I received the August Once Upon a Book Club to review for A Year of Boxes. This review also appears on A Year of Boxes website.

If you’ve ever wanted your books to come to life, this is the subscription box for you! Once Upon A Book Club is an interactive online community that offers a unique reading experience like no other. Each month brings a newly released fiction book, 3-5 individually wrapped gifts meant to be opened on specific pages (yay, surprises!), a 5 x 7 quote print featuring a quote from the chosen book, discussion questions, and read-a-long dates for live discussions and gift openings that contribute to the book club experience. They kindly sent us this box for review.

Subscription Details
When you sign up for Once Upon a Book Club, you’ll have two options:
– Young Adult Subscription (Geared towards young adults ages 14+)
– Adult Subscription (Geared towards adults 18+)
Each subscription starts at $34.99 per month. There are other options too: 3 month prepay ($100.99), 6 month prepay ($199.00), 12 month prepay ($390.00).

*Once Upon a Book Club boxes are curated by women and the majority of their books include strong female characters.

Here’s a closer look at the Once Upon a Book Club August Adult box…

To fully experience the box, readers are not meant to open each gift until they have reached the corresponding gift page. SPOILERS AHEAD!

The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware

When she stumbles across the ad, she’s looking for something else completely. But it seems like too good an opportunity to miss—a live-in nannying post, with a staggeringly generous salary. And when Rowan Caine arrives at Heatherbrae House, she is smitten—by the luxurious “smart” home fitted out with all modern conveniences, by the beautiful Scottish Highlands, and by this picture-perfect family.
What she doesn’t know is that she’s stepping into a nightmare—one that will end with a child dead and herself in prison awaiting trial for murder.
Writing to her lawyer from prison, she struggles to explain the unravelling events that led to her incarceration. It wasn’t just the constant surveillance from the cameras installed around the house, or the malfunctioning technology that woke the household with booming music, or turned the lights off at the worst possible time. It wasn’t just the girls, who turned out to be a far cry from the immaculately behaved model children she met at her interview. It wasn’t even the way she was left alone for weeks at a time, with no adults around apart from the enigmatic handyman, Jack Grant.
It was everything.
She knows she’s made mistakes. She admits that she lied to obtain the post, and that her behavior toward the children wasn’t always ideal. She’s not innocent, by any means. But, she maintains, she’s not guilty—at least not of murder. Which means someone else is.
Full of spellbinding menace and told in Ruth Ware’s signature suspenseful style, The Turn of the Key is an unputdownable thriller from the Agatha Christie of our time.

Page 56

On page 56 one of the characters desperately searches to find her phone charger and finds a charging lead in the bedside table. A paper falls out of the drawer, a child’s drawing with a note on the back.

Page 213
On page 213 one of the characters picks up a single purple flower from the kitchen floor and places it inside of a coffee mug.

Page 304
On page 304 something shiny catches one of the characters eyes. She finds her necklace scattered across the floorboards.

Page 335
On page 335 there is a long email message with no subject containing a confession from one of the characters.

Once Upon a Book Club Review August 2019 – Final Thoughts

This is the first box that I have received from Once Upon a Book Club, and I am blown away. This has easily become one of my favorite subscription boxes. I am amazed at all of the preparation and thought that has gone into creating this box. The idea behind this subscription box is incredible to me, and has helped me spark a new interest in reading. Although I already know the spoilers, I look forward to reading this book and re-discovering each of the gifts within the context of the book. I am a huge fan of thrillers, so this book is such a treat!

-Kierra Pierre – Miss Reviews A Lot

I received the August Smartass & Sass box to review for A Year of Boxes. This review also appears on A Year of Boxes website.

Smartass & Sass is a gift and subscription service for the snarky and sassy. If you have a sarcastic sense of humor, love to laugh, and the mouth of a sailor, this subscription service is for you! They work with artists, small businesses, and even design some of their own products that will leave you laughing your a** off. They kindly sent us this box for review.

