Valley of the Dolls was a little lonely, so they invited the Stepford Wives over for dinner and the Dollhouse Academy was their dessert. The Dollhouse Academy is both a school for acting and a 1920’s style studio system where the actors lived worked and did everything for that one studio. In this case, it’s the Dolman Corporation and the Dollhouse Academy. The Dollhouse Academy is the school, In the Dollhouse is the long running TV series. It’s been on for 18 seasons and a new dollhouse spinoff and movies are coming. This story is told from a few perspectives.
First there is Ivy, whose story starts in the late 60s and early 70s. She is the shining star of the Dollhouse. Then there is Ramona. She’s new to the academy along with her best friend Grace. The story takes place on two timelines: before and now. There is also Ivy’s journal filling in parts of history.
School is hard. Maybe you don’t think acting is hard but acting school is hard, and becoming number one at anything takes drive, study, and practice. But not everybody can achieve their dreams. Some are destined for other things. This book follows the first year at the Dollhouse for Rowena and Grace. How one rises, and one struggles. How it affects their friendship, and how everything is not as it appears. The Dolman Corporation is a sinister business. To say much more gives away aspects of this book that I think you should read for yourself. However, if you like a good old-fashioned Susan Lucci drama this book will take you there. Be it “As the World Turns” or “The Days of Our Lives”, “In the Dollhouse” is not a “soap opera” it feels like it. A nighttime soap opera if you will, like Dallas.
I did enjoy this book. The readers of the audiobook were fantastic. They kept me hooked from beginning to end. I am not the biggest fan of the ending, but I could see the ending being true life. I read too much fantasy and sci-fi and want the HEA ending or I want the everything’s wrapped up in a nice tidy bow. That doesn’t happen here. I thought this book was lovely and it harkens back to a history not many people know and a form of storytelling that we don’t see in books and on the screen as often anymore. I am sure there are people who would find this book mesmerizing once they give it a chance.

The Dollhouse Academy by Margarita Montimore, narrated by Brittany Pressley, presents a truly fresh and inventive concept that immediately captures your attention. The core idea is genuinely compelling and effectively draws you into its unique world.
Brittany Pressley delivers a strong and capable narration, which is always a significant plus for an audiobook. Her performance helps to bring the characters and the story's atmosphere to life, making for an engaging listen.
However, I did find that the book lost some of its momentum as it progressed, particularly toward the end. While the initial build-up was very strong, the conclusion felt less impactful than the intriguing premise promised.
Despite the ending not quite hitting the mark, The Dollhouse Academy is worth considering for its originality and Pressley's reliable narration. It's an imaginative story that offers a unique reading experience.

The Dollhouse Academy is unsettling and sinister, exploring the dark side of fame.

Ivy Gordon is an aging star of The Dollhouse Academy, an elite academy that promises fortune and fame--if you can handle the demanding workload. Ivy is one of the academy's biggest success stories, but there is more to her story than her adoring fans realize.

Ramona and Grace think their dreams have come true when they receive an invitation to join the academy, but they begin to realize that all is not as it seems.

I really enjoyed the story, and the audio narration was excellent. Highly recommended and I look forward to more from Montimore.

I really enjoyed this audiobook. The narration was perfection. The story was a great mix of dark academia and Hollywood mystery. I liked the balance of POVs and diary entries. I will definitely read this author again.

Something in the Walls: The Dollhouse Academy by Margarita Montimore is a gripping and atmospheric dark academia novel that explores the cost of fame, ambition, and the desire for success in the cutthroat world of performance. Set at the Dollhouse Academy, an elite boarding school and talent incubator, the story weaves together the lives of Ivy Gordon, a former star who’s grown disillusioned with the system, and two young women, Ramona and Grace, who dream of making it big.

At the heart of the novel is Ivy, now 34 and trapped in a world that once promised her everything but now feels like a prison. Through secret diary entries, she exposes the disturbing truth about the Dollhouse: strange medical exams, mysterious supplements, and dark secrets that keep its brightest stars in line. The story alternates between Ivy’s past and the present-day struggles of Ramona and Grace, who are both drawn into the academy’s web in different ways.

Ramona, desperate to rise above her jealousy of Grace’s success, begins to uncover unsettling messages and clues that suggest something sinister at play within the academy. As the tension builds, the novel delves into themes of competition, identity, and the lengths people will go to for their dreams. The characters’ personal journeys are intertwined with the eerie, oppressive atmosphere of the Dollhouse, creating a sense of dread that keeps the pages turning.

The narration by Brittany Pressley and Xe Sands adds depth to the story, particularly in capturing the emotional undertones of the characters’ struggles and the eerie atmosphere of the academy. The pacing is well-balanced, with Montimore gradually unraveling the mystery while exploring the psychological and emotional complexities of the characters.

