UPDATE! I am SO SAD to report that the Cozy Reader Club closed down it’s subscription as of 7/31/18. No more boxes will be sent out. Such a huge bummer. 🙁
Guess what time it is…it’s ME TIME with Cozy Reader Club reviews! This is my longest subscription to date without interruption because I don’t want to miss a single month if at all possible. I went on vacation for the entire month of June this year, and I didn’t even opt to skip that month, because there was NO WAY I wanted to miss out! LOL! If you have been here before, you already know that this is my favorite book box in terms of quality. If you want to peruse my previous reviews on this subscription, go here.
The Cozy Reader Club is what I consider a “Luxe” (luxury) Book Box. They curate a truly beautiful subscription box with high quality items that I am consistently impressed with. It is one of the more expensive book boxes out there, but totally worth it IMHO. The cost is $64.95 per month (+ 9.99 shipping US), with a slightly lower cost for longer subscriptions. They also ship to Canada. You can skip a month, too, if you wish! Each month you will receive 4-6 items including a recently released hardcover women’s fiction novel, artisan beverages such as coffee, tea or hot chocolate, beautiful handmade items and delicious gourmet handcrafted treats. The boxes feature handcrafted, artisan goods from small businesses throughout the USA. Additionally, they host a blog called the “Cozy Reader Connection“ with great ‘Me Time’ articles; which is their motto.
The reviews today are for the May, June & July 2018 Cozy Reader Club boxes. I am not a Cozy Reader Club affiliate, but there may be other affiliate links in this post. I pay for this subscription. Please note that I *never* accept compensation in exchange for a positive review. All of my reviews are my honest, personal opinions and contain my own photography (unless otherwise stated).
Cozy Reader Club Review, May 2018
It’s here! Woohoo! The Cozy Reader Club is ALWAYS on time. Love that! 🙂
Looks like a TEA month…because no one puts lemon in their coffee or hot chocolate. I think.
The color-popping goodies! You can find a spoiler for the book each month, but you NEVER get a hint for the other items, so that’s a guaranteed surprise!
A beautiful product insert card with lots of info, but I’ve noticed there are no values given for the individual items anymore. This could be a good thing, though, because sometimes getting all hung-up on money isn’t good for anyone; especially when pricing and costs fluctuate constantly and are subjective anyways.
Shall we take a closer look at the items? Of course we shall!
You Me Everything: A Novel by Catherine Isaac – Retail Value $26 (Amazon pricing $15.57)
Amazon excerpt:
Set in the French countryside on an idyllic summer vacation, a delicious, tender novel about finding joy and love even in the most unexpected places.
Jess and her ten-year-old son William set off to spend the summer at Château de Roussignol, deep in the rich, sunlit hills of the Dordogne. There, Jess’s ex-boyfriend—and William’s father—Adam, runs a beautiful hotel in a restored castle. Lush gardens, a gorgeous pool, delectable French food, and a seemingly never-ending wine list—what’s not to like? Jess is bowled over by what Adam has accomplished, but she’s in France for a much more urgent reason: to make Adam fall in love with his own son.
But Adam has other ideas, and another girlfriend—and he doesn’t seem inclined to change the habits of a lifetime just because Jess and William have appeared on the scene. Jess isn’t surprised, but William—who has quickly come to idolize his father—wants nothing more than to spend time with him. But Jess can’t allow Adam to let their son down—because she is tormented by a secret of her own, one that nobody—especially William—must discover.
By turns heartwrenching and hopeful, You Me Everything is a novel about one woman’s fierce determination to grab hold of the family she has and never let go, and a romantic story as heady as a crisp Sancerre on a summer day.
This book gets a solid 4-stars on Amazon, and most of the reviews say to grab the tissues – YIKES! I never used to cry at all (you know, being the tough badass that I am) but getting closer to 50, I’m all of sudden an emotional train wreck that cries (literally) over spilled milk. Damn hormones. Anyway, I’m not afraid (I’m not!) to read this because I seem to be crying at every book I read lately for the dumbest reasons, so BRING IT!
I do like the description “about finding every bit of joy in life no matter what’s thrown at us” – we should all live this way!
Bee Lucia Wellness Candle in Mint & Rose Quartz (4 oz Travel Tin) – Retail Value $14.95
According to their site, here are the reasons why this candle so awesome:
Light this healing candle to create an environment that cultivates love, compassion and renewal. The unique combination of refreshing mint and the compassionate energy of rose quartz complement each other to create space for purifying and opening the heart, increasing focus and healing capacity.
