Review of GA book #3

Georgetown Academy: Book Three

By Jessica Koosed Etting and Alyssa Embree Schwartz

About

The frosty chill that’s settled over Georgetown Academy isn’t just from the winter weather—growing up in the D.C. fishbowl isn’t for everyone, but a break from the Beltway might just restore some sanity.

Ellie Walker’s suffered through a lifetime of scandal in a few short weeks, and now must watch her true love fall for someone else. But will a dose of fresh New England air—and an irresistible newcomer who plays by his own rules—provide the change of pace she so desperately needs?

Riding high after her smashing D.C. debut, Taryn Reyes hatches a plan to cement her relationship with Gabe. But she may get more than she bargained for when she enlists Brooks’ help.

Evan Harnett would do anything to protect her friends. But one moment of weakness, and now she’s on the outs with both Hunter and Ellie. Hot on the trail of a new story, she’s heartbroken to find it leads straight back to Ellie. Can she save her friend and their friendship?

Brinley Madison’s Clinton-esque downfall was bad enough, but between family obligations, protecting her friends, and managing local gossip, will she be able to regain her social standing without losing her peace of mind?

Privileged kids in a posh hotel with nothing to do but scheme and ski—and they thought D.C. was a pressure cooker? One thing’s for sure: what happens in Vermont definitely won’t stay in Vermont.
Source: Goodreads

My rating: 4.95/5

My Thoughts

I try not to give any book a 5 star rating on my blog but I can't help coming really close to that with Georgetown Academy. Yes, it's not one of those inspirational, tear-jerking books, but I loved it.

Georgetown Academy reminded me of Gossip Girl, but with a major emphasis on the world of politics. The characters that are focussed on in GA live in a whirlwind of power hungry parents, secret political agendas, elite fashion and all of that comes with a hell of a lot of drama.

 

Since I live in the UK, it was a little difficult to understand the political aspects of the book, in terms of the parties being represented, but it didn’t take me long to realise that, like all politics, the main aim was power and status. Networking, wealth and attending social events were the fundamentals of staying in the social-political scene, but what it came down to the most was which family can keep its secrets hidden the deepest.

 

The family loyalty is what the teenagers find hardest to live up to, ensuring they only mingle with the ‘correct’ types of friends; basically, those who have parents in high places. The students are told to have fun, but always be aware that they are being watched so the basic rule is, have fun but don’t let anyone see you.

Book three was easy to follow without having read the first two books; I should know!

 

Favourite characters

My two favourite characters were Brooks and Evan. Brooks because along with his good looks, he appears to have brains, and who doesn’t like a knight in shining armour to come and save the damsel. Although in this case, it was more of saving Taryn’s sorry butt after she had a skiing accident and he wore more prada than armour!

 

Evan, because, unlike the other girls, she really is an outsider and only got into GA due to her scholarship. She knows very little about fashion and doesn’t attempt to hide it, and as a result becomes an easy target as a result of this but I liked her for it. Plus, she seems to have her heart in the right place, protecting her gay best friend from the media shame by pretending to be his girlfriend, when secretly she has always been in love with Hunter.

 

Most annoying character

Probably Ellie, because she acts like such a brat. I know she’s had her heart broken by Gabe but fix up woman! Your bestfriend has just come out of rehab, so you decide to act like a drunk instead of taking care of her when she needs you most. And you wonder why she lies to you?

 

Favourite couple

Shane and Brinley of course; purely because it goes against what all of Georgetown believe in; that the rich and powerful should not mingle with those from lesser classes. Shane works at the ski resort Brinley stays in, and I love his confidence. He’s not fazed by Brinley being a Madison, to be fair I doubt he even knows what that means! I don’t think it will last because of all the meddling parents and Brinley will probably give in so her mum isn’t demoted in society, but it was a refreshing mix.

 

Finally, I liked the interactive touch, by allowing the reader to select which of the four girls to follow in the upcoming chapters. I thought that was a great addition; involving the reader further with each character.

 

Loved this book, and I'm now reading the fourth book!

Zed (:

Favourite Quotes

She took the sweater, the air thick with discomfort. Most of her initial anger at being used had now dissolved into shame and she had a feeling he felt the same way. He had lied; she had cheated. It wasn't how either of them would've wanted it to end, but no matter how happy they once were, the truth was, the second Gabe came to town, their relationship hadn't stood a chance.

"Very good," her mother replied. A victorious smile settled on her lips and Brinley couldn't help but feel her own mother had played her like a violin.

You just couldn't help yourself.
He had written her off like a bottom ninety-nine percenter of a Republican fundraiser. She didn't know it was possible, but she felt even more heartbroken. She had been delusional to think she still had a shot with him. He had zero interest in having a conversation. It was more like he wanted her to completely disappear.

"If you do, it will mess up the power balance of your relationship. It's like Rihanna's grandmother said, 'you need to be with a guy who loves you a little more than you love him.'"
"Rihanna's grandma?" Taryn asked. Lauren, whose father was a studio head, ran in some interesting circles, but this was a new one.
"Yes. They discussed it on Oprah's Next Chapter. She seemed like a very inspirational woman," she said, veering slightly off target. "But she died. Total depress-fest."

She might hate playing games, but she kind of had to admit...it was hard not to when they worked so well.

"Brinley, I've been trying to find you. We need to talk," Evan said, a little winded as she caught up to her. Her cheeks were flushed from the effort and it actually gave her pasty face a pop of colour. If she wasn't going to take the time to buy a Nars blush stick, she should seriously consider jogging everywhere she went. She certainly seemed to have an affinity for running-friendly footwear.

Last night she had felt so much like Cinderella at the end of the fairy tale that it was hard to believe it was her actual reality. Then Narc came in the room and her luck switched to one of the ugly stepsisters. If one of the stepsisters had a gay fake boyfriend she had lied about.

"Watch it, little sister. Envy is not your best feature."
He wasn't wrong. Brooks had once shown her in the mirror that when she was jealous of someone, she looked cross-eyed. But that was beside the point.

He cocked his head and without hesitation said, "Because I saw you go up alone and I figured you were arrogant enough to think you could out-board the horrible weather."
"Well, I could have If I hadn't hit that stupid rock."
"You should consider yourself lucky you were easy for me to spot with those ridiculous braids whipping around behind you. God knows Gabe wasn't going to come looking for you."

"Are you sure we shouldn't helicopter her to a hospital in a bit less...rural area?" Brooks asked, critically taking in the tiny, no-frills hospital room.
The doctor looked at him, exhausted. "You don't need to airlift her for a sprain, Mr. Madison."
"Mmmm. So you say. Did you get your degree out here in Stowe?"

"I deserve someone who wants to make our relationship official. Who looks at me like he won the grand prize." She had gotten a taste of that from Brooks, and they weren't even in a relationship. And wasn't that what a guy is supposed to do? Make you feel better about yourself, not worse? If Gabe didn't make her feel like that, then there was no reason for them to be together.