Months after Hollis’s husband dies in a car accident, she hosts a five star weekend- 5 friends from five phases of her life. As they all meet on Nantucket, secrets are revealed and nothing is as simple as it appeared it would be. Another fantastic read from Hilderbrand . Definitely make room in your beach bag for this one.

This book was absolutely amazing.. I have read all of her books and they just keep getting better and better. Eli really hit home with all of life’s problems in this book. Hollis the main character really keeps it together and goes above and beyond to protect her daughter from the truth. I am hoping for a sequel to this wonderful book.

Never read an Elin Hilderbrand book I didn't love...this treasure ranked right up there with fabulousness.

The Five Star Weekend is about friends sharing time on Nantucket during one long weekend. When Hollis's husband dies suddenly, she fails to get back on her feet for months. Her daughter, Caroline, is perpetually mad at her and her website, Hungry with Hollis, is the only thing keeping her going. When Hollis reads an article to make a weekend and invite women from each walk of life to get her back into the world...she jumps at the chance.
The backstories of the friendships she has made make the book. This one will make you believe in second chances, smile, cry, and love your girlfriends.

Thank you to Elin Hilderbrand, Little, Brown and Company and Netgalley for the ARC of The Five Star Weekend.

I rate this book 3.5. It had its perfect charm that Elin Hilderbrand books always do. You know exactly what you are going to get, and I love that. I always really enjoy the way Hilderbrand describes the settings so well, and this book had a lot of food in it, which was also described very well! I liked the characters for the most part, some were a bit annoying and I liked some more than others, but overall it was a fun novel with an interesting plot line.

The reason I didn’t rate it higher was because I found the end a bit of a let down. Everything was wrapped up very neatly in a nice bow. For a book that built itself on setting up drama, nothing really major seemed to happen. The whole Electra plot line was kind of pointless and Brooke’s big reveal seemed to come out of left field.

Overall this was a fun summer read and fun to escape to Nantucket again, it just wasn’t my favourite of Hilderbrand’s books,

I always look forward to Elin’s releases, and I found The Five-Star Weekend to be a five-star read!
Hollis Shaw grew up on Nantucket, losing her mom at a young age and being raised by her single dad and the local community. Hollis left the island for college and didn’t return until she started to summer there, away from the Wellesley home she shares with her doctor husband and daughter Caroline. As the pandemic hit, Hollis started a food blog to share her culinary expertise and comfortable style with others. The blog grew quickly, due in part to how relatable Hollis is - it seemed like she had everything going her way.
When her husband dies unexpectedly, Hollis pauses her blog and takes plenty of time to herself. Unsure how to go on, she learns about and plans to host a Five-Star weekend - bringing together her four closest friends from four very different timeframes of her life. There’s her childhood bestie Tatum who still lives on Nantucket, her college roommate Dru-Ann who’s a well-known sports agent and TV host, her neighbor and “mom friend” Brooke, and, surprisingly, Gigi, a follower of her blog with whom Hollis has felt especially connected. The women all descend on Hollis’ Nantucket home for the weekend and Caroline, enrolled at NYU studying filmmaking, comes to document it, though she has to be bribed by her mother. Ever since her father’s death, Caroline has held a grudge against her mother. Their mother/daughter drama is but one piece of the larger picture, as each woman brings her own baggage to the weekend.
I had trouble putting this book down, as I was swept into the storyline with these well-developed characters. This is classified correctly as General Fiction, not Romance, and there were even some elements of suspense that surprised me. I tried to make myself slow down to fully enjoy this book, but that was really hard to do - as I finished, I was already sad it was over, which to me is the sign of a great read. Thank you to Little Brown and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. I can’t wait to hear what others think when this one publishes in June 2023!

Elin Hilderbrand’s upcoming summer novel on Nantucket is titled perfectly because it is a five star read! I finished this novel in one sitting because from the first page I was invested in these characters, their connections, and the story. No one is bette than the “Queen of Summer”. This one has to be in every beach bag upon its release on 6/13 as Hilderbrand’s 29th wonderful novel.

