The Dollhouse Academy – Margarita Montimore

The Dollhouse Academy follows two aspiring actresses, Ramona Halloway and Grace Ludlow, who seize their chance to join the elite Dollhouse Academy, a boarding school shrouded in glamour and mystery. The institution promises fame and fortune, but beneath its polished surface lies a web of secrets. Through diary entries from Ivy Gordon, a former star now trapped in the academy’s grip, the story reveals the dark costs of stardom—sinister medical exams, mysterious supplements, and a chilling sense of entrapment.

As Ramona and Grace navigate the competitive world of the academy, Ramona begins receiving threatening messages, while Grace’s rapid rise fuels jealousy and doubt. The novel weaves between past and present, exploring the toxic allure of fame and the bonds of friendship tested by ambition. Margarita Montimore crafts a tense, atmospheric tale where the line between reality and performance blurs, leaving characters—and readers—to question who can be trusted.

The academy’s eerie parallels to cult-like control and Hollywood’s golden age add layers of suspense, while Ivy’s haunting perspective underscores the psychological toll of a life lived in the spotlight. Montimore’s sharp prose and intricate plotting keep the pages turning, blending mystery, drama, and biting social commentary. The story crescendos into a gripping showdown where loyalty, truth, and survival collide.