Book Box Club - April 2018 - review

One of the things I wanted to try this year was to experience more subscription boxes and this is the first one that I've tried that isn't beauty based.

Book Box Club was started by 2 friends who love books and every month you get a box that contains the YA (young adult) read of the month and a few goodies that match the theme. If you don't want the treats you can subscribe to just get the book in their Purely Books option. There's also The Clubhouse which is a members-only club where subscribers can chat about that month's book (and ask the author questions), and I think this is a really great addition.. it's a book club from the comfort of your sofa!

My first month of the Book Club Book was April's Fallen Angels box, which features the novel Out of the Blue by Sophie Cameron. In this story "beings", which are winged creatures, start randomly falling from the sky and most die.. except one. The main character finds the fallen survivor and the story follows her as she works her way through grief, family, trust and love.

One of the key things that I love about this book, and it's probably not one that I would've picked up off a shelf myself because I don't generally buy YA books (I'm a little out of the age range generally), is the love story. It's a gay one between two teenage girls but unlike so many other books it doesn't make anything of the fact that it's a same-sex relationship, it's allowed to just be like any other teenage love story and I love the author for doing that.

The book itself is incredibly well written with a beautiful attention to detail that allows you to really build a picture of the people and the scenery, and the character development is wonderful... you think you know a character's motivations only for them to turn around and surprise you.

Inside the Fallen Angel themed box, I received:

• The book, obviously.
  
• My invitation to The Clubhouse
  
• A gorgeous sparkly candle from Bookish Burns that is sandalwood and patchouli scented. This seriously smells amazing.
  
• Feather bookmark. This is so beautiful and it's been lovingly made out of wood by Ingrained Inc
  
• A sketchbook from The Travelling Sketchbook
  
• Slayer sticker, which definitely appealed to my love of Buffy (because Angel.. duh), from Quotify
  
• Angel Viel Body Butter from Shimmer Luxe..you don't get much in the tin but my god it smells amazing and goes on like a dream!
  
• Tunnocks Teacake... because they're the favourite of one the characters in Out of the Blue, and I was delighted to munch on it as I started to read!
  
• At the bottom of the box there are also a few other little things, including; poster, postcard, promotional bookmark and a small exerpt of (the amazing) Love, Simon.
  

Overall, I loved the April Fallen Angels box from Book Box Club. I actually found them through Facebook when they were offering 50% off your first box.. which I think meant it only cost £14 but the normal cost is £27.99. And that's the only reason I decided to cancel after my first month.. I think £28 is just a little bit too expensive for what you get, despite everything being wonderful. I might revisit in the future, especially if they get a theme I'm really in love with but if you can find a discount code it's worth trying out.

I'd love to know if you have any subscription box recommendations so please drop me a comment below!

Stay safe, x