The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand and her daughter Shelby Cunningham is a lively, page-turning romp through one drama-filled year at Tiffin Academy, a prestigious New England boarding school. If you enjoy juicy gossip, colorful characters, and a splash of social media scandal, this book delivers the goods. Right from move-in day, readers are thrown into the chaos of students reuniting, selfies popping up everywhere, and the surprise ranking that puts Tiffin unexpectedly high on the list. But as the new app ZipZap spreads secrets and scandals across campus faster than you can say “dorm room," the story really kicks into gear. The cast is a strong mix of archetypes—social media queen Davi Banerjee, the enigmatic transfer student Charley Hicks, young history teacher Simone Bergeron, and the quirky Admissions Director Cordelia Spooner—all harboring their own secrets and agendas. The plot twists and revelations keep the pages turning, and the commentary on social media culture adds a contemporary edge. While it's undeniably fun and engrossing, some readers might feel that the characters could be a tad more fleshed out, or that the numerous plotlines occasionally veer into over-the-top territory. Nonetheless, The Academy is an engaging, buzzy read—perfect for those who love their dramas served with a side of glamour and gossip. Overall, this novel is a solid, entertaining take on boarding school life that offers plenty of intrigue—just maybe not quite enough depth to reach five stars. Still, fans of Hilderbrand’s storytelling style will find it a satisfying and enjoyable escapade.

Thank you for this early book! Anybody sad about Elin's "retirement" will happily read this instead. I couldn't put it down.

I absolutely loved this book. A bit of a departure from the author’s usual subject, but still with her voice nonetheless. Loved the characters and look forward to a sequel with their senior year or a new cast of characters at the Academy.

The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand and her daughter Shelby Cunningham takes readers into the privileged world of an elite boarding school, unfolding over the course of one school year. While the setting is glossy and the drama is constant, I found it hard to connect with the story. Maybe it’s just me, but I couldn’t really relate to a group of wealthy teens and their very specific set of problems. The characters didn’t grab me, and I had a hard time caring about what happened to them.

Honestly, this wasn’t my favorite Hilderbrand book. I usually enjoy her beach reads—the ones with messy relationships, summer vibes, and relatable grown-up drama. This one felt like it was trying something new, and while I respect that, it just didn’t land for me. That said, the ending hinted at a sequel, and I’ll probably give it a shot. Maybe the next one will draw me in a bit more.

I have a hard time figuring out what adjectives to use to describe this book, but I loved it. A boarding school with a cast of characters. Elin's writing which makes it easy to read. A year in the boarding school with all its changes. Overall, different than any other Elin Hilderbrand book yet the same as well. Highly recommend.

2.5 ⭐️⭐️💫 rounded up. There are pieces of Elin's writing I loved-the descriptions of the food and the scenery and the characters; and there was so much lacking. The plot piece that kept me reading wasn't resolved and the way the book ended leads me to believe it will be a series? Or could be? I am glad to say I read it because I was curious and also wish I'd spent my time reading something else. Also TW: suicide & eating disorders. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

I’m already missing Elin Hilderbrand’s adult novels! I wanted to give this a try but I don’t feel invested in the series.

I was unsure if I'd enjoy The Academy given that it was Elin's first book away from Nantucket in quite some time. I am thrilled to admit that The Academy contains Hilderbrand's hallmark drama within a fully defined cast of characters set on a lush New England boarding school. My chief complaint is that we never get to see the document left by Cinnamon!

I will be the first to admit that this is not my usual genre. However, I could not put this book down! Tiffin Academy is coming off of a tragedy from the year before, can they turn it around? It seems like just about every one there is harboring some kind of secret. And not just the students, some of the staff as well. Wonderfully written!

I love a boarding school book. Ever since reading Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld I’ve been hoping to find another one to enjoy. Well, Elin and daughter Shelby have provided an excellent read.

All the characters represent the best and maybe some not so best, students, teachers and staff that make up a boarding school. Kind of a, ‘all the usual suspects,’ group. The popular kids, the smart kids, the shy kids and everyone in between.

I loved the shenanigans the teenagers got into. Fortunately nothing awful. I even rooted for the kids not to get caught in one questionable endeavor.

I hope there’s a sequel so I can find out what’s in the letter Dub can’t open till his graduation.

Fun and fabulous ladies!

Thanks to Netgalley and Little, Brown and Company.

Note: The number 114 is mentioned several times throughout the book; anyone know its significance?

