Series: None
Author: Brodi Ashton
Published September 6th 2016 by Balzer + Bray
Goodreads Synopsis
Aspiring reporter Piper Baird decides to write a scathing exposé on the overprivileged students at an elite Washington, DC, school, only for her life to change when she begins to fall for the story's main subject, in this new realistic contemporary romance from Brodi Ashton, the author of the Everneath trilogy.
Raucous parties, privileged attitudes, underage drinking, and diplomatic immunity...it’s all part of student life on Embassy Row.
Piper Baird has always dreamed of becoming a journalist. So when she scores a scholarship to exclusive Chiswick Academy in Washington, DC, she knows it’s her big opportunity. Chiswick offers the country’s most competitive prize for teen journalists—the Bennington scholarship—and winning will ensure her acceptance to one of the best schools in the country.
Piper isn’t at Chiswick for two days before she witnesses the intense competition in the journalism program—and the extreme privilege of the young and wealthy elite who attend her school. And Piper knows access to these untouchable students just might give her the edge she’ll need to blow the lid off life at the school in a scathing and unforgettable exposé worthy of the Bennington.
The key to the whole story lies with Rafael Amador, the son of the Spanish ambassador—and the boy at the center of the most explosive secrets and scandals on Embassy Row. Rafael is big trouble—and when he drops into her bedroom window one night, asking for help, it’s Piper’s chance to get the full scoop. But as they spend time together, Piper discovers that despite his dark streak, Rafael is smart, kind, funny, and gorgeous—and she might have real feelings for him. How can she break the story of a lifetime if it could destroy the boy she just might love?
Goodreads
Review
I recently read My Lady Jane, a book that was co-written by this author, and when I heard about Diplomatic Immunity, I added it to my wish list. Political books have become an interest of mine recently, and I was hoping this book would add to my ever growing list.
Diplomatic Immunity tells the story of Piper, a high school senior who dreams of nothing but becoming a journalist, travelling the world, reporting on important cases. When she gets offered a scholarship to the prestigious Chiswick Academy, the school home to the Bennington scholarship, the most exclusive journalism award, she jumps at the chance. Now she will be rubbing shoulders with the children of some of the most important people in the world, and the opportunity for a story is just waiting to be found. Once she realises that there is a serious hierarchy at the school, and that the kids of diplomats can get away with anything, she begins digging into the story of Diplomatic Immunity, the soon finds herself falling for one of her subjects.
I liked the premise of the book, but for some reason, it just didn't work on paper. As I was reading the book, I did enjoy it, but kept wishing for more and more. Piper's character was alright, but I never really got an opinion on her - she wasn't boring, but she also wasn't exciting, either. She was fleshed out, with a really good backstory and family members, but character was just there. I understood why she wanted to get the story, especially as it was basically her only way to get to college, but she wasn't exactly professional about it. She kept telling people what she was writing about, and even though she knew how much of a fall out it would cause, she didn't consider that until it was too late.
Her relationship with Rafael was good, and I did enjoy that aspect of the book, but it did feel sour to me, as I knew she was using him to get ahead. They did develop naturally, after she had somewhat forced her way into his eyeline. However, she knew he had some kind of feelings for her, but she flaunted her dates with another person, without really a care in the world.
I did enjoy reading the book, but I kept wishing for more, and that didn't come. I'm not going to say this isn't a good book, but it just didn't do it for me.
Dates Read:
Rating
3 Stars
