Best friends and aspiring actresses Romanq Halloway and Grace Ludlow join the illustrious Dollhouse Academy, an elite boarding school most known for being the residence of star Ivy Gordon. But once behind closed doors, Romona and Grace realize something is horribly wrong there.

What an incredibly unique mashup of a number of different genres. With elements of suspense, dystopia, contemporary fiction, and romance, this is a book that will appeal to a large swath of readers and for good reason. There is a moody, atmospheric quality to it that is absolutely pitch perfect. From the moment our characters enter The Dollhouse Academy, there is a spine tingling suspense as to what is happening behind closed doors.

Margarita Montimore takes the dark, pervasive side of Hollywood and amps it up ten thousand notches as both the characters in the past and present, as well as the reader, begin to understand just how apocalyptic this academy is. And yet, so much of the story also focuses on friendship and the importance of friendship to each of the main characters survival. The intersection of thrill and emotion is where this story really stands out, and I have a feeling will be one thought about long after finishing.

🎧 The audiobook, narrated by Brittany Pressley and Xe Sands, is fantastic at helping to create that eerie atmosphere that makes this book so fun. However, due to the epistolary nature, I think an immersive read would be the best way to experience this one.

Read if you like:
▪️dark academia
▪️atmospheric reads
▪️stories about friendship
▪️epistolary format
▪️dual timelines/POVs

Thank you Margarita Montimore, Flatiron Books, and Macmillan Audio for the gifted copies.

I was hooked on this psychological thriller with themes of fame, perfection, and raw ambition. I liked the dark, sinister feel in the academic setting. Ande there's even a mystery! The multiple POV's help propel the story from their unique perpectives. I really enjoyed this one and read it super quickly.

The narrators, Brittany Pressley and Xe Sands, did a great job, I had no trouble understanding who was saying what, where, when, and with what expression/intension.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, NetGalley, and author Margarita Montimore for providing me with a digital ARC copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. The Dollhouse Academy is out February 11, 2025.

A dark and atmospheric tale that masterfully blends psychological suspense with gothic intrigue. *The Dollhouse Academy* pulls readers into an elite and unsettling world where secrets lurk behind every perfect façade. With eerie settings, complex characters, and a slow-burning mystery, this book keeps you hooked until the final, chilling reveal.

An engaging read for anyone who loves a little drama and mystery in their books. I was so engrossed in this debut novel and couldn't put it down!

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Margarita Montimore's latest novel, THE DOLLHOUSE ACADEMY, is utterly electrifying—brilliantly exploring the unsettling dark side of ambition and fame.

About...

It is a fascinating novel about two best friends and aspiring actresses who join the Dollhouse Academy, a prestigious performing arts school known for shaping the careers of stardom and the elite. A place where stars are made, and dangerous secrets are kept.

Ivy has been the most famous star at the Dollhouse Academy, an elite, secretive boarding school for the past eighteen years.

Now, at the age of 34, she is tired of pretending. Through her secret diary entries, she unravels the truth of her life at the strange medical exams, mysterious supplements, and something unspeakable. She is terrified and feels like a prisoner, with something sinister lurking behind the Dollhouse's secrets.

Ramona and her best friend Grace grew up idolizing Ivy. They are both 22, and neither has made much headway until they get a lucky break and an entrance to The Dollhouse.

The competition is fierce, with threatening messages adding to the tension. Grace experiences success while Ramona falls behind. The messages grow more unsettling. Can Ivy and Ramona stand up and find a voice before another performance takes a dangerous turn?

My thoughts...

THE DOLLHOUSE ACADEMY is a riveting look at the dark side of academia, ambition, and fame. From complex friendships and a strong desire to excel, be understood, seen, and make dreams come true.

Psychologically rich, the author hooks readers from beginning to end, unraveling the twisted realities and facade of this prestigious performing arts academy. Behind the glamour and success lies a web of deceit and manipulation that the characters must navigate.

Told from alternating POVs: Ivy, Ramona, and Grace explore the emotions and moral dilemmas in the entertainment business, lost innocence, and the hidden sinister secrets beneath the surface of the academy and its toxicity.

It is a thought-provoking, compelling read and a moving story of exploitation, sacrifice, ambition, and self-discovery.

Audiobook...

I listened to the audiobook narrated by two of my favorite narrators, Brittany Pressley, and Xe Sands, for an engaging performance, making the characters come alive in this riveting psychological suspense.

Recs...

THE DOLLHOUSE ACADEMY is a must-read for fans of dark academia, psychological suspense, and the price of fame.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an advanced listening copy in exchange for an honest review.

blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pub Date: Feb 11, 2025
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Ramona and Grace grew up watching In the Dollhouse and idolizing the leading actress, Ivy. After several failed attempts to join The Dollhouse Academy, responsible for scouting and developing the industry's top talent, they both finally earn a spot. Grace and Ramona throw themselves into their courses, determined to be successful, but when they begin to undergo suspicious medical assessments they will quickly have to decide how much of themselves they are willing to compromise for fame.

