Best-selling American author Elin Hilderbrand is famous for her romantic beach readings. She is the author of three series, several stand-alone novels, as well as several short stories and novellas, and has been dubbed the unofficial “summer novel queen” by critics. so if she’s planning her vacation bucket list, read on.
elin hilderbrand reading order
In this post, I’ve compiled a comprehensive list of this popular romance author’s work, from her first book, “The Beach Club,” to her latest upcoming release, The Hotel Nantucket, and everything in between.
You are reading: Books in order elin hilderbrand
To help you find the perfect reading order, I’ve separated Hilderbrand’s many titles into series and publication order so you can follow them, book by book, without missing a thing.
elin hilderbrand’s independent novels
The Beach Club (2000)• Publication date- April 1, 2010 • Print length- 372 pagesCheck Price 
Nantucket Nights (2002)• Publication date- May 12, 2009 • Print length- 240 pagesCheck Price 
Summer People (2003)• Publication date- April 27, 2010 • Print length- 352 pages Check Price 
The Blue Bistro (2005)• Publication date-May 25, 2010 • Print length- 336 pagesCheck Price 
The Love Season (2006)• Publication date- April 1, 2010 • Print length- 228 pagesCheck Price 
Barefoot (2007)• Publication date-July 2, 2007 • Print length-481 pages Check Price 
The Island (2010)• Publication date- June 18, 2010 • Print length- 422 pages Check Price 
Silver Girl (2011)• Publication date- June 21, 2011 • Print length- 415 pages Check Price 
Summerland (2012)• Publication date- June 26, 2012 • Print length- 400 pages Check Price 
Beautiful Day (2013)• Publication date- June 25, 2013 • Print length- 327 pages Check Price
Hilderbrand’s debut novel, ‘The Beach Club,’ was published as a standalone, so I’ll begin with a full list of all the author’s standalone titles, from the earliest to the most recent.
As with most of this author’s novels, the following stories are set on the island of Nantucket, where she lives with her three young children.
since they are not part of a series, you can read them in any order you choose.
1. the beach club (2000)
The staff and guests of the luxurious Nantucket Beach Club resort embark on a summer of drama, passion and romance that will change their lives forever.
2. nantucket nights (2002)
Best friends Kayla, Antoinette, and Val run away together every year for a merry vacation to Nantucket. But this time, their summer fun is marred by tragedy.
3. summer people (2003)
The Newton family heads to their luxurious Nantucket vacation home for their annual three-month beach getaway.
But this year, a dark cloud of grief has settled over them, and not even the summer sun can heal their wounds.
4. the blue bistro (2005)
adrienne dealey spends every summer working in a different seaside town, and this year, for the first time, she decided to go to nantucket.
newly single and broke, needs money fast. And so when the handsome owner of the best restaurant in town offers her a job, she jumps at the chance.
5. the season of love (2006)
Marguerite Beale and her goddaughter Renata Knox are unexpectedly reunited in Nantucket to unearth the secrets of a long-buried past tragedy.
6. barefoot (2007)
Three women escape their stressful lives and head to Nantucket in search of a well-deserved slice of paradise. But then they meet Josh Flynn and her relaxing vacation takes an unexpected turn.
7. the island (2010)
cousins birdie and their daughter chess are getting ready to celebrate the wedding of the century.
All the details are in place and the guests are about to arrive, but at the last minute, the wedding is called off and the family’s summer is thrown into chaos.
8. silver girl (2011)
meredith martin delinn is used to a life of wealth and privilege, but her husband’s recent cheating has thrown everything into chaos. Now, against the backdrop of a hot Nantucket summer, she’ll have to find a way to rebuild it.
9. summerland (2012)
Each year in mid-June, local Nantucket High teens gather on the beach for their annual bonfire celebrations.
But this year, their tradition takes a tragic turn.
10. beautiful day (2013)
Two families come together to celebrate the wedding of the century on Nantucket Beach. But while the bride and groom are happy, the lives of their loved ones plunge into chaos.
11. the matchmaker (2014)
Nantucket native Dabney Kimball Beech prides herself on her matchmaking skills. But while she’s busy playing cupid, her own love life is spiraling out of control.
12. the rumor (2015)
With their beautiful children and perfect marriages, best friends Madeline King and Grace Pancik seem to have it all.
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But this summer, the cracks have begun to show, and suddenly they find themselves at the center of Nantucket’s biggest scandal.
13. here’s to us (2016)
laurel thorpe, scarlett oliver and belinda rowe are longtime rivals with only one thing in common; they all love the same man.
But when he tragically passes away, they are forced to come together and face their differences, once and for all.
14. the identical ones (2017)
Twin sisters Harper and Tabitha Frost haven’t spoken in years. But now, they find themselves changing lives and identities to save what’s left of their fractured family before it’s too late.
15. Summer of ’69 (2019)
Set in the summer of ’69, Hilderbrand’s first historical novel follows the Levin family, who have gathered at their grandmother’s historic Nantucket home as they do every year.
But in the midst of a changing America, their own lives are also changing in quite unexpected ways.
16. golden girl (2021)
A successful author and mother of three has died in a hit-and-run. but before passing on to the next life, she is given the opportunity to watch one last summer play beneath her and change the course of the lives of her unfortunate children from beyond the grave.
