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The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks
9 hours, 18 minutes
I, Maggie Banks, solemnly swear to uphold the rules of Cobblestone Books.
If only, I, Maggie Banks, cared about following the rules.
When Maggie Banks arrives to run her best friend's struggling bookstore, she expects to sell bestsellers to the small-town clientele. But with the town on the map as a top literary destination and the tourist society bent on keeping businesses historic, Maggie is banned from selling anything written this century. So, when a series of mishaps suddenly tip the bookstore toward ruin, Maggie will have to get creative to keep the shop afloat.
And in Maggie's world, bookish rules are made to be broken.
To help save the store, Maggie starts an underground book club—a series of events celebrating the books readers actually love. But keeping the club quiet, selling her customers the books they want, and dodging the historical society is nearly impossible. Especially when Maggie unearths a town secret that could upend everything.
Maggie will have to decide what's more important to her—the books that formed a small town's history, or the stories poised to change it all.
I, Maggie Banks, solemnly swear to uphold the rules of Cobblestone Books.
If only, I, Maggie Banks, cared about following the rules.
When Maggie Banks arrives to run her best friend's struggling bookstore, she expects to sell bestsellers to the small-town clientele. But with the town on the map as a top literary destination and the tourist society bent on keeping businesses historic, Maggie is banned from selling anything written this century. So, when a series of mishaps suddenly tip the bookstore toward ruin, Maggie will have to get creative to keep the shop afloat.
And in Maggie's world, bookish rules are made to be broken.
To help save the store, Maggie starts an underground book club—a series of events celebrating the books readers actually love. But keeping the club quiet, selling her customers the books they want, and dodging the historical society is nearly impossible. Especially when Maggie unearths a town secret that could upend everything.
Maggie will have to decide what's more important to her—the books that formed a small town's history, or the stories poised to change it all.
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First published November 1, 2022
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About the author
Shauna Robinson
5 books967 followersShauna Robinson writes contemporary fiction with humor and heart. Originally from San Diego, she now lives in Virginia with her husband and their sleepy greyhound. Shauna is an introvert at heart—she spends most of her time reading, baking, and figuring out the politest way to avoid social interaction.
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November 1, 2022
Happy Publication Day! ( November 1, 2022)
3.5 rounded up!
As the story begins, we meet our protagonist, twenty-eight-year-old Maggie Banks as she reaches the small town of Bell River at the invitation of her best friend Rochelle, who is about to go on maternity leave and needs someone to take over her duties at Cobblestone Books, the bookshop partially owned by Rochelle’s family. Maggie, who has been unable to settle down in a career of her liking after graduating college and has been out of work and living with her parents in California, welcomes the change and the opportunity albeit a temporary one. Though not much of a reader herself, she is sure that with Rochelle’s guidance she should have no problems in managing a small town bookshop.
Unbeknownst to Maggie, River Bell is a town with a literary legacy and is thus also a tourist destination for those who are drawn to the literary legend of the late Edward Bell (after whom the town has been named), whose family partly owns most of the commercial establishments in the area and thus has a say in how local businesses are run. Cobblestone Books is no exception, selling books that were read and loved by Edward Bell in his lifetime (he passed in 1968), mostly classics. Anyone who enters the shop with a more contemporary reading list is promptly directed t the nearest Barnes and Noble store. Needless to say, Maggie finds herself at odds with the head of the Bell Society, Ralph Bell and his employee Malcolm who also aren’t quite impressed with Maggie. As tensions grow, Ralph decides to remove the Edward Bell books from the store, plunging sales and diminishing footfall into a downward spiral, prompting Maggie to resort to a more creative solution to save her friend’s family bookshop even if it means breaking the rules and starting an underground book club, inviting contemporary authors, hosting book readings with a twist and secretly selling books that would ordinarily never be allowed within the premises of Cobblestone Books. All this while hiding it from Ralph and keeping it a secret from Rochelle so as not to add to her financial woes and making sure Malcolm, who wasn’t quite as stuck up as she had initially assumed, doesn’t find out. She finds allies in the friendly people in the local community and even her grouchy neighbor Vernon doesn’t stand in the way. But how long can she keep it a secret? Can she save the bookshop and introduce change in the way things have normally been done? What does this mean for Maggie? Has she finally found her calling?
Stories such as these are rarely unpredictable, so it's all in the journey and this was a fun one with actually a few surprises along the way. I am partial to stories revolving around books, bookstores and libraries and this one did not disappoint! I enjoyed following Maggie as she gradually falls in love with reading, even trying a few of the Classics (not that there is anything wrong in not enjoying them). At a point, I thought that the author was categorizing readers into airtight silos – those who enjoy the Classics and those who enjoy contemporary fiction in different genres. But as the story progresses, and we see Maggie and Malcolm open up to new reading experiences and breaking away from preconceived notions about certain books and genres, the author shows how people can enjoy books that don’t necessarily fall within one’s comfort zone and even if they choose not to, readers should not be judged for reading whatever appeals to them. As a lifelong reader who loves trying different kinds of books, enjoying some and others not so much, this resonated with me. Quirky characters, small-town dynamics, loads of humor and a sweet romance make for an engaging read. Overall, The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks by Shauna Robinson is an entertaining, light-hearted read that I enjoyed.
Many thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks is due to be released on November 1, 2022.
3.5 rounded up!
As the story begins, we meet our protagonist, twenty-eight-year-old Maggie Banks as she reaches the small town of Bell River at the invitation of her best friend Rochelle, who is about to go on maternity leave and needs someone to take over her duties at Cobblestone Books, the bookshop partially owned by Rochelle’s family. Maggie, who has been unable to settle down in a career of her liking after graduating college and has been out of work and living with her parents in California, welcomes the change and the opportunity albeit a temporary one. Though not much of a reader herself, she is sure that with Rochelle’s guidance she should have no problems in managing a small town bookshop.
Unbeknownst to Maggie, River Bell is a town with a literary legacy and is thus also a tourist destination for those who are drawn to the literary legend of the late Edward Bell (after whom the town has been named), whose family partly owns most of the commercial establishments in the area and thus has a say in how local businesses are run. Cobblestone Books is no exception, selling books that were read and loved by Edward Bell in his lifetime (he passed in 1968), mostly classics. Anyone who enters the shop with a more contemporary reading list is promptly directed t the nearest Barnes and Noble store. Needless to say, Maggie finds herself at odds with the head of the Bell Society, Ralph Bell and his employee Malcolm who also aren’t quite impressed with Maggie. As tensions grow, Ralph decides to remove the Edward Bell books from the store, plunging sales and diminishing footfall into a downward spiral, prompting Maggie to resort to a more creative solution to save her friend’s family bookshop even if it means breaking the rules and starting an underground book club, inviting contemporary authors, hosting book readings with a twist and secretly selling books that would ordinarily never be allowed within the premises of Cobblestone Books. All this while hiding it from Ralph and keeping it a secret from Rochelle so as not to add to her financial woes and making sure Malcolm, who wasn’t quite as stuck up as she had initially assumed, doesn’t find out. She finds allies in the friendly people in the local community and even her grouchy neighbor Vernon doesn’t stand in the way. But how long can she keep it a secret? Can she save the bookshop and introduce change in the way things have normally been done? What does this mean for Maggie? Has she finally found her calling?
Stories such as these are rarely unpredictable, so it's all in the journey and this was a fun one with actually a few surprises along the way. I am partial to stories revolving around books, bookstores and libraries and this one did not disappoint! I enjoyed following Maggie as she gradually falls in love with reading, even trying a few of the Classics (not that there is anything wrong in not enjoying them). At a point, I thought that the author was categorizing readers into airtight silos – those who enjoy the Classics and those who enjoy contemporary fiction in different genres. But as the story progresses, and we see Maggie and Malcolm open up to new reading experiences and breaking away from preconceived notions about certain books and genres, the author shows how people can enjoy books that don’t necessarily fall within one’s comfort zone and even if they choose not to, readers should not be judged for reading whatever appeals to them. As a lifelong reader who loves trying different kinds of books, enjoying some and others not so much, this resonated with me. Quirky characters, small-town dynamics, loads of humor and a sweet romance make for an engaging read. Overall, The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks by Shauna Robinson is an entertaining, light-hearted read that I enjoyed.
Many thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks is due to be released on November 1, 2022.
