As much as I adore Elin Hilderbrand, it pains me to say that this one just wasn’t for me. It could be that I’m so familiar with and have grown to love Elin’s signature beachy escapism and richly developed characters that this foray into boarding school drama fell a little flat for me. The premise is undeniably juicy: a posh New England boarding school thrust into the spotlight, teeming with scandals courtesy of a rogue app spilling secrets. The setup promises intrigue, drama, and the kind of delicious chaos that fuels page-turners. Yet, despite the glossy exterior, I had a difficult time connecting with the setting and its characters didn’t resonate deeply with me.

The co-authorship with Shelby Cunningham may have introduced a fresh perspective, but it didn’t quite gel with Elin’s established style, leaving me yearning for more of her signature warmth and depth. While it didn’t capture my heart, I can appreciate how it may appeal to fans looking for more of a Gossip Girl-style drama.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for providing me with an eARC of The Academy prior to its publication.

I love Elin Hilderbrand and all her books have been 5 stars for me - she is a top 5 favorite author - which is why I was stunned to have this one fall completely flat for me. To be honest, it felt like it was written by her co-author and she put her name on it - it was all over the place, inconclusive and it felt like it never got off the ground. I hope her next collab will work better for me!

Elin Hilderbrand teams up with her Gen Z daughter to take her signature Nantucket breezy beach read with heart to…a New England boarding school? Sign me up! In theory this is a great idea as a boarding school setting promises lots of rich kids doing bad things and potential for intrigue, but in reality it was kind of a mess. There are SO many characters (Elin fans rejoice though, because they all have INSANE names—Rhode Rivera, Cinnamon Peters, and Cordelia Spooner are just a couple standouts, but there are so so many) a whisper of a plot (why did Tiffin Academy suddenly rocket up 17 places in the rankings, who is behind an anonymous Gossip Girl type app that doesn’t even show up until 40% in), some lukewarm romance/coming of age stuff/bad teacher scandal (the bad teacher borders on ludicrous for how insane her behavior is with students), and so many cliffhangers (even if they are planning for a sequel, the ending felt criminally lacking). A lot of it felt like some commentary on queen bees and mean girls (there’s literally a Mean Girls performance late in the book), but it never really goes there and actually makes a point about anything. I guess this is a good light beach-y read if you love Elin, but it didn’t work for me—sadly!

I love EH books, and I had never seen her co- author with her daughter, so this was a treat. I didn’t realize that it was a YA book. I stuck it through and realized that it was written in EH’s usual format of multiple characters from multiple points of view. I had forgotten how much I liked that. It was interesting, but I feel like it was too young for me. I will be recommending to the young adults in my life.

Charley Hicks is admitted to Tiffin Academy as a late admittance to take the place of Cinnamon, a student who tragically died. She leaves her high school and new stepdad behind to live a solitary life - one where she can read and study. The Academy follows Charley, her peers, and Tiffin's faculty as they live and learn together.

Unlike anything Elin Hilderbrand has written before, I loved it! WIth that being said, it is nothing like her usual beach reads. Think Beverly Hills 90210 in boarding school. It did leave me with some unanswered questions, but I love the drama and characters too much not to give it five stars.
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Thank you NetGalley for an arc of this entertaining read!

Set in a small town in Massachusetts at a prestigious boarding school, this book is driven by its large cast of characters. Most memorable are Charley, an independent young woman who refuses to conform; East, a wealthy nineteen-year-old who hasn't graduated, but no rules apply because his father is the board chair at the school; Davi, a young social influencer who is the envy of all; Audre, a caring but stern headmistress; Simone, a young teacher who is about as mature as her students; and Haz, a chef who has been given another chance. There are many more characters, each as interesting as the next, and as the door was held wide open at the end of the book for a sequel, I imagine we will be introduced to more characters.
This book is fun, but also relatable and unrelatable at the same time. Without a boarding school experience, this world is new and introduces us to privilege of the highest order. That doesn't take away from the book, though, as it is balanced out by real kids handling real teenage problems. The book is really about how all the students, teachers, and staff interact and connect (and disconnect), with some unexpected results.
I am thrilled that Elin Hilderbrand and her daughter Shelby Cunningham started what I hope to be a new series. I have not encountered characters as memorable as these since reading the novels of Maeve Binchy. I look forward to the next novel by either one of these authors.
Thank you NetGalley for a ARC.

