Contemporary – Page 114 – Trigger Warning Database

Striking Distance by Sarah Rees Brennan

Fence: Striking Distance written by Sarah Rees Brennan, created by C.S. Pacat & illustrated by Johanna the Mad

Sixteen-year-old Nicholas Cox is the illegitimate son of a retired fencing champion who dreams of getting the proper training he could never afford. After earning a place on the elite Kings Row fencing team, Nicholas must prove himself to his rival, Seiji Katayma, and navigate the clashes, friendships, and relationships between his teammates on the road to state championships—where Nicholas might finally have the chance to spar with his golden-boy half-brother… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Classism
Child abuse & neglect mentioned
Alcohol consumption mentioned
Bullying

What a Tangled Web by Melissa Brayden

What a Tangled Web by Melissa Brayden

As a winemaker at Tangle Valley Vineyard, Madison LeGrange relies on science and logic to make the best vintage possible. It’s also how she manages her life. But with her career in its prime, her accountant thinks it’s time she diversifies her income. Not a problem because her favourite café, the Bacon and Biscuit, is up for sale. What she didn’t plan on was the time she’d spend with Clementine, who has her feeling anything but logical Clementine Monroe loves her job managing the Bacon and Biscuit Cafe. In fact, after escaping a difficult past, it’s all she has. When Clementine is offer… Read more.

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

Child abuse recounted
Alcohol consumption

Back to September by Melissa Brayden

Back to September by Melissa Brayden

Hannah Shephard likes her life, her job, and her perfectly cozy apartment around the corner from her shop. She’s never been one to take big risks and would much rather stay in on a Friday night with a warm cup of decaf and her favourite mystery novel, so why do her friends insist she needs more? Plus, Hannah has bigger problems to focus on. She’s in trouble. Well, her bookstore is, and if she doesn’t find a way to bring in some more cash, she’ll be closing the doors of A Likely Story for good… Read more.

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

Hospitalisation for a stroke

Beautiful Dreamer by Melissa Brayden

Beautiful Dreamer by Melissa Brayden

Philadelphia real estate broker Devyn Winters is at the peak of her career, closing multimillion-dollar deals and relishing it. She’s pretty much blocked out her formative years in Dreamer’s Bay, where the most exciting thing to happen was the twice a year bake sale. Unfortunately, a distress call hauls her back home and away from the life, she’s constructed. Now the question is just how long until she can leave again? And when did boring Elizabeth Draper get so beautiful? Elizabeth Draper loves people, free time … Read more.

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

Hospitalisation for physical injury
Car accident
Disappearance of a sibling

Hearts Like Hers by Melissa Brayden

Hearts Like Hers by Melissa Brayden

All work and no play has Autumn Primm in the market for a little excitement. Her Venice Beach coffee shop, The Cat’s Pajamas, is her pride and joy. While she doesn’t mind the long hours, she finds herself staring dreamily out the window, imagining the life she’s yet to lead. The time has come to take off the apron and see what the world has in store. Kate Carpenter needs to get away. And quick. A small-town firefighter, Kate’s been crowned a local hero for reasons she can’t quite get behind. An open highway and some time off have her fleeing the scene to sunny California.. Read more.

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

Parental abandonment & neglect
Fertility treatments
Grief & loss depiction
Death of parents mentioned
Fire mentioned

Strawberry Summer by Melissa Brayden

Strawberry Summer by Melissa Brayden

Margaret Beringer didn’t have an easy adolescence. She hated her name, was less than popular in school and was always cast aside as a “farm kid.” However, with the arrival of Courtney Carrington, Margaret’s youth sparked into colour. Courtney was smart, beautiful, and put together—everything Margaret wasn’t. Who would have imagined that they’d fit together so perfectly? But first loves can scar. Margaret hasn’t seen Courtney in years and that’s for the best. But when Courtney loses her father and returns to Tanner Peak to take control of the family store, Margaret comes face-to-face with her past and the woman she’s tried desperate… Read more.

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

Slut-shaming
Emotional parental abuse
Alcohol consumption & abuse
Grief & loss depiction
Death of a father
Death of a brother in a tractor accident

The Baby is Mine by Oyinkan Braithwaite

The Baby is Mine by Oyinkan Braithwaite

When his girlfriend throws him out during the pandemic, Bambi has to go to his Uncle’s house in lock-down Lagos. He arrives during a blackout, and is surprised to find his Aunty Bidemi sitting in a candlelit room with another woman. They both claim to be the mother of the baby boy, fast asleep in his crib.

At night Bambi is kept awake by the baby’s cries, and during the days he is disturbed by a… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Sexism
Child neglect
Cheating
Alcohol consumption, on-page
Recreational drug use, on-page
COVID-19 (theme)
Emesis
Physical illness & tribal marking disfigurement of a baby
Blood depiction
Grief & loss depiction
Death of an uncle & husband recounted
Animal slaughter, on-page

Be My Brayshaw by Meagan Brandy

Be My Brayshaw by Meagan Brandy

Cross one, cross all. That’s the Brayshaw way. She should have realized this before sliding into our world with secrets too big to bury. She didn’t and now the target is on her back. The day her lies came crashing down, I should have forced her out. Instead, I locked her in, and with the promise, I would never be hers. I resisted, fought against us. I caved. I tasted what became my newfound favourite flavour and fell hard for the little liar. But then the depth of her treachery reveals itself, and with it a reminder. Our town is a twisted place, and… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Slut shaming
Sexual assault
Alcohol consumption
Drug use & smoking

Reign of Brayshaw by Meagan Brandy

Reign of Brayshaw by Meagan Brandy

“Trust only those who earn it.”

A sentiment I follow without direction but holds more consequence than ever before. One decision, five lives, three futures. This is what’s at stake. One night, one choice, four broken Brayshaws. That is where we’re headed. Unless I stop it. I 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 to stop it. I have to remind him of what he’s chosen to forget. My town. My choice. 𝘔𝘺 ending.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Slut shaming
Rape
Sexual assault
Alcohol consumption
Drug use & smoking

Trouble at Brayshaw High by Meagan Brandy

Trouble at Brayshaw High by Meagan Brandy

No words whispered in anger have ever rung more true. They’re the Kings of Brayshaw with the world at their feet, destined for greatness and in need of control. I’m the girl from the ghetto with nothing to offer and as defiant as they come. They say it doesn’t matter, that I’m one of them now, and nothing could ever change that. Not even me, should I dare try. But they’re wrong. They underestimate how far I’ll go to protect them. Trouble is coming…and they have no idea.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Slut shaming
Sexual assault
Drug use & smoking
Alcohol consumption