September 17, 2025
In a Nutshell: A contemporary romance-drama, though the romance is secondary to the drama. Book about books. Annoying main character. Straightforward plot with some loopholes and some convenient developments. Plenty of humour and heart, but also plenty of judgement and aggravation. A decent pastime option when you want a light read that doesn’t tax your brain.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Bookish Yays:
📚 Funny to see a lead who hates books but works in a bookstore. Gotta be a first in this genre! I didn’t like how this was executed, but points for thinking of this contradictory character detailing.
📚 The indie bookstore setting and its secret literary meetings. I loved the discussions in those meetings and those funny retellings!
📚 A good ending that will satisfy fans of the genre.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
📖 Straightforward, cookie-cutter secondary characters, most of whom are likeable but with not much depth. Maggie’s curmudgeonly neighbour Vernon is possibly the best-sketched character overall, followed closely by Maggie’s love interest Malcolm. The antagonist Ralph has potential but his turnaround is a bit too sudden. Most of the rest of the characters have limited roles and hence, limited character detailing.
📖 For a contemporary romance-drama, romance doesn’t dominate the plot, which is a huge yay in my books. However, there is barely any connection between Maggie and Malcolm. The relationship seems written just because there needs to be a relationship; there is never any chemistry between them.
📖 Given the title, I thought this would be a novel about banned books. It does have banned books, but not the kind we usually hear of. The ‘banned’ only refers to the books Maggie isn't allowed to sell at the bookstore because of the Bell Society’s policy. This was slightly disappointing, but not so much as to kill my interest.
📖 I love how the book highlights Black literature and provides several examples of Black works that ought to be considered classics. However, should this come by dismissing ALL white literature? There are many amazing classic books written by white authors as well, so can't we just celebrate all good classics regardless of their writers’ skin colour or race?
Bookish Nays:
📕 Maggie as a person… Sigh… Her moral compass doesn’t match mine at all. She lies, she keeps secrets even when not needed, she has no qualms taking risky business decisions for a store she doesn’t even own, without once considering what the repercussions might be for her pregnant best friend whose only source of income is the store. She even manipulates Malcolm into doing many challenging things without once stepping out of her comfort zone in a positive way. All of this would still have been okay had she shown some growth over the course of the book OR had she faced the brunt of her wrongdoings. But as you might guess, Maggie gets away with everything with not even a hard word from anyone. It is next to impossible to accept such a character as the lead of an uplifting book.
📕 Maggie as the bookstore owner…. Longer, deeper, sigh… She suddenly becomes the girl with the golden touch once she comes to the bookstore, even though nothing in her life prior to that point has gone as planned. Maggie doesn’t even like books nor does she know anything about running a bookstore. Yet, there is never a hitch in her new plans, all the more odd as she doesn’t even consult her best friend for bookish decisions. Immediate response from high-profile authors, book sales from a new website, making a friend of the neighbourhood grump, instant information about a town secret – anything she touches results in immediate success. Whether she wants a website designer or an accountant, she finds one most conveniently. Even feel-good genres need to incorporate some realistic life challenges!
📕 All the dissing remarks against classics – so annoying! It’s not like I am a huge fan of some classics mentioned in the book. (I dozed my way through Moby Dick and The Great Gatsby.) But the way the books are ridiculed wasn’t to my liking. Every book has its place and those who believe that only contemporary books are worth reading are no better than those who believe that only nonfiction is true reading or that only the classics contain great writing. I hate that a book about books went so aggressive against the reading of classics. To be fair, all these thoughts come from doofus Maggie. (Her absurd remark against P&P might have fuelled my ire further.) I would have let this go if the same thought had not been repeated consistently throughout the story and had Maggie realised that some classics do have good content, even if they weren’t her cup of tea. Without that lesson, it is confusing to understand whether the thoughts are Maggie’s or the author’s.
All in all, Maggie was a tough character to like and most of my dissatisfaction with this book lies with the way she was sketched. But if you can keep aside her irksome personality, the book does deliver as per genre, with many heartwarming and humorous scenes, some lovely secondary characters, and a happy ending. I might have liked this more a decade or more ago, but I am not so patient anymore.
Recommended to fans of the romance-drama genre and of books about books, especially those looking for the relatively rare Black rep in a bookstore story. As long as you can tolerate Maggie, you might like this novel more than I did.
2.75 stars.
My thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark for providing the DRC of “The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
When twenty-eight-year-old Maggie, frustrated at not having a successful career path, gets a call from her best friend asking for help taking care of her bookstore for a few months while she goes on maternity leave, Maggie accepts, even though she isn't fond of reading. It’s not just this lack of interest in books that makes Maggie’s task difficult. The bookstore is one of the central attractions in a town with a strong literary history, and as such, its governing body, the Bell Society, doesn’t allow it to sell any book that was published after the death of the famous local author, which was decades ago! When the bookstore stumbles towards failure, partly because it cannot sell anything written in this century and partly thanks to Maggie’s lack of adeptness at running it, she decides to break the rules. After all, what use are rules if they don’t work?
The story comes to us in Maggie’s first-person perspective.
Bookish Yays:
📚 Funny to see a lead who hates books but works in a bookstore. Gotta be a first in this genre! I didn’t like how this was executed, but points for thinking of this contradictory character detailing.
📚 The indie bookstore setting and its secret literary meetings. I loved the discussions in those meetings and those funny retellings!
📚 A good ending that will satisfy fans of the genre.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
📖 Straightforward, cookie-cutter secondary characters, most of whom are likeable but with not much depth. Maggie’s curmudgeonly neighbour Vernon is possibly the best-sketched character overall, followed closely by Maggie’s love interest Malcolm. The antagonist Ralph has potential but his turnaround is a bit too sudden. Most of the rest of the characters have limited roles and hence, limited character detailing.
📖 For a contemporary romance-drama, romance doesn’t dominate the plot, which is a huge yay in my books. However, there is barely any connection between Maggie and Malcolm. The relationship seems written just because there needs to be a relationship; there is never any chemistry between them.
📖 Given the title, I thought this would be a novel about banned books. It does have banned books, but not the kind we usually hear of. The ‘banned’ only refers to the books Maggie isn't allowed to sell at the bookstore because of the Bell Society’s policy. This was slightly disappointing, but not so much as to kill my interest.
📖 I love how the book highlights Black literature and provides several examples of Black works that ought to be considered classics. However, should this come by dismissing ALL white literature? There are many amazing classic books written by white authors as well, so can't we just celebrate all good classics regardless of their writers’ skin colour or race?
Bookish Nays:
📕 Maggie as a person… Sigh… Her moral compass doesn’t match mine at all. She lies, she keeps secrets even when not needed, she has no qualms taking risky business decisions for a store she doesn’t even own, without once considering what the repercussions might be for her pregnant best friend whose only source of income is the store. She even manipulates Malcolm into doing many challenging things without once stepping out of her comfort zone in a positive way. All of this would still have been okay had she shown some growth over the course of the book OR had she faced the brunt of her wrongdoings. But as you might guess, Maggie gets away with everything with not even a hard word from anyone. It is next to impossible to accept such a character as the lead of an uplifting book.
📕 Maggie as the bookstore owner…. Longer, deeper, sigh… She suddenly becomes the girl with the golden touch once she comes to the bookstore, even though nothing in her life prior to that point has gone as planned. Maggie doesn’t even like books nor does she know anything about running a bookstore. Yet, there is never a hitch in her new plans, all the more odd as she doesn’t even consult her best friend for bookish decisions. Immediate response from high-profile authors, book sales from a new website, making a friend of the neighbourhood grump, instant information about a town secret – anything she touches results in immediate success. Whether she wants a website designer or an accountant, she finds one most conveniently. Even feel-good genres need to incorporate some realistic life challenges!
📕 All the dissing remarks against classics – so annoying! It’s not like I am a huge fan of some classics mentioned in the book. (I dozed my way through Moby Dick and The Great Gatsby.) But the way the books are ridiculed wasn’t to my liking. Every book has its place and those who believe that only contemporary books are worth reading are no better than those who believe that only nonfiction is true reading or that only the classics contain great writing. I hate that a book about books went so aggressive against the reading of classics. To be fair, all these thoughts come from doofus Maggie. (Her absurd remark against P&P might have fuelled my ire further.) I would have let this go if the same thought had not been repeated consistently throughout the story and had Maggie realised that some classics do have good content, even if they weren’t her cup of tea. Without that lesson, it is confusing to understand whether the thoughts are Maggie’s or the author’s.
