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Table of Contents
About The Book
A hard-working teen hoping to land a college scholarship and a nepo baby looking to prove herself collide at the world’s most high-profile debutante ball in Paris in this young adult romance perfect for fans of American Royals and Better Than the Movies.
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 of 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…
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 of 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…
Why We Love It
“With the high-fashion aesthetics of Emily in Paris, the Cinderella story and fish-out-of-water notes of The Princess Diaries, and the social politics of Gossip Girl and American Royals, this book has every brand of contemporary wish-fulfillment you could hope for and more!”
—Kate P., Senior Editor, on By Invitation Only
Product Details
- Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (September 2, 2025)
- Length: 352 pages
- ISBN13: 9781665972437
- Grades: 9 and up
- Ages: 14 - 99
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Raves and Reviews
“Alexandra Brown Chang’s By Invitation Only is an instant classic! A fairytale for our modern times, Chang’s debut is a charming coming-of-age story about unexpected friendship, following your dreams, and finding your voice along the way. Escapist, emotive, and exceptionally easy-to-inhale, By Invitation Only is one of those books that’s instantly impossible to put down! Chang’s prose sparkles on the page as she vividly captures her protagonists Piper and Chapin, two debutantes who couldn’t be more different, and takes the reader on a pitch-perfect journey of growth and discovery, all set against a remarkably resplendent Paris. I want to read this again and again.”
– Becky Chalsen, author of Kismet
“A decadent dessert of a book: frothy and fun, with a heapful of heart. In this zingy, swoony affair, Chang offers a glimpse into the world of the mega-rich and famous with scintillating detail and lancing wit. An exciting new voice to watch in YA.”
– Alexa Donne, author of The Ivies
“RSVP immediately to By Invitation Only! Alexandra Brown Chang’s debut novel is teeming with charm, glitz, romance and humor. It is a true confection, but it also has much to say about class structure and privilege.”
– — Heather Hach Hearne, screenwriter of Freaky Friday and book writer of Legally Blonde: The Musical
"A dazzling blend of humor, opulence, and heart, following brilliant and beautiful young women as they navigate ambition, romance and family in a high-stakes world—exactly my kind of story.
– — Abigail Hing Wen, New York Times bestselling author of the Loveboat, Taipei series
“Dazzling and cinematic, By Invitation Only offers an exquisitely fun look into the worlds of high society and haute couture. A love letter to fashion, this novel is escapist, witty, and delightful!”
– — Christian Siriano, CFDA Designer and Project Runway Mentor
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- Book Cover Image (jpg): By Invitation Only Hardcover 9781665972437
