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Trigger
Once the trigger is touched you can't tell who to trust
An unflinching verse novel about a teenage boy who is sexually assaulted in an attack he struggles to remember.
Jay wakes in a park, beaten and bruised. He can’t remember what happened the night before. But he has suspicions.
Jay realises he has been raped — and that his ex-boyfriend may have been involved.
Counselling sessions cause Jay to question everything. His new friend Rain encourages his pursuit of justice. Jay wants answers, but his search will lead him down a perilous path.
An unflinching verse novel about a teenage boy who is sexually assaulted in an attack he struggles to remember.
Jay wakes in a park, beaten and bruised. He can’t remember what happened the night before. But he has suspicions.
Jay realises he has been raped — and that his ex-boyfriend may have been involved.
Counselling sessions cause Jay to question everything. His new friend Rain encourages his pursuit of justice. Jay wants answers, but his search will lead him down a perilous path.
172 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 7, 2024
139 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
May 26, 2024
Well written book in verse about the aftermath of sexual violence. While I have read better books (some even in verse) on the topic, I appreciate this is about a queer boy and that unique perspective. Also, despite dealing with a dark topic, this is written perfectly for young adults. Thank you Netgalley for the book!
March 7, 2024
A breathtaking story powerfully relayed in verse. The poems are just incredible and convey all the emotion, tension, trauma, heartbreak, and eventually healing as Jay processes his rape. After a night out with his boyfriend, 17 year old Jay wakes up in a park, battered and utterly discombobulated. He is missing vital memories, but knows he has been hurt and assaulted. C. G Moore captures the disarray and confusion of those initial thoughts and all the hurt, the pain, the anger, and the intense desire for the truth. It was beautiful to see Jay's friend Lau support him, even when Jay felt disconnected from them and turned to Rain, who Jay met at a support group. Rain is non-binary and has suffered abuse from their father. The two are united in their experience of assault. It is an emotional rollercoaster as Jay moves from memory loss to captured moments, from self-doubt to self-acceptance. It is a deeply personal story as the author draws on lived experience. Such a raw, gut-punchingly powerful book. It is real, honest, and gripping. You won't be able to put this down. I was worried the tough subject matter would be hard to read, but the writing is sensitive and skilled and brings this important topic of male-on-male assault to the forefront to help raise awareness. The conviction rates of any assault or rape are so alarming low. This book will stay with me for a long time. #trigger #cgmoore #littleislandbooks #YAnovel #raiseawareness #irishwriting #rape #maleonmaleassault #verse #versenovels @littleislandbks
May 30, 2024
Trigger is an emotionally affecting and gut-wrenching story that is devastating, plausible and realistic.
Trigger's strength lies within the message that it delivered loud and clear -- sexual assault is overlooked. It isn't taken seriously. The book was a testament to the apathy of the justice system when it comes to victims of sexual assault and trafficking. It creates long-lasting trauma that survivors carry for life -- and that trauma often feels in vain when perpetrators are allowed to walk free. Moore does an excellent job capturing the emotional turmoil that ensued in the aftermath of a brutal assault. The writing has moments where it truly shines, and is both visceral and expressive. Those moments were painful and impactful.
It's been a long time since I've read a book written in verse. I think at times, the format of the writing was a strength. However, when it came to moving the actual plot forwards, sometimes the "verses" just felt like sentences that were split into different lines. The various headings disrupted the flow of the writing, because the "titles" were almost always in the passage that immediately followed. Leaving it at Part 1/2/3/4 sans the interruptions would've worked better.
With all the above being said, I do plan on reading some of the author's past work.
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for a review!
Trigger's strength lies within the message that it delivered loud and clear -- sexual assault is overlooked. It isn't taken seriously. The book was a testament to the apathy of the justice system when it comes to victims of sexual assault and trafficking. It creates long-lasting trauma that survivors carry for life -- and that trauma often feels in vain when perpetrators are allowed to walk free. Moore does an excellent job capturing the emotional turmoil that ensued in the aftermath of a brutal assault. The writing has moments where it truly shines, and is both visceral and expressive. Those moments were painful and impactful.
