Maggie shows up in the small town Bell River thinking she'll just run her best friend's bookstore for a few months while her friend takes maternity leave (and so Maggie can take a break from job hunting), but then she learns it's not just any bookstore. The bookstore is stuck in the past and sells only literary classics from decades and centuries ago, a permanent ode to the famous author who once worked there. When Maggie takes a wrong turn, she has to get creative to keep the shop in business, breaking lots of rules along the way.

I flew through this audiobook in a day! Loved the narration. Maggie's journey is sure to resonate with anyone who's feeling like they don't yet have their lives figured out.

Ever wanted to read a book that gives you the Stars Hollow feeling of Gilmore Girls? Look no more. Bell River is a quaint town and Maggie is invited to help her friend out during her maternity leave from the local bookstore. However it has a catch, Ralph (the town’s Taylor Doosey), doesn’t allow any books in the store that aren’t considered classics.

Maggie quickly realizes she doesn’t like the status quo and challenges it. All while falling in love with Ralph’s right-hand man, Malcom. Maggie gets creative to skirt around Ralph’s rules and finds a place where she believes she’s belongs.

I HIGHLY recommend this as a cozy fall read.

3.5 stars

This book is uncomplicated, light, and engaging. It's a great palate cleanser for folks who need a break from the heavy stuff and/or an enjoyable, pleasant read for those who prefer to dwell in that space permanently.

Maggie, the m.c., is in her late 20s and she hasn't quite found her passion. She does enjoy mixing things up a bit, and that's why it's clear she'll struggle when she discovers that her new job has the most restrictive rules for a bookshop. It's hilarious. All of the visitors basically ask the same thing, "This again? And still?" There's a real commitment to tradition (yawns, rolls eyes, barfs a little in the mouth), but Maggie is just not a traditional gal (thankfully). She begins exploring other ideas and models, and in the process, she gets to make some new connections with both people and books.

Readers will be able to assume what's going to happen from cover to cover, but that doesn't mean this is a boring or basic read. Maggie's a likeable individual whose quest for meaning, connection, and a little direction happens on her terms.

I’ve read a lot of books on bookshops before and love that this one is different! As a school librarian who lives in fear of a book challenge, I can totally sympathize with Maggie’s plight!

Well-written contemporary fiction about a bookshop, local histories, and an inevitable romance. Although predictable, this story unraveled with a few small twists and surprises and the writing style is very good. I liked the characters, although I did yell at the main protagonist often! She made some unusual decisions about her career that maybe 'safe' me wouldn't have done so that made it a bit hard to relate - but a lighthearted, quick read it definitely is!

Book Title: The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks
Author: Shauna Robinson
Audiobook Narrator: Imani Jade Powers
Publisher: Orange Sky Audio
Genre: Mystery/Chick Lit
Pub Date: November 1, 2022
My Rating: 4+ Stars


Story starts when our protagonist unemployed, twenty-eight year old Maggie Banks is invited by her friend college best Rochelle to help out in the Cobblestone Bookshop (don’t you love that name?) while she is on maternity leave.
So Maggie leaves Fremont, California and heads to Bell River, Maryland.

‘Literary Legend’ Edward Bell died in 1968 and is the hometown hero of River Bell (the town is named after him!) The Bell family owns most of the commercial businesses; the family and the ‘Bell Society’ headed by Ralph Bell decide how the businesses are going to be run. In fact, all the shop employees wear ‘Bell Society’ logo shirt!!
The ‘Bell Society’ has deemed that Cobblestone Books will carry all of Edward Bell’s books which are mostly classics. If a customer wants to buy a more contemporary book or books, the Barnes and Noble in Franklin – the next town over is suggested.
Even though Maggie isn't a lover of books she isn’t fond of this arrangement.

This is a delightful read. I am one of those avid readers who loves Libraries as well as Bookstore.
I worked in the University Library while in college and then volunteered at our local city Library and attended the author lectures. Additionally as an educator and parent, I attended many book fairs.
This story brought back fun memories.

This was a totally fun book to read ~ love the characters.
It would make a great cozy however; Cozy Mysteries have little to no profanity. Although there isn’t a lot of profanity, what it did have really wasn’t necessary - but that’s me!

The narrator Imani Jade Powers was excellent in performing the characters.

This title got my attention. This is my first story by Shauna Robinson, so I decided to check out her bio.
I enjoyed reading about her and was sure she is someone I would like!
Shauna Robinson’s Website: https://www.shaunarobinsonbooks.com/
Shauna 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.


Want to thank NetGalley and Orange Sky Audio for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for November 1, 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!

This was a lovely, cozy book that I listened to all in one day! I couldn't stop listening. I really enjoyed Maggie, the main character who thinks she is lost without direction. I loved Cobblestone Books and the life that Maggie brought to it.

Everything I could want in a Bookish novel! I absolutely loved the idea of the events Maggie held at Cobblestone Books and would love to find one in real life!
Read if you love:
Books
Small town
Finding your own path
Resolving a injustice
Cozy mystery
Romance
Friendship

Thank you to NetGalley and OrangeSky Audio for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review! 4/5 ⭐️

Delightful, wholesome, funny story of Maggie Banks who believes herself lost and without purpose and passion in life. She finds friends, a community, and adventure along her way. The story got a little slow in the middle, but the filler was pretty cute, so I can’t complain. The audiobook narrator was lovely. And I loved all the book and book lover references!