Gripped Part 2: Blindsided

Gripped #2

by Stacy A. Padula

"What other drugs have you tried?" Lisa asked.

"Weed, mushrooms, ecstasy, mescaline, acid, Adderall, Xanax, Klonopin, and Vicodin, but this one is, by far, the best," Chris replied without any hesitation.

Lisa widened her eyes. "Wow. You've tried a lot of stuff since we broke up."

Fourteen-year-old Chris Dunkin is known for being the life of the party and everyone's favorite friend. Despite his amicable nature, he carries around deep-seated pain from his childhood that he frequently numbs with alcohol and drugs.

After hosting a party, Chris awakes with a strange vibe running through his body and no recollection of the previous night. When he learns the horrifying truth of what his night entailed, the trajectory of his life is changed forever.

"Gripped Part 2: Blindsided guides the reader through a thrilling narrative, expertly utilizing flashbacks to demonstrate a complete picture of just how devastating and far-reaching substance abuse can be, as it impacts not just individuals, but entire families and communities. It is an essential young adult book for kids and parents alike." - E. Harvey, Syracuse University

"One of the main benefits of reading Gripped Part 2: Blindsided, as well as the entire Gripped series, is that it not only shows the horrors of substance abuse, but also reveals the buildup to it. Blindsided depicts not just the worst days, but the first days. Through the story, teens are able to learn about decisions and behaviors that can lead to drug abuse. Throughout the story, the social lives of the different characters intertwine with each other, creating drama, conflict, and new friendships, which makes Blindsided a fascinating read." - M. Farinacci, St. Sebastian's School

Genres: Young Adult

ebook

Published July 17, 2021

About the author

Stacy Padula grew up in Pembroke, Massachusetts. She is the founder of Briley & Baxter Publications, the founder of South Shore College Consulting & Tutoring, a co-founder of BLE Pictures, and the author of thirteen books. She began writing her first book series, Montgomery Lake High, when she was a teenager because she saw a need for realistic Y.A. books that address topics such as substance abuse and bullying. Between 2010-2014 all five Montgomery Lake High books were published. In 2017, she began writing her second series, Gripped, which serves as both a prequel and sequel to her first series. Gripped parts 1-5 were published between 2019-2021. She is currently writing part 6. In 2019, she also wrote her first screenplay, an adaptation of her novel The Aftermath, and worked on writing a pilot for Gripped, which caught the attention of Hollywood producers.

In 2020, she began writing a third book series with NBA Coach Brett Gunning. Geared towards children ages three through eight, Stacy and Brett’s On The Right Path book series has been endorsed by Joel Osteen, Mike D’Antoni, and Kevin McHale as a series that belongs in every school, library, and household. Both Stacy’s Gripped series and On the Right Path series are currently being adapted for TV by Emmy award winning producer Mark Blutman.

Stacy has been featured in Marquis Who’s Who in America (2018-Present) for excellence in literature and education, Marquis Who’s Who in the World (2018-Present), and Cambridge Who’s Who for Young Professionals (2009). In 2018, she was awarded the Albert Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2019, the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP of New York, NY) chose Stacy as its “Top Educational Consultant of the Year.”

In 2020, she was named “Empowered Woman of the Year” by IAOTP and a “Social Impact Hero” by Authority Magazine for her support of animal rescues through her publishing company. She was also chosen to be on the cover of T.I.P. Magazine, an international business publication.

In June of 2021, Stacy was featured on the famous Reuters Building in Times Square as Empowered Woman of the Year. In 2022, she was named “Top Inspirational Author of the Year” and was honored at a gala at the Bellagio in Las Vegas in December. She was also broadcast for her award on the Planet Hollywood Jumbotron overlooking the Las Vegas Strip. Her novel Gripped Part 5: Taylor’s Story won the Silver Award and Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told won the Gold Award for “Best Teen Book” in the 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards.

