3 out of 5 stars

The Dollhouse Academy has an intriguing premise and delivers some genuinely eerie moments that fans of dark academia and speculative fiction will likely enjoy. The atmosphere is unsettling in the best way, and the underlying themes of control, identity, and power are compelling.

However, the pacing felt uneven at times, and I found myself wishing for deeper character development and more clarity in the world-building. There’s a lot of potential here, but certain plot points felt rushed or underexplored, which made it harder to fully connect with the story.

That said, I appreciate the originality of the concept and the risks the author took in telling this story.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I’m curious to see what this author does next!

I wasn't convinced that this book is for me. Maybe I'm too enamored with Hollywood, for this book. I gave it a three stars instead of a lower rating, not because there was anything wrong with the book, but because I think I'm not the right reader for it.

Ivy Gordon is the most famous star pumped out of the Dollhouse Academy for almost two-decades. The older she gets, now a Hollywood-gasping 34-years old, the more fed-up she gets with the system and her role in it. The Dollhouse Academy is a wildly-secretive, posh boarding school and talent incubator for potential stars. It's every young performer's goal to get there.

Ramona Holloway and Grace Ludlow, best friends and a double act, have idolized Ivy Gordon for years. Watching her career with an admiration that only the young can feel. At the age of 22, a lucky break suddenly grants both Ramona and Grace admission into the Dollhouse. This is their chance to finally make it!

Though the campus is picturesque and the opportunities endless, the two feel ill-prepared for the cut-throat boot camp-like environment they find themselves thrust into. Grace fairly quickly finds success, while Ramona, who secretly sees herself as the more naturally-gifted of the two, soon finds herself lagging behind. The more the disparity between the two gets, the more difficult Ramona finds the whole experience.

Adding to her distress, Ramona is also receiving anonymous, threatening messages. There are moments when she suspects Grace, but could that possibly be true? Would Grace actually try to scare Ramona, or purposefully harm her chances of success?

As past and present merge, the truth behind the Dollhouse starts to come to light. Will Ivy be able to express everything she needs to in order to save the next young ingenues from following in her footsteps, or is it already too late?

This was a fantastic audiobook and a very interesting story. I loved the unsettling vibes of the Dollhouse. I felt that whole environment was so well-developed. I could picture everything beautifully. I do tend to enjoy stories that follow musicians, actors, celebs, or the arts industry in general, so that aspect really worked for me as well. I will admit it had a more General Fiction feel than I'm generally compelled to pick-up, but the air of creepiness succeeded in keeping my interest.

The 1st-chapter of this sets the tone and while it does take a step back, it's a slow build, that sense of urgency, even in moments where you can't put your finger on why, remains. It's one of those stories that sneaks under your skin without you being able to verbalize why that is.

I loved Ramona's perspective most of all, because the further in got in, the more I started to question her reliability, and I love an unreliable narrator. With that being said though, I also found Ivy's perspective extremely interesting.

If I had to compare the vibe, or feeling of this book, paying no attention to content or themes, to another book, I would say my feeling while reading it was most closely matched by The Other Black Girl. I would recommend this to Readers who love an unsettling atmosphere, stories involving celebrities, or dark academia. I also highly recommend the audiobook. The fabulous narration brought this novel to life for me.

Thank you to the publisher, Macmillan Audio, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I'm looking forward to reading more from Margarita Montimore.

If you're into slow-burn mysteries, academic settings, and Hollywood conspiracies, this may be the book for you!

The audiobook has good narration and includes dual POVs.

Margarita Montimore does it again. I am continuously impressed by how unique, engaging, and thought provoking her books her. Her first two books are wonderful and were some of my favorite books I've read as an adult. The Dollhouse Academy was both what I expected and a complete surprise. I love the magical parts of her stories that really engage you and are unique and surprising. I will read anything she writes and so should everyone else.

