Brands
Crossword Plays Cupid with Blind Date Book Romance
Wrapped mysteries tempt readers till 28 Feb in Valentine’s bookstore twist.
MUMBAI: Swipe left on dating apps, Crossword Bookstore has a far more reliable matchmaker in store this February. Who needs algorithms when a wrapped surprise can spark the perfect connection? For Valentine’s 2026, the popular Indian book chain has rolled out “Blind Date with a Book” across all its outlets, running until 28 February.
The concept is delightfully old-school with a modern wink, no peeking at covers, no author names, no plot spoilers. Shoppers pick from neatly wrapped bundles, guided only by cheeky clue cards that tease the mood, genre and emotional vibe waiting inside. Think “slow-burn romance with a side of mystery” or “heart-racing adventure that’ll keep you up all night”. The rest is left to chemistry and a healthy dose of trust.
It’s part gamble, part thrill exactly the kind of leap that makes the best stories (and perhaps the best relationships) memorable.
To sweeten the deal, Crossword has layered on a curated Valentine’s gifting edit, think elegant hardbacks, quirky journals, literary-themed mugs and other thoughtful extras perfect for pairing with that mystery read.
The promotion turns a routine bookstore browse into something playful and a little romantic, inviting even casual browsers to embrace the unknown. In an age of endless scrolling and predictable plots, there’s something refreshingly bold about handing over control to a wrapped book and hoping for sparks.
Whether you walk out with your next favourite novel or just a good story to tell, Blind Date with a Book proves one thing: sometimes the most exciting endings start with not knowing what’s coming next.
So this Valentine’s season, skip the apps and head to the shelves your next great love story might already be waiting, beautifully disguised in paper and ribbon.
Brands
Muttley Crew unleashes subscription treats for dogs on 5th birthday
‘Muttley Monthly’ delivers all-natural goodies with free gifts and flexible plans.
MUMBAI: Five years ago, a pack of health-obsessed humans decided Indian dogs deserved better than boring biscuits and now Muttley Crew is barking up the right subscription tree. The Bengaluru premium pet food brand, founded by Smriti Thomas, is marking its anniversary with ‘Muttley Monthly’, a new subscription model that drops preservative-free, human-grade treats straight to doorsteps.
The service offers 1-month, 3-month and 12-month plans, letting pet parents pick flavours across jerkies, biscuits and more perfect for training, rewards or everyday snacking. Boxes arrive early each month, with the freedom to pause, skip or cancel anytime. Every delivery includes an assured free gift, adding a little tail-wagging surprise to the routine.
Muttley Crew founder Smriti Thomas captured the milestone mood, “When we started Muttley Crew five years ago, our mission was to create treats that are as safe, wholesome and thoughtful as the food we choose for ourselves. This anniversary is a celebration of the trust pet parents have placed in us, and the subscription model is our way of making premium nutrition more convenient and rewarding.”
All treats are crafted with chefs, vets and nutritionists to ensure taste meets nutritional sense, no artificial nasties, just clean labels and delicious recipes. After building a loyal pack through transparency and quality, Muttley Crew now aims to turn one-off purchases into happy, habitual munching for dogs across India.
In a country where pets are increasingly treated like family, this move makes premium care as easy as ordering groceries minus the guilt, plus the wagging approval. Details and sign-ups are live on the Muttley Crew website. Who knew five years could fetch so much loyalty?