For 2023, Stacy has been named “Top Global Impact Author of the Year” for her literary work on several continents, and she will be honored at a gala at The Plaza in New York City. In addition, she was chosen to be featured in an international publication titled 50 Fearless Leaders for 2023. She also was asked to serve as a judge for the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious contest for creative young adults, sponsored by Bloomberg Philanthropies, The New York Times, and Scholastic.

Reviews

[Maya Daly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripped Part 2 continues on with the journeys of various teenagers wrapped up in dangerous relationships with drugs and alcohol. This book proves to be a compelling read, taking the reader through the troublesome lives of the young teens of Montgomery Lake High School. As these teens are exposed to a partying scene from a young age, they find themselves wrapped up in drugs, alcohol, and other mature situations before they have even entered high school. One of the main families involved in this is the Dunkin family, a family of many talented athletes who have bright futures ahead of them. However, this book proves the fact that drugs can impact anyone, no matter what outside factors they may have in their lives as shown through the stories of Chris and Taylor Dunkin. Chris, the younger cousin of the three older Dunkin brothers, gets exposed to drugs and alcohol in middle school and then finds himself addicted before even entering high school. And Taylor, the oldest of the Dunkin siblings, develops a serious opioid addiction after a serious knee injury, which turns into a dangerous situation involving the law and crime. Along with the many other characters, Chris and Taylor show the audience that drugs can take over the lives of the most unlikely people and just how easy it can be to become “gripped” by drugs.

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!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book, Gripped Part 2: Blindsided, by Stacy Padula is a continuation of the Gripped book series. Gripped Part 2 continues to tell the story of substance abuse and its negative consequences. This book focuses on more characters, such as Chris Dunkin. Chris is known as “the life of the party”. With his parents working abroad all the time, Chris’ house is available for him and his older cousins to throw parties. These parties lead Chris and his friends to experiment with different drugs. One morning after throwing a party, Chris wakes up with no recollection of the night before. When his older cousin Marc and his best friend Jason tell him that he nearly overdosed from mixing different drugs and alcohol, he decides that he must get his act together and he tries to get sober. This causes Chris and Lisa’s relationship to end. Chris realizes that he has been a bad influence on Lisa after he encouraged her to take Molly with him. He decides that the only way for him to get sober was if they spent some time apart. Also in Gripped Part 2, we see a continuation of Cathy Kagelli and Jason Davids’ relationship which takes a bit of a twist when Cathy begins to experience anxiety and panic attacks. She decides to start smoking marijuana to help her relax in social settings. Jason begins to worry that her marijuana use will develop into something bigger later.
Gripped Part 2: Blindsided keeps its readers intrigued and wanting more with every turn of the page. It is entertaining while teaching students the values of relationships and the harm substance abuse causes. I rate this book a 5/5 because of its valuable life lessons and its ability to keep the audience entertained.

[Timmy Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book, Blindsided, by Stacy Padula is a must read for all middle schoolers, teens and adults. In this book of the series we see the start of many characters' drug addictions. Some turning from alcohol to drugs and some from nothing to drugs, causing serious problems for many of the characters. Relationships are ruined, people change, and friend circles continuously differ. Cathy and Jason lean on each other for help, but the deeper they get into drugs the harder it is to sustain their relationship. Chris Dunkin wakes up one morning after a party, forgetting everything that happened and Taylor gains a serious football injury, changing his good habits into bad ones.
The constant talk of drug use among the characters is sure to teach kids how to say no when offered substances. They will learn how kids can easily pressure them into trying things, but through strong, mature characters like Marc and Courtney, they will see the stupidity of it. This book is perfect for readers who enjoy lots of drama as each page offers a new dilemma. Overall, this book is a fantastic read and I rate it a 5/5. I loved this book so much because I related to the characters and was shocked how people so similar to me can easily make such bad decisions.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

While Gripped: Part 1 introduces the characters and explores their relationships, the sequel really unpacks the reasons why each character finds themselves stuck in their own cycle of drug abuse. This book mainly follows the story of Chris who, to everyone else, is always happy and the life of the party. What they don’t realize is Chris’s party habits derive from his need to make people happy. Growing up with neglectful, absent parents (who’ve never even told Chris they love him) is where his use of drugs originates from. After realizing that drugs have the ability to make him happy, he begins to use them more. Since he lives to make other people share that same happiness, he introduces many of his close friends to drugs, consequently leading them to addiction.