All in all, Maggie was a tough character to like and most of my dissatisfaction with this book lies with the way she was sketched. But if you can keep aside her irksome personality, the book does deliver as per genre, with many heartwarming and humorous scenes, some lovely secondary characters, and a happy ending. I might have liked this more a decade or more ago, but I am not so patient anymore.
Recommended to fans of the romance-drama genre and of books about books, especially those looking for the relatively rare Black rep in a bookstore story. As long as you can tolerate Maggie, you might like this novel more than I did.
2.75 stars.
My thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark for providing the DRC of “The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Facebook ||
April 5, 2025
i really did not enjoy this. the plot was irritating and the romance was... not it. the "hero" was so so so unlikeable and the sex scene was crazy (like the only memorable part was that his grandma could hear???)
November 1, 2022
Okay, strap in, because this might be a doozy of a review.
On the surface, The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks is the kind of book that I would like. It's set in a bookstore, has a plucky heroine working to find her place in the world, and a low-key romance that makes for pleasant reading. In reality, I found myself getting more and more annoyed as I read, and I look forward to telling you why.
The fact that Maggie starts the book opposed to reading, but especially opposed to the idea of reading classics, is a bummer, but clearly part of the plot. She becomes a reader. The continual harping on the idea that classics are all boring and terrible quickly started to piss me off. To be fair, I am just a completed dissertation away from a PhD in American literature, but I also don't think I'm a snob about books. But it's also such a weird disservice to act like all canonical literature is bad because some of it has been forced upon you.
Robinson is clearly familiar with the classics she mentions in this book, so I'm confused about the arguments she's making re: the canon. The discussions about classics vs. genre fiction feel more like she's speaking as a romance writer than just her characters talking. And again—I read romance constantly, as well as thrillers, etc. I am not at all opposed to genre fiction, but I don't know why this is such a this or that type of discussion.
And the fact that Robinson does have familiarity with the texts she mentions and/or criticizes in this book made me even more frustrated when I found the discussions of them to be hollow. At one point, Maggie is convinced to read Beloved by Malcolm, and then complains that if only she'd been assigned a book like that, maybe she'd like reading. Beloved is amazing, I agree. But at what point did she wish she'd been assigned Beloved? Because high schoolers are not ready to read that book, my friends. It is too hard. Maybe in college, but her educational background makes it hard to imagine what classes she'd even take (I do realize I'm nitpicking but I also teach English to college students so this was something I actively thought about while reading).
A bigger gripe: when Maggie arranges a covert book club of sorts in which writers come to genre-bend classics, the first text is Moby-Dick, which will be rewritten as a rom-com (chosen specifically for dick jokes). The romance writer who comes writes about Ahab. Here's the thing, though. If any person ever has read Moby-Dick, you KNOW that the way to rewrite that book as a romance is a queer love story between Ishmael and Queequeg. It is all but on the actual pages of Moby-Dick! You could even write about Melville and Nathaniel Hawthorne! Moby-Dick is a book I am very ambivalent about because it is deeply boring sometimes but it is also a book about some guys who are very in love with each other. The fact that this is missed is not only annoying, but tells me Maggie (or Robinson, depending how invested she is in this argument) sort of doesn't know enough to make the criticisms that are here.
Okay, I'm hitting my stride. One of Maggie's missions is learning more about Edward Bell, a fictional famous dead white guy author whose works create the tourism industry for the town she's in, but who she also imagines is a shady character. She disagrees about the feminism of his work (a thing I won't get into, even though I could), and eventually sneaks to find his hidden letters which reveal that he had a mistress from whom he plagiarized his work. The weird thing here is that Maggie seems first more concerned with the idea that Bell's having a mistress obviously means his works cannot be considered feminist, which is some kind of logic I've never heard. The bigger problem I have with all this fictional author business is the idea that somehow learning of the mistress (and even the plagiarism, really) would diminish his status and intrigue for tourism. This isn't how authors or artists get to be preserved! We are interested in all the parts of them—including the contradictory, gnarly, messy bits that they might not have revealed during their lives. As someone who's a little obsessed with Hemingway, I say this with some authority.
I could go on, but one last thing. If it isn't clear, I really disliked Maggie as a character. I found her to be uncompromising and dismissive and rude to the people who cared about her. I really hated that she and Malcolm made their deal, in which she'd create a list of adventures for him to go on while she read a classic in exchange, only for her to barely hold up her end of the bargain. It felt like the message was "well, he's the one who needs to change by getting out more, but I don't really need to read these books." And sure, she doesn't actually "need" to read them, but you've created a relationship with this person! Why do you get to tell him how he should be more interesting but do nothing in return? I really wanted him to just dump her and move on by the end, but that's not really how these things work.
Alas, I'll stop ranting. It's fair to say this book garnered some serious reactions from me, I just wish they had been more positive.
On the surface, The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks is the kind of book that I would like. It's set in a bookstore, has a plucky heroine working to find her place in the world, and a low-key romance that makes for pleasant reading. In reality, I found myself getting more and more annoyed as I read, and I look forward to telling you why.
The fact that Maggie starts the book opposed to reading, but especially opposed to the idea of reading classics, is a bummer, but clearly part of the plot. She becomes a reader. The continual harping on the idea that classics are all boring and terrible quickly started to piss me off. To be fair, I am just a completed dissertation away from a PhD in American literature, but I also don't think I'm a snob about books. But it's also such a weird disservice to act like all canonical literature is bad because some of it has been forced upon you.
Robinson is clearly familiar with the classics she mentions in this book, so I'm confused about the arguments she's making re: the canon. The discussions about classics vs. genre fiction feel more like she's speaking as a romance writer than just her characters talking. And again—I read romance constantly, as well as thrillers, etc. I am not at all opposed to genre fiction, but I don't know why this is such a this or that type of discussion.
And the fact that Robinson does have familiarity with the texts she mentions and/or criticizes in this book made me even more frustrated when I found the discussions of them to be hollow. At one point, Maggie is convinced to read Beloved by Malcolm, and then complains that if only she'd been assigned a book like that, maybe she'd like reading. Beloved is amazing, I agree. But at what point did she wish she'd been assigned Beloved? Because high schoolers are not ready to read that book, my friends. It is too hard. Maybe in college, but her educational background makes it hard to imagine what classes she'd even take (I do realize I'm nitpicking but I also teach English to college students so this was something I actively thought about while reading).
A bigger gripe: when Maggie arranges a covert book club of sorts in which writers come to genre-bend classics, the first text is Moby-Dick, which will be rewritten as a rom-com (chosen specifically for dick jokes). The romance writer who comes writes about Ahab. Here's the thing, though. If any person ever has read Moby-Dick, you KNOW that the way to rewrite that book as a romance is a queer love story between Ishmael and Queequeg. It is all but on the actual pages of Moby-Dick! You could even write about Melville and Nathaniel Hawthorne! Moby-Dick is a book I am very ambivalent about because it is deeply boring sometimes but it is also a book about some guys who are very in love with each other. The fact that this is missed is not only annoying, but tells me Maggie (or Robinson, depending how invested she is in this argument) sort of doesn't know enough to make the criticisms that are here.
Okay, I'm hitting my stride. One of Maggie's missions is learning more about Edward Bell, a fictional famous dead white guy author whose works create the tourism industry for the town she's in, but who she also imagines is a shady character. She disagrees about the feminism of his work (a thing I won't get into, even though I could), and eventually sneaks to find his hidden letters which reveal that he had a mistress from whom he plagiarized his work. The weird thing here is that Maggie seems first more concerned with the idea that Bell's having a mistress obviously means his works cannot be considered feminist, which is some kind of logic I've never heard. The bigger problem I have with all this fictional author business is the idea that somehow learning of the mistress (and even the plagiarism, really) would diminish his status and intrigue for tourism. This isn't how authors or artists get to be preserved! We are interested in all the parts of them—including the contradictory, gnarly, messy bits that they might not have revealed during their lives. As someone who's a little obsessed with Hemingway, I say this with some authority.
I could go on, but one last thing. If it isn't clear, I really disliked Maggie as a character. I found her to be uncompromising and dismissive and rude to the people who cared about her. I really hated that she and Malcolm made their deal, in which she'd create a list of adventures for him to go on while she read a classic in exchange, only for her to barely hold up her end of the bargain. It felt like the message was "well, he's the one who needs to change by getting out more, but I don't really need to read these books." And sure, she doesn't actually "need" to read them, but you've created a relationship with this person! Why do you get to tell him how he should be more interesting but do nothing in return? I really wanted him to just dump her and move on by the end, but that's not really how these things work.
