The Best Book Clubs

Saturday, September 14th

2024 Book Club Reviews

Brilliant Books

• Membership costs from $175 to $360 per year
• 1 book per month, either print or audio
• Staff chooses for you
• Responsive to your preferences
• Satisfaction guarantee
• Flexible pause option
• Popular genres and literary fiction

Brilliant Books, operating out of Traverse City, Michigan, prides itself on being the "long-distance local bookstore," offering both an online platform and a physical store. Their extensive inventory includes paperback books, audiobooks, apparel, literary accessories, games, puzzles, journals, pens, and more. From bestsellers to young adult fiction and children's literature, each monthly book is handpicked from their independent bookstore to match your literary preferences.

Impressive range of novels and audiobooks

For readers of all kinds, Brilliant Books offers a variety of subscription options in specific genres and age groups, for a steady supply of curated reads. Brilliant Books has an impressive selection of books and audiobooks available on the site. You can browse their entire library through the "Shop” tab. You can find books through categories like indie books, prizewinning novels, preorders, and local authors. The actual selection of books for the monthly subscription is a secret, but you can meet your curator by reading up on the bio of the staff member who will be picking your books.

You select a genre, they select your books

Upon subscribing, you'll get a box of books along with a preferences card to customize your reading experience on your next book box. To that end, you can further narrow your selection by picking a particular book box type. You can choose between the standard Brilliant Books Monthly which is split between hardcover and paperback options from a variety of genres, Brilliant Books Monthly Audio for audiobooks, Brilliant Books Monthly for Young Adults, and Brilliant Books Monthly Iconic Reads. This way, you can quickly narrow the field of book genres by choosing a specific box. For example, the Iconic Reads box allows you to choose a more particular genre from some of the most iconic books of our time. Some subcategories include:

• Banned Books
• Poetry
• Science Fiction Through The Ages
• Modern Classics
• Nature Writing

On top of that, the bios for the book selectors can give you a good idea of the kind of content you'll receive from each individual. Some work with only one genre while others select for multiple genres.

6-month or 1-year payment cycles

There are a lot of pricing options with Brilliant Books, and it can take a while to scroll through them. Most of the packages come in 6-month and 1-year subscriptions that will auto-renew. The 6-month plans range from $99 for YA up to $190 for hardcovers. The 1-year packages range from $175 for YA to $360 for hardcovers. Each period is paid for in advance, so you'll be charged either every six months or every year depending on the pay period you choose.

Change how often you receive books

There is some flexibility in scheduling at Brilliant Books. You can choose to request a specific book if you know there's something you want to read next, and you can change your delivery schedule to fit your reading speed. You can choose one book per month, shipments every other month, or every three months. You can also put your shipments on hold for a while if you're going on vacation. You'll get all the books you paid for no matter what.

Satisfaction guarantee

One of the standout features of Brilliant Books is their guarantee of satisfaction. If you receive a book you've already read or one that doesn't align with your tastes, Brilliant Books will immediately replace it. This way you can be sure you get a consistently enjoyable reading experience.

Not a lot of buzz for Brilliant Books

The only snag is that it's nearly impossible to find third-party feedback for Brilliant Books. There are a handful of reviews on the Brilliant Books website, but there's no link to the original reviews, and there's no way to know how those reviews are vetted or posted. While the feedback is totally positive, we're a little skeptical about the reality for average book buyers. Still, the satisfaction guarantee does go a long way toward soothing any concerns.

Competitive option for selection and flexibility

With its extensive genre selection, impressive book categories, and genuine human touch to the book selection process, Brilliant Books stands out from the pack. We are highly impressed with the flexibility and selection. Plus, with a satisfaction guarantee, Brilliant Books stands out from competitors by promising you a great reading experience every time. For this reason, Brilliant Books is our top pick among book clubs with a 5-star rating in our review.

