The Willoughby Book Club Reviews 

I bought a 3 month toddler subscription and a 3 month baby subscription for a friends children. They both absolutely loved the book selected for them each month based on their interests. They even waited for the postman when they knew their books were arriving! Beautifully presented in a colourful wrap. Perfect gift that keeps on giving, would highly recommend to anyone who loves reading. Excellent service.

My partner gave me a six month/six book subscription, of which I have received five books so far. Waste of money. I would agree with some other reviews I see here that the whole experience "doesn't feel very curated" -- not at all curated, I would say. When I activated my subscription I was asked a couple of questions. Perhaps I am at fault for not engaging very well, but the first question struck me as nonsense (I admit I cannot recall what it was). I sought to compensate by filling into another question a list of some books I have recently read and enjoyed, but there was no space. I gave up. And what I have received since then are five books written by middle-aged male authors, at least three of which feature dysfunctional, alchoholic middle-aged male protragonists. I mean, just because I was a bit grumpy in regard to Willoughby's questions -- grumpy because they were dumb -- doesn't mean you have to send me books only about grumpy men. As for the books themselves, I would review them as (1) surprisingly terrible (given the author's rep) and really couldn't finish, (2) has potential but overall, mediocre and overlong (esp for a satire), (3) mediocre and cliched southern gothic with patches of atmospheric writing, (4) I certainly did not want one of Joel Dicker's worse books given I thought the Truth about the Harry Quebert Affair was overblown in execution and reputation [the sort of thing real curatorial questions might have figured out], and (5) looks slightly more promising, but given the record so far, have no motivation to read. (Actually, my overall feeling is "books put on a table in a regional Waterstones to create some fake buzz because they were half-fashionable about three years ago, but now we need to get them out of stock".) Now, maybe I could have been in contact to improve this, but from the opening seconds with the pointless questions, no follow up contact to try and understand my "non-standard" answers, and then the lack of any notes or anything included with the books to encourage me to make contact, I could simply not be bothered. I expect my curators to more actively curated. Maybe I should look at the flip side: I actually have quite catholic taste, so to so consistently badly select books is almost an achievement. There is also talk of beautifully wrapped books, but all I have ever got are books mailed in standard cardboard (fair enough) with no other wrapping other than the exact same dull obi/belly-band around it each time. Even some sort of note to the effect of "how did you like the last book, let us know" might have helped with the "curatorship" feel, but no. It all really seemed cheap, an attempt to fake human involvement through some sort of algorithmic trick perhaps, and actually just slowed me down reading books I wanted to read. The arrival of my Willoughby books just made me downhearted each month. Would not recommend.

Update, given Willoughby reply: Further professionalism, eh?, posting my answers to their questions up on Trustpilot (I think everyone who reads my review sees the Willoughby response, right?) - showing zero respect for customer data privacy. It's not that much is revealed, but when Willoughby asked those questions I never expected to see my answers posted on a public forum. But, given my answers, we see that (a) I reacted grumpily, but (b) if Willoughby is indeed a small team of (not stupid) humans, then someone should have noted how my answers amount to "I find your queries about my reading interests short and simplistic; if you are worth your subscription fee, reach out and ask me more" (I literally said that I attempted to answer the "favourite book" question in a way that made some sense to me but found the response form had not enough space to to so: an actual "curator" would have contacted me to ask more, to get past the limitations of the computer form). That is, in response to my reactions, act both like a human with a little cop on (smarter than a dumb web form), and like a curator with an actual skill set in discovering and expanding someone's interests, even - especially - a grumpy someone. That didn't happen. Instead, I am now told that with the first book I got (why onIy the first?) I was given Willoughby's email. Weak sauce at best, or even blaming me for not pursuing Willoughby actively enough. Why not then use my own curatorial skill to skip Willoughby's premium price? Exactly! Hence, a 1-star review: I recommend a bookshop instead. Talk to a bookseller, get likely better advice for free. Or hell, Amazon's algorithm is also better. Other Trustpilot reviews suggest many very happy people, some very unhappy. My guess is that plenty of people are happy to just get some books, but anyone who expects the curation to be more than a facade is disappointed.

This is the best present I have ever gotten! Every month I really look forward to my next book - the bespoke subscription meant each book was really well tailored to my preferences, and they found books which are now some of my favourite reads ever. And in the rare occasion I got a book I hadn't read they were able to send me out a different book. Customer service was absolutely amazing, so helpful and friendly. Can't recommend any further!

Was bought this by my husband for Christmas as I love to read- I feel a little disappointed by the service. Thee survey to fill out to give your preferences is very short, and I've been send 3 books now that I haven't really enjoyed and which are all the same genre. I don't feel much curating really goes into the selection and it would be nice if they asked for feedback on the books they sent so you could steer them throughout the subscription.

Sadly this company does not respond. I ordered a 3 month book subscription for my nephew. They confirmed the address of the recipient and where it should be sent. However they continued to post the book to my address. I emailed their contact address 2-3 times. No one responded. It is disappointing as they do seem like a good ethical company but might need to work on their communication skills.

