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Elin Hilderbrand Complete Book Ranking

Salt air, summer affairs, faded sandals, stunning sunsets, and a trail of sand, scandal, love, and self-discovery. For the last 20 years, Elin Hilderbrand has been queen of the summer beach read taking her audience all over Nantucket through a series of beautifully crafted stories about loving, longing, and learning. Some of her touching novels leave tears on the pages, while others have you on the edge of your beach chair. 

After first reading, A Summer Affair in 6th grade, (yes- middle school), I was captivated by the world Hilderbrand had opened up for me. I will admit between middle school and the beginning of college, I took a brief hiatus from reading for pleasure. School, sports, and activities got in the way. (Who knows- maybe I would’ve demolished all of her novels in one month.) Last month, I finally completed all 31 of Hilderbrand’s novels. In addition to this exciting, yet devastating completion (I cannot wait to read her book with her daughter), I had the privilege of meeting Elin in person in Nantucket and receiving a signed copy of Swan Song, her final book. Visiting Nantucket felt like the world I read so much about came to life all around me. 

As we enter the hot final month of summer, I decided to compile my official ranking of every Elin Hilderbrand book. (Excluding Endless Summer). This was such a challenge that it took me three weeks and multiple pieces of paper with lines, scratches, and edits. I truly would rank almost all of her novels five stars, however this list is if I HAD to rank them, so there’s a lot of room for movement and changes. If you’re lucky enough to still have Hilderbrands to devour on the beach, I hope this list helps you build your August TBR. 

Elin Hilderbrand Complete Ranking

1. A Summer Affair
2. 28 Summers
3. Swan Song
4. The Rumor 
5. The 5 Star Weekend
6. The Perfect Couple
7. The Beach Club
8. Summer of ‘69
9. The Identicals
10. The Matchmaker 
11. The Hotel Nantucket
12. Golden Girl
13. Beautiful Day 
14. Troubles in Paradise 
15. The Island
16. Silver Girl
17. Summerland
18. Here’s to Us 
19. Winter Storms 
20. The Island
21. What Happens in Paradise
22. Winter Solstice
23. The Blue Bistro 
24. The Castaways
25. Winter Street
26. Winter in Paradise 
27. Barefoot
28. Summer People
29. Winter Stroll
30. The Love Season
31. Nantucket Nights

A Summer Affair is the perfect gateway book into Hilderbrand’s reads. 28 Summers is one of my all time favorite books and makes me cry (I have in fact read it 3x), so beautifully written and follows the themes of love and loss. I also liked how each chapter began with a summary of the themes and trends of each year. Swan Song is the perfect title for her final book and I loved seeing her “world” of characters that we met throughout her books come together. 

Obviously, nothing against Nantucket Nights and The Love Season. I don’t love her earlier novels as much as the later ones, so these land on the bottom because I simply love other ones more!

Happy August and happy reading! Let me know your favorite Elin Hilderbrand books or summer beach reads!

Xoxo,

Hannahlane