Elin Hilderbrand has long been known as the “Queen of the Beach Read,” and her latest novel The Five-Star Weekend carries all the hallmarks of her signature style: a Nantucket setting, sun-drenched scenes, complicated friendships, and a touch of romance. Yet for many readers, this book lands somewhere between comforting familiarity and repetitive predictability.
The Premise
At the heart of the story is Hollis Shaw, a successful food blogger whose seemingly perfect life shatters after the sudden death of her husband. Struggling with grief and strained relationships, Hollis decides to host what is called a “Five-Star Weekend.” The idea is simple but clever: invite one best friend from each stage of her life teenage years, college, motherhood, and midlife plus one unexpected guest. Together, they’ll spend a weekend in Nantucket that promises healing, laughter, and rediscovery.
Her guest list is as colorful as it is complicated. Tatum, her childhood friend, feels overshadowed and judged. Dru-Ann, her college best friend, is a successful sports agent fighting for her career after a public scandal. Brooke, the friend from her thirties, faces yet another betrayal from her unfaithful husband. And then there’s Gigi, a stranger who became Hollis’s “internet friend” through her blog, bringing secrets that no one expects. To complicate things further, Hollis’s first love, Jack Finigan, reappears and stirs up old emotions.
Strengths of the Story
Hilderbrand is at her best when painting the atmosphere of Nantucket. The food, the beaches, the boutiques, and the sense of summer ease are all captured with such vivid detail that it feels like a travel brochure woven into fiction. For readers new to her work, this immersive style can feel charming and transportive.
The concept of a “Five-Star Weekend” is also irresistible. It speaks to friendship, nostalgia, and the complexity of women’s lives at different stages. Watching these women interact sometimes clashing, sometimes bonding provides both tension and heartwarming moments.
Where It Falls Short
However, for long-time Hilderbrand readers, the novel feels all too familiar. Several reviewers noted that the author recycles themes: cheating husbands, class divides, detailed accounts of outfits, handbags, and menus. While these flourishes create atmosphere, they can also overwhelm the narrative.
Another common critique is that the story reads more like a series of loosely connected character arcs than a fully cohesive novel. Each woman faces her own struggles, but their resolutions come too easily. Problems that should feel life-altering are tied up neatly by the final chapters, leaving little room for lasting emotional impact.
Some readers also pointed out the classist undertones and the constant pressure on characters especially women to look thin, stylish, and flawless. While realistic in certain social settings, it can feel dated and alienating to those seeking more inclusive storytelling.
Final Thoughts
The Five-Star Weekend is a quintessential beach read. If you are new to Elin Hilderbrand, you may find it warm, fun, and escapist. If you are a long-time fan, you might feel a sense of déjà vu. This novel delivers the sunshine, the friendship drama, and the romance one expects from a Nantucket summer, but it does not quite reach the magic of Hilderbrand’s earlier works.
For readers who want an easy, breezy escape by the ocean, this book will serve its purpose. For those looking for depth or surprises, it may fall short.
Should You Read It?
Yes if you are in the mood for a light summer story with a picturesque setting and plenty of interpersonal drama. No if you are hoping for something groundbreaking or if you have already read many of Hilderbrand’s novels and crave a fresh direction.
If you’d like to experience The Five-Star Weekend for yourself, you can grab a copy here: Buy on Amazon
