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Tap & Gown (Secret Society Girl #4)

by Diana Peterfreund (Goodreads Author)

4.19 of 5 stars 4.19 · rating details · 875 ratings · 93 reviews

Fans of Beautiful Disaster will devour Diana Peterfreund’s Ivy League novels—Secret Society Girl, Under the Rose, Rites of Spring (Break), and Tap & Gown. At an elite university, Amy Haskel has been initiated into the country’s most notorious secret society. But in this power-hungry world where new blood is at the mercy of old money, hooking up with the wrong people co...more

Paperback, 352 pages

Published May 19th 2009 by Delta

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Apr 03, 2013 Sara ♥ rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Sara ♥ by: Lisa

Shelves: 2009, books-i-own, grad-lit, challenge-fall-2009, 2011, challenge-summer-2012, 2012

August 19, 2012
Do I even need to say anything here? This book rocks. This series rocks. If you haven't read it, what are you waiting for? Go get them and read them! Definitely in order though... So start with Secret Society Girl! Seriously.

December 20-21, 2011
Poooooooooooeeeeeeeeeeeee!

October 12, 2009 reading:
I just reread book 3, so I had to continue on with book 4!! *sigh* The ending was so great... and the middle.... and the beginning.... ;) Okay, I mostly just loved this book. Michelle was a...more

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Apr 09, 2009 Angie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: belovedbookshelf, new-adult

I was having a truly mediocre day. Nothing was going right. I couldn't snap out of it. And the whole thing was rapidly approaching a complete wash. In a last ditch attempt to jar my mood, I went out to check the mail. An ARC of TAP & GOWN was waiting for me and presto! Crappy day salvaged. Ironically, writing this review has been hard. Truth be told, I've actually been avoiding it. And it's not because I didn't love it. Because let me tell you, I loved this book like George Harrison Prescott...more I was having a truly mediocre day. Nothing was going right. I couldn't snap out of it. And the whole thing was rapidly approaching a complete wash. In a last ditch attempt to jar my mood, I went out to check the mail. An ARC of TAP & GOWN was waiting for me and presto! Crappy day salvaged. Ironically, writing this review has been hard. Truth be told, I've actually been avoiding it. And it's not because I didn't love it. Because let me tell you, I loved this book like George Harrison Prescott loves women. No, I've been avoiding it for a much more cowardly reason. You see, I kept getting a lump in my throat every time I went to write it. Because writing it would mean it was really over. The book, the series, the whole Amy at Eli saga. And, yes, I know Rampant will be out soon and I am seriously looking forward to that. But this series will always hold a special place in my heart and it's hard to see it come to a close. Even the kind of close that leaves you with a big, ear-to-ear grin on your face.

Amy's made it to her last semester at Eli. Time is running out and she has a thesis to finish, a brand new boyfriend she'd like to spend some "quality" time with, and an appropriate replacement Digger to find who will supposedly take her place within the tomb of Rose & Grave. And though she's studiously avoided thinking about it up until now, she also has to deal with her own personal post-traumatic fallout from the events at the end of spring break. Feeling rundown, anxious, and like senior year is kicking her butt seven ways from Sunday, Amy finds herself the unexpected recipient of rather a lot of attention from a few very hopeful, very accomplished undergrads. Of course, in true Bugaboo fashion, when she does stumble across the perfect tap, her potential choice comes complete with the kind of baggage guaranteed to scandalize the venerable patriarchs of R&G. It seems she is once more surrounded by secrets, some of them harmless, and some of them poised to wreck everything she's worked so hard to achieve.

Amy is such a strong character. She's an everygirl and, as a result, it's just so dang easy to empathize with her, particularly when we've had the opportunity to follow her through four books and watch her progress from an uncertain, unwelcome, uncomfortable-in-her-own-skin fledgling Diggirl, to a confident lynchpin member of a whole new order of Rose & Grave. Perhaps most satisfactory of all, she becomes brave in her honesty. Even when it scares her. She learns to be careful with (and protective of) the relationships she formed in her time at Eli. She understands how she fits into the larger scheme of things and she knows what (and who) is important. Frankly, I was proud of the girl. I have to say, it is extremely gratifying to finish a series feeling like the characters would be people worth knowing, like it played out the way it was meant to, like the author knows the score. Diana Peterfreund delivers with TAP & GOWN.

I hereby confess: It was good for me.(less)

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Jun 26, 2012 Stephanie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: best-books-i-read-in-2009, re-reads, ivy-league-and-private-schools

Oh, Amy Haskel.

I bought it last night after I got off work, and I basically devoured this in 24 hours, helped along by the fact that I got up at 4:30am today to take my roommate to the airport and couldn't go back to sleep.

You know... I love these damn books. I really do. Considering my weakness for a) series, b) things set in ivy league or private schools, and c) intertextual references, well, it's right up my alley.