Alas, I'll stop ranting. It's fair to say this book garnered some serious reactions from me, I just wish they had been more positive.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2022
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3.5 Stars
The only books worth reading were written long ago.
Maggie is unemployed and rudderless so she moves from California to Bell River, Maryland to stay with her friend, Rochelle, to help her in her bookshop while Rochelle is on maternity leave. The town of Bell River is obsessed with its hometown hero, and author, Edward Bell. Even though Maggie isn't a lover of books she decides working at Cobblestone Books and staying with Rochelle and her family is just what she needs to give her life the push it needs for a new start.
I really enjoyed this author's other book Must Love Books so I was happy to see she had yet another book about books available. Shauna Robinson's love of the written word shines through in her books and I loved all the literary references in this one and I loved reading about avid readers.
There were many small town, quirky characters in this story, and most of them I adored. Ralph, the antagonist, is such a stuffed shirt and so small-minded, that I abhorred him, especially when it came to his thoughts on books. Nothing allowed that was published after 1968?! I loved Malcolm and the ways he and Maggie stepped out of their comfort zones to try new things. Even though their romance wasn't swoon-worthy it was rather sweet and I loved their sense of humour throughout the book.
Such a quick, cute, and fun read. I was so pleased to see Maggie turn into a reader and find her love for books and that she found her true calling through selling the banned books and her wonderful book events. I also liked the way the whole town decided to band together.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Shauna Robinson, and Sourcebooks Landmark for the giving of the ARC.
#NetGalley
3.5 Stars
The only books worth reading were written long ago.
Maggie is unemployed and rudderless so she moves from California to Bell River, Maryland to stay with her friend, Rochelle, to help her in her bookshop while Rochelle is on maternity leave. The town of Bell River is obsessed with its hometown hero, and author, Edward Bell. Even though Maggie isn't a lover of books she decides working at Cobblestone Books and staying with Rochelle and her family is just what she needs to give her life the push it needs for a new start.
I really enjoyed this author's other book Must Love Books so I was happy to see she had yet another book about books available. Shauna Robinson's love of the written word shines through in her books and I loved all the literary references in this one and I loved reading about avid readers.
There were many small town, quirky characters in this story, and most of them I adored. Ralph, the antagonist, is such a stuffed shirt and so small-minded, that I abhorred him, especially when it came to his thoughts on books. Nothing allowed that was published after 1968?! I loved Malcolm and the ways he and Maggie stepped out of their comfort zones to try new things. Even though their romance wasn't swoon-worthy it was rather sweet and I loved their sense of humour throughout the book.
Such a quick, cute, and fun read. I was so pleased to see Maggie turn into a reader and find her love for books and that she found her true calling through selling the banned books and her wonderful book events. I also liked the way the whole town decided to band together.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Shauna Robinson, and Sourcebooks Landmark for the giving of the ARC.
#NetGalley
February 27, 2023
Maggie is really most of us: Feeling lost in life especially when everyone else seems to have their stuff together. In Maggie’s story, it’s clear that she just hadn’t found something that she was passionate about because the effort she puts into certain things in the new community she finds herself a part of was quite beautiful to read.
Along with implementing change and creating an impact on the community, she creates new bonds with many people and strengthens the ones she already has. My favorite of course is she and Malcolm. They were really adorable and their relationship didn’t feel forced at all.
This was also a book about books which I loooooooove like most book lovers. Hearing characters talk about how much they love reading is an automatic plus! Everyone learning about how diverse books are and how there is something for everyone made me all giddy inside.
I would absolutely recommend this!
Along with implementing change and creating an impact on the community, she creates new bonds with many people and strengthens the ones she already has. My favorite of course is she and Malcolm. They were really adorable and their relationship didn’t feel forced at all.
This was also a book about books which I loooooooove like most book lovers. Hearing characters talk about how much they love reading is an automatic plus! Everyone learning about how diverse books are and how there is something for everyone made me all giddy inside.
I would absolutely recommend this!
July 4, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is SUCH a hard book to review so I’m going with a very middle of the road rating. I loved the bones of this story but there was also a lot I would have changed. Then again, I can barely write a complete sentence so who am I to judge 🤷🏼♀️
Just kidding, I’m totally one to judge.
The premise of this book is so fun! After a slew of failures, Maggie arrives in Bell River to take over her friend Rochelle’s small town bookstore while she’s on maternity leave. The store is struggling, especially because the town’s literary society has actually banned them from selling any books written in this century.
Maggie isn’t a book lover and at first I found that refreshing. I love that reading is becoming more “popular” but I’ve read so many books lately where the characters are very bookish and it was kind of a nice change to read about a character that isn’t obsessed. Obviously, we all have different tastes and hobbies. My issue was that Maggie was a bit of a snob, especially in regards to the classics.
When things don’t go as planned, Maggie decides to take some unconventional measures to boost business. Here’s where I had some issues with the plot. Maggie is not a businesswoman or a passionate bookworm and after a couple hours of google research she makes some pretty bold business decisions for her FRIEND’S business. I would have loved the underground book club if it had been Maggie’s own shop or Rochelle’s idea. I just couldn’t get behind the idea of Maggie gambling on someone else’s livelihood, even if she had the best of intentions.
Complaints aside, I thought this book was funny and charming. There’s some romance but it didn’t steal the show in my opinion. I did love the small town secrets and how things came to light towards the end. Overall this was cute but I don’t know if I would enthusiastically recommend it.
🎧the audiobook narrator was great!
Just kidding, I’m totally one to judge.
The premise of this book is so fun! After a slew of failures, Maggie arrives in Bell River to take over her friend Rochelle’s small town bookstore while she’s on maternity leave. The store is struggling, especially because the town’s literary society has actually banned them from selling any books written in this century.
Maggie isn’t a book lover and at first I found that refreshing. I love that reading is becoming more “popular” but I’ve read so many books lately where the characters are very bookish and it was kind of a nice change to read about a character that isn’t obsessed. Obviously, we all have different tastes and hobbies. My issue was that Maggie was a bit of a snob, especially in regards to the classics.
When things don’t go as planned, Maggie decides to take some unconventional measures to boost business. Here’s where I had some issues with the plot. Maggie is not a businesswoman or a passionate bookworm and after a couple hours of google research she makes some pretty bold business decisions for her FRIEND’S business. I would have loved the underground book club if it had been Maggie’s own shop or Rochelle’s idea. I just couldn’t get behind the idea of Maggie gambling on someone else’s livelihood, even if she had the best of intentions.
Complaints aside, I thought this book was funny and charming. There’s some romance but it didn’t steal the show in my opinion. I did love the small town secrets and how things came to light towards the end. Overall this was cute but I don’t know if I would enthusiastically recommend it.
🎧the audiobook narrator was great!
July 8, 2022
The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks
by Shauna Robinson is a great contemporary fiction that has a great plot, wonderful character cast, and is all about books!!
I really enjoyed this book. Maggie is a great main character, and I loved her place in this unique storyline. Her ideas and the way she tries to implement them for the greater good, but yet learns a lot about herself and the world around her in the process, is a great concept.
I liked some of the minor threads associated (ie romance and mystery), and I really enjoyed the “joining forces” and “coming together” of the members of the community within the narrative. We all have differences of opinion, but it is how we treat others and how we work together for the greater common good that helps makes it a better place to live.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Sourcebooks Landmark for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 11/1/22.
by Shauna Robinson is a great contemporary fiction that has a great plot, wonderful character cast, and is all about books!!
I really enjoyed this book. Maggie is a great main character, and I loved her place in this unique storyline. Her ideas and the way she tries to implement them for the greater good, but yet learns a lot about herself and the world around her in the process, is a great concept.
I liked some of the minor threads associated (ie romance and mystery), and I really enjoyed the “joining forces” and “coming together” of the members of the community within the narrative. We all have differences of opinion, but it is how we treat others and how we work together for the greater common good that helps makes it a better place to live.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Sourcebooks Landmark for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 11/1/22.
September 4, 2023
On November 2, 2022 I put this book on my personal reading list. I keep a list of books that look interesting to me to read, and this was one I was hoping I could find at my local library to check-out. Unfortunately, the library did not have it.
And…
So, I forgot about it.
