Elin Hilderbrand is known for being Queen of the Beach Reads. Her 2018 novel, The Perfect Couple, was recently catapulted back to the New York Times bestseller list due to its Netflix adaptation, starring Nicole Kidman, Dakota Fanning, and Liev Schreiber.
The story takes us to Nantucket at the height of wedding season—and this year is special. The Otis-Winbury wedding is going to be the event of the season.
The groom’s wealthy parents made sure of that. But before the ceremony begins, a body is found.
Suddenly, everyone in the wedding party is a suspect. Everyone has a motive, everyone has a secret, and no one is as perfect as they seem.
There’s something scandalously addictive about a wedding mixed with murder. Especially when the wealthy are involved.
If that’s a combo you can’t get enough of, we’ve got you covered. From bridezillas to isolated island ceremonies, here are eight novels you won’t regret saying “I do” to.
The Unwedding: Reese's Book Club Pick (A Novel)
Ellery Wainwright was supposed to spend her 20th wedding anniversary with her husband at a luxurious resort in Big Sur, California. Instead, she’s alone.
To make matters worse, there’s a wedding. Ellery remembers what it was like to be young and in love with the entire world ahead of her.
But that future is shattered when Ellery finds the groom floating in the pool. And thanks to a mudslide, the police can’t reach the resort.
When another guest dies, it becomes clear that something sinister is happening. It turns out, everyone at the resort has a secret—even Ellery.
The Guest List
On an island off the coast of Ireland, the wedding of the year is being planned. The groom is a rising television star, the bride is an ambitious magazine publisher, and the details are to die for.
Everything from the designer dress to the boutique whiskey has been planned and accounted for. Everything except for the people.
As alcohol runs freely, the jealousy and petty grievances rear their ugly heads. And then someone dies.
Plenty of guests didn’t wish the couple well. But was that enough for murder?
You're Invited
After years of silence, Amaya is invited to her former best friend’s wedding. But nothing could prepare her for who she's marrying—Amaya’s ex-boyfriend.
Now, all Amaya can focus on is stopping the wedding, no matter what. As the weeklong celebrations begin, Amaya can’t help but feel that the rumors swirling about her past paint a target on her back.
And when the bride goes missing, all eyes turn to Amaya. Only, Amaya isn’t the only one with secrets.
Everyone at the wedding has a hidden agenda. And not all of them want the bride to have her happily-ever-after.
So Happy for You: A Novel
When Ellie asks Robin to be her maid of honor, it should be an easy answer. After all, Ellie was there for Robin when she came out and they’ve been friends since childhood.
It’s just that there’s something about the elaborate wedding rituals that makes Robin uneasy. Reluctantly, she lets loyalty win, only to immediately second-guess it.
Ominous occurrences make it seem like it isn’t just the bridal party out to get her, but Ellie too. Friendship is messy and so are weddings.
But can Robin look past her own ideals to see how far some will go for the perfect day before it’s too late?
Her Dark Lies: A Novel
Surrounded by turquoise waters, Isle Isola is a dream location for a wedding. The groom’s family generously opens their clifftop villa to their closest friends and family for an intimate ceremony.
It should be perfect. But from the moment bride-to-be Claire Hunter steps foot on the island, everything goes wrong.
First, they find skeletal remains. Then she starts getting menacing texts. Finally, her wedding dress is ruined.
It all amplifies the shadow clinging to her loving fiancé—the mystery surrounding his first wife. But when a storm descends and cuts the power, the real terror sets in.
Every Vow You Break
Abigail Baskin’s wedding was perfect. She married the love of her life, millionaire Bruce Lamb.
And the honeymoon promises to be even better. Until the man Abigail had a drunk one-night stand with on her bachelorette weekend shows up.
He swears that night was the start of something special, and he’s going to prove it. But if Abigail admits her mistake to Bruce, she risks not just ruining her honeymoon, but her marriage.
Besides, why would a stranger follow her across the world? Unless he’s there for a different reason.
One that has something to do with the terrified woman she keeps seeing huddled in the shadows.
The Guilt Trip: A Novel
Three couples head to Portugal for a destination wedding.
Rachel and Noah are old friends who once thought they might be more. Now, they’re married to other people: Rachel to Jack, Noah to Paige.
Jack’s brother Will is getting married, and Rachel is looking forward to getting to know her future sister-in-law, Ali, better. Only, they’re off to a rocky start.
Ali rubs everyone the wrong way, and Jack and Will have trouble seeing eye to eye. And when Rachel stumbles on a secret about Ali, everything changes.
Secrets and lies come to light threatening friendships, marriages, and maybe even their lives.