A Box of Stories

• Membership costs from $51.29 to $56.99 per month
• 4 books per month
• Choose your genre
• Flexible pause option
• Change genres at any time
• Popular genres, sci-fi, fantasy, and literary fiction
• 4.2-star average rating

A Box of Stories offers a surprise box containing four books, enabling book enthusiasts to explore new and remarkable stories and authors while rescuing four titles from potential obscurity. The goal of A Box of Stories is to set you on fantastic books that normally go undiscovered. A Box of Stories selects books that have decent sales, but are sadly below the mad popularity of many bestsellers, utilizing an algorithm that considers various factors such as reviews, rankings, and sales figures to curate boxes guaranteed to delight readers. Unlike other subscription services, A Box of Stories doesn't pre-select books; instead, each box is a unique surprise, offering readers a new adventure with every order.

Wide selection of genres

A Box of Stories offers a wide range of genres including sci-fi and fantasy boxes, crime, thriller, and mystery boxes, literary fiction boxes, YA boxes, light reading boxes, and a surprise box. There is also the option to build your own by selecting the genres of all four included books yourself. But beyond genre, the books will be a complete surprise. Some of the recent books offered by different boxes include:

• The Light Brigade (Sci-fi) Kameron Hurley
• Domina (Thriller) L. S. Hilton
• A House of Ghosts (Mystery/thriller) W. C. Ryan
• The Wicked King (YA Romance) Holly Black

Pricing starts at $51.29 per month

At four books per box, we're not surprised to see a much higher price tag. However, you're getting a lot for your money. Starting at $51.29 per month (if you choose an annual membership), you get 4 books, which is a great deal given that most books are $16 to $18 on their own. If you choose to go month-to-month with your subscription it will cost $56.99 per month instead. All of the book boxes are the same price, and they all offer 3- and 6-month pay periods also.

Pause shipments any time

You will get 4 books each month no matter what pay period you select. You have the option to pause shipments and restart them at any time. This way, if you travel, or you start to have too many books on your TBR pile, you can take a little break. The shipping is also free of charge, so you can just sit back and relax once you've started your subscription.

Change genres any time

One standout feature here is that you can shift between genres without interrupting your subscription. For example, when you sign up you might subscribe to the sci-fi and fantasy box. However, if you feel more in the mood for a YA or literary fiction box in a few months, you can ask for a different genre to be sent over at no extra charge. You don't have to cancel and resubscribe; just tell A Box of Stories what you want, and they'll have it over to you on your next delivery cycle.

Customers love the selections, but shipping is slow

A Box of Stories has a decent reputation for a subscription box. On Cratejoy, where the box is facilitated, the company has a solid 4-star rating from reviewers. On outside sites, A Box of Stories does even better with a 4.2-star rating from Trustpilot. Across reviews, readers agree that they love the unique titles offered by the boxes. Rather than receiving the same mainstream titles as other subscription services, A Box of Stories offers something new. There were a few complaints about long shipping times and late deliveries, but in terms of the books themselves, customers were very happy.

Most flexible with new fiction

Despite the very high price, A Box of Stories earns a solid rating in our review. Its offering of 4 books gives fast readers a few things to look forward to each month, and the variety of genes is a standout feature. Not designed for any one gender or style, A Box of Stories will appeal to a lot of readers. And, you can explore different genres throughout your subscription, making it more flexible than many competitors. The unique book selection also offers different titles than other book clubs, so you're more likely to encounter new stories you've never seen before too. This is a book club we enthusiastically recommend.

Once Upon a Book Club

• Membership costs from $49 per month or up to $570 per year
• 1 book per month
• Staff chooses for you
• Options for kids and adults
• Flexible pause option
• Popular genres and literary fiction
• 4.7-star rating

Once Upon a Book Club offers an engaging reading adventure primarily for women aged 18 and above, though they have expanded to offer YA options as well. Each month, you'll receive a curated box containing a newly released book, either in paperback or hardcover format, along with 3-5 meticulously-wrapped gifts. These gifts are thoughtfully labeled with page numbers and intended to be unveiled at specific points in the story, so your gifts feel like you're participating in the narrative. Recognized by prominent media outlets such as Today, Woman's World, and Forbes, Once Upon a Book Club has garnered attention for its innovative approach to storytelling.

Tons of books to choose from and unique ways to read

You can select from a wide range of genres, including romance, mystery, historical fiction, literary fiction, and magical realism. There are over 70 different books in Once Upon A Book Club's online store as well as a fun selection of "speed dating with a book” novels where you buy a book without any info except the genre and have a "blind date”. Some of the novels offered include The Bridgerton Collection (historical romance) by Julia Quinn, All Our Shimmering Skies (literary fiction) by Trent Dalton, and Bright Star (fantasy) by Erin Swan.

