Books We’ve Read and Loved

You Should See Me In A Crown by Leah Johnson

Representation: MC is bisexual and Black. There is also a f/f relationship.

Trigger Warnings (TW): anxiety, bullying, death of a parent, disease, cancer, forced outing, homophobia, panic attacks, racism.

This adorable YA contemporary novel will have you smiling until your cheeks hurt! Follow Liz Lighty as she becomes the only Black student at her high school to run for prom queen in order to get a scholarship to go to college. Things start heating up when she starts to fall for her competition. This one really made us want to stand up and cheer for Liz and all that she overcomes in this novel. Highly recommend!

Here is the official synopsis as provided by Goodreads:

Liz Lighty has always believed she’s too black, too poor, too awkward to shine in her small, rich, prom-obsessed midwestern town. But it’s okay — Liz has a plan that will get her out of Campbell, Indiana, forever: attend the uber-elite Pennington College, play in their world-famous orchestra, and become a doctor.

But when the financial aid she was counting on unexpectedly falls through, Liz’s plans come crashing down . . . until she’s reminded of her school’s scholarship for prom king and queen. There’s nothing Liz wants to do less than endure a gauntlet of social media trolls, catty competitors, and humiliating public events, but despite her devastating fear of the spotlight she’s willing to do whatever it takes to get to Pennington.

The only thing that makes it halfway bearable is the new girl in school, Mack. She’s smart, funny, and just as much of an outsider as Liz. But Mack is also in the running for queen. Will falling for the competition keep Liz from her dreams . . . or make them come true?

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Radio Silence by Alice Oseman

Representation: One MC identifies as bisexual and is biracial (white + ethiopian). Other MC identifies as gay and demisexual. Includes a m/m romance. Also includes gay, lesbian, and pansexual side characters.

Trigger Warnings (TW) as provided by the author: anxiety, animal death (that of a pet), emotional and physical abuse by a parent. Additional TWs: Harassment, mental illness, death threats, school anxiety.

Radio Silence is a spectacular full length novel by Alice Oseman, author of the wildly popular Heartstopper comics. This one follows a girl named Frances who is one of the top students at her school and it seems like all she does these days is focus on her studies in order to get into university. In her few moments of free time, Frances is absolutely obsessed with for this podcast called Universe City, which is created anonymously. However, when Frances stumbles upon the elusive mastermind behind the podcast, they quickly become best friends.

At its core, Radio Silence is about friendship and how to navigate the pressures of growing up in a world that emphasizes the need for higher education. Aled and Frances go through so much in this book as they grow both as people and as their friendship deepens. We highly recommend this one to anyone, but especially those who love follow a lovable cast of messy, queer characters!

Here is the official synopsis as provided by Goodreads:

What if everything you set yourself up to be was wrong?

Frances has been a study machine with one goal. Nothing will stand in her way; not friends, not a guilty secret – not even the person she is on the inside. Then Frances meets Aled, and for the first time she’s unafraid to be herself.

So when the fragile trust between them is broken, Frances is caught between who she was and who she longs to be. Now Frances knows that she has to confront her past. To confess why Carys disappeared…

Frances is going to need every bit of courage she has.

Engaging with themes of identity, diversity and the freedom to choose, Radio Silence is a tour de force by the most exciting writer of her generation.

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Heartstopper by Alice Oseman

Representation: Centers a m/m romance where one MC is gay and the other is Bisexual. Also includes 2 lesbian characters in a f/f relationship and a trans woman.

Trigger Warnings (TW) as provided by the author (includes all 4 volumes): emotionally abusive relationships, homophobia (with slurs), bullying, sexual assault (one non-consensual kiss). VOL 3+4 ONLY: eating disorders, anxiety, reference to self harm, anorexia, OCD, discussion of trauma, therapy, psychiatric ward.

