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.

Hollywood • Thriller • Scifi
Publication Date • 11 Feb 2025

🎧 Thank you @macmillan.audio for the free ALC.

🚩 𝙸𝚝’𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚘𝚒𝚊 𝚒𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚢’𝚛𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞.

This was enjoyable overall. I wanted to love this one but although it was well written, it was missing the wow factor. It was predictable, which for a romance is expected but in a thriller didn’t work.

It started off strong but fizzled at the end. I’ve read a lot of similar books in the scifi domain and this detracted from my enjoyment.

On the plus side, fast paced and easy to listen to - the cast of audiobook narrators did a nice job.

You might like this if you enjoy Hollywood and the cost of fame, Stepford Wives, unlikeable, sometimes unreliable main characters.

This was so good! I haven’t been on here for awhile but I’d definitely recommend this audiobook. These characters were so good and it was easy to get hooked in the story

This is a story about a secretive entertainment behemoth that has trained and produced some of the most popular stars of stage and screen through their famous Dollhouse Academy. Ramona and Grace are desperate to be accepted, despite the rumors and NDAs that must be signed. The story is told by Grace, who slowly realizes that not all is kosher at the Dollhouse Academy and through diary entries of Ivy Gordan, the biggest superstar that the Dollhouse Academy has ever produced. As Grace's star rises, Ramona is desperate to keep up. But finding out the truth becomes even more important than becoming famous.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this digital audio e-arc.*

The Dollhouse was a captivating story about two best friends who are invited to attend the elite school, The Dollhouse. The girls have grown up watching the highly rated show that is filmed from inside the gates of The Dollhouse. Right before they are to leave, a mysterious letter has been mailed to just one of the girls. The letter is a warning not to go. The contents of the letter have her thinking, but the excitement to go and live out their childhood dream of living and working with their idols can not be passed up. As they navigate the days,weeks,months through the school letters keep coming warning to get out while you can.
The book will take you on wild ride as to what can happen inside the gates of one of the most coveted schools to produce top talent.

I really enjoyed this! If you're looking for a fresh, unique, pop culture themed suspense novel - here you go! This book is so much fun with the way it cleverly weaves this fictional world of The Dollhouse Academy and it's performers in with real life events during the 90's and today. (Not someone knocking ...Baby One More Time off the charts!) Super unique story, good pacing, and a few great cliffhanger chapters to keep you flying through.

The audio is absolutely brilliant - Xe Sands and Brittany Pressley are basically audiobook royalty in my book. And there's a reason for that, their voice acting, the emotion they project, it becomes so immersive, especially when Brittany gives us a lil sample of her singing voice!

Pick this up if you like:
- Pop culture and the dark sides of fame
- The TV show Fringe
- Stories that insert fictional moments into reality
- Best friend stories
- Soap operas

A huge thank you to Macmillan Audio + NetGalley for this ALC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Audio Review: This is narrated by two of my favorites so I knew the audio would be good. I highly recommended it.

Review: Wow, this book was even better than I expected. One of my favorite things about Dollhouse Academy is that it's a slow decent into madness. The author slowly reveals things to you but the story still feels fast paced somehow (in the best way possible). I found that very impressive. We get dual timelines which converge onto each other, this adds a lot of suspense as well as helps us understand more and more about what's happening. Even with knowing the ending, this is a book I would certainly read again. There is a very real and deep sense of darkness and dread throughout creating a rich environment for the story. It's the kind of book where you want to hold your hands over your eyes and just peak through because you know bad things are going to happen to characters you like.

The author also does a great job of showing and not telling, leaving you space to think on your own, ponder and wonder. I really hope this book gets the attention that it deserves, I will be talking about it all year long! As of right now I am giving it 5 stars but over the course of the year, I wouldn't be surprised if this ends up in my favorites of the year.

this is my favorite book of the year so far! it had me captivated from beginning to end. 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙝, 𝙗𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙮, 𝙞 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙣𝙙. every time i think about this book, i’m blown away by how brilliant it is. i highly recommend it!

While not a new concept, this story of stolen identity and lost innocence does give a new setting to an otherwise familiar story. I enjoyed the twisty reveals and the subtle sci-fi backdrop.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my copy. These opinions are my own.

Margarita Montimore is an underrated author. I loved Oona Out of Order but I think The Dollhouse Academy may be even better.

3.5 stars - rounded down to 3 stars

What lengths would you go to and what sacrifices would you make to be famous? This book takes the reader on a journey into the pressures and manipulations the Hollywood machine puts on it's stars and would be stars. Grace and Ramona get into the highly acclaimed Dollhouse Academy both with ambitions to be the next big star. Once there though, one of them rockets to the top and both of them are coerced into doing things that are shady at best. When they find out the truth about the creepy Dollhouse ways they have a choice to stay or to try to escape before it's too late.

