Sex, lies and scandals never take a vacation. Rumors is the temperature began to climb between Nate and Serena, who escaped to Hamptons for the summer following their break-up with Lonely Boy. As summer draws to a close, Blair returns from abroad with a hot guy on her arm and Dan, who has spent the summer assisting a famous author, decides to head to the Hamptons. Then, everyone gets back to the city for senior year. Applying for college is only one small part of the story as new romances (and some not-so-new romances) bloom and fade, scandals erupt at every turn, and alliances shift even faster than Gossip Girl can send an update.

Serena has gone off the grid, beyond even the reach of Gossip Girl. Her friends fear for the worst and hope for the best, but even they can't imagine where they will ultimately find her. Meanwhile, Blair has offered Chuck her heart, but is her love enough to help him win back his empire? Lonely Boy Dan has written a new book that promises to make even more trouble than the first, and this time he has no desire to remain anonymous. Nate is determined to finally reveal the true identity of Gossip Girl, thereby making a name for The Spectator, and himself. Lily and Rufus turn on one another when Rufus makes a surprising new ally who threatens Lily and her family. Anywhere else it would be too much drama to handle, but this is the Upper East Side.