And this, the conclusion... well, it satisfied. Things for Amy never do go smo...more

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Aug 26, 2011 Ashley - Book Labyrinth rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: book-boyfriends, new-adult, my-books, favourites, five-star-plus

I really liked all these books, but I LOVED this final book. I adore these characters so much, and I'm still thinking about a couple of them a few hours after finishing the book. The ending was perfect, yet I wish there was more. And that's the sign of a really good series, right? That you're satisfied with where the author took the characters and how they wrapped up the plot, but that you also wish from the depths of your heart that there were more stories about these characters because you fel...more

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Oct 31, 2009 Haley rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: couldn-t-put-down, fiction, read-in-2009, romance

I did like this book, but I had a few things I would've changed as her editor. Here is the list:

1.) I REALLY wanted to hear the interviews with the taps, as hers from the first book, Secret Society Girl, were hilarious.

2.) While we did get a lot of Poe (Jamie) in this one, I wanted to know more about what he was thinking

3.) The ending REALLY dissatisfied me! I liked it, and it was happy, but there was just something about it...I don't know...

Otherwise, a read I would definitley reccomend!

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Aug 13, 2012 Lindsey Russell rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult-fiction, chick-lit, favorite-boys, mystery, reviewed, ivy-league-college-themed

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Initial Reaction:
My only issue with this book was Jamie's mysterious job. I feel like Peterfreund threw it in just so they could have some sort of big issue (because they didn't have enough) in their relationship. It was so... silly? Made the realness of their relationship, because this really has been one of my all time favorite book-romances, almost fade a little... then I remembered it's glory days :)

Great ending, another fun little mystery, and super cute boy! Loved.

Extended additions
Sometim...more Initial Reaction:
My only issue with this book was Jamie's mysterious job. I feel like Peterfreund threw it in just so they could have some sort of big issue (because they didn't have enough) in their relationship. It was so... silly? Made the realness of their relationship, because this really has been one of my all time favorite book-romances, almost fade a little... then I remembered it's glory days :)

Great ending, another fun little mystery, and super cute boy! Loved.

Extended additions
Sometimes you sleep on a book, and you wake up and realize exactly how you felt about it (and exactly what you want to say in it's review). For anyone who loved this series as much as I did, you will be pleased with this conclusion. It's happy, it's fun, it's cute, and Poe is angry-mysterious-boy hot. But I think you'll also feel, as I also did, how rushed it was. I suppose there was a lot to fit into this book, as wrapping up a series always takes, but it could have been slowed down a bit. There's nothing wrong with writing a longer book sometimes, and I think author's get scared of that. Yes, this book matched the lengths the rest of the books followed, but maybe this one should have been a wee-bit longer?

We dealt with Jamie and Amy's relationship, the new taps, the new tap's issues, then the issues with D177 and the hazing rumors, Amy's future plans, her friends future plans. It was a lot! Maybe, even, too much. But, I've never been one to say an author had too much going on, I usually just think they end up giving some of the issues too little time. In this case, I think Amy's future plans and even her and Poe's relationship suffered a bit. All throughout the book Amy is worried about what she'll do... then in the end it's solved in almost two sentences? She felt the job was offered out of guilt?! There's no great, amazing opportunity, just the job she's been offered since the beginning of the book?! Anticlimactic. Then, Jamie is randomly given this crazy, fall-off-the-face-of-the-planet job and is just gone! Solves the issues with Darren for Amy... then he's back! It was a little lame to me. Too cheesy. These books have always had some out-there plot lines for a bunch of college students, but this just pushed the envelope for me. One last thing I wasn't so into: the "changing" of the Digger-ways. I feel like throughout this book Peterfreund was trying to show how D177, and then D178, were changing the ways of Rose & Grave (i.e. Demetria's actions, letting the Barbarians in), but I didn't really dig it (pun intended). In the end, the changes were so minute they really meant nothing to me. Rose & Grave still seemed pretty much the same, annoying patriarchs included, except now everyone hated D177 AND a whole new class of knights. There was no big win for Amy and her pals with that! Again, anticlimactic.

This book wasn't all negative, though! For the most part, it was great. I loved watching D177 go through the process with tapping, and dealing with all the issues that brought up. Even the addition of Michelle's troubled-past was welcomed. I especially loved it because in the end, it let Topher (someone I hated in this book) shine, even if it was for the wrong reasons, and really showed that Digger bond. D178 will do just fine! And the Amy-Jamie time, damn. Jamie is one hot (yes I know he's fictional) dream boat.

I really did love this series, and in the end, I really was happy with this concluding book. I just could have been happier. (less)

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Jan 02, 2011 CB rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Ages ago I read Secret Society Girl, the first book in this series.

I was not impressed.

But this book fell into my possession and I thought, what the hey, the author had two more books under her belt so hopefully any debut author wobbles had been straightened out. And besides, it's a cold and rainy Sunday and I had nothing better to do.

Or so I thought. I could have indeed done something better. Scrubbed my toilets. Washed the kitchen floor. Actually paid attention to the interminable number of N...more Ages ago I read Secret Society Girl, the first book in this series.

I was not impressed.

