S. W. Raine

When I write, romance is almost always nonexistent. Instead, there’s something I find far more powerful in storytelling: friendship, loyalty, and the bonds that feel like home… even if no one shares a drop of blood. That’s why my books are packed with found family moments—the kind of bonds you love to see in fiction.

To me, found family means people brought together by circumstance who form strong, family-like connections. It’s about fighting for one another. Having each other’s backs through thick and thin. Building trust even when you don’t know each other well. It’s about shared goals that pull you together… and the stubborn determination to survive together.

Found Family Across My Worlds

My books are full of these bonds. Each one plays out differently depending on the characters and the worlds they inhabit.

– Ikarim, Arteus, and Magaliana (The Techno Mage)
Ikarim and Arteus were both adopted by Gesselmeyer and grew up together. When Magaliana joined them, they became a fiercely loyal trio who would go to the ends of the earth for one another.

– Benedict and Mathias (Rise of the Sky Pirate)
Mathias started out as Benedict’s bounty for a hefty reward. But somewhere along the way, Benedict stopped thinking about the money and started keeping Mathias out of danger. Even after being betrayed, he still protected him.

– Ferenc and Olivia (The Elemental’s Guardian)
Ferenc originally rejected Olivia’s insistence that he was a guardian. But after letting her train him, the two developed a playful, banter-filled friendship that quickly became rooted in loyalty and trust.

– Moses and Kamran (The Gatekeeper’s Portal)
Friends since childhood, they taught each other their languages—Moses learned Farsi, Kamran learned English. Even after years apart, when they reunited, they stuck together like glue. Moses might be aloof and grumpy, but he’s fiercely protective. Kamran might be serious, prim, and proper, but he lets his guard down completely with Moses.

Why Found Family Matters to Me

I’m always drawn to writing those found family dynamics that make fiction feel alive. Growing up as a military brat, I moved a lot. Friendships came and went quickly, and lasting bonds were rare until high school. Maybe that’s why I’ve always been drawn to writing strong, lasting friendships.

Not all family is blood family. Sometimes you can share more of yourself  (and feel more understood) by people who aren’t related to you at all. And since I’m not much of a romantic at heart, the power of friendship often feels far more compelling to write about than romantic love.

In my books, I magnify those friendships to the max, writing the kinds of bonds I always wished for: ones full of loyalty, trust, and the unshakable certainty that someone will always have your back.

I may not hear readers specifically call out the “found family” aspect when they read my books, but they do notice my lack of romance—and they love it. And that’s exactly the reaction I hope for. It’s why I fill my stories with found family relationships that I love reading about in fiction.

Who are your favorite fictional found families? Whether it’s from books, movies, or TV shows, I’d love to hear about the ones that stuck with you long after you turned the last page or watched the final episode. Drop your favorites in the comments!

Raine