Meet Me on Love Lane

By: Nina Bocci
Published Year: 2019
Publisher: Gallery Books
Pages: 304

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I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This in no way shape or form influenced my opinion of this book.

Summary (Provided by Goodreads): Charlotte Bishop is out of options in New York City. Fired, broke, and blacklisted by her former boss, she’s forced to return to her hometown of Hope Lake, PA to lick her wounds. Although she’s expecting to find a miserable place with nothing to do, she is pleasantly surprised to discover it is bustling and thriving.

She’s only supposed to be in Hope Lake temporarily until she can earn enough money to move back to New York. She’s not supposed to reconnect with her childhood friends or her beloved grandmother. She’s not supposed to find her dream job running the local florist shop. And she’s definitely not supposed to fall for not one but two of Hope Lake’s golden boys: one the beloved high school English teacher, the other the charming town doctor.

With a heart torn between two men and two cities, what’s a girl to do?

First Impressions

I read the first book in the Hopeless Romantics series, On the Corner of Love and Hate, just recently and enjoyed it. I looked forward to living with these characters a little bit longer, so when I saw there was a sequel I was in. I also loved this cover so much.

What I thought

This book was so much stronger than the first one! I really enjoyed this story and cannot wait for the next one.

Charlotte returns to Hope Lake for the first time in 20 years after being fired from her job in New York. Her mother moved her away when she was a child and never let her back to visit, causing Charlotte to block out pretty much every memory she had growing up there as a child. When she does return, she has negative feelings towards Hope Lake and doesn’t expect to reconnect with her childhood friends, let alone fall in love.

I liked Charlotte a lot. I don’t know exactly what it was that I liked about her, but I connected with her more than Emma. I am, admittedly, a bit of a sucker for romance novel series in which old characters come back in a new story. I loved that in this one Emma actually had a decent sized role. She is Charlotte’s only friend when she gets back to town and I liked how she manipulated a lot of what was going on.

I also loved Henry in the first book, so I was really excited that this story included so much of him too. It was fun to learn more about him and I immediately felt the connection between him and Charlotte. The side characters and stories felt much stronger in this story than the first which I appreciated. Charlotte’s grandma was great and it was fun to see some of her friends carry over too.

I love when books in a series get stronger with each one. I am really excited to read the 3rd book in the series and can’t wait to see what characters pop up next. If you like romantic stories, I would highly recommend checking this series out. It’s more along the rom-com line in that it doesn’t have a lot of physical romance, if you know what I mean. So if you love love but don’t love sex, this would be a romance series for you.

Twice in a Blue Moon

By: Christina Lauren
Published Year: 2019
Publisher: Gallery Books
Pages: 368

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I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This in no way shape or form influenced my opinion of this book.

Summary (Provided by Goodreads): As an adventurous send-off to her childhood, eighteen-year-old Tate Jones travels with her grandmother from their small town in Northern California to London. But the vacation of a lifetime is wonderfully derailed by the appearance of two charming Vermont farmers: grandfather Luther and his handsome grandson Sam.

Sam and Tate fall hard and fast. For two glorious weeks, the couple share their hopes, dreams, and secrets. Sam admits he suspects his grandfather is dying and that this could be the last trip they take together, and Tate reveals that she is the hidden daughter of one of the biggest film stars in the world—a secret she’s never told anyone before.

But when Tate is exposed by a crush of cameras and reporters, she knows she's been betrayed by the one person she thought she could trust. She is forced to decide whether she will return to her quiet life or embrace being in the public eye. So when Sam reappears in her world more than a decade later, can Tate forgive the past and rekindle the passion they shared on their magical trip abroad? And does she even want to?

First Impressions

If you have read my blog in the past year, you will know that Christina Lauren is one of my favorite authors and an immediate read. I LOVED Honeymooners and was excited to see they already had another new book coming out. The summary and cover of this one didn’t catch me as much as some of their other recent releases, but I still wanted to read it immediately.

What I thought

Another solid story by Christina Lauren! I will say, I think because I love them so much, I might hold them to a higher standard than others.

Tate Jones meets Sam when she’s in London. She shares her biggest secret, that she’s actually the daughter of one of the world’s most famous actors. When she is found by the paparazzi, she is crushed. Fast forward 15 years, and Tate is now a famous actress acting in a movie with her famous father for the first time. When she gets to set, she learns that the writer is Sam.