But this book fell into my possession and I thought, what the hey, the author had two more books under her belt so hopefully any debut author wobbles had been straightened out. And besides, it's a cold and rainy Sunday and I had nothing better to do.

Or so I thought. I could have indeed done something better. Scrubbed my toilets. Washed the kitchen floor. Actually paid attention to the interminable number of NFL games blaring in the background, courtesy of other family members. Any of them would have enriched my life more than reading Tap & Gown.

To paraphrase Gertrude Stein, "There's no book in this book." The biggest issue faced by the characters in the book is which smart, talented and wealthy Ivy League student to tap into their Ivy League secret society. That's it. It's hard to work up concern for students who are already ahead of 99% of their peers thanks to the university they attend and the connections it affords (as the reader is reminded ad nauseum.) The plot is so thin, tissue paper appears like steel-enforced concrete by comparison.

Oh sure, there's a relationship subplot. But any obstacles to it would be easily solved by one good conversation - and of course, for inexplicable and unknown reasons, the characters refuse to speak honestly to each other. Therefore, the relationship more irritates than intrigues the reader.

The bulk of the story continues to focus on Amy, who remains more acted upon than active. Amy continues to drift, with no goals of her own. She gets a plum job after graduation not because it was her area of study, not because it was her dream occupation, not because she took unpaid internships and worked her butt off to get it - but because a fellow secret society member basically bullies her into taking a job in a company the member founded. Amy's boyfriend leaves her for his dream job - Amy basically shrugs. Amy dislikes and distrusts the student she is assigned to tap for membership - Amy taps him anyway. Amy does fight to get another student admitted to the secret society, but since that student is witty, pretty, brilliant but alas! abused by her boyfriend, it's not much of a stretch to engage her fellow society members' sympathy.

And speaking of Amy's pet project, the character of Michelle appears tacked on just so the author can insert a Very Special Message ala the ABC Afterschool Specials of yore (or a more cheesy than usual Lifetime Movie for Women.) The author's message is ham-fisted and clumsy.

Suffice to say, I have no desire to go back and fill in Amy's story by reading the other two books in the series.

(less)

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Mar 08, 2010 Michelle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010, contemp, own

Amy and the Diggers have been through some truly rough spots in the past year. When her previous class decided to include girls in their age-old Boys Only club, they knew it was gonna be a bumpy road, but I don't think they ever imagined the sheer chaos in store. So you can imagine my glee when I (finally) picked up Tap & Gown - I never know what's going to happen next with Amy but heavens above, I completely trust Diana Peterfreund to get me there.

Graduation is looming hard and fast for Ivy...more Amy and the Diggers have been through some truly rough spots in the past year. When her previous class decided to include girls in their age-old Boys Only club, they knew it was gonna be a bumpy road, but I don't think they ever imagined the sheer chaos in store. So you can imagine my glee when I (finally) picked up Tap & Gown - I never know what's going to happen next with Amy but heavens above, I completely trust Diana Peterfreund to get me there.

Graduation is looming hard and fast for Ivy Leaguer Amy Haskell and unfortunately for her, whereas most of her fellow Rose & Grave brothers have already nailed down their education/career plans, Amy's future couldn't be more hazy. As in trying to find a ray of sunshine in a hurricane hazy. Though of course our heroine doesn't necessarily have time to sit around and worry about what's in store seeing as she still has to submit one senior thesis and help choose the next class of Diggers. Both of which seem a lot easier to accomplish on paper. On top of her academic and society worries, Amy is trying to figure out just where her newly-established (yet truly goofy-grin inspiring) relationship with a certain fella will go. Not to mention that's she's stressed and still a little traumatized from the events of Spring Break (having someone try to kidnap you will do that to a girl), but Amy is determined to continue full steam ahead in true Bugaboo fashion. Though of course no Digger event or ceremony can ever be complete without a healthy dose of secrets, drama, and sometimes even a hint of danger...so why should Tap night be any different?

Finishing off this last book in Diana Peterfreund's Secret Society Girl series was a touch bittersweet. Fully awesome and everything and nothing I expected, but bittersweet none the less. Knowing of course, that it was my last glimpse at Amy and her time at Eli.

Even though I did miss the less-society-centric drama of Rites of Spring (Break), I could not help but sink right back into Amy and the Drama Diggers. It must go without saying that the most anticipated part of this novel was Amy's time with the men-folk. Because, frankly, Diana Peterfreund has done such a bang up job of making me love, nay adore, each and every one of Amy's love interests in their time. First there was Brandon - the uber-smart, yet totally chill boy-next-door that I couldn't stop sighing over. Then came George Harrison Prescott with his sexy smile and bad boy persona: let's just go ahead and say that George is too delicious. And finally we moved onto Poe... *sigh* Poe of the lifesavers, Poe who signs his notes 'Pajamie,' and Poe who has more loyalty in his little finger than anyone in the entire Rose & Grave society combined. sigh And he has nice shoulders. I love the man. I do.

