Once Upon a Book Club is a unique, interactive online community that offers a monthly subscription service where readers will receive a monthly box in the mail containing a newly released book to read for the month, along with 3-5 individually wrapped gifts. These gifts are curated by the Once Upon a Book Club team to enhance the reading experience.
They kindly sent us this box for review.
Subscription Details
You can choose between a Young Adult (ages 14+) or Adult (ages 18+) subscription when signing up. Boxes start from $34.99, and you may choose a month-to-month, 3-month, 6-month, or annual subscription. Each box will contain the book of the month, 3-5 individually wrapped gifts with page numbers from the book, a 5×7 quote print featuring a quote from the selected book, and a booklet with discussion questions and read-a-long dates for live discussions with fellow Book Club members.
Let’s take a closer look at everything in the April 2021 box!
Meet Me in Paradise by Libby Hubscher
“Ever since her journalist mother died on assignment, Marin has played it safe, refusing to set foot outside the state of Tennessee. Her wild-child younger sister, Sadie, has trotted the globe as a photographer, living off art and adrenaline.”
“When Sadie returns from a tough assignment abroad and looks a little worse for wear, Marin reluctantly agrees to a sisters’ spa weekend on the tropical island of Saba. But her lifelong fear of travel is justified when Sadie misses the flight, Marin’s luggage gets mixed up with another passenger’s, and an episode of turbulence sends her hurtling into the lap of Lucas Tsai, the handsome stranger who stole her sister’s seat.”
“For the first time in a long time, Marin has to step outside her comfort zone as she explores the island with Lucas and learns what she’s been missing out on. With each breathtaking new experience, Marin gets closer to her real self, the man she’s falling for, and the heart-wrenching truth about why she’s there in the first place.”
Book Club Kit
The box comes with a booklet containing an interview with the author, read-a-long-dates with other book clubbers, and discussion questions for the book club’s Facebook group.
Book Quote
This month’s book quote print reads “Everything great is on the other side of fear”. There is also a signed bookplate by the author.
This month’s Once Upon a Book Club BOX contains 4 individually-wrapped gifts. Readers are supposed to open the gift when they reach the particular page indicated on the gift wrap. I really enjoy this interactive experience, and it is what makes this box so unique.
Page 110 – Mesh Produce Bag
On page 110, Marin and Lucas are diving and collecting shells from the bottom of the ocean in a mesh bag.
Page 156 – Wireless Microphone
On page 156, Marin and Lucas are at a bar and Marin sang karaoke in front of a crowd for the first time.
Page 245 – Straw and Ring
On page 245, Felix proposes to Sadie by slipping a ring around the straw of the coconut water she is drinking.
Page 325 – Necklace
On page 325, Lucas gifts Marin a gold necklace with a large pearl.
Final Thoughts
Love the theme of the April Once Upon a Book Club, a tropical vacation themed box just in time for the summer! I have to admit, of all the genres, one I do not enjoy is romance, but I am pleasantly surprised by this month’s book. I expected this to be another romantic comedy, but instead it is also the story about Marin’s journey to go out of her comfort zone and discovering herself. This perfectly illustrated to me the purpose of a book subscription box like this to help me be more open to reading different books. The gifts really help to bring the book and characters to life as usual. Everything is so carefully and beautifully wrapped to fit in with the theme! If you enjoy reading and unwrapping gifts, definitely check out the Once Upon a Book Club subscription.
Toby & Rocket – http://www.tobyandrocket.com