If you’re looking for a great vacation read, you can’t go wrong with a ‘Queen of the Beach Read’ book. Explore our guide to authors like Elin Hilderbrand for the perfect travel companion.
Elin Hilderbrand has been called “The Queen of the Beach Read,” she is known for her short and sweet novels that have a splash of romance. Born in 1969, the author is quite prolific, with over 30 novels to her name, and fans appreciate that they can finish one of her short novels over a beach vacation.
One of Hilderbrand’s most famous works and notable romance author’s best sellers is The Hotel Nantucket, which tells the story of the rehabilitation of a historic hotel. Set on Nantucket, which the author knows personally, this vibrant story includes the hotel’s haunting and unsolved murder. Readers who love Hilderbrand’s work and want additional romantic authors to add to their reading list can check out these authors like Elin Hilderbrand.
In 2025, Hilderbrand announced her retirement from writing, making Swan Song her final novel. Her legacy continues to influence contemporary beach read authors who craft similar stories of family drama, romance, and coastal settings. These authors carry forward her tradition of creating perfect summer escapism.
Popular Elin Hilderbrand Read-Alikes
1. Nancy Thayer
New York Times bestselling author Nancy Thayer writes romance novels that take place on Nantucket, often in the summer. Because her setting and style are similar to Elin Hilderbrand, she tops the list of similar authors. Her debut novel, Stepping, came out in 1980. Since then, she has written a total of 31 books. Thayer was born in 1943 and lives in Nantucket with her family.
Thayer’s deep connection to Nantucket provides the same authentic island atmosphere that made Hilderbrand’s work so beloved. In 2025, her continued focus on multigenerational family stories and seasonal romance makes her the perfect successor for readers seeking that quintessential Nantucket experience. Her recent works maintain the cozy, relationship-driven narratives that define the best beach reads.
“Lonely and bored. And wasted and unhappy. I feel trapped in these small, low-ceilinged gray rooms.”
Nancy Thayer
2. Emily Giffin
Another New York Times Bestselling Author known for her beach vacation reads, Emily Giffin has been called a “Modern-day Jane Austen.” Her first book, Something Borrowed, was an instant sensation, and nine additional of her novels ended up on the bestseller list.
The first book tells the story of someone who gets drunk and has a one-night stand with her best friend’s fiancé, a situation that leaves everyone in disarray. Giffin has sold over 12 million copies of her books worldwide, and her first novel became a movie in 2011. Giffin was born in 1972 and resides in Atlanta.
Giffin’s exploration of contemporary relationships and moral complexity continues to resonate with readers in 2025. Her ability to tackle difficult emotional situations with both humor and sensitivity mirrors Hilderbrand’s approach to family drama. Recent works demonstrate her evolution as a writer while maintaining the page-turning quality that makes her perfect for vacation reading.
“But I have learned that you make your own happiness, that part of going for what you want means losing something else. And when the stakes are high, the losses can be that much greater.”
Emily Giffin
3. Jennifer Weiner
With 11 million copies of her books in print, Jennifer Weiner is well-known among fans of the best romance authors. Her second novel, In Her Shoes, became a major motion picture. Her work can also be found in well-known newspapers and magazines. Weiner uses her social media platforms to speak about women’s interests and body-positivity topics when she is not writing.
Weiner’s advocacy for women’s fiction and her frank discussions about body image and self-acceptance have made her an influential voice in 2025’s literary landscape. Her stories blend humor with serious themes, creating the same emotional depth that characterizes Hilderbrand’s best work. Her continued exploration of sisterhood and family relationships provides rich material for beach read enthusiasts.
“Hell is an Eagles game where the bleachers are always freezing, the team is always losing, and my family is insane”
Jennifer Weiner
4. Dorothea Benton Frank
Dorothea Benton Frank had 20 bestselling novels set in South Carolina’s Low Country. She was born in South Carolina in 1951 and died in 2019. Her first book, Sullivan’s Island: A Low Country Tale, was published in 1999, made it to the New York Times bestseller list and was republished over 25 times with over 1 million copies in print.
Though Frank passed away in 2019, her South Carolina Low Country series continues to find new readers who appreciate her blend of Southern charm and family drama. Her portrayal of coastal life and complex family relationships created a template that many contemporary authors follow. In 2025, her books remain timeless examples of how regional settings can create universal appeal.
“Makes you grow up quick. Hard work makes you strong. I work hard every day; that’s where I get my strength. That and knowing who I am.”
Dorothea Benton Frank
5. Mary Kay Andrews
Mary Kay Andrews is the pen name of Kathy Hogan Trocheck. She was born in 1954 and is the author of 26 beach-themed romances, including Sunset Beach and The High Tide Club. She published her first novel, Every Crooked Nanny, in 1992, and Hissy Fit was her first New York Times bestseller. She has a home on Tybee Island, where she draws some inspiration for her writings.
