Sweet Reads Box is a subscription box for book lovers craving some me time. Each month you will receive a carefully curated box showcasing the bestselling novel of the month. In addition to your novel, you will receive: an item connected to your novel’s storyline/theme/setting, a delicious drink to set the mood, a sweet treat to enjoy while reading, a card explaining our choice of novel regarding how your items connect, and more!
The Cost: $89.99 per month for the monthly box + free US shipping from Canada. Save with longer subscriptions.
ACTIVE DEAL: 10% off 3, 6, or 12 Month Subscriptions
CODE: MSA
This review is of the "Every Summer After" Sweet Reads Box, which is currently on sale for $60.00.
This box was sent to us at no cost to review. (Check out our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
I haven't had the pleasure of reviewing the Sweet Reads Box in a while, so I was extremely excited to see this book adorned package sitting on my doorstep after I got home from a challenging day at work. I couldn't wait to slip into my jammies and curl up with the included book, while enjoying all of the extra goodies. Read below to see just what we received.
First Impressions
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Packaged in a sturdy cardboard box layered with bubble wrap and tissue paper, our box travelled from Canada to the USA safe and sound. Featuring book stack clipart and fun fonts, I couldn't wait to dive in.
Here's What's Inside
Content Card
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Even though we are in the midst of autumn, I am missing summer hardcore, so the lake photo on this content card has me swooning for June already. The quote "Coming back is the thing that enables you to see how all the dots in your life are connected" by Ann Patchett is so incredibly powerful, especially as I embark on my 4th year in education at the very high school I graduated from in 2006. Those dots are really connecting! On the opposing side of the card, we were welcomed with a list of all of the items included in the "Every Summer After" box, along with a note as to why each item was chosen, designating if they were from a Canadian company.
Every Summer After by Carley Fortune - Retail Value $10.00
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They say you can never go home again, and for Persephone Fraser, ever since she made the biggest mistake of her life a decade ago, that has felt too true. Instead of glittering summers on the lakeshore of her childhood, she spends them in a stylish apartment in the city, going out with friends, and keeping everyone a safe distance from her heart. Until she receives the call that sends her racing back to Barry’s Bay and into the orbit of Sam Florek—the man she never thought she’d have to live without. For six summers, through hazy afternoons on the water and warm summer nights working in his family’s restaurant and curling up together with books—medical textbooks for him and work-in-progress horror short stories for her—Percy and Sam had been inseparable. Eventually that friendship turned into something breathtakingly more, before it fell spectacularly apart. When Percy returns to the lake for Sam’s mother’s funeral, their connection is as undeniable as it had always been. But until Percy can confront the decisions she made and the years she’s spent punishing herself for them, they’ll never know whether their love might be bigger than the biggest mistakes of their past. Told over the course of six years and one weekend, Every Summer After is a big, sweeping nostalgic story of love and the people and choices that mark us forever.
I am a sucker for a good romance, and one that has been recommended by Jodi Picoult herself, is a must read for me. Not only were the characters interesting and convincing, but the story itself resonated with me. Because I was married at 18, young romance makes my heart swoon, and while our stories are very different, it did have me reminiscing on some of the good old days! Quick to read, I couldn't put this down until I was finished, and enjoyed every second of it.
Salted Caramel Popcorn and Popcorn Bags - Retail Value $6.99
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Pairing perfectly with the book, we received a bag of salted chocolate caramel popcorn and 4 individual bags. Unlike the characters in the book, my popcorn will not be consumed while watching a horror movie, but rather a happy-go-lucky romance in the company of my husband. Because we received 4 bags to divide the original bag into, I was able to share with my husband and kids. Tasting as good as it looks, we all enjoyed this special treat, and I appreciated the "Come Back Snacks" label that paired perfectly with the book.
S'mores Hot Chocolate - Buy a package of 6 for $9.48
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Though this box obviously has a summer vibe, I have to say, this s'more hot chocolate mix has come at the perfect time. With temps dipping into the low 20s, you can bet I already curled up next to the fireplace with one mug of this deliciousness, but am saving the other for my thermos for a Friday night football game. Sticking with the camping and summer curation, this too fits perfectly with the theme of the box and was fantastic mixed with hot milk.
The Tavern Pierogi Seasoning and Recipe
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Honestly, I have never tried (or heard of) pierogi before, but am very intrigued. The seasoning smells fantastic, and I'm hoping once my son's flag football season is over, I will have a little more time to cook and try new recipes. I did make mashed potatoes recently and was really tempted to add it to that instead, but I just have to try out this pierogi recipe! Any tips for this endeavor?
Custom Car Coasters
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How cute! Ceramic car coasters that are customized with actual parts of the book! What a fun and useful reminder of this wonderful story, and just super cute in general. Perfect to soak up spills in my car cup holder, I wish I had these back when my car was new to keep it from looking like a dumpster fire.
Skull and Roses Sniffs - Retail Value $1.99
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Going back to circa 2006, I had a white t-shirt with almost this exact artwork and a lot of bedazzling, so I was all about these tissues. Pertaining so well to Percy's personality, I see why they were included and am honestly so happy they were. I can't wait to whip one of these bad boys out in our leadership meeting! They are just so bada**!
MudLOVE Friendship Bracelet - Retail Value $8.00
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As you may know, my dad has commented to me more than once that "accessory" should be my middle name, and he's not wrong. I love accessories. This adorable friendship bracelet made by Mud Love provides 1 week of clean water with purchase and is just plain cute. With a stylish tightening mechanism and clay charm I was pretty set on keeping it for myself, until I noticed the "ML" stamped on the charm. Because one of my student's has those initials, I offered it to her as a Tuesday morning surprise. Squealing with delight, I think I made a 7th grade girl's day, and now have the Mud Love website bookmarked on my desktop for future orders.
Sweet Reads Bookmark
To keep you from dog-earing those pages, we also received a summer's day bookmark.... but honestly, who needs one when you stay up all night to finish this book?!
Author Letter
Another neat aspect of this box is the letter from the author. Written specifically for those that purchase this box, we are given a glimpse of what inspired Carley to write this book, and a little about her background. While simple, it does make the book feel a bit more personalized, and creates an entire experience, rather than just a quick read.
Verdict
While it's been a while since I've reviewed a box from Sweet Reads, I have to say, they still got it! Though summer is long over, I really enjoyed the book and relevant lifestyle items that were included in this theme. The contents when paired with the story itself creates a feeling of nostalgia, taking the novel to the next level.
As far as value goes, because this box offers some exclusive items, it's hard to calculate an accurate total. This particular box is currently on sale for $60.00 and we received 10 items, which equals out to about $6.00 a piece. While that is still expensive for some of the smaller items, I do feel this price is fair if you are looking for a book experience that lures you in through well-curated goodies. Also, past boxes are for sale in the shop, so if a particular theme jumps out at your, there is always a one-time purchase option!) What did you think of this box?
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Other Things You Should Know
Can I still get this box if I sign up today? Yes. This box is currently available in the "Shop Buy Now Boxes" section of the Sweet Reads box website. Monthly orders will ship around the 5th of the month.
ACTIVE DEAL: 10% off 3, 6, or 12 Month Subscriptions
CODE: MSA
What did you think of the Sweet Reads "Every Summer After" box?
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