Under the Rose is the second book in Diana Peterfreund's 4-part "Ivy League" series. In the first book, we are introduced to Amy Haskell, a bright English student at Eli University who is inducted into the Rose and Grave secret society--and among the first class to induct women into the formerly 'ol boys club. In Under the Rose, Amy and her fellow female Diggers have to fight the network of Patriarchs (former Diggers, all of whom are incredibly successful and wealthy) who are against the induction of women into Rose and Grave. Threats are made against the girls (and the guys who support them) by Patriarchs who wish to destroy their future prospects (for example, Amy's ideal internship which she had all lined up is pulled out from under her) and even threaten their lives and the lives of their friends and family. Friends are revealed to be traitors when an secret society made only of men is formed WITHIN Rose and Grave by the guys who secretly agree with the Patriarchs. Etc, etc. But Amy and her fellow girl Diggers overcome their differences to band together and challenge the Patriarchs. Plus, Amy has totally hott sex with Puck--a sexy playboy Digger--in the Rose and Grave Inner Temple no less!

Diana Peterfreund successfully combines third wave feminism, typical chick-lit tropes, secret society danger and intrigue, and a wicked sense of humor in this impossible-to-put-down book. ( )

In the first book, SECRET SOCIETY GIRL, Amy Haskel is a college junior and part of the first female group tapped into the ultrasecret, patriarch-run Rose & Grave secret society. In UNDER THE ROSE, Amy is a senior, with the horrors of initiation and the previous semester behind her. She intends to enjoy herself as much as possible: hookups with her super hot (and womanizing) society brother George Harrison Prescott, hanging out with her roommate Lydia, and spending time with fellow Diggirls.

Of course, being part of the first coed Rose & Grave group is bound to create trouble. Someone within the group has been publicizing society secrets. Suspicions abound, patriarchs are more than unhappy, and it seems like Amy is going to be part of the last Rose & Grave class, two centuries of tradition and camaraderie down the drain…

…Unless she and her society brothers can rediscover the meaning of what it means to be a Digger.

It’s just so hard to find an intelligent, funny, and suspenseful series, which is why I adore Diana Peterfreund’s IVY LEAGUE novels. They contain everything I want in a series about college students: secrets, romantic entanglements, and pages and pages of side-splitting collegiate conversation.

Amy is engaging, wry, and endearingly stumbling through life as a secret society member at an elite university. She is dynamic and can hold her own in any situation. But the brilliant characterization doesn’t stop there. Every character, no matter how much or how little time he/she gets on the page, has his or her own personality. It’s not so hard for us to keep track of all dozen or so of the members of Rose & Grave, which is a remarkable accomplishment, and a sign of a high-caliber author.

Likewise, the plot is intricate and clearly shows the amount of time that went into planning and writing Amy’s world. The story weaves around the society comings and goings, delves deliciously into Amy’s “relationship” with George, takes readers on far flung adventures…and that’s in between helping us remember who’s who! The story is a complex, satisfying, and delightful concept that only an author with more than enough brains to spare can concoct.

UNDER THE ROSE is a thriller/mystery story for the estrogen-prone, chick lit for the brainy. And that’s why I love it. This book doesn’t dumb itself down for readers; instead, we’re left feeling impressed at Diana Peterfreund’s writing ability, even if the scenarios and dialogue only exist in a world where the perfect quip comes out of your mouth instantly, every time. I’d like to live there. ( )

More college secret society silliness and romance. It looks as if this year's club has a traitor. A fun, light, read, I'd give this to fans of the first. ( )

Under the Rose picks up where Peterfreund left off with Secret Society Girl. Secrets and lies threaten to tear apart the oldest and most revered secret society at Eli University - the Order of the Rose and Grave - as the new class discovers a traitor in their midst.

Even as a member, our heroine Amy Haskel seems the be out of the loop. After enduring a difficult initiation, the tap class of D177 realized that the powerful patriarchs of the society never intended to allow women to join their order. In standing up to the powerful men, Amy and the other "Diggirls" hope that the worst is behind them. But the drama is non-stop, and within the tomb of the Order of the Rose and Grave, warring factions begin to endanger the future of the club.

Under the Rose was if possible, even better than it's predecessor. Peterfreund's dialogue was sharp and witty as ever, with lots of verbal sparring between Amy and caustic patriarch "Poe". The plot was full of twists and turns that kept me guessing the entire time - some of the things that Peterfreund comes up with are just completely out of left field! The author does an amazing job of lining up several suspects and subplots, making for a fun mystery. Even after discovering the identity of the member betraying the society, we suddenly learn that the conspiracy goes much deeper than anyone realized.

Under the Rose was a fast-paced, gripping, page turner. I am thoroughly enthralled by this series and I can't wait to pick up book 3, Rites of Spring (Break). ( )

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