Here we go again! Another list that mentions Heartstopper! If you’ve been browsing Rainbow Stacks for a little bit, you’ll probably find that this graphic novel series is including on many recommendations lists. Alice Oseman includes so many sexualities and gender identities within all of her books, but especially Heartstopper. Although this series blew up in early 2022 because of the brilliant Netflix adaptation (watch it now if you haven’t!!), if you are still on the fence about whether to pick up this graphic novel series, this is your sign to do so!

I loved watching one of our main male characters realize he is bisexual. It touched a personal part of our hearts that we will never forget. If you are looking for amazing bisexual rep or any LGBTQIA+ rep, Heartstopper has lots of lovable and inspiring queer characters.

Here is the official synopsis as provided by Goodreads:

Charlie, a highly-strung, openly gay over-thinker, and Nick, a cheerful, soft-hearted rugby player, meet at a British all-boys grammar school. Friendship blooms quickly, but could there be something more…?

Charlie Spring is in Year 10 at Truham Grammar School for Boys. The past year hasn’t been too great, but at least he’s not being bullied anymore. Nick Nelson is in Year 11 and on the school rugby team. He’s heard a little about Charlie – the kid who was outed last year and bullied for a few months – but he’s never had the opportunity to talk to him.

They quickly become friends, and soon Charlie is falling hard for Nick, even though he doesn’t think he has a chance. But love works in surprising ways, and sometimes good things are waiting just around the corner…

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Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

Representation: Both MCs are Black and queer. One MC identifies as gay and the other MC is bisexual. Includes both a m/m and f/f relationship.

Trigger Warnings (TW): Provided by author: racism (with slurs), homophobia, bullying, suicide ideation, suicide attempt, blood, car accident, stalking, emotional abuse, panic attacks, forced outing, death of a parent, murder, gun violence, forced institutionalization, sexism, toxic relationships. Additional TWs from readers: assault, cheating, death, vomit, sexual assault, slut shaming, incarceration (of a parent + friend).

This fascinating YA thriller novel is truly a masterpiece. Told in dual POVs, follow Chiamaka and Devon as they begin to be targeted by a mysterious person who wants them to leave their school – now. Since Chiamaka and Devon are some of the only Black students in their school, they begin to suspect they are being racially targeted. As things start to take a darker turn and the harassment escalates, time is running out for these two to figure out what is going on.

We especially loved the Black queer representation in this book. Chiamaka and Devon are both in some pretty complicated relationships and have to navigate their sexualities along with being some of the only students of color at their school. The writing, tension, and passion within these pages makes it one of our all time favorites. This one is perfect if you are looking for something fast paced with some great queer rep!

Here is the official synopsis as provided by Goodreads:

An incendiary and utterly compelling thriller with a shocking twist that delves deep into the heart of institutionalized racism, from an exceptional new YA voice.

Welcome to Niveus Private Academy, where money paves the hallways, and the students are never less than perfect. Until now. Because anonymous texter, Aces, is bringing two students’ dark secrets to light.

Talented musician Devon buries himself in rehearsals, but he can’t escape the spotlight when his private photos go public. Head girl Chiamaka isn’t afraid to get what she wants, but soon everyone will know the price she has paid for power.

Someone is out to get them both. Someone who holds all the aces. And they’re planning much more than a high-school game… 

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I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston

Representation: MC is bisexual with a lesbian love interest (not directly stated but implied). There are gay and nonbinary secondary characters. There are also other gay, nonbinary, and bisexual side characters

Trigger Warnings (TW): homophobia, religious trauma, cheating, ableist language, misogyny, outing of a character (in the past, briefly mentioned)

This precious and impactful sapphic spin on Paper Towns charmed us from the very first page. McQuiston has a way of making her characters so hilarious and relatable you can’t help but fall in love with them. From main characters to side characters, everyone in this book positively shined. Despite taking place at a rigorously religious high school in Alabama, McQuiston shines a light on all types of queerness which exists in places notorious for being unaccepting of queer identities, like the Southern United States.

