Teen Reads: Recent Episodes
Stacy Padula
Book reviews by teen readers across the country! Narrated by young adult author, Stacy Padula, the Teen Reads podcast shares honest reviews about Padula's book series written by young adult readers in high school and college.
Stacy Padula is the award-winning author of the Gripped book series and the Montgomery Lake High book series. She is also co-authoring the On the Right Path book series with NBA Coach Brett Gunning. You can learn more about Stacy Padula on her website: www.stacyapadula.com.
Author Stacy Padula explains her mission behind "Gripped"
Learn more at www.teenreads.org
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 wakes up 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.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://stacyapadula.com/2021/01/13/young-adult-book-teaches-teens-the-importance-of-choosing-relationships-wisely/
Eighteen-year-old Marc Dunkin has received word from a detective that his oldest brother Taylor is a person of interest in a highly confidential case headed by the Boston Police Department. They know Taylor’s clean; they know he wants out of the game; and they want to help make that happen. However, their “help” will come at a cost—one that may put Taylor and his entire family in grave danger.
Twenty-three-year-old Taylor Dunkin is trying to get his life back in order after an opiate addiction wreaked havoc on his once promising athletic future. Getting clean was a difficult feat, but breaking free from the Bilotti crime ring will present an even greater challenge.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://stacyapadula.com/2021/01/17/isabelle-semas-reviews-gripped-part-3-the-fallout/
Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors by Stacy Padula
Taylor Dunkin is used to high stakes. As an NCAA star quarterback, he performed under pressure to lead his team to victory, but his football career came to an abrupt halt when an injury sent him spiraling down a dark hole of pain, depression, and addiction. Now he finds himself playing a game with even higher stakes because his life, his reputation, and the safety of everyone he loves are all on the line.
Taylor’s two younger brothers, Jordan and Marc, have been at odds for years, but they are brought together to decipher the mysterious clues Taylor is leaving regarding his whereabouts. As secrets are revealed, the Dunkin boys’ relationships will be changed forever.
In Taylor’s weakest moment, he made a deal with the devil, and now there is a reckoning. But who will pay the price?
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://stacyapadula.com/2021/02/01/jennifer-osullivan-recommends-gripped-4-smoke-mirrors-by-stacy-padula/
Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors by Stacy Padula
Taylor Dunkin is used to high stakes. As an NCAA star quarterback, he performed under pressure to lead his team to victory, but his football career came to an abrupt halt when an injury sent him spiraling down a dark hole of pain, depression, and addiction. Now he finds himself playing a game with even higher stakes because his life, his reputation, and the safety of everyone he loves are all on the line.
Taylor’s two younger brothers, Jordan and Marc, have been at odds for years, but they are brought together to decipher the mysterious clues Taylor is leaving regarding his whereabouts. As secrets are revealed, the Dunkin boys’ relationships will be changed forever.
In Taylor’s weakest moment, he made a deal with the devil, and now there is a reckoning. But who will pay the price?
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://stacyapadula.com/2021/02/09/jenna-finnerty-reviews-gripped-4-smoke-mirrors/
Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors by Stacy Padula
Taylor Dunkin is used to high stakes. As an NCAA star quarterback, he performed under pressure to lead his team to victory, but his football career came to an abrupt halt when an injury sent him spiraling down a dark hole of pain, depression, and addiction. Now he finds himself playing a game with even higher stakes because his life, his reputation, and the safety of everyone he loves are all on the line.
Taylor’s two younger brothers, Jordan and Marc, have been at odds for years, but they are brought together to decipher the mysterious clues Taylor is leaving regarding his whereabouts. As secrets are revealed, the Dunkin boys’ relationships will be changed forever.
In Taylor’s weakest moment, he made a deal with the devil, and now there is a reckoning. But who will pay the price?