Another little reason I wholeheartedly recommend this series is because Diana Peterfreund is forever dropping little references to things that happened in the previous books. Things that usually meant a great deal when they initially happened, but then will only get a slight mention later on (none of this going back and explaining in full detail why X is so dang important stuff). So unless you are privileged enough to know the whole story, you would miss out on all that added depth and meaning to many a scene. I'm a big fan of when authors do that. It makes me feel like I'm part of a secret club and I want to run around and ask everyone "did you notice this teeny-tiny part? did ya?" to see if they too caught on. Genius.

I hereby confess: I didn't want it to end.(less)

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Nov 17, 2009 Ellen rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Amy has her plate full as graduation approaches. She is trying to finish her thesis, find a person to tap into her society, date her former nemesis, trying to discover what her future plans are and recover from her traumatic Spring Break. The rest of my review is spoilers o read at your own risk...

I loved this final installment of the series. I loved Poe and Amy. Again I repeat I am amazed at how much I liked the guy. I hated him so much in the first book, warmed to him in the first, liked him i...more Amy has her plate full as graduation approaches. She is trying to finish her thesis, find a person to tap into her society, date her former nemesis, trying to discover what her future plans are and recover from her traumatic Spring Break. The rest of my review is spoilers o read at your own risk...

I loved this final installment of the series. I loved Poe and Amy. Again I repeat I am amazed at how much I liked the guy. I hated him so much in the first book, warmed to him in the first, liked him in the third and loved him here (sorry Sara I think I stole that from your review). I was sad when he left although it made the most sense for his future but I was happy when he came back at the end! It made sense to me. I think being with Amy, not even dating her but knowing her had changed his life. I was happy she loved him enough to let him go. She made the mature choice but it still sucked. I loved her conversation with Jenny about love.

I hope Lydia and Josh make it but they also made the right choice. Sometimes in life you have to make hard choices. Amy had really matured in this book. She tapped Topher to satisfy the patriarchs because she knew how important that was for the society to thrive. I also enjoyed Michelle's character.

I was glad here was some resolution on the Brandon front. When I read the first book I thought he and Amy would be the big romance of the series boy was I wrong. He was a much more bitter Brandon than we first met. Oh and Felicity... good riddance. I was also glad George and Amy were able to be friends again. I loved Amy's decision about her future. I think it will make her happy. she'll be surrounded by friends doing something she loves. She'll also be really close to Jamie.

I do wish we would have learned more about what made Malcolm pick Amy. Had she been on his short list? I also wish there was another book. I would love to see these characters after they've been in the real world for while. What are their future like. The fact I'm that curious tells you how invested I am in these characters. Thank you for writing such a great series Diana!(less)

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Aug 24, 2009 Katharine rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: chicklit, romance

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Tap and Gown wraps up the "Secret Society Girl" series – to my regret, because I've loved these deliciously fun and satisfying books. Perhaps obviously for a novel about people graduating from university, the underlying theme of this book is choices: right and wrong choices, and choices that are neither but take the characters in widely different directions. As I said, maybe obvious as a theme, but Peterfreund handles it with surprising subtlety and nuance. I think that's really her greatest st...more Tap and Gown wraps up the "Secret Society Girl" series – to my regret, because I've loved these deliciously fun and satisfying books. Perhaps obviously for a novel about people graduating from university, the underlying theme of this book is choices: right and wrong choices, and choices that are neither but take the characters in widely different directions. As I said, maybe obvious as a theme, but Peterfreund handles it with surprising subtlety and nuance. I think that's really her greatest strength as a writer. On the surface, these novels are a bit frothy, full of snarky humor, cultural references, and kissing scenes. It's easy not to notice at first that there's actually thoughtful insight and profound character development underneath the fun stuff.

My only complaint about this book was going to be that the romance lacked pacing, and at first the fact that Jamie/Poe ends up spending a good chunk of the novel off-screen seemed like a cop-out. But when I considered it again, I thought Peterfreund ended the book in the only fitting way for his character. It was necessary to show that Jamie's development is not a typical romance novel "Luv transformed him" kind of thing. And I think the author was successful in making that clear by having Jamie himself realize this and change his mind about his future, AFTER he'd already been willing to sacrifice his relationship with Amy.

The secret society conflicts wrapped up well, with Amy finally accepting her importance to the group. Her tap choices reflect the ongoing change in Rose and Grave's identity as well.

Also, I just love the way Peterfreund chose to handle the character of Jenny. Once again she surprised me by not taking the obvious, stereotypical path – which allows Jenny to stay true to her characterization. Well done.

This series makes me think of dark chocolate – it's lusciously indulgent reading, but at the same time there's a complexity of flavor under the sweetness. And you get some antioxidants. Okay, metaphor over. (less)

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Aug 09, 2009 Brittany rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of the entire series

Shelves: girly-books, college, fiction, series

How I Came To Read This Book: Black Friday 2007 - I picked up the first two books in the series, and have read it full circle to this final volume.

