Chris, Jason, & Cathy in “Gripped 3: The Fallout”

Written by Megan Farinacci, Medfield, MA

As readers of Stacy Padula’s Gripped book series, we have been able to get to know Chris Dunkin and watch him grow up. Along with seeing him grow up, we see how drugs have heavily impacted his life. After his trip to the hospital in Gripped Part 2, Chris has begun his journey to sober up. In Gripped Part 3, he distances himself from his best friend Jason Davids after Jason convinces him to trip on acid. Chris surrounds himself with people who will keep him away from drugs and help him find his true identity. I honor Chris for his efforts to better himself and those around him. He has made sacrifices to help his friends and has continuously shown that he cares for others. 

Jason’s development throughout the story kept me wanting to read more. In the previous novel, we saw how Chris was heavily affected by drugs and it took over his whole personality. In Gripped Part 3, he is actively trying to mend relationships and distance himself from bad influences. However, we also see in this novel that Jason is going down the same path Chris once did. He is using Adderall to cope with his boredom and is beginning to dabble in serious drugs like acid. His brother Matt has lost trust in him and does not want him to end up like their brother Luke, who is known as the dealer at Montgomery Lake High. Jason has also realized that he is the reason for Cathy’s Xanax addiction and is beginning to feel the same guilt Chris felt in the previous novel.

Overall, I am most intrigued by Cathy. She has changed since we first met her in Gripped Part 1. She is less innocent and has done things that have made her question herself as a Christian. Cathy is constantly changing, and I am intrigued by what she will be like in the next novel of the series. I look forward to reading and reviewing Gripped Part 4…

After a near-death experience, Chris Dunkin begins surrounding himself with positive influences and putting his efforts towards living a clean lifestyle. However, the night before school starts, his best friend Jason convinces him to host a party that shows Chris more about himself than he actually wants to know.

Meanwhile, Marc Dunkin has received word from a detective that his oldest brother Taylor is a person of interest in a highly confidential case headed by the Boston Police Department. They know Taylor’s clean; they know he wants out of the game; and they want to help make that happen. However, their “help” will come at a cost-one that may put Taylor and his entire family in grave danger. Taylor is trying to get his life back in order after an opiate addiction wreaked havoc on his once promising athletic future. Getting clean was a difficult feat, but breaking free from the Bilotti crime ring will present an even greater challenge.

Emmy-winning producer Mark Blutman Developing TV Adaptation of Stacy Padula’s ‘Gripped’ Book Series

Reviews

“Invigorating, engaging and a must read. The characters in The Gripped Series diligently tackle the essence of forces that can limit greatness within.” – LaTonya Pinkard of Netflix’s Emmy-winning series Last Chance U

“As with the other Gripped books, both adults and younger readers will thoroughly enjoy this story and learn from the realistic depiction of the struggles that high school and college students face. Hopefully, this will spark essential conversations between friends, parents, and children.” – E. Harvey, Emerson College

“Gripped Part 3: The Fallout is an engaging and easy read that is ideal for middle school and high school students, while also being very applicable to adults wanting to know more about teenage drug abuse.” – K. Banker, University of Miami

“Gripped Part 3 shows how drugs can change people’s personalities as well as their relationships with others. Reading about the characters’ situations will help teens make the smart decision and not get involved in drugs.” – J. Finnerty, University of New Hampshire

“Gripped 3: The Fallout is perfect for all teens and their parents, as it offers unique perspectives on complex and relevant issues today. Teens, and parents alike, can learn from the book and prepare for situations in which they – or their children – may be put in. I easily give this book 5 out of 5 stars and encourage all teens and their parents to pick up any book in the Gripped series.” – Michael Farinacci, University of Notre Dame

About Megan Farinacci

Megan is a senior at Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart. She is a member of the Varsity Cross Country and Varsity Lacrosse teams at NCDS. She also plays club lacrosse for Mass Elite. She is involved in her school’s health science, yearbook, and running clubs. She has a passion for art and is currently studying 2D design. Megan also enjoys traveling. Over the summer, she traveled to Guatemala with School the World where she helped build a school for a community in need. Her favorite subjects are science and English. She plans to study science or nursing in college.