I have been excited about this read for months but others kept cropping up that I needed to read sooner. I wish I had made the time sooner or had not read it, just to be able to experience it for the first time.

This is so much more than a romance. Gia returns home for the winter, at the urging of her younger sister, to spend time with her mother, who is dying of cancer. Gia caused a lot of scandal in high school when she accused her English teacher of sexual misconduct. While he was fired and a judge found him guilty, the town seemed to believe him, even Gia's family. His three children were upset with Gia and carried that grudge into adulthood. Gia starts meeting with her old Banned Books Club, which brings up the old drama.

Meanwhile, her sister Margot is trapped in a loveless, controlling, and abusive marriage. She asked Gia so she could plan her escape.

Cormac Hart, the eldest child of the molesting teacher, lives behind Gia; 's family. He starts to see the holes in his father's story.

Honestly, there are parts of this that were ROUGH. It was emotional and wrecked me. It was SO well done, and I loved every minute of this story. It was not a typical formulaic novel and deserves recognition for being amazing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the eARC!

Brenda Novak's The Banned Books Club is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that tackles the important themes of censorship, friendship, and the power of literature. Set against the backdrop of a small town, the story follows a group of diverse characters who come together to celebrate banned books, ultimately forging deep connections while challenging societal norms.

Novak's writing is engaging and vivid, drawing readers into the emotional lives of her characters. The sharp and realistic dialogue makes their struggles and triumphs feel genuine. Each character brings a unique perspective, enriching the narrative and highlighting the importance of diverse voices in literature.

The pacing is brisk, keeping the reader invested in the unfolding drama and the club’s courageous quest to promote freedom of expression. While some plot points feel predictable, the heartfelt moments and the strong sense of community overshadow minor flaws.

Overall, The Banned Books Club is a heartfelt tribute to the transformative power of books and the friendships that can arise from shared passions. It’s an inspiring read that encourages readers to reflect on the value of free speech and the stories that shape our lives.

Thank you, Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for the free advanced copy for my honest review!

Gia Rossi comes back to her hometown to help out with her mother who is dying from cancer after her sister Margot asks for her help. Gia has been gone for seventeen years after her teacher sexually abused her. Margot has suffered from abuse by her husband and uses an annual hunting trip to take her children and disappear to a new life. This book was well crafted and beautifully written in dealing with these heavy subjects.

Thanks to NetGalley and Mira for the advanced digital copy of the book.

This book was nothing like I expected—and in a good way! Despite its title, The Banned Books Club isn’t really focused on banned books, but rather how the fallout from one life-altering event can ripple through people's lives for years. It’s a powerful story about family, trauma, and redemption, with a touch of sweet romance to round it out.

The story follows Gia Rossi, who returns to her hometown after nearly two decades to help care for her ailing mother. But coming home means facing the ghosts of her past, particularly the accusations she made against her high school teacher, Mr. Hart, which split the town in two. What I loved about this book is how it explores the long-lasting effects of that event, showing how it impacted not only Gia and Mr. Hart but also the entire community, even 17 years later.

While the romance between Gia and her new love interest adds a nice touch to the story, it’s the drama between Gia and her sister Margot that truly hooked me. Margot’s storyline, with her troubled marriage and secret plans, was suspenseful and had me on edge, wondering how it would all play out. Both sisters’ struggles felt raw and real, making their eventual victories that much more satisfying.

Brenda Novak does a fantastic job weaving together family drama, suspense, and a sweet romance in a way that feels seamless and engaging. The emotional depth of this story, along with its thought-provoking exploration of truth and consequence, makes it a standout read.

If you’re looking for a story that’s as much about healing as it is about love, with plenty of emotional and suspenseful moments, The Banned Books Club is a great choice.

Gia Rossi left her hometown in Iowa the second she turned eighteen in the wake of a scandal and hasn't looked back. But now her perfect sister Margot is begging her to come back to help with their ailing mother and Gia finally has to find the courage to face her past.
There's plenty of family drama, town gossip, and even an unexpected romance in this story. I like how these sisters were forced to work on their complicated relationship when Gia realized her sister's life wasn't as perfect as she thought. The banned books club is such a great idea too!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Margot begs her sister Gia Rossi to come home to Wakefield, Iowa, to help care for their dying mother. Gia, who left town after high school and never looked back, is not eager to re-open old wounds. When she was in high school, a beloved English teacher behaved inappropriately towards her, and although he denied it, he was fired, his marriage ended, and he & his children all demanded that she retract what she said about him. She has had little contact with anyone in her hometown since she graduated. She still runs The Banned Books Club that she ran in high school, although it is done virtually now. As she expects, she gets mixed greetings upon returning.....Mr. Hart & his family are all angry that she has the gall to return, but a few others are happy to see her. When Margot leaves town without explanation, Gia sees the cracks in her sister’s “perfect” life for the first time and plans to offer support. But as the town, including members of the book club, takes sides between Gia and Mr. Hart, everything gets harder. Fortunately, she learns that there are people she can depend on. And by standing up for the truth, she finds love and a future in the town she thought had rejected her.

