Actual Rating 3.5

This work is told from two timelines. The secondary timeline in this work is made up of journal entries from Ivy. These entries were perfectly spaced throughout the work to add pertinent background information without detracting from the primary timeline, and they added their own source of tension. The pacing with the increasing sense of something not quite being right and the hints at the uncanny were wonderfully done. I really liked the author's writing, how it was approachable and easy to get lost in without feeling overly simplistic.

The characters were also well written. In both timelines, you get to know the characters almost immediately and they felt realistic and relatable. I was just as invested in Ivy as I was in Ramona. Unfortunately, the pacing near the end felt a bit rushed considering the slower pace of the rest of the book, and the resolution was a bit underwhelming though not completely disappointing.

If you're interested in a slower mystery with some dark academia vibes and a sense of the uncanny, then you'll want to check this out. The two narrators did a fantastic job and made this audiobook well worth the listen. My thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to read this work, which will be published on 11 February 2025. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

A mystery with elements of Dark Academia and movie quotes set in the 90’s? Yes, please! This novel is so much fun. The story follows two characters: Ivy, who has become famous beyond her wildest dreams but only wants to become normal again; and Ramona, a newbie who wants to make her dreams of fame and fortune come true. In the ultimate “be careful what you wish for” tale, both women are caught in a web that they can’t escape, and this is the story of how it started. The characters have very distinctive personalities and Brittany Pressley and Xe Sands nail their voices in the audiobook. They deliver wonderful performances and Pressley even sings a little. I especially loved when Pressley plays Sands’ character and sounds exactly like her. Sands, as always, provides a flawless narration, which makes her one of my favorites. The plot is twisty and I had no idea what was going on. Some parts require a suspension of disbelief, but I was so invested in the story that I completely went for it. The secondary characters are also well written, and I especially loved Ramona’s uncles. To complete this excellent read, all the pop culture references make for a fun game identifying where they came from and adding some humor to the dialogues.
I chose to listen to this audiobook and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Macmillan Audio.

From the moment we step into the shadowy halls of this elite performing arts academy, Montimore crafts an atmosphere that's equal parts alluring and suffocating. The story weaves Ramona's present-day experiences as a new student with the revealing journal entries of Ivy, a mysterious alumna whose words carry an increasing weight of dread. It's like watching a beautiful trap slowly close, knowing the spring is about to snap but not being able to look away.

What sets this book apart isn't just its premise – though the idea of a secretive academy that transforms ordinary performers into superstars is certainly intriguing. It's Montimore's masterful handling of the psychological elements that elevate this beyond a simple thriller. The relationship dynamics between the characters feel painfully real, especially as we watch the friendship between Ramona and Grace bend and splinter under the academy's pressure. The headmistress, Genevieve, is particularly well-drawn; her methods walk a fascinating line between mentorship and manipulation that kept me guessing about her true motives until the very end.

I chose to experience this via audiobook, which turned out to be an inspired decision. The narration brings an extra dimension to the already rich text, with both performers delivering nuanced interpretations that enhance the story's mounting tension. There's something particularly effective about hearing Ivy's journal entries read aloud – they take on an almost confessional quality that adds to their impact.

The story does wrap up more quickly than I anticipated, given its careful build-up. Yet upon reflection, I've come to appreciate how this mirrors the way fame itself often arrives: not with a bang, but with a series of small compromises that suddenly crystallize into something irreversible.

The Dollhouse Academy has that rare quality of making you question what you'd do in the characters' shoes. How much would you sacrifice for a shot at your dreams? At what point does dedication become destruction? These questions lingered with me long after I finished the final chapter.

Two young girls desperate to break into the world of entertainment are accepted into an ultra exclusive and mysterious academy that is known for producing mega stars, but at what cost? I don’t feel like this had anything new or interesting to say about the pitfalls of celebrity and it was painfully obvious where the story was going from page one. I really had to force myself to finish it.

I loved this book. Its as easy as that. I listened to the audio version thanks to NetGalley and honestly could not wait to get back to it for each listen. I love dark academia and have a thing for boarding schools as a setting, then you open it up to adults and set it in the entertainment industry backdrop? Sold. I loved Oona Out of Order and Margarita Montimore has knocked it out of the park again.

The Dollhouse Academy did give me Joss Whedon's dollhouse tv show vibes, but only vaguely, and it was even better when one of the characters said that their experience at the dollhouse tinged their memories of their favorite childhood tv show. Sounds familiar eh?

Absolutely will be recommending and gifting this to friends and family. totally worth the read!

If you are familiar with the 2011 conspiracy theory
that Avril Lavigne was murdered and then replaced by a look alike copy, then you will understand the theme of this book.

Welcome to The Dollhouse:

It's a creepy psychological thriller with dark academia vibes with an essence of sci-fi and mystery.

Montimore's writing is so alluring and atmospheric, drawing you into a world where normal everyday people with dreams of stardom make unimaginable sacrifices in the Dollhouse Academy.

I was hooked from the start with the compelling characters and an intriguing fresh premise.
The narration done by #brittanypressley and #xesands enhanced my experience 100%, adding depth and dimension to the story with their excellent voice skills.

There are two POV that switched between Ramona and then Ivy's journal entries. Those entries really ramped up the suspense by revealing secrets and the history of the Dollhouse.

My one and only critique is that the huge, suspenseful build-up led to an underwhelming conclusion. It was a good ending, but I thought it was going to be so much more.

Obviously, it didn't ruin the book for me as I'm here gushing about it. If you are looking for something twisted, complex, and unique, grab this book.

It will be available February 11, 2025.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my gifted copy. Review and thoughts are my own and voluntary.

I’m not sure I’ll be forgetting this book anytime soon. This was a wonderfully haunting and disturbing look at the underworld of fame and the steep price it demands.

