If you’ve spent any time talking with readers of the Gripped series (or the Montgomery Lake High books), you’ve probably noticed something interesting about Cathy Kagelli. People rarely feel neutral about her. Some readers call her their favorite. Others admit they wanted to shake her. A surprising number say both—depending on which book they wereContinueContinue reading “Cathy Kagelli: The Character Readers Love, Struggle With, & Ultimately Can’t Forget”
Tag Archives: gripped book series
Class of 2027 Gripped Book Series Interns
Sending out a special welcome to our newest interns: Chase, Clare, Julia, Ksenia, and Nick! They will be reviewing and vetting our Gripped series to ensure the books are authentic and relatable to modern teen life. Chase Fitzpatrick is a rising senior at Hanover High School in Massachusetts. He is ranked 3rd in the countryContinueContinue reading “Class of 2027 Gripped Book Series Interns”
BC High’s Nick Hallal Reviews ‘Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told’
Nick is a rising senior at Boston College High School who’s interested in sports and fitness. He’s been on the varsity wrestling team for 3 years. At school, he is the president and founder of the Bible Club, and he is the captain of Bowman House, participating in leadership activities in and out of school.ContinueContinue reading “BC High’s Nick Hallal Reviews ‘Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told’”
From College Gridiron Glory to a Town Gripped by Secrets
Friday night lights in small-town Massachusetts. Star quarterback Taylor Dunkin was the hometown legend — a high school record-breaker who became a college football phenom, ranked by ESPN as one of the NFL’s top prospects. One knee injury later, everything crashes. Pain pills turn into secrets, secrets turn into dealing, and suddenly the whole town’sContinueContinue reading “From College Gridiron Glory to a Town Gripped by Secrets”
Gripped Character Spotlights: Meet the Hearts of Montgomery
The Gripped series by Stacy A. Padula dives deep into the lives of interconnected teens and young adults in Montgomery, Massachusetts, as they navigate friendship, family, romance, peer pressure, faith, and the devastating grip of substance abuse. At the center are complex, flawed, and deeply relatable characters whose journeys of struggle, growth, and redemption resonateContinueContinue reading “Gripped Character Spotlights: Meet the Hearts of Montgomery”
Notre Dame Academy’s Ksenia Nenacheva Reviews ‘Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told’
Ksenia Nenacheva is a student at Notre Dame Academy, graduating in 2027. She is a dedicated student-athlete who competes in swimming year-round while balancing her academic interests in history, English, business, and global affairs. She enjoys learning about different cultures, communication, and the ways businesses and organizations connect with people around the world. Outside ofContinueContinue reading “Notre Dame Academy’s Ksenia Nenacheva Reviews ‘Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told’”
July Book Specials
Visit our online bookstore and use the coupon codes below for extra savings this month! Use code BOOKTOK40 at checkout to get 40% off the full paperback series at the Gripped Bookshop Use code BOOKTOK30 at checkout to get 30% off Gripped Part 6 at the Gripped Bookshop
New England Patriots RB TreVeyon Henderson Stars in Announcement Video as Gripped Book Series Heads to Television
Gripped Part 6: The Dunkin Legacy by Stacy Padula Now Available with 5-Star Readers’ Favorite Review, Foreword by TreVeyon Henderson, & Major Award Nominations The Gripped book series by Plymouth, Massachusetts author Stacy A. Padula is being adapted for television by Emmy Award-winning producer Mark Blutman. The latest installment in the book series, “Gripped PartContinueContinue reading “New England Patriots RB TreVeyon Henderson Stars in Announcement Video as Gripped Book Series Heads to Television”
From Boston Chaos to Family Forgiveness: Why “Gripped 5” Is the Best Book in the Series Yet
Gripped 5: Taylor’s Story — ideal for parents and educators looking for impactful YA books that entertain while guiding real conversations
Taylor Dunkin’s “Gripped” Journey: A 4-Part Video Series
This 4-part video series brings Taylor’s powerful story to life in short, heartfelt episodes. Whether you’ve faced your own disappointments, walked alongside someone battling addiction, or simply need a reminder that redemption is possible, these videos were created for you. Watch the full series below. Part 1 – The FallFrom Al-Anon roots and high schoolContinueContinue reading “Taylor Dunkin’s “Gripped” Journey: A 4-Part Video Series”
Gripped by Truth: A Heart-Wrenching Dive into Addiction & Hope in Taylor’s Story
Gripped Part 5: Taylor’s Story by Stacy Padula is a powerful and heart-wrenching continuation of the Gripped series that masterfully blends suspense with emotional depth. The story’s gripping mystery surrounding Taylor’s disappearance draws readers in immediately, while the raw portrayal of addiction and its devastating impact on families adds profound realism. Padula’s ability to capture the complex emotions of loyalty, fear, and hope makes this installment both compelling and deeply moving. The narrative doesn’t shy away from difficult truths, offering an unflinching look at the struggles many teens and their families face today.