This was such a wild read. With so many parallels to real life (young actors being taken advantage of, losing sense of self/autonomy, Elvis is alive, the Avril Lavigne conspiracy theory), it really makes you wonder the lengths people have and will continue to go to, in the name of fame. The Dollhouse Academy is a sinister look into the making of celebrity, told in multiple POVs. It was a bit of a slow-burn, but an easy listen nonetheless. I was hoping for a little more about the academy itself (& how they do the things they do), instead of just the drama surrounding it. Definitely recommend for Hollywood conspiracy theorists...but fair warning, the end is very tidy for such a messy story.

Thank you NetGalley and ....for ARC audio file. I've often wondered about the life of top actresses/actors. Yes, their lives look glamorous, but what really goes on behind the scenes. What price do they really pay for the fame and fortune. Enter, "The Dollhouse Academy." Ivy Gordon has been the top star at The Dollhouse Academy for nearly 2 decades. Belonging to this elite boarding/acting school is what every aspiring actor dreams about. Besties Ramona and Grace both receive admission to this coveted school and find out that they might receive much more than they bargained for. While this is a work of fiction it was very thought provoking as to the lives that famous actors/actresses undoubtedly lead and at what cost to their health and sanity.

I loved the concept of this book. I thought the plot was very interesting and the actual going ons. My issue is I don't think we dove deep enough into it. I wanted more of the acting school, the work instead of just a paragraph summing those parts up. I also feel we should done more once we found out what was going on.

"You can be replaced at any moment in ways you can't imagine."

"A granted wish doesn't always look like you expect it will."

We hear it all the time. The price of fortune and fame. What some are willing to pay for it. But what if you decided you no longer wanted it all but there was no return policy for you...unless there was a new you?

The wild yet extremely introspective dark academia psychological thriller The Dollhouse Academy, by innovatively gifted author Margarita Montimore, is an ominous tale about fame, power and fortune.

Ramona and Grace idolize Ivy Gordon. She's an award winning actress and singer. When they are accepted at the exclusive Dollhouse Academy, where Ivy learned to be a star, they are so thrilled that they don't see the red flags. First, if they leave before 6 months they have to pay $10,000; then there's "minimal contact with the outside world." It's a bit ominous when Ramona says, "You make it sound like I'm about to join a cult." If only that was it!

Voice actresses Brittany Pressley
And Xe Sands are their usual brilliant selves with in depth emotional performances. The toll of going after your dreams versus the greed of the ones who try to control it are the main subjects of this dark academia thriller with the twistiest end.

As Grace excels, Ramona is left behind but she realizes the weird medical exams, suspicious supplements, and severe diets are changing Grace into someone else. When she meets Ivy and hears her story, reads her secret diary, she knows they may never graduate from the academy.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from Macmillan Audio via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review.

Friends since fifth grade, Grace and Ramona finally get to live out their dream of getting a chance at the Dollhouse Academy but as it turns out sometimes your dreams do not turn out the way that they expected.

The narrators were great and really gave the dual point of view that had me questioning the end all the way through. Would recommend. Thank you to Netgalley, Margarita Montimore, and MacMillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

Stepford Wives meets Fame meets Eileen Ford

I enjoyed this one even though or maybe because of the fact you weren’t sure if it was going to go supernatural or be more mysterious adventure. You also weren’t sure who to believe so the suspense was definitely there!

This is kind of a hard book to review because I don’t want to give any elements away.

The narration by Xe Sands and Brittany Pressley was top notch! Both brought such great emotion and Brittany did great when voicing Ivy during her storyline, she really had Xe’s voice down pat!

This was my first book by this author but I may have to go back to her backlist and read some more as I enjoyed her writing style.

4 stars

I received this audiobook from the publisher Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for a fair and honest review.

I loved this audiobook. Great narrator and pace. I absolutely LOVED Margarita Montimore's first two novels, this one fell a little short. I did like how the ending made me guess if it really was, or wasn't.

I absolutely LOVED this book. Very Stepford Wives meets Old School Hollywood. The 2 narrators did such an excellent job with the different character voices. I found the mystery compelling and continuously wondered how the MCs were going to make it out.

There was a bit of a stumble for me near the end which is the only reason it's not 5 stars (4.75 on Storygraph). Brief spoilers ahead!
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The time skip felt too abrupt. For them to just be let go like that was a little disappointing. For how sinister the Academy was I had hoped for a more clandestine escape.

I was granted the audio arc for this and am incredibly grateful for the opportunity. I have not stopped recommending this to friends that love thrillers.

