Down the Rabbit Hole Book Box (May & June 2021)

It’s time to get thrilled and chilled! Down the Rabbit Hole Boxes have arrived and these boxes were full of some pretty spookily amazing gifts and treats. If you want to see what was in the May and June Down the Rabbit Hole Boxes then keep reading!

Hello Lovelies,

 

I have a thrilling new book box to share with you and it’s the Down The Rabbit Hole Book Box. This book box is a bit unique because it’s a box that’s been curated around a dark read (more about dark reads in a bit). As someone who has always loved dark, gothic novels, I was intrigued by this book box.  

Here’s a little more about the box before we dig in.

 

What is Down the Rabbit Hole Book Box? Down the Rabbit Hole Book Box is a monthly book box that sends you one dark, mesmerizing, and gripping read (either paperback or hardback) along with 4-6 individually wrapped gifts that’s been curated around the book.

 Website

Price: $34.99 (plus shipping) at the moment this is only offered in the US

Use the coupon code SIMPLYANGELA10 for 10% off your first box or a year's subscription. This code is not an affiliate code.

How is it shipped and packaged? The box is shipped via USPS and the last two months it has arrived  in a plastic poly mailer. The box itself contains shredded paper packaging that protects the items inside. Each item inside the box (other than the book and pamphlet) is individually wrapped and numbered.

What is a dark read? Per their website, they define dark books as a book without a happy ending. The books we will choose for you will have scary and dark plots, not so nice protagonists that will leave you questioning the world as it is.  There will be no books with happy endings coming from us!

Genres included (but not limited to): Southern Gothic | Dark Fantasy | Psychological Thriller | Horror | Mystery | Dark Fiction | Crime

Because of the content of the dark reads, the website does recommend that this book box is for those 18 years of age and above.

Can I find out the title of the book? Unlike other companies, Down the Rabbit Hole Book Box makes it easy to discover the title. Each month hints will be revealed on their website and Instagram. You can also email the company directly to discover the title. 

Each month you receive a pamphlet that tells you the theme of the month, a little about the author, and how to open your gifts. Because this is an Immersive Experience Book Box, it’s best to open the gifts as you read (you’ll find a little sticky tab on the page telling you which gift to open).

What is an Immersive Experience Book Box? It’s a box that’s been curated to pull the reader further into the sensory experience of the story with sounds, scents, tastes, and objects of interest from within the story. While items like candles, drinkware, and jewelry could be included, it also includes story specific items such as letters, photos and such. 

Hey Lovelies, there were shipping issues with both of my Down the Rabbit Hole boxes, which is why the May & June boxes are just now posting. The May box was stuck in Kentucky with DHL for nearly a month before it finally arrived. The company that handles the assembly and shipping of the boxes forgot to ship out my June box. I contacted DTRH, who are amazing to deal with, and they got in touch with company the ships the boxes and my box was sent out the next business day on July 12.

 

If you are a subscriber, just note that the boxes generally ship out around the 21^st of each month and take about 7-10 business days to arrive. If you don’t receive a shipping notice or if your box hasn’t arrived reach out to DTRH and they will gladly look into it for you. 

Here’s what’s in May’s Down the Rabbit Hole Book Box.

 

May’s Book: Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough (trade paperback, $16.99, 2017)—I’ve been hearing so much about this book (and the NETFLIX series) and I was very happy to receive it in May’s box.

May’s Theme: No theme this month 

Gift 1—Daisy Friendship Bracelet Set

Gift 2—Death’s Door Coffee

Gift 3—Bruno Visconti Notebook

Gift 4—Watch

Gift 5—Satin Sleep Mask, Hair band

 

There’s also a themed bookmark included 

My thoughts on the May box: May’s box was definitely a bit different content-wise but it was still a fun box to open and I’m so excited to dig into the book that was chosen.

 

The notebook and satin sleep set (eye mask, hair band) are items that I will use and I love that the sleep set came in a nice little drawstring bag, which will sit nicely in my nightstand. The bracelet set is cute but I will probably pass it on to a friend’s daughter. The watch is a nice quality but I’m not a watch wearer (I have too much electricity in my body and I kill watch batteries) so I’ll pass this along to someone. I’m not a coffee drinker so, again, I’ll pass this along.