Smoke & Mirrors: A Heart-Pounding Dive into Trust, Addiction, and Small-Town Secrets
Gripped Part 4: Smoke & Mirrors by Stacy Padula is a gripping, raw, and emotionally charged continuation of the series that dives deep into the complexities of addiction, trust, and the consequences of choices made under pressure. The characters are authentically portrayed with all their flaws, making their struggles and growth feel real and relatable. The fast-paced narrative kept me hooked from the first page to the last, with suspense and emotional depth expertly balanced.
Book Trailers on YouTube
Curious about the world of Gripped and Montgomery Lake High but haven’t dove into either series yet? Now you can watch video trailers on our YouTube channel to learn about our books and characters! Some of our most-watched videos are below.
A Must-Read for Teens and Parents: Gripped Part 4 Delivers Tough Truths & Timely Insight
“Gripped Part 4: Smoke & Mirrors” by Stacy Padula is a powerful continuation of the series that brings together the storylines and emotional weight of the previous books while raising the stakes even higher. The novel dives deeply into addiction, mental health, and strained relationships, showing how easily destructive behaviors can take hold and how difficult—yet necessary—it is to confront them. Padula presents recovery as a complicated, uneven process and emphasizes the role of support systems without oversimplifying the realities teens face today.
An Eye-opening Y.A. Read: Angelina Tzeng Reviews “Gripped Part 3”
An Interview with Angelina Tzeng of Braintree, Massachusetts Angelina is a senior at Braintree High School, a member of the Class of 2026, Student Body President, and an active leader in her school and community. With the desire to help others, she has been a member of the Student Council club for three years andContinueContinue reading “An Eye-opening Y.A. Read: Angelina Tzeng Reviews “Gripped Part 3””
“Gripped 4” by Stacy Padula Wins the Gold Award!
We are thrilled to announce that Gripped Part 4: Smoke & Mirrors has been honored with the Gold Award for Best Teen Book in the Readers’ Choice Book Awards! This prestigious recognition highlights the powerful storytelling and resonant themes that have captivated readers across generations. As the fourth installment in the Gripped series, this novel continues to shine a light on the harsh realities faced by today’s youth, and we’re incredibly grateful to our dedicated fans and the awards committee for this accolade.
“Gripped 3: The Fallout” Explores Teenage Life with Urgency & Honesty
Stacy Padula’s “Gripped Part 3: The Fallout” is a gripping continuation that deepens the emotional and thematic weight of the series. While more concise than earlier books, it feels anything but limited, weaving together multiple storylines that explore the realities of teenage life with honesty and urgency.
The Gripped Series Gets a Fresh Look
As my team and I continue to pour our hearts into developing the highly anticipated TV adaptation of the Gripped series, I’m thrilled beyond words to announce the re-release of Parts 1 through 5 with new covers and synopses. Just a couple of weeks ago, after an inspiring meeting with producers, I dove straight intoContinueContinue reading “The Gripped Series Gets a Fresh Look”
YA Novel “Blindsided” Portrays Honest Depiction of Teen Relationships & Struggles
Gripped Part 2: Blindsided by Stacy Padula is an incredible continuation of the series that dives even deeper into the pasts, choices, and unraveling lives of its characters. Through flashbacks that illuminate the events leading up to Part 1, the author masterfully reveals how one decision can spark a chain reaction with life-altering consequences. The character development is exceptional—relationships shift, friendships fracture, and personal struggles come into sharp focus. This installment not only strengthens readers’ emotional connections to each character but also delivers a storyline so compelling that it becomes impossible to put the book down.
Angelina Tzeng Reviews “Gripped 2: Blindsided”
An Interview with Angelina Tzeng of Braintree, Massachusetts Angelina is a senior at Braintree High School, a member of the Class of 2026, Student Body President, and an active leader in her school and community. With the desire to help others, she has been a member of the Student Council club for three years andContinueContinue reading “Angelina Tzeng Reviews “Gripped 2: Blindsided””
