Received a 'How Novel' subscription from my Son as a birthday present. Absolutely love it! The whole experience; from choosing your 'mystery' novel to receiving the little box containing hand-written... See more
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I've used a fair few different book subscription services as of writing this and How Novel is certainly one of the better ones I've used thus far. Whether it's the way you choose your books, and the r... See more
Superb customer service. Always do their utmost to help, incredibly friendly, and highly competent. Love the concepts! The mystery book is an excellent idea for avid readers who want to be introduced... See more
Superb customer service. Always do their utmost to help, incredibly friendly, and highly competent. Love the concepts! The mystery book is an excellent idea for avid readers who want to be introduced... See more
Company details
Information provided by various external sources
How Novel is a game changing literary and lifestyle brand. We're starting with our Mystery Books, but there's a whole lot more to come. Reading just got personal.
Contact info
United Kingdom
- hello@hownovel.co.uk
- hownovel.co.uk
No recent history of asking for reviews
This company hasn't invited customers recently, so reviews may not be representative
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Amazing service!
Amazing service! I would recommend this to everyone and anyone who reads. Really expands the genres you read.
DO NOT USE this website
DO NOT USE this website; I purchased a subscription as a gift six weeks ago and I am still waiting for it to be delivered. I appreciate that these things happen but How Novel have done nothing to help resolve the problem and repeatedly ignore my e-mails. There are other book clubs out there don't waste your money.
A great service
A great service. The staff are really helpful, the book choices are great and I love the images and clues to help you decide
How great is How Novel!
This is such a fun idea and the books you can get are great, costumer service is one of the nicest I've even encountered and I'm definitely gonna be subscribed for a long time, plus the whole pen pal thing is super cute although I haven't used that option since im in a reading slump, but definitely give them a try or get a subscription to someone as a gift you won't regret it!
Fantastic selection of books
Fantastic selection of books, a great way to build up your library with things you might not have anticipated buying but are usually genuinely enjoying reads
Beautiful packaging adds to the excitement!
So lovely to receive books in the post, especially when I only have a vague idea of what they might be about. They are so beautifully packaged I almost don't want to unwrap them!
How Novel is absolutely amazing
How Novel is absolutely amazing, I love the surprise each month when you open the package (which is a treat in itself as it is wrapped so nicely), coming into my second year of receiving these books and still love the excitement when it arrives.
I love receiving my 'It's time to choose!' email every month.
Every month I get to choose a book identified only by 4 words/pictures. Most months there are multiple books that catch my eye (and it's great that additional books can be added for less than £5!) and to date, my picks have yet to disappoint. The packaging is adorable (brown paper and string...these are a few of my favourite things!) along with a letter from my 'pen pal', a bookmark and stationary to reply to said pen pal.
My only criticisms are that I've had to make my own spreadsheet to ensure I don't choose the same book more than once (unless there is a way to establish this already, but I haven't found it yet) and the books I have received look suspiciously similar to those you could find in the 3 for £5 section at The Works. However, when you factor in postage, artwork, staff costs etc, not to mention the excitement when your mystery book arrives, the subscription fee is absolutely worth it.
Hate this
Hate this.
Have requested my account be stopped as I can no longer afford it and still they debit my card. Have been sent a replacement care and still they take my money. I don’t want their books yet they are ignoring my emails.
Ridiculous company.
Really fun and cute subscription…
Really fun and cute subscription service. The books are well chosen and I love the packaging and note with it. The way you choose your mystery book is fun as well! A must for any book lover.
Brilliant subscription
Brilliant subscription. Would 100% recommend! Think the mystery packaging is such a great idea, the art is very good and there is always multiple interesting options every month. Very happy with every book I have recieved through this service
Great book club
Great book club, excellent customer service. The pen pal is a wonderful idea.
A fantastic way to step out of your reading comfort zone
A really fantastic way to step out of your reading comfort zone. I've not been disappointed with a single book I've gotten from How Novel. The selection process is great, it allows you just enough information to avoid anything you would be unhappy with, but every book is still a surprise. I've had a lot of books from genres I would never choose for myself that have absolutely blown me away, and it's making me keep up with more recent publishes. If you want to read more and have the difficult selection part done for you, How Novel is definitely a good idea.
Plus, all the books I've had have arrived on time and in perfect condition, and the packaging is very cute. You also get a bookmark with every order which helps a lot for book worms (:
Unique subscription service
I’ve been using this subscription service since December 2021, and the attention to detail and personal service is fab. I love the little touches, the idea behind the subscription is so original and the tone of communication is warm and welcoming. Highly recommend.
If you like reading How Novel is for…
If you like reading How Novel is for you. You get to choose which genre you would like a book from then a surprise book is sent out to you wrapped in paper. It’s like receiving a lovely gift in the post each month😁 you can also pause your subscription if you want a little break or if going away etc. I highly recommend How Novel and customer is great too
Don't purchase! 2 months and still no books or contact!
I purchased a gift subscription for Mother's Day in March. Since then, there has been no further contact, even after immediately activating the subscription and sending several follow up emails asking for support. Extremely disappointed and would not recommend. Still attempting to recover a refund.
Terrible AVOID
Terrible AVOID. Have contacted them via all different means to ask for details of when a gift card will arrive and no-one has responded to any request. There are no contact details on the website and the chat bot system doesn’t respond. They are either in administration or going into it. Do not give them your money. The only thing left I can do is to physically turn up at their office to demand an answer. This was for my daughter’s birthday and I’m furious and disappointed.
This service is such a fun way to read…
This service is such a fun way to read new things & the customer service has always been fantastic.
I’ve really enjoyed every book that I’ve received from hownovel.
No response to complaints
Purchased 5 subscriptions as Christmas presents. Two have been activated so far and the first was really lovely , nicely packaged , arrived on time etc - but after that , they didn’t arrived so had to be chased and when they did arrive , they were just chucked in an unmarked Jiffy bag with nothing else . I’ve had no responses to my queries in the last few weeks . Dreading the other 3 subscriptions being activated , what a disappointing gift and experience
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