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My fall reading list has so many books I’m excited to read that, after finishing “Hollywood, Ending” (full review here), I wasn’t sure what to pick next.
However, I pre-ordered “The Thoroughbreds” as soon as it was announced, and it felt like I’d been waiting forever. After reading “The Academy,” I had so many unanswered questions that I grabbed its sequel within an hour of closing the John Green book.
What a good problem to have, right?
I was slightly worried that, although I loved “The Academy” (book one of this two-book series), I don’t always remember the specifics. Would I feel lost going into “The Thoroughbreds”? Would I remember enough from the first book to enjoy the second book?
Thankfully, Annie B. Jones from The Bookshelf (Thomasville, Georgia) answered this in a recent podcast episode and said that if you want to reread “The Academy,” go for it, but the book gives a bit of a recap at the opening.
And she was right. After reading chapter one, I was right back at Tiffin Academy, ready for classes to begin.
My favorite thing about these books is the world Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham (her daughter, who has firsthand boarding school experience) create. I feel like I’m there; I’m a student, and I get to have all the fancy cafeteria meals (can you believe it?) and go to the fun themed dances.
When I read these books, they felt like such a fun escape. I looked forward to picking it up every time and didn’t want it to end!
Anyway, I won’t spoil anything, but “The Thoroughbreds” answers all the unresolved issues left over from “The Academy” and closes the chapter, no pun intended.
It also introduces a few new characters, new romances, and some twists, but everything wraps up in the end. The book ends at graduation, and I guess Tiffin Academy will live forever in our memories… wahh!!
At the end of “The Academy,” it wasn’t yet clear whether there would be a book two (though many assumed there would be). But Elin Hilderbrand has made it clear that she’s not only done with this series, but done writing books.
As a fan of her work, it’s truly bittersweet. Selfishly, I love her writing and would love to keep reading new books from her, but I’m happy she can retire and spend her time on other ventures.
Since I loved these books so much, I did a little digging for similar recommendations. Here’s what I found:
The Clique series by Lisi Harrison – I didn’t think I’d heard of these, but I looked them up and I’ve definitely SEEN them. It’s a middle-grade series with loads of books and sounds perfect for lovers of “Mean Girls,” “Gossip Girl,” and the like. This looks like a really fun series to get wrapped up in!
School by the Sea series by Jenny Colgan – I’d never heard of these, but I’m RUNNING to my local library website to start adding them as hold requests! This four-book adult fiction series is set at a girls’ boarding school in Cornwall and follows the students and faculty.
The Fortune Seller by Rachel Kapelke-Dale – This book is more about life after elite education and follows characters in a world of hedge funds, equestrianism, and tarot cards. Hmmm….
Have you read “The Academy” and/or “The Thoroughbreds”? I’d love to hear your thoughts and any similar book recs you have.
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