Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read The Academy in exchange for an honest review. I have been an Elin Hilderbrand fan for years and was disappointed when she announced her retirement from the beach read. This book felt absolutely Elin to me but focused towards a much younger audience as she co-writes with her young adult daughter.

Tiffin Academy is a prep school in New England that is starting the school year enjoying a wholly different ranking in the who’s who of boarding schools moving to the #2 spot from #19. But why? The tale follows the lives of the youth of the co-ed academy, coming from all walks of life - from scholarship student to billionaire social media darling. In all cases it is rigorous academically but not surprisingly, even more so socially. We learn how the kids cope.

New girl Charley finds her footing and her popularity soars in a Mean Girl sort of way as she is taken under the wing of troubled but socially top of the heap Davi Banjeree, leaving several of Banjeree’s former clique in the dust. Charley also makes a connection with the campus’ most eligible bad boy, Andrew Eastman, whose dad also finances almost of the extras Tiffin can offer, all to keep East in school. There are a patchwork of other students and teachers, all with problems. It’s a familiar story with new characters.

Things get exciting when an app, ZigZag, starts releasing students’ secrets anonymously, who’s behind it? Everyone wants to know.

I enjoyed the book, it felt very Elin in that the narrator sometimes has a side conversation with the reader, as well as the top notch descriptions of how the upper echelon of society lives, the snacks, the clothes, the “things”.…and the names, she is so good at.naming the characters aptly if not a little over the top. 3.5 ⭐️

I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.

This one was not quite what I was expecting. Tiffin Academy is a boarding school that rises to the #2 ranking in America Today, a 17 spot jump. During the book we get to know several of the students at Tiffin as they go through a year at the school. We also get to know several of the faculty members. The interactions between the students and the faculty was interesting and also the interaction between faculty members themselves; romantic relationships between students, relationships between faculty members and even a relationship between faculty member and a student. There was a lot going on during this school year besides classroom learning, including the opening of an exclusive club in the basement of one of the buildings by a student. There is also an investigation into how Tiffin jumped 17 spots in the rankings. While an interesting read, probably not my favorite of Ms. Hilderbrand's books but give it a try in September 2025 and decide for yourself.

Tiffin Academy has just jumped to the number two boarding school in the country. But, why? A seventeen spot jump is significant. And it’s all due to the very deep pockets of a student’s family. And of course he is trouble.

I have never not loved an Elin book. This is the first. Too many unformed characters and little about the suicide.

The School speaking was confusing and unnecessary, I felt.

I’m not sure why but this fell flat for me.

NetGalley/ September 16, 2025 Little, Brown, and Company

The Academy offers a fresh departure from Elin Hilderbrand’s signature Nantucket novels, diving into the drama-filled world of Tiffin, an elite East Coast boarding school. The setting is rich with intrigue, from secret tunnels leading to a speakeasy to a Gossip Girl-esque app, Zip Zap, exposing the secrets of students and faculty alike. Hilderbrand succeeds in creating a layered environment where both teens and adults grapple with personal struggles and school politics. The inclusion of diverse perspectives—students like Charley, Davi, Dub, and East, alongside faculty members—adds depth, with romances and scandals providing plenty of juicy drama. The detailed descriptions of school events and social hierarchies capture the boarding school experience vividly, and fans of Hilderbrand will appreciate her exploration beyond her usual coastal backdrop.

That said, I feel the first few chapters are weighed down by an overwhelming number of characters, making it difficult to keep track of everyone’s stories. Several plotlines blend together, leaving some feeling unresolved by the end. At times, the pacing lags, with certain sections dragging longer than necessary. While the teenage voices occasionally feel off, bordering on juvenile, the overall gossipy vibe keeps the story entertaining. The Academy may not be Hilderbrand’s strongest work, but it’s an intriguing start to a new duology. Readers seeking a mix of high school drama, faculty secrets, and a dash of scandal will find plenty to enjoy, even if it doesn’t fully meet the high bar set by her previous novels. Find this on shelves September 16.

Thank you to Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for the complimentary eARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand and her daughter is a fast-paced, entertaining read that delivers exactly what you'd expect from the queen of beach books—drama, intrigue, and sharp storytelling.

Set in an idyllic town with deep pockets and even deeper secrets, the novel offers a compelling glimpse into the elite world of boarding schools. I especially enjoyed the upstairs/downstairs perspectives, which highlight that no matter one's pedigree or profession, everyone has their own challenges to navigate.

For fans of Gossip Girl and witty, quick-paced storytelling, this is the perfect vacation read—engaging, juicy, and hard to put down.

I usually love all of Elin Hilderbrand's books, but this one was a mixed bag for me. I felt overwhelmed by the numerous characters introduced in the first few chapters. The amount of background information was confusing, and not everything was resolved by the end of the book. However, I did enjoy the boarding school setting, and I loved that the plot had a Gossip Girlvibe, featuring a Zip Zap app that exposed the secrets of both students and teachers, along with a secret tunnel leading to a speakeasy. I hope the sequel will address some of the unresolved storylines, and I look forward to seeing what other juicy gossip arises at Tiffin in the second book

Thank you to NetGallery and to Little, Brown and Company for my copy.