I’m going to start with what I like, in hopes that maybe it will help me figure out what didn’t work for me. I liked Tate a lot. I thought she was a great character and I liked seeing her grow. The first 30% or so of this book is a young adult novel and it really shows up different someone can be at 18 vs 32. Tate is a strong female lead and I liked all of her scenes.

Sam was almost annoyingly good. I think him turning Tate into the press was supposed to make the reader dislike him, but in the end he does it for good reason. I also kept waiting for it to be exposed that he wasn’t the one who leaked her story to the press, so maybe that effected my point of view. Spoiler alert in hopes that it makes you enjoy it more than I did, he did leak her story.

I think one of the things that didn’t work for me was that some of the passion was lacking for me. Christina Lauren is usually packed with passion and characters that can’t keep their hands off of each other and I love the way that drive their stories forward. Tate and Sam were very standoffish with each other and it took until the final part of the story until they started to reconnect.

The story is a good story and after a slump of books I had no desire to finish, I was happy I found one that was interesting and paced well. I think if this wasn’t a Christina Lauren book, I would have enjoyed it more and rated it higher, but because I had such high expectations for it, I was a little let down. It’s a little different from what I’ve come to know and love from them, so that threw me a bit. I would still recommend reading this book, because it is a good story. I would just maybe recommend some of their other books first.

The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street

By: Karen White
Published Year: 2019
Publisher: Berkley
Pages: 374

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I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This in no way shape or form influenced my opinion of this book.

Summary (Provided by Goodreads): Melanie Trenholm should be anticipating Christmas with nothing but joy--after all, it's only the second Christmas she and her husband, Jack, will celebrate with their twin babies. But the ongoing excavation of the centuries-old cistern in the garden of her historic Tradd Street home has been a huge millstone, both financially and aesthetically. Local students are thrilled by the possibility of unearthing more Colonial-era artifacts at the cistern, but Melanie is concerned by the ghosts connected to the cistern that have suddenly invaded her life and her house--and at least one of them is definitely not filled with holiday cheer....

And these relics aren't the only precious artifacts for which people are searching. A past adversary is convinced that there is a long-lost Revolutionary War treasure buried somewhere on the property that Melanie inherited--untold riches rumored to be brought over from France by the Marquis de Lafayette himself and intended to help the Colonial war effort. It's a treasure literally fit for a king, and there have been whispers throughout history that many have already killed--and died--for it. And now someone will stop at nothing to possess it--even if it means destroying everything Melanie and Jack hold dear.

First Impressions

This cover! This is the book cover my Christmas dreams are made of! To be honest, I didn’t read the summary too closely. I have read some of White’s previous novels and really enjoyed them, so I was excited to read one of her Christmas stories.

What I thought

Maybe I should have read the summary a little more closely?

This is the 6th installment in the Tradd Street series. Melanie can see and communicate with ghosts. Just before she is set to host part of a progressive holiday dinner, she sees new ghosts in her house that are causing problems. Add on top of that the issues that her husband is dealing with in regards to writing his latest novel and fending off his arch nemesis from trying to film in their house and you have a lot going on.

The funny thing about this book is that it came out in November, but I couldn’t bring myself to read it because I wasn’t in the holiday spirit yet. I did pick it up shortly after Halloween, feeling much more ready. Then I saw that it dealt with spirits (duh Lindsey, just read the title closely), and realized I could’ve started it before Halloween and still been good!

Sometimes when you pick a book up in the middle of a series it can be hard to get your bearings. I didn’t find this to be the case with the Tradd Street series. White did a really nice job of making sure that past relationships and events were explained. While I’m sure that I don’t know or understand all of the subtleties, I didn’t find myself not enjoying the story because I felt lost or like I was missing something.

Melanie and her husband Jack were a lot of fun. They’re newlyweds and very flirty, but they are also friends. I really enjoyed their relationship and it was probably the biggest aspect that makes me want to go back and read the other books in the series. I think Jack redeems Melanie a lot. She could be a very annoying character, but he balances her well. She is a bit petty and impulsive and I’d be curious to see how she managed to get rid of spirits before Jack or before the help of her half sister.