The plot of this one is so fun, as it follows the perfectionist and valedictorian hopeful Chloe Green as she becomes obsessed with uncovering the mystery behind Prom Queen Shara Wheeler’s sudden disappearance. As Chloe finds clues that might lead her to Shara, she starts to feel strong emotions that mostly boil down to anger at Shara’s game. But…what if there’s something else there as well? Have we mentioned that Chloe and Shara are also longtime academic rivals and are constantly competing with one another? Who will be the first to uncover the mystery of their feelings and heart?

We at Rainbow Stacks just absolutely adored this one and highly recommend giving it a shot!

Here is the official synopsis provided by Goodreads:

Chloe Green is so close to winning. After her moms moved her from SoCal to Alabama for high school, she’s spent the past four years dodging gossipy classmates and a puritanical administration at Willowgrove Christian Academy. The thing that’s kept her going: winning valedictorian. Her only rival: prom queen Shara Wheeler, the principal’s perfect progeny.

But a month before graduation, Shara kisses Chloe and vanishes.

On a furious hunt for answers, Chloe discovers she’s not the only one Shara kissed. There’s also Smith, Shara’s longtime quarterback sweetheart, and Rory, Shara’s bad boy neighbor with a crush. The three have nothing in common except Shara and the annoyingly cryptic notes she left behind, but together they must untangle Shara’s trail of clues and find her. It’ll be worth it, if Chloe can drag Shara back before graduation to beat her fair-and-square.

Thrown into an unlikely alliance, chasing a ghost through parties, break-ins, puzzles, and secrets revealed on monogrammed stationery, Chloe starts to suspect there might be more to this small town than she thought. And maybe—probably not, but maybe—more to Shara, too.

Fierce, funny, and frank, Casey McQuiston’s I Kissed Shara Wheeler is about breaking the rules, getting messy, and finding love in unexpected places.

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Fresh by Margot Wood

Representation: MC is bisexual (own voices!). Many of the side characters are queer including gay and lesbian side characters.

Trigger Warnings (TW): Many mentions of sex, sexual assault.

This super sex positive modern retelling of Jane Austen’s Emma is both hilarious and heartfelt. Follow a girl named Elliot as she navigates her freshman year of college as a proud bisexual who is NOT looking for any serious relationship. She ends up committed to being the match-maker for all her friends even when some of them do not want her meddling. Elliot’s grumpy RA on her dorm floor tries to keep her line and ends up discovering there’s more under the surface of carefree Elliot.

Here is the official synopsis as provided by Goodreads:

Some students enter their freshman year of college knowing exactly what they want to do with their lives. Elliot McHugh is not one of those people. But picking a major is the last thing on Elliot’s mind when she’s too busy experiencing all that college has to offer—from dancing all night at off-campus parties, to testing her RA Rose’s patience, to making new friends, to having the best sex one can have on a twin-sized dorm room bed. But she may not be ready for the fallout when reality hits. When the sex she’s having isn’t that great. When finals creep up and smack her right in the face. Or when her roommate’s boyfriend turns out to be the biggest a-hole. Elliot may make epic mistakes, but if she’s honest with herself (and with you, dear reader), she may just find the person she wants to be. And maybe even fall in love in the process . . . Well, maybe.

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They Both Die At The End by Adam Silvera

Representation: One MC is a bisexual boy and the other MC is gay.

Trigger Warnings (TW): animal death, blood, child death, drowning, violence, grief, homophobia, panic attacks, mental illness, suicide (past, parental), suicide ideation.

It has been many years since we at Rainbow Stacks have read Adam Silvera’s wildly popular They Both Die At The End. However, from what we remember, it is an emotional ride from beginning to end. And yes, the title spoils the ending. However, watching Mateo and Rufus find each other on the darkest day of their lives and make the most of it is touching beyond words. If you are looking for something to trigger a big cry, this one is perfect for you!