Gripped: Part 2 does a great job of showing how using drugs to cope with pain is highly dangerous as it doesn’t just hurt oneself, but those closest to them.

[Nasin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Book! This book is a compelling story about substance abuse destroying the relationships of teenagers. This book in the series dives into the relationship between Chris and Lisa and the devastating consequences of substance abuse on their relationship. Chris at a very young age started partying and experimenting with drugs while Lisa really needed someone who was dependable.

I recommend this book to middle school and high school students since it addresses many of the situations that teenagers may encounter during their middle and high school years. Teenagers who read this book might even think about how they would react to the situations and encounters described through the various storylines.

[Kate Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book “Gripped part 2 by Stacy Padula is a page turner. Kids can learn a lot from this book. It teaches about the dangers of drug use and alcohol at a young age. It demonstrates the way that drugs can change your life so much for the worse through a story. It also explains how people's relationships go through a lot of strain and change in these middle/ high school years.

[Olivia Halle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripped Part 2: Blindsided by Stacy A. Padula adeptly explores the consequences of drug abuse in a manner that is digestible for middle schoolers and high schoolers. Through reading Blindsided, readers expose themselves to the buildup of addiction, the effects it has on relationships, and the fatal consequences of addiction. Readers will learn universally applicable lessons that will best prepare them to not only learn how to navigate the world of substances, but also how to maintain healthy relationships and the benefits of open communication. As the story progresses, readers will be all consumed by the complex relationships, creating conflict, drama, and attachment to the characters of the series.
The reader immediately becomes immersed in the new developments of Taylor’s complicated position, in which he is tangled in family, football, and drug dealing. Padula’s writing places emphasis on the tribulations of escaping addiction, as Taylor and others, such as Chris, begin to understand the negative implications of substance abuse. Readers will feel emotionally invested in the relationships of the likes of Chris and Lisa, Cathy and Jayson, and many others as they all begin to realize how they are changing for the worse. By the end of the novel, readers will surely want to keep reading to ensure that their favorite characters will continue to take strides on the right path, while they will be hoping for others to escape the consequences of their addictions.

[Michaella Barcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripped: Part 2 by Stacy Padula continues the mysterious and dangerous world of the Montgomery Lake High School students. To hide his loneliness and sadness from feeling unloved by his parents, Chris Dunkin became the life of the party. Essentially raised by his older cousins, Taylor, Jordan, and Marc, Chris experimented with drugs and alcohol from a very young age and slowly intruding his friends to his lifestyle. One night Chris recklessly puts his life on the line when he mixes too many things. After terrifying his cousin Marc and best friend Jason, Chris must start reevaluating his life.

The second book of the Gripped series takes a deeper look into the lives of Chris Dunkin, Jason Davids, and Cathy Kagelli and their struggle with substance abuse. Chris struggles with the fact that he has a severe problem with drugs and alcohol. Cathy's desperation to avoid her anxiety prevents her from realizing she has a dependency on Xanax. Jason watches in despair as the girl he loves slowly slips away, believing he is the cause. Gripped: Part 2 conveys that once you fall into a life of substance abuse, you can’t find your way out until you realize there's a problem.

[Isabelle M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripped Part 2: Blindsided, will have you captivated from cover to cover. The book picks up where Part 1 left off, with Taylor Dunkin trying to pull his life together after a hard struggle with substance abuse. Meanwhile, we learn more about Chris Dunkin’s past and personal struggles.