Hollis- a food blogger, influencer, Mom and wife seems to have it altogether. But she is marred by tragedy having lost her mom at an early age. When her husband died unexpectedly she feels like she doesn’t know how to go on. So she decides to host a “FIVE STAR WEEEKEND” back on NAntucket where she was raised. She decides to invite her daughter Caroline, and 4 women who have shaped her life at all different times and she wants her budding film major to film it all to show everyone she is OK . The women she invites are: her lifelong friend Tatum who even though they aren’t as close was there for everything, her college roommate Dru Ann who was there as an influence she came into her own, Brooke her first “mom” friend and who she has raised her kids with, and Gigi one of her followers that she has never meant but feels a connection to. Although each woman is dealing with their own struggles: cancer, infidelity,losing a parent, cancel culture they all drop it and come to Hollis. Filled with drama, love, friendship, grief and reconciliation- this is classic Elin.

I felt every emotion while reading. Besides giving me a book hangover this has gotten me thinking of which ladies I’d invite to a 5 star weekend and just how much female friendship is healing.

Elin, once again thank you for sharing your story and heart with us. Thanks to the author, netgalley and little brown for the early read. @elinhilderbrand @littlebrown

The Five-Star Weekend is Elin Hilderbrand's 29th novel and I enjoyed it as much as her first books about Nantucket. This book was the perfect choice for those of us that like to escape our winter homes and be with Elin in the summer days of Nantucket.

Hollis Shaw is a popular food blogger that has the instaperfect life. But one morning after she and her handsome heart surgeon husband have a little tiff about his travel and missing their Christmas event, a police officer shows up on her doorstep to tell her that Michael has been killed in a car accident involving deer crossing the road. Hollis is in shock and the fact that their college aged dautghter Caroline takes out her grief on Hollis is not helping things. Hollis decides to move to the family's Nantucket home near where she grew up with her father. But being alone in their beautiful home that was created for a family leaves Hollis more lost. She finds herself wating a lot of time on the internet - searching out old friends and even her high school boyfriend. But she also runs across a story about a widow that planned a Five-Star Weekend for herself. The woman picked a best friend from each decade of her life and they had a week end of celebration. Hollis has the perfect house, is the perfect hostess, and even has a daughter who is studying film that can record the whole event. If - she can convince her to come.


I loved this book. Every recipe, every bit of local gossip, every character's problems, the dancing at the Chicen Box, the surprise kisses, and of course all the secrets that come out. I found the ending satisfying as Elin tied up the loose ends for me - but I do want to see that award winning film from the week end. Guess we need a mini-series!!

I enjoyed the detailed Nantucket descriptions, and Hilderbrand is certainly masterful at setting a scene. The pacing was pretty consistent, and I was kept reading. I just didn’t emotionally connect with this story the way I have with some of her other novels. I enjoyed the premise and the characters, but felt that the “big reveal” was a little rushed. I felt a little icky about the “cancelled” storyline, the the big reveal about Brooke’s character felt like an afterthought.

Every girl needs a strong companion in her corner. That’s what Hollis Shaw has…whether she knows it or not. After the death of her husband, Hollis gathers 4 friends to spend the weekend together. Hollis’ Five Star Weekend in Nantucket brings forth raw emotions of friendships past and present. Each of the women, Hollis, Brooke, Dru-Ann, Tatum, and Gigi, have a story to tell. Friendship, division, familial strain, scandal, and sadness have all been expertly revealed throughout the book.

I was easily able to connect with all of the women and found myself empathizing with many of their situations. Friendships coming full circle…very empowering in a time when that is not always the case.

Five Star Weekend is a fantastic book! Elin Hilderbrand has done it once again! Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for this ARC!

I love Elin Hilderbrand and have been a fan of her books for years now! This one was very hood but not my favorite by far. I struggled initially with who was who in the lineup of friends until about half way. I found a few of the characters to be annoying but not so much that I stopped reading. It’s definitely still worth your time, but not as addictively good as they usually are.