17. the nantucket hotel (2022)
after breaking up with her longtime boyfriend, lizbet keaton is on the mend. But when she suddenly becomes the manager of the dilapidated Nantucket hotel, she has a lot more to worry about than her love life.
the nantucket series
Like previous standalone titles, these three novels take place on the island of Nantucket.
Each story is told from the perspective of a different character and each plot is unique. That said, multiple characters make cameo appearances in all three books, so it’s best to read them in publication order.
1. a summer fling (2008)
Claire is a woman who does; she will do anything for anyone, no matter what. But when she’s tasked with hosting the biggest event on Nantucket’s social calendar, she seems like she’s finally bitten off more than she can chew.
2. the castaways (2009)
Rumors spread that Greg and Tess Macavoy’s marriage is in jeopardy, so to escape the whispers of family and friends, they embark on a boat trip off the coast of Nantucket.
but tragedy strikes, and as a consequence, all their secrets will finally be revealed.
3. the perfect couple (2018)
It’s another balmy summer on Nantucket Island and final preparations are being made for Otis-Winbury’s lavish wedding.
But the joyous occasion is shattered when a body washes up on shore and everyone, including the bride and groom, becomes a suspect.
the winter series
The winter series is packed with drama, divisiveness, and of course, a heavy dose of romance. follows Nantucket native Kelley Quinn and his family as they struggle to get through the chaotic holiday season.
Every Christmas, this dysfunctional set of characters find themselves at the center of a new controversy that threatens to tear them apart, but thankfully never quite does.
To get the most out of the series, it’s best to read these titles in publication order.
1. winter street (2014)
Kelley Quinn’s four children may be adults, but their lives are in disarray. As the holiday season approaches, what should be a joyous family occasion turns into a dramatic reunion that neither of them will ever forget.
2. winter ride (2015)
Twelve months have passed since their last disastrous meeting, and the quinns are preparing for another round of chaos and calamity. This year, they’ll be bringing some extra baggage, in the form of Kelley’s ex-wife, Mitzi.
3. winter storms (2016)
After two calamity-filled Christmases, it looks like the quinns may finally have the happy holiday reunion they’ve been longing for.
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This year, they’re ringing in the holiday season with a family wedding, but a storm is brewing that threatens to throw their celebrations into chaos once again.
4. winter solstice (2017)
In the latest installment of the winter series, this dysfunctional group of misfits finally come together to celebrate the holidays in harmony. But in true Quinn family style, there’s still a hint of drama going on.
the paradise series
the paradise series is a gripping three-part story about a happily married woman who loses her husband in a tragic accident and discovers he was not the man she thought he was.
The plot of each book unfolds in sequence, so it’s best to read them in the order they were published.
1. winter in paradise (2018)
irene steeles has received shocking news; her loving and devoted husband died in a helicopter crash. but in the wake of her grief, she discovers that her devoted companion was not so devoted after all.
2. what happens in paradise (2019)
It’s been a year since Irene lost her husband, and the revelations that followed have turned her world upside down. And now, she’s back on the tropical island of San Juan to learn the truth about her husband’s double life.
3. trouble in paradise (2020)
irene thought she had finally discovered the depths of her late husband’s deceptions, but a visit from the fbi brings a shocking new revelation that will leave her with more questions than answers.
So, from his new home in St John, he embarks on a final quest for truth and healing.
the stories of the 28 summers
28 Summers is the story of two lovers who secretly come together for a passionate and glorious weekend every year.
The book is a stand-alone novel with a short story follow-up, so while it’s not technically a series, it’s best to read both titles in the order they were published.
1. 28 summers (2020)
For decades, Jake and Mallory have enjoyed an annual weekend love affair, and despite the ups and downs of their regular lives, their passion has never died.
But this year, Mallory has some news that could change that forever.
2. the sixth wedding (short story) (2021)
This quick read takes us back to Nantucket, to the setting of Jake and Mallory’s long secret adventure. but this year, jake is making the trip on his own.
short stories by elin hilderbrand
Elin Hilderbrand’s short stories have all the romance, passion, drama, and intrigue of her full-length novels in one easy, quick read.
1. the surfing lesson (2013)
margot is quickly falling for her husband’s drummer until his ex-girlfriend shows up and jealousy reignites the spark.
2. the tailgate (2014)
clendenin and dabney have been inseparable since their freshman year of high school.
but now, with clen studying at yale and dabney at harvard, for the first time, they’re miles apart, and their seemingly unbreakable bond suddenly seems fragile.
3. endless collection of summer stories (will be published in October 2022)
Later this year, Elin Hilderbrand is expected to publish a new anthology of nine short stories under the title An Endless Summer. It is touted as a hot and heavy collection of missing chapters, prequels, and sequels to her most beloved novels, making it a must-read for fans of her work.
conclusion
Elin Hilderbrand has been delivering best-selling hot and steamy beach reads for over twenty years, earning her an army of loyal fans.
The author has several new releases in the works, but last year she announced her plans to retire from writing in 2024, telling fans, “I feel like I’m coming to the natural end of my material.”
then if you want to explore the work of this amazing author while she’s still at the height of her career, there’s no better time to start than right now.
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