This novel displays exactly how drugs hold captive young people in our society. Whether it’s peer pressure, a need to numb physical or mental pain, or want of pleasure, substance abuse can easily ensnare even the “nicest” kids. Stacy Padula’s novel will not only interest you, but it also demonstrates the downfalls of experimenting with drugs.

[Isabella Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book Gripped Part 2: Blindsided, written by Stacy Padula is the second in the series. It is a fascinating novel that describes the harmful effect of substance abuse and peer pressure on teenagers. The story explains how each character feels in social situations and gives details on how the teens indulge in substances and alcohol at different times and levels. The main characters are constantly faced with peer pressure situations where they are forced to make life-changing decisions. Gripped Part 2 also contains multiple relationships and vividly describes the conflict between characters due to the harm that drugs bring to the friend group. For example, the book deeply touches on why Chris and Lisa’s relationship is strained due to Chris’ overuse of drugs and pills.
As the story goes on each teenager seems to decide whether or not they are going to continue down a dark path with drugs, or if they are going to attempt soberness at all costs. The novel provides readers with perfectly realistic scenarios and allows for them to truly understand the struggles of peer pressure and substance abuse that teens face. I think it is a perfect read for teenagers and young adults and I would rate it a 5 out of 5 stars. I would definitely recommend reading this novel because of the continuous tension between the characters and the intriguing way the story is written.

[Sarah Parrish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripped Part 2: Blindsided by Stacy Padula, reveals the way that drugs can take over the life of young kids and impact their relationships. The story starts by reintroducing Taylor Dunkin’s struggles with drug addiction and how it has affected his successful football career. However, his brother Marc, whom he is not on good terms with, has learned that Taylor is under investigation and must go to his house to deliver him a message. Meanwhile, on Taylor's path to recovery, he continues to deal drugs even if he is not using them. The problem is that he is dealing drugs to Marc’s friend without him having any idea. This forces Marc’s girlfriend and his best friend to keep this a big secret from him.

Meanwhile, Lisa has her first experience with drugs and falls back into her old relationship with Chris. Chris has one unforgettable night that ends with him in the hospital and then he decides to end his relationship with Lisa to work on himself. Chris starts to distract himself with someone new which is a very tangled web. Also, Cathy and Jason are falling deeper into their addictions which ignites problems between them. The story leaves us to wonder how drugs will affect these relationships in the future. I can’t wait to read Gripped Part 3 to find out!

[Kristen Nally · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book Gripped Part 2: Blindsided by Stacy A. Padula is a great book for middle schoolers, high schoolers, and parents alike to understand the dangers of addiction and substance abuse. The book begins in the present day, picking up from the end of Gripped Part 1. It focuses mainly on Taylor Dunkin, and his wakeup call to get away from drugs, and then moves into a long flashback. When in eight grade, Chris Dunkin hosted a party which ended in him almost overdosing, and the rest of the book focuses on his journey afterwards. This novel focuses on how what one might see as harmless fun can quickly turn into something life threatening.

I would rate this book a 5/5 for its complex and intriguing plot! Not only does it discuss the dangers of addiction, but it also shows how you can get better. These two sides can help warn teenagers from getting involved into this lifestyle, and give others hope who feel like they are too far in to get out. I believe that this book is super important for teenagers to read. Whenever anyone talks about addiction, kids think that it would never happen to them, but this is not the reality. I highly recommend Gripped Part 2: Blindsided for its insight into substance abuse, the opioid epidemic, and navigating relationships in your teenage years.

