Elin Hilderbrand, The ‘Queen of Beach Reads’, Recommends Her Favorite Books, and They May Surprise You!
From emotional family sagas to twisty thrillers, these are five novels Elin Hilderbrand loves
Key Takeaways
- Elin Hilderbrand recommends five books spanning family dramas, thrillers and literary fiction.
- Her picks include ‘Whale Harbor,’ ‘Family Drama,’ and ‘Lost Lambs.’
- From emotional family sagas to twisty mysteries, these books offer something for every reader.
Bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand is best known as the “Queen of the Beach Read”—after all, she’s penned dozens of novels that take place on the beautiful island of Nantucket. But she’s not all about the beach. She just released The Thoroughbreds, the second novel in her new series, The Academy, set at a New England boarding school and co-written with her daughter Shelby Cunningham (no beaches in sight!). And when it comes to her own reading, she likes everything from psychological thrillers to literary novels and sweeping historical fiction sagas. Over the years, Hilderbrand has shared a variety of books she’s read and loved, and we’re passing along our favorites.
‘Whale Harbor’ by Mary Beth Keane
Set in 1960s Ireland, this novel, a Woman’s World most anticipated book for fall, follows 11 brothers after tragedy upends their lives. One of the siblings, Mac, immigrates to America after the incident and vows to send for younger brother Rian when he’s old enough. But when Rian mysteriously vanishes, Mac is filled with guilt. As he and several of the other brothers build their lives in America, Mac is haunted by what happened to Rian. What follows is an emotional multigenerational family saga. (Out October 20, 2026)
What Elin says: “What a beautiful book. The insanely talented Mary Beth Keane is back with Whale Harbor, a novel about 11 Irish brothers whose mother died when they’re young, setting off a chain of events that will draw you into the family. It’s out in November—do not miss this one, it’s a marvel.”
What early readers are saying: “This book was a masterpiece in capturing the Irish immigrant experience. It not only showed the story through the eyes of those that left, it also showed the impact on the people left behind, and on the subsequent generations born abroad. This isn’t just a sweeping multi-generational saga. It is the story of the lives those families lived and all of the joy, wonder, hardship, grief and loss that they encountered.”
‘Goodbye, Vitamin’ by Rachel Khong
Originally published in 2017, this novel follows Ruth, a 30-year-old who quits her job and moves back home to her parents. When she arrives, she is shocked to learn that her father, a former history professor, is losing his memory and her mother is alert but unpredictable. As the days go on, Ruth deals with the idea of losing your parents before they’re gone, while also trying to bond with them before they go..
What Elin says: “Who wants to read an absolutely perfect novel? Goodbye, Vitamin by Rachel Khong is about a young woman who returns to her family home for one year to care for her father who has just been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. It’s joyous and funny and bittersweet and beautifully written. You’ll love it.”
What other readers are saying: “I loved reading this. Told as a personal diary, and then as a diary to her father, Ruth’s insight on a tragic life occurrence, Alzheimer’s, is fresh, delightful and funny. As a writer and educator, I hate using the word ‘relatable’ but being relatable is a strength this book possesses. The novel is believable, a quality that makes me want to read again and again, and a quality that’s sometimes hard to find in a book.”
‘Family Drama’ by Rebecca Fallon
In 1977, seven-year-old twins Sebastian and Viola attend their mother’s funeral. They knew her as Susan Bliss, a young woman married to a professor. But 15 years earlier, she was Susan Byrne, a soap opera star beloved by millions. As the twins grow up, Sebastian becomes obsessed with the artifacts from their mother’s past, while Viola befriends their mother’s old costar Orson Grey, eventually falling in love with him. As the two explore their mother’s past, more secrets emerge that shock them both.
What Elin says: “What a beautiful book. Family Drama by Rebecca Fallon tells the story of Susan Bliss, wife and mother of boy-girl twins on the east coast, soap opera star on the west coast. Sumptuously written in multiple timelines from multiple points of view, what can I say but that I was enchanted by the depth and breadth of the story. Brava Rebecca Fallon—highly recommended!”
What other readers are saying: “Rebecca Fallon has made a dazzling entry with this debut novel. The writing is resonant, the story intricately layered, with richly drawn main characters who are as real, complicated and full of hope and love as each one of us. This story features characters who make difficult—and sometimes troubling—choices, yet are rendered with such empathy that we continue to hope for them despite their flaws. And even when we bristle at their choices, by the end, we have no choice but to forgive them.”
‘Good People’ by Patmeena Sabit
This multiple-POV novel will leave readers guessing until the final page. To the outside world, the Sharaf family is the picture of the American dream: After fleeing Afghanistan, father Rahmat built a fortune from nothing, and the family’s eldest daughter, Zorah, seemed destined for an Ivy League future. But when tragedy strikes, the glittering facade begins to crack. As family friends, classmates, lawyers and journalists all weigh in with their own theories, readers are left piecing together conflicting testimonies to figure out what really happened behind the Sharafs’ closed doors.
What Elin says: “Best book of the year contender! Good People by Patmeena Sabit is brilliant, original, compelling storytelling. Set in northern Virginia, this novel tells the story of one family’s rise and fall through the points of view of their neighbors and friends, newspaper articles and police reports, and the general public. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! This book is phenomenal.”
What other readers are saying: “Reading Good People felt less like reading fiction and more like uncovering a real-life crime case unfolding in real time. The storytelling was so vivid, layered, and believable that I constantly found myself wanting to pause and Google the characters and events to see if they had actually happened. That’s how compelling and immersive this book was. This is the kind of book that stays with you after the final page because it blurs the line between fiction and reality so convincingly. Riveting, thought-provoking and intensely human, Good People is a thriller that truly earns its impact.”
‘Lost Lambs’ by Madeline Cash
This novel by Madeline Cash is an international bestseller and a finalist for the 2026 Barnes & Noble Discover Prize. Catherine and Bud Flynn’s open marriage has reached its breaking point and their children are struggling. The oldest, Abigail, is dating a man nicknamed War Crimes Wes; the middle child, Louise, is in constant communication with an online terrorist; and the youngest, Harper, has been sent to wilderness reform camp. Elsewhere, rumors swirl about corruption by a billionaire named Paul Alabaster, and only Harper has the power to expose his illegal activities.
What Elin says: “There’s a new genius in town and it’s Madeline Cash—her debut novel Lost Lambs is exuberant and brilliant. I fell madly in love with the members of the Flynn family and you will too. The writing is fresh, original and completely captivating.”
What other readers are saying: “This delightful, eccentric, and utterly hilarious novel is one of the most compelling and surprising books I’ve read in months. It’s madcap and biting yet warm and profound. It’s startlingly well-plotted. The sentences are alive and sonically perfect. The dialogue is killer. Most of all, it’s underpinned by characters you will never forget. Madeline Cash is a fresh new star.”
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