I had to let this one percolate a bit before sitting down to write my review because...feelings. So many feelings. It might have a cutesy cover but there are some deeply emotional topics explored in The Banned Books Club. Topics like sexual assault, emotional (domestic) abuse, harassment, a dying parent, and physical violence.

Novak doesn't pull any punches as she delves into the messiness of these characters' lives, within their families as well as the community as a whole. Her depiction of the division within Gia's hometown, those who support her and those who hold her responsible for the "ruination" of a beloved teacher, is a reflection of small-town dynamics that rings with authenticity. So too, do the divisions within Gia's family. The author does an excellent job of peeling back the layers and exposing unexpected realities. The fear, evolution, and healing of characters and relationships is substantial, realistic, and relatable. The downfall of one particular character, justified and certainly cheer-worthy, also exposes the alive and well underbelly of privilege and the "good ole boy" network within small towns.

This book is primarily women's fiction but there is also danger, suspense, and a romance thread. Actually, two romance threads. I'm still waffling on how I feel about one of them. Let's just say, it's complicated.

While the end of the book felt a bit rushed to me, overall, The Banned Books Club is an intense, emotional story of family, community, forgiveness, healing, and new beginnings that drew me in and kept me avidly turning pages from start to finish.

Always love stories by Brenda Novak and this book was no exception. Loved the characters and all of their stories. Always makes for an interesting read, as you become more involved and more invested in them.

Loved this read! The story is well written and characters are memorable. I love the second chance aspect in the book. This book has a little bit of everything in it and is sure to please many readers!

While there is a book club in this book, that isn't the main focus.

It's actually a very emotional and heartwarming book, with romance and a lot of healing.

Gia left home years ago after a difficult situation. Her mother is dying and she agrees to return home to spend time with her and assist. It reopens some chaos but also a lot of clarification and healing.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publication for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I struggled with the pace and keeping up with the perspective switching. I just don’t think this book was for me.

What I thought would be a novel about banned books instead is a book about romance and healing.
Gia Rossi left home after college 17 years ago. When her sister asks her to come home for the winter to spend time with their dying mother Gia agrees even though it will be difficult after what forced her to leave town at the end of her senior year of high school.
Her arrival home causes chaos with many but also helps her sister who's world is falling apart.
A heart-breaking and heart-warming story.
There is a book club in this novel however it is not as prominent in the story as one might believe from the title.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/MIRA for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

A wonderful story with struggles that seem to come from every direction. Gia has so many issues, it seems going home may not be the best choice. But, it’s the choice she must make. Margot seems to be struggling with things as well. With each turn of the page you will be drawn in and fall in love with these characters.

I couldn’t put this book down and finished it in a day! The story flowed beautifully and kept me hooked. The characters, especially Gia & Cormac, were compelling, and the plot struck a perfect balance of intrigue and emotion. The way it tackled important themes made it even more impactful. Highly recommend!

Books should not be banned, and making them banned makes me want to read them even more. When I heard about this book, I knew I had to read it, and I’m so glad I did! I loved it!

There were so many facets to this book. Gia,the headstrong teen girl who left her hometown after scandal is called back to care for her terminal mother. Margot, her sister has her own reasons as to why she wants her there. With the town taking opposing sides to the truth Gia has never stayed for more than a few days. With time on her hands she must face her demons and clear her name unwillingly. She wants you to keep the past in the past. Forgiveness has a way of opening eyes and hearts. There’s so much to this story that could cause trigger warnings to some but I thought the subjects were handled beautifully and added to the story. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this free advanced copy. I am voluntarily leaving this review

Novak’s latest takes on series subjects, including domestic violence and sexual abuse, which will not be for everyone (take the content warning seriously). This is a heartwarming story about facing your past and moving forward into your own future.

This book was not what I was expecting but I did enjoy it. Definitely some heavy topics in the plot and subplots but it was interesting and well written. I did feel that parts of it were slightly repetitive but overall I enjoyed this read.

There is much to unpack about this book, and it's tough to know where to begin. The novel shows a family with both love and secrets--big, scary secrets. Misunderstandings abound, assumptions fly fast and furious, and loyalties shift. The journey of the two sisters is a bumpy ride, but ultimately they support each other in the best ways. While I was invested in the story to write a review, I'm not sure I would choose to read it again. The title is misleading in one sense, but in another it encompasses all the issues and angst within its pages.

thank you netgalley for the e-arc. a main character passionate about books and standing up for what's right? sign me right up! this was so good, i usually like novak's books but for some reason this really was perfect and contemporary.

Loved this book and have recommended it to many! I enjoyed it so much and it does touch on a topics that are hard and I'm glad they were discussed in the book

I thought the title of this book was a little misleading in terms of the overall context. Yes, there is a banned books club, and some of the characters featured are members. But the book was so much more than that. The plot focuses on sexual and domestic abuse, how those instances of abuse affect the victims and the community around them, and how we view victims as a societal whole.
There were two main storylines following the sisters, Gia and Margo, each dealing with a form of abuse, one that happened years before (Gia) and one that was happening in the story (Margo). The intertwining of the two stories is what makes this book good. I started to see how each character played a role with another and how each story relied on the another. The third-person POV of the story made me stop reading a few times to figure out and remember which character we were following. Still, it was necessary when trying to tell the individual and overlapping stories that were happening with so many different people.

Thank you to Brenda Novak, MIRA/Harlequin Trade Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This book was truly heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. Loved the small town romance vibes, and that it had such a true feeling of family. I was hooked from the first page, I felt for Gia and wanted to jump into the book and fight the town LOL. I went into this blind and was not disappointed.

This book was ok. I didn't love that there wasn't much about a book club in there. I was hopeful that there would be a bit more about books. I think the premise was good, but I didn't connect with the book as much as I would have liked.

A story about secrets, scandal, sexual assault, and betrayal.

Based on the title of the story I was expecting a book centered around a bookclub or discussion of banned books. Instead this was a story of a town and two families dealing with a scandal years later. Instead it centered around the fall-out of the accusations and the assumptions to this day. The truths, the lies, the injustice is in-line with a romantic suspense and less centered around a book club.

While this wasn't the book I was expecting based on the blurb this will find an audience of readers who will discover this to be for them a very captivating and impacting read.

Note: the story should have content/trigger warnings - sexual assault, verbal abuse, attempted murder, and a few others both off and one the page..

On the backdrop of a contemporary romance novel, this is full of very difficult topics - health, cancer and the loss of a parent; marital (verbal) abuse; teenage sexual assault and the repercussions of speaking up against your oppressor / assailant. The "banned book club" is in the background of this story but definitely not what it is about.