Mundie Moms

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Diplomatic Immunity by Brodi Ashton / Book Review



By: Brodi Ashton
Published by: Balzar + Bray
Released on: September 6, 2016
Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Book Depository
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Rating: 3 stars - It was good
I received an eARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.


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?


I adore a story that features a Veronica Mars-ish main character. Piper is that girl. A girl whose family is experiencing potential bankruptcy. A girl whose dreams of becoming the next, award-winning, investigative reporter like Christiane Amanpour or Nellie Bly, may be shattered if she doesn't get into the exclusive Chiswick Academy and win their most prized journalism scholarship -- the Bennington scholarship. The plot thickens quickly when Piper decides to investigate the kids who are covered under diplomatic immunity.  While she has her eyes on that scholarship, what Piper doesn't expect is that Mr. Tall, Dark and OhSoWrong would be more than she first thought.

The story is sweet and reminiscent of Anna and the French Kiss, but it lacks a little something in its execution. I think it starts with Piper's character and the conveniently presented similarities of both Piper and Rafael having autistic brothers. While she is exactly the kind of character I love -- stubborn and determined -- her problems seem to resolve themselves too neatly. The two brothers bring Piper and Rafael closer and provide a common touchpoint they wouldn't otherwise have (or would take a while for it to develop). It just seemed too neat and in a contemporary story, I like a little bit of a mess before an inevitable conclusion.

The plot works itself out nicely. Many misunderstandings and prejudices are presented and resolved, including the biggest one of all -- can a girl on a scholarship end up with a diplomat's son? With our presidential election looming ahead of us, my mind does wander over to Washington D.C., and I do wonder what it would be like to be part of that elite group of teens who attend those posh schools. While they have protection detail and even immunity, the expectations of their parents are sky-high. Diplomatic Immunity gave me a glimpse into that world. A bit of a predictable glimpse, but nonetheless it made me want more than just a peek inside this world.

1 comment:

  1. Lovely review Sophie :) I'm glad you liked this one, but so sorry it wasn't all that awesome :\ I think it looks so pretty, but not really sure I wish to read it at all, lol. Thank you for sharing your thoughts :)

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