Strongly written, Gated by Amy Christine Parker, tells a riveting tale following the life of Lyla, a girl with a bold personality living a life full of lies and secrets. Listening to Pioneer's psychotic rants, Lyla and the rest of the community in Mandrodadge Meadows are tricked into believing the end of the world is coming, and soon! Lyla, though, had her doubts, especially when she meets Cody, an outsider, and the son of the police chief in the neighboring town. Cody sticks in her mind; he’s an outsider. He should be evil; not kind, friendly, and attractive! While shopping in the local town, Lyla runs head first into Cody, and after walking in front of a car and being admitted to the hospital, Cody tells Lyla the truth, but how can she escape from Pioneer's control?