This book was really good, but I will say, I feel like the title was a bit misleading. I expected the book to be centered around a club that read banned books, but really, the story centered around Gia's family drama. There was the issue with her coming back to town and riling Mr. Hart back up, and how he and his grown kids just couldn't let it go. There was the fact that Gia's mom was dying. There was the fact that Gia started dating Mr. Hart's son, and the uproar that caused. Finally, there was the issue with Margot's marriage, her escape from her emotionally abusive husband, and then his escalating violence once he discovers she is missing. Every once in a while a mention of book that has been banned was thrown in, but really this is a story about a family drama in a small town, with a dash of romance on the side.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC!

3.5 Stars!

I went into this one blind, and it wasn't anything I expected it to be. I mean that in a good way. I thought it was going to be about banned books, and while it was mentioned in the book, I would say it was probably only 5% of the plot. This book is full of suspense, drama, romance, and mystery. I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out how all of the drama was going to play out. I typically don't like drama in books, but the way it added to the mystery in this one was so intriguing. Without giving too much away, you get small town drama, marriage drama, and drama brought up from the past. So, there is lots of drama, but I think it was written well.

I would've liked to see more about the banned books club throughout the story. It is the title, but I felt it to be an afterthought to everything else going on. Also, for the romance at the end, I think there needed to be more chemistry between those two characters first.

Overall, I enjoyed this read. It was my first book by Brenda, and now I want to read more of hers.

I did expect more about books in this one because of the title. So, don’t let the title fool you.

This story follows Gia. Gia left home at 18 because of her high school teacher. He did something totally unforgivable and unexpected. It has divided the town. Now Gia is back. Her mother is dying of cancer and she has come home. But, things have not changed and Gia must be tough!

This tale has more than one story line going at once and Brenda Novak handles it masterfully. Not only is there a story surrounding Gia, there is also one surrounding her sister, Margot.

Margot has decided to leave her verbally abusive husband. She needs Gia to make this occur. And I don’t want to give anything away…so, y’all need to read this to find out!

I enjoyed this tale. The characters, the drama and the little bit of romance thrown in, is a great mix!

Need a book that is more than a romance…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

Great read! This book was brilliantly unpredictable and I loved trying to work out where the story was going for all the characters, With romance and mystery this was a multi layered storyline with strong and really interesting characters. It's not always easy facing your past and personal struggles that have affected others. This story shows that facing obstacles head on might just lead to a second chance and moving on. An intense read at times but overall thought provoking, balanced, very entertaining, packed with emotion and a wonderfully written book. Well done!

I enjoyed this book as I have Brenda Novak’s other books. I liked the mix of characters and the plot overall. There were some parts in the middle that were a little slow and then the end felt a little bit rushed.

I had mixed feelings about The Banned Book Club by Brenda Novak. While the book had potential, it felt somewhat disjointed with multiple storylines that didn’t seem to flow together as smoothly as I’d hoped. The title was also a bit misleading, as the book club itself wasn’t central to the plot and didn’t play as big a role as I anticipated.

One aspect that felt particularly uncomfortable to me was the storyline involving the main character's relationship with the son of a man accused of abuse. The situation felt icky, especially considering the heavy subject matter, and I found the language surrounding the alleged abuse downplayed the seriousness of the situation. It almost seemed like it was brushed aside because the events took place while the character was in high school, which didn't sit right with me.

That said, I can understand how others might enjoy the book, particularly if they’re looking for something light despite the darker undertones. For me, though, the uneven pacing and the handling of certain sensitive topics made it difficult to fully enjoy.

Brenda Novak does it again. She reeled me in from the first words of the book The main character is forced to come home because of family problems. While at home, she has to face problems that forced her to leave home 17 years before. Although the Banned Books Club ties into the plot, it's really about a girl who has to face the past that becomes her present. I loved the book from beginning to end.

"The Banned Books Club by Brenda Novak is a compelling and emotionally charged novel that delves into themes of family loyalty, past trauma, and the power of community. The story follows Gia Rossi, who returns to her hometown of Wakefield, Iowa, to help care for her ailing mother. Gia’s return is fraught with tension, as she must confront the painful memories of her teenage years, including a scandal involving her former teacher, Mr. Hart, whom she accused of sexual misconduct.