Through the dual perspectives of aspiring actors Ramona and Grace, alongside superstar Ivy, the story weaves a mesmerizing narrative set against the backdrop of the elite and secretive Dollhouse Academy—a boarding school and production studio run by the enigmatic Genevieve. The school’s morally questionable methods and “do whatever it takes” ethos added an extra layer of darkness to the plot, making it equal parts gripping and unsettling.

The dual narration was fantastic, with Brittany Pressley delivering a standout performance as always, elevating the story with her voice.

My only critique would be the abrupt ending, which left me wanting just a bit more resolution.

Thank you to Flatiron Books, NetGalley, and the author for this audioARC in exchange for my honest review.

4.5/5 stars, rounded up

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy!

WOW did I devour this book! I was approved for this one only a few days ago and desperate to finish it before book club tonight, and that was no problem at all because I could NOT put it down. I went into this knowing nothing about the plot, only that it was recommended by book club friends and narrated by two of my favs -- Brittany Pressley & Xe Sands. This honestly hooked me from the very beginning and kept me engaged until the last word. Both narrators did a fantastic job at adding dimension to the story, portraying all of the various characters/their dialogue and creating even more mystery. This book was SOOO twisted, leaving me blindsided at every turn and genuinely surprised at many, many moments.

If you're looking for a twisty, complex and unique book with thriller/mystery/suspense & dark academia vibes, this is the one for you. Now I'm off to read Margarita Montimore's backlist...

The audio and narration were fantastic and fit with the story. Unfortunately this one just didn’t do it for me. You cannot open a story with matching mother and daughter quotes from Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli and take a turn into sci fi in the most weird way possible. This isn’t “dark academia” either it’s the pussycat dolls meets reality tv and everyone is 22+. This was boring and flat and I expected much better.

I really liked this one. there were a couple of times I had to rewind the audio so i could make sure I knew who was talking. Overall the characters and the story were great, fun, and intense. I was not expecting the end and I enjoyed it. A good page turner.

Hollywood CULT thriller that will leave you questioning what really goes on behind the scenes. I thoroughly enjoyed the audio of this book. The narrator was perfect for the FMC. I loved getting to know each of these characters in all of their different walks of life. I have recently been on a cult thriller kick, but was missing the Hollywood aspect. This makes me think of a certain TikTok creater house. BUT this leaves me wondering....who are we really seeing on stage?

The Dollhouse Academy
Margarita Montimore

3.25 / 5 (rounded up to 4)

Ok, so ...

This isn't necessarily a bad book. I didn't enjoy it that much though, unfortunately.
I feel like if you've read or seen many thriller/horror/mystery novels or films, you've already read this.
It felt like so many other things I've read and seen recently, all mashed together, and rearranged by the author into something cohesive.

It's well written... It's just... It might feel so familiar to me because I live and breath horror. But it just didn't seem to be confident in it's own ideas...

I think the most frustrating thing for me, personally was the pacing. (Things are written in a way where you start thinking Ohh, maybe so-and-so did such-and-such...) and then the answer is given. This happened many times in several ways, right up until the end. There were so many missed opportunities to build mystery and tension, but the timing was off.

When it needed to be more of one thing, it was less ... And when less would have benefited things, too much was given too soon; also where it needed to work toward creepy, it instead chose contrived ...

Like I said, this is definitely more a me problem. I consume too many horror/thriller/mysteries.
This novel has good writing, decent characterization, and a good (albeit overdone) plot.

Just don't expect too many surprises.
(Would make a great intro into the genre)

I found this book very fast-paced and highly entertaining. Had my attention from the opening paragraph and did not let it go.


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

Leave it to Margarita Montimore to deliver such an exciting, unique, suspenseful take on the entertainment business by way of dark academia. I’ve truly never read anything like The Dollhouse Academy! The late 90s setting was a delightful nostalgic touch. The ending (no spoilers!) was perhaps a smidge too tidy, I prefer a few loose ends to wonder about. The narrators acquitted themselves beautifully, creating an air of mystery and ever-raising stakes.

Another excellent Margarita Montimore story. This was an interesting one about celebrities and conspiracy theories and pseudoscience. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. The audio was fab..

Thank you Netgalley for this audio arc. I enjoyed it more than I thought. The cover intrigued me and the synopsis had me wondering what was going on and throughout the book that is how I felt. It had me questioning things, but all came together and I would recommend either listening to it or reading it. I rated this a 4 stars.

This was... mediocre.

The whole plot of the book is just there. You know what the outcome is going to be the whole time and there are no twists. If I weren't listening to the audiobook, I don't think I would have finished the book.

The idea was great and the narrators were amazing. I just wish it was done differently - or at least the summary provided didn't give out this much of the book..

Thank you to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC.

A disturbing and gripping examination of fame and ambition, with a dark academia vibe and a drama-filled plot. Best friends Ramona and Grace are accepted into the exclusive and secretive Dollhouse Academy, which nurtures and produces the best acting talent in the country. As their lives are consumed with the quest to become big-name actors, their story is interwoven with diary entries from The Dollhouse Academy's biggest star, Ivy. This book was a wild ride from start to finish, and Brittany Pressley and Xe Sands do a fantastic job narrating it. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for a digital audiobook copy.

What an absolutely wild ride. Start to finish, this audiobook hooked me in. This was another listen where I found myself taking the long way home every day just to not have it turn off. Creepy but realistic, it was so believable that I HOPE it’s based purely on fiction. Great book!

This book starts off with a brilliant concept but falls very flat.
There's no shocking twist, you see each one coming from chapterssss away. If you try and guess how it ends mid way through, you're likely going to be correct, or you'll guess a more interesting scenario than what actually happens.