Category Archives: Representation

The Backstagers, Vol. 1: Rebels Without Applause by James Tynion IV, Rian Sygh & Walter Baiamonte

When Jory transfers to an all-boys private high school, he’s taken in by the only ones who don’t treat him like a new kid, the lowly stage crew known as the Backstagers. Not only does he gain great, lifetime friends, Jory is also introduced to an entire magical world that lives beyond the curtain. With the unpredictable twists and turns of the underground world, the Backstagers venture into the unknown, determined to put together the best play their high school has ever seen.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Ableist language
  • Bullying
  • Disappearance of a friend

Backhanded Compliments by Katie Chandler

Juliette Ricci dreams of only one being the best women’s tennis player in the world. She’s worked nonstop with her strict father/coach to prepare for her big chance in the Australian Open. Unfortunately, she’ll be playing Lucky Luca Kacic, an aloof player whose unorthodox style and reigning popularity deeply irritate Juliette. For months they’ve traded sly insults in their press conferences leading up to their showdown on the court, and their first ever match is the most anticipated of the season. But Juliette refuses to let her nerves—or Luca’s annoyingly perfect abs—get the… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Anxiety & panic attacks
  • Death of a parent mentioned
  • Sports injury

Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage

Meet Hanna. She’s the sweet-but-silent angel in the adoring eyes of her Daddy. He’s the only person who understands her, and all Hanna wants is to live happily ever after with him. But Mommy stands in her way, and she’ll try any trick she can think of to get rid of her. Ideally for good. Meet Suzette. She loves her daughter, really, but after years of expulsions and strained home schooling, her precarious health and sanity are weakening day by day. As Hanna’s tricks become increasingly sophisticated, and Suzette’s husband remains blind to the failing family dynami… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Mutism
  • Self-harm
  • Parent with depression recounted
  • Surgery for Chron’s Disease recounted
  • Emesis

Baby & Solo by Lisabeth Posthuma

Seventeen-year-old Joel Teague has a new prescription from his therapist—a part-time job—the first step toward the elusive Normal life he’s been so desperate to live ever since The Bad Thing happened. Lucky for Joel, ROYO Video is hiring. It’s the perfect fresh start—Joel even gets a new name. Dubbed “Solo” after his favorite Star Wars character, Joel works his way up the not-so-corporate ladder without anyone suspecting What Was Wrong With Him. That is, until he befriends Nicole “Baby” Palmer, a smart-mouthed coworker with a chip on her shoulder about . . . well, everything… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Infidelity mentioned
  • Pregnancy & unplanned pregnancy
  • Abortion
  • Suicide & attempted suicide
  • Alcohol consumption & mentions of smoking
  • Psychiatric hospitalisation

Bride of Ignat, Volume 1 by Moyori Mori

Rita, a lonely boy, is chosen as the “Dragon’s Bride” by the village custom. The ancient legend of the “Snowy Mountain Dragon” is now nothing more than a legend, but Rita, unable to find his role in the village, accepts the sacrifice while realizing that it is to reduce the number of mouths to feed. Rita, who was left alone and freezing in the snowstorm, is saved by Ignat, a beautiful dragon in human form. Rita’s eyes sparkle because the dragon really exists, and he is able to fulfill his role as a “bride”, but Ignat rejects him, saying “I… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Pandemic mentioned
  • Death of parents recounted
  • Bullying

Bluebird by Brooke Blaine

Every morning, I stop at the same gas station for coffee before my shift. Same routine. Same quiet moment before the sirens start. And the same beautiful stranger. We see each other almost every day—two men passing in the early hours, never speaking. Until one morning, we finally do. Reid is kind, easy to talk to, and someone who would never be interested in me, at least not in the way I want him to. Then the call comes in. A wreck in town. One patient critical. It’s Reid. I save his life—but the accident steals ten years of his memories. Reid doesn’t remember his past, his job, or… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Car accident, resulting in traumatic brain injury & amnesia

Blood in the Water by Tiffany D. Jackson

Kaylani is a born-and-bred Brooklyn girl. She expects to feel like a fish out of water spending the hot and sticky summer on Martha’s Vineyard with family friends, the Watsons. But her mother insists, especially since Kaylani still spends long hours on the phone with her imprisoned father. The Watsons live in the town of Oak Bluffs, a place with a rich Black history that fascinates Kaylani. Though the Watsons’ daughter, London, is snobby and unfriendly, Kaylani ends up connecting with some other kids in the town, who show… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Classism
  • Emesis
  • Blood depiction
  • Grief & loss depiction
  • Death of a child
  • Murder
  • Imprisonment
  • Bullying

Change of Plans by Dylan Newton

When disaster strikes and chef Bryce Weatherford is given guardianship of her three young nieces, her life goes from cooking with fire…to controlling a dumpster fire. Five‑year‑old Addison refuses to remove her fairy wings, eight‑year‑old Cecily won’t bathe, and tween June is majoring in belligerence. With all this chaos, Bryce jettisons hope for a life outside of managing her family and her new job. It’s been years since Ryker Matthews had his below‑the‑knee amputation, yet the phantom pain for his lost limb and Marine career haunts him. To cope, he focuses on his vehicle… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Military Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Leg amputation due to IED explosion sustained during military service (protagonist)
  • Parent with dementia
  • Emesis
  • Grief & loss depiction
  • Death of a brother & sister-in-law in a car accident

All Fired Up by Dylan Newton

As a successful book publicist, Imani Lewis works night and day to promote her authors. It’s her dream job, but she’s become a total workaholic. So when her grandmother invites her to stay for the summer as she recovers from surgery, Imani happily agrees. But being back in the same small town as her one-night stand may not be quite the relaxing break she envisioned. Zander Matthews wakes up every day determined to enjoy the present because he knows from his time in the Marines that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. But he’s never gotten over the beautiful woman… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Body image issues & disordered food thoughts (secondary character)
  • Trauma, insomnia & survivor’s guilt discussed
  • Panic attack
  • Hospitalisation for injury (secondary character)
  • Grief & loss depiction
  • Death of a parent in a fire recounted

All Fired Up by Jenn Burke

Paranormals are dying. All over the city, with no explanation and only one thing in common: their magic is missing. Vampire and private investigator Evan Fournier isn’t supposed to be taking on paranormal cases, but when the murderer hits close to home, he agrees to look into it. The last thing he expects is to become a target himself—and then to become irrevocably bonded to the man who just tried to kill him. With his memory gone and his soul bonded to a stranger, former firefighter Colin Zhang wants to be anywhere else. He doesn’t have a damn… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Amnesia
  • Suicide
  • Drugging
  • Murder
  • Gun violence
  • Kidnapping
  • Loss of autonomy (mind control)