I am a huge fan of Elin Hilderbrand and have loved all of her books! But The Five Star Weekend just shot up to the top of my list. I absolutely loved it. From the characters to the setting (I can totally picture every scene in Nantucket!) it is a beautifully written book. This one deals with many of life’s challenges and how the past turns into the future. Highly recommend!

Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

I love Hilderbrand and her Nantucket novels. This novel is a good read. A tragedy, friends, secrets, and a mother trying to connect with her daughter What is not to like

Author Hilderbrand only seems to improve with each book. The Five Star Weekend has a bit of a twist that surprised me...and usually I see the twist coming: I didn't with this story.
All the characters were likeable. All the characters had a problem to solve and by the end of the book, each character had learned a lesson.
As always, Nantucket plays a character, though not as prominent as other Hilderbrand books.
There was a nod to current culture (mainly cancel culture), and I appreciated the way this story line was handled (all is not what it seems regarding loud voices on Social Media).
Timely subjects. A page turner (that I have PURPOSELY forced myself to put it down so I can savor it longer!).
I can't wait to handsell this book at work - though Hilderbrand rarely needs help in that department as her followers are massive and loyal!
10/10!

I took my time reading this book because I didn't want it to end! For readers who already love Elin Hilderbrand, you may agree with me that this is her best book ever, so it is definitely one to look forward to and enjoy. Lots going on, because the Five-Star in the title refers to five women. Hollis, the main character, is a famous social media influencer who loses her husband in a car accident in the book's first few pages. A few months later, she decides to invite four women to a getaway weekend at her beautiful Nantucket beach house -- each of the four women is a friend from a specific period in Hollis' life. Each of these women is a fully developed character with great backstories and lots of issues, which keeps us turning the pages. As always, the Nantucket setting, the food, the people, and the beach are so well described you feel as if you are there. I look forward to recommending this wonderful title. A beach read, yes, but for anytime of year.

Hilderbrand fans will be delighted with the Five Star Weekend about friends sharing time on Nantucket during one long weekend. The backstories of their friendships make the book. A classic light beach read that’s sure to be popular.

The Five-Star Weekend
by Elin Hilderbrand
Pub Date: June 13, 2023
Little Brown
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book. It was just what I needed on this bitterly gloomy and cold Indiana day. I have read all of Hilderbrand's books and I do believe this is my favorite.
It kept me guessing and I didn't even suspect the ending. Loved it!!
Thanks for allowing me this joy to recommend this book!
5 stars.

Another winning novel by my favorite, Queen of the Beach Reads,” Elin Hilderbrand. As always, I loved this yearly visit to Nantucket. Most of all I found it fascinating to explore the gravitational pull between wife and mistress. This novel centers around newly widowed Hollis and her celebration of life after her trauma. Hollis has decided to invite important women in her life to a FIVE-STAR weekend at her posh Nantucket home.

One of the guests is a fascinating woman who Hollis has only known virtually, but since they seem to have so much in common, she is invited along with old friends. Sadly, the thing they had most in common was Hollis’ late husband! Each of the women has her own story, all interesting and engaging.

I found the subplot of wife/mistress fascinating. I understand playing “what did he ever see in her?” as the mistress seeks to unravel the mysteries of the man she loves. As a reader, I was waiting for secrets to be revealed.

Another subplot was the tense relationship between Holllis and her daughter. To add a bit more fluff to the story, Hollis has the opportunity to meet her long term high school boyfriend again. I hope the reader can remeet them again when we pay another visit to Nantucket.

Thank you Netgalley for this wonderful ARC. I highly recommend it to my readers. This will be hard to beat for the best summer read of 2023.

Another hit from my favorite author! The Five Star Weekend follows a group of loosely connected friends as they come together for a weekend gathering. I love that this plot focuses on adult friendships and how they can ebb and flow through time. Very real and raw and relatable. As always, I binged this book quickly and now have a year to wait for her next!

Elin's books are always fun to read and discuss, but this one hit me a little deeper. It's a book I can't wait to share with friends and talk about with a book club. For me, the joy of celebrating friendships from different phases of one's life, the sadness of grief and the messiness of possible forgiveness all came together in a compelling way