It's been a long time since I've read a book written in verse. I think at times, the format of the writing was a strength. However, when it came to moving the actual plot forwards, sometimes the "verses" just felt like sentences that were split into different lines. The various headings disrupted the flow of the writing, because the "titles" were almost always in the passage that immediately followed. Leaving it at Part 1/2/3/4 sans the interruptions would've worked better.
With all the above being said, I do plan on reading some of the author's past work.
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for a review!
October 7, 2025
Super quick read packed full of emotion. Aptly named book as it is quite triggering.
February 18, 2025
Jay wakes up in a park. He has no memory of the night before. He has been beaten and there is blood in his underpants. When a stranger asks if he’s okay, he bursts into tears.
Jay learns he has been assaulted.
We are given some details of the police role into investigating the crime, the impact on Jay and his friends/family and the steps given to support Jay as he tries to live with what happened.
Told in verse this is emotionally hard. Through Jay’s
eyes we see the aftermath of the attack and some of the steps taken to try and live with events.
Jay learns he has been assaulted.
We are given some details of the police role into investigating the crime, the impact on Jay and his friends/family and the steps given to support Jay as he tries to live with what happened.
Told in verse this is emotionally hard. Through Jay’s
eyes we see the aftermath of the attack and some of the steps taken to try and live with events.
March 2, 2025
Wow. This is a real whirlwind of a read. For such a seemingly simple way of narrating a story, it is so impactful.
May 28, 2024
Thank you Netgalley and Little Island Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“Trigger” by C.G. Moore is an unflinching account of the aftermath of male rape. Told in sparse, narrative verse, it's sensitive and empowering. While the book itself is fairly short, it is one that will stick with you for a long time after finishing. I actually encourage slowing down your reading of this because of how powerful and heart-wrenching the story is. Before going into this review, I do want to mention content warnings, specifically with SA.
The story centers around Jay who wakes in the park with gaps in his memory but the painful evidence of brutal rape on his body. No actual descriptions of the SA are included, but the emotions Jay experienced are very prominent as he tries to regain these memories in order to enact revenge against the perpetrators. He experiences both shame and despair until the desire to protect others gives him the agency of anger as well as a feeling of hope towards the end of the book.
The novel-in-verse formatting of this book is definitely a highlight as through achingly emotional verse, we see Jay's inner turmoil as he struggles to come to terms with what happened. The poetry is absolutely beautiful, making me feel emotional several times as I was reading. The prose is also extremely honest, which I appreciated as the book hones in on some extremely difficult themes. I also really enjoyed the strength of Jay's friendships shown throughout the book as these friendships provided the vital element of hope. I almost wanted more of a focus on Jay’s friends, both old and new, but I loved how he always had people on his side no matter what and were incredibly supportive of Jay throughout the entire book.
Overall, “Trigger” was a very powerful book and it will stick with me for quite awhile. While the book does focus on some dark themes, the ending is satisfying and leaves you with a sense of hope, which I think is absolutely necessary in books like this. I’m thankful that C.G. Moore is bringing awareness of this sensitive subject matter as I believe it’s important to have this representation in literature, especially for teens.
“Trigger” by C.G. Moore is an unflinching account of the aftermath of male rape. Told in sparse, narrative verse, it's sensitive and empowering. While the book itself is fairly short, it is one that will stick with you for a long time after finishing. I actually encourage slowing down your reading of this because of how powerful and heart-wrenching the story is. Before going into this review, I do want to mention content warnings, specifically with SA.
The story centers around Jay who wakes in the park with gaps in his memory but the painful evidence of brutal rape on his body. No actual descriptions of the SA are included, but the emotions Jay experienced are very prominent as he tries to regain these memories in order to enact revenge against the perpetrators. He experiences both shame and despair until the desire to protect others gives him the agency of anger as well as a feeling of hope towards the end of the book.
The novel-in-verse formatting of this book is definitely a highlight as through achingly emotional verse, we see Jay's inner turmoil as he struggles to come to terms with what happened. The poetry is absolutely beautiful, making me feel emotional several times as I was reading. The prose is also extremely honest, which I appreciated as the book hones in on some extremely difficult themes. I also really enjoyed the strength of Jay's friendships shown throughout the book as these friendships provided the vital element of hope. I almost wanted more of a focus on Jay’s friends, both old and new, but I loved how he always had people on his side no matter what and were incredibly supportive of Jay throughout the entire book.