[Danielle Trenholm · Rating 5 out of 5]

For any age, Gripped Part 2 is a great way to educate young adults and adults to make thoughtful decisions. The Gripped Series captures the most common teen social situations.This includes alcohol, drugs, and sex. What is a bit frustrating is often these topics are looked over, often because parents and school administrators are worried about this being an influence to their kids and students to want to do these such things, when in reality it is extremely important to allow students to properly educate and advocate for themselves on the topic by allowing them to take in this empowering series. This is important so any age can get an understanding of how drugs are more powerful than you may think. In Gripped Part 1, we saw the start of addiction and what it looked like and what it does. In Gripped Part 2, now we get to know each character more in depth and be able to understand them on a personal level, and mid way through addiction. Some characters have made some significant changes in their everyday behavior and actions because of drugs and substance abuse. For example, we see Cathy, who is completely innocent in Part 1. She was against drugs and alcohol and her friends' impulsive behavior. Then we can see in Part 2, she begins to become hooked on drugs from the people she is being around. She was influenced by characters such as Chris and her Ex-Boyfriend Jason. Despite her and others being pulled into a sticky situation, I have always seen the good in Cathy and this proves that just because you make the wrong decision doesn’t mean you aren’t a good person deep inside, and that people in a situation like this may just need help from ones around them. I would rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars, as it is completely accurate of what life as a teen can be like today, and how to navigate through it. I also believe that schools and parents should really consider letting their students read this wonderful series to educate themselves on the struggles in society today.

[Jennifer O'Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book to all young adults! Gripped #2 really showed me how easy it is for middle and high school students to get heavily involved in drugs and how the effects are widespread. Whether substance use started as a fun thing to do at parties or whether the substances are used to cope with a tough situation, to self-medicate or to treat an injury, they are highly addictive and can change your life forever. Gripped #2 shows how Chris and Taylor's respective involvement in drugs has changed the relationships in their life. While Chris and Taylor originally thought that these drugs were a temporary thing to use to have a good time, they now completely regret their usage of these substances, because it has distanced them from the people they love, and they now feel more empty than they did when they started using. Gripped #2 also shows Chris' relationship with Lisa and gives more details about how he got into drugs to feel better about his life and involved his friends to help them feel better too, not to hurt them or because he didn't care. This showed me that people tend to judge those who use or abuse substances, oftentimes simply off of rumors, instead of trying to help them or connect with them, which is usually what these people really need. Gripped #2 also showed how Taylor used to be a top-performing athlete and student who loved his family but is now in the middle of a police investigation of a drug ring. The in-depth look at these characters allowed me to see that this type of addiction can happen to anyone and that when it does, everything changes. Cathy's role in Gripped #2 is an important one, she showed me how deeply you can be affected by the people that you surround yourself with. Jason is the one who got her into drugs, which completely changed her personality and her life, and Marc is trying to help her get her life back on track. This was a good reminder to be cautious about who I surround myself with because it will affect me greatly. I think that this book is an important way for young adults to be exposed to these topics and to see the effects of different drugs, without having to be exposed to them in real life.

[Bailey Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripped Part 2: Blindsided is an educational, fascinating, important, relatable, and gripping story! This is the second book in the gripped series which highlights the effects of drug and alcohol addiction on teens. The series is recommended for 12-18 years old, however, I recommend all adults read it. This series gives an accurate picture of the social pressures, challenges, mindset, drama, and society our teenagers are living in today. It is a highly realistic series thar holds nothing back in the best way! Blindsided expands on what happens to the characters in book one The Truth We Never Told. Taylor the star of the first book has started to turn is life around by attempting sobriety. However, he is still dealing drugs to his hometown high school. His choice to deal drugs began influencing many young students in the first book. We now get to see the progress that each character goes through. Some who stood strongly against drugs fall into peer pressure, others see the seriousness of their addiction and consider recovery, and a few characters like Chris experience a life altering event. Chris is the main character of this book. When Chris wakes up after a party, he feels awful and quickly realizes he has no idea why. Chris' memory of the night before are a blurr. Overtime he begins to flashbacks and what he remembers forever changes his life. There are lots of characters in this series and every story interested me, but Chris' was shocking. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series!!