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://stacyapadula.com/2021/02/02/oliver-ames-senior-recommends-young-adult-novel-to-teens-parents/
Montgomery Lake High #4: The Battle for Innocence by Stacy A. Padula
Jon Anderson and Chantal Kagelli are trying to live moral lives, but temptations are plaguing them in and out of school. Will they continue to be lights in their best friends’ lives or will they get pulled into the darkness?
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://stacyapadula.com/2021/02/03/sophia-karnolt-reviews-the-battle-for-innocence-by-stacy-padula-2/
Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors by Stacy Padula
Taylor Dunkin is used to high stakes. As an NCAA star quarterback, he performed under pressure to lead his team to victory, but his football career came to an abrupt halt when an injury sent him spiraling down a dark hole of pain, depression, and addiction. Now he finds himself playing a game with even higher stakes because his life, his reputation, and the safety of everyone he loves are all on the line.
Taylor’s two younger brothers, Jordan and Marc, have been at odds for years, but they are brought together to decipher the mysterious clues Taylor is leaving regarding his whereabouts. As secrets are revealed, the Dunkin boys’ relationships will be changed forever.
In Taylor’s weakest moment, he made a deal with the devil, and now there is a reckoning. But who will pay the price?
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://stacyapadula.com/2020/12/21/michael-farinacci-gives-gripped-4-smoke-mirrors-a-10-out-of-10/
Gripped 2: Blindsided by Stacy Padula
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 wakes up 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.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://stacyapadula.com/2021/01/19/xaverian-brothers-senior-reviews-stacy-padulas-gripped-2-blindsided/
The Aftermath by Stacy Padula
At age fifteen, Jason Davids appears to have nearly any worldly thing that promises enjoyment at his disposal. Despite this, there is a persistent emptiness inside his heart. After failing to fill the void with achievements, relationships, and illicit substances, Jason finds himself intrigued by Jessie Robins: the daughter of a local pastor. How is it possible that she stands for everything his lifestyle opposes yet possesses the one thing he has been searching for all along?
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://stacyapadula.com/2021/01/12/young-adult-book-captures-modern-teen-life-the-social-pressures-faced-by-high-school-students/
Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors by Stacy A. Padula
Taylor Dunkin is used to high stakes. As an NCAA star quarterback, he performed under pressure to lead his team to victory, but his football career came to an abrupt halt when an injury sent him spiraling down a dark hole of pain, depression, and addiction. Now he finds himself playing a game with even higher stakes because his life, his reputation, and the safety of everyone he loves are all on the line.
Taylor’s two younger brothers, Jordan and Marc, have been at odds for years, but they are brought together to decipher the mysterious clues Taylor is leaving regarding his whereabouts. As secrets are revealed, the Dunkin boys’ relationships will be changed forever.
In Taylor’s weakest moment, he made a deal with the devil, and now there is a reckoning. But who will pay the price?
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://stacyapadula.com/2021/02/16/providence-college-freshman-joanna-dakoyannis-discusses-gripped-4-smoke-mirrors/
Isabelle Semas on Gripped 3: The Fallout by Stacy A. Padula
Eighteen-year-old Marc Dunkin has received word from a detective that his oldest brother Taylor is a person of interest in a highly confidential case headed by the Boston Police Department. They know Taylor’s clean; they know he wants out of the game; and they want to help make that happen. However, their “help” will come at a cost—one that may put Taylor and his entire family in grave danger.
Twenty-three-year-old Taylor Dunkin is trying to get his life back in order after an opiate addiction wreaked havoc on his once promising athletic future. Getting clean was a difficult feat, but breaking free from the Bilotti crime ring will present an even greater challenge.
In its release week, Gripped Part 3: The Fallout was ranked as the #1 New Release on Amazon in 3 genres
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://stacyapadula.com/2021/01/27/new-young-adult-book-entertains-educates-engages-teens-and-parents/
Gripped Part 2: Blindsided by Stacy A. Padula
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 wakes up 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.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://stacyapadula.com/2020/12/20/isabelle-semas-reviews-gripped-part-2-blindsided/
GRIPPED PART 1: THE TRUTH WE NEVER TOLD BY STACY A. PADULA
In high school, Taylor Dunkin broke more records than any other athlete to step foot in Montgomery, Massachusetts. As a sophomore in college, he was ranked by ESPN as one of the NFL’s top 100 prospects. However, his aspirations came to a jarring halt when a knee injury and two surgeries left him sidelined.
