Tag Archives: gripped book series

First Book in Gripped Series Hits Home with Teen Readers

“My favorite part of the story was the dialogue. I think in a book like this where it has a lot to do with relationships and young adults, seeing their interactions shows their personality way more than any amount of description can.” – Laurie O’Sullivan

Multiple Timelines in Gripped #1 by Stacy Padula Make It a 5-star Read

Written by Timmy Weiss, Weston, MA Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told by Stacy Padula is a thrilling book that engrosses the reader in the story and teaches extremely valuable life lessons.  By exploring different timelines of its characters, it not only gives the reader a closer connection to each character but alsoContinueContinue reading “Multiple Timelines in Gripped #1 by Stacy Padula Make It a 5-star Read”

There’s Much to Learn from Chris Dunkin’s Character Arc in “Gripped” by Stacy Padula

Written by Maya Daly, Duxbury, Massachusetts Gripped Part 3: The Fallout by Stacy Padula gives important insight into the minds of many teens during their high school years. While, oftentimes, the characters are not making the best decisions, it shows that usually these decisions are made worse due to outside factors going on in theContinueContinue reading “There’s Much to Learn from Chris Dunkin’s Character Arc in “Gripped” by Stacy Padula”

“Gripped 3” Shows Deeper Causes of Teen Substance Abuse Than Many Would Think

Written by Maya Daly, Duxbury, Massachusetts Gripped Part 3: The Fallout by Stacy Padula is a Y.A. fiction novel about substance abuse and relationships. It shows readers that drug abuse stems from deeper issues within people’s lives—more than just bad influences or hanging out with the wrong crowd. While there are some bad influencers inContinueContinue reading ““Gripped 3” Shows Deeper Causes of Teen Substance Abuse Than Many Would Think”

Nasin Groshek Reviews ‘Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told’ by Stacy Padula

Written by Nasin Groshek, Plymouth, Massachusetts Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told by Stacy Padula is a fast-paced, compelling story about substance abuse and how it affects young adults’ relationships and future aspirations. I highly recommend this book to other high school and middle school students since they should easily relate to thisContinueContinue reading “Nasin Groshek Reviews ‘Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told’ by Stacy Padula”

A Fascinating Page Turner with an Important Message for Teens

Written by Maya Daly, Duxbury, Massachusetts Stacy Padula’s Gripped Part 3: The Fallout is a captivating story, following the plot of teens on their journeys to sobriety or falling deeper into drug use. This story continues with the main characters of the past two books now coming up on their freshman year at Montgomery LakeContinueContinue reading “A Fascinating Page Turner with an Important Message for Teens”

Newton Country Day Senior Reviews ‘Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors’ by Stacy Padula

“The author’s ability to seamlessly connect several plot lines is unlike anything I have read. Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors is the best one yet, and I cannot wait to read Taylor’s Story next.” – Megan Farinacci

The Y.A. Page Tuner Parents Should Be Reading

“As a senior in high school, I highly recommend the book Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors, along with any of the books in the Gripped series by Stacy Padula, to parents and teens. Gripped 4 touches on heavy topics like drug and alcohol abuse, which are rarely talked about in schools across the country. It is important for teens to be knowledgeable on these topics and be able to share their knowledge with their peers for the good of their community.” – Megan Farinacci, Newton Country Day School

Reflecting on Taylor’s Story: The Gripped Characters

Written by Kyle Banker, University of Miami After reading the latest novel in Stacy Padula’s Gripped series, Kyle Banker was asked to share his opinion on some of the main characters. Taylor Taylor has dug himself into a deep hole within Bilotti’s drug dealing business. However, he is trying to get out of the gangContinueContinue reading “Reflecting on Taylor’s Story: The Gripped Characters”

Teenage Author Isabelle Semas Recommends Y.A. Suspense Novel

Isabelle Semas By Isabelle Semas, South Shore, Massachusetts Taylor Dunkin, former football star, is attempting to escape the drug distributing ring he is entangled in.  His life has been ruined by addiction, and he is ready to change.  Just when Taylor begins to work with police, he goes missing.  As his family members and friendsContinueContinue reading “Teenage Author Isabelle Semas Recommends Y.A. Suspense Novel”

Y.A. Novel Demonstrates that Addiction Does Not Discriminate

Stacy Padula’s story, Gripped Part 2: Blindsided is a 5/5 star read, as it is a captivating and revealing story on the dangers of drugs. An important read for people of all ages, this book shows how drugs can become a prominent factor in anyone’s life, even those who it would be least suspected of. The novel is able to keep the reader curious and engaged with each chapter, and I look forward to reading the rest of the series!