My biggest criticism of this book is that in all honestly, it wasn’t that Christmassy. It felt more like a regular story that was just happening at Christmas time. In fact, because of the spirits and their nature it felt more like a Halloween story.

This story and the characters are a lot of fun. Is this a book that will get you in the Christmas spirit? No. But will you enjoy reading it? Yes. Karen White is a solid author and she did not disappoint. I am definitely intrigued by this series now and am looking forward to seeing how the rest of them come out.

Frankly in Love

By: David Yoon
Published Year: 2019
Publisher: G.P. Putnam Son’s
Pages: 432

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Summary (Provided by Goodreads): High school senior Frank Li is a Limbo–his term for Korean-American kids who find themselves caught between their parents’ traditional expectations and their own Southern California upbringing. His parents have one rule when it comes to romance–“Date Korean”–which proves complicated when Frank falls for Brit Means, who is smart, beautiful–and white. Fellow Limbo Joy Song is in a similar predicament, and so they make a pact: they’ll pretend to date each other in order to gain their freedom. Frank thinks it’s the perfect plan, but in the end, Frank and Joy’s fake-dating maneuver leaves him wondering if he ever really understood love–or himself–at all.

First Impressions

This cover is woah! I love the 3D effect. I also love puns and appreciate that the title is a pun on the main character’s name, Frank Li. Add on top of that that the author is the husband of Nicola Yoon whose book Everything Everything I loved and I was all in for a fun romantic YA.

What I thought

If this book had ended about 2/3 in, I would’ve liked it so much more.

Frank Li is first generation Korean. He is in his senior year of high school and all his parents want for him is to go to Harvard and have a Korean girlfriend. Unfortunately for them, he starts dating a white girl. In order to hide it from them, he starts to fake date his family friend and fellow Korean American, Joy.

Ok, so, from the beginning I wanted Frank to end up with Joy. I just loved the idea of him falling for what was right in front of him all along. Spoiler, they do end up dating but it all happens a little quickly for me. I felt like Frank started dating Brit just because she liked him. Which, I guess is supposed to make the reader feel better when Frank drops her? Instead, it just made me dislike Frank.

Now, it’s entirely possible that part of the reason I did not connect with this book is because I am not a Korean-American male teenager. However, there were certain parts from a writing standpoint that I just didn’t like. I’m not a fan of books that try to do too much and this was one of them. There’s a storyline that happens in the final third of the book that just came out of nowhere and seemed unnecessary. Almost like someone said, “Yoon. This book is a cute romance, but you need something that makes it deeper.” I actually ended up skipping the last 50/60 pages of the book and reading the final two chapters because I just couldn’t anymore.

Like I said above, I wasn’t crazy about Frank. I didn’t understand why the girls liked him and I didn’t get why every time he saw his best friend’s sister she was described as “unbelievably hot sister” yet nothing happened between them. Why is that necessary?

If you could just read and enjoy the first 2/3 of the book, I would rate this a 3. In fact, I did give it 3 stars on Goodreads because of that. However, the book keeps going and I couldn’t even finish it. It does look like there’s going to be a second book, so I’m curious about what it will be about, but I probably won’t read it. I don’t think I have any teenage boys reading my blog, but if you are, you might enjoy this one. Otherwise, I would say you can pass.

Book Club November 2019- Normal People

By: Sally Rooney
Published Year: 2019
Publisher: Hogarth
Pages: 273

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Summary (Provided by Goodreads): At school Connell and Marianne pretend not to know each other. He’s popular and well-adjusted, star of the school soccer team while she is lonely, proud, and intensely private. But when Connell comes to pick his mother up from her housekeeping job at Marianne’s house, a strange and indelible connection grows between the two teenagers—one they are determined to conceal. At school Connell and Marianne pretend not to know each other. He’s popular and well-adjusted, star of the school soccer team while she is lonely, proud, and intensely private. But when Connell comes to pick his mother up from her housekeeping job at Marianne’s house, a strange and indelible connection grows between the two teenagers—one they are determined to conceal.