Bee Lucia Wellness Candles are handmade in Portland, OR USA. We make our wellness candles with a unique blend of organic coconut oil, 100% pure naturally refined white beeswax, organic essential oils and crushed natural gemstone crystals.
• Organic essential oil blend of peppermint, fir needle & peru balsam.
• Organic coconut oil & pure beeswax blend.
• Crushed natural rose quartz crystals.
• Burns for 12-15 hours.
• Natural Cotton “Eco” Wick.
• Clean burning + zinc & lead free.This candle features clean burning beeswax and organic coconut oil which (unlike soy or paraffin candles) actually have air purifying effects. As this candle burns, negative ions are emitted which bind to toxins and help remove them from the air.
It also smells really, really good! The fragrance is subtle and fresh (not overpowering at all), and the rose quartz crystals keep it looking so pretty and unique until the very end. Once the candle has been completely burned down, I will re-purpose the crystals into my massage oils. 🙂 I took this candle with me to Florida on vacation, and burned it every night as I took a shower and got ready for bed. I would love to try their other candles with amethyst or citrine crystals!
The Tea Spot, Organic Whole Leaf White Tea in “Natural Glow” – Retail Value $7.95 (On Amazon, you can find a sample pack with this variety in it for $39.95 which is $7.39 a box, here.)
This tea has OSMANTHUS in it! I love osmanthus, and just recently started using it in my skincare creations.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), osmanthus is a well known herb that can improve skin, detoxify the body, reduce thick saliva in the throat and boost lung health. In practice, osmanthus tea is often consumed when one suffers from a dry skin or hoarseness. At last, this national flower is also popular among Chinese seniors with a weak digestive function. – excerpt from www.teasenz.com
This is a tasty tea! You can drink it hot or cold; and being that it is summer, I’ve been making a ton of iced tea. I brew it per the instructions, then let it cool and add ice. I don’t use sugar or sweeteners – it’s good all by itself!
The Tea Spot is a company out of Colorado, and the founder is a cancer fighter who uses tea for it’s health benefits.
Mini Heart Dish by Sarah Welch Pottery – Retail Value $10
This is such a cute little dish! It is also well made. It is described as a ring dish on the website, but you can use it for anything – including tea bags! Currently I’m using it as a breath mint dish on my desk. 🙂
To give you scale.
Brooklyn Brittle Cinnamon Walnut Cookies – Retail Value $7.50 ($30 for a pack of 4)
These look fantastic, but I can’t have walnuts, so I had to pass them onto a friend. My friends love that I get so many boxes because they get lots of goodies!
A great month in my opinion! The candle is my fav this time around.
The total retail value of this box (right now) is $66.40 (55.97$ with Amazon Pricing), and the items are all the high quality I’ve come to expect from this box. The retail value is a bit above the $64.95 cost of the box, and if you include what it would cost you in individual tax and shipping costs for the items, it comes out above the Amazon pricing as well. I’ve spoken to many box subscription owners/curators over the years, and I’ve been told it is very difficult to create a high value book box when you are a small business. Just something to keep in mind! I think Heather at the Cozy Reader Club consistently does a fantastic job – I’ve been a happy customer for a long time!
Cozy Reader Club Review, June 2018
Ready to see what’s in the June box?!?
It looks sudsy in here!
I think I exclaimed “Oh, YES!!” when I opened this month’s box. I love it when there are bath/skin care items because I know they will be luxurious! I take a lot of baths and go through lots of products, so I’m thrilled to receive and discover new ones. This is the main reason I opt for a book box with additional ‘goodies’ instead of books only. 🙂
I’m also partial to coffee months – I’m such an addict!
June is obviously a bath-themed month, and the product insert explains what you are getting, how to use the items, and where to get more if you really fall in love.
Little Big Love: A Novel by Katy Regan – Retail Value $26 (Amazon pricing $19.35)
Amazon excerpt:
About a Boy meets Parenthood in this smart, big-hearted love story about a family for whom everything changed one night, a decade ago, and the young boy who unites them all.
Ten-year-old Zac Hutchinson collects facts: octopuses have three hearts, Usain Bolt is the fastest man on earth. But no one will tell him the one thing he wants to know most: who his father is and where he went.