The Dollhouse Academy is a captivating exploration of the darker side of fame and ambition. It’s a poignant reminder of the personal sacrifices behind the pursuit of dreams and the cost of success. Fans of dark academia and psychological thrillers will find this novel a compelling, suspenseful read that lingers long after the final page.

Umm – can you say RIV-ET-ING?! I couldn’t get enough of the dollhouses' unsettling atmosphere, the complicated friendships, and the slow unraveling of everything the characters thought they wanted. This had me hooked and ended as a four star read!

I've read two other novels from Margarita Montimore and I'll go on the record to say she has a gift of writing stories that are truly unique, distinctive, and fresh, making them such a delight to read.

And the books aren't just a delight to read - they are INCREDIBLE when you indulge in the audiobooks! The Dollhouse Academy, and honestly - ANYTHING, narrated by voice actors Brittany Pressley and Xe Sands is guaranteed to be brilliant! Seriously - there are audiobooks I'll listen to solely based on the phenomenal voice actors I've come to know and love.

But, back to The Dollhouse Academy, best friends Ramona Halloway and Grace Ludlow are thrilled to be accepted into the ultra-exclusive Dollhouse Academy, a glamorous yet secretive place that promises fame and fortune.

As Grace quickly rises to stardom, Ramona feels forced in her shadow. And when anonymous warnings start popping up, it becomes clear that some members of the Dollhouse are not what they appear to be.

And when you add in Ivy Gordon’s haunting diary entries from her time at the Academy, the suspense grew and kept me hooked!

Ramona must decide if chasing her dream is worth losing everything she loves—including herself.

Huge thanks to Margarita Montimore, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the chance to read this riveting story in exchange for a review!

✨ Review ✨ The Dollhouse Academy by Margarita Montimore; Narrated by Brittany Pressley & Xe Sands

Thanks to Flatiron Books, Macmillan Audio, and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!

Valley of the Dolls inspiration abounds throughout the book as bffs, Ramona Halloway and Grace Ludlow, arrive at The Dollhouse Academy, a training ground for a big company of actors, dancers, singers, etc. to supply the Doll Land enterprises. Quickly, mysterious things start happening, and we're left to wonder what's really going on there.

The book alternates between Ramona's perspective, and Ivy Gordon's, who is one of the pioneering actresses and singers to help launch the enterprise to its global level of fame. Jumping back in time, we see a slew of suspicious things happening, furthering the suspense of this book.

There's big Hollywood energy (even while set in small town New York), and the book is full of divas. It's a gossipy light read blended with dark academia vibes.

It blends genres - thriller, mystery, romance, women’s fiction, etc., but this also left it feeling a little confused / unmoored in my mind as I read through it. I wasn't sure whether to focus on the romance or the mystery, and it let my mind wander a little. Overall, I thought this was fun, but not my favorite of Montimore's.

🎧 Amazing narration - these narrators can do no wrong!

⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: women's fiction + thriller/mystery
Setting: rural New York
Length: 10 hours 38 minutes
Pub Date: Feb 2025

Read this if you like:
⭕️ Hollywood dramas (set outside Hollywood)
⭕️ dual timeline/dual POV narratives
⭕️ Rise to stardom coming-of-age books
⭕️ Dark academia mixed with diva energy

The synopsis and cover of The Dollhouse Academy immediately caught my attention. Glamorous, slightly eerie, and hinting at a slow unraveling of secrets within the world of fame and ambition—this book sat just outside my usual reading comfort zone, but it intrigued me enough to give it a try.
The story is told through alternating perspectives—Ramona, Grace, and Ivy—each offering a layered view into the toxic allure of the Dollhouse Academy. Ivy’s past experiences were gripping and haunting, painting a vivid picture of a place where ambition can quickly turn into obsession. Brittany Pressley’s narration stood out. Her performance felt emotionally rich and in tune with her character, and having enjoyed her work before, I was glad to hear her voice again in this story.

Thematically, the novel explores friendship, self-discovery, and the dark side of fame. It’s a compelling mix that would resonate with readers who enjoy Hollywood conspiracies, campus drama, and slow-burn mysteries grounded in character development.

However, I struggled with the dual narration. While I understand the creative decision, the contrast between Pressley and Xe Sands was jarring for me. Sands’ voice—gritty, raspy, and emotionally raw—may have been a perfect match for her character, but I found it too abrasive to enjoy. It pulled me out of the story and made it difficult to stay immersed in the experience. Ultimately, I made the tough decision to DNF the audiobook with just over four hours left. That said, this wasn’t due to the plot or writing, both of which still held my interest. It came down to the audio format not working for me.

