The ending of 'The
Identicals' by Elin Hilderbrand is such a satisfying wrap-up of the Harper and Tabitha Frost's chaotic lives. After spending most of the book at odds—despite being identical twins—they finally reconcile through shared struggles. Harper, the free-spirited
black sheep, returns to Nantucket to help Tabitha, the uptight perfectionist, when her boutique faces financial
ruin. Their personal growth is mirrored in their relationships too: Harper mends things with her estranged daughter, while Tabitha softens and even starts dating Billy, the guy she once dismissed as unserious. The real kicker? They swap islands again—Harper stays on Nantucket to run Tabitha’s store, and Tabitha moves to Martha’s Vineyard, embracing Harper’s old life. It’s poetic how they literally walk in each other’s shoes, proving they weren’t so different after all. The last scene with them laughing together on the ferry? Chef’s kiss.
What I love is how Hilderbrand avoids a cookie-cutter happy ending. The twins don’t magically fix everything—Tabitha’s ex is still a jerk, Harper’s finances are shaky—but they’ve learned to lean on each other.
the island settings almost feel like characters too, with Nantucket’s primness and Vineyard’s bohemian vibe reflecting their personalities. It’s a reminder that family wounds can heal, even if the scars remain. I finished the book with this warm, wistful feeling—like I’d vacationed with them and didn’t want to leave.