One year later, Taylor is a person of interest in a highly confidential investigation headed by the Boston Police Department. He has entangled himself in a crime ring notorious for pushing opiates, cocaine, and benzodiazepines on local college campuses.
When Taylor’s younger brother Marc discovers that Taylor is behind the copious drug supply circulating around Montgomery Lake High School, he sets off to not only reverse the damage Taylor has caused, but also save his lifelong role model from becoming a casualty of America’s deadly opioid epidemic.
In its release week, Gripped was ranked by Amazon as the #1 New Release on Kindle in its genre
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://stacyapadula.com/2021/02/04/relatable-characters-make-stacy-padulas-gripped-book-series-a-teen-favorite/
Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors by Stacy A. Padula
Taylor Dunkin is used to high stakes. As an NCAA star quarterback, he performed under pressure to lead his team to victory, but his football career came to an abrupt halt when an injury sent him spiraling down a dark hole of pain, depression, and addiction. Now he finds himself playing a game with even higher stakes because his life, his reputation, and the safety of everyone he loves are all on the line.
Taylor’s two younger brothers, Jordan and Marc, have been at odds for years, but they are brought together to decipher the mysterious clues Taylor is leaving regarding his whereabouts. As secrets are revealed, the Dunkin boys’ relationships will be changed forever.
In Taylor’s weakest moment, he made a deal with the devil, and now there is a reckoning. But who will pay the price?
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://stacyapadula.com/2021/02/18/the-mystery-crime-in-stacy-padulas-new-y-a-thriller-smoke-mirrors-is-captivating-teen-readers/
Gripped 3: The Fallout by Stacy A. Padula
Eighteen-year-old Marc Dunkin has received word from a detective that his oldest brother Taylor is a person of interest in a highly confidential case headed by the Boston Police Department. They know Taylor’s clean; they know he wants out of the game; and they want to help make that happen. However, their “help” will come at a cost—one that may put Taylor and his entire family in grave danger.
Twenty-three-year-old Taylor Dunkin is trying to get his life back in order after an opiate addiction wreaked havoc on his once promising athletic future. Getting clean was a difficult feat, but breaking free from the Bilotti crime ring will present an even greater challenge.
In its release week, Gripped Part 3: The Fallout was ranked as the #1 New Release on Amazon in 3 genres
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://stacyapadula.com/2021/02/11/mackenzie-wells-reviews-gripped-3-the-fallout-by-stacy-padula/
Gripped 2: Blindsided by Stacy A. Padula
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 wakes up 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.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://stacyapadula.com/2021/01/14/mackenzie-wells-reviews-gripped-2-blindsided-by-stacy-padula/
Gripped Part 1: The Truth We Never Told by Stacy A. Padula
In high school, Taylor Dunkin broke more records than any other athlete to step foot in Montgomery, Massachusetts. As a sophomore in college, he was ranked by ESPN as one of the NFL’s top 100 prospects. However, his aspirations came to a jarring halt when a knee injury and two surgeries left him sidelined.
One year later, Taylor is a person of interest in a highly confidential investigation headed by the Boston Police Department. He has entangled himself in a crime ring notorious for pushing opiates, cocaine, and benzodiazepines on local college campuses.
When Taylor’s younger brother Marc discovers that Taylor is behind the copious drug supply circulating around Montgomery Lake High School, he sets off to not only reverse the damage Taylor has caused, but also save his lifelong role model from becoming a casualty of America’s deadly opioid epidemic.
In its release week, Gripped was ranked by Amazon as the #1 New Release on Kindle in its genre
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://stacyapadula.com/2021/01/28/gripped-by-stacy-padula-an-addictive-read/