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When I picked up ‘The Academy,’ I was immediately drawn in by the fallish setting — a boarding school, crisp air, old traditions, secrets lurking in dorms and dinner halls.
It had a little mystery, a dash of romance and sex, and enough tension to keep me turning pages long after I should’ve been asleep.
What the book is about
Set at Tiffin Academy, a prestigious New England boarding school, the story follows a cast of students and faculty over a drama-filled year.
From an influencer-queen bee to a transfer student determined to stay under the radar, from a mysterious admissions director to a new history teacher who seems a little too young for the job — everyone has something to hide.
Hilderbrand and Cunningham pull in the boarding-school tropes (think cliques, cold nights, tradition vs change) but inject them with adult-level twists: power dynamics, secrets, social media, loyalty and betrayal.
What I loved
The setting was perfect for fall: color, tension, the feel of everything being slightly off-kilter.
The characters: flawed, messy, complicated. I found myself rooting for them and also cringing at their decisions.
That balance of mystery + romance + drama. It didn’t shy away from darker elements — but it didn’t feel heavy either.
The ending: yes, it left me with unanswered questions — and honestly, I kind of liked that. It gave me something to sit with.
One thing on my mind
Because the book wraps up with loose threads, I kept thinking: Will there be a sequel to tie these up? Good news: yes, it appears this is the first in a series and another book is planned.
That means those unanswered questions feel more like part of a larger story rather than a frustration — at least they did to me.
Final thoughts
If you’re looking for a fall read that mixes boarding-school ambiance with adult stakes, this one fits beautifully. Cozy enough to feel seasonal, layered enough to feel substantial.
⭐ My rating: 4/5
📚 Best for: fans of boarding-school mysteries, readers who like a little sex and secrets, and anyone looking for a change of setting from beach reads.
Would I re-recommend? Absolutely. I’m already looking forward to the next installment.
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The Bitter Lemon 