Here is the official synopsis as provided by Goodreads:

On September 5, a little after midnight, Death-Cast calls Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio to give them some bad news: They’re going to die today.

Mateo and Rufus are total strangers, but, for different reasons, they’re both looking to make a new friend on their End Day. The good news: There’s an app for that. It’s called the Last Friend, and through it, Rufus and Mateo are about to meet up for one last great adventure—to live a lifetime in a single day.

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Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

Representation: 3 MCs are bisexual and are in a polyamorous relationship. Also includes South Asian rep.

Trigger Warnings (TW): Provided by the author: violence, abuse, suicide ideation, discussions and references to sexual assault (not shown on page), alcohol addiction, torture. Additional TWs provided by readers: abandonment, acephobia, biphobia, ableism, addiction, adult/minor relationship, animal death, blood, body horror, body shaming, bullying, child abuse + child death, confinement, cultural appropriation, death, death of a parent, drug abuse, domestic abuse, emotional abuse, fatphobia, fire injury, forced institutionalization, genocide, gore, grief, homophobia, mental illness, misogyny, murder, panic attacks, racism (including slurs), rape, self harm, sexism, sexual violence, slavery, suicide, suicide attempt, terminal illness, war, xenophobia.

After scrolling through those triggers, hopefully you realize just how brutal and bloody this book can be. However, it is also one of our absolute favorites of the year. Xiran Jay Zhao is able to take you to the very edge of her character’s humanity and put it to the ultimate test. In short, this one is a Mecha (think those robots the power rangers fight with) Sci-Fi set in the future that is inspired by China’s only female empress. Follow morally grey Zetian as she refuses to bow to those in power and instead takes ultimate power for herself. If you can handle the bloody consequences of Zetian’s actions, Iron Widow is a masterfully told saga of power, betrayal, and friendship.

Here is the official synopsis as provided by Goodreads:

The boys of Huaxia dream of pairing up with girls to pilot Chrysalises, giant transforming robots that can battle the mecha aliens that lurk beyond the Great Wall. It doesn’t matter that the girls often die from the mental strain.

When 18-year-old Zetian offers herself up as a concubine-pilot, it’s to assassinate the ace male pilot responsible for her sister’s death. But she gets her vengeance in a way nobody expected—she kills him through the psychic link between pilots and emerges from the cockpit unscathed. She is labeled an Iron Widow, a much-feared and much-silenced kind of female pilot who can sacrifice boys to power up Chrysalises instead.​

To tame her unnerving yet invaluable mental strength, she is paired up with Li Shimin, the strongest and most controversial male pilot in Huaxia​. But now that Zetian has had a taste of power, she will not cower so easily. She will miss no opportunity to leverage their combined might and infamy to survive attempt after attempt on her life, until she can figure out exactly why the pilot system works in its misogynist way—and stop more girls from being sacrificed.

Books Still On Our TBR

Some Girls Do by Jennifer Dugan

Representation: One MC is a closeted bisexual and the love interest is a lesbian

Trigger Warnings (TW): homophobia

Here is the official synopsis as provided by Goodreads:

Morgan, an elite track athlete, is forced to transfer high schools late in her senior year after it turns out being queer is against her private Catholic school’s code of conduct. There, she meets Ruby, who has two hobbies: tinkering with her baby blue 1970 Ford Torino and competing in local beauty pageants, the latter to live out the dreams of her overbearing mother. The two are drawn to each other and can’t deny their growing feelings. But while Morgan–out and proud, and determined to have a fresh start–doesn’t want to have to keep their budding relationship a secret, Ruby isn’t ready to come out yet. With each girl on a different path toward living her truth, can they go the distance together?

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Cool For the Summer by Dahlia Adler

Representation (as provided by the author): MC is bisexual/bi-questioning. She is also Russian/Jewish. Love Interest is bisexual and Syrian/Jewish. There’s also a side character who identifies as aroace.