Previews and hints for upcoming shipments

Your box subscriptions are 100% a surprise, but you do have control over a few things. First, you can choose between the box types: adult, YA, and tween. For the tween boxes, you'll see exactly what the book is in each upcoming shipment; that way when you're buying for a tween, you'll know but they can still be surprised. For the YA and Adult novels, you'll be given a hint as to the genre and general topic of the book. One hint for an upcoming box was "War of the Wicked” with a photo of a girl holding a fantasy-style sword. If you don't like your upcoming book, you can pause shipment for your subscription and wait until the following month's book to restart.

Higher pricing for immersive gifts

Making it simple compared to other services that offer multiple box types, Once Upon a Book Club has the same price for each box type. The only changes come depending on whether you want to pay month to month, quarterly, bi-annually, or each year. The prices range from:

• $49 per month
• $145 for 3 months
• $289 for 6 months
• $570 per year

The prices are pretty high for a box that offers just 1 book per month, but there are a lot of gifts included in the box to make up the price difference. The gifts accompanying a Once Upon a Book Club box range from keys and necklaces to letters and cooking items, all intricately connected to the storyline of the featured book. You will also receive a 5x7 quote print, discussion questions, and read-along dates for live discussions, fostering a sense of community among fellow readers.

Flexible payment and pause periods

Opting for longer subscription durations translates to cost savings, with prices per box decreasing as the subscription period extends. Once you commit to a subscription, it automatically renews until canceled. Shipments are dispatched at the end of each month, with free shipping provided for added convenience, and you can pause shipments any time before the shipment period and restart whenever you want.

Buy books anytime

If you can't get enough reading with one book per month, you can also shop for books directly from Once Upon a Book Club's library. The books range from $16 to $35 per copy as standalone purchases, with options for hardcover and paperback available.

Happy readers love the quality

There isn't a lot of feedback from subscribers, but what we found is pretty impressive. Between two review sites that focus on subscription services, Once Upon a Book Club earned a 4.1-star rating average from one and a 4.7-star average from another. Reviews underscore the well-written books selected by Once Upon a Book Club and the enjoyable and immersive reading experience from the gifts. Readers chose to stay with Once Upon a Book Club because the books were so good; multiple readers said they "couldn't put them down” and the gifts were really a bonus to the experience for most reviewers.

Top pick for immersive experience

While slightly pricier than some alternatives, Once Upon a Book Club offers a unique and immersive reading journey enriched by its accompanying gifts. Customers love the gifts and the way they support the individual stories, and the book selections themselves receive high praise, making Once Upon a Book Club an appealing choice for adult, young adult, and tween readers seeking a distinctive reading adventure. For this reason, it earns a very high rating in our review and sits as one of our top book club options overall.

Book of the Month Club

• Membership costs from $12.50 to $17.99
• 1 book per month
• Choose your book
• Flexible pause option
• Loyalty perks and discounts
• Popular genres and literary fiction
• 4.1-star average rating
• "A+" rated by the BBB

Book of the Month has been introducing readers to fresh literary finds since 1926. Each month, Book of the Month presents a collection of enticing book options spanning various genres, including contemporary fiction, young adult, thriller, historical fiction, and romance. Unlike many competitors, you have the autonomy to choose the book that intrigues you the most at Book of the Month Club, making it easier to snag something you'll love reading every time.

5-7 books per month to choose from

Book of the Month Club has 28 books to browse on the site. From there, you'll be able to select from 5-7 books or audiobooks for your monthly delivery. Some of the books and audiobooks have crossover, but many of them are completely different, offering you unique books in each category. You'll find a range of options including romance, thriller, and sci-fi. The hardcover lineup for the month at the time of our review included:

• Middletide by Sarah Crouch (Crime)
• Five Broken Blades by Mai Corland (Fantasy)
• The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley (Sci-fi)
• The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean (Mystery)
• The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren (Romance)
• Real Americans by Rachel Khong (Literary Fiction)

In your first month as a member, you can choose from Book of the Month Club's entire library.

