Thicker Than Water

Perfect for fans of Ellen Hopkins—a heartbreaking tale of family tragedy and drug addiction where sometimes the best intentions lead to the worst possible outcomes.

Cecelia Price killed her brother. At least, that's what the police and the district attorney are saying. Although CeCe is now locked up and forced into treatment, she knows the story is much more complicated. Cyrus wasn't always a drug-addled monster. He used to be a successful athlete, but when an injury forced Cyrus off the soccer field and onto pain medication, his life became a blur of anger, addiction, and violence.

All CeCe could do was stand by and watch, until she realized an effective way to take away her brother's drugs while earning the money she needed for college: selling the pills. Only she never expected what happened next.

• Gripping Family Drama: One brother’s descent into prescription drug abuse after a soccer injury. One sister’s desperate plan to save him—and herself.
• Gritty Realism: A raw, unflinching look at the opioid crisis and its devastating impact on a family already fractured by tragedy.
• High Stakes: CeCe starts selling her brother’s pills to pay for college, but her choice unleashes consequences she could never have foreseen.
• Moral Complexity: A thought-provoking story that explores the blurred lines between right and wrong when your family’s survival is on the line.

“Very well written and has a broad appeal.” - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

“This tense psychological drama navigates both drug addiction and difficult family dynamics to great effect. Gritty but never melodramatic, it explores tough choices, the price of forgiveness, and the lengths we will go for family.” - Booklist

“Fiore weaves an incredibly authentic tale of the drama and emotion that surround death and drug abuse. Dynamic characters, filled with flaws and hope. Sometimes frustrating, sometimes heart-rending, and sometimes hopeful, Fiore’s work is great for fans of ‘unpretty’ realistic fiction. A must-have.” - School Library Journal