The Best Elin Hilderbrand Books To Read This Summer

Elin Hilderbrand is the queen of beach reads. But, with over 30 books to her name, knowing which ones to start with can be hard. That’s why we have rounded up her seven best beach reads that are perfect for the pool, beach or backyard. To learn what they are, keep scrolling.

The best Elin Hilderbrand books to read in the summer

From romances to historical fiction tales, here are the best Elin Hilderbrand books to read this summer.

‘Summer of ‘69’

Hilderbrand is known for her heartwarming tales set in scenic places—and this one, which was published in 2019, whisks readers away to her beloved Nantucket. For the Levin family, summers at their grandmother’s beach home have always been magical. But the summer of 1969 is different. All four Levin siblings are facing life-changing moments—navigating personal struggles, keeping secrets, witnessing civil rights protests and confronting the reality of the war draft. It’s a summer that will test their bonds and shape who they’ll become.

What readers are saying: “Elin Hilderbrand’s Summer of ‘69 is the sort of book that you want to read from cover to cover in one sitting. Every page keeps you absorbed in the story. It’s a great summer read.”

‘The Hotel Nantucket’

This 2022 novel follows Lizbet Keaton, who is ready to make her second act count. When she takes on the role of general manager at the Hotel Nantucket—a once-grand establishment that’s rumored to be haunted—she’s determined to restore it to its former glory. Can she pull it off? This page-turner is filled with all the island details you crave: salty ocean breezes, beachy charm and unforgettable local characters who feel like old friends.

What readers are saying: “The Hotel Nantucket might just be Elin Hilderbrand’s beachiest —and most hopeful—book yet. Reading about it is half the fun. The other half is Hilderbrand’s lush writing, especially when it comes to her characters. She tells the tale of a sweet but steely Minnesota transplant as convincingly as she voices a prep school prince, a glam grifter and an eager-to-please ingenue as well as a colorful cast of others. Disappearing into her stories is like taking a vacation.”

‘The Five-Star Weekend’

Published in 2023, this novel follows food blogger Hollis Shaw, whose world is shattered when her husband Matthew, a dreamy heart surgeon, tragically dies in a car accident. Heartbroken and lost, Hollis decides to host a “Five-Star Weekend”—inviting her best friends for a getaway that she hopes will help her rediscover joy in midlife. Unbeknownst to Hollis, her childhood friend Tatum arranges for Hollis’s first love, Jack Finigan, to meet up with them. What follows is a perfect mix of love, beachy settings and female friendships.

What readers are saying: “A great light summer read! The characters are flawed yet fabulous each in their own way. Very insightful to read how our lives can cross and become intertwined even though we are not expecting them to intersect. Strong friendship is the key to this loving and forgiving read.”

‘Silver Girl’

Second chances and starting over take center stage in this 2011 novel. When Meredith Martin Delinn discovers that her husband Freddy has cheated investors out of billions of dollars, her world crumbles. Desperate for a fresh start, she flees to Nantucket to stay with her old best friend, Constance Flute. But soon after she arrives, Constance’s brother—and Meredith’s high school sweetheart—Toby shows up. Suddenly, Meredith is forced to confront a life-changing question: Was the life she built really the one she wanted all along?

What readers are saying: “I just finished this book last night and was still thinking about the characters and the storyline today. I think this is my favorite Elin Hilderbrand novel to-date. I loved the storyline and the characters, even Harold the seal. Now that I’ve finished the book, maybe I can get a full night’s sleep—the book kept me turning the pages when I should have been turning out the lights!”

‘A Summer Affair’

Set under the Nantucket sun, this 2009 novel is deliciously scandalous. Claire Danner Crispin seems to have it all—a devoted husband, four beautiful children and a thriving career as an artist—but somehow, it’s not enough. Craving more, she volunteers to help plan Nantucket’s biggest gala of the season. But when the planning throws her into the orbit of billionaire Lock Dixon, unexpected sparks ignite. Suddenly, Claire is forced to confront what she really wants—and who she really wants. What follows is a sexy, emotional battle filled with love, loss and undeniable lust.

What readers are saying: “This was a perfect summer travel book for me. There was a lot going on and I hope I hear more about some of the characters over the next books in the Nantucket series!”

‘28 Summers’

This Hilderbrand novel was published in 2020 and will capture readers’ hearts. When Mallory Blessing gives her son, Link, deathbed instructions to call a mysterious number, he has no idea who will answer—or what secrets he’s about to uncover. The story then sweeps us back to the summer of 1993, when Mallory fell into a passionate summer romance in Nantucket. Now, as past and present collide, Link discovers that his mother has been meeting her true love, Jake, for one weekend every year…for the past 28 years. It’s a love story that will make your heart ache in the best way.

What readers are saying: “By far this is the best book I’ve read in a while. I don’t think I can describe it. It’s touching. It’s realistic in a society that is so different from my life. It kept me reading until the last word.”

‘Golden Girl’

This 2021 release is a bittersweet journey of letting go and discovering that love transcends even death itself. When 51-year-old bestselling author Vivian Howe is tragically killed in a hit-and-run accident, she awakens in the “Beyond”—a place where she can watch over her three children from above. She’s also given a precious gift: three “nudges” to change the course of events in their lives. But as hidden family secrets begin to surface, Vivi realizes her children must face their past and present struggles on their own terms.

What readers are saying: “This was the first time I’ve actually read a book by this author. It was exactly what I needed this time. My mom’s 2-year death anniversary is coming up, and I hope she has given nudges in the right direction. It pulled on my heartstrings and made me feel good.”

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This story was originally published June 26, 2026 at 7:30 PM.