Elin Hilderbrand's novels have long been beach bag companions. The 54-year-old novelist has spent over 25 years writing about her love of her native island of Nantucket.

Every book is a lovely vacation. It balances lighthearted romance with increasingly complex, in-depth narratives that captivate readers from the outset to the finish. Whether you have read Hilderbrand before or are new to her, finding the best summer reading is the ideal way to enhance your season.

Join us as we delve into her must-read titles that promise to enhance your summer with unforgettable stories. 

A Summer Affair

Claire seems to have it all - a loving husband, four kids, and a prosperous career - as she constantly takes on every duty. She plans to be in charge of Nantucket's biggest social event because she is sure she can do it. However, working closely with billionaire Lock Dixon ignites unexpected feelings.

As sparks fly and their connection deepens, Claire finds her life spinning out of control. The book explores the complexities of love, loss, and passion in a modern woman's journey.

The Beach Club

This book focuses on a summer spent unraveling personal conflicts at a beach club in Nantucket. Mack Petersen, the manager for 12 summers, faces new demands from the owner, pressures from his girlfriend, and threats from a resentful bellman.

The new front desk employee, Love O'Donnell, is looking for a father for her child, while Jem, another bellman, has feelings for Mack's girlfriend. As emotions peak, a hurricane threatens the club, bringing tension and excitement.

The Identicals

Harper and Tabitha Frost, two separated twin sisters, trade places to live on Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard to try to fix their broken family. After 10 years of silence, they discover rumors and secrets travel across islands with them.

They must confront their past amid old resentments, new loves, and mistaken identities. Before summer's end, will they reconcile and end their rivalry, making this the most talked-about season on both islands? 

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The Perfect Couple

Nantucket wedding season unfolds with the highly anticipated Otis-Winbury wedding. However, festivities turn grim when a body is found in the harbor, turning everyone in the wedding party into a suspect. Chief of Police Ed Kapenash navigates through interviews with the bride, groom, and others, uncovering secrets and tensions.

28 Summers

The son of Mallory Blessing finds a link between his late mother and presidential contender Jake McCloud's wife. Flashing back to 1993, Mallory and Jake form a bond during a Nantucket summer, leading to a decades-long affair.

As their relationship weaves through marriages and political ambitions, Mallory's impending death adds urgency. This novel delves into the complexities of love, sacrifice, and the enduring impact of fleeting moments.

Barefoot

Three women, each facing life-altering challenges, seek solace in Nantucket. Vicki grapples with a serious illness, Brenda navigates the aftermath of a scandalous affair, and Melanie confronts the complexities of pregnancy amid marital infidelity. Their paths converge with Josh Flynn's arrival, bringing unexpected twists to their summer sanctuary.

Nantucket's peaceful coastlines serve as the setting for Hilderbrand's novel, which deftly tells a story of friendship, atonement, and the eternal power of summer while examining themes of love, loss, and endurance.

RELATED ARTICLE: Elin Hilderbrand Announces Retirement From Beach Reads With Release of Final Nantucket Novel 'Swan Song'