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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 (32 members)

  • Action Packed 16
  • Addictive/Pacing 21
  • Characters 31
  • Chills 10
  • Cliffhanger 20
  • Compelling 28
  • Feel-Good 16
  • Humor 18
  • Smoldering 7
  • Tearjerker 21
  • Unique 15
  • World Building 10

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Table of Contents
  • 1. Chapter 1
    • 1,461 Words
    • 3,504 Views
    • 24 Comments
  • 2. Chapter 2
    • 2,974 Words
    • 2,770 Views
    • 20 Comments
  • 3. Chapter 3
    • 2,595 Words
    • 2,454 Views
    • 20 Comments
  • 4. Chapter 4
    • 2,174 Words
    • 2,155 Views
    • 17 Comments
  • 5. Chapter 5
    • 1,933 Words
    • 2,131 Views
    • 19 Comments
  • 6. Chapter 6
    • 2,360 Words
    • 2,007 Views
    • 15 Comments
  • 7. Chapter 7
    • 1,750 Words
    • 2,040 Views
    • 16 Comments
  • 8. Chapter 8
    • 1,772 Words
    • 1,931 Views
    • 13 Comments
  • 9. Chapter 9
    • 1,864 Words
    • 1,693 Views
    • 13 Comments
  • 10. Chapter 10
    • 1,607 Words
    • 1,763 Views
    • 20 Comments
  • 11. Chapter 11
    • 1,974 Words
    • 1,813 Views
    • 24 Comments
  • 12. Chapter 12
    • 2,984 Words
    • 1,769 Views
    • 21 Comments
  • 13. Chapter 13
    • 1,986 Words
    • 1,582 Views
    • 18 Comments
  • 14. Chapter 14
    • 1,710 Words
    • 1,873 Views
    • 27 Comments
  • 15. Chapter 15
    • 3,131 Words
    • 1,631 Views
    • 16 Comments
  • 16. Chapter 16
    • 1,542 Words
    • 1,582 Views
    • 18 Comments
  • 17. Chapter 17
    • 2,096 Words
    • 1,640 Views
    • 25 Comments
  • 18. Chapter 18
    • 2,347 Words
    • 1,465 Views
    • 15 Comments
  • 19. Chapter 19
    • 2,336 Words
    • 1,622 Views
    • 20 Comments
  • 20. Chapter 20
    • 1,735 Words
    • 1,657 Views
    • 14 Comments
  • 21. Chapter 21
    • 1,935 Words
    • 1,508 Views
    • 11 Comments
  • 22. Chapter 22
    • 2,732 Words
    • 1,635 Views
    • 16 Comments
  • 23. Chapter 23
    • 3,107 Words
    • 1,482 Views
    • 20 Comments
  • 24. Chapter 24
    • 1,788 Words
    • 2,033 Views
    • 14 Comments
  • 25. Chapter 25
    • 3,912 Words
    • 1,573 Views
    • 22 Comments
  • 26. Chapter 26
    • 3,270 Words
    • 2,022 Views
    • 16 Comments
  • 27. Chapter 27
    • 699 Words
    • 1,333 Views
    • 10 Comments
  • 28. Chapter 28
    • 3,688 Words
    • 1,368 Views
    • 13 Comments
  • 29. Chapter 29
    • 2,649 Words
    • 1,409 Views
    • 15 Comments
  • 30. Chapter 30
    • 1,691 Words
    • 1,204 Views
    • 20 Comments
  • 31. Chapter 31
    • 1,359 Words
    • 1,478 Views
    • 19 Comments
  • 32. Chapter 32
    • 1,868 Words
    • 1,339 Views
    • 15 Comments
  • 33. Chapter 33
    • 977 Words
    • 1,212 Views
    • 13 Comments
  • 34. Chapter 34
    • 2,035 Words
    • 1,171 Views
    • 19 Comments
  • 35. Chapter 35
    • 3,030 Words
    • 1,088 Views
    • 16 Comments
  • 36. Chapter 36
    • 2,823 Words
    • 957 Views
    • 21 Comments
  • 37. Chapter 37
    • 2,235 Words
    • 1,015 Views
    • 22 Comments
  • 38. Chapter 38
    • 3,484 Words
    • 1,483 Views
    • 42 Comments
  • 39. Chapter 39
    • 2,342 Words
    • 1,030 Views
    • 10 Comments
  • 40. Chapter 40
    • 2,646 Words
    • 1,066 Views
    • 15 Comments
  • 41. Chapter 41
    • 2,651 Words
    • 1,001 Views
    • 19 Comments
  • 42. Chapter 42
    • 2,439 Words
    • 1,087 Views
    • 20 Comments
  • 43. Chapter 43
    • 2,271 Words
    • 971 Views
    • 19 Comments
  • 44. Chapter 44
    • 2,522 Words
    • 1,123 Views
    • 23 Comments
  • 45. Chapter 45
    • 2,809 Words
    • 1,190 Views
    • 39 Comments
  • 46. Chapter 46
    • 4,066 Words
    • 1,169 Views
    • 34 Comments
  • 47. Chapter 47
    • 3,787 Words
    • 1,081 Views
    • 18 Comments
  • 48. Chapter 48
    • 2,894 Words
    • 1,146 Views
    • 28 Comments
  • 49. Chapter 49
    • 1,941 Words
    • 959 Views
    • 20 Comments
  • 50. Chapter 50
    • 2,484 Words
    • 1,037 Views
    • 24 Comments
  • 51. Chapter 51
    • 3,101 Words
    • 1,124 Views
    • 37 Comments
  • 52. Chapter 52
    • 2,523 Words
    • 1,138 Views
    • 27 Comments
  • 53. Chapter 53
    • 1,653 Words
    • 856 Views
    • 16 Comments
  • 54. Chapter 54
    • 2,327 Words
    • 899 Views
    • 16 Comments
  • 55. Chapter 55
    • 1,802 Words
    • 906 Views
    • 21 Comments
  • 56. Chapter 56
    • 2,669 Words
    • 1,149 Views
    • 23 Comments
  • 57. Chapter 57
    • 4,419 Words
    • 1,469 Views
    • 38 Comments
  • 58. Chapter 58
    • 2,348 Words
    • 1,176 Views
    • 17 Comments
  • 59. Chapter 59
    • 3,130 Words
    • 1,018 Views
    • 20 Comments
  • 60. Chapter 60
    • 4,295 Words
    • 1,347 Views
    • 46 Comments
  • 61. Chapter 61
    • 4,942 Words
    • 1,007 Views
    • 18 Comments
  • 62. Chapter 62
    • 2,235 Words
    • 1,065 Views
    • 21 Comments
  • 63. Chapter 63
    • 4,533 Words
    • 1,518 Views
    • 59 Comments
  • 64. Chapter 64
    • 2,869 Words
    • 1,023 Views
    • 20 Comments
  • 65. Chapter 65
    • 4,268 Words
    • 1,230 Views
    • 51 Comments
  • 66. Chapter 66
    • 3,127 Words
    • 1,001 Views
    • 31 Comments
  • 67. Chapter 67
    • 3,068 Words
    • 1,175 Views
    • 33 Comments

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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
Link to review
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
Link to review
Summerabbacat

· Edited by Summerabbacat

   7 of 7 members found this review helpful 7 / 7 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
Link to review
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
Link to review
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