The Plot: Amy Haskel is counting down the days to graduation - when she has time that is, between figuring out what she's going to do post-school, dealing with a new boyfriend-type in her life, and most importantly, seeking out a successor as D177 prepares to tap a new class of Rose & Grave members. Amy's proposed taps run into all sorts of snafus...more How I Came To Read This Book: Black Friday 2007 - I picked up the first two books in the series, and have read it full circle to this final volume.

The Plot: Amy Haskel is counting down the days to graduation - when she has time that is, between figuring out what she's going to do post-school, dealing with a new boyfriend-type in her life, and most importantly, seeking out a successor as D177 prepares to tap a new class of Rose & Grave members. Amy's proposed taps run into all sorts of snafus however, culminating in a very eventful initiation night.

The Good & Bad: Yay for making annoying protagonists less annoying! This book and the third one in the series have made Amy a much more enjoyable and relatable character - heck I found myself agreeing with her most of the time and not being as easily frustrated with her college senior pomp. I admit, I probably like the last two books in the series *that* much more because of the exceptionally-written romance between Amy and her new boyfriend Jamie, it struck the perfect balance between sweet and honest.

Two main beefs - one with this book, one with the series. First, in the past books, they've always included a list of the Rose & Grave members to make it easier to remember who is who in their real life and society names - this list was left until the very end of the book in a 'where are they now' segment. Even for readers who manage to read all four books in a row, the book assumes too much for our little memories - I completely forgot about many of the Rose & Grave members, and some of the incidents referenced throughout the book. A clearer recap, particularly of the society members, would have been much appreciated.

In terms of the series in general - I have ambivalent feelings about it. I gave this book 4 stars, but the last book I read was far more deserving of its stars. The series as a whole is written adequately at best, but fails to really live up to its potential. Every book, including this conclusion, left me feeling unsatisfied - perhaps that's why I bothered to read the whole thing. I felt more could have been explored about the society's various members, their feuds with rival societies, and what it means to be a member of a society away from the drama that seems to plague the members of D177. By focusing on the high-octane drama, the book failed to convince me that being a society member is really, truly worth it. That being said, the entertainment value and accurate depiction of college life (not that I can speak for secret societies mind you) still made it enjoyable enough over these last few years.

The Bottom Line: Read the entire series in one sitting, you'll probably enjoy it more and be able to link everything (although methinks Peterfreund never intended her earlier volumes to foreshadow any future actions, each book almost stands on its own other than vague references to past incidents).

Anything Memorable: Given I read this in 24 hours, no.

50-Book Challenge: Book #33 in 2009. (less)

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Apr 04, 2013 Taryn rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is such a fun series. I was on the fence about reading it for quite a while, mostly because it sounded a little silly in the descriptions, but having read so many positive reviews, I decided to give it a go, and I am so glad that I did!

The world of secret Ivy League Colleges and secret societies is one I know very little about, but I was completely fascinated by "Eli College" and Rose and Grave. The overall theme of feminism, with the underlying connections to Greek mythology and Persephon...more

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Apr 08, 2010 Lea rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Adults

The end of Amy Haskel's time at Eli University has finally arrived. This novel picks up right where Rite of Spring (Break) leaves off [SPOILERS OF BOOKS 1-3 COMING UP:], with Amy and Poe discussing whether their spring fling is something more than that, and they decide to make their relationship public regardless of what the rest of the Diggers think. Yet even as Amy falls in deeper with Poe (and learns to call him Jamie), she must also finish her thesis, pick her tap for next year, and figure o...more

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Jun 26, 2009 Pamlin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009-books, 2013-books, rereads-yep-that-good

This series was amazing. It's the first time in a while that I really was sad that it was over. Satisfied, but sad. The whole series made me want to go back *mumble* years and restart college in a place that had secret societies, just so I could experience it myself.

Great, believable characters, and excellent wrapup to the four book series. I just wish there was more to look forward to -I finished it last night, and miss them already.

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Jun 05, 2011 Doug rated it 4 of 5 stars

How much have I been enjoying Peterfeund's "Secret Society Girl" novels? Not only enough that I bought the concluding volume as soon as it was released, but enough that I didn't read Tap & Gown until now - because I didn't want to stop having the last book in the series left to look forward to. (My delay may also partly have been from a fear that I might find the dénouement emotionally unsatisfying.)
Tap & Gown brings the series full circle - as Amy Haskel's tenure as a member of "Rose &...more

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Apr 10, 2013 Lindsay Heller rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: academia, secret-societies, ya, 2013

Unlike the titles for the first book, 'Secret Society Girl', and the third, 'Rite of Spring (Break)', I love the title to this installment. Punny but apt. This is what I'm talking about. But of course, a title does not a good book make so the real question is whether or not this one had the goods. And the answer is yes. In the final installment of Diana Peterfreud's Secret Society Girl series the reader is given a good continuation of the story that started with Amy's initiation into the first t...more Unlike the titles for the first book, 'Secret Society Girl', and the third, 'Rite of Spring (Break)', I love the title to this installment. Punny but apt. This is what I'm talking about. But of course, a title does not a good book make so the real question is whether or not this one had the goods. And the answer is yes. In the final installment of Diana Peterfreud's Secret Society Girl series the reader is given a good continuation of the story that started with Amy's initiation into the first tap class of the secret society Rose & Grave to tap females her Junior year at Eli University (Yale).