Trigger Warnings (TW): biphobia, divorce

Here is the official synopsis as provided by Goodreads:

Lara’s had eyes for exactly one person throughout her three years of high school: Chase Harding. He’s tall, strong, sweet, a football star, and frankly, stupid hot. Oh, and he’s talking to her now. On purpose and everything. Maybe…flirting, even? No, wait, he’s definitely flirting, which is pretty much the sum of everything Lara’s wanted out of life.

Except she’s haunted by a memory. A memory of a confusing, romantic, strangely perfect summer spent with a girl named Jasmine. A memory that becomes a confusing, disorienting present when Jasmine herself walks through the front doors of the school to see Lara and Chase chatting it up in front of the lockers.

Lara has everything she ever wanted: a tight-knit group of friends, a job that borders on cool, and Chase, the boy of her literal dreams. But if she’s finally got the guy, why can’t she stop thinking about the girl?

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This Is Kind of an Epic Love Story by Kacen Callendar

Representation: Although no labels are officially used, there are hints to one MC being bisexual and another one being gay. MC is Black and the love interest is Hispanic (also hard of hearing). There are also other queer side characters.

Trigger Warnings (TW): ableism, anxiety, cheating (between the main couple), death of a parent, depression, grief.

Here is the official synopsis as provided by Goodreads:

Nathan Bird doesn’t believe in happy endings.

Although he’s the ultimate film buff and an aspiring screenwriter, Nate’s seen the demise of too many relationships to believe that happy endings exist in real life.

Playing it safe to avoid a broken heart has been his MO ever since his father died and left his mom to unravel—but this strategy is not without fault. His best-friend-turned-girlfriend-turned-best-friend-again, Florence, is set on making sure Nate finds someone else. And in a twist that is rom-com-worthy, someone does come along: Oliver James Hernández, his childhood best friend.

After a painful mix-up when they were little, Nate finally has the chance to tell Ollie the truth about his feelings. But can Nate find the courage to pursue his own happily ever after? 

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Ophelia After All by Racquel Marie

Representation: MC identifies as queer. There are bisexual, biromantic asexual, and questioning side characters.

Trigger Warnings (TW): homophobia (with slurs – challenged), racism, sex, drinking, vaping.

Here is the official synopsis as provided by Goodreads:

Ophelia Rojas knows what she likes: her best friends, Cuban food, rose-gardening, and boys – way too many boys. Her friends and parents make fun of her endless stream of crushes, but Ophelia is a romantic at heart. She couldn’t change, even if she wanted to.

So when she finds herself thinking more about cute, quiet Talia Sanchez than the loss of a perfect prom with her ex-boyfriend, seeds of doubt take root in Ophelia’s firm image of herself. Add to that the impending end of high school and the fracturing of her once-solid friend group, and things are spiraling a little out of control. But the course of love–and sexuality–never did run smooth. As her secrets begin to unravel, Ophelia must make a choice between clinging to the fantasy version of herself she’s always imagined or upending everyone’s expectations to rediscover who she really is, after all.

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Belly Up by Eva Darrows

Representation: MC is a questioning/bisexual girl. There are ace and transgender side characters with a demisexual love interest. There is also a wlw side relationship.

Trigger Warnings (TW): abusive grandparents (emotional + physical), alcohol, cheating (in the past), childbirth, homophobia, transphobia, domestic abuse (past), dubious consent, emesis (vomit), parental abandonment, teen pregnancy, racial microaggressions, racism (including slurs for Romani people), slut shaming

Here is the official synopsis provided by Goodreads:

There’s a first time for everything.
First time playing quarters.
First time spinning the bottle.
First totally hot consensual truck hookup with a superhot boy whose digits I forgot to get.
First time getting pregnant.
Surprised you with that one, didn’t I?

Surprised me, too. I’d planned to spend senior year with my bestie-slash-wifey, Devi Abrams, graduating at the top of my class and getting into an Ivy League college. Instead, Mom and I are moving in with my battle-ax of a grandmother and I’m about to start a new school and a whole new life.