Even though I didn’t finish The Dollhouse Academy, I genuinely believe it’s a case of “wrong format, right story.” I’d recommend trying the print or ebook edition if the audio doesn’t quite land for you—because what doesn’t sit well with one listener might resonate perfectly with another. If you’re drawn to dark academia, emotionally layered female friendships, and the glitter-meets-grit tension of rising stardom, this book might be just your thing.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Flatiron Books for the advanced listening copy. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

The Dollhouse Academy by Margarita Montimore
What do two women who’ve never met have in common? They are losing themselves in the dollhouse academy. Ramona and Grace want nothing more than to be part of the Dollhouse academy and when their dreams come true, they don’t realize just how dark it all is. They are both being pushed to their limits to become superstars but something sinister is happening at the academy and Ivy, their idol knows but will she do anything before it’s too late?

OK, this book was awesome. I think, had the book been written as more of a thriller… It would have been the best book of 2025. Everyone is worried about being replaceable so working yourself into insanity is the norm. I love books like this. With dark secrets, this book had my hooked from the first line.

The plot was one of the best I have read in ages. The dark things you have to accept to become famous. The people you have to forget. Someone decides what you eat, what you look like, where you are supposed to be and when… It’s insanity! Vitamins to keep you “compliant”... Working yourself to death. Oh man the characters were amazing and I was happy to be on this wild ride! Definitely a wonderfully narrated audiobook.

4.5 stars.

I discovered Margarita Montimore’s books when I read Oona Out of Order, and to this day, it’s still a book I love to recommend.
I’m struggling to put into words how I feel about this book, as it was a unique experience, though also a bit bizarre.
The audiobook really helped me get through it, and while I did have fun listening, it was also a bit strange. That said, if you enjoy unique and unconventional stories, you should definitely give it a try.

3 out of 5 stars

The Dollhouse Academy has an intriguing premise and delivers some genuinely eerie moments that fans of dark academia and speculative fiction will likely enjoy. The atmosphere is unsettling in the best way, and the underlying themes of control, identity, and power are compelling.

However, the pacing felt uneven at times, and I found myself wishing for deeper character development and more clarity in the world-building. There’s a lot of potential here, but certain plot points felt rushed or underexplored, which made it harder to fully connect with the story.

That said, I appreciate the originality of the concept and the risks the author took in telling this story.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I’m curious to see what this author does next!

I wasn't convinced that this book is for me. Maybe I'm too enamored with Hollywood, for this book. I gave it a three stars instead of a lower rating, not because there was anything wrong with the book, but because I think I'm not the right reader for it.

Ivy Gordon is the most famous star pumped out of the Dollhouse Academy for almost two-decades. The older she gets, now a Hollywood-gasping 34-years old, the more fed-up she gets with the system and her role in it. The Dollhouse Academy is a wildly-secretive, posh boarding school and talent incubator for potential stars. It's every young performer's goal to get there.

Ramona Holloway and Grace Ludlow, best friends and a double act, have idolized Ivy Gordon for years. Watching her career with an admiration that only the young can feel. At the age of 22, a lucky break suddenly grants both Ramona and Grace admission into the Dollhouse. This is their chance to finally make it!

Though the campus is picturesque and the opportunities endless, the two feel ill-prepared for the cut-throat boot camp-like environment they find themselves thrust into. Grace fairly quickly finds success, while Ramona, who secretly sees herself as the more naturally-gifted of the two, soon finds herself lagging behind. The more the disparity between the two gets, the more difficult Ramona finds the whole experience.

Adding to her distress, Ramona is also receiving anonymous, threatening messages. There are moments when she suspects Grace, but could that possibly be true? Would Grace actually try to scare Ramona, or purposefully harm her chances of success?

As past and present merge, the truth behind the Dollhouse starts to come to light. Will Ivy be able to express everything she needs to in order to save the next young ingenues from following in her footsteps, or is it already too late?

This was a fantastic audiobook and a very interesting story. I loved the unsettling vibes of the Dollhouse. I felt that whole environment was so well-developed. I could picture everything beautifully. I do tend to enjoy stories that follow musicians, actors, celebs, or the arts industry in general, so that aspect really worked for me as well. I will admit it had a more General Fiction feel than I'm generally compelled to pick-up, but the air of creepiness succeeded in keeping my interest.

The 1st-chapter of this sets the tone and while it does take a step back, it's a slow build, that sense of urgency, even in moments where you can't put your finger on why, remains. It's one of those stories that sneaks under your skin without you being able to verbalize why that is.

I loved Ramona's perspective most of all, because the further in got in, the more I started to question her reliability, and I love an unreliable narrator. With that being said though, I also found Ivy's perspective extremely interesting.