When Zac’s mother, Juliet, inadvertently admits that his dad is the only man she’s ever loved, Zac decides he is going to find him and deliver his mom the happily ever after she deserves.
But Liam Jones left for a reason, and as Zac searches for clues of his father, Juliet begins to rebuild what shattered on the day that was at once the happiest and most heartbreaking of her life.
Told through the eyes of Zac, Juliet, and grandfather Mick, Little Big Love is a layered, heartfelt, utterly satisfying story about family, love, and the secrets that can define who we are.
I can tell this is going to be one of those warm-hearted, give-you-all-the-warm-fuzzy-feels kind of book. Being a horror and dark romance reader much of the time, these sorts of books are necessary to give me a positive recharge! I’m looking forward to it.
Dry Body Brush by Wild Violetta – Retail Value $12.00
Previously unbeknownst to me (which is shocking), dry brushing is a great way to increase circulation, encourage lymphatic drainage and improve the look of cellulite. But you know what the best thing about it is?? HOW.IT.FEELS. OMG! I can’t believe I’ve never owned one of these!! I must have brushed my arms and legs for an hour (no joke), and then had Dale brush my back and rear. It is HEAVEN! Better than a massage for me! Since I’ll be doing this DAILY, I’ll report back on the benefits soon. This is hands-down the best Cozy Reader box item EVAH! I’m gonna be giving these out for Christmas.
Now I gotta try their follow-up skin care items! I especially need the anti-cellulite cream. :-/
Luminate Pamper and Nourish Body Milk – Retail Value $12
This is the perfect compliment to the body brush – to be used on the body AFTERWARD.
This moisturizing body milk has no discernible smell, so it is perfect for those who are sensitive to (or don’t care for) fragrances. It glides on effortlessly and leaves no greasy or oily finish. It makes my skin feel very hydrated and soft all day – I really like it! It is also all-natural with no parabens, sulfates, etc.
Fortify and condition your skin with this light-weight body milk. Nourish with the healing properties of Shea Butter and Aloe Vera, and retain its moisture with Natural Hyaluronic Acid. Bring out your skin’s best with this light, clean and fresh body milk that’s the perfect moistuizer for all skin types. Simple and effective, this product is made of natural ingredients. Paraben & Sulfate Free. Cruelty-Free.
Angels & Sages Aura Cleansing Bath Soak (4 oz.) – Retail Value $5
It’s more than just a bath soak!! I can’t say it better than they do, so here is the description from their site (you just MUST read it!):
Calming | Lavender | Chamomile
Do you ever feel that you have an “icky” energy sticking to you from the people you encounter throughout your day? If so, then this soak is for you. We’ve filled this soak to the brim with simple, pure ingredients guaranteed to remove that not-so-fun, clingy energy from your body, mind and spirit. Not only does a lavender bath relax the mind and physical body, it has also been used to cleanse and purify the energetic body as well, resulting in improved emotional well being, less illness and release of bad energy.
MANTRA:
‘My emotional and energetic boundaries are strong and pure and I release all that does not belong to me.’
Why You’ll Love It:
Are you the good listener that everyone goes to to vent their latest woes? Are you a massage therapist or healer having a hard time grounding and centering and keeping your energy levels up after working in the personal space of others all day? Do you love going out but feel a little hungover from all the energy you encounter on the dance floor? Are you a human that lives around other humans?
You get it, everyone can benefit from this blend with ingredients carefully selected and combined to relax and cleanse any bad ju-ju that may be stuck to you. Did you know the word lavender actually means ‘to wash?’ In this case we’re washing away all the bad juju! The aura cleansing bath soak is a concentrated blend designed for people who need to cleanse their own energy body of chaos energy.
See what I mean? It gives the bath experience a whole new meaning! I was curious about the Bible quote printed on the package (Ps 91:11), so I looked it up in case you were curious, too. It’s fitting!
Psalm 91:11: “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;”
Additional instructions for use that I think is important to note:
TO USE:
Draw your bath. Toss in 1/4-1/2 cup of bath blend. Swirl around in the water to dissolve. Turn on music that makes you feel good, light a candle,or just sit and relax.
Visualise the water pulling all the “gunk” off and away from you.
Soak for 20 minutes or more.
As you let the water drain out, imagine all that “gunk” just being pulled away from you and down the drain.
