Georgetown Academy: Book One by Jessica Koosed Etting & Alyssa Embree Schwartz

Title: Georgetown Academy: Book One

Author: Jessica Koosed Etting & Alyssa Embree Schwartz

Publish Date: October 24, 2012 

Publisher: Coliloquy

Pages: 126

Other Books in the Series: Georgetown Academy: Book Two, Georgetown Academy: Book Three, Georgetown Academy: Book Four 

Buy the Book: Amazon

Rating: ★★★★

It’s the beginning of a new political administration. That might not mean much at most high schools, but at Georgetown Academy, Washington D.C.’s most elite prep school, January 20th means new alliances, new flings, and new places to party.

While freshmen—nicknamed “interns” for their willingness to jump into bed with anyone higher on the D.C. totem pole—navigate the not-so-friendly halls of GA searching for Algebra and Bio classes, the school’s lifers have other things on their minds.

For self-proclaimed D.C. royalty Brinley Madison (of those Madisons), the first day of school is all about establishing the social hierarchy and playing the part of perfect political wife to her boyfriend, the outgoing Vice President’s son. Too bad he has a wandering eye that puts Bill Clinton’s to shame. Can she keep him, and her own secret vice, in check?

Ellie Walker, Brinley’s best friend, floats through the halls on the arm of golden boy Hunter McKnight (the JFK of GA). But when her ex-boyfriend, Gabe, returns to town and her Senator mother’s political nemesis is reelected, Ellie’s life starts to snowball out of control.

Shy, quiet Evan Hartnett is more into books than beer, and her closet is full of t-shirts and jeans instead of Jason Wu and Jimmy Choo. No one’s ever really noticed her—but she’s been noticing them. When her star rises as an intern at D.C.’s most-watched political news show, she soon finds the two worlds colliding in ways that make her question what’s secret and what’s fair game.

New girl Taryn Reyes is all laid-back, California cool; with a father who’s in line to be the first Hispanic president, she’s ready to dive into the D.C. scene with an open mind. But when her fellow students turn out to be more interested in spreading rumors than making friends, she realizes that forging a drama-free path might be a lot harder than she thinks.

With so many new friends and former flames in the mix, things are bound to get a little heated. And while diplomatic immunity might keep the cops away, there’s not much it can do about the press. 

In a town where one teenage misstep can turn into a national scandal, the students at Georgetown Academy will have to be on their best behavior—or, at least, they’ll have to make the world believe that they are.

Because there’s only one rule: whatever you do, don’t get caught.

I was honestly surprised when I first began the book because I didn't know whether it would capture my attention quite like it did. By the time I finished the book, I was dying to read the next and then the next and so on and so forth. It is truly an addicting read, one that leaves the readers dying for more. Although the short number of pages left for little background or character development, it certainly added to the truly addictive quality of it. 

Ellie was by far my favorite character simply because she seemed to try to be a good person, despite all of the pressure of having a politician as a mother. She had a certain amount of undeniable strength that resided just beneath the surface and only appeared when it was clear she needed to use it the most. With everything she faces during the story, she struggles through it with grace and a sense of loyalty to what others would want for her, which often means giving up what she truly wants. She is by far the kindest of the bunch and I adore her for that.

I think Evan reminds me a lot of myself in some ways, except for the lusting after my old best friend's boyfriend and wanting to have him for myself. She is very quiet and into herself but proves to be friends with even the most unlikely of people. I admire a lot of qualities about her, even if some things certainly make me sad. Sure, she may think she belongs with Ellie's boyfriend, yet in the end it only proves that she is not quite as good as I would want her to be.  Hopefully she becomes the person I hope she would be.

There is always one character out there in the story that I should like but really don't and in this story it is Taryn. I really don't think she did anything wrong per say but I certainly have determined that she is not my favorite by any stretch of the imagination. I think our personalities clash too much or something. She has endearing qualities (possibly?). However I placed her against Ellie from the moment that Gabe began to play a role in the story. Maybe I will learn to love her as the story progresses.

I feel like if there is anyone who faces the pressure of having influential parents, it is Brinley. Her dirty little habits certainly will come to haunt her as she struggles between being happy with her life and feeling so overwhelmed with obligations that she can't turn to anything else. I find her almost endearing because it truly shows how much she has to face as a daughter to someone like her father with a family like hers. The poor girl really can't be expected to keep her head above water after everything she faces.

Gabe is someone that I can only see one person with and of course, nothing is as simple as it seems. People, especially those involved are constantly trying to ruin a relationship that I can see myself rooting for. I really love him and can't wait to see how much he develops. 

Hunter is also a love interest in the story and Ellie's boyfriend. He is described as the perfect guy and yet I struggle to find him as perfect for Ellie. Perhaps for someone else but certainly not for my favorite girl.

Luke should really just come out of the closet and become the character he is meant to be. In some ways, I think it shows how much growth he needs to have because he is so afraid about being himself. Although it may influence the way voters view his father, who has staunch views against gay marriage due to his region, it certainly should never take the backseat to his father's success. I'm all for Luke's happiness and coming out of the closet so that he can be who he wants to be.

I can't wait to read the next books and you shouldn't wait to read this one!