Goodreads Readers Rank the 5 Best Elin Hilderbrand Books to Read Now
From beloved Nantucket stories to a tropical family mystery, these novels from the Queen of the Beach Read have earned high ratings.
Key Takeaways
- Goodreads readers give '28 Summers' the highest average rating among these five novels.
- Hilderbrand’s fan favorites span Nantucket beach reads, family dramas and mysteries.
- Readers praise her emotional storytelling, complicated characters and summery settings.
Everyone knows that Elin Hilderbrand is the queen of beach reads. The beloved author has written more than 30 novels, many of which became instant bestsellers. If you’re ready to dive into the world of Elin but don’t know where to start, don’t worry—Goodreads has you covered. Readers have rated and reviewed all of her titles over the years on the app, and we’re sharing five that have received the highest ratings.
‘28 Summers’ – 4.17 average rating
Published in 2020, this Hilderbrand novel has more than 300,000 ratings on Goodreads. On her deathbed, Mallory Blessing tells her son Link to call a mysterious number. The story then flashes back to the summer of 1993, in Nantucket, when Mallory met her true love, Jake. For the next 28 years, Mallory and Jake met over Labor Day weekend, no matter what else was going on in their lives. As Link learns about his mother’s past, he begins to question everything he thought he knew.
What Goodreads users are saying: “This book. wow. There were SO many things I loved about it. The way Elin Hilderbrand started each chapter or summer with the ‘What are we talking about in (insert year)’ was such an amazing touch. I BAWLED at the end of this book. I love Mallory.”
‘Golden Girl’ – 4.15 average rating
This 2021 novel has received more than 100,000 ratings on Goodreads. One day in June, author and mother of three Vivian “Vivi” Howe is killed in a car accident. After her death, Vivi is assigned to a guide named Martha, who allows Vivi to watch one last summer unfold. From above, she sees her son partying, her daughter dealing with her third miscarriage and her other son struggling in his relationship. Vivi is allowed to intervene, but only a little. Elsewhere, police chief Ed Kapenash (who appears in many of Hilderbrand’s novels) investigates Vivi and her death, an inquiry that ultimately results in Vivi’s biggest secret finally being revealed.
What Goodreads users are saying: “Ever since I’ve discovered Elin Hilderbrand’s books, her novels have become my summer holiday treat. Golden Girl was no exception. I savoured the book, visiting Nantucket yet again with a new cast of flawed characters and their complicated relationships, and an unpredictable plotline. As usual with Elin’s books, I was hooked from page one.”
‘Winter in Paradise’ – 4.08 average rating
Published in 2018, this novel has since received more than 100,000 ratings on Goodreads. Irene Steele loves Russ, her husband of 35 years, so she’s devastated to learn that he was killed in a plane crash on a tropical island in the Caribbean—where he was apparently leading a double life. As she learns more about the shocking circumstances of his death, she finds herself caught up in the lies and deceit of the island.
What Goodreads users are saying: “Winter in Paradise is a contemporary family drama done right. It’s coupled with the right amount of tension, heartache, and romance. Irene Steele might just be my favorite Elin Hilderbrand character at the moment as she faces an uphill battle of reeling from the secrets her husband kept hidden, trying to grieve but also trying to forgive. This book is definitely going to make the book club circuit!”
‘Winter Solstice’ – 4.07 average rating
The fourth book in Hilderbrand’s Winter Street series featuring the lovable Quinn family was published in 2017 and has since received more than 80,000 ratings on Goodreads. Bart is back from Afghanistan, and the Quinn family is excited to celebrate with him over the holidays. But that’s not the only good news. Kevin and Isabelle are happily married, Ava thinks she’s found the love of her life and Patrick is finally getting back on his feet. Kelly is just excited for her family to be together, but as with all family reunions, secrets emerge and drama begins.
What Goodreads users are saying: “The Winter Series by Elin Hilderbrand is my favorite series of hers by far as each character has depth and a whole lot of heart. Tears pricked my eyes often while reading this last book in the series and I admit to sobbing heaving at one point in time. I loved reading about the Quinn family’s struggles, their celebrations and their heartbreaks and I will miss them dearly.”
‘The Hotel Nantucket’ – 4.05 average rating
Published in 2022 and boasting more than 300,000 ratings on Goodreads, this novel follows Lizbet Keaton as she’s determined to make her second act count by taking a new job as general manager of the Hotel Nantucket—a once-great property reportedly haunted by Grace Hadley, who was locked in her closet and killed in a fire in the 1920s. To revive the hotel, Lizbet hires an eclectic group of employees, each harboring secrets that could bring the entire hotel crashing down.
What Goodreads users are saying: “For me, summer arrives after I’ve read the newest Elin Hilderbrand book, and this was one of my favorites to-date! I have not been a fan of a few of Hilderbrand’s last books, and I actually considered not reading them any more, but I love Nantucket so much that I couldn’t resist. I’m happy to say that this one hooked me right away and made me remember why I love ‘the queen of summer beach reads.’”
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