Book of the Month is a monthly book subscription box. Each month, five curators pick out their favorite new hardcover books, and you can choose which one you want to receive on the first of the month for $14.99/month. You can also add up to two additional books for only $9.99 each. (This box was named one of the best subscriptions for avid readers in the 2022 Subscription Box Awards.)
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
Book Selections
These are all seven of the options for this month. All of the books seemed a little dark or had a thriller vibe this month and I had a hard time choosing. This is when those BOTM descriptions and excerpts they provide really come in handy!
My BOTM Pick for August
Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney — Retail Value $28.99 (On sale for $23.99)
Book Summary from Amazon:
Daisy Darker was born with a broken heart. Now after years of avoiding each other, Daisy Darker’s entire family is assembling for Nana’s 80th birthday party in her crumbling gothic house on a tiny tidal island. The family arrives, each of them harboring secrets. When the tide comes in, they will be cut off from the rest of the world for eight hours.
But at the stroke of midnight, as a storm rages, Nana is found dead. And an hour later, the next family member follows…
Trapped on an island where someone is killing them one by one, the Darkers must reckon with their present mystery as well as their past secrets, before the tide goes out and all is revealed. As seen on the TODAY show and picked by Book of the Month, Daisy Darker's family secrets and Alice Feeney's trademark shocking twists will keep readers riveted.
What an ominous start to this book! I wasn't too sure if I would like this story during the first chapter, but the very last sentence got me hooked. The promise of a secret revealed is just too good to resist! The whole book takes place mainly at Seaglass, Nana's home in the middle of the sea in Cornwall. Fun fact, I actually lived in England when I was younger and one of my favorite memories is of being in this castle that was out at sea – you either had to cross when the tide was low or take a boat, much like Seaglass from our book. I remember sitting at this window and all you could see was the ocean, and while at the time I thought it was beautiful and magical, this story made me realize just how frightening that scenario could be with a murderer on the loose and no way to escape!
The story is told through the eyes of Daisy, and she seems to have led a very sheltered life due to her heart condition. While the rest of her family appears to be quite selfish and somewhat vapid, I am not sure if her viewpoint can be fully trusted because she seems a bit naive. This leads to a healthy dose of distrust towards her throughout the story which definitely added to the mystery as you begin to suspect she might know something and has secrets of her own to be revealed!
The story read like a big family game of Clue, but a bit darker. In fact, after I came to that conclusion on my own, they even referenced it as such within the book. Much like Clue, there is this somewhat jovial tone despite the murders, possibly because there aren't too many gruesome details and there is almost an air of nonchalance. The poems and clues in the form of VHS tapes of home movies that begin to appear help it feel more like a game.
As they watch more, you get a sense that the family begins to see events from their past in another light. It is tense and eerie and as more is revealed, things take a sad turn and you see how things might have been different if people had made different choices. There are twists and turns and the mystery of it all makes you want to speed read to find out how it all ends. The only thing I feel like I might be missing is a little bit of closure or remorse from some characters, but then again, we are seeing this through Daisy's eyes and maybe she just doesn't have the full story...or does she?
If you picked this book this month, please let me know what you think of it!
Each month they send us a bookmark with a witty phrase on it.
Value - Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $14.99 + free shipping
Value Breakdown:
This box costs $14.99, but the book I chose retails for $28.99, which is a discount of about $13.99.
Key Takeaways
This book was riveting and such a quick read for me because I just HAD to know what was going to happen! I enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to anyone who doesn't mind a darker thriller or wants some quick entertainment!
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To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this book if you sign up today? No, but you can always choose from past picks to start your subscription or add it on!
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