The Banned Books Club Review

The Banned Books Club by Brenda Novak

The Banned Books Club (4/5 stars) was one of those books that became difficult to put down once I started, yet somehow managed to leave me with a strong sense of finality when I reached the end. I picked it up after Justin and I visited Hyperbole Bookstore in College Station the day after Christmas, and I began reading it almost immediately—always a good sign.

At its core, this is a deeply layered and emotionally complex story. Gia returns to her hometown at her sister Margot’s request to help care for their dying mother, only to find herself confronting long-buried trauma and unresolved conflict. Seventeen years earlier, Gia accused her high school English teacher, Evan Hart, of molestation—an accusation that fractured the town and left lingering doubt in its wake. Now back home, Gia reconnects with the past in unexpected ways, including developing feelings for Cormac Hart, Evan’s son and her childhood neighbor.

Despite the title, this is not a cozy book club story. The “Banned Books Club” was something Gia created in high school, and though it still exists virtually, her decision to host an in-person holiday gathering inadvertently announces her return—and reopens old wounds. The town remains deeply divided over whether Gia told the truth or fabricated the accusation, and as tensions rise, Cormac begins to question everything he thought he knew. Running parallel to this storyline is Margot’s escape from her abusive marriage, which introduces another layer of urgency, fear, and emotional weight to the story.

What impressed me most was the depth and realism of the relationships. Brenda Novak walks an incredibly fine line in handling heavy, traumatic subject matter, and she does so with care and restraint. I never felt overwhelmed or disgusted, as can sometimes happen in stories tackling similar themes. Instead, the storytelling felt thoughtful and intentional—truly a work of art in how each conflict was approached.

That said, not every character worked for me. Cormac’s sisters, Louisa and Edith, were particularly frustrating. As grown women with families of their own, their behavior often felt immature and unnecessarily antagonistic. Their sudden shift in perspective regarding Gia and her accusations didn’t feel earned, especially given how aggressively they behaved earlier in the story. Their husbands’ blind support—culminating in public humiliation over a seventeen-year-old accusation—also felt overly dramatic and somewhat unrealistic.

A couple of quotes that stood out and captured the emotional tone of the book:

“Getting close to someone required too much trust—more trust than she seemed to be capable of cobbling together.”

“We might not always agree with the stances she takes, but there has to be someone willing to fight people who ban good books and do other stupid things.”

I gave The Banned Books Club 4 stars. While I had a few issues with certain character arcs, the overall story was compelling, emotionally rich, and thoughtfully written. I truly enjoyed reading it and am already looking forward to exploring more of Brenda Novak’s work. I’ve also started recommending this book to friends—especially those who appreciate layered storytelling that doesn’t shy away from difficult truths.

Content Note: This book addresses several heavy themes, including emotional and verbal abuse, spousal control, sexual misconduct, mental health struggles, violence, infidelity, cancer, and the death of a parent. Readers may want to review content warnings before diving in.