Elin Hilderbrand's Book Picks

Elin Hilderbrand recommends five books spanning family dramas, thrillers and literary fiction.

Whale Harbor by Mary Beth Keane

Whale Harbor follows 11 brothers after tragedy upends their lives in 1960s Ireland.

“What a beautiful book. The insanely talented Mary Beth Keane is back with Whale Harbor, a novel about 11 Irish brothers whose mother died when they’re young, setting off a chain of events that will draw you into the family.”

Goodbye Vitamin by Rachel Khong

Goodbye Vitamin follows Ruth, a 30-year-old who returns home to care for her father with Alzheimer’s.

“Who wants to read an absolutely perfect novel? Goodbye, Vitamin by Rachel Khong is about a young woman who returns to her family home for one year to care for her father who has just been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.”

Family Drama by Rebecca Fallon

Family Drama tells the story of twins Sebastian and Viola whose mother was a soap opera star.

“What a beautiful book. Family Drama by Rebecca Fallon tells the story of Susan Bliss, wife and mother of boy-girl twins on the east coast, soap opera star on the west coast.”

Good People by Patmeena Sabit

Good People follows the Sharaf family’s rise and fall after fleeing Afghanistan.

“Best book of the year contender! Good People by Patmeena Sabit is brilliant, original, compelling storytelling.”

Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash

Lost Lambs features the Flynn family’s open marriage reaching breaking point.

“There’s a new genius in town and it’s Madeline Cash, her debut novel Lost Lambs is exuberant and brilliant.”

Elin's Book Recommendations

Elin Hilderbrand recommends Whale Harbor, Family Drama, Lost Lambs, Goodbye Vitamin, and Good People.

Book Release Dates

Whale Harbor releases October 20, 2026, and Goodbye Vitamin was published in 2017.

Reader Reactions

Readers praise Whale Harbor for capturing the Irish immigrant experience and Good People for blurring fiction and reality.

“This book was a masterpiece in capturing the Irish immigrant experience.”

Elin's Personal Stance

Elin Hilderbrand calls Goodbye Vitamin 'joyous and funny and bittersweet and beautifully written'.

“It’s joyous and funny and bittersweet and beautifully written.”

Book Series Context

Elin Hilderbrand is known as the 'Queen of the Beach Read' and released The Thoroughbreds, the second novel in her new series The Academy.

What Happens Next

Elin Hilderbrand's book recommendations will inspire readers to explore these five titles.