Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Tressa @ Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released. If you’re continuing with WOW, feel free to link up as well! Find out more here. This week, I’m waiting for ….

The Banned Books Club by Brenda Novak

Published September 17th 2024 by MIRA

She left her hometown following a scandal—but family loyalty is dragging her back…

Despite their strained relationship, when Gia Rossi’s sister, Margot, begs her to come home to Wakefield, Iowa, to help with their ailing mother, Gia knows she has no choice. After her rebellious and at-times-tumultuous teen years, Gia left town with little reason to look back. But she knows Margot’s borne the brunt of their mother’s care and now it’s Gia’s turn to help, even if it means opening old wounds.

As expected, Gia’s homecoming is far from welcome. There’s the Banned Books Club she started after the PTA overzealously slashed the high school reading list, which is right where she left it. But there is also Mr. Hart, her former favorite teacher. The one who was fired after Gia publicly and painfully accused him of sexual misconduct. The one who prompted Gia to leave behind a very conflicted town the minute she turned eighteen. The one person she hoped never to see again.

When Margot leaves town without explanation, Gia sees the cracks in her sister’s “perfect” life for the first time and plans to offer support. But as the town, including members of the book club, takes sides between Gia and Mr. Hart, everything gets harder. Fortunately, she learns that there are people she can depend on. And by standing up for the truth, she finds love and a future in the town she thought had rejected her.

Why This Book: First, I have to thank Jonetta over at Blue Mood Café for the heads up on this new Brenda Novak book. I have been reading Brenda Novak’s romance and women’s fiction books for awhile now, and have not been disappointed. I enjoy her characters, the setting and her plots. Throw in that this book is about Banned Books and Book Club and I am looking forward to reading it.

What book/books are you waiting for? Are you looking forward to The Banned Books Club?