Andrews continues to be a powerhouse in beach fiction in 2025, with her recent novels exploring themes of second chances and family secrets against gorgeous coastal backdrops. Her authentic knowledge of Southern beach communities provides the same insider perspective that made Hilderbrand’s Nantucket novels so compelling. Her blend of romance, mystery, and renovation projects creates perfect summer entertainment.
“Enough! Enough parties. Enough presents. Enough luncheons and teas, enough sappy wedding showers, enough family and friends oohing and aahing over the perfect couple.”
Mary Kay Andrews
6. Jane Green
Jane Green has 18 New York Times bestsellers in her list of 21 novels. This Connecticut resident is now the head of Emerald Audio, a podcast network for audio dramas based on popular novels. She has over 10 million books in print in over 25 languages. She was born in 1968 in London, England, and published her first book, Straight Talking, in 1996.
Green’s expansion into audio drama production represents the evolution of storytelling in 2025, while her novels continue to explore themes of friendship, family, and personal growth. Her British perspective on American suburban life adds an interesting dimension to domestic drama, creating stories that feel both familiar and fresh. Her exploration of women’s midlife challenges resonates with Hilderbrand’s mature audience.
“That’s how it is with relationships, it’s a part of life, and all the great love songs and poems and films have been written by people who were standing where I was that morning as Simon shut the door. Doesn’t make it any easier though.”
Jane Green
7. Kristin Hannah
Award-winning author Kristin Hannah has several bestsellers under her name. The Nightingale is one of those, and it has been written in 43 languages. It was an Amazon Best Book of the Year and a People’s Choice Award winner from Goodreads.
Its audiobook version won the Audiobook of the Year Award. Hannah got her professional start in the law field before becoming a writer. She was born in 1960 and resides in Washington state.
While Hannah is known primarily for historical fiction, her recent contemporary works like The Great Alone demonstrate the same mastery of family dynamics and emotional storytelling that appeals to Hilderbrand readers. In 2025, Hannah’s versatility across genres and her ability to create deeply affecting family stories make her essential reading for anyone seeking emotionally satisfying fiction.
“If I have learned anything in this long life of mine, it is this: in love we find out who we want to be; in war we find out who we are.”
Kristin Hannah
8. Barbara Delinsky
Barbara Delinsky writes beach-themed romance novels, and 23 of them have been New York Times bestsellers. She writes about emotional crises that most readers can relate to. Her first book, The Passionate Touch, was published in 1981 under the penname Bonnie Drake. She also published under the penname Billie Douglass before embracing her real name in 1984. Her 1997 novel A Woman’s Place became a Lifetime television movie. Delinsky was born in 1945 and lives in Massachusetts.
Delinsky’s longevity in romance fiction speaks to her ability to evolve with changing times while maintaining core storytelling strengths. In 2025, her focus on women facing life transitions and family challenges continues to resonate with readers seeking both escapism and emotional authenticity. Her New England settings provide a perfect complement to Hilderbrand’s Nantucket atmosphere.
“It frightened me to hear despair, made me angry, too, because Connie Grant didn’t deserve to be dying at sixty-three. She had fought long and hard for a better life, fought even harder when things wouldn’t come easy.”
Barbara Delinsky
9. Karen White
Karen White rounds out this list of authors like Elin Hilderbrand. She has 31 books to her name, including the Tradd Street Series, and almost 2 million books in print. This best-selling author has many books set in the South and weaves intrigue, romance, and family drama into each plot. Her newest novel, The Shop on Royal Street, was published in 2022. She was born in 1964 and currently resides in Atlanta and northwest Florida.
White’s combination of Southern gothic elements with contemporary romance creates a unique flavor that complements the beach read genre. Her recent works continue to explore themes of family secrets, historical mysteries, and second chances, all set against evocative Southern backdrops. In 2025, her ability to blend paranormal elements with realistic family drama offers readers something both familiar and unexpected.
“Just goes to show that if it has tires or testicles, it’s bound to cause you trouble.”
Karen White
FAQs on Authors Like Elin Hilderbrand
What is considered Elin Hilderbrand’s best book?
Based on the number of votes on Goodreads, the historical fiction romance Summer of ‘69 is the best Elin Hilderbrand book. Based on scores alone, 28 Summers is the top book.
What are some of Elin Hilderbrand’s other popular books?
Other popular books by Elin Hilderbrand include:
- Barefoot
- A Summer Affair
- Silver Girl
- The Identicals
- Winters in Paradise
What is the average rating of Elin Hilderbrand’s books on Goodreads?
Elin Hilderbrand’s body of work has an average rating of 3.95. This score includes over 1.6 million ratings across 30 distinct works from the prolific author.