Choose one book from their list

To aid in your decision-making process, Book of the Month provides helpful product pages for each of the featured books. These pages furnish essential details to help you get to know each book before you pick. Each listing usually has a "quick take” section that gives you a basic tagline for the book. There's also a cute emoji section that will tell you what themes might appear in the book, a full synopsis, and more.

$12.50 to $17.99 per month

You can snag your first book for just $5 using a discount code provided at signup, making it an enticing offer to kickstart your membership. The actual membership costs between $12.50 to $17.99 depending on your plan. Though Book of the Month Club doesn't say what the different membership plans are, we hazard a guess it's audiobooks vs. hardcover novels, but we're not entirely sure. Plus, with free shipping, it's a budget-friendly way to indulge in your reading passion.

Shipments each month and free skips

Each month you can choose one book, and instead of locking you into long subscription commitments, Book of the Month Club offers a flexible plan. This arrangement allows you to opt-in for a new book whenever you fancy one, letting you skip months when the selections don't pique your interest or when you're not ready for a new read.

Bonuses for loyalty and added books

There are a couple of membership perks at Book of the Month Club. Upon receiving 12 book shipments, loyal members attain "BFF" status, unlocking exclusive perks like a complimentary tote bag, a free add-on during their birthday month, a 20% discount at the member-exclusive Blue Box Boutique, and a complimentary winter read. For avid readers craving more literary delights, Book of the Month offers add-on options where you can select up to two extra books per month. These additions can include current selections or past favorites, allowing you to expand your reading repertoire.

Solid selection

While Book of the Month Club currently holds an "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau, the customer reviews are few and far between. One site showed a 4.1-star rating average, as customers loved the easy access to books. Customers also praised the selection, with some enjoying books so much they read them multiple times.

May be the lowest-cost book club

While the Book of the Month Club has a competitive array of novels and genres, there are some concerns about the price. This might be a good option for audiobook enthusiasts who may pay less than hardcover fans, but the lack of transparency regarding the actual membership tiers is a little frustrating. Despite this, its flexibility in book selection and subscription management makes it a decent contender in the book club arena. For this reason, it earns a solid rating in our review.

Just the Right Book

• Membership costs from $26.75 to $41.50 per month
• 1 book per month
• Staff chooses for you based on questionnaire
• All standard genres and literary fiction
• 5-star average rating

For more than three decades, patrons have enjoyed visits to RJ Julia, where they can explore seasonal exhibits and engage in bookish conversations with the knowledgeable staff. After RJ Julia Bookstores realized that customers loved advice and assistance in selecting books for various occasions, the owner introduced Just the Right Book to serve customers near and far with top-notch book recommendations. The subscription service began in 2009, and over the past 15 years, Just the Right Book has served countless customers.

Impressive selection of genres

Just the Right Book is facilitated by RJ Julia Booksellers, so to see the full selection offered (or a preview of the books) you'll want to hop over to the bookseller's website. We checked out the staff recommendations section as these will likely show up in the book subscription boxes. Some titles you might expect to see include:

• Oceans Godori by Elaine U. Cho (Sci-fi)
• The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo (Fantasy)
• Daivloa by J. Thorne (Thriller)
• Real Americans by Rachel Khong (Literary Fiction)

There is a range of literary fiction, historical, thriller, romance, sci-fi, and fantasy to choose from at RJ Julia Booksellers. You can wait for your shipments and also buy directly from the bookstore if you want to read more novels.

Questionnaire to learn your taste

To select the perfect book for you or a friend, you'll need to begin by subscribing and filling out the unique Reading Profile questionnaire. You can select options like what style of book (hardcover, paperback, mix), the age group you want to read, and you can choose between 4-12-month intervals to pay. However, we expected there to be more questions about genre preferences to help the book selectors to pick the best ones for each reader. However, before checkout, those questions weren't included in the quiz. You can also request specific books by contacting Just the Right Book via email.

Pricing from $26.75 to $41.50 per month

The pricing changes slightly depending on your selections. If you want hardcovers only, it will be more expensive than a mixed bag. Likewise, if you choose paperback only, it will be the least expensive option of all. Paperback costs $26.75 per month or $295 if you want to pay in full for the year. You can also choose a 4-month or a 6-month frequency if you prefer. On the higher end, the hardcover-only plan costs $41.50 per month or $448 for a year if you want to prepay. While we struggled to find specific mention of the number of books, the details on Just the Right Book appear that you get one book for the price. If that's true, $41.50 for one book per month is quite steep.

