The Bawdy Bookworms box is something we’ve reviewed before. Both Redheadedgirl and Elyse have give the romance novel & sex toy themed box a try. They both had favorable things to say and, judging from their reviews, I think it’s a box that just keeps getting better.
From their about page:
Each month, you’ll receive a specially curated package with a smokin’ hot book plus a few sexy surprises. And yes, sometimes batteries are included. All in discreet packaging, of course. That’s not all. Bawdy Bookworms is also a virtual book club that will offer our subscribers access to a private forum.
I can vouch for the discreet packing and that they have a really fun Facebook group. The fact that batteries are included with the box is an excellent touch, as there’s nothing more frustrating than having to scrounge around your apartment, playing battery Hunger Games as you decide which electronics can deal with on dead battery while you switch it out for a good one.
The box is also ships quarterly (every three months) and costs $34.95 per box.
To gauge whether a box successfully delivers (heh), I like to see if the items inside are equal to or more than the subscription price. Also, are the items inside decent quality and will I use them? Trust me, I do not need any more clutter in my small Boston apartment.
Here is a list of the items inside this box:
- A copy of Breaking Clear by MJ Summers ( A | BN | K | AB )
- Butterfly Kiss G-Spot Vibrator with an organza bag and set of batteries
- Intimate Earth Discover G-Spot Stimulating Serum
- Coochy Rash Free Shave Creme
- Coochy After Shave Protection Mist
- Noxema Bikini Shave & Trim Razor
- Candy!
The theme of this box is “lady garden love” and everything is cutely packaged. It game with delicate tissue paper and a teal ribbon. So A+ for presentation! While it may not matter to some people, I love opening a pretty arrangement of things.
There were two things I loved most. One was the item card that came with the box. It outlines the contents of the box, so you know whether or not you’re missing anything. It includes descriptions and tips.
The tip under the “sweet treats” item reads: Keep candies away from genital areas. Sugar may cause yeast infections. Yes, men can get yeast infections. Seriously.
I’m all for being adventurous during sexy times, but I appreciate the due diligence from Bawdy Bookworms.
The back of the card also has “play ideas” of how to pair the items inside during intimacy.
Take your new Butterfly Kiss into the shower or bath to relax (or stimulate). It’s better than Calgon!
The second thing I loved, and this is the most important, is the book selection. As someone who “works” in romance. (WHAT?! How lucky am I?), I know quite a bit about books coming out and most likely, already have a galley sitting in a stack. There have been other boxes I’ve tried where I receive a book I already own.
Breaking Clear by MJ Summers is a completely new to me author and I was surprised at my own surprise. Imagine that. For me, the draw to subscription boxes (and not just ones with books) is about trying new products. If you like something, you’re already probably buying it. To get a box where all the items are new to me is a slam dunk and it’s what I want from all the subscription boxes I try.
Now back to my earlier statement about boxes being worth the subscription cost. I tried to roughly estimate the total retail price (according to the items on Amazon) of the items inside, and the box is over $50, which is more than the $34.95 box price and free shipping.
Even if you’re in an area that charges for shipping, the items are still worth more. And sex toys can be freakin’ expensive, man. I know I’ll definitely be using the after shave mist. My skin gets so dry and irritated after shaving sometimes, especially in the winter months. Plus, there’s another vibrator to add to my (growing) (heh) collection and I love having variety.
So would I recommend this box to readers of romance, especially ones who like to experiment in the bedroom? Hell yes.
Big thanks to Kim from Bawdy Bookworms for sending us a box to review. Each month gets better and better. And right now, we have a special discount for SBTB readers! The last day to subscribe at the $34.95 rate is July 22, and you can get free shipping in the US, and $6 off shipping for international shoppers with coupon code smartb!
Ummm Calgon?!? In the UK that’s a washing machine cleaner “Washing machines live longer with Calgon” (jingle).
@Jazzlet: In the US, Calgon is best known as some vague kind of bath product with the slogan “Calgon, take me away!”, typically screamed by a beleaguered housewife in the advertising.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MVLzkTuVmrw
They’re still around and make other bath and beauty products, but I didn’t know that until I looked up the 1970s commercial, so guess how prominent their market placement is these days.
Hmmm. Birthday present purchase for me?
I feel like I’m duty-bound to make the following PSA: this box looks delightful but don’t follow their suggestion to use a sex toy that involves penetration in the bath. You really don’t want bath water up in there – it can lead to infection.
I had a box (which I used over a one year period) of Lavender ultra moisturizing bath beads (basically a powder) from Calgon and it was really nice. I miss baths. Has anyone read Breaking Clear? It’s the third in a series and has a very different cover on the author’s website.
@Kate: YMMV as to the safety of their suggestion to insert in the bath. If the bathwater is just plain water (i.e. not soapy or otherwise adulterated with oils, scented products, etc), the toy is really waterproof and designed for penetration, and it’s not made of a porous material, it’s generally pretty safe to insert in the bath. Since the vagina starts out closed, with the walls collapsed against each other, and stretches to accommodate penetration, the vagina will grip the sides of the toy as you insert and you won’t get more than a very small amount of water up there. It’s the same principle as having sex in the tub, which, again, barring irritants in the water is perfectly safe. The main problem with the water is that it washes off lubrication.
Basically, if you’re particularly sensitive or prone to infection you might want to avoid it, but otherwise it should be fine.