Elin Hilderbrand is a renowned American author, affectionately known as the “Queen of the Beach Read” for her novels that transport readers to destinations and tales of romance, drama, and self-discovery. In this article, we will talk all about Elin Hilderbrand books, exploring her most popular series, standalone novels, and what makes her stories so irresistible to readers
Elin Hilderbrand books in order
Here is the list of Elin Hilderbrand books in order:
- The Beach Club (2000)
- Nantucket Nights (2002)
- Summer People (2003)
- The Blue Bistro (2005)
- The Love Season (2006)
- Barefoot (2007)
- A Summer Affair (2008)
- The Castaways (2009)
- Silver Girl (2011)
- Summerland (2012)
- Beautiful Day (2013)
- The Matchmaker (2014)
- The Identicals (2016)
- The Silent Sister (2017)
- The Perfect Couple (2018)
- The Last Romance (2019)
- 28 Summers (2020)
- Winter in Paradise (2017)
- What Happens in Paradise (2018)
- Troubles in Paradise (2019)
- The Hotel Nantucket (2022)
- Endless Summer (2022) – short story collection
- Swan Song (2024) – upcoming release
What are Elin Hilderbrand books all about
Here we gonna explain what Elin Hilderbrand books in order is all about:
The Beach Club (2000):
Written by Elin Hilderbrand, “The Beach Club” is a juicy novel set during one summer at a Nantucket Beach Club. The story revolves around personal dramas, summer love, and the special feelings associated with a particular summer place.
Mack Petersen, the hotel manager, faces challenges from his boss, a demanding owner, and his own complicated relationships. Love O’Donnell, a new front desk person, searches for a stranger to father her child. Emotions run high as a hurricane threatens to wash away The Beach Club and everything it represents.
Nantucket Nights (2002):
In this novel, also by Elin Hilderbrand, the ties between women run deep as the ocean. Kayla, Antoinette, and Val have a special summer ritual on Nantucket, where they drink champagne, swap stories, and swim naked under the stars.
But when one of their trio swims out from the shore and doesn’t return, their lives take unexpected turns. Secrets, connections, and loss unfold as they grapple with love, betrayal, and friendship.
Summer People (2003):
Elin Hilderbrand’s “Summer People” follows the Newton family, who retreat to their beloved Nantucket home every summer. When Arch Newton, a prominent New York attorney, dies in a plane crash, his widow, Beth, decides to continue the family tradition.
She invites Marcus, the son of Arch’s challenging client, to spend the summer with her and her teenage twins. The story explores loss, first love, and betrayal against the backdrop of Nantucket’s idyllic setting.
The Blue Bistro (2005):
Adrienne Dealey, a former hotel concierge, moves to Nantucket and lands a job at the Blue Bistro, owned by the desirable Thatcher Smith. Despite having no restaurant experience, Adrienne shares an instant attraction with Thatcher.
However, a mystery surrounds Fiona, the Blue Bistro’s chef, and the restaurant’s uncertain future. The novel weaves together love, friendship, and the world of food and wine in Nantucket, Manhattan, Paris, and Morocco.
The Love Season (2006):
Set over 24 hours on Nantucket Island, “The Love Season” tells the intertwined stories of Marguerite Beale and Renata Knox. Marguerite, a former chef, receives a call from her goddaughter, Renata, who wants to learn about her mother’s life and death.
As events spiral out of control, the novel spans decades and explores love, friendship, deception, and healing across different locations, including Manhattan, Paris, and Morocco.
Barefoot (2007):
Written by Elin Hilderbrand, “Barefoot” takes place on Nantucket during the summer. Three women Vicki, Brenda, and Melanie seek solace as they grapple with life challenges, from illness and infidelity to motherhood and scandal.
Their lives intersect when twenty-two-year-old Josh Flynn enters the picture. The novel weaves their stories together, capturing the essence of a perfect summer day.
A Summer Affair (2008):
In this novel, Claire Danner Crispin, a mother of four and a renowned glassblower, co-chairs a benefit concert on Nantucket. The event is complicated by her past relationship with rock star Max West. As secrets unravel, the story explores love, betrayal, and forgiveness against the backdrop of Nantucket’s summer beauty.
The Castaways (2009):
Greg and Tess MacAvoy’s sailboat outing to celebrate their wedding anniversary ends tragically in an accident off Nantucket.
They drown, leaving behind two small children and three close couples. As their friends grapple with grief, long-hidden secrets emerge. The novel probes friendship, forgiveness, and the mystery of what happened to Greg and Tess.