Good option for gifters

One of the perks of choosing Just the Right Book is that it's an easy service to give to a friend or loved one. If you're looking for a book club that lets you answer questions about your loved one's favorite reads, this might be a great place to do some gift shopping.

Only three reviews, but they're all 5 stars

There wasn't a lot of buzz around Just the Right Book, which was surprising given the company's claims to have some of the best customer retention in the book club industry. On sites that review subscription boxes, Just the Right Book had a full 5 stars, but there were only 3 ratings and no reviews with comments, so we're not sure exactly why customers loved the subscription so much. We'd love to see some more details to get a clearer picture.

Highly-rated gift option

Just the Right Book is well-rated (on the reviews that are out there) and has an impressive selection overall. Given the benefits, we feel confident in rating Just the Right Book a solid rating. It would be higher if it had more feedback to show and better prices for a 1-book shipment, but for now, it earns its rating by having an impressive selection of different genres. Plus, this is a favorite for gifting, if you want to send a book club to someone you love.

The Book Drop

• Membership costs from $20 to $25 per month
• 1 book per month
• Staff chooses for you
• Options for kids and adults
• Historical fiction, romance, fantasy, and thriller
• 4.1-star rating

The Book Drop is a surprise monthly book subscription service powered by Bethany Beach Books, an independent bookstore in Bethany Beach, Delaware. The company's mission is to bring the independent bookstore experience to readers who may not have access to one locally. The initiative was started in 2015 by Amanda Zirn Hudson, manager and book-buyer at Bethany Beach Books. With The Book Drop, you'll get the joy of receiving one fantastic, hand-wrapped book delivered to your door each month.

9 boxes to choose from

If you're looking for a book club with tons of different subscription boxes, this one might take first place. There are nine different boxes to choose from, each with a different genre. Here's what you can expect:

• Adult Fiction
• Large Print
• Young Adult
• Middle Grade
• Early Readers
• Picture Books
• Board Books
• Jigsaw Puzzle

Some of the previous books offered by The Book Drop's clubs include:

• Unsinkable By Jenni L. Walsh (Historical)
• The Graveyard Shift By Maria Lewis (Thriller)
• Every Duke Has His Day by Suzanne Enoch (Romance)

Surprise selections each month

The main gist of The Book Drop is that each month is a total surprise, but you can personalize your package a little. Monthly book subscriptions for adults include genres (listed like drink names - Tea = Historical fiction, Coffee = Thriller, Bubbly = Romance, and Elixir = Fantasy). You can choose up to two different genres per subscription, so your shipments will include only those genres. One of the selections is "surprise” too, if you want to keep your options open. In each package, you'll find a book carefully wrapped in vibrant tissue paper, along with a personalized note detailing why they chose this particular book. You'll also receive an Indie Next List brochure, highlighting exciting new releases cherished by independent bookstores and booksellers (sent bimonthly for YA & Children's subscriptions).

Expensive for just one book

The pricing is pretty simple, but for only one book each month, it's a little pricey. A month-to-month subscription for an adult book club option is $25 per month. If you choose to prepay for three months the price goes down to $19.11 per month. However, if you choose a 6-month prepay the discount is minimal, going down to $24.99 per month rather than $25.

Great options for early readers

If you're looking specifically for a book club that prioritizes younger readers, The Book Drop might be a great place to browse. This subscription offers boxes that include YA novels, graphic novels, and even options for young readers (ages 8-14) and early readers (ages 6-7). So, if you're looking for a new way to get your child (or grandchild) excited about reading, The Book Drop's club is a good place to start. The kids' books are also a little cheaper. For example, a month-to-month graphic novel subscription is just $20.

A reputation for excellent books

Like many of the book clubs in our review, there isn't a lot of buzz for The Book Drop. But, what we found is pretty solid. On average The Book Drop earns a 4.1-star average rating. Readers praised The Book Drop's selections for having well-developed characters and deeply interesting narratives. However, there are some complaints about prices rising, and from what we can tell in older reviews, the adult box used to be around $16, which is a shame as that's much more reasonable for a one-book shipment.

