Historical Fiction – Page 53 – Trigger Warning Database

The Book of Last Letters by Kerry Barrett

The Book of Last Letters by Kerry Barrett

London, 1940. When nurse Elsie offers to send a reassuring letter to the family of a patient, she has an idea. She begins a book of last letters: messages to be sent on to wounded soldiers’ loved ones should the very worst come to pass so that no one is left without a final goodbye. But one message will change Elsie’s life forever. When a patient makes a devastating request, can Elsie find the strength to do the unthinkable? London, present day. Stephanie has a… Read more.

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Trigger & Content Warnings

Rape mentioned
Dementia
World War Two (theme)

Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson

Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson

Running into a long-ago friend sets memory from the 1970s in motion for August, transporting her to a time and a place where friendship was everything—until it wasn’t. For August and her girls, sharing confidences as they ambled through neighbourhood streets, Brooklyn was a place where they believed that they were beautiful, talented, brilliant—a part of a future that belonged to them. But beneath the hopeful veneer, there was another Brooklyn, a dangerous place where.… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Racism
Misogyny
Fatmisia & body shaming
Rape
Sexual assault
Adult-minor relationship
Alcoholism
Suicide
Self-harm
Overdose mentioned
Pregnancy

Blood and Sand by CV Wyk

Blood and Sand by C.V. Wyk

Roma Victrix. The Republic of Rome is on a relentless march to create an empire―an empire built on the backs of the conquered, brought back to Rome as slaves. Attia was once destined to rule as the queen and swordmaiden of Thrace, the greatest warrior kingdom the world had seen since Sparta. Now she is a slave, given to Xanthus, the Champion of Rome, as a sign of his master’s favor. Enslaved as a child, Xanthus is the preeminent gladiator of his generation… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Slavery
Suicidal ideation

A Light Amongst Shadows by Kelley York and Rowan Altwood

A Light Amongst Shadows by Kelley York & Rowan Altwood

James Spencer is hardly the typical “troubled youth” who ends up at Whisperwood School for Boys. Instead of hating the strict schedules and tight oversight by staff, James blossoms, quickly making friends and indulging in his love of writing, while contemplating the merits of sneaking love poems to the elusive and aloof William Esher. The rumours about William’s sexuality and opium reliance are prime gossip material amongst the third years. Rumours that only further pique James’ curiosity to uncover what William is really like beneath all that emotional armour… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Homomisia
Rape recounted
Depression
Drug abuse
Blood depiction
Murder, off-page
Torture
Blackmail

No Land to Light On by Yara Zgheib

No Land to Light On by Yara Zgheib

Hadi and Sama are a young Syrian couple flying high on a whirlwind love, dreaming up a life in the country that brought them together. She had come to Boston years before chasing dreams of a bigger life; he’d landed there as a sponsored refugee from a bloody civil war. Now, they are giddily awaiting the birth of their son, a boy whose native language would be freedom and belonging. When Sama is five months pregnant, Hadi’s father dies suddenly in Jordan, the night before his visa appointment at the embassy. Hadi flies back for the funeral, promising his wife that he’ll only… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Pregnancy & childbirth
Death of a father
Imprisonment recounted
Refugee experiences

Comanche Moon by Catherine Anderson

Comanche Moon by Catherine Anderson

Orphaned after her parents were killed by Comanches, Loretta Simpson still lives in terror that the warriors will return, her fear so powerful, she is no longer able to speak a word. Hunter of the Wolf believes that Loretta is a woman of ancient prophecy whom he must honour. But Loretta can only see him as the enemy who has kidnapped her, and she refuses to succumb to his control—or his touch.

Despite the hatred between their peoples, Loretta and Hunter gradually find their enmity changing to respect and care. In the midst of such conflict, it will take all the force of their love to find a safe haven.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Rape
Death of a pregnancy wife recounted
Death of parents recounted
Murder

Simply Love by Catherine Anderson

Simply Love by Catherine Anderson

Cassandra Zerek is a true innocent in a wild and dangerous place — but her indomitable spirit and gentle soul make her stronger than anyone suspects. The owner of a Colorado mining empire, Luke Taggart’s wealth and position can buy him anything, yet he has grown bored with a life of saloons and gambling. Nothing soothes his restless inner yearning — until he spies Cassandra, as fresh and pure as a spring morning, and vows he will possess her. The radiant, charmingly beauty seems blind to the depth of Luke’s desire or the lengths he is willing to go to seduce her. But the lady is wise, with unwavering faith in the magical powers of love. And she’s determined to awaken the good man hiding in Luke’s tormented heart, for only one precious gift will truly win her: his deep, passionate, and unsullied love

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Slut shaming
Child sexual abuse & rape
Dubious consent scenario
Wrongful imprisonment
Gun violence

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

As darkness falls, a man caught in a snowstorm is forced to shelter at the strange, grim house Wuthering Heights. It is a place he will never forget. There he will come to learn the story of Cathy: how she was forced to choose between her well-meaning husband and the dangerous man she had loved since she was young. How her choice led to betrayal and terrible revenge – and continues to torment those in the present. How love can transgress authority, convention, even death.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Indentured servitude
Racism & racial slurs
Arranged marriage
Abusive relationship
Gambling addiction
Hallucinations & delusions
Suicide
Suicidal ideation
Pregnancy
Death from childbirth
Death from starvation
Desecration of a corpse
Captivity & confinement

A Substitute Wife for the Prizefighter by Alice Coldbreath

A Substitute Wife for the Prizefighter by Alice Coldbreath

Plain, respectable Lizzie Anderson is in the devil of a fix. After catching sight of something she was not supposed to, her whole family is torn apart by the ensuing scandal. Lizzie’s steadfast principles means she cannot deny the evidence of her own eyes and as a consequence finds herself thrown out onto the street! Her only ally in her time of need, comes from a very unexpected quarter indeed…

Benedict Toomes has long thought Lizzie a thorn in his side, but after seeing her staunchness in the face of adversity, he finds himself picturing her in a totally different role in his life. A stand-in for the betrothed he no longer wants to marry… Find out how this unlikeliest of couples navigates life together after a rocky start and find their preconceived notions about the other could not have been further from the truth!

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Imprisonment recounted

Fallow by Jordan Hawk

Fallow by Jordan L. Hawk

Between the threat of a world-ending invasion from the Outside and unwelcome revelations about his own nature, Percival Endicott Whyborne is under a great deal of strain. His husband, Griffin Flaherty, wants to help—but how can he, when Whyborne won’t tell him what’s wrong?

When a man from Griffin’s past murders a sorcerer, the situation grows even more dire. Once a simple farmer from Griffin’s hometown of Fallow, the assassin now bears a terrifying magical corruption, one whose nature even Whyborne can’t explain.

To keep Griffin’s estranged mother safe, they must travel to a dying town in Kansas. But as drought withers the crops of Fallow, a sinister cult sinks its roots deep into the arid soil. And if the cult’s foul harvest isn’t stopped in time, Fallow will be only the first city to fall.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings:

Homomisia
Racism
Blood & injury depiction
Autopsy
Gun violence
Physical assault
Kidnapping
Loss of autonomy (mind control)
Death by train