Bella Gill reviews “When Darkness Tries to Hide” by Stacy A. Padula

Posted byAuthor Stacy A. PadulaPosted inUncategorized

| Written by Bella Gill, Pembroke, Massachusetts |

Meet Bella Gill

Bella is a junior at Pembroke High School in Pembroke, Massachusetts.  She is a midfielder for the South Shore Select 2006 Girls Academy Soccer Team and is headed to the National Finals in St. Louis this summer.  She is also a midfielder for the Pembroke High School Girls Varsity soccer team.  Additionally, Bella is the vice-president of her class, a member of the Pembroke High School Yearbook staff and assistant coaches a U10 girls soccer team. Bella enjoys traveling with her family and friends, skiing, reading, babysitting, and working in the local office of a gastroenterologist. Bella’s favorite subjects include English, History, and Model UN.  She hopes to study abroad in Europe in college. 

“When Darkness Tries to Hide” by Stacy Padula is the second book in the Montgomery Lake High series. It is a compelling story that depicts the lives of a teenage friend group who are attempting to deal with a major tragedy.

The trauma they are faced with forces them to step back and reconsider their actions. The descriptive and page-turning plot shows how impactful the teens’ actions are on those around them. The novel also points out how important friendship and support can be to teenagers, especially when they are going through a difficult time period. The characters portray the importance of religion and how it can lift you up from your lowest points. Readers will learn that taking time to be there for those around you is crucial and determines the outcome of many relationships. 

I would highly recommend “When Darkness Tries to Hide” to all readers. Although it may appeal to teenagers the most, I think every age group could benefit from it. The story is extremely eye-opening about common issues such as alcohol and drug addiction and reading about each teen’s life spreads awareness about these problems in younger generations. I would give this book a 5 out of 5 stars; it is definitely a must read!

Synopsis

Students at Montgomery Lake High believe the ominous clouds and impending storm will only bring a temporary interruption to their regularly scheduled lives. However, when the tempest grows worse and a classmate’s life hangs in the balance, students must pull together to support each other and seek help for their friend. As the lines between cliques dissolve, dark secrets are revealed and hearts are transformed.

Published by Author Stacy A. Padula

Stacy Padula has spent the last 14 years working daily with teenagers as a college counselor, mentor, and life coach. She was named "Top Inspirational Author of the Year" for 2022 by the International Association of Top Professionals (New York, NY). In 2021, she was broadcast on the famous Reuters Building in Times Square as "Empowered Woman of the Year." Her Gripped book series is currently being adapted for TV by Emmy-winning producer Mark Blutman. She is the founder and CEO of Briley & Baxter Publications: a publishing company that donates a portion of its proceeds to animal rescues each month. She has edited and published a variety of titles, including Boston Bruins Anthem Singer Todd Angilly and Rachel Goguen's The Adventures of Owen & the Anthem Singer, LaTonya Pinkard of Netflix's Last Chance U's Nate & His Magic Lion, and former NHL player Norm Beaudin's memoir The Original: Living Life Through Hockey. Stacy resides in Plymouth, Massachusetts with her husband Tim and two miniature dachshunds, Briley and Baxter.