Pages: 432
Genre: Adult Fiction
Pub. Date: September 16, 2025
Publisher: Little, Brown and Co
Source: Personal Copy
Other Books By Author: 28 Summers, The Five-Star Weekend,
My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Goodreads says, "It’s move-in day at Tiffin Academy and amidst the happy chaos of friends reuniting, selfies uploading, and cars unloading, shocking news: America Today just ranked Tiffin the number two boarding school in the country. It’s a seventeen-spot jump – was there a typo? The dorms need to be renovated, their sports teams always come in last place, and let’s just say Tiffin students are known for being more social than academic. On the other hand, the campus is exquisite, class sizes are small, and the dining hall is run by an acclaimed New York chef. And they do have fun—lots of parties and school dances, and a piano man plays in the student lounge every Monday night.
But just as the rarefied air of Tiffin is suffused with self-congratulation, the wheels begin to turn – and then they fall off the bus. One by one, scandalous blind items begin to appear on phones across Tiffin’s campus, thanks to a new app called ZipZap, and nobody is safe. From Davi Banerjee, international influencer and resident queen bee, to Simone Bergeron, the new and surprisingly young history teacher, to Charley Hicks, a transfer student who seems determined not to fit in, to Cordelia Spooner, Admissions Director with a somewhat idiosyncratic methodology – everyone has something to hide.
As if high school wasn’t dramatic enough...As the year unfolds, bonds are forged and broken, secrets are shared and exposed, and the lives of Tiffin’s students and staff are changed forever. The Academy is Elin Hilderbrand’s fresh, buzzy take on boarding school life, and a thrilling new direction from one of America’s most satisfying and popular storytellers.
It's move-in day at Tiffin Academy, a picturesque boarding school in New England. Audre Robinson is the head of school and has a lot to deal with this year after the death of Cinnamon, a beloved student on campus. She committed suicide, so this is not a good look for the academy, and she had to do a lot of damage control. Taking Cinnamon's spot is newcomer Charley Hicks, who, at first glance, does not look like she belongs at Tiffin. The rankings of boarding schools are coming out soon, which keeps Audre on edge; plus, everyone on campus, adults included, has something they are hiding. Resident bad boy, East, who barely attends class, and his father is a board member, also has something up his sleeve this year. Not to mention Cinnamon's ex has a note from her that can only be read before graduation. All of this is looming over the campus, and drama is sure to unfold in The Academy by mother and daughter duo, Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham.
I really liked Audre from the start of The Academy; she has a lot to deal with as even the adults on campus have a myriad of issues, especially the new teacher Simone Bergeron. She left her former job after a scandal, so readers know she is a bit of a hot mess. One of the other teachers on campus tries to pursue Simone (!), there's a chef with a gambling problem, a student with an eating disorder, students with relationship drama, and once the boarding school results come out, there are other heads of schools who are out to get Audre. East tries to include Charley in a project in the basement of the school that will definitely keep readers flipping the pages. Plus, throw in an app, Zip Zap, that reports on all the goings on in the school, and it's anonymous! This doesn't even touch the tip of the iceberg regarding all the drama at Tiffin Academy.
As always, Hilderbrand provides readers with a vivid sense of the setting, cuisine, and all the details of boarding school life, likely thanks to her daughter's insights in The Academy. The chef, a former successful restaurateur, elevates the food beyond typical boarding school fare. You can always count on Hilderbrand for delicious descriptions.
The Academy shifts between various points of view more than the usual for Hilderbrand. While this technique adds a quick pace to the story, it also left me feeling like I couldn’t deeply connect with the characters—they often felt underdeveloped. The plot was reminiscent of Gossip Girl, which I loved years ago, but I’m starting to think I might be a bit too old to be the target audience for The Academy. That said, I do prefer Hilderbrand's beach reads; however, I must admit that I still found this one to be a fun experience.
The way Hilderbrand and Cunningham conclude The Academy gives me the impression that a sequel is likely, as there are still several unanswered questions. Additionally, I've heard that the books have already been optioned, which should be exciting to see adapted for the small screen.
So, please share your thoughts in the comments below! Have you read The Academy, and are you a fan of Elin Hilderbrand? Do you like boarding school stories?
I really liked Audre from the start of The Academy; she has a lot to deal with as even the adults on campus have a myriad of issues, especially the new teacher Simone Bergeron. She left her former job after a scandal, so readers know she is a bit of a hot mess. One of the other teachers on campus tries to pursue Simone (!), there's a chef with a gambling problem, a student with an eating disorder, students with relationship drama, and once the boarding school results come out, there are other heads of schools who are out to get Audre. East tries to include Charley in a project in the basement of the school that will definitely keep readers flipping the pages. Plus, throw in an app, Zip Zap, that reports on all the goings on in the school, and it's anonymous! This doesn't even touch the tip of the iceberg regarding all the drama at Tiffin Academy.
As always, Hilderbrand provides readers with a vivid sense of the setting, cuisine, and all the details of boarding school life, likely thanks to her daughter's insights in The Academy. The chef, a former successful restaurateur, elevates the food beyond typical boarding school fare. You can always count on Hilderbrand for delicious descriptions.
The Academy shifts between various points of view more than the usual for Hilderbrand. While this technique adds a quick pace to the story, it also left me feeling like I couldn’t deeply connect with the characters—they often felt underdeveloped. The plot was reminiscent of Gossip Girl, which I loved years ago, but I’m starting to think I might be a bit too old to be the target audience for The Academy. That said, I do prefer Hilderbrand's beach reads; however, I must admit that I still found this one to be a fun experience.
The way Hilderbrand and Cunningham conclude The Academy gives me the impression that a sequel is likely, as there are still several unanswered questions. Additionally, I've heard that the books have already been optioned, which should be exciting to see adapted for the small screen.
So, please share your thoughts in the comments below! Have you read The Academy, and are you a fan of Elin Hilderbrand? Do you like boarding school stories?
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