This was an easy listen with great narration, the overall story was good it just moved a little slow for me. If you were a Disney Clubhouse fan in the 80s and 90s, I think you'll love this book. It made me think of the Brittany Spears, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera child/teen stars and made me wonder how close to reality this story might actually be.

The Dollhouse Academy by Margarita Montimore reminded me of a mix between Stepford Wives and the stories we've all heard about how horribly Hollywood studios treated their stars during the golden age of Hollywood.
The novel opens with Ivy Gordon, the world's biggest star, recounting the terrible things she's faced as the cost of her fame. Her diary entries are disturbing and eerie, leaving me feeling haunted. I also enjoyed the narrator for Ivy's part in the audiobook version; it added to the desperation and anxiety of her character.
The main action takes place in the mid-nineties and follows Ramona and Grace as they are accepted into the talent training school, Dollhouse Academy. The best friends are huge fans of Ivy Gordon and are excited to follow her legacy. They know it will be a challenge, but it tests and challenges everything about them and their friendship. The schedule is grueling, and Ramona starts to struggle while Grace's career takes off. Ramona also receives threatening anonymous notes that put her on edge. There's something odd about all the doctors and the strange supplements everyone seems to be taking.
As the story unfolds, Ramona's anxiety increases as she notices things that aren't right happening around her, which left me on the edge of my seat.
I appreciated that the strongest relationship in this story isn't romantic but between the best friends. The Dollhouse tries to break the girls' friendship and even succeeds for a time, but their care for each other eventually prevails. These girls are not perfect, though; at times, they are not the most likable. Ramona often gives in to her jealousy and insecurity, and it takes her a while to overcome it. However, I think it makes her feel more human.
I'm giving this book five stars because I can't stop thinking about it.
Thank you to Net Galley and Flatiron Books for this advanced reader copy. All opinions and views expressed are my own.

The dollhouse academy shows the dark side of Hollywood. Romona and Grace are eager for their big break and will do anything to get it. The academy has an allure and they find themselves enchanted by their opportunity, even if it has them going up against one another. All things aren’t sweet and rosie as they appear.

This book is perfect for anyone who likes dark academia, psychological drama and for anyone who’s ever wondered about the price of fame.

Thank you NetGalley for an advance copy for an honest review.

Read by my favorite Narrator Brittany Pressley. I listened to this bizarre tale The Dollhouse Academy.
In a reformed school for girls The Dollhouse Academy is set in a Town far away from Hollywood. Grooming these aspiring Actors and Actresses to become… someone else?? The super secret underground project is something out of a sci-fi movie.
Great world building, characters are well thought out and relatable. This is a great book for the psychological thriller reader and fiction.
No one is safe at The Dollhouse Academy. Especially its biggest Stars.

The Dollhouse Academy is a prestigious incubator of talent for mysterious entertainment giant, Genevieve Spalding. When best friends Ramona and Grace are plucked out of relative obscurity to join the Dollhouse Academy, they think their all of their dreams have come through. But things at the Dollhouse Academy soon begin to feel more sinister by the day. Ramona struggles while Grace is shot to stardom first through a roll in the signature In The Dollhouse Show, and then through her own spin-off as a revamped, angsty version of herself, "Gracie". Their story is woven with Ivy, the star of Into The Dollhouse, who. through bits and pieces, reveals the much darker side of Spalding's world. The life Ramona always thought she wanted, and the stark reality of the Academy begin to blur in unsettling ways and Montimore is able to craft this story with emotional depth that elevates the novel far beyond any dark academia that I have ever read.

AUDIOBOOK:
I was so excited to be approved for the audiobook of The Dollhouse Academy. Brittany Pressley is one of my all time favorite narrators and I had just finished listening to Xe Sands narrate Welcome Home, Stranger, which I really enjoyed. My only critique is that I felt like Sands tried to age her voice a little bit --even though her character, Ivy, is only 34!

Four stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to listen to an early copy of this book! I really thought I would love this one more than I did. I've been interested in reading from this author and when I saw she had a new release I was excited to try it. I loved the setting and the premise of the plot but failed to really connect with the main character or her struggles. I loved Ivy's chapters though and wanted to hear more from her. It was also a little too slow-burn and it seemed too obvious where it was going. I also felt that it didn't add anything super fresh or new to the commentary or genre either. It was just okay for me. I can definitely see it being right for a certain niche of readers, though I don't really feel that dark academia is necessarily the right description.