Best option for kid readers

The Book Drop sits right around the middle of the pack for us. It's not doing anything spectacular price-wise, and while there are lots of boxes to choose from, many competitors also offer unique genre selections. The best feature of The Book Drop is its subscription options for young readers, which we highly recommend checking out if you have a youngster. However, for its adult selection, it earns a good rating. The book Drop is good, but not the best out there. For those, check out our top-rated book clubs instead.

Nowhere Bookshop

• Membership costs from $20 to $27.50 per month
• 1 book per month
• 3 boxes to choose from
• Staff chooses for you
• Romance, thriller, and fantasy
• Signed books available
• 5-star average rating

Established by bestselling author Jenny Lawson, Nowhere Bookshop is a fresh independent bookstore in San Antonio, Texas. Offering a collection of new books, author engagements, distinctive gifts, and a coffee, wine, and beer bar, Nowhere Bookshop strives to provide a hub where you can celebrate your love for literature. The name "Nowhere Bookshop" is inspired by the immersive feeling experienced when engrossed in a captivating book. At Nowhere, you'll find a variety of book club subscriptions ranging from magical and romantic to spooky tales.

Pick from four book clubs

Nowhere has four different clubs to choose from - 3 geared toward adults, and 1 for the kids.

• The Fantastic Strangelings Book Club is first, focusing on tales of magic and fantasy with previous selections like The Wildest Sun by Asha Lemmie or Encyclopedia of Fairies by Heather Fawcett.
• Second, there's the Happy Endings Book Club. This club focuses on romance novels that all are guaranteed to have a warm fuzzy ending. Some previous selections include My Roommate is a Vampire by Jenna Levine and Ana Maria and the Fox by Liana de la Rosa.
• The third book club is the Nightmares from Nowhere Book Club which focuses on spooky suspense and thriller stories.
• The fourth option is the Little Bitty Book Club for that little someone in your life who needs new and unique picture books ready for their reading level.

Book club selections are all a surprise

There isn't much customization for Nowhere Bookshop, but you can choose the type of novels you're going to get. Plus, if you feel like you want to expand your reading options, you can always buy a book directly from Nowhere's stock. However, the actual book club subscriptions don't have any crossover, and each book is a surprise every month.

Prices from $20 per month + enrollment fee

At Nowhere Bookshop, pricing is one area where it doesn't particularly stand out. To get started, there's a $10 non-refundable enrollment fee for any of the book clubs. Afterward, you'll be billed $27.50 per month (plus tax, if applicable) for the Fantastic Strangeling club. Happy Endings costs $20 (plus tax, if applicable), and the Nightmares Club costs $27 per month (plus tax, if applicable). All of these clubs charge you extra for shipping, which is not the norm among Nowhere Bookshop's competitors.

Get signed copies of books

If you're looking for a place to buy signed books from authors you love, Nowhere Bookshop does offer that as a feature. While the clubs may not have a lot of perks themselves, the signed books section includes 14 different novels in a variety of genres from historical nonfiction to romance that are all signed by the author.

Only a few reviews but all 5 stars

Most of the reviews for Nowhere Bookshop appear on Facebook. While some of the book clubs like the Fantastic Strangelings Club have a perfect 5-star score, this is only out of 21 total reviews. The Happy Endings Club only had 1 review, but that was also 5 stars. In general, reviewers love the selection of novels and say they're never dissatisfied with a read from Nowhere Bookshop. However, the lack of reviews on other platforms raises some questions about how popular Nowhere Bookshop is as an online subscription service.

Could have better pricing

While we love the great feedback on Nowhere Bookshop, one thing keeps us from rating it higher in our review: the cost. When compared to rival book clubs who don't charge enrollment fees or shipping fees, Nowhere is a little behind the pack. For this reason, it earns a mid-tier rating rather than something higher. If you love romance, thrillers, or magical narratives, you may want to check Nowhere's book club out.

