Title: By Invitation OnlyAuthor: Alexandra Brown Chang
Pages: 368
Publication Date: Sept. 2, 2025
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Genres: Young Adult Fiction / Romance / Contemporary
Synopsis:
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 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…
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My thoughts on By Invitation Only:
A fun and touching YA read that takes in the glittering world of high-class fashion, By Invitation Only follows Piper and Chapin as they participate in a high-profile debutante ball in Paris. However, the once-in-a-lifetime experience takes unexpected turns as Piper faces new situations and falls for someone who is off limits, Chastin struggles with familial expectations, and both become mixed up in an attempt at sabotage.
The story is told from both Piper and Chapin’s perspectives, which gives you an in-depth look at both characters. Piper is an underdog and a total fish out of water, whereas Chapin is comfortable in the setting but not happy to be there. Each has a compelling personal journey, and it was easy to become invested in and root for both of them. Piper and Chapin’s relationship starts off super rocky. Strangers and competitors, they are often forced together, much to Chapin’s displeasure. But their relationship changes as they get to know each other. I loved this. There are definitely some great messages about friendship, trust, and loyalty.
Though there are a couple of romances in the story, I was really interested in the friendships and the family relationships, all of which are complicated and messy and ever-evolving. It was interesting to see how Chapin and Piper dealt with toxic behavior, family pressures, precarious relationships, and other situations all while trying to impress and win an exclusive, high-pressure contest and appease the woman who runs it.
The story also has a bit of intrigue as Piper and Chapin are victims of sabotage. It’s clear someone is targeting them, but they don’t know who. This, as well as Piper’s journey to honor her late mother, a forbidden romance (love it!), and other wonderful friendships, add so much depth to the story. The Parisian setting is great too, and it was fun to experience it from a first-time tourist’s (Piper) and a frequenter’s (Chapin and Dalton) perspective. Definitely an interesting contrast.
I thought this was a great read. It was fun and layered with strong messages, some wonderfully poignant moments, and great characters. Special thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
I may not have had her forever, but in the short time I did, I know I was loved.
I’m glad you enjoyed this one so much, I love hearing that the friendships and familial bonds are well crafted as well as the romance. And it does sound interesting to see Paris through the eyes of both a newcomer and someone familiar with the setting. Lovely review.