Until…
August 27, 2023 this very same book was donated to my Little Free Library Shed. I was one happy girl!
Premise: Drifting and jobless, Maggie is offered an opportunity by her friend Rochelle that changes everything. Work in her bookstore in the small town of Bell River while she is on maternity leave. She can live with her family at her place, too for the next 4 months. That gives her time to decide what she wants to do for herself.
What she didn’t expect is that she actually would find herself quite capable and good at planning special events that celebrate books, come to love the community – and unravel a mystery that might save this town in other ways.
The other thing is this…
The literary society wants to keep the bookstore in the past. Maggie wants to modernize it, and so she starts a secret book club and selling “forbidden” books. Keeping things under wraps is almost impossible – how can she get them to go beyond just talking books and selling books about the town’s history – and begin to move beyond that?
Likable characters. Easy-to-read. Cute. Enjoyable. Predictable ending.
November 5, 2022
You know what someone should write a book about?
A protagonist who hates books (said no one who reads books).
Maggie Banks is a directionless woman who graduated from Berkeley yet can’t seem to keep a job. She proudly “hasn’t read a book since college,” so it makes total sense that her friend who runs a bookshop thinks it’s a good idea to hire her. Wait…what?
Look, obviously, this character is going to learn to love books by the end of the novel and all, but as a person who acquired this book because y’ know, I like books, how am I going to relate to this woman enough to want to stick around throughout her “journey.”
The idea might fly if she were unlikable but interesting, but that’s not the case either, because she spends all of her time making mean-spirited and unfunny jokes about anyone who has any real enthusiasm for pretty much anything.
Not everyone is reader. Not everyone needs to be. But there’s a big difference between simply not enjoying reading (or anything else, for that matter) as a hobby and actively sneering at others enthusiasm for it. Aren’t we, especially as women, past the point where we think we’re funny when we yuck someone else’s yum? It just makes the character seem bitter, pathetic, and embarrassing.
She has particular animosity for the classics, which is about as goofily argued as the broader “I’m not a reader” schlock. This fussing starts as soon as she realizes what the store sells (only classics), because, y’know, “that stuff they make you read in English class.”
Later she comes around to *some* books, but continues to abhor the classics, through various nonsensical and ignorant arguments such as that the shop founders choice to sell them exclusively is a form of “gatekeeping.” Oof. Maybe Maggie should read something once in a while to avoid making these sorts of embarrassing contextual errors.
I think it’s absolutely fine not to enjoy classics. I read across many genres, some highbrow, some decidedly not, and not every type of book is for everyone. But most people who don’t enjoy a certain genre manage to recognize that as a personal choice instead of attempting to mock it to anyone who happens to like it.
Maggie’s specific arguments against classic literature are also reductive and at times, outright incorrect. Don’t they make you take a few English classes at Berkeley, whether you enjoy the subject or not? Sigh.
Anyway, between the proud ignorance of a woman plenty smart enough to know better and achieve better, and her sad, bitter desire to belittle other people’s joy, this book is borderline unreadable and I probably would have DNF’ed it had it not been an ARC received in exchange for review. Does Maggie become less awful by the end of the story? Sure, but she never becomes truly likable, relatable, or interesting.
There are so many cute and fun pieces of fiction set in bookstores. Do yourself a huge favor and skip this one.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
A protagonist who hates books (said no one who reads books).
Maggie Banks is a directionless woman who graduated from Berkeley yet can’t seem to keep a job. She proudly “hasn’t read a book since college,” so it makes total sense that her friend who runs a bookshop thinks it’s a good idea to hire her. Wait…what?
Look, obviously, this character is going to learn to love books by the end of the novel and all, but as a person who acquired this book because y’ know, I like books, how am I going to relate to this woman enough to want to stick around throughout her “journey.”
The idea might fly if she were unlikable but interesting, but that’s not the case either, because she spends all of her time making mean-spirited and unfunny jokes about anyone who has any real enthusiasm for pretty much anything.
Not everyone is reader. Not everyone needs to be. But there’s a big difference between simply not enjoying reading (or anything else, for that matter) as a hobby and actively sneering at others enthusiasm for it. Aren’t we, especially as women, past the point where we think we’re funny when we yuck someone else’s yum? It just makes the character seem bitter, pathetic, and embarrassing.
She has particular animosity for the classics, which is about as goofily argued as the broader “I’m not a reader” schlock. This fussing starts as soon as she realizes what the store sells (only classics), because, y’know, “that stuff they make you read in English class.”
Later she comes around to *some* books, but continues to abhor the classics, through various nonsensical and ignorant arguments such as that the shop founders choice to sell them exclusively is a form of “gatekeeping.” Oof. Maybe Maggie should read something once in a while to avoid making these sorts of embarrassing contextual errors.
I think it’s absolutely fine not to enjoy classics. I read across many genres, some highbrow, some decidedly not, and not every type of book is for everyone. But most people who don’t enjoy a certain genre manage to recognize that as a personal choice instead of attempting to mock it to anyone who happens to like it.
Maggie’s specific arguments against classic literature are also reductive and at times, outright incorrect. Don’t they make you take a few English classes at Berkeley, whether you enjoy the subject or not? Sigh.
Anyway, between the proud ignorance of a woman plenty smart enough to know better and achieve better, and her sad, bitter desire to belittle other people’s joy, this book is borderline unreadable and I probably would have DNF’ed it had it not been an ARC received in exchange for review. Does Maggie become less awful by the end of the story? Sure, but she never becomes truly likable, relatable, or interesting.
There are so many cute and fun pieces of fiction set in bookstores. Do yourself a huge favor and skip this one.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
May 25, 2025
The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks surprised me in the best way. Maggie is refreshingly real—imperfect, funny, and full of heart. I loved watching her shake up a stuffy old bookshop bound by outdated rules and turn it into something inclusive and alive. This is more than just a feel-good read; it’s a smart, uplifting story about challenging expectations, embracing what makes you different, and the quiet power of banned books.
October 14, 2022
Four and a half Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭒
The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks by Shauna Robinson is a fun, bookish book, set in a small town with interesting, relatable characters. I read this book with a big smile on my face.
Story Recap:
Maggie Banks hasn’t figured out her life yet, she jumps from job to job and finds herself still living with her parents. So when her friend invites her to Bell River to run her little bookshop, Maggie jumps at the chance to take some time to figure out her life. She expects to sell modern books to the residents of Bell River, but when she gets there, she finds out she can only sell books published prior to this century.
The bookstore is already having financial issues before she gets there, and then when she makes some mistakes, she puts the bookstore on the road to financial ruin. She doesn’t want to disappoint her friend who is on maternity leave, so she finds some creative ways to sell more modern books to the good residents of Bell River. But, selling banned books under the nose of the strict town historian is a recipe for disaster.
My Thoughts:
I read the previous book by Shauna Robinson, Must Love Book, and while I enjoyed it, I didn’t love it. But, I loved this second book. It’s everything I want in a bookish book. A cute bookstore, with a book-loving main character, a handsome love interest who also loves books, and a small town full of book lovers.
Maggie is a bit of a mess, but also adorable. She has no idea of the power she has in bringing people together and she’s convinced herself that she’s not a success. I loved her energy, her wit, and her courage. She’s someone I could be best friends with. Malcolm, her love interest is the opposite. He’s a rule follower, and a bit shy, but, together they make a wonderful match. She brings out his fun side, and he keeps her grounded and gives her the support and encouragement she needs.
Recommendation:
I highly recommend The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks to anyone who enjoys romantic comedy. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks by Shauna Robinson is a fun, bookish book, set in a small town with interesting, relatable characters. I read this book with a big smile on my face.
Story Recap:
Maggie Banks hasn’t figured out her life yet, she jumps from job to job and finds herself still living with her parents. So when her friend invites her to Bell River to run her little bookshop, Maggie jumps at the chance to take some time to figure out her life. She expects to sell modern books to the residents of Bell River, but when she gets there, she finds out she can only sell books published prior to this century.
The bookstore is already having financial issues before she gets there, and then when she makes some mistakes, she puts the bookstore on the road to financial ruin. She doesn’t want to disappoint her friend who is on maternity leave, so she finds some creative ways to sell more modern books to the good residents of Bell River. But, selling banned books under the nose of the strict town historian is a recipe for disaster.