The novel skillfully explores the complexities of Gia’s relationships, both with her family and the members of the Banned Books Club she started in high school. As Gia navigates the town’s divided loyalties and her own lingering doubts, she finds unexpected allies and begins to heal from her past.

Novak’s writing is both heartfelt and thought-provoking, addressing sensitive topics such as sexual misconduct and domestic abuse with care and nuance. However, I did find the multiple storylines—Gia’s past trauma, her sister Margot’s struggles, and their mother’s illness—a bit overwhelming, as they sometimes detracted from the main narrative. For me, this book also felt a bit deceiving in that there is not much reference to books or banned books throughout it. To be honest, that is one the reasons I selected the book - so to find very limited book dialogue throughout it was disappointing.

Despite this, The Banned Books Club is a powerful story about standing up for the truth, finding love, and building a future in a place once thought lost. It’s a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of community support in overcoming life’s challenges.

The newest book from Brenda Novak is a little heavier of a topic but it had the same brilliant writing.

Gia returns to her hometown when her sister begs for her to help care for their ailing mother. She hasn’t been back for years due to the accusations she made against her teacher. The town was split in their support even though he was convicted.

Gia has always stood up for herself but when close members start to question what happened she is shocked.

There was a lot going on with the story, including her sister’s marriage. The banned book club took a little bit of a back seat and I would have preferred this was a little more in the forefront. It had good character development, and a lot of resolution but also grief too.

This is great for those who want a little meat and grit to their romances.

If you are looking for a book that has a little bit of everything this is the book for you. This book was a must request for me when I saw the title. I absolutely love reading books about books. I mean who doesn’t. Also you always get the best additions to your tbr list that you might never have come across otherwise. Often makes me wonder if that’s the authors favorite books by other authors??

This book follows Gia as she is forced to return to her home town which she ran away from after high school and a big scandal. Anyone who’s lived in a small town knows how much people talk and get in other people’s business. So Gia leaves to start over new and have a fresh start at life without the past overshadowing her.

When Gia is forced to come home by her sister due to her mom losing her battle with cancer. Gia is forced to face demons and people from her past she would rather leave in the past.

This story is a mix of troubled past, hidden desire, boy next door crush, strong woman making a way for herself and a woman learning that she is good enough and can stand on her own two feet. I absolutely ate this book up.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the ARC.

Brenda Novak’s latest women’s fiction, The Banned Books Club, is filled with healing and strengthening relationships.

When Gia returns home to help care for her mom, who is suffering from a terminal illness, her sister, Margot, sees an escape route for herself from her husband and her life. Margot still lives in the small town they grew up in, while Gia left many years ago to help let the town heal after a serious breach of trust against her that, to this day, many believe she was lying and guilty no matter what the judge ruled.

When Gia returns, wounds are opened, sides are taken, and fingers keep pointing at her while she tries to take the high road. There are many secrets throughout the story, with unexpected twists and turns. We see relationships being healed and others being tested or broken. Multiple stories are told, and we are often given teasers of what’s to come, and it’s not how things always panned out.

Gia finds an unexpected ally, much to the detriment of his family, and it turns into more. But given their distance to her home in Idaho and the business she’s a partner in, could it be more? She’s anti-men and love, for the most part, but would someday like to settle down and have a family. But in her present mindset, she wonders if that will ever happen.

There is some lightness to the story and some laughter, but those moments seem few and far between. There are lots of tears for various reasons and more violence and evil than I expected. This wasn’t a light-hearted read, and sometimes, the story was choppy. There is the possibility for several happily ever afters, but the story ended abruptly, and I didn’t get the closure I looked for.

The Banned Books Club is set in a small town where memories are long. Gia and Margot are trying to regain their power and self-respect, while others gossip and dredge up the past.

The review is posted on NovelsAlive.

*Almost* Deceptive Marketing. This is one of those books where the title has *just* enough to do with the book itself that it isn't *actually* deceptive marketing... but you can look to the lower starred reviews and see that many readers felt that the title and book had little to do with each other. (And they're right.) There is really nothing in this tale about banning books or anything related to the topic, other than a sentence or two of setup that is also (currently, as of publication day) in the description of the book.

Instead, the tale we *actually* get is a version of the Prodigal Son. One sister left years ago after having her world shattered in HS, the other sister stayed in their hometown and has now been taking care of their mother as her mother's health rapidly fails. As mom's time is nearing its end, the prodigal sister is convinced to return... and now, *everyone* in town is going to have to come to terms with the fallout from all those years ago.