Know what’s more fun than being the new girl for your senior year? Being the pregnant new girl. It isn’t awesome. There is one upside, though—a boy named Leaf Leon. He’s cute, an amazing cook and he’s flirting me up, hard-core. Too bad I’m knocked up with a stranger’s baby. I should probably mention that to him at some point.

But how?

It seems I’ve got a lot more firsts to go. 

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Autoboyography by Christina Lauren

Representation: MC is a bisexual Jewish boy. There are gay and lesbian side characters.

Trigger Warnings (TW): biphobia, homophobia, internalized homophobia

Here is the official synopsis as provided by Goodreads:

Three years ago, Tanner Scott’s family relocated from California to Utah, a move that nudged the bisexual teen temporarily back into the closet. Now, with one semester of high school to go, and no obstacles between him and out-of-state college freedom, Tanner plans to coast through his remaining classes and clear out of Utah.

But when his best friend Autumn dares him to take Provo High’s prestigious Seminar—where honor roll students diligently toil to draft a book in a semester—Tanner can’t resist going against his better judgment and having a go, if only to prove to Autumn how silly the whole thing is. Writing a book in four months sounds simple. Four months is an eternity.

It turns out, Tanner is only partly right: four months is a long time. After all, it takes only one second for him to notice Sebastian Brother, the Mormon prodigy who sold his own Seminar novel the year before and who now mentors the class. And it takes less than a month for Tanner to fall completely in love with him.

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Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar

Representation: One MC is a bisexual, Bangladeshi Bengali Muslim Irish character. Other MC is a lesbian Indian Bengali Irish character. There is a f/f relationship.

Trigger Warnings (TW) as provided by the author: racism, homophobia (biphobia + lesbophobia), Islamophobia, toxic friendships, parental abandonment, gaslighting

Here is the official synopsis as provided by Goodreads:

Everyone likes Humaira “Hani” Khan—she’s easy going and one of the most popular girls at school. But when she comes out to her friends as bisexual, they invalidate her identity, saying she can’t be bi if she’s only dated guys. Panicked, Hani blurts out that she’s in a relationship…with a girl her friends absolutely hate—Ishita “Ishu” Dey. Ishu is the complete opposite of Hani. She’s an academic overachiever who hopes that becoming head girl will set her on the right track for college. But Ishita agrees to help Hani, if Hani will help her become more popular so that she stands a chance of being elected head girl.

Despite their mutually beneficial pact, they start developing real feelings for each other. But relationships are complicated, and some people will do anything to stop two Bengali girls from achieving happily ever after.

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Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett

Representation: MC is a Black bisexual girl. There are also gay parents (mlm). Includes an asexual lesbian and other bisexual side characters.

Trigger Warnings (TW): AIDS crisis (discussed in detail), internalized biphobia, bullying, forced outing of HIV, homophobia, hospitals, racism, slut shaming

Here is the official synopsis as provided by Goodreads:

Simone Garcia-Hampton is starting over at a new school, and this time things will be different. She’s making real friends, making a name for herself as student director of Rent, and making a play for Miles, the guy who makes her melt every time he walks into a room. The last thing she wants is for word to get out that she’s HIV-positive, because last time . . . well, last time things got ugly.

Keeping her viral load under control is easy, but keeping her diagnosis under wraps is not so simple. As Simone and Miles start going out for real–shy kisses escalating into much more–she feels an uneasiness that goes beyond butterflies. She knows she has to tell him that she’s positive, especially if sex is a possibility, but she’s terrified of how he’ll react! And then she finds an anonymous note in her locker: I know you have HIV. You have until Thanksgiving to stop hanging out with Miles. Or everyone else will know too.

Simone’s first instinct is to protect her secret at all costs, but as she gains a deeper understanding of the prejudice and fear in her community, she begins to wonder if the only way to rise above is to face the haters head-on… 

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A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney

Representation: Although the word “bisexual” is never used, the MC is heavily implied to be bi. She is also Black and there are also queer side characters.

