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Thicker Than Water

   (4 reviews)

14-year-old Bryan Padilla is caught between worlds he doesn't feel connected to.  Having been abandoned by their birth parents at a young age, Bryan and his younger brother, Caleb, were adopted by a family friend, Diego Padilla, and raised in a culture not of their own.  Though it is the only life Caleb has ever known, Bryan inwardly struggles with his feelings about life, death, race and sexuality.  Things escalate shortly after the death of his birth mother.  Can Bryan come to terms with his situation as a figure from his past tries to upend his entire life?

This story touches on adult themes, such as race, language, physical violence, drug use and abuse, sexuality, sexual orientation, bigotry, adoption and parental abandonment.  Discretion is advised.
Copyright © 2023 John Henry; All Rights Reserved.

Story Recommendations (34 members)

  • Action Packed 17
  • Addictive/Pacing 23
  • Characters 33
  • Chills 10
  • Cliffhanger 21
  • Compelling 28
  • Feel-Good 17
  • Humor 20
  • Smoldering 7
  • Tearjerker 22
  • Unique 16
  • World Building 10


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Summerabbacat

· Edited by Summerabbacat

   8 of 8 members found this review helpful 8 / 8 members

Riotous, riveting, rambunctious, raunchy (at times) and readable. A story which provokes rather than prods, one which is not for the faint-hearted at times, with some characters who are likely to frustrate and infuriate beyond belief. Ultimately though it is a story of love, the love of a father, Diego Padilla, for his sons Bryan and Caleb, two boys for whom life has often been less than happy, and Steve Jensen, for whom a life unexpected is about to unfurl itself.

The author has crafted a story which if I were to come across it now in its ‘Completed’ state I would find it very difficult not to devour with gluttonous relish. A truly wonderful story with so much to offer anyone fortunate enough to undertake the journey to read it to completion.

Response from the author:

Thank you for the review and the time you spent reading this story.  It was a passion project, and I'm glad you enjoyed it.

  • Love 8
flesco

   6 of 6 members found this review helpful 6 / 6 members

An absolutely inspired tale of family, love, grief, anger, frustration, hope, and finally joy. This is a story about a father of two adopted boys and their lives together. The boys birth father reappears and files for custody after being out of their lives for many years without contact. The story is exceptionally written with a plot full of twists and turns and fully developed believable characters and some frustrating cliffhangers. I highly recommend this story as I absolutely it. ❤️

Response from the author:

Thank you for the review and the love you show it.  I'm glad that the story has tugged at your heart.  It means a lot.

  • Love 6
chris191070

   5 of 5 members found this review helpful 5 / 5 members

This is the story of Brian and Caleb who were adopted by Diego Padilla.

This is the only life Caleb has known with Diego and Steve, but Brian suffers from anger issues, life, death and sexuality.

Things go from bad to worse for Bryan and Caleb after the death of there birth mother, this affects Bryan greatly.

But at this time a figure from the past, that everyone thought was a distant memory. Re-enters the scene and is out to cause problems for the Padilla family, the birth father.

Fortunately the family have Billy, a charismatic lawyer to help them. They also have the support of friends and family during this trying period in there lives.

But to discover how Billy helps Diego, Steve, Bryan and Caleb you need to read this masterpiece.

Highly recommended.

Response from the author:

Thank you for the great review and the dedication to this story.  It means a lot to have had all the positive feedback I was given by the readers, including yourself, which helped with motivation.

  • Like 1
  • Love 8
RainbowPhoenixWI

   2 of 2 members found this review helpful 2 / 2 members

Amazing adventure. I can best describe this as an intense roller coaster of heart strings and hand grenades. The author definitely plays your heart strings better than Kenny G plays the soprano. Well handled personal situations and perfect touches of humor to keep you going, as well as some of the best 4th wall breaks I've ever seen or read. No matter what genre you like, this has some of everything. A must read for everyone.

Response from the author:

Thank you for the review, and I'm glad you found it.  It means a lot that it has caused such an emotional connection for you.

  • Love 3
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