THE DOLLHOUSE ACADEMY is my third book by Margarita Montimore and I admire the breadth of her variety of story-telling. While this is a very different type of book from her previous magical realism stories, I found it entertaining as well.

This is a cautionary tale about chasing dreams of fame and fortune at all costs. The story is told in two timelines in the 80s and 90s and follows two young women who decide to enroll in the Dollhouse Academy, a boarding school that every aspiring actress hopes to attend to boost their career. There are many secrets and the women see firsthand the nefarious underbelly of chasing their dreams. The story explores the exploitation of young talent, female friendships, and jealousy in an interesting way.

Brittany Presley and Xe Sands did a fantastic job with the narration and brought the story to life in a compelling way.

READ THIS IF YOU:
-Have ever realized your dream isn’t all you thought it would be
-Can’t resist an expose of the lifestyles of the rich & famous
-Have ever been green with envy

Many thanks to Macmillan audio and NetGalley for an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If, like me, you loved Oona Out of Order and expect a similar magical realism vibe, you’ll quickly discover that THE DOLLHOUSE ACADEMY is not that book. It is, however, a scintillating, dark examination of the price of fame that had me captivated from the start.

Ramona and Grace are best friends dreaming of stardom. When they receive an invite to the Dollhouse Academy, an exclusive entertainment boarding school and talent development program, they eagerly accept. The Dollhouse is famous for creating some of the most successful talent and programming in the entertainment industry, including their idol, Ivy Gordon. But things are not as idyllic as they initially appear. Something sinister seems to be happening behind the scenes and more than careers are at risk.

Margarita Montimore spins a tale of friendship, jealousy, and the willingness to sacrifice in order to chase dreams. It is twisted and compelling and creatively menacing.

The audiobook is narrated by Brittany Pressley and Xe Sands who bring Ramona and Ivy to life and add depth to the story. Both deliver the full range of emotions experienced by the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advance copy in exchange for my unbiased review.