[Maeve Shortt · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Gripped 2: Blindsided” continues this captivating series by creating even more suspense for the reader. The drama, social pressures, substance usage, and relationships all make for an alluring read. Not only that, it is a highly educational novel that I recommend all ages should read. It offers a largely realistic high-school scene that can allow kids and teenages to prepare themselves for the real world. Although it is common for books written on topics such as this to be typically “banned” from schools, I believe they are essential in order to guide young adults in the right direction. If schools were to incorporate the “Gripped” series into the curriculum in some way, I believe that many teenagers would be much more mindful when put in similar situations.
Each character in the series “Gripped”, has their own fascinating storyline that somehow all intertwine. While the majority of the focus in “Gripped 1: The Truth We Never Told” revolved around the choices that Taylor Dunkin made, “Gripped 2: Blindsided” primarily talks about how his life choices relate to his younger cousin Chris. Chris Dunkin has woken up in a frenzy, and is unsure of how to figure out what he has done that will continue to change his life forever. When engrossing yourself in this narrative by Stacy Padula, you will not only learn what it is like to be a teenager in modern life, but you will also begin to love and support these characters throughout their hard times.

[Bradford Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Gripped series by Stacy Padula is centered around the high school partying atmosphere written from a both middle and high school perspective. No matter who you are or what town you live in, you are bound to encounter substances such as drugs and alcohol throughout high school, and possibly even earlier. Gripped illustrates how substance use can seem harmless at first. The series however, provides insight to the dark sides of substance abuse and takes a deeper dive into the problems it causes. Gripped is a great educational resource that would be helpful for opening up conversations about drug and alcohol abuse.

Gripped Part 2: Blindside takes off right where Gripped Part 1 leaves off, as readers seek to find where Jason and Cathy’s relationship went wrong and what happens next to Taylor. In a flashback in Gripped Part 2, the reader finds out about Chris’ horrific experience at a party and his realization of how everyone around him has changed due to drugs and alcohol. The friend group comes to an awkward division as friends break up, and substances begin to take over and change people’s personalities. Like her first book, Padula’s Gripped Part 2 is a page-turner that always leaves you wanting to know what will happen next. I would rate Gripped a 5/5 and would recommend it to early high school students. - Review by Bradford Campbell, Thayer Academy Class of 2020

[Georgia Dakoyannis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripped Part 2: Blindsided, by Stacy Padula is the fascinating continuation of the story centered around a group of teens about to enter Montgomery Lake High School. They are influenced by older siblings and peers who are involved in drug and alcohol use. Taylor, the older sibling of Marc and Jordan Dunkin is deeply entangled, even becoming a drug dealer. His story continues in this installment of the series, showing how he tries to turn his life around. Simultaneously, the book follows the lives of several younger characters, Lisa, Chris, Jason and Cathy, who about to enter high school. Over several months we see their downfalls and self-realizations that they are on the wrong path in their lives.
Gripped Part 2: Blindsided is a must read for teens in middle school and high school. It is an easy read with a story that keeps you turning the page. In following the lives of the characters, the book demonstrates how damaging peer pressure can be in a teen’s life. Some of the characters, using their faith, are able to abstain from drugs, alcohol and sex. The theme that it is never too late to turn your life around is reiterated in this story, as it is in all the other books in the series. Gripped Part 2: Blindsided is a captivating extension of the series that gets five stars.

[Liv Syat · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book Gripped Part 2: Blindsided, by Stacy Padula put me in a trance. After indulging in the first chapter, my eyes were unable to be removed from the pages. Moving from present day of all the characters to the past of each individual allowed me to feel like I was living alongside them through their journey in school. The story captivated my attention specifically when diving into the brain of Chris: a main character who was a slave to drugs. He overcomes adversity and transforms himself into a better, more selfless person causing me to ponder what awaits for other characters I may have disliked in the beginning.
Gripped Part 2 is more for those in highschool and older, due to more mature content than the previous book. It has the ability to guide teens in the right direction when it comes to the social aspect of highschool. Also, the book can help parents understand the changes in character their children tend to have when entering high school whether it be due to drugs, anxiety, or depression. The book shows teens that the rough patches in life don’t define you, rather the way you overcome them.
- Review by Olivia Syat, Sharon High School, Class of 2020

