All 29+ Elin Hilderbrand Books in Order [Complete Guide]

Looking for a list of Elin Hilderbrand books in order? We’re here to help!

If you’re a Elin Hilderbrand fan, then you know that she writes romantic suspense. Reading her books in order can help you appreciate the full story. But before we dive head first into the Elin Hilderbrand books in order, let’s learn a little more about the author herself.

Who is Elin Hilderbrand?

Elin Hilderbrand is a bestselling romance author from America. Hilderbrand grew up in Collegeville, Pennsylvania. The novelist graduated from John Hopkins University and she then taught at the Writers’ Workshop hosted by the University of Iowa.

Hilderbrand traveled extensively before finally arriving on Nantucket, which has become the setting for most of her novels. She also spent many summers of her childhood in Cape Cod. The lived experience in this region brings a realistic nature to her books that fans adore.

Hilderbrand has sold more than 10 million books worldwide.

Do I Have to Read Elin Hilderbrand Books in Order?

Elin Hilderbrand is a New York Times bestselling author of the quintessential summer read. As mentioned, most of her novels are all set in the charming island of Nantucket.

Most of Hilderbrand’s books are standalones and can be read in any order. Even the books within her series can function as standalone novels. However, we’ve broken these series out below and it would be best to read them in order of publication to fully understand the character development.

We have also included the standalone Elin Hilderbrand books in order of publication in case you would like to read them in chronological order and experience her growth as an author.

Elin Hilderbrand Books in Order

Below is a list of Elin Hilderbrand books in order categorized by series and type. Within each series, the books are listed in order of publication.

As previously mentioned, you don’t “need” to read them in this order, but we highly recommend it.

Each series is also listed based upon when the first book was published, so if you’re looking for her more recent books, those books are later on down the list.

Nantucket Books

Elin Hilderbrand’s Nantucket books are, as you would assume, all set on Nantucket Island. Each book is from the perspective of a different character and follows a different storyline. However, the books are loosely connected with cameos from beloved characters.

  1. A Summer Affair (2008)
  2. The Castaways (2009)
  3. The Perfect Couple (2018)

Winter Books

The Winter series contains four books set at the Winter Street Inn owned by Kelley Quinn. Each installment picks up in a new Christmas season and depicts the Quinn family through the hectic holidays. The second book in this series has also been published as Christmas on Nantucket.

  1. Winter Street (2014)
  2. Winter Stroll (2015)
  3. Winter Storms (2016)
  4. Winter Solstice (2017)

Paradise Books

Irene Steele lives in an idyllic Iowa City Victorian home with her husband, devoted to her. However, Irene learns soon that her husband, who died mysteriously, lived a secret lifestyle on the remote Caribbean island.

  1. Winter in Paradise (2018)
  2. What Happens in Paradise (2019)
  3. Troubles in Paradise (2020)

28 Summers Books

Based on the classic movie Same Time Next Year, which Jake and Mallory watch every summer, 28 Summers follows these two lovers as they embark upon an affair one weekend of every year. The story explores how this complicated relationship impacts not only Jake and Mallory, but also everyone around them.

  1. 28 Summers (2020)
  2. The Sixth Wedding (2021) (Short Story)

Standalones

The next list of Elin Hilderbrand books in order are her standalones, which is a great place to begin if you haven’t read anything by Hilderbrand before.

  1. The Beach Club (2000)
  2. Nantucket Nights (2002)
  3. Summer People (2003)
  4. The Blue Bistro (2005)
  5. The Love Season (2006)
  6. Barefoot (2007)
  7. The Island (2010)
  8. Silver Girl (2011)
  9. Summerland (2012)
  10. Beautiful Day (2013)
  11. The Matchmaker (2014)
  12. The Rumor (2015)
  13. Here’s to Us (2016)
  14. The Identicals (2017)
  15. Summer of ’69 (2019)
  16. Golden Girl (2021)
  17. The Hotel Nantucket (2022)
  18. The Five-Star Weekend (2023)
  19. Swan Song (Expected: June 11, 2024)

Short Stories

Then, if you are a fan of short stories, Elin Hilderbrand has written a few throughout her career, including a recent short story collection.

  1. The Surfing Lesson (2013)
  2. The Tailgate (2014)
  3. Endless Summer Short Story Collection (2022)

Anthology

Finally, Hilderbrand has also contributed to one anthology throughout her career.

  1. Reunion Beach (2021)

Summary of Elin Hilderbrand Books in Order

If you’re looking to read the Elin Hilderbrand books in order, I recommend that you read these summaries for an overview of what book you should pick up first. This section will provide an overview of Hilderbrand’s Nantucket, Winter, Paradise, and 28 Summers series.


Nantucket Books

A Summer Affair Elin Hilderbrand Books in Order

1. A Summer Affair

The first book in the Nantucket series introduces Claire Danner Crispin, a mother of four who has taken on more than she can handle as co-chair a benefit concert. While Claire is herself a nationally renowned glassblower, she is also the childhood love of Max West, a famous rock star.

Max agreeing to play for the benefit concert doesn’t seem to be a problem until Claire begins juggling past and present loves. All the while she is supposed to be creating a her own piece of art as she tries to balance family, friends, and business. Nothing is ever as it simple as it seems.


Castaways Elin Hilderbrand

2. The Castaways

The next Nantucket book follows four families who are pillars in the close-knit Nantucket community. The MacAvoys, Kapenashes, Drakes, and Wheelers are best friends and important to friends and neighbours alike.

But then Greg and Tess MacAvoy are killed in a mysterious boating accident, leaving behind two young children. Their six grieving friends try to find out what happened to them, but in the process reveal secrets that tests the boundaries of their friendship amidst a swirl of rumors and betrayal.


