What We Love About Alexandra Brown Chang’s By Invitation Only

Welcome to La Danse des Débutantes, where 16 stellar young women compete for the title of Debutante of the Year! You’re cordially invited to attend this ultra-exclusive ball in Alexandra Brown Chang’s new YA novel, By Invitation Only!

Inspired by the real-life Le Bal and the author’s own debutante experience, By Invitation Only follows two teens who would do anything for the prize. The unexpected new arrival Piper Woo Collins needs to win to fund her college tuition. The rich and popular nepo baby Chapin Buckingham needs to prove her worth to her mother.

We live for the fashion moments and the stunning French backdrop in this book. Here are three things we love about By Invitation Only by Alexandra Brown Chang!

Book Overview: By Invitation Only

Summary: Every year, a hand-selected group of young women travel to Paris to make their debuts into high society at La Danse des Débutantes, the most exclusive debutante ball in the world. Being wealthy, royal, or famous gets you into the pool of potential debutantes, but only La Danse decides who is truly worthy of attending.

Chapin Buckingham, the daughter of two Hollywood legends, is one of the lucky few chosen to attend. Chapin’s not usually a society girl, but she has her reasons for wanting to be crowned Debutante of the Year. Her chances seem good…until a fellow debutante creates a PR nightmare that has the eat-the-rich cohort calling for La Danse’s cancellation.

Enter Piper Woo Collins. As the daughter of an EMT and winner of the International Science Fair Prize with a profile in Teen Vogue, Piper is the perfect, down-to-earth person who could restore La Danse’s reputation. But Piper isn’t interested in becoming a debutante—until they offer her a college scholarship…if she wins Debutante of the Year.

In competition for the crown, Piper and Chapin have every reason to clash. But at La Danse, everyone wants something. Piper and Chapin might just need each other to go from pawns in a game to ruling the board…

The Dazzling Drama

With 16 young women vying for the same prize, there’s bound to be drama. Luckily, we get all the details from both Piper and Chapin’s sides. Even thrust into a new world of glitz and glam, Piper is a natural in front of the camera. Her down-to-earth personality makes her the most favored to win, despite her poor background. On the other hand, Chapin has it all: wealth, fame, and the world at her fingertips. Everything except her mom’s approval. She’s willing to resort to underhanded tactics to outshine everyone, especially Piper.

Piper’s Budding Romance

Paris is the City of Love, after all! By Invitation Only has the sweetest romance between Piper and her cavalier Dalton, who also happens to be Chapin’s older brother. (How’s that for fueling the drama?) They have so much in common and often nerd out with each other. Dalton shows Piper all his favorite spots in Paris, including the Louvre. Even so, Piper can’t risk pursuing a relationship with Dalton without risking her position at La Danse and possibly her whole future.

Piper And Chapin’s Friendship

We knew these girls would warm up to each other eventually! Despite Chapin’s attempt to sabotage Piper and the rocky start to their acquaintance, the two of them bond over their common goals and reasons for being at La Danse. Chapin helps Piper with her wardrobe. Piper helps Chapin from being ambushed in an interview. They are great listeners and eventually build a trust so strong not even a last-minute scandal can break it. We’re so glad they both get to follow their dreams in the end, in a much better position than when they first met.

By Invitation Only by Alexandra Brown Chang goes on sale September 2nd, and you can order a copy of it here!

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