What’s Inside September’s Sweet Reads Box + A giveaway!

I received September’s Sweet Reads Box for free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and from the ❤️. 

It’s here! September’s Sweet Reads Box arrived this week and it’s their one-year anniversary so we are going to PAR-TAY. And by that I mean stay home and read books. Which is a good thing since I have very little to offer you in terms of snackages apart from the highly disappointing Skinny Pop popcorn mini cakes I’m munching on that are apparently sharp cheddar flavour but I am getting none of that. Also we’re out of Diet Pepsi. So yes I would make a very bad host. But let’s move along. In honour of this very special occasion, and to thank all of you who’ve followed along since I first started reviewing the boxes last September, I’m giving away a September 2018 box out of my own pocket to one lucky reader. Let’s see what’s inside already!

(Alsoooooooo, if this is the first time you’re hearing of Sweet Reads Box it’s a Canadian book subscription box that comes with a novel, something sweet to eat, a beverage and a few other bookish treats related to the story. Fun, right?) 

BRB, just nerding out with my hornblower for a sec. Also, I feel like I have dead eyes when they should be dancing. Pretend they’re dancing, okay?

September’s book is When We Found Home by Susan Mallery. Here’s the description from the inside cover:

Becoming a family will take patience, humor, a little bit of wine and a whole lot of love… 

Life is meant to be savored, but that’s not easy with no family, limited prospects and a past you’d rather not talk about. Still, Callie Smith doesn’t know how to feel when she discovers she has a brother and a sister–Malcolm, who grew up with affection, wealth and privilege, and Keira, a streetwise twelve-year-old. Callie doesn’t love being alone, but at least it’s safe. Despite her trepidation, she moves into the grand family home with her siblings and grandfather on the shores of Lake Washington, hoping just maybe this will be the start of a whole new life.

But starting over can be messy. Callie and Keira fit in with each other, but not with their posh new lifestyle, leaving Malcolm feeling like the odd man out in his own home. He was clever enough to turn a sleepy Seattle mail-order food catalog into an online gourmet powerhouse, yet he can’t figure out how to help his new sisters feel secure. But affection isn’t Malcolm’s strong suit…until a beautiful barista teaches him that an open heart, like the family table, can always make room for more.

In this emotional, humorous and heartfelt story, Susan Mallery masterfully explores the definition of a modern family–blended by surprise, not by choice–and how those complicated relationships can add unexpected richness to life.

Anyone else perk up at the words “beautiful barista”? Sounds like we are in for some romance and let me tell you, I am here for it.

Next, My Favorite ankle socks (they’re really called “My Favorite”) from Blue Q. According to the legend included with the box, the main characters in the book struggle with a variety of feelings about each other and the socks reflect the progression of their relationship as the story plays out.

Wish bracelet from Imperfectly Worthy. “While many characters in the novel have wishes we also thought handmade bracelets were a great fit with Kiera’s birthday party in the novel.” I love this bracelet. Sadly I will never get to wear it as I had to bribe my daughter with it to take these pictures for me. (Hashtag TWEENS.)

The book revolves around the idea of home so this Foundation hanging sign makes sense. (Sorry — no source available.)

You know what’s also central the novel? A cat named Lizzie. (Oh this is my kind of book already.) The Color Cats sticky tabs from Ooly make fun page markers. (SO FUN! I use sticky tabs when I’m reading all the time.)

Also included: three packages of Via Instant Pike Place Medium Roast from Starbucks and chocolate biscotti from Lakefield Bakery on Queen. I’m not a coffee drinker but my hubby is so they won’t go to waste. That biscotti tho is mine all mine. (I’ll have it with the English Breakfast tea from last month’s box.) Also, the party hat and hornblower didn’t come with the box but a little birdie tells me the October box will include a few extra surprises in honour of the one year.

Now I haven’t yet read the book so I can’t tell you whether I liked it or not, but the storyline is right up my alley so we’re off to a good start. And I love LOVE the socks, the bracelet, the sticky tabs — all the things! (Well the Home hanging sign a little less since it’s not really my style but I’m sure I’ll have no problem finding someone who loves it.) So far I’m really happy with September’s box and can’t wait to get into the book!

A single Sweet Reads Box costs $54.99 CAD + $12 CAD shipping. Until the end of September, you can get $15 off a three-month subscription with the code ONEYEAR and $40 off a six-month subscription with the code CELEBRATE. Sweet Reads Box is on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter with all kinds of fun things like bookish news, live chats with authors and discounts so be sure to give them a follow.

And now (doo doo doo doo!) …

A giveaway!

For a chance to win a September box (with all of the fabulousness shown above!), tell me two things you’d like to see in a future box (can be the name of a specific book, a type of book, and/or a particular product) in the comments below. This entry is mandatory.

For an additional entry, visit try small things on Facebook and like (or love!) this post and leave a comment, then tell me you did so and your name on Facebook in the comments below. (Shares aren’t necessary, but YOU’RE THE BEST AND ALWAYS TO GOOD TO SHARE ALL THE SAME AND I LOVE YOU FOR IT!) 

For a third entry, follow both try small things and Sweet Reads Box on Instagram and tell me your handle in the comments below.

And feel free to tweet the following once per day and leave the url for your tweet in the comments below (one entry per tweet). Make sure you’re following try small things and Sweet Reads Box on Twitter for your entry to count.

Happy first anniversary to my fave book subscription box, @SweetReadsBox! See what’s inside September’s box + #win it from @trysmallthings  https://wp.me/p4xBed-6Pu 10/8 CAN #sweetreadsbox

The contest is open to Canadian residents 18+ excluding Quebec and ends at 11:59 p.m. EST on October 8, 2018. The potential winner (chosen at random) must respond to prize notification within 48 hours and provide the correct answer to a skill-testing question, otherwise another winner will be selected.

Thanks for partying with me, everybody! Good luck to all!!

Update October 9, 2018: Congratulations Janette VDL!