayed during a magical attack, her identity is switched with another woman's, giving Alyrra the first choice she's ever had: to start a new life for herself or fight for a prince she's never met. But Alyrra soon finds that Prince Kestrin is not at all what she expected. While walking away will cost Kestrin his life, returning to the court may cost Alyrra her own. As Alyrra is coming to realize, sometime the hardest choice means learning to trust herself.

Thorn will be re-released by HarperTeen in Winter 2020.

More info

April 2020 Book Box Club Unboxing

Book Box Club Unboxing April 2020

I give you my unboxing video for the April 2020 'Cursed Kingdoms' box.

You can watch my unboxing video at the bottom of this post or click here. 

Subscriptions:

I went for the full subscription for six months. You can select monthly, or 3 monthly, 6 monthly or soon I believe 12 monthly, as well as signing up for the pure books version, which comes without the swag and goodies. The boxes are now shipped slightly differently with tracking numbers.

The box itself:

It comes in a very cute and neat turquoise box, with paper filling to protect the books and goodies, plus very attractive gift wrap around the book (or in this case books).

The artwork is as beautiful as ever!

Inside:

Books - Seven Endless Forests by April Genevieve Tucholke and Thorn by Intisar Khanani

A special Cursed Kingdoms clubhouse invite with personalised access code to chat to the authors.

Zellie soap bar (rose, yang yang and Melissa) by Wild Eve. It smells yummy!

Cursed Kingdoms sleep/eye mask. It's very soft.

Till the last petal falls cookie by Gardners Cookies. It has a cute rose design embossed into the icing.

Rule the world patch.

Cursed Kingdom artwork cards.

Bookish extras: The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd sampler.

I'll be reading the books over the next couple of weeks, so watch out for my reviews coming soon!

My Unboxing video:

Check out my YouTube Channel!

Review - Hold Back the Tide

 Hold Back the Tide

by Melinda Salisbury

What they say: Everyone knows what happened to Alva's mother, all those years ago. But when dark forces begin to stir in Ormscaula, Alva has to face a very different future - and question everything she thought she knew about her past...

Unsettling, sharply beautiful and thought-provoking, HOLD BACK THE TIDE is the new novel from Melinda Salisbury, bestselling author of The Sin Eater's Daughter trilogy. 

More info!




I received Hold Back the Tide in the March 2020 edition of the Book Box Club subscription purchased myself. Views are my own!

What I say: Oh the drama! The book opens with a bold statement (you'll have to read it yourself to discover what it is) and takes us with Alva as she tries to escape the small town where she's looked upon with distain and suspicion. She is a Douglas after all!

There are twists galore in the story. Whenever I thought I'd figured out where Melinda Salisbury was taking the plot, something would happen that changed everything. That being said, it never felt jumpy or overly dramatic. I found myself visualising the loch and life in Ormscaula along with Alva and Ren.

Alva just wants a normal, happy, quiet life, but everyone in the village and her father seem to have an opinion on what she should and should not do. Alva does not want to be stuck watching the water, she wants freedom away from fear.

I throughly enjoyed Hold Back the Tide even if it did stress me out, raise my blood pressure and make me cry! Don't forget - ignore the screams and don't go outside at night!

4 Stars in my Sky!

Whatcha Reading Wednesday - Hold Back the Tide

A treat from the March Book Box Club... 

Hold Back the Tide

by Melinda Salisbury

What they say: Everyone knows what happened to Alva's mother, all those years ago. But when dark forces begin to stir in Ormscaula, Alva has to face a very different future - and question everything she thought she knew about her past...

Unsettling, sharply beautiful and thought-provoking, HOLD BACK THE TIDE is the new novel from Melinda Salisbury, bestselling author of The Sin Eater's Daughter trilogy. 

More info!

Book Box Club Unboxing March 2020

Book Box Club Unboxing March 2020

I give you my unboxing of the March 2020 'Mythical Monsters' box.

You can watch my unboxing video at the bottom of this post. 

Subscriptions:

I went for the full subscription for six months. You can select monthly, or 3 monthly, 6 monthly or soon I believe 12 monthly, as well as signing up for the pure books version, which comes without the swag and goodies.

The box itself:

It comes in a very cute and neat turquoise box, with paper filling to protect the books and goodies, plus very attractive gift wrap around the book (or in this case books).

