The Dollhouse Academy is an intriguing thriller set at an elite academy for performers. Ramona and Grace, best friends science fifth grade, have always wanted to be stars, bonding over their shared love of the tv show In the Dollhouse. At 22, they get their big break by catching the eye of Genevieve, the head of Dahlen Academy, and are offered spots in the school. While Grace rises to the challenge and quickly lands a spot on In the Dollhouse, Ramona begins to flounder, constantly second guessing herself. She has also been receiving mysterious notes, referencing dark secrets at the school that could be putting her and Ramona in danger.

This was a really fun thriller. I loved the setting of Dalhen Academy and it really added to the overall paranoid feeling in the book. The story is told through Ramona's perspective in the late 90s and in diary entries from the late 80s written by Ivy, one of the Dollhouse's stars. The alternating perspectives helped to add to the overall sense of unease. I also think Montimore did a really good job of gradually raising the stakes in a way that made the reader understand why Ramona was acting the way that she was. I listened to the audiobook and both of the narrators did a great job with the story. This will be a great one for fans of the tv shows Black Mirror and Dollhouse and readers who enjoy stories having to do with the entertainment industry.

I loved Oona out of order and was really excited for a new book from Margarita Montimore! This story is about a scripted television show and the 'academy' where they train and groom wannabe actors and singers who want to get chosen for the shows.

Told in a dual timeline style with flashbacks to the show's biggest star's experiences on the show in the early years to the present, the newest crop of stars slowly learn the high cost of fame and that there are dark things happening at the academy that aren't worth being there for. The end got a little sci-fi for me but on the whole I enjoyed this one.

It had great narration by my favorite, Brittany Pressley and Xe Sands. Overall, while this won't be a new favorite by Montimore for me it was still a very interesting take on fame and the Hollywood entertainment industry. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

Acts of Violet, another title from Montimore, is one of my favorite books. To say that I’m a fan of this author would be an understatement. The Dollhouse Academy is a good story but lacks the magic I’ve come to expect from Montimore’s previous works. I would recommend this title to fans of Black Mirror, as it explores similar themes to the television series.

Dark academia + celebs made this one a must read. I loved the eerie setting of the academy and it’s overhearing leader, Genevieve. The journal entries from the Dollhouses' golden goose were well done and helped to foreshadow what was coming. Ultimately, I wanted a little bit more from this one but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Brittany Pressley does the narration of the audiobook and does an excellent job as always.

Listened to this one on audio (would definitely recommend that format if you pick this one up, the narrators are great!). I was invested for a while, probably the first third or so, but could feel my interest start to wane from there. I enjoyed the gossipy private school and Hollywood vibes from the start, and the central conflicts and themes around the cost of fame were intriguing -- but ultimately things started to drag out and become far less suspenseful, culminating in a "reveal" and conclusion that felt pretty...wtf. Overall, liked pieces of it but can't wholeheartedly recommend.

Rounded up from 3.5 stars on The Storygraph

Stardom was always designed to cost you. It takes discipline, sacrifice, resilience, and unwavering determination to chase the spotlight you’ve spent your life dreaming of. But, at The Dollhouse Academy your dreams will, at their cheapest, cost you everything.

This was an entertaining and unsettling story with sci-fi elements that follows one storyline told through two generations, two POVs (one being in a written journal format), and various dynamics. Many of the characters that we meet lose their tether to reality as they uncover the dark secrets behind this production studio’s success. Meanwhile, others lose their identities entirely - some willingly offering theirs up for a chance at fame, while some not so much.

While there were a handful of moments that I found to be attention grabbing (black sea jello anyone?), not much about the plot or the characters stood out to me. As a frequenter of the thriller and horror genres, I didn’t find much about this book to be unique. That being said, I did really enjoy the setting and the tv/movie star aspect. I also particularly enjoyed the direction that Margarita Montimore took with the ending. Due to the book’s genre and the fact that it is an ending, I can’t elaborate too much. However, I will say that I love a story that doesn’t end with all the loose ends tied in bows.

Not only was this an entertaining thriller, it also drifted into being observational piece on Hollywood and the archetypes that we see standing under the brightest spotlights in the media. It’s not a thread that is preached to the reader or glaringly obvious in an obnoxious and clunky way. It’s more of a nudge in the direction of this train of thought.

I always say it when I’m reviewing an audiobook, but I am a picky listener when it comes to the narration. The narrators for this book did not disappoint on any level. Brittany Pressley and Xe Sands are talented storytellers with great cadence, smooth vocals, and an engaging catalogue of character voices. They both did an excellent job at bringing this book and its characters to life.