My Thoughts:
I read the previous book by Shauna Robinson, Must Love Book, and while I enjoyed it, I didn’t love it. But, I loved this second book. It’s everything I want in a bookish book. A cute bookstore, with a book-loving main character, a handsome love interest who also loves books, and a small town full of book lovers.
Maggie is a bit of a mess, but also adorable. She has no idea of the power she has in bringing people together and she’s convinced herself that she’s not a success. I loved her energy, her wit, and her courage. She’s someone I could be best friends with. Malcolm, her love interest is the opposite. He’s a rule follower, and a bit shy, but, together they make a wonderful match. She brings out his fun side, and he keeps her grounded and gives her the support and encouragement she needs.
Recommendation:
I highly recommend The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks to anyone who enjoys romantic comedy. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
July 4, 2022
A fun read about Maggie, who fills in at a bookshop that has very strict rules about what books it can sell. She decides to hold some secret fundraisers and tries to get the bookshop to make money enough to survive. There is romance in the book but it is not cheesy. Characters are engaging and I loved it. I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for a honest review. I highly recommend reading this one!
May 11, 2023
This was such a fun read. I didn’t love Must Love Books so I was a little skeptical about this but i really enjoyed this one. It had amazing characters, a great plot and a dash of romance.
June 15, 2023
You know, I do try to remind myself to check logic at the door (or rather the front cover) of a cozy mystery or - - what's Netgalley's category for this? A piece of "Women's fiction" (i.e., Chick Lit). I try. I usually fail. I failed with this book, which is why I sat through it saying "But ... But wait ..." Because there is no way on this green and warming earth that a bookshop could survive on selling only books by, about, or written at the time of one 1940's (if I recall correctly) author. None. I doubt the concept would work with an author in the league of Tolkien, much less one more in the bracket this Bell person apparently occupies. It's impractical; it's more than improbable; it's a flat out stupid idea. And yet here is not only a bookshop run on that basis, but an entire town of tourist-y shops, all with a laser-tight focus on this one author. I was going to compare Bell to Dickens, but Dickens wrote prolifically and with a ton of character - I could see Dickens's home town (which is, I find, Portsea Island (Portsmouth), Hampshire) becoming the focal point of everything Victorian. (Which it does not seem to have done.) But this? Even the illiterate lout who serves as the main character has probably heard of Dickens, but she never has heard of Edward Bell. And yet enough tourists flood this town every year to keep the whole place solvent? I don't buy it.
For the trustees who have control over the bookshop to actively ban the sales of books people literally walk in and ask for - in other words, opportunities for revenue - is the height of stupidity.
(Just to belabor the point, I have worked in three bookshops. The only one which could afford actual paid employees was Barnes & Noble; the other two, independent shops which each lasted less than two years, paid me under the table and/or in books. So on this sort of point I really do need there to be at least a tiny bit of logic.)
Oops, I let my opinion of Maggie Banks slip up there, didn't I? "When was the last time I picked up a book? Except for the books you've sent me, which I have totally read". This one bit of dialogue formed the basis of my lack of enthusiasm for her, and nothing else in the book did anything to change it. This economically tells the reader that a) Maggie Banks doesn't read, and in fact kind of thinks it's pointless - not a great attitude for someone about to start work in a book store (I am morally obligated to use her full name, because my grandmother was called Maggie and this character doesn't deserve to share the name); and b) that she lies readily, even to her best friend. Sure, lying about having read a book the friend cared enough about to send her could be considered a white lie, to spare the friend's feelings ... but it's a really dumb lie. I don't require the people I read about to all be sweet and virtuous bookworms, but it is kind of nice to actually be able to like the main character I'm expected to spend several hours reading about. I liked Maggie Banks less and less as the book went on. To the point that I was actually dismayed at the possibility of romance between her and the one eligible young man who crosses her path. He deserved much, much better. Maggie Banks is the sort of person who - well, the sort of person cozy mysteries and chick lit are built on. She knows better than everyone else, and none of the rules apply to her. She will lie to everyone and about everything to force things to go her way, up to and including misappropriation of funds from the store and what I believe she called "creative bookkeeping". Whether the lies (and creative bookkeeping) are sustainable doesn't matter; it's obvious from the jump that it's all going to blow up - but she doesn't plan to be around all that long, so what does she care what kind of quagmire she leaves behind her?
I mean, "it's all going to blow up eventually" is kind of a trope of chick lit (and cozy mysteries). Usually, though, it's more along the lines of heroine-is-keeping-things-from-others-to-avoid-hurting-them or something like that, not heroine-can't-be-bothered-to-follow-instruction-and-so-builds-a-house-of-lies. It takes an engaging main character to make it work. When she is, instead, actively off-putting ... yeah. Not for me. It gets two stars because it was well-written, even though I didn't much enjoy what it was that was written.
The usual disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley for review.
For the trustees who have control over the bookshop to actively ban the sales of books people literally walk in and ask for - in other words, opportunities for revenue - is the height of stupidity.
(Just to belabor the point, I have worked in three bookshops. The only one which could afford actual paid employees was Barnes & Noble; the other two, independent shops which each lasted less than two years, paid me under the table and/or in books. So on this sort of point I really do need there to be at least a tiny bit of logic.)
Oops, I let my opinion of Maggie Banks slip up there, didn't I? "When was the last time I picked up a book? Except for the books you've sent me, which I have totally read". This one bit of dialogue formed the basis of my lack of enthusiasm for her, and nothing else in the book did anything to change it. This economically tells the reader that a) Maggie Banks doesn't read, and in fact kind of thinks it's pointless - not a great attitude for someone about to start work in a book store (I am morally obligated to use her full name, because my grandmother was called Maggie and this character doesn't deserve to share the name); and b) that she lies readily, even to her best friend. Sure, lying about having read a book the friend cared enough about to send her could be considered a white lie, to spare the friend's feelings ... but it's a really dumb lie. I don't require the people I read about to all be sweet and virtuous bookworms, but it is kind of nice to actually be able to like the main character I'm expected to spend several hours reading about. I liked Maggie Banks less and less as the book went on. To the point that I was actually dismayed at the possibility of romance between her and the one eligible young man who crosses her path. He deserved much, much better. Maggie Banks is the sort of person who - well, the sort of person cozy mysteries and chick lit are built on. She knows better than everyone else, and none of the rules apply to her. She will lie to everyone and about everything to force things to go her way, up to and including misappropriation of funds from the store and what I believe she called "creative bookkeeping". Whether the lies (and creative bookkeeping) are sustainable doesn't matter; it's obvious from the jump that it's all going to blow up - but she doesn't plan to be around all that long, so what does she care what kind of quagmire she leaves behind her?
I mean, "it's all going to blow up eventually" is kind of a trope of chick lit (and cozy mysteries). Usually, though, it's more along the lines of heroine-is-keeping-things-from-others-to-avoid-hurting-them or something like that, not heroine-can't-be-bothered-to-follow-instruction-and-so-builds-a-house-of-lies. It takes an engaging main character to make it work. When she is, instead, actively off-putting ... yeah. Not for me. It gets two stars because it was well-written, even though I didn't much enjoy what it was that was written.
The usual disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley for review.
March 29, 2023
1.5 stars?
Imagine you own a business and have to deal with the worst employee ever. She falsifies sales reports, breaks every company rule, secretly subverts your business plan, opens a parallel unauthorized business in your space, and rallies your staff against you- all because she thinks her vision for your business (which you own) is better. And then she breaks into your office and steals your family documents! Now imagine that employee wrote a self righteous story about why she was justified in all of this and says (in effect), “this boss thinks that just because he owns the business, he can decide what we sell and how we interact with our customers!” How dare he!
Now imagine you are dating someone and they hate your lifestyle (and tell you about it), force you to do little capricious challenges (“today you must play pumpkin hockey!”), don’t follow through on their commitments to you, and then steal your work stuff/ get you fired. Now imagine that girlfriend wrote a story about how she did all this stuff because she knows how to live your life better than you do. So you should really be thankful!
Now imagine a bookshop employee who hates reading and is judgmental about all sorts of books because they are old or boring.
Yup! All that and more in this not delightful novel.
The audio book actually had a bit where the narrator took a big gulp of water between chapters (and it wasn’t edited out)! It was towards the end, and maybe she just had enough too.
