Jane Jakubowski Reviews “Gripped Part 2: Blindsided” by Stacy Padula

Posted byAuthor Stacy A. PadulaPosted inUncategorized

By Jane Jakubowski on Gripped by Stacy A. Padula—Auburndale, Massachusetts

While Gripped: Part 1 by Stacy Padula introduces the characters and explores their relationships, the sequel really unpacks the reasons why each character finds themselves stuck in their own cycle of drug abuse. This book mainly follows the story of Chris who, to everyone else, is always happy and the life of the party. What they don’t realize is Chris’s party habits derive from his need to make people happy. Growing up with neglectful, absent parents (who’ve never even told Chris they love him) is where his use of drugs originates from. After realizing that drugs have the ability to make him happy, he begins to use them more. Since he lives to make other people share that same happiness, he introduces many of his close friends to drugs, consequently leading them to addiction. 

Gripped: Part 2 does a great job of showing how using drugs to cope with pain is highly dangerous as it doesn’t just hurt oneself, but those closest to them. 

About Jane Jakubowski

Jane is a senior at Newton South High School in Newton, Massachusetts. She is part of her school’s dance team as well as a competitive and performance dancer at Joanne Langione Dance Center. She is also a member of Newtones, Newton South’s award-winning student-run a capella group. Singing has been a major passion for Jane since childhood as well as performing. Whether it is playing guitar or piano, being in the school musical, or being forced to listen to her sisters sing, Jane can always be found doing something creative and/or in the arts. 

Additionally, Jane has enjoyed working as a lifeguard and a babysitter over the years and feels most fulfilled by doing what she loves while connecting with people. Jane values the importance of family & friend time, meaningful talks, and appreciating life and the fun it has to bring.

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Published by Author Stacy A. Padula

Stacy Padula has spent the last 15 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.