The Book Drop Subscription Box: November and December 2020

I'm going to double up so I can attempt to catch up. I didn't mean to get all behind. Yikes. 

I also changed up my genres again, but not until the new year. So this is the last section of just the romance only. I went to every other month romance/friendship and the other month fantasy. 

The Book Drop is a subscription box for books from Bethany Beach Books. It's pretty much just a book and bookmark with some info on new releases. Occasionally the author featured writes a letter or does a FAQ (or something is copied from the website). All the books that are sent in the mailers (all genres) and other things like puzzles and mugs are available on the website. 

The next two books are from the "Books for Bubbly" which are the genres romance and friendship. I've liked this category a bunch. I normally stick to less contemporary romances when I pick any out, so I like getting stuff I would normally pass by. There are zero serial killers/FBI agents running around in these so not like my normal contemporaries. 

November 2020

This is how it looks after taking it out of the mailer. the book is always wrapped in tissue paper. 

Two of the items were the card introducing the book and a bookmark. 

The next card talked about a Winter upgrade bundle. I've never done their bundles, so I'm not sure what's included, but here's their current upgrade option. I'm behind on my TBR shelf, so I think I'll pass for awhile. 

The other side is about the December mailer shipping. The mailer usually comes quite early in the month, but Christmas shopping does run a bit dear, so it was nice to get this information. Granted, I bought this for me so I wasn't worried. It gets here when it gets here! Although the post office doesn't run well under the current guy (DeJoy) so I can understand the worry of a small business. 

The next item was the November mailer of the Indie Bound book list. It's a fold out brochure. I always enjoy this.

The second was a brochure from Bethany Books, featuring books they're selling or can ship. Loved this too. I think this is as close as I'm going to get to the rush that was the scholastic book fair as an adult. 

The book for November was a holiday book (to put me in the mood!) titled All About Us by Tom Ellen. I have not read it. I'm behind. It is on the top shelf (where I pick from first), so hopefully I get to it soon. I'm just in a bit of a slump. 

The synopsis: 
​

Ben’s always loved the month of December, but this year, with his relationship with Daphne on the rocks, it’s missing its usual magic. And then his old friend Alice gets back in touch. Ben’s always thought of Alice as the one that got away, and he can’t help but wonder: what if he’d done things differently all those years ago?

He never imagines he might get to find out… but when a stranger sells Ben a mysterious watch one freezing winter’s night, he’s astonished to wake up the next morning on 5th December 2005: the day he first kissed Daphne, leaving Alice behind.

Now Ben must make the biggest decision of his life, all over again. But this time around, will he finally find the courage to follow his heart?

The cover is foiled. I love the cover, it's this beautiful minimalist look. 

I have to be honest...I do not like a time traveling type book. I don't want to read Outlander for that reason (or watch it). It's not my thing. I don't like Dr. Who either. Not sorry. I'm going to give this one a chance...but I might not make it. It's a weird personal quirk. 

It does look well written though. I can appreciate that. 

December 2020

So the little card that's included talks about the book included. December's is How to Fail at Flirting by Denise Williams. 

The other two items are normal inclusions. One is a bookmark. The design changes fairly regularly. It's made from thicker cardstock but will bend. I'm constantly in need of bookmarks (even though I have a ton). 

The second is the Indie Next List. It's basically a tri-pamplet that talks about some of the books coming out in hardback and paperback that are being recommended/hyped by the Indie Bookstore group. I usually see some new books in the brochure so I like getting it. 

We received two letters in this mailing. One is from Amanda, the curator of the Book Drop and manager of Bethany Beach Books. It's a lovely little letter with the website address for indiebound book store finder, so you can find your local indie. 

The second letter was from Denise Williams. It was about her book that was included. She talks about the main character, Dr. Naya Turner and how she first thought the plot out. I adore getting these little notes from authors because I think they add to the book experience. Sometimes I just skim them for the month they arrive and only read them fully when I'm about to start the book. 

​Look at that cover! I love a brightly colored cover...even when it's dark bright colors. Denise Williams' website with book content is linked. The synopsis: 
​

When her flailing department lands on the university's chopping block, Professor Naya Turner’s friends convince her to shed her frumpy cardigan for an evening on the town. For one night her focus will stray from her demanding job and she’ll tackle a new kind of to-do list. When she meets a charming stranger in town on business, he presents the perfect opportunity to check off the items on her list. Let the guy buy her a drink. Check. Try something new. Check. A no-strings-attached hookup. Check…almost.

Jake makes her laugh and challenges Naya to rebuild her confidence, which was left toppled by her abusive ex-boyfriend. Soon she’s flirting with the chance at a more serious romantic relationship—except nothing can be that easy. The complicated strings around her dating Jake might destroy her career.

Naya has two options. She can protect her professional reputation and return to her old life or she can flirt with the unknown and stay with the person who makes her feel like she's finally living again.

So, I have read this one! I thought it was nice. A good weekend read for me. I don't think I would tell you I adored it or loved it, but I did like it. It's written pretty well, not normally in the tense I prefer...so that made me stumble. That's on me though. I included a snapshot of a chapter page so you can see. 

Naya has some rough stuff happening in her life and in her past that was hard to read about but I think it was handled well. I have to admit that going off with a random dude to a bar was not how I function. I kept going "girl, that's how we get murdered!" So, Naya doesn't watch the murder channel (or know of anyone where that happened). 

Don't go off with strange men. 

In literary worlds, it's a type of meet-cute. In real life...they're all serial killers. duh. I gave this a 3.5 star (it rounds up in Goodreads). Which is just my "liked it a bunch, might keep for a re-read." I need to try and read more contemporaries (that aren't murder-ey) so my recommendation here might not be the strongest, but I thought this was a lovely little read. I don't always like the choices sent my way (glad to have read them of course) but this one was good.