An Interview with Grace Gerety—Duxbury, Massachusetts
How do you as a young adult relate to the story?
I can relate to the story because I can see similar situations from my own life or life within my town in some of the characters. Although none of the situations I think of are anywhere as severe as the situation in Gripped, I can still relate to them on a personal level. It’s very interesting to connect the characters in the book to real life people I see everyday.
What did you like best about the story?
The thing I liked most about the story is the reliability of it. You can find something in almost every character to relate too. Whether it be similar things you have experienced or similar struggles as the characters. You are also able to really connect with the characters and picture them as real people.
What message does this book send to readers?
The message the book is trying to send to the readers is that alcohol and drugs can take hold of your life without you ever knowing. Jon drank and didn’t think anything bad would come of it. But he continued to drink and it resulted in the end of he and Chantal’s relationship.
About the characters…
Who do you feel bad for and why?
I feel bad for Chris because of his family life. His parents are never home and his only true role models are a high school senior and a college junior. And both Jordan and Taylor are constantly parenting and exposing him to very bad things at an extremely young age.
Who frustrates you and why?
The character that frustrates me is Chantal.Chantal does not know when to stand up for herself and protect herself. And when she finally learns how to stand up for herself she automatically assumes the worst of people and it ends many of her friendships in the book.
Who do you most relate to and why?
In the book I can most relate to Cathy. In many friendships I have been caught in the middle and people have assumed I have treated people in a horrible way, when I never did.
Who do you like and why?
My favorite character so far is Jason. I really like the way he reads people and the way he treats Cathy. I also found it incredible how he feels so guilty for the way Cathy began to act after they broke up.
Who do you hate and why?
I hate Jon. I think the character is whiney and very toxic. The way he treats Chantel is horrible and the way he gathered that he and Chanatal were broken up after a voice mail is horrible.
There are a few different storylines running through Gripped Part 1 because it is setting up the rest of the series. What storyline do you find the most interesting and why?
I find Chantal and Jon’s story line to be the most interesting because it has so many different details to it almost every one can find something to relate to. For example a reader may not be able to relate to a relationship where both people are very religious but they may be able to relate to a relationship where one person drinks (or any other act) and the other does not and hates what the other person does. A reader may also be able to relate to the feeling of not being connected to whoever you are in a relationship with after a fight even if both parties have forgiven the other. And the way their relationship ends is very interesting and leads you to think more about what things lead each of them to act the way they did.
Gripped Part 1 sets up the rest of the series but leaves a lot of things “hanging.” What are you most curious to uncover by reading Gripped Part 2?
I am most curious about hearing the more specific drugs that Cathy began to use after she and Chantal stopped talking. I am also interested to see how Marc will handle the way the Police want him to help free his brother and gather information.
About Grace Gerety
Grace is a junior at Duxbury High School, where she is a member of the Varsity Rowing Team. In school, she is a part of the yearbook club and the Humanitarian Project. Her favorite subjects are science and history, and she plans to major in nursing in college. Grace also enjoys volunteering. Last summer she traveled to West Virginia and worked with the ASP organization, helping with home construction for less fortunate families. Grace works at a local retail shop year-round and has a summer job at a local beach restaurant.
Books by Stacy A. Padula 
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