I truly do not have a negative word to say about The Dollhouse Academy. My mid-range rating comes only from the fact that, although I enjoyed my listen, these characters and this story in itself aren’t going to stick with me long term. I love a really dark and twisty thriller and, for me, this just wasn’t that. I would say it’s more of something my friend and I refer to as a “potato chip” book. It’s a fairly quick and enjoyable read/listen to mix things up - comparable to settling into a cozy couch with a bag of Lays for an evening - but it doesn’t leave a lingering taste.

Ps. I am officially fan-casting Meryl Streep as Genevieve. I hope we can all understand the vision.

A huge thank-you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Ramona Halloway can’t believe her luck. She and her best friend, Grace, have landed spots at The Dollhouse Academy—Dahlen Entertainment’s elite talent incubator, the very place that shaped their idol, Ivy Gordon. Growing up glued to Dahlen’s flagship TV drama, In the Dollhouse, they dreamed of this moment. Now, they have the chance to train alongside industry legends and maybe even cross paths with Ivy herself.

But the dream isn’t quite what Ramona expected. Struggling to stand out, she watches Grace’s star rise while she flounders, envy gnawing at the edges of their friendship. She always said she’d do anything to make it—she just didn’t think it would cost her Grace's friendship.

Ivy, meanwhile, has spent eighteen years as Dahlen’s biggest star, and she knows better than anyone what the Academy demands from its performers. Through secret journal entries, she starts documenting the truth: the invasive medical exams, the mysterious supplements, the terrifying hold Dahlen has over her life. If she can’t break free of this gilded cage, what hope does she have of helping new talent like Ramona?

The Dollhouse Academy is a hard book to pin down—part dark academia, part psychological thriller, with a simmering sense of unease that only fully boils over in the final act. There’s even a touch of sci-fi, adding to its genre-blurring appeal. The slow-burn buildup kept me intrigued, but the resolution felt rushed, leaving the characters frustratingly close to where they started. A romantic subplot for Ramona also fell flat, adding little to the novel’s core themes.

There’s a lot to admire here—an eerie premise, compelling character dynamics, and sharp commentary on the cost of fame—but the ending left me wanting more. I just wish all that buildup had paid off in a more satisfying way.

This was a fun ride. Mixing dark academia, Hollywood pressure, and wonderful eighties and nineties settings, this book was really engaging. It went in a direction I was not at all anticipating. I listened to the audio and the two narrators really brought the story to life, and were distinct enough that the two timelines were really clear.

Ivy Gordon has been living for eighteen years as a star with the Dollhouse Academy, an elite educational institution that trains elite and famous performers. While her life might look amazing, things are not as they seem, which she starts recording in a diary.

Ramona, along with her best friend, Grace, is accepted into the Dollhouse. As Grace experiences a meteoric rise to fame, Ramona starts to suspect that things at the Dollhouse are not what they seem.

This was an interesting read that followed Romona, an aspiring actress that gets accepted into the Dollhouse Academy with her friend Grace. This academy is a rigorous program that prepares students for life in the spotlight. After Grace’s quick success, Romona is not sure everything is as it seems. Told in two POV, the first Romona and the second, Ivy, who is a success story from the DA. The things that happened at the DA were an interesting take on what could actually be occurring. The idea of the book was there, but the execution was somewhat lacking. The ending of the story took some odd turns and lost me. I listened to the audiobook and thought both narrators did a great job.

3.5 stars. Montimore definitely knows how to come up with unique concepts that could end up a total bust, but she manages to craft a plot that draws you in. Brittany Pressley as narrator also added to the enjoyment of this one.

What I liked:
* the exploration of fame and what people are willing to do to achieve it
* the setting of the Dollhouse Academy (and its remote yet famous location)
* the dynamics between Ramona and her uncles as well as between Ramona and Grace
* Ivy as sort of a twisted mentor

What I didn't love:
* the pacing was off and by the end it just did not have the same intensity as it did at the beginning
* there are definitely very far-fetched elements that you need to suspend belief on, but if you can roll with it, they do add to the plot

I love that Mararita Montimore tries a different type of story each time out. The Dollhouse Academy looks at the dark side of celebrity and what it takes to get there and stay there. And what people are willing to do to keep the money flowing.

"Ivy Gordon has long been the most famous star of the Dollhouse Academy. But at age 34 she is tired of pretending everything is okay and starts writing down all of the awful things in a secret diary - weird medical tests, odd supplements and threats.

