Hobbins Hovel DIY Book Nook Kit Review & Giveaway

My latest build is this magical woodland cottage hidden beneath an ancient tree — the Hobbins Hovel DIY Book Nook Kit by Rocoxia, sold by Book Nook World.

Book Nook World began its story in 2018 and now offers a great collection of handcrafted DIY products for craft fans. From Book Nooks and dollhouses to notepads and display pieces, there is plenty to discover if you enjoy getting creative.

I received the stunning Hobbins Hovel DIY Kit and Hogsmoor Station Kit (which I’ll be blogging about later) for review, and there’s another giveaway too!

One lucky reader will have the chance to win their very own Hobbins Hovel DIY Kit. Read on to find out how to enter!

More Than Just a Wooden Puzzle

This Book Nook isn’t simply a model that you build and leave sitting on a shelf. Once completed, it really comes to life with its built-in lights.

It can be used as a beautiful display piece, bookshelf decoration or even a night light. It’s a lovely combination of a wooden craft kit and decorative miniature model, making it a fun project for anyone who enjoys puzzles, crafting or miniature builds.

What’s Inside the Box?

The Hobbins Hovel is made up of 216 precision-cut wooden pieces, along with paper pieces, a brush, file, tweezers, realistic miniature plants, miniature accessories, clear stickers, PVC moon and butterfly decorations, pre-assembled LED lights and full-colour instructions.

It is designed for builders aged 14 and above and is estimated to take around 6–8 hours to complete, making it a fun challenge for intermediate puzzle and craft enthusiasts.

The completed Hobbins Hovel measures approximately:

• 18 cm long
• 15 cm wide
• 26 cm high

You’ll need three AAA batteries to operate the touch-sensitive lighting. Glue and scissors are not included, so you’ll need to provide your own. The manufacturer recommends white school glue, silicon glue and superglue for assembly.

I only had PVA glue and superglue at home, so I used those instead. The PVA worked well for some of the larger or flatter pieces, but it does take longer to dry. For a few parts, such as the artificial flowers and tiny accessories, I had to leave them for several hours before continuing with the build.

I also used superglue for some of the smaller pieces where I needed a quicker and stronger bond. However, I found that you need to be particularly careful with it because it sets very quickly. In fact, I accidentally glued the front door shut later in the build!

So, based on my experience, I would recommend having the right glue for the job before you start. If you’re using PVA, be prepared to give the pieces plenty of time to dry before moving on. And if you use superglue, apply it very sparingly and make sure the piece is positioned correctly before pressing it into place — you don’t get much time to change your mind!

Building the Book Nook

The Hobbins Hovel is estimated to take around eight hours to complete. As this was my first time building a kit that required glue, it took me a little longer than the estimated time.

I found it particularly tricky to attach some of the tiny beads and miniature accessories because I didn’t have the right type of glue. Threading the weeping willow through a tiny clear bead was another challenging part!

My little workaround was to use a short piece of thread to tie it onto the bunch of weeping willow before pulling it through the bead. It wasn’t exactly the easiest part of the build, but I got there in the end!

Other than those fiddly details, the build was pretty plain sailing.

There’s something very satisfying about watching a pile of flat wooden pieces slowly transform into a beautiful moonlit cottage. Bit by bit, the winding stairs, moss-covered roof, tree and tiny woodland details start to come together.

The kit also includes a small file, which can be used to smooth the edges of the wooden pieces. However, I didn’t actually need to use it because the pieces came out of the sheets very neatly using the wooden tools provided.

I did accidentally snap a few pieces while building, particularly the tiny stairs and hill section. Luckily, the kit includes a few extra pieces, which is definitely helpful because some of the smaller parts can be quite easy to snap.

Don’t Remove the Dust Covers Until You’re Ready!

The kit comes with three dust panels — front, top and window — and each panel is covered with a protective sheet.

Once you remove the protective sheets, they can create quite a lot of static. I would recommend making sure your hands are clean and working in a clean environment before removing them.