Alternating Storylines Maintain Suspense in “Gripped Part 5: Taylor’s Story”

Written by Kyle Banker, University of Miami In Gripped Part 5: Taylor’s Story by Stacy Padula, I enjoyed the alternation between the storylines of Taylor and the Boston Police with Cathy and Chantal. I believe that this style worked best in Gripped 5 as Taylor’s situation kept its intensity as the reader was separated fromContinueContinue reading “Alternating Storylines Maintain Suspense in “Gripped Part 5: Taylor’s Story””

Marshfield High School Graduate Recommends “Taylor’s Story” to Teens

Written by Sophia Coggeshall, South Bend, Indiana “Gripped Part 5: Taylor’s Story” by Stacy Padula is a must read that will constantly keep you at the edge of your seat! The action-packed addition to the Gripped Series simultaneously focuses in on two main storylines: Taylor Dunkin’s conflict in getting out of a dangerous crime ringContinueContinue reading “Marshfield High School Graduate Recommends “Taylor’s Story” to Teens”

“Taylor’s Story” Sets the Tone for an Exciting 6th Novel in Stacy Padula’s “Gripped” Series

Written by Kyle Banker, University of Miami “Gripped Part 5: Taylor’s Story” by Stacy Padula is a book that displays the heavy consequences of substances to young adults in Montgomery. Part 5 of the Gripped series smoothly picks up the storylines from the previous novel, including the situations of Taylor and Cathy. In this novel,ContinueContinue reading ““Taylor’s Story” Sets the Tone for an Exciting 6th Novel in Stacy Padula’s “Gripped” Series”

Isabelle Semas on the “Gripped 5” Characters

Isabelle Semas By Isabelle Semas, South Shore, Massachusetts After reading Gripped Part 5: Taylor’s Story by Stacy Padula, teen best-selling author Isabelle Semas was asked to share how her opinion of the main characters has changed throughout the story. Taylor At first, I thought Taylor was an evil, heartless person.  As the series has goneContinueContinue reading “Isabelle Semas on the “Gripped 5” Characters”

“Gripped 5: Taylor’s Story” Sends Imperative Message to Teen Readers

Written by Kyle Banker, University of Miami As a junior in college, I believe that the topics covered in Stacy Padula’s Gripped 5: Taylor’s Story, including substance usage and purchasing, are becoming vastly more common across high schools and colleges in the United States. While many young adults feel it is simple to stay awayContinueContinue reading ““Gripped 5: Taylor’s Story” Sends Imperative Message to Teen Readers”

Mackenzie Wells on Stacy Padula’s “Gripped” Characters

By Mackenzie Wells, Athens, GA After reading Gripped Part 5: Taylor’s Story, Mackenzie was asked to share her honest opinions of the characters and how they have changed since the beginning of the series. Taylor After reading Gripped 5, I think that Taylor is a really good kid who was dealt a bad hand andContinueContinue reading “Mackenzie Wells on Stacy Padula’s “Gripped” Characters”

Teen Novel Effectively Shows the Effort Needed to Overcome Addiction & Begin New Life

Written by Kyle Banker, University of Miami Gripped Part 4: Smoke & Mirrors by Stacy Padula is a novel that showcases the evident consequences of substance to young adults in Montgomery. Part 4 of the Gripped series picks up the storylines effectively from the previous novel, including the situations of Taylor and Cathy. In thisContinueContinue reading “Teen Novel Effectively Shows the Effort Needed to Overcome Addiction & Begin New Life”