Overall, “Trigger” was a very powerful book and it will stick with me for quite awhile. While the book does focus on some dark themes, the ending is satisfying and leaves you with a sense of hope, which I think is absolutely necessary in books like this. I’m thankful that C.G. Moore is bringing awareness of this sensitive subject matter as I believe it’s important to have this representation in literature, especially for teens.
November 6, 2024
Trigger is a novel that confronts a rarely discussed and painfully real issue: male sexual assault. Told in verse, Moore’s storytelling is raw, honest, and unflinching, drawing readers into the mind of Jay, a seventeen-year-old who wakes in a park with missing memories and the devastating realisation of assault. This powerful format magnifies every emotion, from Jay's initial confusion and fear to the jagged journey toward healing, immersing the reader in a narrative that refuses to shy away from the brutal reality of trauma.
The verse structure serves Moore’s story beautifully, allowing complex feelings to surface with visceral intensity. Each verse reads like a heartbeat—urgent, broken, but resilient. Jay’s path is filled with self-doubt, anger, and moments of quiet determination as he begins to find his voice. The friendships he builds, especially with Lau and Rain (a non-binary survivor with their own history of abuse), bring a compassionate dimension to his journey, providing crucial emotional anchors amidst his inner turmoil.
Despite the heavy subject matter, Trigger is, at its core, a story of hope and survival. Moore’s sensitive approach ensures that readers witness Jay's pain and resilience without being overwhelmed. By the final page, this novel underscores the importance of empathy, awareness, and healing, providing a much-needed space for male survivors of sexual assault within young adult literature.
The verse structure serves Moore’s story beautifully, allowing complex feelings to surface with visceral intensity. Each verse reads like a heartbeat—urgent, broken, but resilient. Jay’s path is filled with self-doubt, anger, and moments of quiet determination as he begins to find his voice. The friendships he builds, especially with Lau and Rain (a non-binary survivor with their own history of abuse), bring a compassionate dimension to his journey, providing crucial emotional anchors amidst his inner turmoil.
Despite the heavy subject matter, Trigger is, at its core, a story of hope and survival. Moore’s sensitive approach ensures that readers witness Jay's pain and resilience without being overwhelmed. By the final page, this novel underscores the importance of empathy, awareness, and healing, providing a much-needed space for male survivors of sexual assault within young adult literature.
December 28, 2024
Trigger is a novel-in-verse telling the story of Jay, a gay teenager, who wakes up alone in a park after being raped. It follows him as he regains consciousness, arrives at the emergency room with a friend, and progresses through all terrifying moments after his traumatic attack. Moore’s use of language in verse makes the hard topic accessible, while occasionally delivering lines that still provide a gut-punch. I particularly liked Rain, the nonbinary survivor Jay befriends in his support group. In a powerful stanza Jay muses, “If I am fuel, / Rain is fire - / Perfect balance / Of heat, oxygen and fuel.” While it’s a short book, at times I needed to just sit with the material. A forward from the author provided context, but I thought the book should have come with a full trigger warning. Still, I was very pleased that the author provided resources for survivors of sexual assault at the end of the book, and differentiated between resources available in Ireland, the UK, and the US. I’ve read many YA books dealing with sexual assault, but this was the first book I have read where the victim was male and queer. As LGTBQ+ individuals are statistically more likely to experience violence, I’m appreciative that the author, a survivor himself, wrote this story and think he succeeded in his goal of destigmatizing assault in these communities. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
May 19, 2024
I was lucky enough to be sent an advance copy of CG Moore's latest YA verse novel, Trigger (Little Island). It's an unflinching account of the aftermath of male rape. Told in sparse, skilful, narrative verse, it's sensitive and empowering; shocking but never sensationalist.
Schoolboy Jay wakes in the park with huge gaps in his memory but the painful evidence of brutal rape on his body. He journeys through shame and despair until the desire to protect others gives him the agency of anger, and he tracks down the man responsible for his attack. When police can't make a case, Jay tries to dispense his own justice in a nail-biting climax.