I didn’t realise just how easily tiny bits of dust, grass and other particles could stick to the surfaces. The next morning, I discovered quite a few bits of grass stuck to mine!

I also forgot to put the butterflies in before sealing everything up. I had actually read this in the instructions, but clearly forgot about it when I was concentrating on sealing it!

So, my advice is simple: check the instructions one last time before sealing everything up!

Watching It Come to Life

Once everything is assembled, simply touch the sensor to turn the lights on or off.

The lighting really makes a difference. It transforms the little cottage from a wooden model into a cosy woodland scene.

One practical feature I really like is the battery compartment at the back of the Book Nook. It is easy to access, so when the three AAA batteries eventually need replacing, you don’t have to take the Book Nook apart. This is a small detail, but it makes a big difference when you actually want to use the lights regularly.

You can also look into the house from the side through the small window. The door can be opened too — although, unfortunately, mine no longer opens because I accidentally got superglue on it!

That’s definitely something I’ll remember for my next build. If you’re using superglue, be very careful about where you apply it. It really does stick incredibly quickly, so there isn’t much reaction time if you accidentally put it in the wrong place. My little Hobbins Hovel now has a permanently closed door!

Beautiful Details

The attention to detail really impressed me.

The top of the cottage features a moss-covered canopy with a large weeping tree and moonlight, while the miniature stairs lead up towards the cottage.

Once everything is assembled, it has a surprisingly elegant and detailed appearance. I especially like how the lighting gives the whole scene a magical woodland feel.

It’s the kind of model where you can keep spotting little details even after you’ve finished building it.

My Final Thoughts

I really enjoyed building this Book Nook. Yes, there were a few fiddly moments — especially with the tiny accessories, beads and weeping willow — but those little challenges are also part of the fun.

I think it would make a wonderful gift for anyone aged 14 and above who enjoys puzzles, crafting or model building. And honestly, you don’t necessarily need to buy it for someone else. You could always treat yourself and proudly display it on your shelf!

For me, it’s definitely money well spent. I love that it isn’t something you build once and then forget about. Once it’s finished, you can switch on the lights and enjoy looking at your little woodland cottage whenever you fancy. The easy-to-access battery compartment is also a thoughtful touch, as you can change the batteries without having to disturb the finished build.

There’s something rather satisfying about sitting back after several hours of cutting, gluing and carefully attaching tiny pieces and thinking, “I actually built that!”

And perhaps that’s my favourite thing about Book Nooks. They’re not just something to build — they create a little world of their own.

Now that I’ve finished Hobbins Hovel, I’m already looking forward to starting my next one. Let’s just hope I remember not to glue the door shut next time!

Giveaway Time!

Now for the exciting part!

Book Nook World is giving one lucky reader the chance to win this exact Hobbins Hovel DIY Kit, worth £50!

So, if you fancy creating your own magical woodland cottage, enter through the Gleam widget below.

Good luck!

Win a Hobbins Hovel DIY Book Nook Kit worth £50

Giveaway Terms and Conditions

• Open to UK residents only, aged 18 or over.
• One winner will be selected via Gleam and announced on this page.
• The winner will be contacted by email within 3 days of the competition ending. If no response is received within 28 days, another winner may be selected.
• Your contact details will be shared with Book Nook solely for prize fulfilment. They will not be shared with any third parties by ET Speaks From Home.
• The prize will be sent directly by Book Nook.
• ET Speaks From Home is not responsible for delivery delays or any damage to the prize during transit.
• If the original prize is unavailable, the company reserves the right to substitute it with a prize of similar type and value.
• Entries using software or automated systems to generate bulk entries will be disqualified.
• By entering, you agree that your first name and last initial (e.g. from your Facebook profile) may be published via the Gleam widget if you are the winner.
• Giveaway dates: 28/09/2026 at 12:00 am to 31/10/2026 at 11:59 pm.

Disclosure: We received the sample for the purposes of writing this review, however, all thoughts and opinions remain our own.