Montgomery Lake High
Dive into the gripping world of Montgomery Lake High, a powerful young adult series by Stacy A. Padula that takes readers deep into the heart of high school life. Follow a diverse cast of teens navigating the intense pressures of adolescence—football dreams shadowed by addiction, hidden grief, cliques crumbling under dark secrets, temptations testing faith, and battles for innocence amid spiritual and emotional warfare. From the award-winning The Right Person to the thrilling finale The Forces Within, each book builds on the last, weaving realistic stories of friendship, heartbreak, redemption, and growth that feel authentic and urgent.
What makes this series stand out is its unflinching honesty about real teen struggles—substance abuse, bullying, mental health, relationships, and moral choices—paired with hopeful messages of support, transformation, and seeking light in the darkness. Praised for its compelling characters, suspenseful plots, and Christ-centered insights without being preachy, Montgomery Lake High has earned multiple Readers’ Choice Book Awards and captivated readers who crave stories that mirror the highs and lows of growing up. Perfect for teens, young adults, and anyone who remembers (or is still living) those defining high school years—if you’re looking for a series that hooks you emotionally and leaves you thinking, this is it. Start with Book 1 and get ready to be gripped!
Montgomery Lake High #1: The Right Person
A Finalist for “Best Teen Book” in the 2023 Readers’ Choice Book Awards
Growing up in the shadow of two NFL-destined cousins, Chris Dunkin has high hopes for his own future in football. However, a drug addiction threatens to destroy everything he has worked hard to attain. When Chris meets Courtney Angeletti—the mayor’s straightedge Christian daughter—he believes she could be the source of inspiration he needs to overcome his destructive lifestyle.
Courtney, however, has other ideas.
The desire to rebel has been tugging on Courtney’s heartstrings for some time, and Chris’s “bad-boy” reputation draws her to him like a moth to a flame. After all, he is a central part of the most popular clique in her high school. Will Chris pull Courtney away from her faith or will Courtney inspire him to overcome his rebellious lifestyle?
“There are important lessons in this book about the impacts of peer pressure and the ensnaring trap of drugs and alcohol. Under all the darkness of painful heartbreak and mistakes, there is a glimmer of the greatest hope available to mankind.” – Mackenzie Wells, University of Georgia
“I recommend this book to both students currently in high school and middle schoolers preparing for these tricky years. It is a reminder of God’s presence in our lives and the importance of seeking strength through him in times of uncertainty.” – Kelly Mitchell, University of Notre Dame
Montgomery Lake High #2: When Darkness Tries To Hide
The Gold Winner for “Best Teen Book” in the 2023 Readers’ Choice Book Awards
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.
“This book is desperately needed for its unapologetic look into the effects of drugs and alcohol in the lives of teenagers, as well as their journeys to escape such a destructive lifestyle.” – Mackenzie Wells, University of Georgia
“The struggles of the young adults are authentic and reflect many of the issues that teens face today-bullying, drugs, sex, self-worth, and making good choices. I particularly liked how the author instills hope throughout the book and shows the reader how Jesus Christ truly can make all the difference.” – Lorilyn Roberts, award-winning Christian Author
“The theme of light and darkness is relevant to everyone. No matter how old or young you are, the struggles of Jason, Chantal, and Chris will be applicable to your life.” – Isabelle Semas, best-selling author of The Crash
Montgomery Lake High #3: The Aftermath
The Bronze Winner for “Best Teen Book” in the 2024 Readers’ Choice Book Awards!
At age fifteen, Jason Davids appears to have nearly any worldly thing that promises enjoyment at his disposal. Despite this, there is a persistent emptiness inside his heart. After failing to fill the void with achievements, relationships, and illicit substances, Jason finds himself intrigued by Jessie Robins: the daughter of a local pastor. How is it possible that she stands for everything his lifestyle opposes yet possesses the one thing he has been searching for all along?
“It is rare to find a narrative that is equally entertaining and educational, yet The Aftermath seems to have mastered this impactful combination. The accuracy in which the book immerses the reader into the mind and thought processes of teenagers and the bubble that is high school is so important. I would recommend this book and the entire MLH series to all middle and high school age students!” – Elizabeth Harvey, Emerson College
“The Aftermath, Book 3 in the Montgomery High Series, continues with the same cast of characters and delves deeper into the lives of the protagonists, including the good and the bad that ranges from hope to despair. I’ve developed a sense of who these teens are as people and how God is working in their lives in a deep and personal way – when the coming-of-age young adults are willing. The Montgomery High Series is realistic and meaningful and something that all teens who are searching for truth and meaning in today’s chaotic world would greatly enjoy. I look forward to the next book in the series.” – Lorilyn Roberts, Christian Author
Montgomery Lake High #4: The Battle For Innocence
A Finalist for “Best Teen Book” in the 2024 Readers’ Choice Book Awards!
Jon Anderson and Chantal Kagelli are trying to live moral lives, but temptations are plaguing them in and out of school. Will they continue to be lights in their best friends’ lives or will they get pulled into the darkness?
“I would highly recommend this eye-opening book to any teen and any teen’s parent. The story demonstrates how important faith and spirituality can be to teens at this impressionable time in their lives.” – J. Dakoyannis
“The Battle for Innocence offers incredible insight and even more character development than the previous books within the MLH series. I found it very captivating to see multi-dimensional characters and related to them in a whole new way.” – Elizabeth Harvey, Emerson College
Montgomery Lake High #5: The Forces Within
The Silver Winner for “Best Teen Book” in the 2025 Readers’ Choice Book Awards!
After being trapped inside his own body, unable to communicate with anyone but his own thoughts, Andy Rosetti finally wakes up from the coma that controlled his life for one month. But upon awakening, Andy finds himself and his friends in an unfamiliar setting: a mansion riddled with secret passages and supernatural forces. As his friends fall prey to the entities surrounding them, Andy must figure out if the darkness lies within the mansion’s walls or within the people surrounding him.
“A mixture between ‘The Screwtape Letters’ and a Nancy Drew novel, ‘The Forces Within’ takes a poignantly authentic look at spiritual warfare. A shocking reminder of a too-often overlooked battle, this book is desperately needed to educate today’s generation.” – Mackenzie Wells, University of Georgia
“I recommend The Forces Within to all teenagers, especially those who are currently struggling with identity and social pressures.” – Elizabeth Harvey, Emerson College
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