Grownupreads Stories

"Bridget Jones with a lot more wine! This story is hilarious, feel-good and relatable in all the best ways!" - Grace K @ HQ. She's just quit her high-flying job, and her marriage is coasting on fumes. Can Alice find a sense of purpose in the wreckage? ***** Alice's life isn't going to plan. She's tied to her phone, pointlessly managing PR for a sinking corporate megalith. She's become a bit player in her kids' lives, and her marriage is coasting on fumes. Forcing herself into action with a rash resignation, Alice sets out to make a positive impact on the world around her. But how? Meditation leads to napping, and her attempts to get closer to her teenage daughter result in the discovery of a secret that leaves her at a loss. As the months tick by and a sense of purpose continues to elude her, Alice finds herself forming bonds with the most unlikely characters: the young woman who panhandles outside her old office; the homeless boy who sits cross-legged outside the liquor store with his ginger cat; her own dog walker who, it turns out, knows a thing or two about developing a good crema. Testing the limits of marriage, motherhood and the Toronto subway system -- can Alice find her way into a purpose-driven life? Or will it all be one giant hangover? [*Wattpad Editor's Pick 2018*] [[word count: 70,000-80,000 words]] Readers say: "This had me laughing so loud that my sister came to check up on me to see if I'm OK!!!" "...the new Bridget Jones, a working woman's take on the digital age." About the Author: Working mother and red wine enthusiast, Renee lives in Toronto with her flawed but wonderful family (seriously, who left socks on the kitchen counter?) in a flawed but wonderful house (what *is* that smell in the basement?) where she writes flawed but wonderful stories about what it is to be a woman today.

When Audra Wilkes returns to her childhood home after ten years, she doesn't expect to wake up next to Jamie 'Jay' Halston. Five years younger than her and her little brother's best friend, well ex-best friend now. Fresh out of a messy relationship where she's dumped her fiance all before her thirtieth birthday. She's sworn off relationships altogether, vowing to focus on her emerging art career and mending her relationships with her family. All she has to do, is avoid Jamie Halston and that spark between them. Jay Halston has been pining after Audra since he was a teen, but things are complicated now they're older. Both carrying the weight of things that aren't theirs, they don't realise how much they mirror each other. They will reflect and force themselves to heal.

Sequel to The Chronicle of the Worthy Son, and therefore full of spoilers for that book. Lark was never going back to Larbantry. Washing ashore in Borealund had changed zir life in ways ze'd scarcely dared to fantasize about. But getting to live zir life as zirself was not worth keeping the people of zir newfound home from getting to live theirs at all, so...Lark has now brought Larbantry to Borealund to save the land ze loves from further war and destruction. But can ze really protect what ze loves by working within the power structures ze would rather burn to the ground? Can ze actually function within them at all without being destroyed zirself? [Note: Yes, the protagonist is non-binary transgender. Hateful comments will be reported. NBs have the right to exist.]

Still mending her heart after a toxic relationship, Makayla isn't in the mood for love. Her sister doesn't agree and sends Makayla to a matchmaking agency, whose algorithm is reputed infallible. While her personality and traits are analyzed, Makayla cannot help but start hoping to find the Perfect Guy--the one that will give her the courage to stop the downward spiral of depression. 🏆 Winner of "Twist the Clichés" contest, @WattCliches, @NARomance, @YARomance (August 2020) 📚 Featured on: @StoriesUndiscovered ~ Lunch Hour Short (May 1st, 2021) @ScienceFiction ~ Captain's Choice (April 16th, 2021) @ScienceFiction ~ Punk Fiction (April 16th, 2021) @ScienceFiction ~ Punk Fiction (January 19th, 2021) @WattpadShortStory ~ Another Time, Another Place (October 30th, 2020) @generalfiction ~ Finding Love | Romance (October 17th, 2020) @CoffeeCommunity ~ One Shots (October 8th, 2020) Cover made with Desygner

When you are the only sixteen year old in town- possibly in the state- and you are considered stolen goods, things can get downright interesting. Moni Silva desires only to lead as normal an existence as her hidden past can allow, but the ambitions of the corporation that gave her life propel her toward a greater purpose.

Sandrine has devoted her life to the Order of Charon, an organisation responsible for countless deaths. After almost a decade of faithful service, she is given a mission which forces her to question the very purpose of the Order and her place within it. "Abhorrent Practices" is a fantasy adventure, which examines the issue of assisted suicide. That's not why you should read it though. You should read it because it's fun, too. (No, it is - really!) :-) Story, characters, names and all original elements: (C) David A J Berner. All rights reserved. Illustrations including all preparatory sketches: (C) E.C. Nickel. All rights reserved.

A tragedy of Nyssa the Bacchante and Aeschylus the satyr, written in the style of ancient Greece.

There are fates worse than death... 2.9k words. Rated PG 16.

On every timeline but one, Eliot Waugh is a brilliant but troubled magician. On that one he is the noble King of Filory. How can he be protected from the Beast? (Fanfiction based on Syfy's TV series "The Magicians")

The completely rewritten (newer and MUCH improved) version is available here: https://www.wattpad.com/story/236056789-astronomicon-1

She just wanted a job, not the end of the world. Flash fiction

Death is not the end for those strong in the force, but where is Padmé? As I, Lord Vader, await judgment for the crimes I've committed in life and in the spiritual realms of the force, I tell the true story of the events of my life, and most importantly, reveal the true character of the woman I love, a woman whom some fear more than me--the murderous, vengeful Queen of Naboo: Padmé Amidala.

Coming from a mysterious past, Leland Wilde turns avenger to right the wrongs of legal technicalities with his own unforgiving form of justice. When Belle Dagger shows up asking for help in righting a wrong done to her, Leland wars with his perception of himself and the rules he has set up to survive the brutal life he has created: don't trust anyone, care for even fewer, and villains don't get backstories.