This is my first time reviewing this subscription box, and it’s such a treat. I found myself giggling at all of the snarky sayings during my unboxing, and I couldn’t wait to share this box with you all! This is the perfect box to gift to yourself or a friend, especially if you’re in need of a little laughter. It is the best kind of medicine after all, right?

Subscription Details

When you sign up for Smartass & Sass, you’ll have three different options:
S&S SHIRT ONLY Subscription – $15.95/month
S&S BOX Subscription – $34.95/month
S&S BIG BOX Subscription – $49.95/month

Each box includes 5-8 handmade, hilarious items you are sure to love. Each monthly box will have a theme (e.g. Motivational AF) and all of the items included will fit within that theme. You can expect things like mugs, notebooks, tote bags, water bottles, pens & pencils, magnets, candles, and more. They regularly survey their sassy gang to make sure they are finding the types of goods you want to get. Don’t worry, while they sometimes work with the same partners for multiple months, you’ll never get the same product twice!

August Theme – Adulting Is Hard

You can say that again! No one said being an adult would be so hard.

Here’s a closer look at the items I received in the August Smartass & Sass box:

Instant Wit Swig Wine Tumbler – S&S 

Sometimes you just need a traveling wine tumbler. This Swig brand tumbler has a stainless steel exterior with a polypropylene lid and liner. This tumbler can fit a full 14 ounces of your favorite beverage, and is BPA free. Hand wash only.

Let’s Overthink This Enamel Pin – Holly Oddly

“The boss babe behind Holly Oddly uses the brand as a way to get things off her chest, which typically results in items with phrases like “I’d rather be at home” and “too busy for your bullsh*t.” Holly’s designs are filled with personality that speaks to our snarky hearts.”

I feel like this pin was made for me. Anyone else constantly overthinking the same things over and over?

Not A Real Adult Sticky Notes – S&S

“Keep track of your responsibilities when you’re doing your best at adulting. #thestruggleisreal Printed on a Post-It brand 3” x 3” pad. Includes 50 sheets.”

These collectible post-it notes are too cute, and they’re so relatable.

Holding My Sh*t Together Tote – Fun Club

“This bag is 100% accurate. Cotton tote bag with light brown faux leather handle and gold metallic printing. 15” x 16.5” (h) The perfect size for holding your sh*t (together)”

This is a high-quality bag, and it’s super spacious. I love the gold detailing and the straps – they’re long enough to fit over your shoulder!

I Have To Do What?! Inner-Truth Pad – Knock Knock

“This to-do notepad tells it like it is, while keeping track of your daily must-do’s, should-do’s, and probably-not-gonna-happens. Own your truth – and check off your tasks with ease! 5 x 8 inches, 60 sheets.”

Let’s be real, sometimes we plan our to-do lists knowing good and well we aren’t going to accomplish everything on the list. I especially like the “What I Probably Won’t Do” section. One can hope and dream, but there are only so many hours in a day.

I Cannot Adult Today Socks – Primitives By Kathy

“I can’t adult today, and tomorrow doesn’t look good either. We can never get enough of PBK’s knit socks. Stay cozy during your next day off. Socks are 65% cotton, 33% nylon, and 2% spandex. One size fits most.”

These socks are so soft, and a perfect fit!

Survived Another Workweek Ribbon – Adulting FTW

“Just a working class hero. This white satin ribbon with gold foil measures 1 5/8” x 6”, and comes on 2” x 8” backing card that has space to write a note. Designed in Canada and made in the USA.”

Smartass & Sass Review August 2019 – Final Thoughts

The August Smartass & Sass box is so unique and fun! I am really impressed with the value of this box ($80). It’s packed full of spunky items that are so so good! I would say there are two items I don’t see myself using right away, but that’s only because they are more collectible items than anything. I can’t wait to get cozy in my socks and but my tumbler to good use tonight. My favorite item from this box is the awesome tote. I could totally see myself rocking this tote in public. It’s a little sassy, and while some might say it’s inappropriate, I think it still has class to it!

Sign up for Smartass & Sass at https://smartassandsass.com and stay up to date with my latest unboxings at https://www.instagram.com/missreviewsalot/

Miss Reviews A Lot – Kierra Pierre