If you can, allow your body to dry naturally without a towel.
Lexicon Coffee Company “Brazil” (12 oz. whole bean) – Retail Value $17
Tasting notes of milk chocolate & toffee = YUM!
At the bottom of the package is says “Because Words Matter”, and not only do I agree wholeheartedly, but the reason this statement is on the package is because 10% of the profits go toward putting more books in the hands of children! Awesome!
Danny Macaroons Premium Flake Coconut Macaroons (pack of 4) – Retail Value $15
If you like coconut macaroons, these are DA BOMB! I have to warn you though, if you don’t like shaved/flaked coconut, these aren’t for you. They are loaded with it!
These are seriously good, and if you don’t believe me, read some of the reviews!
What an awesome month this was! I am so happy with every single item. The dry brush was my favorite item!
The total retail value of this box (right now) is $87 ($80.35 with Amazon Pricing), and the items are all the high quality I’ve come to expect from this box. Both values are above the $64.95 cost of the box (not including tax/shipping costs in either calculation), so, big happy dance!!
Cozy Reader Club Review, June 2018
July came right on time per usual – and I opened my Cozy Reader Club box the moment I received it!
It’s smack-dab in the middle of summertime, and beach reading appears to be the theme this month.
OOOOH…looky looky!
A beautiful box of items, no? Let’s talk about them!
I’m one of those lucky ladies that has a pool in her back yard, so that is where most of my reading gets done instead of the beach where it’s too noisy, too windy and too sandy. (I’m fussy, I know.)
Always be sure to read the product insert cards! Not only is there valuable information about each item, but there are often times special discounts included as well.
The Intermission by Elyssa Friedland – Retail Value $26 (Amazon pricing $19.80)
Amazon excerpt:
Have you ever had a secret so gut-wrenching you couldn’t tell anyone, not even the person who shares your bed?
Told from the alternating perspectives of a husband and wife who both have something to hide, this incisive novel pulls back the curtain on a seemingly-happy marriage, posing the question: how much do we really know–and how much should we want to know–about the people we love the most?
After five long years, the unshakable confidence Cass Coyne felt as a bride is gone. Her husband, Jonathan, on the other hand, is still smitten. It’s true that the quirks he once found charming in his wife–her high standards, her refusal to clean the dishes–are beginning to grate. But for him, these are minor challenges in a healthy relationship.
So it comes as a complete shock to Jonathan when Cass suddenly requests a marital “intermission”: a six-month separation during which they’ll decide if the comfortable life they’ve built is still the one they both want.
Aside from a monthly custodial exchange of their beloved dog, contact will be limited. But as the months pass, they begin to see that calculated silences just like these have helped to drive them apart–and that it may finally be time to confront the blistering secrets they’ve been avoiding.
Okay, this book is right up my alley! It sounds a bit dark with a marriage on the rocks, gut-wrenching secrets, and…a dog!
A few of the reviews I read called this book ‘thought-provoking’, which for me, is a must. What’s the point in reading if it doesn’t cause you to ponder and question things? I’m looking forward to digging into this one, and will put it up higher in my queue, which is ridiculously long these days. I just finished an 800-pager, and I’m a bit behind!
Wooden Cherry Bookmark “This is Where You Fell Asleep” by Fly Paper Products – Retail Value $5.95
A stylish and eco friendly way to hold your place while enjoying a good book! Each bookmark is made from 100% real, unaltered and natural wood materials. The production of the materials uses very minimal amounts of energy, gas and no use of water. This green and revolutionary product is made entirely in the USA. Since the wood is 100% natural, the card will biodegrade
All wood products adhere to the strictest environmental policies and forestry guidelines. Logs are purchased from well managed forests maintained by foresters who practice and follow sustainable yield harvesting procedures.
Compared to the paper making process, it take less wood to make Micro-Veneer cards then it does to make regular paper cards. The production of all wood products does not require the use of a single chemical or any water. One log will produce thousands of cards!
Each Bookmark is 2″ x 6″ with round corners.
I love wooden bookmarks! I’m really hard on my books/bookmarks being that I take them everywhere with me. In my purse, things tend to get mangled and dirty – but with a wooden bookmark, I’m golden! This is a really cute one, too. I read pretty much every single night before I go to sleep, so it’s appropriate.
