Tiffin Academy was never considered the most elite New England boarding school, but as the school year starts, they’ve been ranked #2. All eyes are now on the school…which means it’s maybe not the best time for a new app called ZipZap to start revealing scandalous blind items about students and teachers alike. They are all still reeling from the mysterious suicide of one of the students the previous year, but as truths are revealed one by one, it’s clear the [many] secrets must be confronted.
I actually haven’t real any Elin Hilderbrand, but campus novels are my kryptonite. Knowing she partnered with her daughter, Shelby Cunningham, I had a feeling there would be a level authenticity that comes from a younger perspective of someone who isn’t quite so removed from the setting. Influencer behavior, drinking, mental health issues – I appreciate that we’re talking about real things that real teens deal with. I also like seeing the students and faculty side by side like this. When you just see the kids, the adults feel out of touch; when you just see the adults, the kids come off as babyish. And in reality, we’re all floating in the middle. Teens are discovering themselves and grappling with decisions that will affect the rest of their lives while young adults are not immune to or above stupid behavior. This definitely satisfies any Gossip Girl itch you may have without making to wonder if it’s unrealistically overly-dramatic. (Though, trust, there’s plenty of drama…it’s just more believable.)
4.5 out of 5 stars.
Pair with: a white lady (gin + Cointreau + lemon juice)
Peaches to Apples 