It's that time of year again, the time when every Digger (member of Rose & Grave) must find a new tap to replace them after graduation. Amy Haskell, as former editor of the Literary Magazine, as three clear choices; legacy Topher Cox, brainy Kalani, and down to earth Arielle. But after Arielle is tapped by Quill & Ink and Kalani is revealed to be a member of the three year society, St. Linus Hall, Amy is not quite pleased with her obnoxious leftovers. That is until she meets her science TA, undergrad Michelle who's a possibility to take the final spot. But Michelle has a few skeletons in her closet that might just conspire to bring the society down. Between tap and her new boyfriend it's clear that Amy's last term at Eli will be one to remember.

I really enjoyed this final installment in the series. The tap process was laid out clear and interesting. The introductions of new characters were seamless and the characters themselves interesting. The whole series was an interesting view of a group that gets thrown together and what their learn about each other and the loyalty they share, but this book really illustrated that fact with showing what Amy went through in the first book from the other side. I loved the whole part with the taps. --- was particularly great and though I initially didn't quite get how she would hook into Rose & Grave I thought it worked perfectly. Particularly her reaction when she realized which society it was that was tapping her.

Amy's relationships with those both in and outside Rose & Grave were very strong. Lydia, her roommate and best friend, continued to be a strong presence. I loved her inclusion and thought it was important to show that Amy does not forget her outside life just because she's joined this society, that she can still have both. Brandon was hardly a character here, which made sense, but I was pleased there could be some resolution between them. Finally, Amy's relationship with Jamie continued to grow and be challenged. I thought it was very organic and I thought the ending was perfect, if not convenient. It was the ending I expected, anyway, but I was still pleased when it came about.

Overall, this was a great conclusion to this series. My only complaint is that it was just that, a conclusion. I'll miss Amy and the rest of the Diggers.(less)

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Nov 05, 2012 Izandra Mascarenhas rated it 5 of 5 stars

ENG / PORT-BR

A great end to the saga! Our beloved Bugaboo need to choose to whom to leave his legacy as Digger, and again, only getting into trouble! Undecided if she should follow the traditions or choose from the heart, we see she get lost in thought for a long time, especially when it involves her future – after all, what she will do now that is about to graduate? – and your newly started dating, that leads to other paths that she didn't think before. A tasty and thought-provoking book from s...more

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May 09, 2013 Chev E rated it 5 of 5 stars

Graduation is approaching and tap time has arrived. Amy and her brothers are searching for suitable Eli-ites to replace them in Rose and Grave and are running into a few more issues than expected. Amy's list of prospective Diggers is growing and shrinking, and while she's doing recon on her candidates she's also trying to finish her thesis and get closer to her new boyfriend. Everything comes to a climax when information is revealed about Amy's first choice that threatens to undo over 50 years o...more

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Aug 31, 2011 Mireille rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2011, chick-lit

Another very fun book! I loved the tapping process, and Kaluni, and Michelle. (So glad that Amy didn't go crazy-jealous over Michelle! Yay for sane ladies who can be friends!) I felt like the plotting in this one was more intricate? It felt less jarring than in the first one, that's for sure. I also loved the relationship between Poe and Amy, obviously (but (view spoiler)...more

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Aug 22, 2009 Beth rated it 4 of 5 stars

Read this one in about a day, staying up late into the night to finish it (something I have been doing alot this week with my husband gone and I can't sleep). It is the final book of the Ivy League series, a series that has gotten increasingly better with every book I read and includes a cast of characters that I grew to like more and more as the series progressed.
In this final installment, Amy is finishing up her senior year of college and trying to figure out what to do next. She must decide w...more

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Sep 26, 2012 Emily rated it 5 of 5 stars

A chick lit love story for girls who are too old for teen romance novels. Other love stories (Sarah Dessen, for example) seem a bit soporific by comparison. What I like about this series is that there is just enough fictional pizzazz to keep you hooked, while still being somewhat believable and realistic. For example, the way the characters disagree and misunderstand each other is very compelling. Peterfreund avoids settling into idealistic niches and seems to have thought twice about the opinio...more

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Feb 01, 2010 Jennifer rated it 5 of 5 stars

Loved loved loved this series. So sad to see it end. I fell in love with Jamie and Amy's torrential relationship. The thing I liked best about the whole series was that there was a substantial mystery included in the wonderful fluffy stuff. Most of the characters were so well developed and you were drawn to them (or not, as the case is with some of them), wanted the best for them, and wanted them to do certain things. The smut factor (and I say that in a good way) was just right, not too much, b...more

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Jun 09, 2009 Brenda rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: chick-lit

Fantastic! I hated to see this series end, but at least it ended well. :)

1 like · like · see review

Jul 13, 2009 Julia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Amy Haskell has finally reached her last semester at Eli University. In addition to having to finish up an annoying Science credit, her D177 Rose and Grave goup must also give thought to tapping the next group of Diggers to continue on their groundbreaking addition of women and holding to traditions as well. However, the race for quality candidates is tight, especially against Dragon's Head, and Amy finds herself discovering a tap in an unusual place. This was a great final installment to Peterf...more

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Aug 27, 2011 Shortlatte rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review is for the whole series.

