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A review by boba_nbooks
The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks by Shauna Robinson
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Spice Rating: 🌶️ / 5
One of the most comedic and heartwarming stories I've read in a while.
Maggie is a 28-year-old woman who doesn't know what she wants. To get our of her parents' house, and to stop the questions about her ambiguous future, Maggie moves in with her friend, Rochelle, in the small town of Bell River to work at Rochelle's bookstore when she's on maternity leave. But Maggie's expectations of running a quaint small town bookstore are smashed when she realizes the store can only sell books by the famous town figure, Edward Bell, or ones that were written before or during his lifetime. Rochelle and all Bell River residents figure that Maggie will just go along with the status quo. But what the town didn't count on was Maggie's free spirit and willingness to create a community where everyone is welcome. Soon enough, Maggie is selling "banned" books under the table and running an underground, genre bending book club. Maggie has to decide what's most important: Bell River's history or its future.
At its heart, The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks is about community. Maggie has always felt like an outsider stumbling her way through life while everyone else has a perfect plan for their futures. Through the friends she makes in Bell River, Maggie figures out that maybe the way she's living her life might be unconventional, but that doesn't mean it's wrong. Even the people who look like they have it all together can still be fearful about the future.
Maggie's character is so relatable, funny, and hopeful. I love how she effortlessly brings people together and creates a community where there wasn't one before. She even wins over two of the grumpiest, most stand-offish men in Bell River! Robinson wrote Maggie's character so well that I want to be her friend.
This novel does include romance (and it's well done, if I do say so myself), but it's not at the forefront of the novel. The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks is about the power of community, visibility, and inclusion. I loved watching the town of Bell River come together to bring out the truth about the past so they can move forward together.
I highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves heartwarming stories with unique characters and poignant lessons.
One of the most comedic and heartwarming stories I've read in a while.
Maggie is a 28-year-old woman who doesn't know what she wants. To get our of her parents' house, and to stop the questions about her ambiguous future, Maggie moves in with her friend, Rochelle, in the small town of Bell River to work at Rochelle's bookstore when she's on maternity leave. But Maggie's expectations of running a quaint small town bookstore are smashed when she realizes the store can only sell books by the famous town figure, Edward Bell, or ones that were written before or during his lifetime. Rochelle and all Bell River residents figure that Maggie will just go along with the status quo. But what the town didn't count on was Maggie's free spirit and willingness to create a community where everyone is welcome. Soon enough, Maggie is selling "banned" books under the table and running an underground, genre bending book club. Maggie has to decide what's most important: Bell River's history or its future.
At its heart, The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks is about community. Maggie has always felt like an outsider stumbling her way through life while everyone else has a perfect plan for their futures. Through the friends she makes in Bell River, Maggie figures out that maybe the way she's living her life might be unconventional, but that doesn't mean it's wrong. Even the people who look like they have it all together can still be fearful about the future.
Maggie's character is so relatable, funny, and hopeful. I love how she effortlessly brings people together and creates a community where there wasn't one before. She even wins over two of the grumpiest, most stand-offish men in Bell River! Robinson wrote Maggie's character so well that I want to be her friend.
This novel does include romance (and it's well done, if I do say so myself), but it's not at the forefront of the novel. The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks is about the power of community, visibility, and inclusion. I loved watching the town of Bell River come together to bring out the truth about the past so they can move forward together.
I highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves heartwarming stories with unique characters and poignant lessons.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, and Infidelity
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Minor: Misogyny, Racism, and Pregnancy