I was excited to read this as soon as I learned this was like the inheritance games. I must say, bow that I finished it I can see the resemblance although is it slightly different. I found myself enjoying the books at times, but often it felt a bit “flat”. There were chapters I felt like nothing was happening and other chapters that I was completely immersed into. Overall a mid experience.

I devoured this book so quick it wasn’t even funny. I wasn’t expecting to like this book as much as I did but from the start I was hooked on the these two characters. Piper and Chaplin couldn’t be more different but find themselves stuck in this competition they both have little interest in winning. Both characters were well defined and it made it easy to root for both of them even though they are sorta opps. I’m not into these types of competitions but the story pulled me in and made me invested in Piper and what would happen to her. Sure, there’s drama and a bit of immaturity but also challenges and a bit of romance that made this a fun story to read. Definitely check this one out because it was cute!

I liked this book and believed it was very good for being this author debut! I always love readying about high society and teenage drama, so of course the book’s description intrigued me right away! I wish we got more romance and friendship, but it was a good 3 star read overall!

By Invitation Only is about a group of girls are hand selected to go to Paris each year to make their debut. This year two of the girls selected were Chapin Buckingham and Piper Collins. Chapin is the daughter of a famous actress and musician, while Piper's mother passed away and her father is a medic.

I enjoyed this book and read it in a day. Throughout the story Chapin and Piper have to work through their personal struggles as well as work together to find out why someone is trying to prevent them from being named debutant of the year. I think this book does well at bringing the two worlds together and how they overcome their differences to work together in the end and form a friendship.

Thank you NetGalley, Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing and Margaret K. McElderry Books for an ARC copy.

This was so enjoyable. I really liked the two main characters and how you can see how they have differences of opinions of each other. Piper is just trying to fit in the debutant world so she can get her scholarship to college. It was great to see the two girls bond even with their differences.

I sat for a few days before writing this review as I need to get my head around how I felt about it. Overall, I enjoyed the reward and I’m glad I read it but it is a bit slower of a read than I am used to and it doesn’t quite meet the expectations from the description.

On the surface this is the type of book I crave! I was itching to read it but was trying to get closer to publication until I just couldn’t wait any longer. Maybe I built it up a bit too much in my mind? I’m trying to manage my expectations to avoid being critical of what I wanted to read vs taking what’s written for what it is. But it comes back to the descriptions which makes this seem like a fast paced book with problematic privileged teens and the drama that ensues and while that’s indeed what the book is (except for the pacing), the execution is missing something.

On the other hand it’s a bit refreshing where yes you have these privileged teens but you also have a bunch of level headed was going on and it doesn’t succumb to constant miscommunications making things worse. You actually have people coming together in many ways to use their privilege for the good. I’ll leave it at that as not to spoil anything.

In the end it’s not the story you expected to read but it’s the story that “we” should be reading. And by “we” I mean young adult readers who crave a certain aesthetic but is refreshing when it doesn’t always have to be filled with cattiness and selfishness which is the typical in books in this category of debutant balls and nepobabies.

The book comes out September 2, 2025 on perfect time for the start of the school year in most places.


I am thankful to have gotten a complimentary eARC from Margaret K. McElderry Books through NetGalley to read which gave the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.

My general rating system is below. Since I primarily read ARC books I rate according to how I think like minded readers will receive the book. I will round up or down depending on many factors and try not to let my personal wants affect a books ratings.

⭐️ Hated It but pushed through as I don’t DNF ARCs I have received.
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, content issues, poorly edited.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but it had something that stopped me from rounding up. Usually the book may have much more potential than what was given. I recommend it but with reservations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I Really enjoyed it or think others will. These are solid reads that I definitely would recommend for a variety of reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! These are books that remain rent free in my head for well after unfinished the book. It can be for a variety of reasons from being very well written or just the vibes that captured my mind. These books are also ones I would probably read again.

Gossip Girl meets The Inheritance Games with this new book. Alexandra Brown Chang shares a story about what it’s like being the outsider on the inside. This story follows Piper Woo Chang, a girl who find herself at a debutant, for only one reason but winds up getting so much more. This book is an easy read and perfect for older YA readers. It may feel a little predictable at times but then throws you in for a twist.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Simon for letting me read this ARC.

this book is fun and kinda unserious but that’s really it. I won’t lie, I had a good time reading it but I didn’t connect with any of the characters, the romance felt weak and overall it was just… meh. still, it’s the *perfect* kind of book to pull you out of a reading slump.

Piper Woo Collins believed she had worked hard enough to make her parents proud and continue pursuing her love for science only to have her scholarship to Columbia University rescinded. She gets the opportunity of a lifetime when she is invited to participate in La Danse des Débutantes, a week-long Parisian debutante ball. Piper initially declines the offer, explaining she cannot afford the expenses, but is promised a full year of tuition if she accepts.

While in Paris, she is placed in Chapin Buckinhgam’s suite. At first, Chapin wants nothing to do with Piper but ultimately the two form a friendship. After a few missteps and several instances of sabotage, the two must form an alliance to save their reputations and secure their futures.

This book was a quick read, and I know my students will devour it. The characters, especially Piper and Chapin, feel authentic. There is a romantic subplot between Piper and Dalton Buckinhgam, which is sweet but doesn’t take away from the main storyline. Overall, this was a fun read—the fashion was so much fun—and one that I will recommend to my students who enjoy Gossip Girl, The Legacies, and anything by Jenny Han and Lynn Painter.

This was SUCH a fun, dramatic, romantic, and heartfelt debut! I loved the Parisian setting, the arc of friendship between rivals, and the romance subplots. The high society setting was executed perfectly and this was just the perfect vacation read. Loved it!

