Below is the complete list of Elin Hilderbrand books in order. For this series, the chronological reading order is the same as the order of publication.
Publication Order of 28 Summers Books
- 28 Summers (2020)
28 Summers was published in 2020 and is listed as book #1 in the 28 Summers series. - The Sixth Wedding (2021)
Published in 2021, The Sixth Wedding is listed as book #2 in the 28 Summers series.
Publication Order of The Academy Books
with Shelby Cunningham
- The Academy (2025)
The Academy was published in 2025 and is listed as book #1 in the The Academy series. - The Thoroughbreds (2026)
Published in 2026, The Thoroughbreds is listed as book #2 in the The Academy series.
Publication Order of Nantucket Books
- A Summer Affair (2008)
A Summer Affair was published in 2008 and is listed as book #1 in the Nantucket series. - The Castaways (2009)
Published in 2009, The Castaways is listed as book #2 in the Nantucket series. - The Perfect Couple (2018)
The Perfect Couple is a 2018 release and appears as book #3 in the Nantucket series. - Swan Song (2024)
In the Nantucket series, Swan Song is book #4 and was published in 2024.
Publication Order of Winter Street Books
- Winter Street (2014)
Winter Street was published in 2014 and is listed as book #1 in the Winter series. - Winter Stroll / Christmas on Nantucket (2015)
Published in 2015, Winter Stroll / Christmas on Nantucket is listed as book #2 in the Winter series. - Winter Storms (2016)
Winter Storms is a 2016 release and appears as book #3 in the Winter series. - Winter Solstice (2017)
In the Winter series, Winter Solstice is book #4 and was published in 2017.
Publication Order of Paradise Books
- Winter in Paradise (2018)
Winter in Paradise was published in 2018 and is listed as book #1 in the Paradise series. - What Happens in Paradise (2019)
Published in 2019, What Happens in Paradise is listed as book #2 in the Paradise series. - Troubles in Paradise (2020)
Troubles in Paradise is a 2020 release and appears as book #3 in the Paradise series.
Publication Order of Summer of Books
- Summer of ’69 (2019)
Summer of ’69 was published in 2019 and is listed as book #1 in the Summer of series. - Summer of ’79 (2020)
Published in 2020, Summer of ’79 is listed as book #2 in the Summer of series.
Publication Order of Standalone Novels Books
- The Beach Club (2000)
The Beach Club was published in 2000 and is listed as book #1 in the Standalone Novels series. - Nantucket Nights (2002)
Published in 2002, Nantucket Nights is listed as book #2 in the Standalone Novels series. - Summer People (2003)
Summer People is a 2003 release and appears as book #3 in the Standalone Novels series. - The Blue Bistro (2005)
In the Standalone Novels series, The Blue Bistro is book #4 and was published in 2005. - The Love Season (2006)
The Love Season was first published in 2006; within the Standalone Novels series, it is listed as book #5. - Barefoot (2007)
Barefoot was published in 2007 and is listed as book #6 in the Standalone Novels series. - The Island (2010)
Published in 2010, The Island is listed as book #7 in the Standalone Novels series. - Silver Girl (2011)
Silver Girl is a 2011 release and appears as book #8 in the Standalone Novels series. - Summerland (2012)
In the Standalone Novels series, Summerland is book #9 and was published in 2012. - Beautiful Day (2013)
Beautiful Day was first published in 2013; within the Standalone Novels series, it is listed as book #10. - The Matchmaker (2014)
The Matchmaker was published in 2014 and is listed as book #11 in the Standalone Novels series. - The Rumor (2015)
Published in 2015, The Rumor is listed as book #12 in the Standalone Novels series. - Here’s to Us (2016)
Here’s to Us is a 2016 release and appears as book #13 in the Standalone Novels series. - The Identicals (2017)
In the Standalone Novels series, The Identicals is book #14 and was published in 2017. - Golden Girl (2021)
Golden Girl was first published in 2021; within the Standalone Novels series, it is listed as book #15. - The Hotel Nantucket (2022)
The Hotel Nantucket was published in 2022 and is listed as book #16 in the Standalone Novels series. - The Five-Star Weekend (2023)
Published in 2023, The Five-Star Weekend is listed as book #17 in the Standalone Novels series.
Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas Books
- The Surfing Lesson (2013)
The Surfing Lesson was published in 2013 and is listed as book #1 in the Short Stories/Novellas series. - The Tailgate (2014)
Published in 2014, The Tailgate is listed as book #2 in the Short Stories/Novellas series. - Natural Selection (2024)
Natural Selection is a 2024 release and appears as book #3 in the Short Stories/Novellas series.
Publication Order of Short Story Collections Books
- Endless Summer (2022)
Endless Summer was published in 2022 and is listed as book #1 in the Short Story Collections series.
Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books
- The Blue Book (2025)
The Blue Book was published in 2025 and is listed as book #1 in the Non-Fiction series.
About Elin Hilderbrand
Elin Hilderbrand is an American novelist widely known for her contemporary fiction set on the island of Nantucket, Massachusetts. Often referred to as the “queen of beach reads,” Hilderbrand has built a reputation for writing character-driven stories that combine romance, family drama, and the complexities of small-community life. Born in 1969 in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, she developed an early love of reading and storytelling that eventually led her to pursue a career as a novelist.
Hilderbrand studied creative writing at Johns Hopkins University and later attended the prestigious Iowa Writers’ Workshop, where she earned a Master of Fine Arts degree. The experience refined her storytelling craft and encouraged her to pursue fiction seriously. After completing her studies, she settled on Nantucket, a location that would later become the defining setting for much of her work.
Her debut novel, The Beach Club (2000), introduced readers to the seasonal rhythms and social dynamics of Nantucket life. From the beginning, Hilderbrand’s novels were closely tied to the island’s atmosphere—its beaches, summer tourism, tight-knit community, and long-standing traditions. Reading her books in publication order reveals how Nantucket gradually evolved from a backdrop into a fully realized literary setting, with recurring locations, interconnected characters, and shared social circles appearing across multiple stories.
Throughout the early 2000s, Hilderbrand released a steady stream of novels such as Summer People, The Blue Bistro, and Barefoot. These books established the hallmarks of her writing: ensemble casts, layered personal conflicts, and narratives that unfold over a single summer season. Her characters often face turning points in their lives—romantic upheaval, family tensions, or personal reinvention—against the relaxed but emotionally charged environment of the island.
One of Hilderbrand’s strengths lies in her ability to portray the complexity of relationships. Her novels frequently explore marriages under strain, friendships tested by secrets, and the fragile balance between personal desires and family responsibilities. While her stories often include romantic elements, they tend to focus equally on personal growth and emotional resilience.
Over time, her books began forming subtle connections through recurring locations and characters. Novels such as The Identicals (2017), Summer of ’69 (2019), and Golden Girl (2021) illustrate the breadth of her storytelling, moving beyond contemporary romance to incorporate historical elements, generational family sagas, and even touches of magical realism. Reading her works in publication order makes it easier to notice these connections and the gradual expansion of her fictional Nantucket universe.
Several themes appear repeatedly across Hilderbrand’s novels:
- Family bonds and generational relationships
- Romantic relationships shaped by life transitions
- The influence of place on identity and belonging
- Personal reinvention during moments of crisis
Her writing style is often described as immersive and atmospheric. Hilderbrand pays close attention to seasonal details—weather, beaches, restaurants, and local traditions—creating a vivid sense of place that draws readers into the world of Nantucket. At the same time, she balances these scenic elements with emotionally driven storytelling.
Across more than two dozen novels, Elin Hilderbrand has become one of the most recognizable voices in contemporary women’s fiction. Many of her books have appeared on bestseller lists and are widely discussed among readers seeking character-focused stories set in a richly defined environment.
Viewed chronologically, Hilderbrand’s bibliography reflects the steady development of a writer deeply connected to a single location. Reading her novels in publication order highlights how Nantucket itself becomes a central character, shaping the lives and relationships of the people who inhabit her stories.