I received the October Once Upon a Book Club box 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.

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

Today We Go Home by Kelli Estes

Seattle, Washington
Larkin Bennett has always known her place, whether it’s surrounded by her loving family in the lush greenery of the Pacific Northwest or conducting a dusty patrol in Afghanistan. But all of that changed the day tragedy struck her unit and took away everything she held dear. Soon after, Larkin discovers an unexpected treasure―the diary of Emily Wilson, a young woman who disguised herself as a man to fight for the Union in the Civil War. As Larkin struggles to heal, she finds herself drawn deeply into Emily’s life and the secrets she kept.

Indiana, 1861
The only thing more dangerous to Emily Wilson than a rebel soldier is the risk of her own comrades in the Union Army discovering her secret. But in the minds of her fellow soldiers, if it dresses like a man, swears like a man, and shoots like a man, it must be a man. As the war marches on and takes its terrible toll, Emily begins to question everything she thought she was fighting for.

Page 74
On page 74 two of the characters are sorting through boxes and find a tube of dark pink lipstick that holds fond memories for one of them. Readers received a tube of dark pink lipstick to represent the lipstick that was used in each of the character’s makeovers.

Page 291
On page 291 one of the characters reads a letter from her aunt and realizes nothing is left for her back home. Readers received a letter to represent the letter addressed to Emily from her Aunt Harriet.

Page 316
On page 316 one of the characters finds another character in the kitchen cooking what looks to be yellow pancakes: “Hey, whatcha makin’?” “Johnnycakes.” Readers received a bag of Johnnycake Mix, instructions on how to make them, and a spatula.

This gift is a little different from previous gifts because it is a food item. I look forward to making my own Johnnycakes!

Page 343
On page 343 one of the characters is reunited with her diary, a treasure that kept her company in camp. Readers received a beautiful leather diary to represent Emily’s diary. The diary includes a single entry, and in the side pocket readers find a handkerchief and a ring.

I think these are the perfect interactive gifts to include with this month’s book because they hold a lot of sentimental value for the character. The journal itself is beautiful, and I am excited to make it my own!

Once Upon a Book Club Review October 2019 – Final Thoughts

I love receiving this subscription because I’m always impressed with the way the books come to life with the interactive gifts. This month’s book is one I look forward to reading because it’s different from the books I normally read. I love the connection between the past and the present, the war insight, and I know this will be a very touching story.

Kierra Pierre – Miss Reviews A Lot

I received the October Southern Scholar Socks box to review for A Year of Boxes. This review also appears on A Year of Boxes website.

If you’ve been looking for high quality dress socks that are both stylish and high quality, Southern Scholar Socks is the subscription box for you. Each month you’ll receive one pair of superior dress socks and a complimentary style card delivered right to your door. They kindly sent us this box for review.

Subscription Details

When you sign up for Southern Scholar Socks, you have three options:
Month to Month – $15 billed monthly
6 Month Prepay – $87 billed semi-anually
12 Month Prepay – $165 billed annually

How It Works

Select Your Subscription: Choose your membership level, sit back, and start building your collection of timeless luxury dress socks.
Your Socks Are Shipped: Your new dress socks are packaged with care and sent your way with complimentary shipping, returns, and exchanges.
Feel the Difference: Receive your awesome new dress socks alongside our Signature Style Card to ensure you always look your best.

With Southern Scholar Socks, quality is everything. Each pair of socks has 200 needle count knitting, the highest standard in hosiery. Their signature material blend has been researches and tested for over four years to provide an incredibly soft feel and better fit. Each pair of socks has custom-built ribbed cuffs of 2 inch Nylon and Spandex to ensure they stay in place and keep you comfortable throughout your entire workday.

Here’s a closer look at the October socks…

The Aristotles
A hunter and sacramento green woven micro-chevron sock, perfect for Fall. Try these with a textured grey slack, dark brown brogue oxford dress shoes, and a white dress shirt. Pair that with a brown leather band watch and belt, matching grey jacket, and a green or white pocket square.

Southern Scholar Socks Review October 2019 – Final Thoughts

This month’s socks are great for Fall, and they keep things very classy! Keeping things classy is is to be expected with the Southern Scholar Socks subscription service. There is a lot of planning that goes into designing each pair of socks, and I love that each pair includes their logo for a little extra detail. The green and gray color combo paired with the chevron detailing makes these socks look very professional. I love the dark green color because it makes me think about cooler weather during the Fall months. This is my first time receiving this subscription box, and I can’t wait to see what the upcoming months will bring. These socks are very high quality and comfortable, and I will probably be wearing them as often as my husband! *I appreciate that each box comes with laundering instructions to ensure you know how to best care for your socks.

Kierra Pierre – Miss Reviews A Lot