In the process, we get a lot of different things, some discussed more than others - spousal abuse/ controlling spouse, sexual harassment/ teen molestation (to be clear, the age of the student in question is *not* "child molestation" in all States), breast cancer, coming home, uncovering family secrets, really quite a bit, such that even in a 350 ish page book... like I said, not all of it is covered n much depth.

And of course we also get a romance plot here... and maybe more... because, well, why not? ;)

Overall, for what it *actually* is, this tale is actually quite strong in many ways. Yes, it has its weaknesses at times, but I think overall this ultimately comes out on the stronger side of resiliency and overcoming your demons. But this is also a tale where your mileage truly will vary, so give it a read and make your own call.

Very much recommended.

A story about readers and a book club? What's not to love? Throw a scandal in with that and readers are sure to be happy and intrigued! THE BANNED BOOKS CLUB finds Gia back home trying to figure her life out. Gia's favorite high school teacher, Mr. Hart, was the one who gave her the love of reading until he crossed the line. Of course, she reported him, but not everyone believed her. Some believed Mr. Hart. After she graduated, she left town and rarely came back. Now she is called back home because her mom is losing her fight with cancer and there isn't much time left.


Hold on to your seats my reading friends, this is a wild and crazy ride. THE BANNED BOOKS CLUB had me flipping the pages like crazy! I had to know what was going to happen to these two. Like the many other novels that I have read by Brenda Novak, THE BANNED BOOKS CLUB has family drama, secrets, just the right amount of mystery, romance, and a beautiful setting which makes it a perfect beach read or for any time of the year. Margot's story broke my heart. She is in an abusive relationship with her husband and is planning on leaving him.


I read THE BANNED BOOKS CLUB in only a few sittings. It was just that fun and interesting. Yes, Gia and Margot both have trust issues. Their story is an engaging one but also heart wrenching. It’s exactly why I love Brenda Novak and why she has always been an auto buy author for me. She really pulls her readers in from the very first pages and never lets us go. The mystery that comes along with this wonderful story really hooked me and I found myself praying for a good outcome for these two sisters. The twists and turns really kept me emotionally invested from beginning to end and I am so excited to read what ever this woman writes! I found myself praying that Gia would be able to move on from her past and that Margot would finally be able to be free.

Gia Rossi left her hometown of Wakefield, Iowa after she graduated from high school. She left behind her parents and sister, but she couldn’t stay in the small town after a scandal involving her and one of her teachers. She accused one of her teachers of sexual misconduct and he had been fired. Everyone in Wakefield wished Gia had kept quiet. She didn’t and it destroyed the teacher’s family and Gia’s own relationships with everyone including her own family.

Now, seventeen years later, Gia gets a call from her sister begging her to come home and help with the care of their sick mother, she has no choice but to go home. Her sister is raising two young sons and is dealing with her own problems. She needs help.

Gia quickly learns it’s not easy to go home. The people of Wakefield haven’t forgotten the past and her former teacher still lives there. His hatred for her has grown and his family feels the same. During her high school days, Gia formed the Banned Books Club, and she hopes to restart it. Many of the members still live there, but she quickly learns their allegiance is divided between Gia and their former teacher.

The drama doesn’t end there. Although she fights it, there is romance in the air for Gia. To add to Gia’s troubles, her sister has vanished, and her mother’s care is left to her and her father.

I thought this book was going to be about a book club group, but the book club was more of a side note. However, this book did not disappoint. It’s a story that will stick with you. It’s an emotionally charged book dealing with real-life issues. It dealt with many different issues such as sexual misconduct, illness, betrayal, marital troubles, misunderstandings and a small town where everyone knows everyone else’s business.

The characters are all written realistically and feel like people that could be your neighbors. My heart tore for Gia, who didn’t have many people supporting her. Even her own family is a bit distant towards her. Gia faces issues that are very much like people face in the real world.

A book that touches my heart and brings tears to my eyes, wins me over all the time. It’s been a long time since I read one of Brenda Novak’s books, but I won’t wait so long to read another. I really need to go through her backlist. This is the perfect, heartwarming, poignant story.







FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Only Brenda Novak could take the most unlikely two people and make a beautiful romance of it. Gia Rossi is back in her hometown because her mother is fatally ill. She left town right after high school after being abused by her high school teacher. Even though the judge rules in her favor, most of the towns people didn’t believe it.

So when she comes back home by the insistence of her sister. Who she later finds out, wanted her home because she was going to flea with her two children and needed someone there to take care of their dying mother.

Who would think that a romance between Gia and the son of her abuser was even possible. Well the answer to that is the exquisite writer Brenda Novak.

She took really two amazing stories and put them into one. She never ceases to amaze me.

I highly recommend this book and all other books that she has written.