Silver Girl (2011):
Meredith Martin Delinn faces homelessness after her husband’s financial fraud scandal. Her old best friend, Constance Flute, invites her to spend the summer on Nantucket. Amid emotional turmoil, they confront past choices and the life Meredith could have led. Elin Hilderbrand explores friendship, love, and forgiveness against the island’s backdrop.
Summerland (2012):
On a warm June evening, Nantucket High School students gather for a bonfire. Tragedy strikes when a car crash leaves Penny Alistair dead and her twin brother in a coma. The survivors Penny’s boyfriend Jake and her friend Demeter struggle with emotional wounds.
As summer unfolds, secrets unravel, revealing the power of community, family, and new love.
Beautiful Day (2013):
Written by Elin Hilderbrand, “Beautiful Day” is a touching novel set on Nantucket during a wedding weekend. The Carmichaels and Grahams gather for a beautiful event, but beneath the surface, love is questioned, scandals arise, and hearts are both broken and healed.
As the story unfolds, readers explore the complexities of marriage, faithfulness, and honoring commitments.
The Matchmaker (2014):
In this mystery romance, also by Elin Hilderbrand, 48-year-old Nantucketer Dabney Kimball Beech has a unique gift for matchmaking. When she discovers evidence that her supposedly deceased older sister, Lisa, is alive and living under a new identity, Dabney sets out to uncover the truth.
As secrets unravel, the novel delves into family dynamics, love, and the bonds that tie us together.
The Identicals (2016):
Set on Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, “The Identicals” follows identical twin sisters, Harper and Tabitha Frost, who have been at odds for years. Despite their physical resemblance, their personalities couldn’t be more different. When a family crisis forces them to come together, they discover that their special bond is more important than their longstanding rivalry. The novel explores sibling relationships, love, and forgiveness.
The Silent Sister (2017):
Written by Diane Chamberlain, “The Silent Sister” is a mystery romance set in scenic Nantucket. Riley MacPherson has always believed her older sister, Lisa, committed suicide as a teenager. However, after her father’s death, she discovers evidence that Lisa is alive and living under a new identity.
As Riley investigates, family secrets come to light, challenging everything she thought she knew about her family.
The Perfect Couple (2018):
In this engrossing mystery, tragedy strikes during a Nantucket wedding. The maid of honor is found dead, the best man is missing, and the groom’s family guards its secrets.
Chief Ed Kapenash leads the investigation, revealing dark realities beneath the wealthy, perfect facade. Elin Hilderbrand’s breezy yet sharp novel explores love, social observations, and the complexities of death.
The Last Romantics (2019):
Written by Tara Conklin, “The Last Romantics” explores the lives of four siblings: Renee, Caroline, Joseph, and Fiona Skinner. The story begins with a funeral, an iron poker, and a feral summer known as the “Pause.”
Two decades later, they face another family crisis that tests their bonds and forces them to question their life choices. The novel beautifully meditates on the power of stories, love, and the ties that bind us together.
28 Summers (2020:
In this novel by Elin Hilderbrand, Mallory Blessing inherits a cottage on Nantucket Island from her aunt Greta. She moves there permanently, and during her first summer, she meets Jake, a man she decides to see only once a year on Labor Day weekends.
Their one-weekend-per-year affair unfolds against the backdrop of Nantucket’s beauty. The novel explores love, secrets, and the complexities of relationships, all while referencing the classic film “Same Time Next Year” that Mallory and Jake watch.
Winter in Paradise (2017):
Elin Hilderbrand’s novel “Winter in Paradise” begins with Irene Steele receiving a late-night phone call informing her that her husband, Russ, has been killed in a helicopter crash in the Virgin Islands. Shockingly, Irene learns that Russ had a secret life on St. John, where he had another woman, Rosie Small, and a daughter, Maia Small.
What Happens in Paradise (2018):
The sequel to “Winter in Paradise,” this novel continues the story of the Steele family. Irene and her two grown sons, Baker and Cash, return to St. John, seeking answers about Russ’s mysterious life and death.
FAQs
Are Elin Hilderbrand books beach reads?
Yes, Elin Hilderbrand is known as the “Queen of Beach Reads” because many of her novels are set in beach towns, such as Nantucket, and feature themes of summer, love, and relationships.
Can I read Elin Hilderbrand books in any order?
While most of Elin Hilderbrand’s novels are standalone stories, some of her books are part of a series. For example, the Winter Series and Paradise Series should be read in order, while the Nantucket Series can be read in any order.