"For me, it was more important to be somebody than to be with somebody."

Ivy Gordon is the most famous cast member at The Dollhouse Academy. She starts to journal her life and record the secrets of mega secretive, ultra-elitist talent school. Ramona and Grace have been best friends since elementary school. They get the unbelievable opportunity to attend The Dollhouse Academy in hopes of fulfilling their dreams of being actresses, but once the doors close, more shocking things start to happen.

Oona Out of Order is one of my favorite books ever, so I was so excited to get approved for this ARC of Montimore's latest work! This book was such a unique exploration into the lives of the ultra famous and the psychological toll it takes to get to the top. The Dollhouse Academy and the power was so intriguing. I loved the secretive notes, the building pressure to look within the Academy curtains to discover what's really going on. With the elements of the plot, I actually thought the Grace/Ramona plot lines were going to take an ever darker turn. The ending wrapped up expertly. There were definitely times where you have to suspend some belief, but Montimore perfected the world of elitism. The audiobook was very well narrated and engaging!

This one is out now! Thank you NetGalley and Flatiron Books for the advanced listening copy!

Thank you so much Flatiron Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the audiobook!!

The narration of this story was great and really brought everything to life nicely. I love that the premise was very different than anything I've read before. Ramona and Grace both get accepted into the Dollhouse Academy. Ramona starts to struggle with deep jealousy of her friend. Ivy Gordon, the most famous person that's come out of Dollhouse Academy is busy journaling her secrets of show business over her 30+ years. There was definitely mystery mixed up with the real life issues that I'm sure people in the entertainment industry deal with daily. I think the book was good and I'm interested in reading more by Ms. Montimore.

Ramona and Grace are aspiring actresses who audition for a spot in the Dollhouse Academy. Fortunately, for both, each is offered a spot.

The dollhouse Academy is very synonymous with old Hollywood and how a single production company would control an actor or actresses entire career. All the twists and turns in this story, definitely play on the “ be careful what you wish for” sentiment.

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading others by this author.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio via net galley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

Another enjoyable Margarita Montimore story! I got sucked into the story early and really wanted to understand where it would go. Ramona’s journey took turns I could see coming a bit before but still was fun to read. Ivy’s perspective was written as diary entries so it’s understandable that they read as if we were being told not shown (the difference between how the stories of Ramona and Ivy were told were glaring but it fit the story). I vaguely expected the ending but still wanted a bit more. Thanks to NetGalley for an early ALC to review.

Margarita Montimore always hits the right notes for me! This was my third book by her, and I enjoyed it nearly as much as Oona Out of Order and Acts of Violet. The Dollhouse Academy is set in the late 1990s, Ramona and Grace are best friends living in New York and pursuing acting. They get their big break when they are invited to join the Dollhouse Academy, an acting academy for a production company that is its own entertainment microcosm.

The renowned studio releases a variety of successful and well-crafted movies, television series, and musical albums. I hadn’t really been aware of this, but it is based on the old studio system, where its actor’s careers are completely controlled by the studio. Though prestigious, the production company is shrouded in mystery. I found the focus on friendship, ambition, and the price of fame very intriguing. I listened to the audiobook, which is fabulously narrated by Brittany Pressley as the main narrator and Xe Sands who narrates short letters interspersed in the text.

Thank you Flatiron Books and Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing this ebook and audiobook ARC. All thoughts are my own.

This is such a twisted novel wrapped in cute owl clothing. On the surface it seems low stakes, but when you peel back the layers...just wow.

The setup is excellent and the execution is flawless. The characters are complex and their relationships even more so.

More than anything with all the conspiracy theories about celebrities...this one makes you pause and think...what if...and yeesh you sure hope such a thing isn't possible.

What happens when all your dreams come true only to find yourself living a nightmare you aren't sure you will be able to escape?

It is a classic tale of being careful what you wish for and equally a reflection on what in life will actually bring you joy.

A big thank you to Net Galley for this audio ARC and to Margarita for the physical ARC!

RATINGS
10 Characters
9 Atmosphere
10 Writing Style
8 Plot
7 Pace
10 Intrigue
9 Enjoyment
3 SOS Bonus
TOTAL= 63+3= 66/14= 4.71

3.00/5.00 SOS Rating
--I was not expecting this to go the way it did, but DAMN if it isn't creepy and unsettling!

4.75/5.00 Rounded Rating

Dear The Dollhouse Academy,
You were such a twisted, surprising story about the price of fame. I really enjoyed getting into Ivy and Ramona's head as they traversed the drought waters of The Dollhouse. I loved how Ivy's diary wove into Ramona's life as she got everything she ever wanted and discovered the price of having her dreams come true. You took me on a wild ride, and I loved every minute.