The Academy

The Academy has all of Hilderbrand’s breezy storytelling, roving points of view, and effortless characterization that her readers love. It adds up to a panoramic view of nine months in the life of a New England prep school, on which her co-author, daughter Cunningham, offers personal expertise. Addictive, dishy fun, with enough loose ends to suggest a sequel might be in the works… Hilderbrand’s first post-Nantucket novel, written with her daughter, will draw in her legions of readers * Booklist *
The authors employ catchy narrative devices, such as the gossipy collective voice of a clique of Tiffin girls and SAT-word-riddled posts from Davi, and they give the main characters plenty of depth. Readers are in for a treat * Publishers Weekly *
Delicious… A boarding-school fantasia, with Hilderbrand’s signature upgrades to the cuisine and decor. Sign us up for next term * Kirkus *
A juicy mix of scandal and coming-of-age moments. Fans of Hilderbrand’s signature ensemble dramas and readers who enjoy stories about secrets in privileged worlds will likely appreciate this buzzy take on boarding-school life * Library Journal *
The beach-read queen has teamed up with her daughter for this fun tale about a drama-filled year at a New England boarding school * People *
Welcome to The Academy, a captivating light-academia novel … Prepare to be intrigued by secluded campus life, attain fly-on-the-wall access to the administration’s inner workings and learn the social hierarchy. The impact of secrets-both kept and exposed-shapes the lives of nearly every character * The Post and Courier *
The book has plenty of scandal-a secret bar, messy faculty entanglements, a viral app-but it never loses its heart. It’s as much about grief and friendship as it is about privilege and power … And despite the drama, there’s a current of warmth and sly humor that makes the story irresistible … The writing is crisp and immersive, the stakes feel real and the characters stick with you long after the book has ended * BookTrib *
A wonderfully salacious and fun world…It will engage and delight readers who want a side of scandal with their school tales … Reading The Academy is time well-spent * BookReporter *
Praise for Elin Hilderbrand: I just LOVE her books, they are such compulsive reads * Marian Keyes *
Deliciously escapist * People *
Discovering the secret world of American boarding schools for both teaching staff and pupils was endlessly entertaining. I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait to read the sequel! * Jill Mansell *

Elin Hilderbrand (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

Shelby Cunningham was born and raised on Nantucket Island. She’s a 2024 graduate of St. George’s School in Middletown, Rhode Island.

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