From #1 bestselling author of The Perfect Couple, Elin Hilderbrand, and her daughter, Shelby Cunningham, deliver the irresistible, deliciously scandalous story of one drama-filled year at a New England boarding school.
It’s move-in day at Tiffin Academy and amidst the happy chaos of friends reuniting, selfies uploading, and cars unloading, shocking news arrives: 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.
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"I didn't like this book. I am a fan of this author. However, this novel didn't deliver what I was expecting; too many characters and too much nonsense with zero good literature. I guess I will stick to reading to great authors like Ayn Rand and the likes. So disappointing."
— Najat (1/5)
Bon service
"Très bon service, le livre sera offert en cadeau de Noël."
— Michele (4/5)
Instantly Hooked
"If you’re craving a New England private school vibe in a book, this is the one. It was very well written and such an easy and enjoyable read!!"
— Kristay (5/5)
What Will Happen Next
"This was quite the intriguing read. If you are a fan of Hilderbrand's Nantucket novels, this story is different in setting but still holds that unique quality of writing and storytelling that those novels encompass. I will caution that there are a variety of aspects in this novel that do precipitate trigger warnings. I don't want to list them out due to some being spoilers, but if you want to be informed, take a look at other reviews to see which trigger warnings are identified. I would compare this novel to being similar to an 'elevated' version of ""Gossip Girl"" and/or ""Pretty Little Liars"". It contains similar elements of drama (as well as somewhat similar storylines to a degree). This novel could easily be read and enjoyed as a standalone but I'm interested to see where the series goes. There were some items that were left open ended and not resolved. I wouldn't say that I was on the edge of my seat while reading but it still was an entertaining read. I have seen some elements in this story in other Elin Hilderbrand novels but then again, she has written over thirty books. It definitely is a drama filled read and I'm interested to see what happens next."
— @brooklynnnnereads (4/5)
Lukewarm
"At times, the novel was clever and interesting…at other times I found it immature or possibly for a younger reader. It never really captured my interest, a little underwhelming. An easy read, just not a memorable one."
— Cynthia (3/5)
The Academy
"Turn off your phone, get out your snacks and finish this book. Amazing."
— Kathy (5/5)
Great fall read!
"Elin Hilderbrand does it again! Very cool that she wrote this book with her daughter. I heard there's a sequel to come. It kind of leaves you on a little cliff hanger but so worth the read."
— Susie (5/5)
The only thing good about this book is the pretty cover.
"Weak plot, weak character development, shallow story. Not a beach read. Not fun. Zero reading pleasure. Skip this read. Do not recommend."
— Joy G. (1/5)
The title captures the essence of the story.
"The novel is written from the perspective of staff and students and all are interwoven into a gripping story of life at an elite boarding school. You either are into academics or are not."
— Missy (4/5)
The Academy Elin Hilderbrand
"The book I ordered was really good and perfect for the fall time: It took place in a boarding school and if you enjoy gossip girl you won’t be disappointed."
— Baqi (5/5)
Q&A
Published date: Apr 14, 2026
Language: English
No. of Pages: 432
Publisher: Little, Brown And Company
ISBN: 9780316567886
Dimensions:
5.45" W x
1.094" L x
8.2" H
Elin Hilderbrand is a graduate of the Johns Hopkins University and the University of Iowa Writers Workshop. The Academy is her thirty-first novel, and the first co-written with her daughter, Shelby Cunningham. Hilderbrand is the co-host of the podcast "Books, Beach and Beyond" along with @TimTalksBooks creator, Tim Ehrenberg. She is raising four young adult children and likes to spend her free time at the beach and on her Peloton. She's a grateful ten-year breast cancer survivor.
Shelby Cunningham was born and raised on Nantucket Island. She’s a 2024 graduate of St. George’s School in Middletown, Rhode Island. She is presently a student at the University of Miami in Coral Gables.
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