I haven't even received my first book yet and I need to write a review!
I never received my first book in my subscription. When I contacted the team, I got very prompt response, apologising, confirming my address, and promising to send a replacement book. When I gave them a new address to which to send, this was changed without any fuss. My second book may or may not have arrived; I was unable to check due to being in quarantine. This was also accepted without a problem, and I was told to contact them if I was missing the second book as well, and they would send a replacement.
On customer service alone, I give this team 5 stars. Thanks especially to Alisha!

Not as stated on their website. Bought for my 9yr old daughter as a suprise because of lockdown.
They state each book is beautifully wrapped and the first one comes with a few goodies. This was not the case. Didn't even contain the note I filled out online. Just in a normal cardboard package like you'd get if you ordered from Amazon. This service is nothing special. Very disappointed. Would not recommend.

Ordered a three month book subscription for my Mum's birthday as she loves to read but hasn't been able to get new books due to lockdown. Everything went smoothly, the books come beautifully presented with bookmarks and notebooks. Very impressed, would highly recommend!

Received the toddler book club subscription for my 3 year old sons birthday.

The first book arrived today on the 10th- it says it’s sent out on the first on each month.

It came unwrapped - in a card board box and the personal message (from his Auntie) was barely noticeable as it was a printed sticker on a piece of card that looked like an advert. Not very exciting for a 3 year old to open!

The book itself has a price of £6.99, and I could have just bought it online or from a shop given that there was nothing special about its delivery. The book is nice and suitable though and I am happy that deprived children will be given the opportunity to read - which is why I’m giving it 2 stars.

It is a shame though, as my sister in law doesn’t have money to waste and thought this would be a gift that keeps giving for a few months for a book loving toddler. I wish she would have known before ordering that this would be the case as she could have bought many more books and wrapped and sent them herself for less than half the price of the £34.99 she paid.

When we phoned her to say it had finally arrived, she told me that she got an email to say it might not be wrapped because of covid (over a month after she ordered it). This is a really poor excuse. Covid has been around for nearly a year in this country now. The least the company could do is update their website and reflect the change in conditions by changing the price of the subscription.

Sadly I won’t be recommending this to anyone.

I treated myself to a subscription and was definitely not disappointed. The first book I received I'd already read but they were more than happy to send me a new one. They're always really helpful and answer all questions I've had promptly.

All the books have been really interesting and really helped me to explore something a little different. I've already extended my subscription once and I'm sure I'll be extending again. If you're thinking of getting this either for yourself or as a gift for a bookworm in your life, don't hesitate any longer.

Took out a 3 month gift subscription. Dealt with query regarding second book and changed the title of the third book. All done by on-line chat. Very easy and great customer service!

I was treated to a 3 month subscription for my birthday and I ended up extending it myself - it was the bespoke subscription and I have been blown away by the books they have sent. They are tailored to my reading tastes perfectly and you can tell someone has put some thought into it. They are a personable and friendly service and their posts on Facebook are great. Also, I think the way they have handled the COVID lockdown has been exemplary - I have been notified every step of the way about what is happening and I am really looking forward to my deliveries starting again! Thanks Willoughby book club - I couldn't be more delighted to be part of something so positive!

Highly recommended! My husband got me this as a gift 2 years ago and I love it so much I got a second so receive 2 books a month! Have never had a book I did not enjoy and their customer service is outstanding, quick to respond, friendly, knowledgeable and happy to help!

Absolutely fantastic, ordered a subscription for both my mother and myself. Both were great value for money and beautifully tailored to our personal tastes. Would highly recommend.

Communication was easy, and response time great. I purchased the subscription, but wanted someone else to be the contact - they dd that with no issues. The books were a hit! My 1 year old great nephew thoroughly enjoyed them, and even recognized the package when it came in the mail ("oh book"). My niece said the books were good quality too. Couldn't be more pleased!

I have been really impressed with this company. I recently renewed a 12 months subscription for my dad as he loves it! The range of books is fantastic and only once had he read the book already (impressive considering he is very well read) which they immediately replaced. The customer service is always quick, friendly and the books packaged with care. I would recommend to any book worms or those looking to get into reading.

We love The Willoughby Book Club. Fabulous book choices every time - I don't know how they do it. I have bought two book subscriptions for family members both of which have been a huge success. Can't rate them highly enough.

I thought the book selection was lovely and absolutely catered to my very particular tastes. I got it as a present and it might just have been the best present I have ever gotten....
As a plus the social media convos I had with Willoughby were lovely and I´d recommend this book club and Willoughby Books anytime to anyone, really.

I bought this as a gift for my Mum and she loved it. A really different gift that book lovers will love!

I bought my 11 year old daughter a years subscription to WBC. It’s been a really fantastic gift and she really looks forward to a new book dropping through the letter box each month. One month we had a book that she’d already read and there was no hesitation in sending out a different one.