Number of Items received: 5 Gifts (all bookish gifts) plus the book

Overall, This box was an odd mix of items but it was interesting. I’m excited to use the sleep set and the notebook is the perfect size to keep on my nightstand.

Here’s what’s in June’s Down the Rabbit Hole Book Box.

 

June’s Book: Confessions by Kanae Minato (Paperback, $16.99)—originally published in 2008 and translated in 2014, this is both a new-to-me author and book and it looks rather intriguing. At 234 pages, I imagine this will be a quick read.

June’s Theme: I have no idea. They either didn’t have a pamphlet this month or forgot to add mine in, which I’m guessing is the case seeing as I had some issues with my box.

1-Black Change Purse

2-Milk Carton Water Bottle

3-Teatulia Oolong Tea (3 packs) & Vienna Fingers (3 packs)

4-Mini Alarm Clock

We also received a matching bookmark, this time it has a lovely tassel.  

My thoughts on the June box: This was a fun little box to open and a bit different from the previous boxes.

The change purse, with a matching rose accent and keyring, is the perfect thing to toss a credit card and a bit of cash in, which I’ve been doing a lot lately for quick store runs. The milk carton water bottle is adorable, I’m not sure if I’ll use it a lot but it will make an adorable piece of décor in my kitchen. The tea and cookies were a nice addition. While I don’t like receiving a lot of snack items (cookies, etc.) I do like them every so often and I never say no to tea. This was the smallest alarm clock but it’s a nice quality and had a loud alarm.

While this was a smaller quantity then some of the more recent boxes, I really enjoyed unboxing this one. There were a lot unique items that I wouldn’t pick up for myself and I do think the change purse will come in useful. I’ve been using a small cardholder (that I worry about losing) when I do quick store trips so this is a bit bigger and I feel like I’ll be more comfortable with this size. 

Number of Items received: 4 Gifts (all bookish gifts) plus the book

Overall, these were both really unique boxes with fun items. While some of the items weren’t for me, I did enjoy the majority of the items and the way they correlated with the books.  I will say that I do missing receiving the story-related items as I like to use them in my book/reading journal. 

One of my favorite things about the Down the Rabbit Hole box is the presentation. Everything is uniquely packaged and carefully arranged. The items are nice quality and I often find most of them to be useful. The boxes themselves are gorgeous and make for great storage boxes or gift boxes. 

Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough

Louise is a single mom, a secretary, stuck in a modern-day rut. On a rare night out, she meets a man in a bar and sparks fly. Though he leaves after they kiss, she’s thrilled she finally connected with someone.

 

When Louise arrives at work on Monday, she meets her new boss, David. The man from the bar. The very married man from the bar…who says the kiss was a terrible mistake but who still can’t keep his eyes off Louise.

 

And then Louise bumps into Adele, who’s new to town and in need of a friend, but she also just happens to be married to David. David and Adele look like the picture-perfect husband and wife, but then why is David so controlling, and why is Adele so scared of him?

 

As Louise is drawn into David and Adele’s orbit, she uncovers more puzzling questions than answers. The only thing that is crystal clear is that something in this marriage is very, very wrong, but Louise can’t guess how wrong―and how far a person might go to protect their marriage’s secrets.

 

Confessions by Kanae Minato

After calling off her engagement in wake of a tragic revelation, Yuko Moriguchi had nothing to live for except her only child, four-year-old Manami. Now, following an accident on the grounds of the middle school where she teaches, Yuko has given up and tendered her resignation.

 

But first she has one last lecture to deliver. She tells a story that upends everything her students ever thought they knew about two of their peers, and sets in motion a maniacal plot for revenge.

 

Narrated in alternating voices, with twists you'll never see coming, Confessions explores the limits of punishment, despair, and tragic love, culminating in a harrowing confrontation between teacher and student that will place the occupants of an entire school in danger. You'll never look at a classroom the same way again.