The Academy was everything I wanted in a boarding school drama—juicy secrets, cutthroat social politics, and an addictive mix of privilege and chaos. The authors created a world so immersive that I felt like I was right there at Tiffin Academy, watching the drama unfold in real time.
From the very first page, the story hooked me. Tiffin’s unexpected rise in the rankings set off a chain reaction of power struggles, ambition, and backstabbing, all fueled by an anonymous gossip app that threatened to expose everyone’s deepest secrets. The rotating perspectives—from queen bee Davi to outsider Charley to the mysterious new teacher Simone—kept the pacing fast and the stakes high. No one was safe, and I loved every second of it.
The characters were messy, flawed, and completely compelling. Davi was the ultimate influencer with a sharp tongue and a hidden vulnerability, while Charley’s refusal to conform made her an instant favorite. Even the adults weren’t spared from the drama, especially Cordelia, whose admissions “methodology” was both questionable and fascinating. As ZipZap’s anonymous posts sent shockwaves through campus, friendships crumbled, unexpected alliances formed, and Tiffin’s carefully curated image began to crack.
The authors captured the intoxicating mix of glamour and pressure that comes with elite academia, making The Academy feel like Gossip Girl meets Big Little Lies, but set in a prestigious New England prep school. The twists were sharp, the scandals delicious, and the ending left me desperate for more. If you love drama, intrigue, and characters you love to hate (and hate to love), this book was an absolute must-read.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

It took me a minute to get into this book, probably because of all of the characters. But once I was about fifty pages in, I became very invested. It's a boarding school romp, that (while set in America) reminded me a lot of the British author Jilly Cooper. The intrigues big and small of boarding school scandals felt both outrageous and believable. The book was definitely adult, but it captured both the stories of the teachers and administrators of the school with the students. I felt particularly connected to the story of new girl Charley Hicks, who has run away from her mother's new marriage to boarding school but doesn't particularly fit in. But really all the stories, even the ones from unlikable characters, were full of twists and turns that kept me reading. There was one loose thread at the end of the book that is still needling me (I won't spoil it here) but otherwise reading this book was a delight!

Elin Hilderbrand takes a fresh detour from her Nantucket novels to deliver a buzzworthy peek into life at Tiffin Academy, an elite East Coast boarding school that’s suddenly the talk of the town. On move-in day, amidst the familiar chaos of reuniting friends, snapping selfies, and hustling to unload cars, the campus erupts in celebration when America Today ranks Tiffin #2 among boarding schools—a jump that seems more like a clerical miracle than a true achievement.

But just as pride fills the air, a new app called ZipZap starts releasing scandalous blind items about everyone on campus, from the glamorous influencer queen Davi Banerjee to the intriguingly rebellious transfer student Charley Hicks, and even the idiosyncratic Admissions Director, Cordelia Spooner. As secrets begin to spill and alliances shift, the carefully curated world of Tiffin’s social scene unravels, revealing that even in a prestigious school with exquisite facilities, the drama never ends.

Hilderbrand crafts a layered narrative that weaves together the lives of students and faculty alike. The rich descriptions of school events—secret tunnels leading to speakeasies, high-energy dances, and intimate conversations in the student lounge—create a vivid portrait of boarding school life where academic rigor is secondary to social maneuvering. Although the novel introduces a sprawling cast of characters and several intersecting plotlines, the gossipy tone and engaging voice keep the pace lively, even if some segments feel a tad overstuffed.

Despite occasional pacing lags and the challenge of keeping track of so many voices, The Academy is an entertaining read that combines biting social commentary with just the right amount of humor. If you enjoy a juicy, drama-filled campus tale that explores the dynamics of popularity, power, and secret scandals, then this novel is sure to captivate you.

As a devoted Elin reader for many years, I was excited to read The Academy, which is quite a departure from the usual Nantucket setting, but happily still contains the same elements that keep this Elin fan coming back to her novels: a setting that is a character all on its own, a great mix of characters from different classes and backgrounds, and the dishy yet elevated dialogue and tone. Elin co-wrote this boarding school drama with her college-age daughter, so the Gen Z characters have a more authentic voice, though this is in no way a YA novel.

A year in the life at private school. Loved going back and reliving.
It is an enjoyable fun read. Hope to see what happens to the new sixth forms.

Welcome to Tiffin Academy! Follow this cast of characters as they head back to boarding school in the fall. They are still a bit broken after losing one of their own the previous spring and with a new “replacement” student in their midst who doesn’t conform, they still have hopes of making this year one for the memory books! However, there’s an anonymous source spilling secrets on a social media app and whether they are holding on ever tighter to their own secrets or waiting for that next salacious bit of gossip, everyone is a bit on edge as the end of school nears.

I enjoyed this book but it did take some time to get into it as the first 30% or so is just introducing you to the school & a plethora of characters. However, do not expect much, if any, character development. If you can get past that, the story sucks you in and moves quickly around all that is happening in various groups of students and faculty. It looks like there will be a book two as there is almost no closure, but seems to end quite suddenly. I think some EH fans will be disappointed, but if you’re okay with a plot driven novel about teens at boarding school, you will enjoy it. I will say it left me with a very positive view of boarding school that I didn’t have going into it.