Current rating: 3.5 stars

This was a good read overall! I went in for the vibes, which really helped since it could be very corny and unserious at times. Although the characters annoyed me sometimes, the romance had little to no buildup, and the plot was pretty predictable, I had a fun time reading and it kept me engaged throughout.

A solid, enjoyable, one=sitting read that makes good use of POV shifts and brings the reader into the elusive world of debutantes and the 1%. I did have a bit of a sense that I'd read the novel before, which I think indicates that this novel doesn't offer any new insight into this type of story, but I didn't need that from it. Will be interested to learn if there is a sequel forthcoming.

I really enjoyed this book and the concept pulled me right in. It was extremely light hearted and fun, while handling themes of class, friendships among women, and competition. I was truly on the edge of my seat and fell in love with all the characters.

Thanks, SimonTeen, for the arc!

I read BY INVITATION ONLY over a month ago and have not stopped thinking about it since. If you grew up in the era of Gossip Girl, The OC, Pretty Little Liars, and similar shows like I did, while you flipped through magazines wishing you could afford what the teen stars were wearing, but did your best with thrifted dupes. This is the book you want to read! And I won't lie, I'll probably reread it just for nostalgia's sake.

I became quickly obsessed with every character in the novel, especially Piper and Chapin - total Blair and Serena vibes! Piper and Chapin definitely stand out, but the side characters are amazing as well. It feels like Alexandra Brown Chung took all the expected wealthy people nuances, gave them to teenagers, and then upped the game by having them attend an elite debutante ball in Paris. And if you're thinking about the real-life Le Bal de Débutantes that has been happening in Paris since 1958, you are imagining correctly! The author does an amazing job bringing the ball to life, and if you are a fan of gorgeous descriptions of clothing and architecture - okay, and people, too - you will adore this!

One significant aspect I loved about the book refers back to my love of Gossip Girl. Friends can fight and be petty because they have a history and know things will work out. But it doesn't matter how mad you are at your friend; when someone starts talking about your friend, the gloves come off because only you can do that. Even with all the flashing lights and glamour, this book had a fantastic message about friendship!

This is probably the only book that could get me to care about debutantes! Piper is instantly likeable, and the story moves quickly.

This reminded me a little bit of American Royals, which I love, so I had fun with it! Out of the blue, Piper Woo Collins is invited to partake in La Danse des Débutantes, the most exclusive, high-profile debutante ball in the world. She hails from middle-of-nowhere Pennsylvania, and is selected last-minute to fill the spot of a cancelled influencer. But everyone else participating is uber wealthy, famous, or royal, so she feels completely out of place. The other POV in the story is Chapin Buckingham, daughter of two very famous Hollywood actors, exactly the type of young woman society would love to see win La Danse. Her life is far from picture perfect, though, and while she is no stranger to the spotlight, would much rather stay out of it. Both Piper and Chapin have their reasons for wanting to win Debutante of the Year, and while seemingly enemies from the start, they begin to understand each other more and more. Oh, and did I mention that Piper is falling for Chapin's older brother! It was full of drama, a little suspense, set against the backdrop of Paris and the fashion industry, and was an awesome fast read. Check this one out!!

I enjoyed this one.
It is a watered down inheritance games, I think that's the best way to describe it. It is satisfying in the way reality tv is mind numbing but also really good for when you just want a distraction.
There's nothing mind-blowing about it, but it was a fun time. I recommend it if you want a book that will keep you entertained and requires little energy.

Thank you Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing for the ARC.

Thank you so much to Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing and Alexandra Brown Chang for the opportunity to read this ARC! By Invitation Only is a fusion of fashion, teenage angst, and The Debutantes duology by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. It's perfect for fans of fashion and debutante balls. This book is full of authentic teenage dialogue, especially for the year 2025, from TikTok references to Erewhon drinks. Whilst I did love these references at times, the dialogue for characters such as Chapin and Piper felt deeper than their characters read. However, this is a great debut, and if you're looking for a YA book that features a love letter to fashion while also highlighting a teenage Cinderella story, this is the book for you.

I love books like The Princess Diaries and American Royals. This book was in that same vein. The main character, Piper, is thrown into a world that she has no idea how to function in, let alone survive in unscathed. This book is not only a competition to see who can be named Debutante of the Year but a journey of the self for so many characters. Many of the characters were unlikeable and unredeemable, despite many opportunities to become a better person. There was a large emphasis on the haves and have nots, with the rich trying to keep their traditions while also appearing to be a community that gives back and isn't only about money. Piper's storyline was a fun one to read. I also enjoyed the emphasis on the clothes and how they are pieces of art. This was an enjoyable YA for those who love Cinderella stories.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for the ARC!

SUMMARY

La Danse des Débutantes is the most exclusive debutante ball for young women where debutantes are often of high society, exclusively famous, wealthy, or of royal status.

Chapin Buckingham, daughter of the most famous celebrities, is honored to be selected, don’t get her wrong, but it’s just not her style.

Piper Woo Collins, awarded the International Science Fair Prize, a profile in Teen Vogue and promised scholarship to Columbia receives an invitation to La Danse unexpectedly.

Each girl has a reason for attending, forced into a competition and from wildly different worlds, but soon they realize they have to control the narrative.


REVIEW

Honestly this was fun and unexpected! Piper and Chapin were refreshing main characters. Original and interesting plot. It was new and fun, a resurgence of fashion.

The only problems for me though was the beginning and end of the book. Everything else flowed nice and made sense, written well. The introduction and ending felt off and didn’t match the storyline.