I am obsessed with Elin's books so had to read this one. It was good but could use some editing - my main gripe is we never find out what was in Cinnamon's email - there is also never and full circle moment for Taylor and Dub - is Dub gay? What is the deal with them? Felt there were some unfinished pieces to this book - a lot of different plot characters and no really reward on them - no follow up to Chef gambling problem, what happened with him - why introduce his back story if we never circle back? Possibly too many characters for this first time author, but she does have great potential.

Really loved this. Hoping there is a second book…Please read the blurb—this is not a beachy book. Love a boarding school and want to go back and learn more about all of these flawed characters.

I loved this book! It was one that I honestly didn't want to end. Although I did not feel like all of the characters experienced adequate growth, I enjoyed the glimpse I was given into the lives of teenage students away at boarding school. A sequel to this book would be nice as I would like to see what happens to many of the characters.

I would highly recommend this book!

An excellent read that is completely different from any other Elin Hildebrand! Loved this boarding school story and the characters that made the cast.

Set at the prestigious Tiffin Academy, The Academy is a juicy, drama-packed story of secrets, scandals, and a gossip app shaking up student life. With sharp characters and nonstop twists, Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham deliver a fresh, addictive take on life behind elite school walls.

I am a huge Elin Hildebrand fan and was intrigued when I saw that she co-wrote a book with her daughter. The Academy is obviously so different from Elins Nantucket books. The Academy is about a year in the life at Tiffin Academy, a New England boarding school. When a new app is used to post secrets about the staff and students, you can only imagine the drama involved between this cast of characters, a book that's filled with lots of gossip. I did enjoy the descriptions of boarding school. The way it's depicted felt very accurate, such as the the teens interactions with each other. But…..there are lots of characters, so it was hard to really connect with any of them because they weren't very developed. Some issues mentioned with the characters never got expanded on so it just felt like it was brought up for no reason. So this was good, just not great.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

I love Elin Hilderbrand, so naturally I wanted to read her latest book she wrote with her daughter. It was a well-written story, it just fell flat for me personally. Too many characters, and too many loose ends of half-told stories. I am assuming this may be a series, which would make sense on why some things were introduced and then not wrapped up, but maybe publish it in a way that lets readers know this will be a continuation so we know to come back for more as we are reading. I appreciate the opportunity to read it early. It is something I will purchase for my library because Elin has such a large following that her fans will want to read it. It was just not for me.

Elin Hilderbrand has returned writing a novel with her college aged daughter Shleby.

We follow the lives of a hand full of students, a cameo from some parents, a couple teachers, and a headmaster through the first year at Tiffin that the school has been ranked number 2. We see all the secrets being revealed from a app called ZipZap (very reminiscent of YikYak from my college days but a little bit juicer and bigger secrets that can ruin lives).

With ZipZap running rampant throughout the campus the students and teachers are trying to keep their secrets covered while trying to figure out who and how there secrets are being revealed in the first place. Illicit underage affairs, rumors of blackmail, hook-ups, and eating disorders. Some stereotypical high school problems with the twist of the teachers having their own secrets as well.

Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for providing an ARC.

I was starting to worry about the lack of Elin Hilderbrand in my life. After "Swan Song" (which I didn’t love), it felt like the queen of beach reads might have stepped down from her throne. But with "The Academy", she just might be claiming a new kind of crown—though I’m not quite sure what to call it. Academia Queen?

Tiffin Academy quickly became a place that felt strangely like home, thanks to the characters Hilderbrand and Cunningham brought to life. These are flawed teens, yes, but written with enough nuance and depth to keep adult readers fully engaged. I think that’s in part due to Cunningham’s younger perspective paired with Hilderbrand’s masterful ability to weave juicy, thoughtful storylines.

The ending left me a little confused—there are definitely some threads still hanging—but I’ve heard rumors of a sequel, and I really hope that’s true.

This is Elin Hilderbrand at her best: familiar and fresh all at once, stepping into a new setting with confidence and heart. I can’t wait to see where this new chapter in her career takes us.

Thank you to Elin Hilderbrand, Shelby Cunningham, Little, Brown and Company, and NetGalley for sending me the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review early! Elin is an auto-buy for my household, and I'm so excited that she's continuing her great writing career with Shelby! Refreshingly infused with energy, this narrative pulled me in and I read it in just a few sittings! This is wonderfully promising for many future stories.