Diplomatic Immunity
(Libby/OverDrive eAudiobook)

Piper is thrilled with her scholarship to Washington, D.C.'s Chiswick Academy, as it will give her a chance at winning their journalism prize, ensuring her pick of colleges. Realizing she needs a superscoop for the school paper, she decides on a story only she can write, namely the divide between the haves and have-nots at the tony school. One have in particular represents privilege at Chiswick: Rafael Amador, son of the Spanish ambassador. Between his drop-dead looks, extreme wealth, and handy diplomatic immunity, there's not much he can't handle. The guy Piper sees as a mere story soon turns into much more, but by then it's too late to stop the journalistic train wreck. There are plenty of earnest proclamations about romance, and some events are so over-the-top they bring readers out of the story (would kids applaud Raf bringing a flamenco dancer to school as part of his birthday celebration?). For the most part, the dialogue is snappy, the opposites-attract romance is both tangy and sweet, and Raf is definitely dreamy.--Cooper, Ilene Copyright 2016 Booklist

Ashton (the Evernight trilogy) delivers a thoroughly enjoyable romance between Piper Baird, an aspiring reporter who will do anything to get a scoop, and Raf Amador, a well-meaning but somewhat misguided playboy and son of the Spanish ambassador to the United States. The two romantic leads meet cute almost as soon as Piper arrives at prestigious Chiswick Academy, with Piper immediately infuriated by Raf, though also intrigued by and attracted to him. Piper is a new scholarship student at Chiswick, and Ashton plays up the school's social divisions throughout the novel. Piper sees Raf as her ticket to winning the prestigious Bennington Scholarship, which may be the only way she will be able to afford college, and befriends him in hopes of writing a scandalous tell-all about the above-the-rules lives of the privileged children of diplomats. The romance between Pip and Raf and its inevitable speed bumps hit familiar marks, but Ashton's talent for sharp banter and Piper's journalistic drive fuel this fun and fulfilling read. Ages 13-up. Agent: Michael Bourret, Dystel & Goderich Literary Management. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Gr 9 Up-Piper Baird is a journalist. At least, she wants to be. Her family's finances are in rough shape, and the only shot she has at a Columbia University scholarship is getting into Chiswick Academy. Against all odds, Piper is accepted. She hasn't even attended her first class before she bumps into Rafael Amador. The good-looking boy manages to land her in detention in their first encounter. It isn't long before she finds out that Raf is the bad boy son of the Spanish ambassador to the United States. Realizing that she doesn't have much time to prove her writing chops at the Chiswick paper, Piper sets her sights on an exposé of the privileged elite. She is disgusted by a select few who use their international status to seemingly do whatever it is they want: high-speed chases, drinking, and even elaborate flamenco dances in the middle of lunch. As Piper investigates Raf, she begins to uncover a much softer side of his personality. She becomes even more attracted to him when she learns that they both have younger brothers with autism. Then, all at once, he cuts her off. This fish-out-of-water love story between gorgeous Raf and gruff, opinionated Piper will appeal to many readers. Piper is initially an off-putting, cranky protagonist, but she is greatly softened as she deals with the smooth, too-good-to-be-true Rafael. The book's portrayal of the younger siblings with autism is handled with appropriate grace and thoughtfulness. The narrative does take a while to get to the core of its mystery, but it's hardly noticeable once Piper and Rafael start to grow close. VERDICT This novel will satisfy teens looking for a good romance with a dash of thriller.-Ryan P. Donovan, Southborough Public Library, MA © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Piper Baird is thrilled to win a scholarship to renowned Chiswick Academy in Washington, DC. Vying for a prestigious award for teen journalists, Piper hunts for an exclusive scoop, zeroing in on the lavish lifestyle of her privileged classmates; complications ensue when she falls for one of her subjects. Piper's humor and commitment to journalism make this otherwise familiar teen romance stand out. (c) Copyright 2017. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Piper is thrilled with her scholarship to Washington, D.C.'s Chiswick Academy, as it will give her a chance at winning their journalism prize, ensuring her pick of colleges. Realizing she needs a superscoop for the school paper, she decides on a story only she can write, namely the divide between the haves and have-nots at the tony school. One "have" in particular represents privilege at Chiswick: Rafael Amador, son of the Spanish ambassador. Between his drop-dead looks, extreme wealth, and handy diplomatic immunity, there's not much he can't handle. The guy Piper sees as a mere story soon turns into much more, but by then it's too late to stop the journalistic train wreck. There are plenty of earnest proclamations about romance, and some events are so over-the-top they bring readers out of the story (would kids applaud Raf bringing a flamenco dancer to school as part of his birthday celebration?). For the most part, the dialogue is snappy, the opposites-attract romance is both tangy and sweet, and Raf is definitely dreamy. Copyright 2016 Booklist Reviews.

Ashton (the Evernight trilogy) delivers a thoroughly enjoyable romance between Piper Baird, an aspiring reporter who will do anything to get a scoop, and Raf Amador, a well-meaning but somewhat misguided playboy and son of the Spanish ambassador to the United States. The two romantic leads meet cute almost as soon as Piper arrives at prestigious Chiswick Academy, with Piper immediately infuriated by Raf, though also intrigued by and attracted to him. Piper is a new scholarship student at Chiswick, and Ashton plays up the school's social divisions throughout the novel. Piper sees Raf as her ticket to winning the prestigious Bennington Scholarship, which may be the only way she will be able to afford college, and befriends him in hopes of writing a scandalous tell-all about the above-the-rules lives of the privileged children of diplomats. The romance between Pip and Raf and its inevitable speed bumps hit familiar marks, but Ashton's talent for sharp banter and Piper's journalistic drive fuel this fun and fulfilling read. Ages 13–up. Agent: Michael Bourret, Dystel & Goderich Literary Management. (Sept.)

Gr 9 Up—Piper Baird is a journalist. At least, she wants to be. Her family's finances are in rough shape, and the only shot she has at a Columbia University scholarship is getting into Chiswick Academy. Against all odds, Piper is accepted. She hasn't even attended her first class before she bumps into Rafael Amador. The good-looking boy manages to land her in detention in their first encounter. It isn't long before she finds out that Raf is the bad boy son of the Spanish ambassador to the United States. Realizing that she doesn't have much time to prove her writing chops at the Chiswick paper, Piper sets her sights on an exposé of the privileged elite. She is disgusted by a select few who use their international status to seemingly do whatever it is they want: high-speed chases, drinking, and even elaborate flamenco dances in the middle of lunch. As Piper investigates Raf, she begins to uncover a much softer side of his personality. She becomes even more attracted to him when she learns that they both have younger brothers with autism. Then, all at once, he cuts her off. This fish-out-of-water love story between gorgeous Raf and gruff, opinionated Piper will appeal to many readers. Piper is initially an off-putting, cranky protagonist, but she is greatly softened as she deals with the smooth, too-good-to-be-true Rafael. The book's portrayal of the younger siblings with autism is handled with appropriate grace and thoughtfulness. The narrative does take a while to get to the core of its mystery, but it's hardly noticeable once Piper and Rafael start to grow close. VERDICT This novel will satisfy teens looking for a good romance with a dash of thriller.—Ryan P. Donovan, Southborough Public Library, MA