Through achingly emotional verse, we see Jay's inner turmoil as he struggles to come to terms with what happened. Although not an easy read because of the painful theme, CG Moore's poetry is often beautiful, and always honest and immediate. It's a hard-hitting tale borne from the author's personal experience, but through the strength of Jay's friendships and relationship with his mother, it also provides the vital element of hope.
Schoolboy Jay wakes in the park with huge gaps in his memory but the painful evidence of brutal rape on his body. He journeys through shame and despair until the desire to protect others gives him the agency of anger, and he tracks down the man responsible for his attack. When police can't make a case, Jay tries to dispense his own justice in a nail-biting climax.
Through achingly emotional verse, we see Jay's inner turmoil as he struggles to come to terms with what happened. Although not an easy read because of the painful theme, CG Moore's poetry is often beautiful, and always honest and immediate. It's a hard-hitting tale borne from the author's personal experience, but through the strength of Jay's friendships and relationship with his mother, it also provides the vital element of hope.
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March 23, 2024Emotional, Heart-wrenching, Powerful.
I read this book in one day, in one sitting actually. I found it impossible to put down. It is only the second or third book I've read in verse, I felt it was incredibly well written. Verse worked very well.
From the title you learn there are triggers in this book, the main trigger being sexual assault. I felt it was an incredibly Heart-wrenching book to read. I don't think I will ever forget reading this book.
It is not often that I finish a book and I'm lost for words but I sat and stared at it when I finished it while reflecting on the journey of the main character who searches for answers. I also felt very emotional when I finished it. I definitely recommend reading the blurb before diving in.
Thank you to the author and Little Island Books for a gifted copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. Trigger is out now with a striking cover.
I read this book in one day, in one sitting actually. I found it impossible to put down. It is only the second or third book I've read in verse, I felt it was incredibly well written. Verse worked very well.
From the title you learn there are triggers in this book, the main trigger being sexual assault. I felt it was an incredibly Heart-wrenching book to read. I don't think I will ever forget reading this book.
It is not often that I finish a book and I'm lost for words but I sat and stared at it when I finished it while reflecting on the journey of the main character who searches for answers. I also felt very emotional when I finished it. I definitely recommend reading the blurb before diving in.
Thank you to the author and Little Island Books for a gifted copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. Trigger is out now with a striking cover.
May 24, 2024
This was a really emotional, heartbreaking, and powerful verse novel. The novel is about a teenage boy named Jay who is sexually assaulted in a park and has a hard time remembering what happened. Jay realises what happened to him and suspects someone that was close to him was involved. As you read the story, you get to see how Jay processes what happened to him and meet a few people who support him, like his parents, his friend Lau, and Rain, a person he met at a support group. This story is one that will stay with me for a while. This was a tough and very sensitive subject matter and I'm glad that C.G. Moore is bringing awareness because it's important. I love that C.G. Moore included resources at the end of the book.
*Thank you, NetGalley, for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.*
*Thank you, NetGalley, for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.*
March 13, 2024
This story is loosely based on the authors own experiences and deals with sensitive subjects such as rape and the trauma that is experienced in its aftermath. Written in beautiful verse that captures this experience so profoundly making it very affecting and will stay with you long after you finish. There is something about verse novels that allows you to tackle subjects like this without being overwehelming in detail but able to impact the reader just as strongly. This is such an authentic account, making it such an important book which i am sure will help many readers feel seen and less alone.
August 28, 2024
A short but emotional story written in verse about a boy who was sexually assaulted and struggles with his emotions, trying to figure out why it happened and who was responsible.
I enjoyed the story, but I do wish it had been longer and there was more told about some of the other characters. The end felt a tad rushed and ended, in my opinion, abruptly. Being written in verse definitely makes for an easy and quick read, which I think works well for young adult readers who pick up this book.
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳, 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘦-𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺.
I enjoyed the story, but I do wish it had been longer and there was more told about some of the other characters. The end felt a tad rushed and ended, in my opinion, abruptly. Being written in verse definitely makes for an easy and quick read, which I think works well for young adult readers who pick up this book.