Ramona and Grace have always wanted to be stars and a lucky break gets them a spot at the Dollhouse. Ramona gets some strange notes while Grace thrives.

What dark secrets does the Dollhouse hold?"

There have been many stories about the dark side of fame. Montimore puts a unique spin on it. There are horrible things going on that are hidden from most. And the ones that know don't want to turn off the money tap. Lots of tension in the story because you're getting hints but you never quite know who's behind the bad stuff until the end. Ramona seems to be a voice of reason but the gilded cage is there.

Big twist at the end you won't see coming. It adds a layer of creepiness to the book.

The team of Brittany Pressley and Xe Sands does an excellent job with the audio narration - the desperation of Ivy and the fear of Ramona.

Read this if you ever wanted to be famous.

I wanted to love this, I really wanted to but sadly it fell very flat for me.

The plot was very original and the setting was great, and that’s about all I can say I truly enjoyed.

I didn’t find the book very thrilling or mysterious and was very predictable for me. This was a very slow read that I was hopeful would eventually pick up or have an amazing twist that made up for it, alas that was not the case.

This had a very YA feel to it, and no, I’m not knocking YA because some of my favorite thrillers are YA.

This book was just not for me.

This one was a miss for me, unfortunately. I thought the premise was neat and it started off promising, but it took me forever to get through it. I think it was creepy and kind of cult-like, but not overly thrilling which is what I prefer to read. I did think both narrators did a great job!
Thank you to MacMillan and NetGalley for allowing me to listen early in exchange for my review.

The Dollhouse Academy is a creepy thriller delving into dark academia and celebrity culture. It is very Stepford Wives. There were interesting parts regarding the grooming and control of the Academy. The characters are all unlikeable though, and the plot didn't always make sense. Fame is so fleeting, fans are fickle, and celebrities are replaceable in the public consciousness with very few exceptions. The only characters fully developed are Ivy and Ramona, the two first person narrators, and they come across very privileged and self-centered. The cover is gorgeous, and the narrators of the audiobook do a great job though the "distorted voice" creeped me out.
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for his ALC!

Five stars for this twisty, gothic, and suspenseful novel that exceeded my expectations! I was intrigued when I read it had “The Stepford Wives” vibes, and it didn’t disappoint. This is an eerie story that will have you looking over your shoulder as you read.

Ramona and Grace have dreamed of stardom their whole lives. They work in Ramona’s uncles’ theater, and a spot on tv featuring them gets them an invite to The Dollhouse Academy. Both are hoping this will be their big break, and it will get them opportunities to sing, dance, and act. They are also hoping for an opportunity to appear on the wildly popular show, “In the Dollhouse.” They would love the opportunity to work with their idol, Ivy Gordon. When they get there, things are just not as they seem. As Ramona and Ivy settle in, they are not prepared for what is to come.

This book is unsettling in all of the best ways. Author Margarita Montimore never allows the reader to keep their footing. She keeps you off balance throughout. Ramona and Grace’s friendship is tested in ways that they have never dealt with before, and as they begin to grow apart, their isolation is palpable.

This story is told from both Ramona and Ivy’s points of view. Ivy’s story is very emotional - I do not want to give anything away. It is told through her diary entries, and I hung on her every word. She takes you through her past to the present.

I was also able to listen to the audiobook of this one. Xe Sands and Brittany Pressley give Ivy and Ramona their voices. They do an absolutely phenomenal job!

Thank you to author Margarita Montimore and Flatiron Books for my advance reader copy. Thank you also to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audiobook version. This book is out in February 11th. If you enjoy gothic fiction, dark academia, and having that creepy, unsettling feeling with you throughout the story, this one is for you. I highly recommend one!

"Lost in an image, in a dream
But there's no one there to wake her up
And the world is spinning, and she keeps on winning
But tell me what happens when it stops?" ~Britney Spears (Lucky)

Margarita Montimore's The Dollhouse Academy is a dark academia thriller with a twist on fame and stardom. What would you do to be the most famous and most loved star in the world? These are the questions asked when you enter the elite and star-making board school, The Dollhouse. We meet Ivy and Ramona with dual POVs; both dreaming of fame and both willing to give up everything, until when literally everything has been or will be taken.

