Category Archives: Genres

The Secret Crush Book Club by Karmen Lee

For Dani, life is a juggling act. As a single mom devoted to her son and family, she barely has a moment to herself. But when her sister announces she’s moving out of the house, the ache of loneliness creeps in, and Dani can’t help but wonder if there’s something else she’s been missing in her life. Zoey came to Peach Blossom eager to start her new job as the town’s librarian and do a little research for her next book. Yet she never expected to find inspiration in fellow book club member Dani, whose captivating brown eyes tell a story of their own. Before they know it… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Infidelity mentioned

The Relationship Mechanic by Karmen Lee

Jessica Jae-un Miller came to Peach Blossom, Georgia, for a visit, not a breakdown. But when her rental car dies on the outskirts of town, mechanic Lavenia “Vini” Williams provides a tow—and a very welcome jump start to Jessica’s heart. It’s been a minute since Jessica’s last fling—her relationship specialty—and Vini checks all the right boxes. If only the sexy car whisperer seemed interested. Vini knows herself and what she wants. She loves her job, her family, her hometown—but she’d love to fall in love. Jessica stirs up all the right feelings, but the city girl has no intention of staying in… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Alcohol consumption
  • Death of a parent from cancer recounted

The 7-10 Split by Karmen Lee

For teacher Ava Williams, some subjects are not up for debate. Like history—specifically, the one she has with Grace Jones, bowling pro and local celeb. Who is now, for no identifiable reason, teaching at the same small-town Georgia high school as Ava. Once upon a time, they were thick as thieves, best friends, rivals who pushed each other, and total bowling nerds. Then they shared a kiss, sweet and confusing…and after that, they split and nothing was ever the same. Ava is pretty sure she has every reason to hate Grace. Especially when the school’s soggy potato of a principal annou… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Panic attacks mentioned
  • Death of a parent from cancer
  • Death of a parent in a drunk-driving accident

We Don’t Talk About Carol by Kristen L. Berry

In the wake of her grandmother’s passing, Sydney Singleton finds a hidden photograph of a little girl who looks more like Sydney than her own sister, or mother. She soon discovers the mystery girl in the photograph is her aunt, Carol, who was one of six local North Carolina Black girls to go missing in the 1960s. For the last several decades, not a soul has talked about Carol or what really happened to her. With her grandmother gone and Sydney looking to start a family of her own, she is determined to unravel the truth behind her long-lost aunt and the sinister silence surround… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Infertility & IVF treatments (protagonist)

Caul Baby by Morgan Jerkins

Laila desperately wants to become a mother, but each of her previous pregnancies has ended in heartbreak. This time has to be different, so she turns to the Melancons, an old and powerful Harlem family known for their caul, a precious layer of skin that is the secret source of their healing power. When a deal for Laila to acquire a piece of caul falls through, she is heartbroken, but when the child is stillborn, she is overcome with grief and rage. What she doesn’t know is that a baby will soon be delivered in her family–by her niece, Amara, an ambitious college student–and delivered.. Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Racism & police brutality
  • Graphic miscarriage & teen pregnancy
  • Suicide & suicidal ideation
  • Animal attack

The Wicked Betrayal by Marion Blackwood

After the events surrounding the Dagger of Orias, Kenna believes that her circumstances could not possibly get any worse. But fortune is a cruel mistress. Unexpected betrayal throws her life into turmoil, and while she is still trying to recover from the shock, she also has to somehow come up with a plan to save her life. The idea is simple. And dangerous beyond belief. In order to get out of the desperate situation she has ended up in, Kenna is going to take on Mordren Darkbringer. But the Prince of Shadows is… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Classism
  • Slut-shaming & victim-blaming
  • Parental abandonment & neglect
  • Depression & suicidal ideation
  • Alcohol consumption & drugging
  • Gambling
  • Blood & injury depiction, including dead bodies
  • Death of a parent mentioned
  • Attempted kidnapping & captivity
  • Murder & attempted murder
  • Strangulation
  • Poisoning
  • Home invasion
  • Blackmail
  • Building collapse
  • Fire
  • Conscription
  • Homelessness

The Traitor Spy by Marion Blackwood

The elven Court of Stone has many spies, and Kenna is one of its most prized ones. Being a half-elf, she is skilled, dangerous, and beautiful. She’s also a traitor. Desperately yearning for freedom, she blackmails people for ransom behind the back of the elven prince who holds her leash. But one day, she takes it too far. When she accidentally goes after someone from a neighboring court, she is cornered by its prince. The feared Prince of Shadows gives her an ultimatum: spy for him on her own court or her master will learn of her illegal activities. At the same time, a… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Classism & slut-shaming
  • Indentured servitude
  • Estrangement
  • Alcohol consumption & gambling
  • Blood & injury depiction, including dead bodies
  • Death of a parent mentioned
  • Murder & attempted murder, including attempted regicide
  • Knife violence
  • Strangulation
  • Physical assault (mugging)
  • Captivity & confinement
  • Home invasion
  • Hostage situation
  • Blackmail
  • Conscription
  • Poverty themes

Ruthless Villains by Marion Blackwood

In a world where magic is distributed equally, there are some people who refuse to share their power. Dark mages. Lethal. Selfish. And utterly without morals. Audrey Sable is one of them. As a poison mage, she can bring men to their knees with a flick of her wrist. But the man she really wants to kill will not go down so easily. Callan Blackwell is also a powerful dark mage, and he would like nothing better than to see Audrey beg for mercy at his feet. But their hatred for one another will have to wait. When the heroic champions of equality prepare to launch an attack that will wipe… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Classism & persecution for witchcraft
  • Intimate partner abuse & violence
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Blood & injury depiction, including decapitation, dismemberment, loss of limb & mutilation
  • Torture
  • Knife violence
  • Strangulation
  • Poisoning
  • Physical assault (beating)
  • Home invasion
  • Kidnapping & hostage situation
  • Imprisonment
  • Blackmail

Empire of Flame and Thorns by Marion Blackwood

Trapped in the Seelie Court by a forest of thorns, Selena Hale lives at the mercy of the dragon shifters. Her only chance to gain her freedom is by entering the Atonement Trials: a deadly competition that pits fae magic users against each other. Only three people can win, and Selena intends to be one of them. There is only one problem. Draven Ryat, the ruthless commander of the dragon shifter army, is determined to make her lose. He symbolizes everything that she hates, and if he finds out that she is also a member of the secret fae rebellion. He symbolizes everything that she hates, and if he finds out that she is also a member Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Classism
  • Slavery & indentured servitude
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Blood & injury depiction, including medical treatment, scars, dead bodies, decapitation, & burns
  • Captivity & confinement
  • Murder & attempted murder
  • Torture
  • Knife & sword violence
  • Physical assault
  • Fire
  • Poisoning
  • Loss of autonomy (mind control)
  • Military service & violence mentioned
  • Bullying

The Counterfeit Family Tree of Vee Crawford-Wong by L. Tam Holland

When Vee Crawford-Wong’s history teacher assigns an essay on his family history, Vee knows he’s in trouble. His parents—Chinese-born dad and Texas-bred Mom—are mysteriously and stubbornly close-lipped about his ancestors. So, he makes it all up and turns in the assignment. And then everything falls apart. After a fistfight, getting cut from the basketball team, offending his best friend, and watching his grades plummet, one thing becomes abundantly clear to Vee: No one understands him! If only he knew… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Dubious consent scene (on-page)
  • Racism & racial slurs discussed
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Physical assault due to bullying (fistfight)

*Context : The protagonist is making out with his crush but says declines further sex because she is drunk.