Imagine you own a business and have to deal with the worst employee ever. She falsifies sales reports, breaks every company rule, secretly subverts your business plan, opens a parallel unauthorized business in your space, and rallies your staff against you- all because she thinks her vision for your business (which you own) is better. And then she breaks into your office and steals your family documents! Now imagine that employee wrote a self righteous story about why she was justified in all of this and says (in effect), “this boss thinks that just because he owns the business, he can decide what we sell and how we interact with our customers!” How dare he!
Now imagine you are dating someone and they hate your lifestyle (and tell you about it), force you to do little capricious challenges (“today you must play pumpkin hockey!”), don’t follow through on their commitments to you, and then steal your work stuff/ get you fired. Now imagine that girlfriend wrote a story about how she did all this stuff because she knows how to live your life better than you do. So you should really be thankful!
Now imagine a bookshop employee who hates reading and is judgmental about all sorts of books because they are old or boring.
Yup! All that and more in this not delightful novel.
The audio book actually had a bit where the narrator took a big gulp of water between chapters (and it wasn’t edited out)! It was towards the end, and maybe she just had enough too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2023
3.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ but I’m rounding it up on here! This would’ve been a complete 4 star if the last 50-ish pages had been more neatly woven within the narrative, but it’s not enough of a deal breaker for me to knock it down a whole star.
This was so fun!! I like Maggie and I really do want her to succeed! This is absolutely perfect for anyone who loves some cute small-town cheesy mess- there’s drama, romance, literary jokes galore, and a lovely lil dash of historical fiction.
The characters are so fun, and it’s so immersive; you feel placed into Bell River and see exactly what it is along with Maggie. I love Rochelle and Malcolm, though I wish we’d gotten more time with them and their families. The underground club aspect is so fun, and so is the mystery of the town’s claim to fame.
Like I said, the only major gripe with this is the last 50/60 pages or so. Some points kinda dropped altogether and it felt just a bit TOO neatly wrapped in a bow, but that’s also exactly what I expected from this kind of story so it’s not even a hefty distraction. Being along for the ride was super entertaining and I’m definitely excited to read more from Shauna Robinson.
This was so fun!! I like Maggie and I really do want her to succeed! This is absolutely perfect for anyone who loves some cute small-town cheesy mess- there’s drama, romance, literary jokes galore, and a lovely lil dash of historical fiction.
The characters are so fun, and it’s so immersive; you feel placed into Bell River and see exactly what it is along with Maggie. I love Rochelle and Malcolm, though I wish we’d gotten more time with them and their families. The underground club aspect is so fun, and so is the mystery of the town’s claim to fame.
Like I said, the only major gripe with this is the last 50/60 pages or so. Some points kinda dropped altogether and it felt just a bit TOO neatly wrapped in a bow, but that’s also exactly what I expected from this kind of story so it’s not even a hefty distraction. Being along for the ride was super entertaining and I’m definitely excited to read more from Shauna Robinson.
March 31, 2023
If you believe there is a town where Footloose happened. Then you can maybe believe that this insane place with the " Banned Bookshop" could exist. I found myself to be incredibly weirded out and flustered by the end of this book.
April 21, 2023
girl discovers reading and also capitalism
February 16, 2023
THE BANNED BOOKSHOP OF MAGGIE BANKS
Shauna Robinson
Well, I have to say if I had a friend like Maggie, I would close up shop and move. I found it amazing that she had the nerve to make decisions about how to ruin her BFF's only means of support while she was off having a baby and putting her husband through an expensive college program. Thank you, Maggie! But what a good friend because she didn't kill Maggie. I would have liked it if the book had gone with the alternative and she ruined the BFF's life. That would have been a story.
This is truly a book for today's kids who actually believe that they have the power to make decisions based on one hour of being in charge. I mean if it is on the Internet it MUST WORK. This is why so many of my students in college inform me that they intend to be a detective, an investigator, or a forensic scientists but do not feel the need to start in an entry-level position. WHAT? Who can live on 50,000?
2.5 rounded up to 3
Happy Reading!
Shauna Robinson
Well, I have to say if I had a friend like Maggie, I would close up shop and move. I found it amazing that she had the nerve to make decisions about how to ruin her BFF's only means of support while she was off having a baby and putting her husband through an expensive college program. Thank you, Maggie! But what a good friend because she didn't kill Maggie. I would have liked it if the book had gone with the alternative and she ruined the BFF's life. That would have been a story.
This is truly a book for today's kids who actually believe that they have the power to make decisions based on one hour of being in charge. I mean if it is on the Internet it MUST WORK. This is why so many of my students in college inform me that they intend to be a detective, an investigator, or a forensic scientists but do not feel the need to start in an entry-level position. WHAT? Who can live on 50,000?
2.5 rounded up to 3
Happy Reading!
February 23, 2025
For such a simple cover, it has such a unique story! The book takes place in a small tourist town in Maryland where many of its businesses are modeled after celebrating the life and work of an early twentieth-century writer, Edward Bell. We learn that Edward Bell and the town are not all as they seem. This book has everything I love: a town mystery, short chapters, family secrets, a small bit of hate-at-first-sight romance, and a late twenties FMC who is just trying to find her place in life. This is a must-read if you like books about books and characters who also love books!
May 17, 2023
Very cute read! I enjoyed reading a story about a unique bookshop, quirky book events and the people who attend them. This book gives romance, "unexpected" friendships, some snooping to uncover secrets, finding oneself and laughs throughout. I like that it had layers to it and not just a sappy romance. I definitely plan to read other books by Shauna Robinson. This one kept me entertained.
June 1, 2023
Delightful! I found myself laughing out loud, envisioning myself in the charming town of Bell River, and cheering Maggie and her friends on wholeheartedly. I now also want to open my own book shop. 😊📖❤️
June 2, 2023
Actual rating: hmmm I'd leave it at a solid 3 stars
So who doesn't love a book about books/bookstores right? I also love the small-town feel of the book but Maggie wasn't my favorite character. In fact, I grew to dislike her the more the story went on. Other characters I enjoyed and the plot had a strong build-up. So I overall liked the book?? IDK this one is really in the middle for me lol I also listened on audio and the narrator did a great job for me so I'm sure that helped!
First off, Maggie's obsession with having a job that's "fun" was annoying at best and unrealistic at worst. And I just can't trust someone who doesn't like books for real (kidding but also not!) because she was suddenly thrust into a (my) dream job and was kind of ungrateful about it. She made the best of it by creating these secret events - which let's be honest, it sounds really fun & like a great concept! IDK how she never got to the idea that she could be an event planner or curator for specialty events but... hey this isn't the real world I guess lol
And the book isn't really a romance either so if you're looking for something along those lines, prepare for the romance to take a back seat (alllll the way back) to everything else. I actually liked Malcolm and their interactions and would've like maybe a smidge more romance between them.
And the Bell Society was a mess and a half! The way Ralph lorded his power over everyone and his businesses definitely makes you root for Maggie and the "magnets" but I did wish she had shared more with her best friend (Rochelle) throughout the book.
So who doesn't love a book about books/bookstores right? I also love the small-town feel of the book but Maggie wasn't my favorite character. In fact, I grew to dislike her the more the story went on. Other characters I enjoyed and the plot had a strong build-up. So I overall liked the book?? IDK this one is really in the middle for me lol I also listened on audio and the narrator did a great job for me so I'm sure that helped!
First off, Maggie's obsession with having a job that's "fun" was annoying at best and unrealistic at worst. And I just can't trust someone who doesn't like books for real (kidding but also not!) because she was suddenly thrust into a (my) dream job and was kind of ungrateful about it. She made the best of it by creating these secret events - which let's be honest, it sounds really fun & like a great concept! IDK how she never got to the idea that she could be an event planner or curator for specialty events but... hey this isn't the real world I guess lol
And the book isn't really a romance either so if you're looking for something along those lines, prepare for the romance to take a back seat (alllll the way back) to everything else. I actually liked Malcolm and their interactions and would've like maybe a smidge more romance between them.
And the Bell Society was a mess and a half! The way Ralph lorded his power over everyone and his businesses definitely makes you root for Maggie and the "magnets" but I did wish she had shared more with her best friend (Rochelle) throughout the book.
November 2, 2022
The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks by Shauna Robinson is a heartwarming story of Maggie Banks who moves to a small town called Bell River to help her friend run her bookshop while she goes on maternity leave. Bell River is famous because of a 20th century literary sensation Edward Bell and everything in the town revolves around his legacy. So much so that the bookstore is not allowed to sell anything published after the year he died i.e. 1968. When she fails to meet the standards of the Bell society, the bookstore loses all the books by Bell and his famous writing table. This puts the already struggling bookstore in a lot of trouble. Determined not to disappoint her friend, Maggie embarks on a journey to keep the bookstore alive and make new friends, fall in love, find a new path all along the way.