A year later, they’re both studying at Trinity College in Dublin. Marianne has found her feet in a new social world while Connell hangs at the sidelines, shy and uncertain. Throughout their years in college, Marianne and Connell circle one another, straying toward other people and possibilities but always magnetically, irresistibly drawn back together. Then, as she veers into self-destruction and he begins to search for meaning elsewhere, each must confront how far they are willing to go to save the other.

What I thought

This month’s book club pick was my choice. I was a bit torn between two books, but ultimately decided on Normal People because I had heard a lot about it and it had been on my list for a while.

Normal People follows Marianne and Connell from their final year of secondary school through university. In their final year of school, they secretly start hooking up but ultimately, it ends poorly. They then head to the same university, but don’t keep in touch. When they happen to meet up at a party, their friendship starts back up.

Mere pages into starting this book I wanted to give it up. This book does not use any quotation marks to mark conversations. It doesn’t even have the dialogue on separate lines. It’s fully just immersed in the rest of the paragraphs. It drove me insane and definitely impacted my enjoyment of the book. If I hadn’t picked it for book club, I would have put it down without reading it and taken it off of my to-read list. That’s how much it bothered me.

The story itself was fine. The two main characters are extremely dysfunctional and I absolutely could not root for them to get together, but it was interesting to watch them live their lives and I was curious where they were going to end up. Marianne and Connell are not the most likeable characters, which make it hard to read about them at times. I think it was easier to read about Marianne, because she was such a train wreck it was like watching a car crash and being unable to look away. Connell just became whiney and irritating and I wanted to kick him in the butt to get him over his non-issue issues.

The other irritation I had with the writing of the story was the timelines. The story continually jumped 3-5 months ahead at the end of each chapter, leaving out entire chunks of time and information important to the story. Sometimes those bits of information were revisted through flashbacks or conversations, but most of the time it was just lost. Things would happen and you would just have to accept you didn’t know why and that irritated me.

What Book Club Thought

Everyone was on the same page with this one. None of us liked it, though some disliked it more than others. We did find out that they are making Normal People into a TV series, and the general consensus was that it would be much more tolerable in that format. Two of us didn’t have huge issues with the story and I am curious to see how it comes across with actors. But the other two that read it did not like the characters at all and feel like they will not be redeemed off of paper. Because of the writing style, we all decided we would not recommend this book. One of the book club members usually does audiobooks, but was not able to get to it in time for book club. She is going to listen to is and get back to use to let us know if the story and characters are more tolerable when you take out the writing style that none of us enjoyed.

Christmas Angels

By: Nancy Naigle
Published Year: 2019
Publisher: St Martin’s Press
Pages:

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I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This in no way shape or form influenced my opinion of this novel.

Summary (Provided by Goodreads): Growing up, Liz Westmoreland dreamed of taking over her grandparents inn located in the small mountain town of Angels Creek only for it to be sold before she ever got the chance. While browsing the internet, she stumbles upon a listing for what looks to be the picturesque inn and it’s set to go to auction. Liz places a bid, and by a miracle, wins the auction. But when she gets there she finds the property in significant disrepair.

When Matt Hardy narrowly lost the inn and property that butted his land, he just hoped it wasn't another city slicker coming to make matters worse after the previous owners gutted the place for an art gallery. But the minute he recognized the sweet, freckle-faced girl from his childhood and heard her plans to reopen the inn, he jumps at the chance to help his childhood crush restore a place where he made so many fond memories.

While working on repairs, Liz and Matt discover her grandmother’s collection of angels in one of the cabins. When the angels start mysteriously showing up all over the inn, she begins to look at them as reassurance—that restoring the inn is what she's meant to do. But when an accident leaves Liz feeling like she made a mistake, will Matt—and the residents of Angels Creek—be able to show Liz that she's found a home? And possibly true love as well?

First Impressions

I read my first Nancy Naigle Christmas book last year for our Hallmark Book Club and enjoyed it. Her books are perfect for Hallmark adaptations and I was excited when I was offered the opportunity to review her latest one. The cover is a bit blah for me, but the description was right up my ally.

What I thought

It is only October but I am in the Christmas spirit!

Liz has always dreamed of running the inn that her grandparents used to run in Antler Creek. When their old inn ends up on an auction sight, she takes a risk and buys it sight unseen. Matt has grown up in Antler Creek and is back for a while, mourning the death of his father. He also happens to be a contractor which is exactly what Liz needs.