If I had to compare the vibe, or feeling of this book, paying no attention to content or themes, to another book, I would say my feeling while reading it was most closely matched by The Other Black Girl. I would recommend this to Readers who love an unsettling atmosphere, stories involving celebrities, or dark academia. I also highly recommend the audiobook. The fabulous narration brought this novel to life for me.

Thank you to the publisher, Macmillan Audio, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I'm looking forward to reading more from Margarita Montimore.

If you're into slow-burn mysteries, academic settings, and Hollywood conspiracies, this may be the book for you!

The audiobook has good narration and includes dual POVs.

Margarita Montimore does it again. I am continuously impressed by how unique, engaging, and thought provoking her books her. Her first two books are wonderful and were some of my favorite books I've read as an adult. The Dollhouse Academy was both what I expected and a complete surprise. I love the magical parts of her stories that really engage you and are unique and surprising. I will read anything she writes and so should everyone else.

The Dollhouse Academy is a gripping blend of dark academia, 90s TV stardom and psychological suspense, following two best friends, Ramona and Grace, as they enter the elite, ultra-secretive Dollhouse Academy thinking it'll help them achieve stardom. They start uncovering disturbing secrets hidden beneath its glamorous facade instead. Interwoven with their journey are chilling diary entries from Ivy Gordon, the school's most famous alumna and acclaimed superstar, revealing the sinister truth behind its success.
The novel's strongest aspect is its exploration of ambition and friendship. Ramona and Grace's bond is tested as Grace's career skyrockets while Ramona struggles, grappling with jealousy and self-doubt.
Though flawed and sometimes unlikable, Ramona's emotional arc feels authentic. The supporting cast adds intrigue.
Beyond the competitive setting, the novel is a sharp critique of the entertainment industry's dark side— medical procedures, psychological manipulation, and the academy's obsessive control over its students create an unsettling atmosphere. Ivy's diary entries, particularly in the audiobook version, heighten the tension with a haunting performance by Xe Sands.
With its flawed, ambitious characters, eerie boarding school setting, and unraveling mysteries, The Dollhouse Academy is an intense, thought-provoking read. If you love dark academia and a bit of Hollywood glam with psychological depth, this one is worth picking up.

The suspense kept me interested, but the ending fell a little short-it wasn't as twisty as it could have been.

I was fully invested in this up until the end. I felt very let down by the ending. While I didn't particularly like the characters, I was invested in the possible downfall of the academy and those in charge.

I would consider The Dollhouse Academy by Margarita Montimore to be general fiction with a side of suspense, and you would be mistaken if you went into this expecting a thriller. I found it to be a slow but steady burn thanks to the alternating viewpoints of Ivy's diary and Ramona. The Dollhouse Academy practically feels like a cult and the reader can tell immediately that something isn't on the up on and up. I thought some parts were pretty wild (and let's say a little far-fetched) and that made this a really hard book to put down.

The suspense was palpable for me, and I have to give some credit for that to the audiobook. Xe Sands narrates Ivy's diary while Brittany Pressley narrates Romana, and I got completely immersed in the story thanks to their narration. They made it such an incredible listening experience and one that I would 100% recommend. I wouldn't say I loved any of the characters (sorry 🤷🏼‍♀️) but I loved the focus on friendship and the theme of obsession for getting what you want no matter what the cost.

Read this if you want a look into the dark side of Hollywood, are looking for a satisfying ending, and a book that will make you put your thinking cap on.

Audiobook Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Add to your TBR if you like...
🦉 Conspiracy theories of Hollywood
🎥Dark academia
🦉Dual POVs
🎥Captivating narration

Thank you #netgalley and #macmillanaudio for the gifted audiobook!

Are you willing to change yourself for fame, maybe even lose yourself in the process? This book solidified that I never wanted to be in the limelight. I'm fine with being a little fly on the wall for the rest of my life.

The Dollhouse Academy is told from the POVs of Ramona, an aspiring actress, and Ivy, a Dollhouse Academy elite. Ivy and her best friend Grace become one of the rare few who receive an invite to the Julliard of acting schools, The Dollhouse Academy. The story follows their journey through the academy and the dark, twisted path that follows.

You are drawn right into the suspense of the story with an entry from Ivy's diary, revealing the twisted side of fame and the dark, hidden history of Dollhouse Academy. The narrators do an amazing job shadowing the dark theme and emotional roller coasters the characters are taken on throughout the story. My heart ached for Ivy as I learned more about her journey through the academy and stardom. The ONLY thing I would change about the story is the ending. I was left with unanswered questions, but that could be a setup for a standalone involving a certain character?