The Academy

A Novel

De: Elin Hilderbrand, Shelby Cunningham

Narrado por: Erin Bennett

This thrilling novel from #1 bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand and her daughter, Shelby Cunningham, follows an intertwined cast of characters over the course 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.

©2025 Elin Hilderbrand (P)2025 Little, Brown & Company

We still don’t know…

I feel like a key part of the cliffhanger was left out at the end

Would have enjoyed it more….

I always enjoy the narration provided by Erin Bennett. She’s excellent!
While the story was good, I would have enjoyed it much more without all of the F-Bombs! The crude language was not necessary. I suppose it was meant to reflect the generation of the characters, but I was disappointed.

Shenanigans at the boarding school

I had high hopes for this but it would be more enjoyable for younger people. I got bored with the teenagers after a while. I have enjoyed previous Nantucket stories by Elin Hilderbrand.

Didn’t get the answer we were promised!

Story was good, characters were explained well, ending lacked the POP we were waiting for….. The author didn’t revisit a crucial part of the story. Easy enough to listen to.

I’m Hooked!!!

I was transported to Nantucket in Hilderbrand’s previous novels and I was equally transported to Tiffin Academy!!! I am beyond ready for another story for the boarding school world! We need to know what’s in the file from Cinnamon!!

Juicy and compelling

I really enjoyed this story! There are lots of well developed characters- both students and adults- and yet it was never confusing. Several mysteries throughout which kept me wanting to get to the next detail asap. So compelling and fun! I wanted to spend more time in this world.

Fresh Young Crowd

So enjoyed the antics of the young boarders navigating life amongst their peers. Thank you for more Hilderbrand.

The Academy

Hildebrand’s unmistakable style, the story although not on Nantucket was delightful and I couldn’t stop listening!

The characters are all well developed! I loved the setting and the story.

I loved the story, the characters, and the plot. I loved to hate Simone. Looking forward to the next collaboration. Bennett is the best narrator!

Exclusive Boarding School Exposed and this makes a good read.

The foibles of students and staff but also their humanity and resilience are explored. I felt pride as I got to know Charlie.