Trigger Warnings (TW): death, shooting, violence.

Here is the official synopsis as provided by Goodreads:

The first time the Nightmares came, it nearly cost Alice her life. Now she’s trained to battle monstrous creatures in the dark dream realm known as Wonderland with magic weapons and hardcore fighting skills. Yet even warriors have a curfew.

Life in real-world Atlanta isn’t always so simple, as Alice juggles an overprotective mom, a high-maintenance best friend, and a slipping GPA. Keeping the Nightmares at bay is turning into a full-time job. But when Alice’s handsome and mysterious mentor is poisoned, she has to find the antidote by venturing deeper into Wonderland than she’s ever gone before. And she’ll need to use everything she’s learned in both worlds to keep from losing her head . . . literally.

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Let’s Talk About Love by Claire Kann

Representation: MC is a Black, asexual biromantic girl. There are also Black, Japanese, and Filipino side characters.

Trigger Warnings (TW): ableist language, acephobia, anxiety, assault, bullying, manipulation, microaggressions, racism, sexism, sexual harrassment

Here is the official synopsis provided by Goodreads:

Alice had her whole summer planned. Non-stop all-you-can-eat buffets while marathoning her favorite TV shows (best friends totally included) with the smallest dash of adulting–working at the library to pay her share of the rent. The only thing missing from her perfect plan? Her girlfriend (who ended things when Alice confessed she’s asexual). Alice is done with dating–no thank you, do not pass go, stick a fork in her, done.

But then Alice meets Takumi and she can’t stop thinking about him or the rom com-grade romance feels she did not ask for (uncertainty, butterflies, and swoons, oh my!).

When her blissful summer takes an unexpected turn, and Takumi becomes her knight with a shiny library employee badge (close enough), Alice has to decide if she’s willing to risk their friendship for a love that might not be reciprocated—or understood.

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The Wicker King by K. Ancrum

Representation: MC identifies as bisexual. There is also an Indian love interest and a polyamorous relationship.

Trigger Warnings (TW) provided by the author: swearing, underage drug + alcohol use, arson, child neglect, sexual scenes (moderate), jail, police, mental health services (not very helpful to character), anorexia, hospital stay, physical violence, codependency, severe depression, BDSM (not graphic), Tattooing, mental health illness escalation. Additional TWs from readers: anxiety, panic attacks, self harm, hallucinations.

Here is the official synopsis as provided by Goodreads:

When August learns that his best friend, Jack, shows signs of degenerative hallucinatory disorder, he is determined to help Jack cope. Jack’s vivid and long-term visions take the form of an elaborate fantasy world layered over our own—a world ruled by the Wicker King. As Jack leads them on a quest to fulfill a dark prophecy in this alternate world, even August begins to question what is real or not.

August and Jack struggle to keep afloat as they teeter between fantasy and their own emotions. In the end, each must choose his own truth.

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Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust

Representation: MC is a bisexual girl. There is also a wlw romance.

Trigger Warnings: body horror, blood, bullying, captivity, death (including parental), homophobia, torture (off-page), violence

Here is the official synopsis provided by Goodreads:

There was and there was not, as all stories begin, a princess cursed to be poisonous to the touch. But for Soraya, who has lived her life hidden away, apart from her family, safe only in her gardens, it’s not just a story.

As the day of her twin brother’s wedding approaches, Soraya must decide if she’s willing to step outside of the shadows for the first time. Below in the dungeon is a demon who holds knowledge that she craves, the answer to her freedom. And above is a young man who isn’t afraid of her, whose eyes linger not with fear, but with an understanding of who she is beneath the poison.

Soraya thought she knew her place in the world, but when her choices lead to consequences she never imagined, she begins to question who she is and who she is becoming…human or demon. Princess or monster.