For the last few years, our high school library has had the opportunity to partner with a community outreach coordinator for our county who works with victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. During the month of February, we partner during Teen Dating Violence Awareness month and look to read a book with a group of interested students and do activities that discuss the book, general resources, and talk about healthy relationships. It got me thinking about the books we’ve chosen and some of the best books that feature the unhealthy relationships to use as talking points for discussion.

1. Dark Song by Gail Giles: Giles is the GOAT of short, quick propulsive stories and this one left me breathless.
2. Road Home by Rex Ogle: Ogle’s stories feature hopefulness amid chaos and in this new book, the realization that he’s in a very toxic relationship with an older man.
3. Fatima Tate Takes the Cake by Khadijah Vanbrakle: If you want a teen to understand gaslighting, they need to read this book.
4. Nothing Burns as Bright As You by Ashley Woodfolk: A powerful queer tale that is literal fire.
5. The Obsession by Jesse Q. Sutanto: Readers can’t look away from the trap set in this book.
6. Bad Romance by Heather Demetrios: Built off of her personal bad romance, Demetrios story rings true for so many teens.