Fresh Fiction Box

• Membership costs from $30.95 to $35.95 per month
• 3-5 books per month
• Staff chooses for you
• Romance and suspense-focused
• 4.1-star average rating

Fresh Fiction Box was established in 2004 with the mission of assisting readers in discovering their next beloved reads. Focused on women readers, they curate monthly boxes filled primarily with romance and suspense novels, featuring both renowned bestsellers and emerging authors. If you're looking for a subscription that focuses on sending you multiple books in each shipment as well as something designed to cure that romance itch, Fresh Fiction Box may be a great book club option for you.

3-5 books in each shipment

Each Fresh Fiction Box includes a selection of 3-5 print and/or ebooks. However, there is no viewable library for Fresh Fiction Box. The subscription itself is facilitated by Cratejoy. However, even on Fresh Fiction's home website, the shop is empty aside from the Fresh Fiction Box itself and extras like wine glasses and more. The fiction boxes primarily include romance and suspense books, though there are other genres as well.

No personalization allowed

At Fresh Fiction Box, there is no way to select your books. In the company's FAQ, they said that there are zero customization or request options. The "surprise is part of the fun” according to Fresh Fiction Box. So, if you were interested in the romance part of Fresh Fiction Box (but only the romance), you're out of luck. You'll have to read whatever they send you. However, you do get multiple books in each box, so you might find you like at least one book in each shipment.

Competitive pricing for 3-5 books

Priced at $35.95 per month, the value of the box is frequently praised by customers, who feel they receive more than their money's worth, especially considering the inclusion of new titles and up to 5 books per box. You can also subscribe for 3 months at a time and get a discounted price of $30.95 per month.

Sign up by the 20th

Fresh Fiction Box operates on a month-to-month subscription basis (unless you specifically choose the 3-month payment cycle), allowing you to renew automatically with the option to cancel anytime. The only snag? You need to sign up by the 20th of each month to receive the upcoming month's box, which is dispatched during the last week of the month, typically around the 25th. Shipping is complimentary for all boxes, a rarity in the realm of book clubs.

Mixed feelings about customer service

While Fresh Fiction Box garners positive feedback for its generous offerings and unique book selections, it lacks a return policy or exchange option for dissatisfied customers. But, despite being hosted by Cratejoy, a platform with a concerning "F" rating from the Better Business Bureau, Fresh Fiction Box maintains a decent reputation with a 4.1 out of 5-star rating average based on 31 customer reviews. Though most customers appreciate the abundance of books and find them enjoyable and engaging, some express frustration with customer service interactions at this book club.

Lots of books but limited choices

Fresh Fiction Box presents a solid choice for those seeking a continuous supply of romance and suspense novels and up to 5 books per month. However, its exclusive focus on women readers and limited flexibility regarding the books they send may not appeal to everyone. So, despite a decent 4.1-star rating from reviewers, Fresh Fiction Box gets an average rating from us.

Books & More

• Membership costs start at $39.99 to $62.99
• 1-3 books per month
• Extras included
• Prepay up to 6 months

Books & More, a creation of Well Read Books, offers personalized book packages that follow a more traditional subscription box format. While details about the company's history and mission remain undisclosed, their curated offerings promise to elevate your literary experience. Books & More offers collections of 1 or 2 books each month alongside features extras like wine, enamel pins, bookmarks, and more.

Books are selected for you

Despite appearing slightly pricier than other book clubs, Books & More compensates with enriched deliveries (the "More” part of Books & More). Each package offers the choice of receiving 1, 2, or 3 books, as well as surprises and supplementary extras. If you're looking for Books & More's library, you'll have to hop over to the Box of Books website where you can browse the current selection for the Books & More club. However, you do need to be a member of Box of Books to view the selection.

Short survey to offer preferences

When you pick out your Books & More subscription from the 1, 2, or 3 book options, you'll be asked a few quick questions to help determine what you might like to find in your subscription box. The survey asks about your favorite genres, and what your favorite extras might be (like chocolate, cookbooks, jewelry, or skincare). Finally, they'll ask if you're okay with receiving slightly damaged or gently used books. In the end, the final selection of books is up to Books & More, but you do get to add your two cents.

Subscriptions don't always auto-renew

With options ranging from 1 to 6 months and the choice of 1, 2, or 3 books per delivery, you can get in some serious reading this year. The prices start at $39.99 for one book (and three extras), $49.99 for two books (and three extras), and $62.99 for three books (and three extras) if you choose a one-month pay period. However, this isn't a recurring subscription, it's just a one-time payment. To get a subscription, you have to prepay for a certain number of months (up to 6), which can get pricey as the cost isn't split up month-to-month and you pay in full for the whole term.