I’ve never been a particularly social person. My college years passed me by without my ever joining a club or entering a sorority, and I largely preferred it that way. Thus, though I had heard nothing but positive reviews about Diana Peterfreund’s Secret Society Girl series, I doubted it would be something I could relate to. After finishing the first book, Secret Society Girl, I still had my doubts, as I had a hard time connecting with protagonist Amy. Though...more This review is for the whole series.

I’ve never been a particularly social person. My college years passed me by without my ever joining a club or entering a sorority, and I largely preferred it that way. Thus, though I had heard nothing but positive reviews about Diana Peterfreund’s Secret Society Girl series, I doubted it would be something I could relate to. After finishing the first book, Secret Society Girl, I still had my doubts, as I had a hard time connecting with protagonist Amy. Though Amy is billed as being impressive in looks, brains, and social skills, I wasn’t sold. Sure, she has three guys vying for her (who doesn’t?), but the decisions she makes regarding school, friends, and men are usually misguided and often immature. Also, while she is a literature major and editor of the literary magazine who can supposedly out-reference the best of them, more often than not her inner monologue sounds like that of a middle schooler.

Still, I decided to read on, and while Amy manages to mature a little bit as the series goes on, I never completely embraced her as someone I could identify with. Which only increased my surprise in how voraciously I devoured the remaining three books in the series. I’ve never been in anything remotely like Rose and Grave, nor do I really wish to, and yet I found myself engrossed in the accounts of the trials that the club endures. I think this was mainly due to the friendships that are forged among the club members as the series progresses. While none of the Diggers would naturally have befriended each other if left to their own devices, and in fact struggle to harmonize their oft-clashing temperaments, the necessity of working together makes them into a family by the end. While I have no desire to run out and join a secret society
any time soon, I can’t help but be a tad bit jealous of the dynamic that the characters share by Tap & Gown‘s conclusion.

And of course, one of the most rewarding aspects of reading the series was to watch Amy’s gradual change in feelings toward a fellow Digger alum. With two such diverging personalities and so much water under the bridge between them, Amy and Poe have to fight merely to act cordially half the time. Nothing is picture perfect in their relationship, which is what makes them perfect for each other. They force the other not to change, but to grow.

This series came as a huge surprise to me, shoving its way onto my favorites shelf in merely two days. Even if it’s outside your comfort zone, give it a try.

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Jun 18, 2009 Chicgeekgirl21 rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. The final book in Diana Peterfreund's "Ivy League" series comes to a satisfying conclusion.

Amy Haskell, aka "Bugaboo", a member of Eli University's elite secret society Rose and Grave, has just returned from a stressful spring break. After being drugged, kidnapped, and threatened by the teenage son of a Patriarch on the island where she and the other Diggers were staying, Amy has only more stress to look forward to during her last months at Eli: a thesis to turn in, final exams to take, and a n...more The final book in Diana Peterfreund's "Ivy League" series comes to a satisfying conclusion.

Amy Haskell, aka "Bugaboo", a member of Eli University's elite secret society Rose and Grave, has just returned from a stressful spring break. After being drugged, kidnapped, and threatened by the teenage son of a Patriarch on the island where she and the other Diggers were staying, Amy has only more stress to look forward to during her last months at Eli: a thesis to turn in, final exams to take, and a new class of Diggers to tap. In addition, she has a new boyfriend, Jamie Orcutt--aka "Poe"--a fellow Digger whom no one else seems to like.

Amy is forced to deal with unexpected issues--such as finding out that her perfect tap has a secret history, that her kidnapper, Darren, is back out on the streets, and that Jamie has been offered a job that will take him away from Amy. As in the previous books, these issues culminate in secret society related drama and action, but are tied up neatly in the end with good triumphing over evil. Peterfreund's modern, third-wave style feminism shows up, as in the other books, in the form of Amy and the Diggirls fighting against the system and protecting their own. I feel like these books probably speak to women around my age who have grown up with the expectation of gender equality and who are far more comfortable fighting for their rights.