This is what I call “Book Beauty”! 🙂
Austen Tote by Obvious State – Retail Value $24
‘Obvious State’ has some really cool totes, including this Jane Austen quote one. What bookworm doesn’t appreciate Jane Austen? I really like the artwork, too, in black & white (or cream in this case) with a splash of color in the red lips, and the pocket on the inside for smaller items. Win!
‘I am excessively diverted’…um, YEP.
Lemon Hibiscus Loose Leaf Tea by The Jasmine Pearl Tea Company (2 oz.) – Retail Value $5.20
Doesn’t the combination of lemon & hibiscus sound really refreshing?
This is an herbal, organically grown loose leaf tea with hibiscus, lemongrass, lemon balm and lemon myrtle. It smells wonderful! Here is a breakdown of the benefits of each ingredient because they are nothing short of amazing:
Hibiscus: Relief from high blood pressure and high cholesterol, as well as digestive, immune system, and inflammatory problems. It helps to cure liver disease and reduces the risk of cancer.
Lemongrass: Good for digestion, full of antioxidants, regulates high blood pressure, boosts metabolism and burns fat, for naturally great skin and hair, heals cold and flu, relieves menstrual pain.
Lemon Balm: (Melissa officinalis) is a herb in the mint family; often said to help ease stress and anxiety, insomnia, cold sores, high cholesterol, genital herpes, indigestion, and heartburn.
Lemon Myrtle: A natural skin cleanser that helps with both acne and blemishes, and fights against the effects of stress and pollution. It is also anti-inflammatory and helps with weight loss and detoxification.
There is also a card included with the brewing instructions for several different types of tea, which is always appreciated!
Lemon Infused Sugar Shapes by Artisan Sugars (2) – Retail Value $1.34 (12 slices for $8 in their store)
These are adorable! I don’t typically put sugar in my tea or coffee, but I was motivated to try these because they are lemon-infused, and I’m the curious type.
I decided on iced tea since it is 110 degrees outside today – UG! The hibiscus turned it bright red – isn’t it pretty?!? And then, I placed the little yellow sugar wedge on top and watched it slowly dissolve whilst (whilst!) taking photos. How could I not take a photo of this colorful work of art?
To my surprise (and delight), the one sugar sweetened it only slightly, and enhanced the lemon flavor of the tea. I really liked it! It was just as refreshing as it sounded, and the flavor was subtle and smooth – not bitter at all.
Handcrafted Caramel Corn “Fiori & Salt” by The Art of Caramel (2 oz.) – Retail Value $2.10 (The 2 oz. size is only available in a case of 50 for $105)
This little pack lasted about a minute and 20 seconds, not including the licking of my fingers afterward. It’s no wonder they sell them in packs of 50 – I could have seriously downed about that many. It’s THAT good. Gawd!
I’m having a hard time deciding on my favorite item this month – I really liked everything! I think I’m going to go with the caramel corn since I’m going to be purchasing more of it on my own! OMG so yummy!
The total retail value of this box (right now) is $64.59 ($58.39 with Amazon Pricing), and the items are all the high quality I’ve come to expect from this box. This is one of the lower value boxes I’ve received, but I’m still happy, and I’ll tell you why:
Something to note as far as what I think about box values – I don’t get my panties all up in a bunch over ”value”. Value is too subjective. What is worth a lot to me, isn’t worth shit to someone else; and vice versa, not to mention prices fluctuate. I look at it like this – someone is going to a lot of trouble to curate a special box for me. I don’t have to think about what I want, look for it, buy it or pay individual tax or shipping fees for separate items. I am being pushed out of my comfort zone when I get something I wouldn’t normally buy, or don’t know exists (this is a good thing), and am being introduced to new brands I would otherwise not know about. If I don’t like something, I can swap it on one of the swap sites, sell it on ebay, gift it to a loved one, or donate it to charity. Not to mention it’s fun to get a surprise every month! There are many folks who only like (ridiculously) high-valued boxes, or get upset if the perceived value dips below the cost of the box. I say get over it. This is a SERVICE. You tip your waiter extra for (good) service, right? But I digress. Who cares about the value. Enjoy the box! When the value exceeds the cost – celebrate and count yourself lucky!
If I had any complaint, I would say the “$75+ Value” statement on the product info card is a little misleading. The value only reaches $75 if you include the cost of tax/shipping of the items. I’m not put-off by that, but I can see some people being upset.
TTFN – CrazyDogMama xoxo
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