Kymel loses her family at a very young age and manages to survive on the harsh streets of a feudal era city. When a quiet older man takes her in and trains her to be his assistant, she shows incredible aptitude.

"Thrilling...an exhilarating and emotionally astute mystery." - Kirkus Reviews "Chilling moments, well-drawn action, believable motivation, expert pacing roll into a solid, fast-paced thriller." - IndieReader Bob Fiske - the seventy-four-year-old dinosaur who's taught Honors English and coached varsity football for five decades - is missing. To his Winners, class favorites Fiske designated over the years for their potential to "Live Big," it's heartbreaking. Fiske did more than inspire with soaring oratory; he supported their ambitions into adulthood. Four of his brightest former stars reunite to find him, putting high-octane careers on hold, slipping police barricades, racing into the wilds of Northern Michigan for clues about the fate of their legendary mentor. Others don't see a legend. They see an elitist whose time has passed. When a current student - female - disappears just hours into the Winners' search amid rumors of inappropriate meetings, the Great Man's reputation is in shambles. Feints, betrayal, explosive secrets from their own pasts: as facts emerge, each Winner must decide how far they'll go for Fiske. Can the truth redeem him? Or has this cult of hyper-achievement spawned a thing so vile none of their lives will survive intact?

In an alternative universe where tentacle monsters had taken over Australia and assimilated into the human world, a girl risks her life for a clue to escape. ⸻ "Sinister lurks beneath black water." ⸻ Featured on: @WattpadShortStory Spine Tingler @Horror Psychological @Fright Paranormal @dystopianapocalypse Beyond Earth: Robots, Aliens, and Others ⸻ Posted On: December 26, 2019 (6425 words) Latest Revision: July 12, 2020 (7591 words)

In the sequel to Us Again, Beth is reeling in the aftermath of the argument with her wife Sylvia. She recalls the event that became a turning point in their fractured relationship. On a business trip, Beth meets a charismatic woman named Paula. The dark beauty charms her with attention and silent promises of a night Beth will never forget. With her sexual needs not met at home, will Beth give in to the sexy stranger?

The town of Chickasaw, Texas, needs saving, and Durwood Oak Jones is the man for the job. At least that's what Carol Bridges-the town's mayor-believes when she answers Durwood's Soldier of Fortune ad soliciting "injustices in need of attention." For nearly a century, Chickasaw has relied on the jobs and goodwill of Hogan Consolidated, a family-run manufacturer of industrial parts. Now East Coast lawyers and investment bankers have taken aim at the company. The citizens of Chickasaw fear it may be acquired or bankrupted, effectively destroying the town. Durwood and his bluetick coonhound, Sue-Ann, trek to Texas to see what can be done. They find a young CEO born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Factory workers with hammers. In Carol Bridges-a good woman who knows her town's being cheated but can't get to the bottom of how. A handsome woman, too. Durwood digs into Hogan's corruption with fists and a plainspoken approach. But the trail of clues is complex-too many danged documents-and when a fatal blow from the renowned justice warrior's boot lands him in jail, the bankers and lawyers are confident they have Durwood's number. They will not be the first, nor last, to underestimate this son of a West Virginia coal miner. --------------- Durwood Oak Jones can be found in other Third Chance Adventures (Anarchy of the Mice, 2019) with partners Quaid Rafferty and Molly McGill. Dear Durwood is his first standalone mystery.

WATTYS WINNER 2020 Two interconnected murders, 64 years apart. One woman's search for truth and identity. Readers' comments: 'a masterpiece', 'impeccably written', 'amazing', 'superbly crafted page-turner', 'hauntingly beautiful', 'tremendous plot and character development', 'one of a kind', 'fantastic story telling', 'loved this book', 'a wonderful read", 'absolutely beautiful', 'brought tears to my eyes' and many more Wattys judging panel: 'This is VERY good. We were HOOKED from the beginning, and the writing and plot hold up throughout. This is a very unique, polished, well-written and well-researched piece.' Plot Set partly in rural England, partly on the sun-kissed coast of southerm Italy, The Painted Altar is a murder mystery mixed with romantic and historical elements (World War Two). Given away at two days old, Mary Rice has spent her life in the shadows. When discovering the suspicious circumstances surrounding her biological mother's death, she embarks on a journey which will shine a light not only on the truth but also on her own identity. Brief extract Suddenly, the door had inched open, half a wrinkled face visible behind the tautened chain. "Hello. Who is it?" The words I was going to say had of course been well-rehearsed, repeated over and over in my mind like a mantra, but now that the moment had arrived I found myself struggling to remember them. "Mrs Harvey... I think that you might... well, that you might be..." The door closed, then slowly opened once more, the chain this time unlatched. And there she was before me - half a metre away, within arm's reach. Thin lips gradually crooking upwards at each corner like the slow beatific kindling of a summer's dawn. "Oh yes love, I know who you are." Length: 70,000 words About the author: Originally from England but for the last 16 years I've been living in Italy. I hope therefore that the Italian aspects of the novel will have a certain gloss of authenticity.

Schoolteacher Fiona is on a mission for grandpa - find a missing Zimbabwean artefact, the precious soapstone Bird of the Gods. Conrad - dodgy archaeologist contracted to the stunning influencer Amanda aka #mandalove - has the same job. When Fiona and Conrad's paths cross, what was supposed to be a straightforward quest turns into a crazy race around the world. With antagonists popping up at every corner - from mountain tops to underground settings like Serbian caves, frozen Canadian crypts, and the silver mines of the old West, Fiona and Conrad have to work together to catch their bird. Mutual respect grows into something more intimate. But not everything is quite as it seems, and they had better watch their backs lest they too end up underground, this time permanently.