I was a bit unclear of Matt’s backstory. I know that in Hallmark movies, and Naigle novels, that the male characters don’t always get completely fleshed out, but I hoped for a little more. He apparently lives and works in Chicago, but he also lives and has a dream home in the North Carolina mountains. The death of his father also seems to come and go as necessary to the story.

Liz on the other hand is definitely more fleshed out. She is a successful big city realtor who decides to move to the mountains to open her grandparen’t sold inn. Unfortunately, the last owners tried to turn it into an art gallery and as a result, tore it down to the studs, leaving Liz in more of a hole than she originally intended. She does, of course, have a male best friend who does not believe that she is capable of getting this project off the ground.

When this book is adapted into a Hallmark movie, which for sure it will be, I will not be surprised when the male best friend/co-worker is turned into a co-worker/boyfriend. Part of the reason I keep comparing this book is not just because she mentioned Hallmark by name on 5 separate occasions, but because it follows the classic Hallmark formula. As a Hallmark movie lover, I greatly enjoyed this aspect.

The town comes to life in this book which is wonderful. The small town aspect is the perfect amount of warmth for a Christmas story. I love that even though it did have the aspect of the angels, it never got to be super religious. Also, if I’m being completely honest, it didn’t even get completely Christmassy until the end. This book could’ve happened at any time of the year and I appreciated that.

If you are looking for a feel good Christmas book to read curled up by the fire with a cup of coffee or tea, this is the one you should pick. It moves quickly with lovable characters in a lovable setting. There aren’t any completely ridiculous twists or conflicts. Just pure love and romance and joy. I don’t remember liking Christmas Joy as much as this one, so I would recommend Christmas Angels first, but I am definitely looking forward to more Christmas stories by Naigle!

Book Club October 2019- Daisy Jones and the Six

By: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Published year: 2019
Publisher: Hutchinson
Pages: 368

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Summary (Provided by Goodreads): In 1979, Daisy Jones and The Six split up. Together, they had redefined the 70’s music scene, creating an iconic sound that rocked the world. Apart, they baffled a world that had hung on their every verse.

This book is an attempt to piece together a clear portrait of the band’s rise to fame and their abrupt and infamous split. The following oral history is a compilation of interviews, emails, transcripts, and lyrics, all pertaining to the personal and professional lives of the members of the band The Six and singer Daisy Jones.

While I have aimed for a comprehensive and exhaustive approach, I must acknowledge that full and complete accounts from all parties involved has proved impossible. Some people were easier to track down than others, some were more willing to talk than others, and some, unfortunately, have passed on.

All of which is to say that while this is the first and only authorised account from all represented perspectives, it should be noted that, in matters both big and small, reasonable people disagree.

The truth often lies, unclaimed, in the middle.

What I thought

Initially, Meghan, who chose October’s book, asked me if I had read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. I told her that I had and that I had really enjoyed it. She then told me she had been thinking about picking it for book club. Slightly selfishly, I suggested she check out Jenkins Reid’s newest book because I’ve been meaning to read it since it came out. But also, because I know that Meghan is very into music and bands and rock and roll. So she picked that!

Daisy Jones and the Six is told in the style of an interview tell-all. The members of band each share their point of view of how the band came to be and how it ended.

I have never read a book like this before and I really enjoyed it. I initially thought that because of the interview style that I would fly through the book, but it ended up taking a little bit longer than I originally thought. I think I got a little burned out on some of the drama, but not necessarily in a bad way? Real memoirs sometimes take me a little time to get through and, in the best way, I think this read more like a memoir than a work of fiction.

I enjoyed every band member except for Eddie. He irritated me. I understood where he came from, but he drove me nuts and I just wanted to skip over his parts.

This book is very different from Jenkins Reid’s previous novels. Even though it is most similar to Seven Husbands, it’s still very very different. I find it fascinating that she can write such varying content and it’s still done so well.

The story itself wasn’t groundbreaking, but I don’t think it needed to be. I think the best part of this story was the storytelling and that was done perfectly.

