Representation – Page 123 – Trigger Warning Database

When You Look Like Us by Pamela Harris

When You Look Like Us by Pamela N. Harris

When you look like us—brown skin, brown eyes, black braids or fades—people think you’re trouble. No one looks twice at a missing black girl from the projects because she must’ve brought whatever happened to her upon herself. I, Jay Murphy, can admit that, for a minute, I thought my sister, Nicole, got too caught up with her boyfriend—a drug dealer—and his friends. But she’s been gone too long now. If I hadn’t hung up on her that night, she’d be spending time with our grandma. If I was a better brother, she’d be finishing senior year instead of being another name on a… Read more.

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Trigger & Content Warnings

Substance addiction
Parent with alcoholism
Death of a husband recounted
Murder
Physical assault

The Assignment by Liza Wiemer

The Assignment by Liza M. Wiemer

When an assignment given by a favourite teacher instructs a group of students to argue for the Final Solution, a euphemism used to describe the Nazi plan for the genocide of the Jewish people, Logan March and Cade Crawford are horrified. Their teacher cannot seriously expect anyone to complete an assignment that fuels intolerance and discrimination. Logan and Cade decide they must take a stand. As the school administration addressed the teens’ refusal to participate in the appalling debate, the student body, their parents, and the larger community… Read more.

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Trigger & Content Warnings

Antisemitism
Racism
Homomisia
Cyberbullying

Anna K Away by Jenny Lee

How the mighty have fallen. Anna K, once the golden girl of Greenwich, CT, and New York City, has been brought low by a scandalous sex tape and the tragic death of her first love, Alexia Vronsky. At the beginning of the summer, her father takes her to the other side of the world, to connect with his family in South Korea and hide her away. Is Anna in exile? Or could this be her chance to figure out who she really is? Back in the U.S., Lolly has forgiven Steven for cheating on her, and their relationship feels stronger than ever. But when Lolly meets a boy at her beloved theatre camp, she has to ask herself how well Steven will ever reall… Read more.

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Trigger and Content Warnings

Sexism
Sexual harassment
Infidelity
Parental divorce mentioned
Substance addiction
Alcohol consumption & drug use
Overdose discussed
Grief & loss depiction
Gun violence

Fandom by Eden Finley

Fandom by Eden Finley

Everyone remembers the night the boy band Eleven broke up. Hearts shattered around the world, including my own. I made a mistake, and I’ve been avoiding bandmate Mason Nash ever since. At first, it was hard, but eighteen months ago, he made it easier by leaving Hollywood and disappearing. When Eleven reunion talks start, I’m against it completely. I could really do with the publicity, but I don’t want to face Mason again. I’m sure he won’t want to see me either… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Homomisia
Fatmisia & internalised body shaming
Depression
Alcoholism & alcohol abuse
Suicidal ideation
Death from a heart attack
Death of a parent mentioned

Washington Black by Esi Edugyan

Washington Black by Esi Edugyan

When his master’s eccentric brother chooses him to be his manservant, Wash is terrified of the cruelties he is certain await him. But Christopher Wilde, or “Titch,” is a naturalist, explorer, scientist, inventor, and abolitionist. He initiates Wash into a world where a flying machine can carry a man across the sky; where two people, separated by an impossible divide, might begin to see each other as human; and where a boy born in chains can embrace a life of dignity and meaning. But when a man is killed and a bounty is placed on Wash’s head, Titch abandons everything to save him… Read more.

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Trigger & Content Warnings

Slavery
Racism & racial slurs
Body mutilation & disfigurement
Torture mentioned

Worth the Chance by Kate Hawthorne

Worth the Chance by Kate Hawthorne

Verity Jones has always been true to themself; even when it meant coming out as nonbinary at a young age and losing the love of their friends and parents. Years later, Verity is ensnared in a complicated, consuming, but purely platonic relationship with their best friend Landon. When Landon’s high-school sweetheart re-enters the picture, Verity finds themself alone for the first time since college. Content with the status quo, Aaron Hoffman finds his tight-knit circle of friends shaken up when Gregory introduces… Read more.

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Trigger & Content Warnings

Deadnaming

How You Grow Wings by Rimma Onoseta

How You Grow Wings by Rimma Onoseta

Sisters Cheta and Zam couldn’t be more different. Cheta, sharp-tongued and stubborn, never shies away from conflict—either at school or at home, where her mother fires abuse at her. Timid Zam escapes most of her mother’s anger, skating under the radar and avoiding her sister whenever possible. In a turn of good fortune, Zam is invited to live with her aunt’s family in the lap of luxury. Jealous, Cheta also leaves home, but finds a harder existence that will drive her to terrible decisions. When the sisters are reunited, Zam alone will recognize just how far Cheta has fallen—and Cheta’s fate will rest in Zam’s hands.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Classism
Colourism
Physical & verbal child abuse
Panic attacks, on-page
Drug abuse mentioned
Death of a grandparent
Gun violence
Kidnapping

Breathless by Beverly Jenkins

Breathless by Beverly Jenkins

As manager of one of the finest hotels in Arizona Territory, Portia Carmichael has respect and stability—qualities sorely missing from her harsh childhood. She refuses to jeopardize that by hitching herself to the wrong man. Suitors are plentiful, but none of them has ever looked quite as tempting as the family friend who just rode into town…and none have looked at her with such intensity and heat. Duchess. That’s the nickname Kent Randolph gave Portia when she was a young girl. Now she’s a stunning, intelligent woman… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Racism
Parental abandonment recounted
Murder
Kidnapping

Black Lies by KA Merikan

Black Lies by K.A. Merikan

Griffith has spent two of the most amazing years with his boyfriend Mark, who is undoubtedly The One. Mark is everything Griffith could want in a man. Sexy, kind, always there for him, showering him with gifts and anticipating his needs. Until one wrong turn sends them crashing into Mark’s past, and suddenly Griff doesn’t even know who his boyfriend is anymore. A spy? A mafioso? Or a ruthless criminal who has lied to Griff about his identity all along, hiding his brutality under charming smiles… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Sexism
Rape mentioned
Sexual assault mentioned
Murder
Organised crime (mafia)

Tash Hearts Tolstoy by Kathryn Ormsbee

Tash Hearts Tolstoy by Kathryn Ormsbee

After a shout-out from one of the Internet’s superstar vloggers, Natasha “Tash” Zelenka suddenly finds herself and her obscure, amateur web series, Unhappy Families, thrust in the limelight: She’s gone viral. Her show is a modern adaption of Anna Karenina—written by Tash’s literary love Count Lev Nikolayevich “Leo” Tolstoy. Tash is a fan of the 40,000 new subscribers, their gushing tweets, and flashy Tumblr gifs. Not so much the pressure to deliver the best web series ever. And when Unhappy Families is nominated for a Golden Tuba award, Tash’s cyber-flirtation with a… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

Aphobia & arophobia
Unplanned pregnancy
Parent with cancer
Death of a grandparent in a car accident recounted