Before Elin Hildebrand became the bestselling author behind The Perfect Couple and The Five-Star Weekend, she was a teenager dreaming of getting her magical summers back. Now she shares those magical summers with thousands of readers.

In this episode, Elin shares the incredible story of how she built a literary empire around Nantucket, why female friendships fascinate her, and how Hollywood finally discovered her books after years of success. We discuss Jennifer Garner's upcoming adaptation of The Five-Star Weekend, the lasting appeal of beach reads, friendship across every season of life, and the books Elin thinks everyone should pack this summer.

BOOKS MENTIONED:

Winter Street by Elin Hilderbrand 

The Five Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand 

Big Little Lies  by Liane Moriarty

The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand 

Beautiful Day by Elin Hilderbrand 

Summer of '69 by Elin Hilderbrand 

Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand 

The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham 

The Gulf of Lions by Caitlin Shetterly

Good People by Patmeena Sabit

Take Me With You by Steven Rowley

Down with the Shipmans by Meg Mitchell Moore

Freckle Juice by Judy Blume 

Weddings  by Danielle Steel

Family Happiness  by Laurie Colwin

Book of Lives:  A Memoir of Sorts by Margaret Atwood