The Dollhouse Academy is a gripping blend of dark academia, 90s TV stardom and psychological suspense, following two best friends, Ramona and Grace, as they enter the elite, ultra-secretive Dollhouse Academy thinking it'll help them achieve stardom. They start uncovering disturbing secrets hidden beneath its glamorous facade instead. Interwoven with their journey are chilling diary entries from Ivy Gordon, the school's most famous alumna and acclaimed superstar, revealing the sinister truth behind its success.
The novel's strongest aspect is its exploration of ambition and friendship. Ramona and Grace's bond is tested as Grace's career skyrockets while Ramona struggles, grappling with jealousy and self-doubt.
Though flawed and sometimes unlikable, Ramona's emotional arc feels authentic. The supporting cast adds intrigue.
Beyond the competitive setting, the novel is a sharp critique of the entertainment industry's dark side— medical procedures, psychological manipulation, and the academy's obsessive control over its students create an unsettling atmosphere. Ivy's diary entries, particularly in the audiobook version, heighten the tension with a haunting performance by Xe Sands.
With its flawed, ambitious characters, eerie boarding school setting, and unraveling mysteries, The Dollhouse Academy is an intense, thought-provoking read. If you love dark academia and a bit of Hollywood glam with psychological depth, this one is worth picking up.

The suspense kept me interested, but the ending fell a little short-it wasn't as twisty as it could have been.

I was fully invested in this up until the end. I felt very let down by the ending. While I didn't particularly like the characters, I was invested in the possible downfall of the academy and those in charge.

I would consider The Dollhouse Academy by Margarita Montimore to be general fiction with a side of suspense, and you would be mistaken if you went into this expecting a thriller. I found it to be a slow but steady burn thanks to the alternating viewpoints of Ivy's diary and Ramona. The Dollhouse Academy practically feels like a cult and the reader can tell immediately that something isn't on the up on and up. I thought some parts were pretty wild (and let's say a little far-fetched) and that made this a really hard book to put down.

The suspense was palpable for me, and I have to give some credit for that to the audiobook. Xe Sands narrates Ivy's diary while Brittany Pressley narrates Romana, and I got completely immersed in the story thanks to their narration. They made it such an incredible listening experience and one that I would 100% recommend. I wouldn't say I loved any of the characters (sorry 🤷🏼‍♀️) but I loved the focus on friendship and the theme of obsession for getting what you want no matter what the cost.

Read this if you want a look into the dark side of Hollywood, are looking for a satisfying ending, and a book that will make you put your thinking cap on.

Audiobook Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Add to your TBR if you like...
🦉 Conspiracy theories of Hollywood
🎥Dark academia
🦉Dual POVs
🎥Captivating narration

Thank you #netgalley and #macmillanaudio for the gifted audiobook!

Are you willing to change yourself for fame, maybe even lose yourself in the process? This book solidified that I never wanted to be in the limelight. I'm fine with being a little fly on the wall for the rest of my life.

The Dollhouse Academy is told from the POVs of Ramona, an aspiring actress, and Ivy, a Dollhouse Academy elite. Ivy and her best friend Grace become one of the rare few who receive an invite to the Julliard of acting schools, The Dollhouse Academy. The story follows their journey through the academy and the dark, twisted path that follows.

You are drawn right into the suspense of the story with an entry from Ivy's diary, revealing the twisted side of fame and the dark, hidden history of Dollhouse Academy. The narrators do an amazing job shadowing the dark theme and emotional roller coasters the characters are taken on throughout the story. My heart ached for Ivy as I learned more about her journey through the academy and stardom. The ONLY thing I would change about the story is the ending. I was left with unanswered questions, but that could be a setup for a standalone involving a certain character?

Best friends and aspiring actresses Romanq Halloway and Grace Ludlow join the illustrious Dollhouse Academy, an elite boarding school most known for being the residence of star Ivy Gordon. But once behind closed doors, Romona and Grace realize something is horribly wrong there.