SERIOUS SPOILER: In the last few pages, we find out that Jamie turns down his super-secret job and shows up at Amy's graduation. In any other book, I would have been pissed at this "unrealistic", sappy ending. However, in Tap and Gown, I was nearly crying with happiness (maybe it was just PMS). I think this is because I really, really did not expect it and also because I felt that turning down the job fit with Jamie's evolution as a character--i.e. from someone who likes secrets and tradition to someone who wants to be open. I still would have been happy with the book if Jamie had taken the job and disappeared "like a ghost", but the fact that he turned it down, at least in part to be with Amy, made the ending that much better. Oh, it's also hilarious that George ends up working for Teach for America. (less)

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Jun 11, 2009 JoLee rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009

Tap & Gown is the best conclusion to a series that I've read in a long time. In this 4th and final edition of Diana Peterfreund's Secret Society Girl Series, Amy Haskell is faced with her imminent graduation. With a thesis to complete, post-graduation plans to solidify (ok, they are decidedly hazy), a new boyfriend (hooray for Poe), and next year's Rose and Grave members to tap Amy has plenty on her plate.

I loved everything about this book. I fell in love with the new characters. I loved Am...more

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Jun 11, 2009 Susan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: own-in-book-format, chicklit, college, fiction, friendship, read-in-2009, women

Tap and Gown is the fourth and final book in Diana Peterfreund's fabulous Ivy League series. The series follows Amy Haskel as she is "tapped" and inducted into fictional Eli University's most prestigious secret society, the Rose and the Grave. In this last novel, Amy's tap class must come together before they graduate and decide who will be their successors in the society.

I am so sad to leave this series behind. The characters are so quirky and witty, and I have loved being a part of their lives...more

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Aug 18, 2009 Jennifer Johnson rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. No- it's not the next Pullitzer- nor did I have to think all that hard while reading it, but it was the perfect "vacation escape reading" I wanted. Having read the entire series, (and finding it way less embarressing to read than the horrific Twilight series), I had to read the final insallment of Peterfreund Rose and Grave stories.

The story picks up where we left off in the last book- Amy Haskel is still reeling from her time spent on the Digger island, and just "stepping out" with her new boyf...more No- it's not the next Pullitzer- nor did I have to think all that hard while reading it, but it was the perfect "vacation escape reading" I wanted. Having read the entire series, (and finding it way less embarressing to read than the horrific Twilight series), I had to read the final insallment of Peterfreund Rose and Grave stories.

The story picks up where we left off in the last book- Amy Haskel is still reeling from her time spent on the Digger island, and just "stepping out" with her new boyfriend. In the last book- I was amazed how Peterfreund wrote the "kissing scenes" (I feel five years old writing that), she made my heart pound and goose bumps show- and I'm highly cynical when it comes to stuff like that but she made me all giggly and "squealy". I couldn't wait for his book- to give me more of the same. So imagine my distaste when the book kind of cam up short in that respect. There was one scene that did grab me in- but it was unsatisfyingly short in my opinion.

Amy is tasked with "tapping" her replacement in her secret society. Given the unfortunate job of choosing two taps- Amy is forced to select rather distasteful "legacy" tap she doesn't like and select a student on her own. Her options aren't entirely plentiful, but she does make a decision, with characteristically disaterous results.

On top of all of this, she's deciding what do when she graduates- take a job offerred by a friend- or do something more challenging?

Despite being a great escape and easy read- I appreciate the author's ability to be real. Amy is flawed and makes mistakes as any of us do- and her "real life" decisions are made more like real life than the fiction world tends to end with. The author didn't make it easy for her characters and she also made some tough decisions about what to do about her characters- and for that I was greatful. Life does not always tie up in neat little packages- and neither does Amy's.

Life changing read? No. Fun read- absolutely. (BUT, read the others first, this book relies on the fact that you've read the other books first!)(less)

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Nov 07, 2009 Steph Su rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: own

TAP AND GOWN is a satisfying conclusion to this addicting series about college-level secret societies, though it is not without its unsatisfying moments. Diana Peterfreund’s strength in writing interesting and well-rounded characters still shines through, although the introduction of new characters with their own problems is rather jarring and rushed, especially when they ultimately play such a large role in the book.

I have mixed feelings about the fact that this series about the inner workings...more

1 like · like · see review

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About Diana Peterfreund

Diana Peterfreund has been a costume designer, a cover model, and a food critic. Her travels have taken her from the cloud forests of Costa Rica to the underground caverns of New Zealand (and as far as she’s concerned, she’s just getting started). Diana graduated from Yale University in 2001 with dual degrees in Literature and Geology, which her family claimed would only come in handy if she wrote...more

More about Diana Peterfreund...

Books by Diana Peterfreund

For Darkness Shows the Stars (For Darkness Shows the Stars, #1)

Secret Society Girl (Secret Society Girl, #1)

Under the Rose (Secret Society Girl, #2)

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Quotes from Tap & Gown

“Sometimes you met someone that changed the pattern, who wormed their way past the cracks in your heart, caulked them up, sealed themselves in, and stayed there. Sometimes they did it by insisting you meet them at every step, as Jamie had done to me.” — 43 people liked it

“How do you know you're in love?" I asked her. "Because if it's determined by how willing you are to give up everything for the other person, I think it's a flawed system.” — 9 people liked it

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Tap & Gown (Secret Society Girl #4)

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