I think this is my favourite theme of the three boxes I've received so far! I LOVE the wall hanging and all the artwork is fab!!!

Inside:

Book - Hold Back the Tide by Melinda Salisbury

A special clubhouse invite with personalised access code to chat to the authors.

Mythical Monsters Wall Hanging with Artwork by Klara Hawkins.

Nessie Tea Strainer by Ototo Design.

Dragon Well Loose Tea by the True Tea Company.

Niffler Magnet with Artwork by Emily Carrier.

Iorek enamel pin by Book Box Club.

Bookish extra bookmarks: Michael O'Mara Books, Usborne and Bloomsbury.

I'll be reading the book over the next couple of weeks, so watch out for my review coming soon!

My Unboxing video:

Check out my YouTube Channel!

Review - The Upside of Falling

The Upside of Falling

by Alex Light

What they say: It’s been years since seventeen-year-old Becca Hart believed in true love. But when her former best friend teases her for not having a boyfriend, Becca impulsively pretends she’s been secretly seeing someone.

Brett Wells has it all. Being captain of the football team and one of the most popular guys in school, he should have no problem finding someone to date, but he’s always been more focused on his future than who to bring to prom. When he overhears Becca’s lie, Brett decides to step in and be her mystery guy. It’s the perfect solution: he gets people off his back for not dating and she can keep up the ruse.

Acting like the perfect couple isn’t easy though, especially when you barely know the other person. But with Becca still picking up the pieces from when her world was blown apart years ago and Brett just barely holding his together now, they begin to realize they have more in common than they ever could have imagined. When the line between real and pretend begins to blur, they are forced to answer the question: is this fake romance the realest thing in either of their lives?

More info

I received a copy in the Feb 2020 Book Box Club book which I purchased myself.

What I say: I've been reading lots of fantasy and dystopian stories recently, so jumped at the chance to read The Upside of Falling because it gave me the chance to sink me teeth into some YA contemporary! 

Bookish Becca loves a romance book, but doesn't believe love can last and is not worth the risk of potential heartache. One embarrassing confrontation with a former friend later and she finds herself with popular football captain and all-round dreamboat, Brett, posing as her boyfriend. Brett for his part does it to help her out and to assist with his family expectations. There are lots of fake romance stories out there but what I liked here was that it evolves organically and the relationship comes from a kind place.

Both main characters have different experiences in terms of their home lives and on paper they shouldn't work, but thank cuteness, they do!

I read The Upside of Falling in the height of all the horror going on in the outside world and it was the perfect tonic to the anxiety and upset in real life. I enjoyed the cute story and slow burn between Becca and Brett. I would have liked a little more development and dare I say it, drama, but I liked the characters and the plot made me smile.

Where do I find some Jelly Bells?

4 Stars in my Sky!

Am Reading - The Upside of Falling

The Upside of Falling

by Alex Light

What they say: It’s been years since seventeen-year-old Becca Hart believed in true love. But when her former best friend teases her for not having a boyfriend, Becca impulsively pretends she’s been secretly seeing someone.

Brett Wells has it all. Being captain of the football team and one of the most popular guys in school, he should have no problem finding someone to date, but he’s always been more focused on his future than who to bring to prom. When he overhears Becca’s lie, Brett decides to step in and be her mystery guy. It’s the perfect solution: he gets people off his back for not dating and she can keep up the ruse.

Acting like the perfect couple isn’t easy though, especially when you barely know the other person. But with Becca still picking up the pieces from when her world was blown apart years ago and Brett just barely holding his together now, they begin to realize they have more in common than they ever could have imagined. When the line between real and pretend begins to blur, they are forced to answer the question: is this fake romance the realest thing in either of their lives?

More info

Review - The Good Hawk

The Good Hawk - Shadow Skye #1

by Joseph Elliott

What they say: In a mythic Scotland, two unlikely heroes must make a dangerous journey to save their people.

Agatha is a Hawk, brave and fierce, who protects her people by patrolling the high walls of their island home. She is proud of her job, though some in her clan whisper that it is meant to keep her out of the way because of the condition she was born with. Jaime, thoughtful and anxious, is an Angler, but he hates the sea. Worse, he’s been chosen for a duty that the clan hasn’t required for generations: to marry. The elders won’t say why they have promised him to a girl in a neighboring clan, but there are rumors of approaching danger.When disaster strikes and the clan is kidnapped, it is up to Agatha and Jaime to travel across the haunted mainland of Scotia to Norveg, with help along the way from a clan of nomadic Highland bull riders and the many animals who are drawn to Agatha’s extraordinary gift of communication. Thrilling and dark yet rich with humor and compassion, this is the first book in the Shadow Skye trilogy, written by a wonderful new voice in fantasy and introducing a welcome new kind of hero.