What an incredibly unique mashup of a number of different genres. With elements of suspense, dystopia, contemporary fiction, and romance, this is a book that will appeal to a large swath of readers and for good reason. There is a moody, atmospheric quality to it that is absolutely pitch perfect. From the moment our characters enter The Dollhouse Academy, there is a spine tingling suspense as to what is happening behind closed doors.

Margarita Montimore takes the dark, pervasive side of Hollywood and amps it up ten thousand notches as both the characters in the past and present, as well as the reader, begin to understand just how apocalyptic this academy is. And yet, so much of the story also focuses on friendship and the importance of friendship to each of the main characters survival. The intersection of thrill and emotion is where this story really stands out, and I have a feeling will be one thought about long after finishing.

🎧 The audiobook, narrated by Brittany Pressley and Xe Sands, is fantastic at helping to create that eerie atmosphere that makes this book so fun. However, due to the epistolary nature, I think an immersive read would be the best way to experience this one.

Read if you like:
▪️dark academia
▪️atmospheric reads
▪️stories about friendship
▪️epistolary format
▪️dual timelines/POVs

Thank you Margarita Montimore, Flatiron Books, and Macmillan Audio for the gifted copies.

I was hooked on this psychological thriller with themes of fame, perfection, and raw ambition. I liked the dark, sinister feel in the academic setting. Ande there's even a mystery! The multiple POV's help propel the story from their unique perpectives. I really enjoyed this one and read it super quickly.

The narrators, Brittany Pressley and Xe Sands, did a great job, I had no trouble understanding who was saying what, where, when, and with what expression/intension.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, NetGalley, and author Margarita Montimore for providing me with a digital ARC copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. The Dollhouse Academy is out February 11, 2025.

A dark and atmospheric tale that masterfully blends psychological suspense with gothic intrigue. *The Dollhouse Academy* pulls readers into an elite and unsettling world where secrets lurk behind every perfect façade. With eerie settings, complex characters, and a slow-burning mystery, this book keeps you hooked until the final, chilling reveal.

An engaging read for anyone who loves a little drama and mystery in their books. I was so engrossed in this debut novel and couldn't put it down!

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Margarita Montimore's latest novel, THE DOLLHOUSE ACADEMY, is utterly electrifying—brilliantly exploring the unsettling dark side of ambition and fame.

About...

It is a fascinating novel about two best friends and aspiring actresses who join the Dollhouse Academy, a prestigious performing arts school known for shaping the careers of stardom and the elite. A place where stars are made, and dangerous secrets are kept.

Ivy has been the most famous star at the Dollhouse Academy, an elite, secretive boarding school for the past eighteen years.

Now, at the age of 34, she is tired of pretending. Through her secret diary entries, she unravels the truth of her life at the strange medical exams, mysterious supplements, and something unspeakable. She is terrified and feels like a prisoner, with something sinister lurking behind the Dollhouse's secrets.

Ramona and her best friend Grace grew up idolizing Ivy. They are both 22, and neither has made much headway until they get a lucky break and an entrance to The Dollhouse.

The competition is fierce, with threatening messages adding to the tension. Grace experiences success while Ramona falls behind. The messages grow more unsettling. Can Ivy and Ramona stand up and find a voice before another performance takes a dangerous turn?

My thoughts...

THE DOLLHOUSE ACADEMY is a riveting look at the dark side of academia, ambition, and fame. From complex friendships and a strong desire to excel, be understood, seen, and make dreams come true.

Psychologically rich, the author hooks readers from beginning to end, unraveling the twisted realities and facade of this prestigious performing arts academy. Behind the glamour and success lies a web of deceit and manipulation that the characters must navigate.

Told from alternating POVs: Ivy, Ramona, and Grace explore the emotions and moral dilemmas in the entertainment business, lost innocence, and the hidden sinister secrets beneath the surface of the academy and its toxicity.

It is a thought-provoking, compelling read and a moving story of exploitation, sacrifice, ambition, and self-discovery.

Audiobook...

