Grace Ellis Reviews Stacy Padula’s “Gripped” Book Series

Book #1: The Truth We Never Told

“Gripped The Truth We Never Told” presents hard but necessary conversations about how teenagers are influenced by inner circles into substance abuse. Moral values are put to the test, and the readers are given a clear picture of how one decision can lead down a slippery slope. We are also presented with topics such as communication within relationships, the importance of accountability as a mentor figure, and the difference that support (or the lack of it) can have in someone’s life.

The story is unafraid to tackle uncomfortable situations, nor is it afraid to show the realistic ways teenagers might react to them. Even when we feel frustrated with certain characters, we are shown the context of what led them to become the way they are. Unhealthy habits and toxic behaviors are introduced in a relaxed manner amongst friends, just as they would be in real life. Despite this, even characters who initially appear to be a bad influence are given the chance to show a different side, and characters whom we are led to trust end up making bad decisions. True to life, sometimes a conflict can feel confusing, and we are not sure who to side with.
However, throughout it all, there is still the hope of redemption. I appreciate that Stacy Padula doesn’t shy away from all the pain that intertwines with that hope. These characters struggle, and they struggle hard, but throughout each excruciating journey, there is the hope for something better. I genuinely want to see these characters succeed, so I am looking forward to reading the rest of this series.

Book #2: Blindsided

“Gripped Part 2: Blindsided” delves deeper into the minds of the main cast, unpacking each of their reasons for going down the path of substance abuse. Most of the time, their reasons aren’t fully concrete, but they are mixed with enough excuses to make the characters (and sometimes even the readers!) feel deceptively comfortable. This book places the readers directly into these characters’ brains and forces us to understand their reasoning. We can’t help but sympathize with them regardless of the result, because ultimately, we understand “good intentions.” An attempt to calm anxiety turns into becoming mentally asleep. Taking something to help focus turns into an addiction, then a reliance. The story shines a spotlight on how easy it is to justify doing the wrong thing for the right reasons, and how teenagers in particular might find solidarity in engaging in unhealthy habits.

This story deliberately connects its audience with each character’s thoughts, to the point where it can be hard to distinguish each character’s good decisions from their bad ones, as it would be in reality. The story takes the looming, intangible monster that is “substance abuse” and forces the readers to see how it influences specific, real-life situations. Most of these characters are barely out of middle school, and their relationships with each other, their families, their education, and their faith are directly affected by the choices they are making. 

The readers can see the path that a character is inevitably headed toward, but we feel helpless to stop them because the story makes us understand where they are coming from. The writing offers an honest look into these teenagers’ lives, showing us the good, the bad, and the ugly without editing out anything. I appreciate that this book’s message isn’t achieved by overemphasizing the bad, but by simply presenting the realities of being addicted, including the good parts that make the lifestyle so addictive. Through this stark view, the story reveals just how insidious substance abuse can be. I am definitely excited to see how each of these characters’ stories pan out in the next book!

Book #3: The Fallout

“Gripped Part 3: The Fallout” is perhaps the most challenging book in the series so far. Its name suits the subject matter, as we are forced to witness the falling out of several relationships that have been built up throughout the first two books. While the characters and the situations they get into can often feel hopeless, we want to know what happens next. This book is unafraid to take the leap in destroying certain relationships while planting the seeds for potentially better ones.

It should be noted that the characters in this book will make the readers feel justifiably frustrated. We are given front-row seats to the messiness that occurs when friendships and romances are dictated by substance abuse. Several times, a character will try to make better decisions, or try to help someone else get better, but are ensnared by their own weaknesses. Be prepared to settle in for the long-run, as moments of a brighter future are hinted at near the end of the book, but immediate gratification isn’t guaranteed. However, because of this, even the smallest glimmers of hope and good decisions feel like exponential wins.

I am really hoping to see these characters work on themselves and achieve happiness by the end of this series. The book is honest with the push-and-pull of toxic relationships, and how influential a close friend or partner can be in changing someone’s personality. Despite the pain these characters have to go through, I am rooting for them. Looking forward to seeing where this series takes them.

Book #4: Smoke & Mirrors

“Gripped Part 4: Smoke and Mirrors” takes a deep dive into how dangerous addictions can be in terms of longevity. I feel that this book so far is the one that embodies the main series name: “Gripped” the most.  Some of the characters are well past the point of falling and have already reached rock-bottom, and yet they still find themselves in denial or unable to get help. This helplessness ends up devolving into constant, weak excuses, which then spiral out further into not just hurting themself, but also the people around them.

This book, like the others, willingly shows the readers each of the character’s flaws. Characters that seem awful in one scene will have moments of redemption, while initially trustworthy characters will surprise the audience with how cruel they can be. You understand why characters make bad decisions, even as you mentally beg them not to. It is interesting to see how the characters who are truly gripped by addiction react differently when their addiction is pointed out to them. Some of them honestly believe that they are just taking medicine, or that taking “non-addictive” drugs is completely safe, while others are more aware of what they are doing but claim to be casual users or have a high tolerance. 

The overarching theme seems to come down to one question: will a character acknowledge they have a problem, and if they do, are they actually going to do something about it? This is the main question that I am carrying in my mind going forward into the next book. The series is coming to the point where the characters are more aware of each other’s issues and seem  to be more actively pointing them out to each other. I’m eager to see which characters will actually take steps to change, and which ones, perhaps, require more outside intervention. 

Book #5: Taylor’s Story

“Gripped Part 5: Taylor’s Story centers specifically around Taylor and how he deals with the aftermath of his actions over the past several years. The story picks up quite a bit as the readers are reintroduced to outside sources such as the mafia and the police, both of which become entangled with Taylor and the people connected to him. The story focuses on Taylor, tying every other character to the events surrounding him, both in the past and in the present. In this story, almost all the main events take place over one night. The short timeline serves to energize the story with high stakes and added action, making the book a refreshing change of pace in the series’ generally non-linear timeline.

This fifth book is a great mix of closure and anticipation. We are finally offered closure for relationships that have been built-up and torn down throughout the first four books, while also receiving clear set-up for things to come. The story feels like it’s being pulled in a different direction, one where most of the characters have been able to mend their relationships and are able to focus on either bettering themselves, or supporting those who still need help. 

The readers are able to take a breath when characters finally choose to communicate with each other, but we are kept in enough anticipation over Taylor’s situation to keep the story interesting. You can’t help but root for Taylor after everything he’s been through, despite the terrible mistakes he has made along the way. I mentioned in my first review that this series carries themes of hope and redemption. This book exhibits those themes the most, tying up most of the characters’ relationships satisfactorily (or hinting at it for the next book), and zeroing in on saving Taylor, the start of it all. I’m excited to see how his story ends, and how the rest of the characters will continue living their lives after everything they’ve gone through.