What a fantastic book! If you love Elin Hilderbrand's books you won't want to miss this one! The characters stay with you long after you finish the book. Highly recommend!

I have never stepped foot on a boarding school campus in my life but it is my favorite setting for a book. Oh how I loved this one. What an amazing cast of characters….East is the best bad boy I have read about in awhile. I read this in one sitting and I wish I could give it more than 5 stars. Spoiler- The only thing I think I missed somewhere…the reading of Cinnamon’s email? I was dying to know what it said!

I’m always going to love everything Elin Hilderbrand does, and The Academy is no exception. A perfect blend of Gossip Girl drama and Gilmore Girls heart, it pulls you into an elite New England boarding school where privilege, ambition and scandal collide. The awesome mother daughter writing team craft a fun cast of students navigating friendships, rivalries and family pressures—plus the secrets. With sharp dialog and an intoxicating setting, this is the ultimate binge-worthy read. Already counting down to book two!

P.S. Loving Elin’s new Nantucket-inspired clothing line!

Please tell me there will be a book two! I am not ready let go of these characters. I want to know what Senior year brings. What does East have up his sleeve and will he and Charlie move forward? What about the letter from Cinnamon? Will that’s friends sit of the sofa and tread it together on Graduation day?
This group has had their fair share of ups and downs. I found myself so invested in the characters the building of them is impressive. Thank you for a good high school story.

It’s move-in day at Tiffin Academy and amidst the happy chaos of friends reuniting, selfies uploading, and cars unloading, shocking news arrives: America Today just ranked Tiffin the number two boarding school in the country. It's a seventeen-spot jump – was there a typo? The dorms need to be renovated, their sports teams always come in last place, and let’s just say Tiffin students are known for being more social than academic. On the other hand, the campus is exquisite, class sizes are small, and the dining hall is run by an acclaimed New York chef. And they do have fun—lots of parties and school dances, and a piano man plays in the student lounge every Monday night.

Shelby Cunningham is going to be an extremely amazing story teller. Elin Hilderbrand is a fantastic story teller. They are the Duo you didn't know you need.

Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham’s The Academy is an engaging, character-driven novel that masterfully blends the drama of elite prep schools with heartfelt relationships and high-stakes intrigue. Set at the prestigious Tiffin Academy, this novel pulls readers into a world where academic ambition, social maneuvering, and hidden scandals collide.

With a rich cast of students and faculty, The Academy explores complex relationships, personal struggles, and the ever-present pressure to succeed. While the sheer number of characters can be overwhelming at times, the authors do a great job of centering the narrative around a few key figures, making their journeys compelling and immersive. Simone Bergeron, in particular, stands out with her intriguing backstory, especially for readers who have experience in academia.

One of the novel’s standout elements is the introduction of ZipZap, an anonymous app that exposes secrets and disrupts the school’s carefully curated facade. This digital-age twist adds a layer of suspense, making the book feel modern and relevant while maintaining the timeless appeal of classic prep school dramas.

With strong writing, well-developed characters, and a plot that keeps the pages turning, The Academy is a must-read for fans of boarding school fiction. Whether you’re drawn in by the intrigue or the richly drawn academic setting, this collaboration between Hilderbrand and Cunningham makes for an addictive and entertaining read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited to see this new book by Elin Hilderbrand and her daughter! I loved the new setting at a boarding school. Students are heading back to Tiffin Academy for another school year and are shocked to find that their school jumped up in the rankings to the number two boarding school in the country. After a year that ended with a popular student committing suicide, this feels like a fresh start of what promises to be a great year. Everything seems to be going well for Tiffin - the sports teams are doing well, kids are behaving, and there are two new, young teachers. Then an app called Zip Zap hits the scene. No one can figure out who is writing the posts and how they seem to know things people want to keep private. The scandalous posts start to cause issues because now no one's secrets are safe.

The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham is an absolute page-turner! It’s set at Tiffin Academy, a prestigious New England boarding school that suddenly gets a huge boost when it’s ranked as the second-best school in the country—despite some very questionable features like rundown dorms and sports teams that always come last. It’s the kind of place where the students are more about the parties than academics, but there’s something magnetic about it all.

The drama really kicks off when a new app called ZipZap starts spreading scandalous gossip about everyone on campus—teachers, students, and staff are all fair game. You’ve got Davi, the influencer queen bee, Simone, the young and mysterious history teacher, Charley, the new student who’s trying to stay under the radar, and Cordelia, the quirky admissions director. Everyone is hiding something, and as the year unfolds, the secrets start unraveling in the messiest, most addictive ways.

This book is full of twists and turns, and it's such a fun, juicy ride through the ups and downs of high school life at a boarding school. If you love a good drama with a mix of secrets, gossip, and scandal, The Academy is a must-read!