[Sophia Coggeshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book Gripped Part 2: Blindsided by Stacy Padula provides the reader with a realistic, uncensored look into what it is like to deal with the lasting effects of drugs, specifically through the storylines of characters such as Taylor Dunkin, a recovering addict and drug dealer, and his relationship with his younger brother Marc, as well as through the storyline of their younger cousin, Chris Dunkin, who is introduced to drugs at a very young age. The novel is a must read for today’s generation of teenagers who will, if not already, be exposed to the same issues that the characters in the novel are faced with.
The novel continues the captivating story told in the first book of the series of a group of high schoolers who become intertwined in the dangerous world of substance abuse. The novel highlights the inherent issues that result from drug usage by revealing the negative effects that drugs cause for various character’s personal relationships and overall mental health. This second book of the series not only addresses how each of the characters first became involved in drugs, but it also details how they cope with the effects of their addiction.

[Michael Farinacci · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book, Gripped Part 2 follows the lives of many middle school and high school aged kids, as they venture through this difficult portion of their life. Part 2 focuses specifically on eighth graders as they look to transition into high school. The book follows these young adults to school, parties, and other social events, and demonstrates the difficult situations that are put before these kids. Throughout the story, the social lives of the different kids, intertwine with each other, creating drama, conflict, and new friendships, which makes Gripped Part 2 such a fascinating read.
The book deals with a lot of current issues, including substance abuse of many different drugs. Although the topics of the book may be uncomfortable to talk about at times, it is necessary, as many of these situations are common and middle and high schools alike. It is important for all high school and middle school aged kids to read this book, as it is very likely that they will run into a similar situation at some point in the middle and high school lives.

[Joseph Siracusa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The novel Gripped Part 2: Blindsided by Stacy A. Padula portrays the damaged relationships of many characters as a result of drug and alcohol abuse.When Taylor, the brother of Marc and Jordan, begins to attempt recovering from addiction, he has to also deal with the drug epidemic he has caused in Montgomery’s middle school and high school scene. The novel also focuses on the characters Lisa, Chris, Jason and Cathy whose relationships are struggling to stay together due to drug addiction among the group. What was once a dynamic bond between the four is now rapidly crumbling apart, and it is put upon them to fix this before it is too late.
Gripped Part 2 is an easy read for teens and young adults. While the novel is extremely enjoyable to read, the reader can also learn a lot from what the characters experience. Even though the novel is listed as “fiction,” problems like these can fall upon any teen or young adult which makes the book even more realistic. I rate this book a 5/5 and strongly recommend reading it. I look forward to continuing the series in Gripped Part 3.

[Megan Farinacci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripped Part 2: Blindsided by Stacy Padula was extremely eye opening. It is crucial for these issues to be addressed in a novel for young adults. In this novel, we see how even middle schoolers are affected by drugs and alcohol. This sequel focuses on fourteen year old Chris Dunkin’s development. Chris has always been the life of the party, but as he starts to use drugs and alcohol to cope with his internal issues, he begins to see relationships fall apart. The story focuses on those who have been impacted by Chris’s decisions.
This novel easily gets 5 stars. Each chapter unpacks a new story or issue that Chris is dealing with and keeps the reader intrigued throughout the whole novel. I highly recommend this book, especially to young adults. It is extremely important to educate the youth about the effects of drugs. This story encapsulates just how harmful peer pressure can be to yourself and those around you. The novel leaves you wanting more and excited for the next novel in the series.