Where's the cost of shipping?

Books & More doesn't stand out in its transparency for shipping costs. We couldn't find on the listings if the cost of shipping is included in the membership fee or if there is a shipping cost on top of the already high prices. Given that concern, you may want to do some extra research before settling on Books & More.

30% off for new customers

To sweeten the deal, Books & More offers a 30% discount on the first shipment for 3-month subscriptions, along with periodic sales offering substantial discounts throughout the year. However, Books & More is noticeably more expensive due to the extras. So, if you're looking only for books, this might not be the best deal financially.

Minimal reviews leave us in the dark

In addition to being hosted on Cratejoy, a platform with a concerning "F" rating from the Better Business Bureau, Books & More doesn't have a lot of reviews out there. One review we found praised that Books & More was giftable, but there weren't many other specific positives. Many of the reviews describing a Books & More business are for standalone or private bookstores under the same name that aren't affiliated with the Books & More subscription.

Disappointing reputation and minimal details

It's clear some frustrations exist with this book club, such as obscured shipping costs and limited transparency. When you also factor in the higher-than-average costs and the minimal feedback from customers, Books & More doesn't stand out as a top competitor for book club subscriptions.

BookTide

• Membership costs $19 per month
• 1 book per month
• Extras included
• Small-town bookstore

BookTide stands out from the pack as a small-town bookstore itself. Their goal is to send you selections that have a hand-picked feel and are recommended for you. Each box is meticulously hand-packaged by fellow book lovers who understand your passion. Around since 2016, BookTide is one of the newer book club options in our review. Based in Jersey Shore, the professionals at BookTide pride themselves on offering unique selections and indie novels for your subscription.

No details on books or genres online

Inside your BookTide Box each month you'll find a staff-recommended paperback, a personal note from the bookseller who chose the book, a BookTowne bookmark, and a copy of the IndieNext List book recommendations for the month. Each box is carefully hand-packaged by fellow book-lovers, for a delightful experience tailored to readers like you. However, in terms of book selection, BookTide doesn't offer much on its website. You can't buy books outside of the subscription box. We also couldn't find any example books for previous boxes online. The example photos all show the same box. The subscription may be still too new to be completely developed, but compared to other boxes, BookTide falls behind in transparency and selection.

No customization

There's no real way to customize the boxes from BookTide. You get to select one box and the only options are your payment frequency. Beyond that, you just need to rely on the professionals at BookTide to select something you'll enjoy. There are some basic categories to choose from like "Just a Good Story,” which is just "fiction”, or "More Than Just A Story” which includes non-fiction history or mystery novels. There are also two boxes for teens and YA, as well as one box called "Read This Next” which is novels that are outside mainstream publishing. However, there's no way to choose specific genres like sci-fi, romance, fantasy, or other popular options.

All subscriptions are $19 a month

For a 1-book shipment, BookTide's prices are pretty solid. There are different payment frequencies available, but there's no benefit to subscribing for a year or subscribing for three months. All of the frequencies cost the same: $19 per month. There are no details on whether shipping is free or not.

Minimal scheduling edits

The BookTide boxers ship out on the 25th of every month. We couldn't find any specific details about whether or not you're allowed to pause your box. The lack of transparency shows that BookTide may need more time to really build out its subscription program.

No buzz for BookTide

Since BookTide is run by a standalone bookstore, there isn't a Better Business Bureau rating for this subscription. Further, even though BookTides boxes are facilitated by Cratejoy, there are zero reviews for their boxes yet even on the Cratejoy platform. For this reason, we're not sure how much we trust BookTide. They may still need more time to grow.

Needs more time to gather some feedback

With so little information out there about this book club subscription, it falls pretty low in our ratings. While we love the idea of a small-town bookstore, there just isn't enough information out there to gauge how good the book selections are or how satisfied readers are going to be with the BookTide subscription. Due to the lack of information and how new BookTide's subscription program is, it earns a low rating in our review. We hope that over time it will grow and earn a much higher reputation in the future, but for now, we just don't know enough about it to say definitively.