Review: Diplomatic Immunity

Monday, August 29, 2016

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?

It's crazy to me that I've never read anything from Brodi Ashton before. Crazy! I actually have several of her other books, autographed at that!, but have yet to read them. I was so excited to read this one though. The title really jumped out at me and I was really eager to start reading it. I've been in a reading slump and this sounded a little different than what I had been reading lately.

Diplomatic Immunity was not quite the book I thought it would be going in. For some reason, completely my own fault, I had envisioned this amazing YA action packed thriller full of espionage and international intruigue, basically a Bourne for teens. Which is kind of ridiculous and way, WAY off base considering the synopsis coins it a contemporary romance. haha Seriously . . . what was I thinking?!?!?

Once I got over the initial shock and settled in, I really, really enjoyed it. As contemporary romance's go, this book definately has a unique and interesting spin on it. I really liked that this wasn't your typical, fall in love over the summer story. The story follows our main character Piper, who dreams of becoming a journalist. But her family can't afford to send her to college, so when she wins a scholarship to a super elite Chiswick Academy she jumps on it. She finds herself classmates with the rich and wealthy, as well as kids of political giants with diplomatic immunity. The academy is home to a Bennington Scholarship for journalist students, and if she wins she'll be able to go to the college of her dreams! She just has to write a killer article to get everyone's attention and land the scholarship.

The main character, Piper, is very determined, she knows exactly what she wants and she goes for it! At times I admired that and at times it drove me crazy. And at other timees I was ashamed of her, and the lengths she would go to get what she wanted. Overall I really loved this book, and I can't wait to pick up the other Brodi Ashton books on my shelf.