[Nicole Kroon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripped Part 2, the second book in the Gripped Series, is another well-developed and impactful story that kids in middle and high school should read. The kids of Montgomery are still caught up in the mess left behind by Taylor Dunkin, drinking and doing drugs daily, but when Chris almost OD’s, they start to make some changes. The story follows the kids as they begin to realize the danger that doing so many drugs and drinking so much has put them in and try to undo some of the damage that they’ve caused to their lives and relationships.
This story is an excellent way for kids and young adults to be exposed to the dangers of drugs and drinking, topics that aren’t always addressed in school. The lack of education that so many kids receive about these things that are becoming more and more relevant in their lives, makes reading this book so much more important as it provides an accurate story that so many kids can relate to. The captivating plot and entertaining characters make this book a fun story to read which is why this is such a fantastic book!

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripped 2: Blindsided is a captivating read as it explores the effects that drug and alcohol use can have on a person’s life and relationships. It dives deep into the lives of high schoolers who are introduced to drugs and alcohol at a young age. One of the storylines in this book focuses on Chris Dunkin, Taylor’s younger cousin, who constantly throws parties and finds himself taking all sorts of drugs. This book shows how drugs affect a person’s relationships with their friends and loved ones as well as how they get into drugs in the first place.

This book is a must read for students that are going through high school and figuring out where they fit in. They can use this book to help guide themselves and learn from the characters’ mistakes. This book also helps readers learn how people can get into drugs in the first place and how much control it can have on their life. Overall, this book was a great read and I think everyone should get a chance to read it and learn from it.

[Mackenzie Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripped, Part 2: Blindsided is a cautionary tale for young adults, but it is also a humanizing story of those who have fallen into bad habits. Eighth graders Chris Dunkin, Cathy Kagelli, and Jason Davids are an integral part of their clique in their community, and are headed toward popularity when they attend the same high school together in a year. Despite their well-polished exteriors, they are all catapulting quickly toward destruction — and they don’t even know it yet.
Jason’s older brother has been dealing drugs, and Jason and his friends have been losing themselves in their experimentation with drugs. This book weaves together the stories of different groups in the community and flashes forward to their “present” day stories. Filled with romance, drama, danger, guilt, and redemption, this book is a look into the secret dangers that face American teenagers today.

[Emily Han · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book, Gripped Part 2, by Stacy Padula, continues the storylines of kids affected by their drug use. By splitting the timeline, we can see how the characters are changing with their drug use. Characters who were concerned with school, grades, and relationships, no longer have the desire to maintain them. We see that characters are only looking to benefit themselves, but have no idea of the consequences.
The most alarming thing within the book is that many of the characters feel that it is safe to self medicate and experiment with drugs. The kids have not been educated on the dangers of drugs in school. They see drugs as black and white, not the grey area they are in. They know drugs can be fun, but they do not know the dangers. In the future, they finally realize how damaging drugs are, by realizing the changes in themselves and others.

[GiGi Arcabascio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripped Part 2: Blindsided, by Stacy Padula is a perfect representation of the consequences of making childish decisions. This book draws you into the story even more. You grow into deeper relationships with the characters and learn some more background about each one of them. We learn about some new characters. With these new characters, old relationships are ending and new ones are sprouting. After Chris’s incident, the lessons you have learned throughout the book become real. The characters start to learn the importance of maturity. This book will teach you important life lessons, while showing the consequences if you don’t learn them.

[YA Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blindsided continues the Gripped saga with the same compelling characters that make the book a page turner. Marc is still on his mission to save Taylor and Cathy, while Jason is trying to sort out the mess back in Montgomery. The flashback is, perhaps, the most interesting part of the story of all because you learn insightful background information about Chris and Lisa that gives every event additional meaning. New characters enter the picture and spice things up. I am looking forward to the next installment.

[Haley F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripped Part 2 picks up where the first book ends. It is a more in depth look at young teens social and private lives. Part 2 goes into detail on how prescription and nonprescription drugs can change your personality and begin to alter your life. You may think some parts are far fetched, but in reality kids are using at younger ages and the situations mentioned are 100% happening more and more often. This is a great book for parents of preteens and teens. It would also be good for parents to read along with their kids and have discussions afterwards.