The Academy: A Novel
Sep 2025 · Sold by Little, Brown
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12 reviews
Ebook
432
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About this ebook
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.
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.
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 reu...
Ratings and reviews
12 reviews
Jonathan Whitesides
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September 25, 2025
“The Academy” is a gripping, atmospheric novel that masterfully blends suspense, ambition, and psychological depth. Its layered characters and elite setting create a tense, immersive world where secrets unravel and power is tested. A compelling read that challenges loyalty, identity, and the cost of excellence.
Jennifer Velasquez
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September 20, 2025
Super entertaining, could not put it down. As a gen x mother of a gen z my favorite lines were 'eating Takis and watching Love Island', '15 step skincare routine", really nailing the experiences of the different generations.
Tracy L Haggins
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November 23, 2025
I felt like I was reading a kiddie book. I couldn't get through it.
About the author
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.
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.
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 @TimTalk...
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