Tag Archives: Death of a Parent & Guardian

The Toy King by Adriana Herrera

The Toy King by Adriana Herrera

Valente Correa lives for one thing—leading the Toy Run. He takes his duties delivering toys for the House of Correa very seriously, and as a Magi he never deviates from his mission. But when he’s tasked with transporting his brother’s future bride through the Andes, he doesn’t expect the walking, talking temptation that is Kessina Macias. When a snowstorm strands them together for two nights, Val can’t resist what the luscious, smart-mouthed firebrand offers—even if it means betraying his brother, his father, and his house.

Kessina Macias only wants one thing: independence. After a sheltered life in the mountains with her overprotective father, she yearns for some breathing room. Agreeing to marry a son from the House of Correa … Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Death of a mother recounted

The Love Con by Seressia Glass

The Love Con by Seressia Glass

Sometimes Kenya Davenport believes she was switched at the hospital–how else could a lover of anime, gaming, and cosplay come from STEM parents? Still, Kenya dreams of being able to turn her creative hobby into a career. She finally has a chance to make it big when she joins the reality show competition Cosplay or No Way.

There’s just one catch: the challenge for the final round is all about iconic pairs, and the judges want the contestants’ significant others to participate. Unfortunately, Kenya is as single as can be at the moment. Luckily her best friend, Cameron Lassiter, agrees to be her fake boyfriend for the show.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Racism
  • Fatmisia & body shaming
  • Child neglect recounted
  • Parent with alcoholism
  • Death of a parent recounted
  • Bullying

Strange Grace by Tessa Gratton

Strange Grace by Tessa Gratton

Long ago, a village made a bargain with the devil: to ensure their prosperity, when the Slaughter Moon rises, the village must sacrifice a young man into the depths of the Devil’s Forest. Only this year, the Slaughter Moon has risen early.

Bound by duty, secrets, and the love they share for one another, Mairwen, a spirited witch; Rhun, the expected saint; and Arthur, a restless outcast, will each have a role to play as the devil demands a body to fill the bargain. But the devil these friends find is not the one they expect, and the lies they uncover will turn their town—and their hearts—inside out.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Homomisia
  • Transmisia
  • Child abuse & neglect mentioned
  • Alcoholism mentioned
  • Blood & gore depiction
  • Death of a parent
  • Death of a child
  • Murder
  • Torture
  • Bullying
  • Animal death

Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton

Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton

It starts off simply. Draw a circle. Place a dead leaf in the centre. Sprinkle some salt. Recite a little Latin. Add a drop of blood…Maybe that last part isn’t exactly simple. Yet somehow it feels right to Silla Kennicott. And nothing in her life has felt remotely right since her parents’ horrific deaths. She’s willing to do anything to uncover the truth about her family—even try a few spells from the mysterious book that arrived on her doorstep … and spill some blood.

The book isn’t the only recent arrival in Silla’s life. There’s Nick Pardee, the new guy next door who may have seen Silla casting a spell. She’s not sure what he saw and is afraid to find out. But as they spend more time together… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Parent with a substance addiction
  • Suicide & attempted suicide mentioned
  • Self-harm
  • Death of a parent
  • Loss of autonomy (possession)
  • Animal sacrifice

If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy

If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy

After having just graduated with a degree in shoe design, and trying to get her feet on the ground, Cindy is working for her stepmother, who happens to be the executive producer of America’s favourite reality show, Before Midnight. When a spot on the show needs filling ASAP, Cindy volunteers, hoping it might help jump-start her fashion career, or at least give her something to do while her peers land jobs in the world of high fashion. Turns out being the only plus-size woman on a reality dating competition makes a splash, and soon Cindy becomes a body positivity… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings:

  • Fatmisia & body shaming
  • Terminal cancer mentioned
  • Grief & loss depiction
  • Death of a parent, off-page
  • Car accident mentioned

Thicker Than Water by Brigid Kemmerer

Thicker Than Water by Brigid Kemmerer

Thomas Bellweather hasn’t been in town long. Just long enough for his newlywed mother to be murdered, and for his new stepdad’s cop colleagues to decide Thomas is the primary suspect. Not that there’s any evidence. But before Thomas got to Garretts Mill there had just been one other murder in twenty years.

The only person who believes him is Charlotte Rooker, little sister to three cops and, with her soft hands and sweet curves, straight-up dangerous to Thomas. Her best friend was the other murder vic. And she’d like a couple answers. Answers that could get them both killed, and reveal a truth Thomas would die to keep hidden…

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings:

  • Death of a mother by murder

Spirit by Brigid Kemmerer

Spirit by Brigid Kemmerer

Hunter Garrity just wants to be left alone. He’s learned the hard way that his unusual abilities come at a price. And he can’t seem to afford any allies. He’s up to his neck in hostiles. His grandfather, spoiling for a fight. The Merrick brothers, who think he ratted them out. Calla, the scheming psycho who wants to use him as bait.

Then there’s Kate Sullivan, the new girl at school. She’s not hostile. She’s bold. Funny. Hot. But she’s got an agenda, too.

With supposedly secret powers rippling to the surface everywhere around him, Hunter knows something ugly is about to go down. But finding out what means he’ll have to find someone he can trust. . .

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings:

  • Death of a father recounted

Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer

Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer

The kingdom of Kandala is on the brink of disaster. Rifts between sectors have only worsened since a sickness began ravaging the land, and within the Royal Palace, the king holds a tenuous peace with a ruthless hand. King Harristan was thrust into power after his parents’ shocking assassination, leaving the younger Prince Corrick to take on the brutal role of the King’s Justice. The brothers have learned to react mercilessly to any sign of rebellion–it’s the only way to maintain order when the sickness can strike anywhere, and the only known cure, an elixir made from delicate… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings:

  • Epidemic (theme)
  • Blood & injury depiction including detailed dead bodies
  • Medical treatment
  • Grief & loss depiction
  • Death of a friend, off-page
  • Murder of a mother & father
  • Torture
  • Knife violence
  • Explosion
  • Physical assault
  • Kidnapping
  • Imprisonment
  • Fire
  • Poverty discussed

Spark by Brigid Kemmerer

Spark by Brigid Kemmerer

Gabriel Merrick plays with fire. Literally. Sometimes he can even control it. And sometimes he can’t. Gabriel has always had his brothers to rely on, especially his twin, Nick. But when an arsonist starts wreaking havoc on their town, all the signs point to Gabriel. Only he’s not doing it. And no one seems to believe him. Except a shy sophomore named Layne, a brainiac who dresses in turtlenecks and jeans and keeps him totally off balance. Because Layne has a few secrets of her own…

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings:

  • Death of a parent recounted
  • Death of an uncle

Storm by Brigid Kemmerer

Storm by Brigid Kemmerer

Ever since her ex-boyfriend spread those lies about her, Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys—all the ones she doesn’t want. Then she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot. Chris is different. Way different: he can control water—just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and earth. They’re powerful. Dangerous. Marked for death. And now that she knows the truth, so is Becca.

Secrets are hard to keep when your life’s at stake. When Hunter, the mysterious new kid around school, turns up with a talent for being in the wrong place at the right time, Becca thinks she can trust him. But then Hunter goes head-to-head with Chris, and Becca wonders who’s hiding the most dangerous truth of all.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings:

  • Death of a parent recounted
  • Physical assault, on-page