Diplomatic Immunity by Brodi Ashton

ARC,  352 pages

Release Date: September 6, 2016
Published by: Balzer + Bray
Read from: August 31- September 2, 2016
Stand-alone
Source: TxLA
For fans of: Contemporary Romance, Realistic Fiction, YA

     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?

*MY THOUGHTS*

     When I heard about this book I was really excited for it. I remembered using it as my WoW pick and everything. But then the reviews for it started coming in and I got a little iffy. I still wanted to read it just in case to gain my own opinion of it. But when it came down to it, I probably should have just listened to my fellow bloggers. 
     I think the main reason most people didn’t care for this one because they expeted to be a journalistic thriller. Especially since it’s set in DC on Embassy Row. But there is no thriller aspect to it. It’s really only a focus on the romance part. The story she’s chasing as a journalist seems to be a big deal for someone who’s parents live on Embassy Row. But the information she was getting came in spurts and just didn’t seem too interesting. 
     As for the rest of the story, I didn’t feel like I missed anything to do with the romance. I was never just interested in it. The only thing I regret about not finishing is a diverse character introduction. I saw on a couple other reviews that showed there is mention of autism in it. If nothing else, read the book for this alone. Had I known about it beforehand, I probably would’ve tried harder to finish it. 
     All in all, this book just wasn’t for me. Which is strange, because as a friend once called me, I am a contemp “reading machine!” I should’ve loved this, but it just wasn’t for me. 
Overall, I give this

DNF @ page 100
*Someone else may love this more than me, so please don’t hesitate to give it a try. 

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