Tricks tells the story of five separate teenagers, each of whom from varied backgrounds and each who faces unique challenges that lead them to a crossroads in their lives.
The first teenager that Tricks follows is Eden, who was raised in a strictly religious household. Her father is a beloved preacher of a congregation who preaches service to God and duty. At first, her life appears to be going quite well. However, when she falls for her boy, her life is turned upside down. Her family wishes for her not to have any contact with boys—especially sex. In an attempt to rid her of what they call "impure" thoughts, they send her to a Christian reform school. The rigid confinement caused by pushes Eden to escape, radically changing her life in a way that she is not equipped to deal with.
The next story tells Seth's story. Seth lives in a small town with his strict, very conservative father. Seth also questions his sexuality: does he like women? Does he like men? Or does he like both? His mother is not there to protect him from the abuse his father inflicts on him, causing him great consternation. Ultimately, Seth wants nothing more than to earn his father's approval. But this drive leads him into the arms of another young man named Loren. As their relationship blossoms, both the boy's families threaten to derail their relationship.
Next, the novel follows a young man named Cody, who lives with a stepfather struggling with illness. At first, it seems that his father has his disease under control; however, Cody's father begins to spiral and dies. Cody no longer has a home because of his stepfather's death, so Cody moves to Las Vegas to get a job and ease the financial burden on his family. Despite his good intentions, Cody quickly gets wrapped up in the complex and often seedy world of gambling in Las Vegas and the casual relationships that often come with it. Specifically, he struggles with online gambling. He tries to navigate these challenges, but he has moved further away from his loved ones, straining his youthful desire for freedom and connection.
Whitney has grown up all of her life with an overbearing sister who overshadows her in seemingly every way. Her sister constantly demands the attention of her parents, who Whitney feels don't love her enough. As a result, Whitney goes searching for love. And she finds it in all of the wrong places. Specifically, it leads her into the arms of an older, manipulative man who promises her the world but, in reality, leads her down a dark and dangerous path—one that she struggles to get out of. She starts to have sex with more people and ultimately gets addicted to drugs.
The novel's final story follows Ginger, who was born into a chaotic family. Her mother, an otherwise kind woman, is invariably consumed with her new romantic relationship of the day. More than anything, she yearns for stability. Over time, she becomes involved in the adult entertainment industry, a niche where she feels she can carve out a role for herself where she is valued. But she is raped several times by people who purport to care for her.