What Book Club Thought

I don’t have much more to say as we were all on the same page with this one. I don’t know if I would say it’s a great book club pick because it didn’t spark a lot of discussion with us. Everyone really liked it and we all liked the unique way in which it was written. If you have read this book, I would recommend looking at Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Instagram because she has posted bits of behind the scenes information from her writing process during Daisy Jones and it is really interesting!

CAUSEBOX Fall 2019

If you’ve been reading the blog for a little while, you’d remember that last Fall, I purchased my first subscription box from CAUSEBOX. I have kept an eye on their other seasonal boxes, but nothing had caught my eye enough to purchase another one. Then this fall, I was drawn in again.

CAUSEBOX is a quarterly box that costs $49.95 per box if you are an annual member. The difference between Causebox and other quarterly subscription boxes is that CAUSEBOX only puts items in its boxes from companies that give to charities or to a cause and are cruelty free.

If you are an annual member, you are offered the opportunity to pick some of your items. I am not an annual member, so I did not make choices, but I will indicate what the other options could have been.

The items that I saw that drew me in were the Known Supply Weekender Duffel and the Nashelle Lariat necklace. I’ve been tempted to buy myself a grownup duffle for a long time, but continually make excuses and I found the necklace to be beautiful. Those two items alone made the $50 purchase worth it so I went ahead and bought the box. The other items I received were Underwood Letterpress Felt Letter Board, (MALIN + GOETZ) Recovery treatment oil, la beaute Soi 10-piece Makeup Brush Collection, and the La Lueur Candles White Cactus Coconut Wax Candle.

I always find it interesting to see the cost breakdown of the items along with what the actual value of the box is, so I’m going to list that below. I will also give a little blurb about any thoughts I have on any of the products.

Weekender- CAUSEBOX Estimates $108. On the Known Supply website, there is a similar duffle listed for $98. If you are an annual subscriber, you get to customize the color duffle you receive. I liked all the colors so I’m very happy with what I got! The quality of the canvas feels wonderful. It’s a little smaller than I imagined, but it will definitely be the perfect back for overnight or short trips.

Necklace- CAUSEBOX Estimates $38. On the Nashelle website, the closest necklace I could find comes in at $73 but it’s definitely a little fancier than the one in the box. I love this necklace. I have to learn how to wear it exactly, but I’m sure I will get a lot of use out of it. this was another item where you could choose between silver and gold if you are an annual member.

Letterboard- $30 and available on the Underwood Letterpress website. This was another choice item. As an annual member, you could choose between this and a Glass Ladder & Co. Terrazzo Travel Wallet. Honestly, I would’ve been fine with either option. They’re both items that I have wanted but consistently talk myself out of buying. However, I wanted the letter board a little bit more so I was very excited when I got one. The letters are great and the board feels sturdy. As you can tell from the picture I’m already having fun!

Candle- $35 and available on the La Lueur website. I am obsessed with candles so any time I can get a new one I am excited. This one smells AMAZING. It’s a beautiful sweet yet warm cactus scent. The packaging is also gorgeous. I’ve never had a coconut wax candle, so I’m curious to see how the scent payoff is once it’s burning. It also says it has a 45 hour burn time!

Oil- $82 and available on the MALIN+GOETZ website. Back when I got Birchboxes I received a few MALIN+GOETZ items that I loved. I appreciate that they’re a cruelty free brand that works. I was beyond excited to try this oil and let me tell you, after only two nights of usage it does not disappoint. I have yet to find a face oil that I like. This one sinks in beautifully without leaving me greasy and I wake up with happy skin.

Makeup Brushes- $24 and available on the la beaute Soi website. This was the only item I was a little bit disappointed to receive. I bought myself a makeup brush set last year, so it’s not something I necessarily need. However, they are beautiful and soft and I will use and love them.

Paid Value- $49.95 Actual Value- $317!

My last CAUSEBOX was valued at $260 so this one ended up being worth even more! And I prefer more of the items!

Now, if I’m being honest, subscription boxes are not a necessity. I would say purchase with caution because you can end up with a lot of items you don’t need and that end up going to waste. I am so happy I decided to go with this box and that I ended up with all of the choices I wanted, even though I didn’t get to make choices.

If you are looking for a subscription box, I would highly recommend checking out CAUSEBOX. Their items have been consistently high quality and useful. I also know from past experience that their customer service is wonderful.