I listened to the audiobook narrated by two of my favorite narrators, Brittany Pressley, and Xe Sands, for an engaging performance, making the characters come alive in this riveting psychological suspense.

Recs...

THE DOLLHOUSE ACADEMY is a must-read for fans of dark academia, psychological suspense, and the price of fame.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an advanced listening copy in exchange for an honest review.

blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pub Date: Feb 11, 2025
Feb 2025 Must-Read Books
Feb Newsletter

Ramona and Grace grew up watching In the Dollhouse and idolizing the leading actress, Ivy. After several failed attempts to join The Dollhouse Academy, responsible for scouting and developing the industry's top talent, they both finally earn a spot. Grace and Ramona throw themselves into their courses, determined to be successful, but when they begin to undergo suspicious medical assessments they will quickly have to decide how much of themselves they are willing to compromise for fame.

This was such a wild read. With so many parallels to real life (young actors being taken advantage of, losing sense of self/autonomy, Elvis is alive, the Avril Lavigne conspiracy theory), it really makes you wonder the lengths people have and will continue to go to, in the name of fame. The Dollhouse Academy is a sinister look into the making of celebrity, told in multiple POVs. It was a bit of a slow-burn, but an easy listen nonetheless. I was hoping for a little more about the academy itself (& how they do the things they do), instead of just the drama surrounding it. Definitely recommend for Hollywood conspiracy theorists...but fair warning, the end is very tidy for such a messy story.

Thank you NetGalley and ....for ARC audio file. I've often wondered about the life of top actresses/actors. Yes, their lives look glamorous, but what really goes on behind the scenes. What price do they really pay for the fame and fortune. Enter, "The Dollhouse Academy." Ivy Gordon has been the top star at The Dollhouse Academy for nearly 2 decades. Belonging to this elite boarding/acting school is what every aspiring actor dreams about. Besties Ramona and Grace both receive admission to this coveted school and find out that they might receive much more than they bargained for. While this is a work of fiction it was very thought provoking as to the lives that famous actors/actresses undoubtedly lead and at what cost to their health and sanity.

I loved the concept of this book. I thought the plot was very interesting and the actual going ons. My issue is I don't think we dove deep enough into it. I wanted more of the acting school, the work instead of just a paragraph summing those parts up. I also feel we should done more once we found out what was going on.

"You can be replaced at any moment in ways you can't imagine."

"A granted wish doesn't always look like you expect it will."

We hear it all the time. The price of fortune and fame. What some are willing to pay for it. But what if you decided you no longer wanted it all but there was no return policy for you...unless there was a new you?

The wild yet extremely introspective dark academia psychological thriller The Dollhouse Academy, by innovatively gifted author Margarita Montimore, is an ominous tale about fame, power and fortune.

Ramona and Grace idolize Ivy Gordon. She's an award winning actress and singer. When they are accepted at the exclusive Dollhouse Academy, where Ivy learned to be a star, they are so thrilled that they don't see the red flags. First, if they leave before 6 months they have to pay $10,000; then there's "minimal contact with the outside world." It's a bit ominous when Ramona says, "You make it sound like I'm about to join a cult." If only that was it!

Voice actresses Brittany Pressley
And Xe Sands are their usual brilliant selves with in depth emotional performances. The toll of going after your dreams versus the greed of the ones who try to control it are the main subjects of this dark academia thriller with the twistiest end.

As Grace excels, Ramona is left behind but she realizes the weird medical exams, suspicious supplements, and severe diets are changing Grace into someone else. When she meets Ivy and hears her story, reads her secret diary, she knows they may never graduate from the academy.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from Macmillan Audio via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review.

Friends since fifth grade, Grace and Ramona finally get to live out their dream of getting a chance at the Dollhouse Academy but as it turns out sometimes your dreams do not turn out the way that they expected.

The narrators were great and really gave the dual point of view that had me questioning the end all the way through. Would recommend. Thank you to Netgalley, Margarita Montimore, and MacMillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.