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳, 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘦-𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺.
April 11, 2025
I understand this novel covers sensitive topics, and I want to be sympathetic to that, but the poor writing quality completely overshadows any other takeaways that could be made from the book.
Some examples to illustrate my point:
NON-BINARY
Rain doesn't identify
As a girl Or a boy.
They don't resonate
With she or he,
Him or her,
Hers or his.
———
He's peeing,
His eyes sharp and searching.
The gays in this city are
So damn weird.
Should've stayed in London.
———
HOW TO FIX A HEART
Bandages and splints
Heal a broken arm.
Plasters and bandages
Help with cuts and gashes.
Scalpels and antiseptic
Help with infection.
What mends a broken heart?
Some examples to illustrate my point:
NON-BINARY
Rain doesn't identify
As a girl Or a boy.
They don't resonate
With she or he,
Him or her,
Hers or his.
———
He's peeing,
His eyes sharp and searching.
The gays in this city are
So damn weird.
Should've stayed in London.
———
HOW TO FIX A HEART
Bandages and splints
Heal a broken arm.
Plasters and bandages
Help with cuts and gashes.
Scalpels and antiseptic
Help with infection.
What mends a broken heart?
March 5, 2024
This is a heartfelt book told from the perspective of a victim of sexual assault. It's told in a sensitive way, and through verse, the poetry really lends itself well to giving the victim a voice in focused and concise sentences and beautiful verses. I absolutely loved this book and couldn't put it down and read within a day. It's so good, I really feel it should be in every school library. CG Moore has created the most amazing story in Trigger, and it's going to mean so much to so many, and really help some people through hard times, and find hope and light
February 20, 2025
Verse novel that deals with its subject gently and movingly, centring the survivor at all times. The verse novel is on point for ya and teen lit at the moment and some VN’s don’t feel like poems, just like they use as few words as possible to tell the story while others are full on poetic masterpieces. This was a bit of both but as the story developed so did the poems and they got better towards the end. Longlisted for the Carnegie but I don’t think it will be shortlisted tbh.
May 5, 2025
Triggers of all types are in this book: First for the reader (a rape occurs, toxic relationships) and second for the character (trying to trigger memories; memories being triggered). Sometimes the story is a lot, but most of the time it is handled respectfully and does not glorify, hide or minimize the events. The ending was slightly rushed for my personal tastes and I would have liked an event to have happened differently (or not at all), still a worthwhile read on a difficult subject.
March 15, 2024
I’ve just finished this and I’m in bits. It’s a verse novel written from the perspective of a teenage boy who was gang raped, having been set up by someone he thought was his boyfriend. It’s raw, disturbing, upsetting and so well written. The author notes that they have been sexually assaulted twice , which is shocking in itself.
January 23, 2025
Incredible, heartfelt, sad, tragic…. Every emotion except joy. It’s a YA verse novel, but I couldn’t put it down. It reads like a nonfiction life story, but it is fiction. It’s a tough read, but well worth it.
May 30, 2025
This was such an emotional and raw story - reading the synopsis for content warnings is a must. It is about SA, so do read with caution if this issue might be upsetting. A necessary read for understanding and compassion.
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September 10, 2025Well written novel in verse about the anguish a young man feels after waking up in the park and not remembering what happened to him. He desperately tries to find out what happened to give himself some sort of closure. Very quick, easy read on a horrific subject.
May 31, 2024
oh my god. it was so short but i was genuinely sobbing by the end of it.
Read
October 6, 2024beautifully written, and felt so many emotions.
as a survivor, I empathize and hold this book closer to my heart <3
as a survivor, I empathize and hold this book closer to my heart <3
January 14, 2025
So beautifully written and super underrated!! This book is so moving and I loved it.
March 6, 2025
It contains the following advisory content: Deals with the aftermath of a violent sexual assault, including descriptions of injuries and PTSD
May 28, 2025
This book has guts
June 11, 2025
a very important topic to read about because sexual assault on men isn't talked about as much as it should be
March 21, 2025
This book had an important message, but it wasn't very entertaining to read. It didn't have much of a plot, but it was a very quick read - so if you need something quick, I didn't hate this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews