The Ultimate Elin Hilderbrand Nantucket Reading List
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When it comes to capturing the essence of summer, no one does it quite like Elin Hilderbrand. Her novels, set against the idyllic backdrop of Nantucket, transport readers to a world of sandy beaches, sun-kissed days, and complex characters navigating love, loss, and everything in between. With over 20 books set on this picturesque island, it’s no wonder Elin has become the queen of beach reads.
But with so many beloved titles, where do you start? Whether you’re a seasoned Hilderbrand fan or new to her work, narrowing down the best of the best can be quite the task. That’s where Amy from Novel Gossip steps in. As an avid reader and Elin Hilderbrand enthusiast, Amy has carefully curated her top 10 Nantucket novels, giving you the perfect guide to dive into Elin’s world. So, grab your beach chair and sunscreen—here are Amy’s top picks for your next escape to Nantucket.
TOP TEN ELIN HILDERBRAND’S NANTUCKET SUMMER NOVELS
The Blue Bistro by Elin Hilderbrand
In *The Blue Bistro* by Elin Hilderbrand, Adrienne Dealey moves to Nantucket seeking stability after being left broke by her ex. She lands a job at the island’s most coveted restaurant, The Blue Bistro, despite lacking experience. As she learns the ropes, Adrienne becomes entangled with the enigmatic owner, Thatcher Smith, and the restaurant’s talented but mysterious chef, Fiona. Amidst growing attractions and lingering questions, Adrienne must decide whether to settle down or continue her pattern of moving on.
Amy’s Take: The Blue Bistro made me fall in love with Elin Hilderbrand and remains a favorite today. It’s the only book of hers I’ve reread several times, and I have always loved it just as much as the first time. If you’re a foodie, this one is for you!
The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand
In *The Perfect Couple* by Elin Hilderbrand, a lavish Nantucket wedding takes a dark turn when a body is found in the harbor just hours before the ceremony. As Chief of Police Ed Kapenash investigates, he discovers that every member of the wedding party harbors secrets, making them all suspects. Through interviews with the bride, groom, and their families, hidden truths emerge, revealing that no couple is truly perfect. The novel blends mystery with the charm of a summer wedding, highlighting the complexities beneath the surface of even the most seemingly idyllic events.
Amy’s Take: The Perfect Couple has the same Nantucket charm the author is known for but with a darker edge as there’s a murder mystery alongside the cocktails and beach parties. It’s also about to be a new Netflix show.
The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand
In *The Castaways* by Elin Hilderbrand, Greg and Tess MacAvoy, struggling with rumors of infidelity, set out on their sailboat to celebrate their wedding anniversary but tragically drown off Nantucket. Their mysterious deaths leave behind two children and six close friends. As the group grapples with their grief, long-buried secrets and tensions rise to the surface, unraveling their tight-knit bonds. The novel explores the complexities of friendship, loyalty, and forgiveness amid the idyllic yet turbulent setting of summer island life.
Amy’s Take: The Castaways follows a group of longtime friends as one of the couples drowns during a boating trip. It’s a story of grief and loss with plenty of secrets in this complicated friend group. A perfect juicy summer read.
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28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand
In *28 Summers* by Elin Hilderbrand, Mallory Blessing forms a decades-long secret romance with Jake McCloud after they meet during a summer in 1993. Despite their deep connection, they only see each other one weekend a year, even as Jake marries and his wife, Ursula, becomes a leading political figure. When Mallory is dying in 2020, she instructs her son, Link, to contact Jake, unraveling the hidden story of their love. The novel explores the emotional complexities of their relationship and its impact on those around them.
Amy’s Take: 28 Summers is for those of you who like complicated, super messy, love stories. Mallory and Jake meet up once a year over Labor Day weekend despite their complex lives outside of their affair and their story is emotional and bittersweet.
The Rumor by Elin Hilderbrand
In *The Rumor* by Elin Hilderbrand, best friends Madeline King and Grace Pancik, known for their seemingly perfect lives on Nantucket, face a summer of escalating gossip. Madeline, a novelist, is struggling with writer’s block and financial stress, leading her to make a questionable choice. Meanwhile, Grace’s close collaboration with her attractive landscape architect sparks rumors of an affair. As whispers spread, the two women must confront the unraveling of their carefully curated lives, discovering that the truth might be more damaging than the rumors themselves.
Amy’s Take: The Rumor may be the juiciest of all the author’s books, it follows of group of interconnected characters as rumors fly about infidelity, betrayal, and scandals that may change the characters lives forever. I love gossip, so this one was wickedly delicious entertainment for me.
Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand
In *Golden Girl* by Elin Hilderbrand, bestselling novelist Vivian Howe is killed in a hit-and-run accident on Nantucket. From the afterlife, she watches over her three children during one final summer, granted three “nudges” to influence events on earth. As her family faces personal struggles and the investigation into her death unfolds, Vivi must decide how to use her limited influence. Meanwhile, a secret in her last manuscript threatens to unravel her carefully crafted legacy. The novel explores themes of loss, family, and the lingering impact of those we’ve loved.
Amy’s Take: Golden Girl has a unique premise, Grace dies at the beginning and observes everything for one last summer from The Beyond. The touch of magical realism added some whimsy to this tale of a mother trying to ensure her children are ok after her passing.
The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand
In Hotel Nantucket, Elin Hilderbrand delivers another captivating summer read filled with scandal, romance, and the charm of a storied island. After a painful breakup, Lizbet Keaton, a beloved Nantucket local, takes on the challenge of reviving the once-grand Hotel Nantucket. With the pressure to impress both a billionaire owner and a powerful Instagram influencer, Lizbet must navigate the hotel’s troubled history, including the lingering ghost of a chambermaid who died in a tragic fire in 1922. Amidst the glamorous facade, secrets simmer among the staff and guests, creating a gripping narrative of personal redemption, hidden pasts, and the pursuit of second chances. As Lizbet grapples with her own romantic dilemmas, the hotel’s future hangs in the balance—will it rise to its former glory or be doomed by its haunted past? Hotel Nantucket is a perfect blend of historical intrigue, emotional depth, and Hilderbrand’s signature beachside storytelling.
Amy’s Take: The Hotel Nantucket follows an ensemble cast of characters as they work to reopen a hotel over one summer. Here’s another one with a touch of magic, as Grace is a ghost who has been haunting the hotel since 1922, and there’s also a mystery element alongside the typical summer events.
Silver Girl by Elin Hilderbrand
In *Silver Girl* by Elin Hilderbrand, Meredith Martin Delinn loses everything after her husband is exposed for running a massive Ponzi scheme. Facing public disgrace and homelessness, Meredith turns to her estranged best friend, Constance Flute, for refuge. The two women escape to Nantucket for the summer, hoping to heal from their respective traumas. However, the island brings new challenges and old wounds to the surface, especially when Connie’s brother Toby—Meredith’s former love—reenters her life. The novel explores themes of friendship, love, and the possibility of redemption amid turmoil.
Amy’s Take: Silver Girl follows Meredith when she flees to Nantucket after her husband is caught in a Bernie Madoff-type scandal to spend a summer with her friend, Connie who is grieving her husband. Watching Meredith handle everything thrown at her while trying to prove she’s innocent was fascinating and as always set against such a beautiful backdrop was a treat.
Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand
In *Swan Song* by Elin Hilderbrand, the arrival of the wealthy and mysterious Richardson family on Nantucket disrupts the island’s close-knit community. As Chief of Police Ed Kapenash nears retirement and local Sharon navigates a difficult divorce, the Richardsons’ opulent lifestyle and lavish parties spark curiosity and tension among the locals. When their mansion burns down and a key employee disappears, the island is thrown into chaos. This final Nantucket novel blends suspense, social intrigue, and the charm of the island, featuring beloved characters in a story about community and change.
Amy’s Take: Swan Song is the author’s final Nantucket novel and was a perfect ending to her legacy. You get to revisit past characters from previous books, and there’s a juicy mystery and tons of secrets unfolding too.
Summer of ‘69 by Elin Hilderbrand
In *Summer of ’69* by Elin Hilderbrand, the Levin family faces a summer of significant change amid the backdrop of one of the most tumultuous years in American history. The four siblings, who usually spend their summers together in Nantucket, are scattered: Blair is stuck in Boston, pregnant with twins; Kirby, drawn to the civil rights movement, works on Martha’s Vineyard; Tiger is deployed in Vietnam; and young Jessie feels isolated at home with her grandmother and anxious mother. As America undergoes profound shifts, so too does the Levin family, navigating personal and societal upheaval in this richly detailed historical novel.
Amy’s Take: Summer of ‘69 was a departure as it’s set in the past, and it has a nostalgic and, in some ways, simplistic feeling to it compared to her other novels. Real-life events are showcased through the fictional characters’ lives, and the cast of characters is unforgettable
About The Paradise Trilogy and Winter Street Series
Amy didn’t include the author’s two series, The Paradise trilogy or the Winter Street series, because they’re hard to rank individually and would’ve taken up too much room here. Still, she adored them both, and they would definitely be on my list of recommended Elin Hilderbrand reads.
Editor’s Note: The Paradise trilogy was my first Elin Hilderbrand series, and it was the perfect escape from Christmas winter as they are set in St John’s.
The Winter Street Series is another Christmas romance, but this one is set in Nantucket.
Make sure to save these series for the holiday season.
Paradise Trilogy
- Winter in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand
- What Happens in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand
- Troubles in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand
Winter Street Series
- Winter Street by Elin Hilderbrand
- Winter Stroll by Elin Hilderbrand
- Winter Storms by Elin Hilderbrand
- Winter Solstice by Elin Hilderbrand
Connect with Amy (Novel Gossip)
A dedicated book reviewer with a passion for romance, thrillers, and commercial fiction, Amy shares her insights on Novelgossip.com and Instagram. She also co-hosts the Spice and Swoon Book Club, where she dives into the hottest romance new reads with fellow book lovers.
Conclusion
Elin Hilderbrand’s novels offer more than just an escape—they provide a deep dive into the lives of characters who feel as real and complex as the people we know. From the warmth of Nantucket’s sandy shores to the tangled webs of relationships and personal growth, each story offers something unique while staying true to the island’s enchanting charm.
Amy’s top 10 picks showcase the best of what Elin has to offer, but the magic of her storytelling means there’s always more to discover. Whether you’re looking to revisit old favorites or find a new gem, these rankings are the perfect starting point for your next literary adventure. So, let these stories whisk you away to Nantucket, where every page brings you a little closer to the heart of the island.
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