This book started out with a fast pace bang, that had my heart racing and breath gasping all while turning the page for more. Unfortunately, after that it just seemed to stall and hit the brakes. Mortimore's idea of what price are you willing to pay for stardom, backed by a old-school Hollywood boarding academy that is a revolving door for the best movies, actors, and stars, just seemed to have it all. I feel the idea had everything, but the slow build-up to the end, which felt rushed, and culmination of the storylines just fell flat.
I did enjoy the timeline of the story. There's a reason why I added the quote from Britney Spears's Lucky; the book and the quote are a behind the scenes look of what performers are willing or forced to go through to get what they believe they want. The late 90s are the height of paparazzi and Pop fame and fortune. I think the mentions of Britney Spears and Ricky Martin were perfect because of how big and public they were during the MTV TRL time and ruling the 90s/00s pop music genre.
Brittany Pressley and XE Sands are great narrators, and brought both FMCs alive. Both made you feel like Ivy and Ramona were friends at certain points in your life, and women you could easily feel for during their struggles.
Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.
3.5 stars

The Dollhouse Academy
By: Margarita Montimore
Narrators: Brittany Pressley & XE Sands
Publisher: MacMillan Audio
Pub Date: 2/11/25

This was an interesting book - the story weaved between different POV and timeframes, very well. But it lacked the oomph I was hoping for. It felt predictable and flat, when I expected a little more of that wow factor. Maybe it was just too far-fetched of a lifestyle for me to fully engage and love the book. The book takes place at the Dollhouse Academy, an elite boarding school for aspiring performers. It follows Ivy, who has spent 18 years at the Dollhouse, is ready to face the secrets of her life and the Dollhouse. Romona and Grace are best friends who have just been accepted to the Dollhouse. Romona has been receiving threatening messages while Grace is rising to fame. Can they all figure out what is going on before catastrophe hits? 
Thank you netgalley for my advanced reader copies.

3 ⭐️

I will be honest. As far as thrillers go, this had zero thrills. This book was frankly dull and I am disappointed. I had hoped for a good dark academia mystery.

This book was an easy listen, but I was almost 40% through the audiobook when I realized all I had been listening to was two narrators (two POVs) talk about acting. I understood that the plot would revolve around Hollywood and acting, but I didn't realize it would revolve around acting THAT much. At times, it felt like I was listening to a memoir about an actress. It was repetitive: booking jobs, past acting roles, growing up as an actor, life as an actor, and what people are willing to do to score a role. If you have no interest in Hollywood or acting, this will not be a book for you. I expected something along the lines of "Mister Magic" by Kiersten White. This book was closer to a very long and boring version of “The Stepford Wives,” if the wives were actresses. The book seemed 100 pages too long.

There wasn't any hint of mystery until close to the end of the book when "Project Understudy" was mentioned. The twist wasn't very shocking and it was predictable as it had been hinted at many times earlier in the book. The book needed less acting and more thrill.

The audiobook was well done.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for early access to the audiobook! I truly appreciate the opportunity!

5 out of 5 stars



Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillian Audio for a copy of this for review.



I really loved this book. What would you do for the chance at ultimate fame? Would you give up everything for it? We meet Ivy the biggest star there is. She sacrificed everything for it. Ramona and Grace are best friends that are given the chance to live and study at the Dollhouse Academy . It is where In the Dollhouse their favorite show that Ivy actually stars in is filmed. The stars don't just become TV stars, they also become singers and film stars. There are dark secrets within the academy. Can Ramona and Grace's friendship survive? Is Ivy what she seems?

Comments

At 34 Ivy seemingly has a super fabulous life - she is gorgeous and is a mega star.  She is also the most famous member of the somewhat mythological Dollhouse Academy, an elite boarding school and talent incubator, but she has been trying to escape the academy for years but the threats on her life every time she tried to escape keep her there.  Best friends Ramona and Grace enter the school all starry eyed and ambitious - not realizing that the academy, almost cult like in its rules and following, takes over every aspect of your life, including areas that seemed untouchable.  Grace quickly outshines Ramona and becomes a megastar, and quickly removes Ramona from her life, but Ramona sees something off in Grace and tries to reach her to help.  Will Grace's life soon be like Ivy's - trapped and completely controlled?  

I went into this one because I loved the author's last book, Oona Out of Order - this book is very different.  Regardless, I really enjoyed the novel and found it completely compelling.  This novel touches on how stardom comes at a price, both physically and emotionally and asks the questions - how far would you go to achieve your dreams?  I did about 3/4 of this one on audio but was so intrigued with the story that I put down my other book to finish it on my kindle.  The dual audiobook narration was great and I thought both did an excellent job.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC to review