I am a huge fan of Elin Hilderbrand, and I especially enjoyed "The Academy." Although it took me a moment to keep track of what year third, fourth, fifth forms were and adjust to some of the quirky character names, this story captivated me from the very beginning. I loved learning about life at a boarding school and fell in love with the characters, each of whom had their own past and present story. I enjoyed seeing how all the pieces of the puzzle fit together. The drama unfolded page by page, and I was fully into it. I have many unanswered questions and am already looking forward to the second book!

I really enjoyed this one! My first Hilderbrand book and it was a fun ride. I love rich teenagers having normal but kind of absurd problems.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for provider this read. All opinions are my own.
I haven't read much from Elin Hildderbrand, and I usually love YA so this felt like a perfect time to dive in. This wasn't the book for me! The writing felt choppy and disjointed. It felt like everything was a setup to something mysterious or suspenseful that never really panned out. I did find the premise of the boarding house interesting, and hope this finds its way to the hands of people who will really enjoy it.

I absolutely adored this book by Elin Hlderbrand and Shelby Cunningham. The unique story and characters kept me not wanting to put it down.
I will definitely recommend this book to so many patrons!

I'm already bummed that The Academy is only a 2 book series. This was the perfect blend of what we've come to love about a Hilderbrand novel with new voices and a great setting. Love a boarding school novel but they tend to be limited to the student perspective. I was equally engaged with the adult stories as the students and look forward to the next book. Thank you NetGalley!

A totally different kind of book from Hilderbrand, written with her daughter, Shelby Cunningham, that follows the lives of students in an exclusive boarding school in New England. This book has it all- relationships, bullying, eating disorders, and secrets. Looking forward to the next book to see what happens next for these students and faculty.

I admit that I was very upset when I found out that Erin Hildrebrand was retiring from writing Nantucket novels, but after reading The Academy, I have to say that I truly hope we get to hear more of Elin Hildrebrand exploring different areas.

I appreciated that The Academy has a cast of characters that don't only include students, but faculty and staff as well. There are romances between students, romances between faculty and even some naughtiness between a teacher and an over-18 year old student. There is drama for the school President. The hot guy who got kicked out of all the other boarding schools has a thing for the girl that - let's be honest - every booklover is going to swoon over because she's a reader and she's smart and a little different.

Descriptions of food and parties, made me realize that there are wonderful events even outside Nantucket - we just have to take the time to see the world and appreciate it the way that Elin Hildrebrand does!

Audre the head of Tiffin an old established boarding school in the east is preparing for another year. A year she hopes will be quieter than the last. Lasy year one of her well loved students took her own life. An event which will shadow Charley Hicks time here. Charley can no longer live in the same house with her mother and her new husband. A man a decade younger than her mom. Charley feels her mom got over the death of her dad too quick. Charley quickly establishes her space and her intellect to all of Tiffin. Davi another Tiffin student is sophisticated, loved by millions on the internet, and provides content that has established her throne among her peers. Dub was best friends with Cinnamon,the student who died and although on the outside he seems okay, the surface below is in turmoil. East has never had a bad day in his life. Jesse Eastman, his dad, has been a financial godsend to the school. East knows this and truly exploits the fact often and hilariously. Two new teachers round out to set the stage for a microscopic view of boarding schools, their pecking order, the all too human faults that are in charge. It’s a complete package with a twist that hopefully will be addressed in the next publication. Happy reading

Thanks go to NetGalley for providing me the DRC.

I'm conflicted here. First, I love all things Elin HIlderbrand. I was excited when she announced although "retiring" she was doing this collab with her daughter. That being said, I fear most of Elin's readers will not be the target audience for "The Academy".

"The Academy" is based on a New England boarding school. Over the course of a school year we follow the trials & tribulations of not only the students but the administrators as well. As with any Hilderbrand book, we are treated to an inside look at the world of privilege; name brands being dropped, hot vacation spots to check out, the new "in" drink. etc... It's not a stretch to see these teenagers as the children of HIlderbrand's characters from her Nantucket, St John's, and Martha's Vineyard books.

While surely entertaining, reading about this teens this book felt more for the YA- early 20's crowd vs. middle age mamas crowd.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Although it pained me to write, I did not like this book. Far too many characters flitted in and out, and we never got enough of their backstories to make them feel important to the story. It also felt too long in several spots and poorly written by a teen.

This has everything you love about Elin Hilderbrand, but instead of Nantucket, it's set at a boarding school - the perfect locale for all the drama, scandal, and intrigue that keep the plot moving at a brisk pace. The book features a rich cast of characters, comprised of both students and faculty/administrators, who play off of one another's best and worst impulses, creating a swirling storm of deliciously intertwined storylines. I loved the students' voices, and it was refreshing to read their points of view and their take on Tiffin Academy and the escapades of both the student body and those there to lead it. As reliably fun and compelling as all of Hilderbrand's books - she and Shelby make a great team!

I read this book because of the author and loved that she wrote it with her daughter. The novel itself was just okay. Some interesting points but overall it wasn't a rave.

Elin and her daughter, Shelby make a great writing team! This book is super cute, fun and an easy lighthearted read.

Thank you to net galley for the arc in exchange of an honest review.

Hilderbrand co wrote this novel with her daughter and it’s a fun read about the faculty and student tea at an elite east coast boarding school. Excited that it will be a series.