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

What would you sacrifice for the chance to live your dream life? Ramona and Grace have longed to join the hit show In the Dollhouse and when given the chance, they jump at the opportunity provided to be admitted to the much vaunted Dollhouse Academy, known for making the greatest stars for show biz. This is both a fascinating look into the lives of people working to be stars yet also unsettling with all the secrets and mystery supplements the rising actors take to handle all the stress and work load of their jobs as they are broken down and remolded into their best versions. The creepy thing about it, besides the secret project and some of the medical bits, is that there is truth in it. The hard lives of child actors and contracts that can bind actors into a niche they can't get out of.

The book did a great job of slowly revealing all the horror, both through Ivy's diary entries, and the path of Ramona and Grace as they rise in the ranks at the Dollhouse Academy. I really enjoyed all of it, except for the ending which kind of fizzled instead of going out with a bang. Despite that, it was fun to listen to and the narrators did a great job in bringing the novel and the characters to life.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to listen to this audiobook.

The Dollhouse Academy is a twisty, emotional, and at times dark look into a world that focuses heavily on appearance and success--to the detriment of almost everything else. In The Dollhouse Academy, we follow Romance, Grace, and Ivy as each one tells their story and experiences the realities of being invited to and surviving in the Dollhouse Academy.

What I liked: I really enjoyed getting to know Ramona and Ivy and exploring the glamorous, secretive, and dark world of the Dollhouse Academy alongside them. This was a book that skillfully balanced so many different elements, from Romana's inner struggles with her identity and figuring out who she is to her conflicts with a toxic environment and toxic people, all while slowly unfolding the mystery of what's really happening behind the scenes at the Dollhouse Academy. I thought the author did a really great job telling this twisty story, particular with how it interwove the present day experiences of Romana and Grace with some of Ivy's epistolary-style chapters about her own experiences in the Dollhouse Academy. I'd also like to note that I listened to the audiobook version and thought the narrators did an excellent job of capturing the voice and emotions of the characters within.

What I didn't like: It hard to describe what exactly didn't work for me without giving spoilers, but I'll do my best to describe it. As the story progresses, there are some rather... disturbing ideas that being to come to light, which I thought added a lot of intrigue and certainly grabbed my attention. However, as the story dove deeper into some of these ideas, there was an element of it that didn't feel like it quite made sense and veered ever so slightly into some slightly absurd aspects that took away some of the believability for me. That being said, I think the story still managed to convey some deep meaning in regards to the pressure placed on young stars in the entertainment industry and how much they are forced through in order to always appear perfect and at their best, and the elements I've vaguely referred to do that really well. I think that as much as this book did, it still felt like certain elements were a little lackluster in the end, as well.

Overall, The Dollhouse Academy is a compelling read and perfect fans of complex relationship dynamics, mysteries or thrillers, or anyone who is interested in the entertainment industry.

I listen to the audio version of this novel! I want to specially mention the narrators because they brought the novel to life and gave it so much depth. This book was absolutely mesmerizing with its deeply disturbing delve into the darker side of ambition and fame through stardom. The author did an extraordinary work turning this book into a psychological suspense that you had to wonder whether the characters of Ivy, Ramona, and Grace were paranoid or could the unimaginable really be possible. The different POVs gave this books rich amount of depth. This is a must read for the dark academia or psychological thriller fans. If you have ever wondered the cost of fame… take a chance and read this one. It may make you second guess that desire.

Thank you Net Galley, Macmillian Audio, and Margarita Montimore

Would you be willing to change yourself completely to be a star?
This story is told through multiple POVs with Ivy, Ramona, and Grace. It is set in a gothic, elite academy for rising artists where dark secrets lurk behind closed doors. Every student who enters must sign an NDA, ensuring that the outside world never knows what really happens within its walls.
This is a twisted psychological read that pulls you deep into the world of ambition, deception, and the price of fame. Friendships are tested, lines are blurred, and it begs the question of how far you would go to become a star.
The narrators, Brittany Pressley and Xe Sands are amazing. Their performances kept me hooked till the very end.

A secret diary written by child star Ivy Gordon. Two new Dollhouse trainees with stars in their eyes. That's a recipe for a HF title with a bit of dystopia stirred in.

Here is what I loved about this one:
🎧Macmillan audio has put together an amazing audio version with Brittany Pressley and Xi Sands narrating.
✨For Ramona and Grace, getting into the academy is the beginning of a life of stardom. They have been writing and performing their own mini plays at a Brooklyn theater. Are they set for life?
📕Ivy's diary is a compelling child star's story and a tell-all about Dollhouse Academy. Will Ivy ever be able to leave? What does she know about Operation Understudy?
📚I have been a Margarita Montimore fan since I read an ARC of Oona Out of Order. This one is now my new favorite.
👯‍♀️The lifetime bond Ramona and Grace had is tested to the max. Will it survive the rigors of the academy. Will they?

I am above the average on this one, but you know I always have my reasons. A big thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.