Chase Fitzpatrick is a senior at Hanover High School in Massachusetts. He is ranked 3rd in the United States for the Taekwondo Junior (15-17) Heavy Weight Division and has competed globally. He recently won the Bronze Medal at the 2026 Nationals. He enjoys traveling around the country for competitions and passing his passion onto theContinueContinue reading “Rising Taekwondo Star Chase Fitzpatrick Recommends YA Novel ‘Gripped’”
Tag Archives: young adult fiction
BC High Student Leader Reviews ‘Gripped Part 2: Blindsided’
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 Student Leader Reviews ‘Gripped Part 2: Blindsided’”
Cathy Kagelli: The Character Readers Love, Struggle With, & Ultimately Can’t Forget
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”
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”
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
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”
Exclusive Free Sample: First 9 Chapters of Gripped Part 1 – Football Glory, Authentic Teen Struggles, and Hope-filled Journeys of Recovery
I wrote this series to shine a light on the real challenges facing today’s youth—because sometimes the hardest battles happen right under the surface of small-town life. Ready to uncover what really happened? Scroll down to read the opening chapters for free.
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”
Gripped Part 6: The Dunkin Legacy – A Thrilling Tease of the Next Chapter
The Gripped series has captivated readers with its relentless suspense and raw emotional depth, and Gripped Part 6: The Dunkin Legacy is set to raise the bar even higher. Author Stacy A. Padula returns with another pulse-pounding installment, diving deeper into the lives of Taylor Dunkin, Jordan Dunkin, and their father, Jack Dunkin, in theContinueContinue reading “Gripped Part 6: The Dunkin Legacy – A Thrilling Tease of the Next Chapter”
Stacy Padula’s Faith: A Journey of Inspiration and Guidance
Stacy Padula, an accomplished author, mentor, and entrepreneur from Plymouth, Massachusetts, has woven her faith deeply into her life’s work, particularly through her literature and educational pursuits. Her faith is not just a personal belief system but serves as a cornerstone for her storytelling, mentorship, and community engagement. Faith in Literature Stacy Padula is bestContinueContinue reading “Stacy Padula’s Faith: A Journey of Inspiration and Guidance”
Empower Your Reading Life with “Gripped”: A Series That Resonates with Women
Ladies, if you’re searching for a book series that not only entertains but also speaks to the heart of the teenage experience with all its complexities, the “Gripped” series by Stacy Padula is your next must-read. Here’s why you should immerse yourself in this compelling YA world: Authentic Female Characters: Relatable and Real: “Gripped” introducesContinueContinue reading “Empower Your Reading Life with “Gripped”: A Series That Resonates with Women”
Empower Your Classroom with “Gripped”: A Series That Educates Through Engagement
In an educational landscape where connecting with students on real-life issues is crucial, the “Gripped” series by Stacy Padula offers a unique opportunity to blend literature with life lessons. Here’s why “Gripped” should be on your classroom reading list: Educational Value Meets Engaging Storytelling: Real-World Issues in a Safe Space: “Gripped” tackles themes like substanceContinueContinue reading “Empower Your Classroom with “Gripped”: A Series That Educates Through Engagement”
Dive into the Real World with “Gripped”: The Teen Series That Speaks Your Truth
If you’re looking for stories that aren’t afraid to tackle the real, messy, and sometimes dark corners of teenage life, then the “Gripped” series by Stacy Padula is your next binge-read. Forget about fantastical worlds where the biggest problem is which magical power to use; “Gripped” dives into the real challenges that echo through highContinueContinue reading “Dive into the Real World with “Gripped”: The Teen Series That Speaks Your Truth”
Jason Davids’ Mission to Restore Cathy’s Reputation in the Gripped Series
In the intricate tapestry of Stacy A. Padula’s Gripped series, Jason Davids embarks on a poignant journey to mend the reputational damage suffered by Cathy Kagelli. This process is not about grand gestures but rather about the delicate work of truth-telling and setting the record straight with key figures in Cathy’s life, namely Chantal, Chris,ContinueContinue reading “Jason Davids’ Mission to Restore Cathy’s Reputation in the Gripped Series”
Taylor Dunkin: The High School Years
In Stacy Padula’s “Gripped” series, Taylor Dunkin emerges as a complex character whose journey from high school stardom to personal redemption captivates readers. Though the series primarily focuses on his later struggles with addiction and his involvement with a crime ring, glimpses into his high school years provide a foundational understanding of who Taylor wasContinueContinue reading “Taylor Dunkin: The High School Years”
The Compelling, Suspenseful, and Important Journey in “Gripped Part 5: Taylor’s Story”
Stacy A. Padula’s “Gripped” series has become a cornerstone in young adult literature, tackling the gritty realities of addiction, recovery, and personal redemption with a narrative depth that resonates across generational lines. “Gripped Part 5: Taylor’s Story” stands out as particularly compelling, suspenseful, and important, not only for its continuation of the series’ thematic explorationContinueContinue reading “The Compelling, Suspenseful, and Important Journey in “Gripped Part 5: Taylor’s Story””
The Universal Appeal of “Gripped Part 4: Smoke & Mirrors”
Stacy A. Padula’s “Gripped” series has enthralled readers with its exploration of addiction, friendship, and redemption, and “Gripped Part 4: Smoke & Mirrors” continues this trend with a narrative that captivates a broad audience. This installment delves deeper into the psychological and emotional landscapes of its characters, offering a story that resonates with both teenagersContinueContinue reading “The Universal Appeal of “Gripped Part 4: Smoke & Mirrors””