The Perfect Couple Book Cover

3. The Perfect Couple

In Nantucket, summer is well-known as wedding season and the Otis-Winbury wedding is sure to be one to remember with the groom’s wealthy parents footing the bill.

But it will be memorable for all the wrong reasons when a body is found in Nantucket Habor just hours before the ceremony. Suddenly every wedding guest is a suspect. The Chief of Police, Ed Kapenash, interviews the wedding party and quickly discovers that there is no such thing as the perfect couple.

While the final Nantucket book follows new protagonists, it does feature appearances from previous characters in the series.


Winter Books

Winter Street Kelley Quinn

1. Winter Street

Elin Hilderbrand’s Winter books also take place in quaint Nantucket and follow the Quinn family through four Christmas seasons, making them cozy holiday reads.

This first book in the series introduces the patriarch of the Quinn family and the owner of the Winter Street Inn: Kelley. He’s the proud father of four grown children, all of them with their own secrets and scandal.

So, as the holidays approach, all Kelley wants is for his family to be together again under the same roof. But then all chaos erupts with a love triangle, an unplanned pregnancy, a federal crime, a small house fire, and more.

Hilderbrand hilariously pens a heart-warming story about coming home for the holidays and all it entails for this delightfully dysfunctional family.


Winter Stroll Elin Hilderbrand Books in Order

2. Winter Stroll

As you might expect, the second Winter book picks up with the Quinn family again for a second Christmas and contains just as much chaos. Without revealing anything that would spoil the first book, Winter Stroll finds Kelley reflecting on the misfortune and joys alike of the past year.

As the family gets ready to celebrate the season, old flames and new lovers alike gather. With jealousy and passion coursing through the halls of the inn, it’s going to take more than a Christmas miracle to make it through the season intact.


Winter Storms Elin Hilderbrand

3. Winter Storms

One thing is for certain: A Christmas with the Quinns is never boring. Winter Storms picks up with the family for the third Christmas in a row, so you should absolutely read the first two books in this series before moving onto this one, otherwise there will be massive spoilers.

As the family continues to persevere through the hard times and delight in the small joys of the good times, like Christmas, a massive storm slams Nantucket. The once-in-a-century blizzard threatens to keep the Quinns apart, forcing the family through multiple upheavals.


Winter Solstice Kelley Quinn

4. Winter Solstice

The fourth and final Winter book following the Quinns begins with the family preparing to celebrate the Christmas season with gusto. Things finally seem to be improving for each Quinn, meaning there is lots to celebrate and be thankful for this season.

But things rarely go as planned, especially when the Quinn family is involved.


Paradise Books

Winter in Paradise Elin Hilderbrand

1. Winter in Paradise

The first book in the Paradise series follows a husband’s secret life and a wife’s new beginning. It is a Caribbean escape, making it the perfect beach read.

Irene Steele’s life appears idyllic. She lives in a charming Victorian house in Iowa City with her loving husband. Until everything she knows about her husband goes up in smoke one cold night.

She receives a phone call that her husband died in a helicopter crash while away on business. As Irene and her sons arrive on St. John, she discovers the double life her husband had been living.


What Happens in Paradise Book Cover

2. What Happens in Paradise

The second book in the Paradise series picks up one year after the first book. So, you should only read What Happens in Paradise after you’ve read Winter in Paradise.

This book features the return of Irene and her sons to the Caribbean island of St. John, where they are determined to learn the truth about the man they thought they knew. But along the way they will also discover surprising truths about themselves, and their future.


Troubles in Paradise Elin Hilderbrand Books in Order

3. Troubles in Paradise

Troubles in Paradise is the perfect conclusion to the Paradise books that will satisfy readers who have been following along with Irene’s story.

Irene Steele and her sons have just settled into a villa on the Caribbean island of St. John when, once more, what Irene thought she knew about her late husband is upended. Following a visit from the FBI, Irene will need to lean on her friends more than ever to get through this next hurdle in her life.

The final book in this trilogy races towards a conclusion that will finally pierce through the lies and secrets that brought Irene and her sons to St. John.


28 Summers Books

28 Summers Elin Hilderbrand

1. 28 Summers

28 Summers is based on the 1978 film Same Time, Next Year, which our protagonists watch every summer. It is a bittersweet romance that explores the trials and tribulations of an affair that occurs once a year during a summer weekend.

The novel begins with Mallory Blessing on her deathbed. She instructs her son to call a number on a slip of paper. Link is then shocked when Jake McCloud, husband to presidential candidate Ursula DeGournsey, picks up the phone.

Link cannot fathom how his mother and Jake knew one another. But it began in 1993 when Mallory inherited a Nantucket beachfront property and agreed to host her brother’s bachelor party. That was where Mallory and Jake, a friend of her brother’s from college, met.

It is also where their love affair began. Their affair persevered through marriage, children, and Ursula’s political career. Right up until Mallory learned she was dying.


The Sixth Wedding Book Cover

2. The Sixth Wedding

This is a sequel to 28 Summers and is also described as a postscript to the novel as The Sixth Wedding is only a brief short story.

It follows Jake McCloud returning to Nantucket for the Labour Day weekend, but this time, without Mallory.


Final Thoughts on Elin Hilderbrand books in order

Elin Hilderbrand’s writing beautifully depicts love, betrayal, and forgiveness. This Elin Hilderbrand books in order list will help you navigate through the author’s extensive catalogue. If you’re looking for a new read, we hope this list will provide some guidance!

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One thought on “All 29+ Elin Hilderbrand Books in Order [Complete Guide]

  1. I enjoyed your Paradise series . Will there be a sequel to the third book? I’d like to find out what the outcome will be. TY

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