LitCube is a book and reading-inspired subscription box. Each month's box contains a book, as well as other treats to fit the theme, like wearables, gifts, housewares, and snacks.
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
The Subscription Box: LitCube
The Cost: $34.95 per month + free shipping
The Products: Hand-picked books alongside other non-book finds that fit the theme
Ships to: U.S.
Check out all of our LitCube reviews and all of our reviews of Book Subscription Boxes!
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
The live-action Beauty and the Beast movie is finally here, and this box looks ready to help you celebrate!
On the back of the card is a list of the items, plus some info on ways to get involved on social.
Bellamy and the Brute by Alicia Michaels - Value $6.76 on Amazon (retail price $10.95)
From the title alone, I knew this book is going to be a new twist on the Beauty and the Beast story. In this modern retelling, high-schooler Bellamy starts babysitting at the home of the dreamboat-turned-hermit Tate and his family. Instead of breaking a spell, Bellamy's mission becomes helping Tate's very real psychological struggles, as well as solving the fantastical mysteries going on in the house.
Book Summary on Amazon:
A fresh twist on a classic story, Bellamy and the Brute proves true love really is blind.
When Bellamy McGuire is offered a summer job babysitting for the wealthy Baldwin family, she's reluctant to accept. After all, everyone in town knows about the mysterious happenings at the mansion on the hill―including the sudden disappearance of the Baldwin's eldest son, Tate. The former football star and golden boy of Wellhollow Springs became a hermit at the age of sixteen, and no one has seen or heard from him since. Rumors abound as to why, with whisperings about a strange illness―one that causes deformity and turned him into a real-life monster. Bellamy wants to dismiss these rumors as gossip, but when she's told that if she takes the job, she must promise to never, ever visit the third floor of the mansion, she begins to wonder if there really is some dark truth hidden there.
Tate's condition may not be the only secret being kept at Baldwin House. There are gaps in the family's financial history that don't add up, and surprising connections with unscrupulous characters. At night there are strange noises, unexplained cold drafts, and the electricity cuts out. And then there are the rose petals on the staircase. The rose petals that no one but Bellamy seems to be able to see. The rose petals that form a trail leading right up to the 3 rd floor, past the portrait of a handsome young man, and down a dark hallway where she promised she would never, ever go…
As Bellamy works to unravel the mysteries of Baldwin House and uncover the truth about Tate, she realizes that she is in way over her head… in more ways than one. Can her bravery and determination help to right the wrongs of the past and free the young man whose story has captured her heart?
The book comes with an autographed bookmark, too!
Exclusive Beauty and the Beast Mug - Listed Value $19.99
This mug was made by LitCube, exclusively for subscribers. My favorite part of the Beauty and the Beast story is Belle's adventurous spirit, so I really like that they chose this quote. The dandelion seeds in the design mirror the ones in this scene from the movie, too.
The mug is ceramic and sturdy, but $19.99 seems really high. Maybe if it was an officially licensed piece of merchandise, I'd splurge, but for this, I probably wouldn't expect to pay much over $10.00.
4 oz. "Belle's Books" Candle by In the Wick of Time - Listed Value $10.99
This vegan soy candle has a really unique, musky smell. It's all the richness that I like in campfire-like candles mixed with rose. It's a nice strong scent, but it's not overwhelming like perfumey scents can be.
In the Wick of Time has 8 oz. candles that tend to go for $16.50, meaning I'd assume this candle would only be $8.25 or so, rather than $10.99. Maybe it's priced a bit higher because it's a special scent.
Exclusive Be Our Guest Lip Balm by Olive Kisses - Listed Value $2.99
This lip balm has a subtle citrus scent to it. The label calls it "Sweet Lemon Pie."
The formula is soft and absorbed nicely into my lips. It wasn't sticky, nor overly melty. The side of the package does refer to this as "gold shimmer" balm, but I couldn't detect any shimmer... maybe if I used more at a time? It's a great balm but doesn't have real impact beyond that.
Chocolate Covered Oreo by Piece of Cake LA - Listed Value $2.95
I never mind getting a sweet treat in this box! This white-chocolate-covered Oreo cookie had a pretty rose pattern on the top that linked it nicely to the Beauty and the Beast theme. I checked out the Piece of Cake LA website and didn't see this item on the menu—maybe it's a unique item for them (even if I'm all too familiar with chocolate-covered Oreos!).
The crunch of the cookie is delightful, especially alongside the creaminess of the white chocolate. I will say that this is one VERY sweet confection! Be prepared with a glass of tea or milk nearby to chase it with!
Verdict: I thought there were some cute items in this LitCube box, though as usual, I'm not sure if the value of everything is quite as high as they state. That said, I estimated that the value of the box was about $44.00-$48.00 (depending on which price you use for the book), which is well above the $34.95 price. I appreciate that this box works most often with smaller indie vendors and publishers so that you tend to get items (books in particular) that you wouldn't find at your local bookstore or gift shop.
What do you think of this month's LitCube?
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