More info!

I received a copy in the Jan 2020 Book Box Club box (paid for myself)

What I say: I received The Good Hawk as part of the January 2020 Book Box Club Deadly Secrets box. Deadly secrets is a perfect way to describe the book because it's full of both! Think of a fictional version of the Isle of Skye, set in a past where clans are at war and magic is real (or is it?), and you're still not even close to covering everything in the story.

Agatha is tolerated by her clan (just) and has to hide her true self. Her innocence made me smile and I loved seeing her come into her own. The diversity Elliott has included with Agatha is really important and I particularly appreciated how celebrated she is, without being a box ticking opportunity.

Jaime also goes through a lot in the story. He finds his courage and voice in a world where he doesn't have many choices. I did like the idea of a seasick angler!

The myths of Scotland are so interwoven within the story that I could almost believe that they were real. Elliott never shies away from the horrible truths of life: we see death, betrayal and madness, as well as friendship and love.

The book shows many different ways of being heroic and brave. It highlights the importance of being yourself and not changing for anyone. 

I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next...

4 Stars in my Sky!

Feb 2020 Book Box Club Unboxing

Book Box Club Unboxing Feb 2020

I held off posting this to save spoilers for those who hadn't received their boxes, but I give you my unboxing of the Feb 2020 'Roses Are Red' box.

You can watch my unboxing video at the bottom of this post. 

Subscriptions:

I went for the full subscription for six months. You can select monthly, or 3 monthly, 6 monthly or soon I believe 12 monthly, as well as signing up for the pure books version, which comes without the swag and goodies.

The box itself:

It comes in a very cute and neat turquoise box, with paper filling to protect the books and goodies, plus very attractive gift wrap around the book (or in this case books).

Inside:

Book - The Upside of Falling by Alex Light.

A special clubhouse invite with personalised access code to chat to the authors.

The Upside of Falling recipe card.

Couples Mug by Ink and Wonder

Chocolate Brownie Mix by BakedIn

Rose Scrunchie by Lady Sarah Collections

Love Letters Notepad by KimCarlika

Just Me and My Book Tote by Book Box Club

Harper Collins and Bloomsbury book coming soon info.

I'll be reading the book over the next couple of weeks, so watch out for my review coming soon!

My Unboxing video:

Check out my YouTube Channel!

Review - The Pure Heart

The Pure Heart

by Trudi Tweedie

What they say: When Iseabail is employed by a wealthy merchant to be his daughter's companion, her life changes forever. Transported from her remote island home to the Scottish borderlands, Iseabail is unnerved both by her precocious young charge and the house's secrets: a hidden chapel, servants who speak in a foreign tongue, a mute stableboy. And then the merchant returns with a mysterious cargo. Why has Iseabail really been summoned here? And will she ever make it back home?

Add to Goodreads

I received this in the January 2020 Book Box Club box. No review was expected and the views are mine alone.

Buy here!

What I say: I received The Pure Heart by Trudi Tweedie in Book Box Club's January box. I'm a little surprised by the number of negative reviews because I enjoyed the story (mostly), but each to their own and all that! I can understand why people found Iseabail annoying or difficult to like.

This was a very different type of book to what I was expecting. In a good way! I was expecting a YA historical romance with a love triangle or two. Without giving anything away, this is SO not what The Pure Heart is about!

Iseabail lives on a remotes Scottish island with her family but finds herself sent away from everything she knows and the boy she's supposed to marry, to be the companion of a rich merchant's daughter, Maria. Iseabail is taken to a Bronte like manor house full of mystery, gothic beauty and all kinds of drama. Scotland and the house are described beautifully, I could almost taste the waters myself.

I liked Iseabail although I would have liked her to follow her instincts and ask more questions. Something about Maria reminded me of cousin Colin from The Secret Garden and she was just as demanding and irritating. 

The Pure Heart has all the twists. Oh the ending! In terms of closure I would like a follow up, although on the other hand I did like the different ending and particularly enjoyed the world building.

4 Stars in my Sky!