The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz

Five attendees are selected for a month-long writing retreat at the remote estate of Roza Vallo, the controversial high priestess of feminist horror. Alex, a struggling writer, is thrilled. Upon arrival, they discover they must complete an entire novel from scratch, and the best one will receive a seven-figure publishing deal. Alex’s long-extinguished dream now seems within reach. But then the women begin to die. Trapped, terrified yet still desperately writing, it is clear there is more than a publishing deal at stake at Blackbriar Estate. Alex must confront her own demons – and finish her novel – to save herself.

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Nazism mentioned
  • Homomisia mentioned
  • Child abuse & neglect recounted
  • Domestic abuse recounted
  • Anxiety & panic attacks
  • Drugging
  • Gun violence
  • Bullying mentioned

The Will of the Many by James Islington

The Catenan Republic – the Hierarchy – may rule the world now, but they do not know everything. I tell them my name is Vis Telimus. I tell them I was orphaned after a tragic accident three years ago, and that good fortune alone has led to my acceptance into their most prestigious school. I tell them that once I graduate, I will gladly join the rest of civilised society in allowing my strength, my drive and my focus – what they call Will – to be leeched away and added to the power of those above me, as millions already do. As all must eventually do. I tell them that I belong, and they… Read more.

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Slavery
  • Amputation (loss of limb)
  • Death of a child
  • Murder
  • Torture
  • Genocide
  • Blackmail
  • Animal harm

For Never and Always by Helena Greer

Hannah Rosenstein should be after a lonely childhood of traipsing all over the world, she finally has a home as the co-owner of destination inn Carrigan’s All Year. But her thoughts keep coming back to Levi “Blue” her first love, worst heartbreak, and now, thanks to her great-aunt’s meddling will, absentee business partner.  When Levi left Carrigan’s, he had good intentions. As the queer son of the inn’s cook and groundskeeper, he never quite fit in their small town and desperately wanted to prove himself. Now that he’s a celebrity chef, he’s ready to come home and make amends. Only his return goes nothing like he his family’s… Read more.

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Homomisia recounted
  • Coming out
  • Emotional child abuse mentioned (secondary character)
  • Anxiety & agoraphobia
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Death of a great-aunt recounted

Will They or Won’t They by Ava Wilder

Lilah Hunter and Shane McCarthy are madly in love— at least, their characters are. As the stars of the hit paranormal TV show Intangible, they spent years pining for each other on-screen… until Lilah ditched the show at the end of season five in hopes of becoming a film star. With no such luck, she’s back to film the much-hyped ninth and final season, in which their characters will get together at last. But coming back means facing one of the biggest reasons she left: Shane. Ever since their secret behind-the-scenes fling imploded at the end of the first season, the two of them have despised each other. Now back on set together for… Read more.

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Divorce mentioned (sc)
  • Dieting mentioned
  • Panic attack, on-page
  • Generalised Anxiety Disorder
  • Parent with a substance addiction recounted

Spare by Prince Harry and J.R. Moehringer

It was one of the most searing images of the twentieth century: two young boys, two princes, walking behind their mother’s coffin as the world watched in sorrow—and horror. As Princess Diana was laid to rest, billions wondered what Prince William and Prince Harry must be thinking and feeling—and how their lives would play out from that point on. For Harry, this is that story at last. Before losing his mother, twelve-year-old Prince Harry was known as the carefree one, the happy-go-lucky Spare to the more serious Heir. Grief changed everything. He struggled at school, struggled with anger, with loneliness—and, because he blamed the press for his mother’s death, he struggled… Read more.

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Racism & racial slurs
  • Parental divorce & infidelity
  • Familial estrangement
  • Anxiety & panic attacks
  • Agoraphobia
  • Suicidal ideation mentioned
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Drug use (cigarettes, psychedelics, cocaine, marijuana)
  • Pregnancy, childbirth & miscarriage
  • Weight loss & gain mentioned
  • Physical injury and illness (frostbite, trench foot)
  • Death of a mother in a car accident
  • Death of an ex-partner from suicide
  • Death of a friend in a car accident and avalanche
  • Death of grandparents and great-grandmother mentioned
  • Stalking and harassment by the paparazzi and news organisations
  • Military service and deployment
  • Animal death including hunting and butchering
  • Injury of a pet dog

*Context : Mentions of intimate photos released without consent; Prince Harry’s uncle being accused of paedophilia and sexual violence.

