The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand masterfully blends romance and mystery, set against Nantucket's picturesque backdrop. Readers praised its engaging plot and well-developed characters. However, some felt the story was predictable and the resolution unsatisfying. Despite minor flaws, Hilderbrand's evocative writing makes it a compelling summer read.

Readers who enjoy The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand typically appreciate intricately woven family dramas and suspenseful, beachside mysteries. Fans of Liane Moriarty’s Big Little Lies and Mary Alice Monroe’s The Beach House series will find this novel equally captivating for its engaging storytelling and rich, character-driven plots.

In The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand, the narrative follows the unraveling of secrets after a maid of honor is found dead on the morning of a high-profile Nantucket wedding. Chief Ed Kapenash's investigation reveals tangled relationships, hidden affairs, and family secrets among the wedding party members, culminating in a web of deceit and unspoken truths. The book includes themes of terminal illness and infidelity.

Suspenseful / Mysterious / Emotional / Romantic / Bittersweet

- The picturesque setting of Nantucket in The Perfect Couple is a favorite of Elin Hilderbrand, who is known for using the island as the backdrop for many of her novels.
- Elin Hilderbrand has been dubbed "The Queen of Summer" due to her reputation for writing captivating summer reads, with The Perfect Couple being among her popular titles.
- The Perfect Couple is Hilderbrand's first novel to blend her signature beach read style with elements of a mystery, showcasing her versatility as an author.

**Celeste Otis**  
A 28-year-old zoologist and assistant director of the Bronx Zoo, known for her golden hair and blue eyes, who navigates personal and romantic challenges that lead to significant personal growth.

**Benjamin "Benji" Winbury**  
A wealthy, thoughtful corporate social responsibility professional at Nomura Holdings, part of the admired "perfect couple" in the novel, facing a journey of introspection and understanding privilege.

**Merritt Monaco**  
An influencer and fashion lover whose private struggles contrast sharply with her public persona, highlighting the theme of appearances versus reality.

**Michael Oscar "Shooter" Uxley**  
A strikingly handsome, self-made entrepreneur who engages in a complex love triangle, bridging different social worlds with his dual insider-outsider perspective on wealth.

**Greer Garrison Winbury**  
A successful murder mystery writer and core family figure, embodying the intersection of privilege and the traditional societal expectations regarding marriage and wealth.

**Tag Winbury**  
A charismatic figure whose wealth and privilege shield him from the consequences of his actions, epitomizing male privilege and serving as a key antagonist of the story.

**Chief Ed Kapenash**  
The earnest and principled Chief of Police tasked with investigating a suspicious death, representing moral authority and integrity in a morally complex social landscape.

Elin Hilderbrand

Adult

Novel

Nantucket

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore The Perfect Couple reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The Perfect Couple | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The Perfect Couple and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Perfect Couple Summary and Study Guide

Background

The Perfect Couple Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-7

The Perfect Couple Chapters 1-7 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 8-13

The Perfect Couple Chapters 8-13 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 14-20

The Perfect Couple Chapters 14-20 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 21-26

The Perfect Couple Chapters 21-26 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 27-32

The Perfect Couple Chapters 27-32 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

The Perfect Couple Character Analysis

theme

Themes

The Perfect Couple Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Perfect Couple Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

The Perfect Couple Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

The Perfect Couple Essay Topics

Book Club Questions

The Perfect Couple Book Club Questions

The Perfect Couple

Before You Read

Super Short Summary

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Perfect Couple?

Reading Age

Book Details