I enjoyed reading this one. I loved all the friendships that were formed in the book, especially Maggie's friendship with Vernon. The relationship was cute too and I loved the challenges that Maggie and Malcolm gave each other. The ending was alright for me. It didn't seem enough. However, the secret book club meetings, the plans they made, the discussions about romance books... all if it made resulted in a really satisfying reading experience. If you are looking for a book which is set in a town where everything revolves around books, then this one might be for you.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the review copy. All opinions are my own.
I enjoyed reading this one. I loved all the friendships that were formed in the book, especially Maggie's friendship with Vernon. The relationship was cute too and I loved the challenges that Maggie and Malcolm gave each other. The ending was alright for me. It didn't seem enough. However, the secret book club meetings, the plans they made, the discussions about romance books... all if it made resulted in a really satisfying reading experience. If you are looking for a book which is set in a town where everything revolves around books, then this one might be for you.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the review copy. All opinions are my own.
October 4, 2022
This was a feel-good story about a reluctant bibliophile who takes over the management of a bookshop for her pregnant best friend only to find herself hampered by a small town that only wants to focus on/celebrate a classic white male author that few people care about. If you love stories about small town bookstores, saving long-time institutions and sweet rom-coms, this book is right up your alley. I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the narration by Imani Jade Powers. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest reivew!
July 22, 2022
I love this book so much! This is the first book I read by this very talented author, but I will definitely be reading her other books!
She created wonderful characters that I soon became “friends” with in this lovely small town that had some problems that Maggie, in her own style of just wanting to be helpful and have fun, turned upside down. I laughed so much and also was heartbroken while reading. Since this is a romance, so I knew all would be well by the ending, and that always gives me a joyful feeling when reading the sad parts of a book.
The plot was fantastic, and I was drawn in immediate and could not put the book down. After reading a book that was difficult for me, this was a breath of fresh air. It was such a pleasure to be in this world that Shauna Robinson fashioned.
I truly wish that I had a bookstore community like the one that Maggie created. I finished the book and feel a loss of missing this special connection, as if it was a real experience I had.
A huge thank you Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for giving me the immense pleasure of reading the advance reader copy, with no obligation to write a review. My review is written freely as a hobby, and is totally my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC.
She created wonderful characters that I soon became “friends” with in this lovely small town that had some problems that Maggie, in her own style of just wanting to be helpful and have fun, turned upside down. I laughed so much and also was heartbroken while reading. Since this is a romance, so I knew all would be well by the ending, and that always gives me a joyful feeling when reading the sad parts of a book.
The plot was fantastic, and I was drawn in immediate and could not put the book down. After reading a book that was difficult for me, this was a breath of fresh air. It was such a pleasure to be in this world that Shauna Robinson fashioned.
I truly wish that I had a bookstore community like the one that Maggie created. I finished the book and feel a loss of missing this special connection, as if it was a real experience I had.
A huge thank you Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for giving me the immense pleasure of reading the advance reader copy, with no obligation to write a review. My review is written freely as a hobby, and is totally my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC.
November 27, 2022
I did finish this book, but I think it's because it was an audiobook that I could listen to and do other things. If I had to read this book with my eyes, I would have given up.
The main character makes way too many poor choices that, in the real world, would have lost her friends and relationships, but in this book the consequences were just kind of glossed over and every thing worked out fine. The writing was good enough and character development fine for the main character, but that was it.
The main character makes way too many poor choices that, in the real world, would have lost her friends and relationships, but in this book the consequences were just kind of glossed over and every thing worked out fine. The writing was good enough and character development fine for the main character, but that was it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2022
I was a huge fan of Must Love Books and was eagerly looking forward to this read.
I enjoyed the small town feel and the quirky characters but overall, this was just an ok read for me. It took me quite a while to get hooked in and I think that was my main issue.
I enjoyed the small town feel and the quirky characters but overall, this was just an ok read for me. It took me quite a while to get hooked in and I think that was my main issue.
October 28, 2022
🎧 𝔸𝕌𝔻𝕀𝕆𝔹𝕆𝕆𝕂 ℝ𝔼𝕍𝕀𝔼𝕎 🎧
Coming soon!!
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗴𝗶𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀
𝗕𝘆 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗻
𝟯𝟯𝟲 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀
𝗣𝘂𝗯: 𝗡𝗼𝘃. 𝟭𝘀𝘁, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮
🎧 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸:
𝟵 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝟭𝟴 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘀
𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗶 𝗝𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝘀
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫 • 4.5/5 stars
You know those quiet, unassuming books that catch you completely by surprise? The ones that aren't really even on your radar, but you give them a shot and fall in love with them? That's this book! I did not expect to love it this much!
TBBOMB is a bookworm's dream! It's heartwarming, playful, multilayered, and has oodles of charm! It's a book about books, but so much more!
Our MC Maggie is in her late 20s, jobless, and living with her parents in California. Maggie just hasn't found her calling yet. So when her bestie in Bell River, Maryland calls and offers her a temp position at a bookstore, Maggie jumps at the chance. Maggie isn't a bookworm, but she's open to the opportunity to try something new and help her friend.
Unfortunately, this isn't your typical bookstore, and Bell River isn't your typical town. 😳 The town is... Shall we say OBSESSED with Edward Bell, the late author and the town's namesake. The bookstore that Maggie is working at only sells classics and Bell books, despite the fact that the townspeople would appreciate a more contemporary selection at their town's only bookstore. The owner is strict as all get-out, and has SO many ridiculous rules.
What on earth has Maggie gotten herself into?
💭 I really adored this book. I listened to an ALC, and Imani Jade Powers did such a great job with the narration. There are so many fun, quirky, and interesting characters here. Maggie herself really shines as a protagonist, and I enjoyed the friendships she forms and the found-family component here. TBBOMB has so many elements that make it a great read! It has some romance, mystery, small-town charm, and a diverse cast of characters. I also really loved watching Maggie's journey as a non-book-lover working with and around books. ☺️
I very highly recommend for fans of women's fiction/ contemporary fiction, and for people who like books about books.
Thank you @NetGalley and @orangeskyaudio for my gifted ALC in exchange for my honest review. This was such a pleasure to listen to. 💕
Coming soon!!
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗴𝗶𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀
𝗕𝘆 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗻
𝟯𝟯𝟲 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀
𝗣𝘂𝗯: 𝗡𝗼𝘃. 𝟭𝘀𝘁, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮
🎧 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸:
𝟵 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝟭𝟴 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘀
𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗶 𝗝𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝘀
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫 • 4.5/5 stars
You know those quiet, unassuming books that catch you completely by surprise? The ones that aren't really even on your radar, but you give them a shot and fall in love with them? That's this book! I did not expect to love it this much!
TBBOMB is a bookworm's dream! It's heartwarming, playful, multilayered, and has oodles of charm! It's a book about books, but so much more!
Our MC Maggie is in her late 20s, jobless, and living with her parents in California. Maggie just hasn't found her calling yet. So when her bestie in Bell River, Maryland calls and offers her a temp position at a bookstore, Maggie jumps at the chance. Maggie isn't a bookworm, but she's open to the opportunity to try something new and help her friend.
Unfortunately, this isn't your typical bookstore, and Bell River isn't your typical town. 😳 The town is... Shall we say OBSESSED with Edward Bell, the late author and the town's namesake. The bookstore that Maggie is working at only sells classics and Bell books, despite the fact that the townspeople would appreciate a more contemporary selection at their town's only bookstore. The owner is strict as all get-out, and has SO many ridiculous rules.
What on earth has Maggie gotten herself into?
💭 I really adored this book. I listened to an ALC, and Imani Jade Powers did such a great job with the narration. There are so many fun, quirky, and interesting characters here. Maggie herself really shines as a protagonist, and I enjoyed the friendships she forms and the found-family component here. TBBOMB has so many elements that make it a great read! It has some romance, mystery, small-town charm, and a diverse cast of characters. I also really loved watching Maggie's journey as a non-book-lover working with and around books. ☺️
I very highly recommend for fans of women's fiction/ contemporary fiction, and for people who like books about books.
Thank you @NetGalley and @orangeskyaudio for my gifted ALC in exchange for my honest review. This was such a pleasure to listen to. 💕
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