A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid

Effy Sayre has always believed in fairy tales. Haunted by visions of the Fairy King since childhood, she’s had no choice. Her tattered copy of Angharad—Emrys Myrddin’s epic about a mortal girl who falls in love with the Fairy King, then destroys him—is the only thing keeping her afloat. So when Myrddin’s family announces a contest to redesign the late author’s estate, Effy feels certain it’s her destiny. But musty, decrepit Hiraeth Manor is an impossible task, and its residents are far from welcoming. Including Preston Héloury, a stodgy young literature scholar determined to expose Myrddin as a fraud. As the two rivals piece together… Read more.

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Ableism & internalised ableism
  • Sexual harassment & sexual assault mentioned
  • Alcohol consumption & abuse
  • Drug use (smoking)
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Anxiety, panic attacks & nightmares
  • Amputation (protagonist is missing her finger)
  • Death of a parent mentioned
  • Torture recounted
  • Car accident recounted
  • Drowning & attempted drowning
  • Flood recounted
  • Animal death mentioned

*Context : A secondary character is kissed without consent and has plans to kidnap and hold her captive.

Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams

Annie Walker is on a quest to find her perfect match-someone who nicely compliments her happy, quiet life running her flower shop in Rome, Kentucky. Unfortunately, she worries her goal might be too far out of reach when she overhears her date saying she is “so unbelievably boring.” Is it too late to become flirtatious and fun like the leading ladies in her favorite romance movies? Maybe she only needs a little practice…and Annie has the perfect person in mind to become her tutor: Will Griffin… Read more.

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Ableism
  • Child abuse discussed
  • Social anxiety (SAD)
  • Grandparent with Alzheimer’s Disease mentioned
  • Death of parents recounted

Passion or Penalty by Leah Brunner

Ever sent your brother’s best friend a video expressing your undying love for him? While hopped up on pain meds? No? Just me then? Once I knew this girl who sent a video of herself to her brother’s best friend… while she was hopped up on pain meds. And he didn’t reciprocate her feelings. Sounds like a hilarious story, right? WRONG. This really happened… to ME, Melanie Taylor. That was five years ago, so I’m over it—over him. At least, I thought I was… until West got traded to the D.C. Eagles and moved to the same city as me! Oh yeah, did I forget to mention my brother’s best friend is Weston Kershaw? An incredibly talented… Read more.

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Alcohol consumption
  • Anxiety and panic attacks, on-page
  • Mentions of being trapped under ice and nearly drowning as a child

Working It by Christine d’Abo

Nolan Carmichael is getting a fresh start—new career, new company, new life. The only problem is, he liked his old life just fine . . . until an accident robbed him of his health, his job, his self-confidence, and his ability to go out in public without having anxiety attacks. Zack Anderson has scared away his last four administrative assistants. So when he hires Nolan on a whim, he’s not too worried, since Nolan will be gone within the week anyway. Two weeks later, Nolan has made himself indispensable, completely reforming Zack’s schedule, life . . . and libido. But in a company… Read more.

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Anxiety & panic attacks
  • Car accident recounted

The Nature of Jade by Deb Caletti

Jade DeLuna is too young to die. She knows this, and yet she can’t quite believe it, especially when the terrifying thoughts, loss of breath, and dizzy feelings come. Since being diagnosed with Panic Disorder, she’s trying her best to stay calm, and visiting the elephants at the nearby zoo seems to help. That’s why Jade keeps the live zoo webcam on in her room, and that’s where she first sees the boy in the red jacket. A boy who stops to watch the elephants. A boy carrying a baby. His name is Sebastian, and he is raising his son alone. Jade is drawn into Sebastian’s cozy life with his son and his activist grandmother on their Seattle… Read more.

Goodreads

Trigger and Content Warnings

  • Anxiety & panic attacks (theme)