If you’ve spent any time on BookTok or wandered through an airport bookstore in the last twenty years, you know the name Elin Hilderbrand. She’s basically the undisputed queen of the beach read. But there was something different about the buzz surrounding The Five-Star Weekend. It wasn’t just another summer release to toss into a sandy tote bag; it felt like an event. Maybe that’s because Hilderbrand has been very vocal about her "retirement" from the summer book-a-year grind, making every new release feel a bit like a collector's item.
The premise is kinda genius in its simplicity. After a tragic loss, Hollis Shaw—a popular food blogger whose life looks perfect on the internet—decides to host a "Five-Star Weekend" at her house in Nantucket. The idea? She invites one best friend from every stage of her life: her childhood, her twenties, her thirties, and her midlife.
It’s messy. It’s expensive. It’s very, very Nantucket.
What Actually Happens in The Five-Star Weekend
Hollis is reeling. Her husband, Matthew, died in a car accident after a fight they had, and the guilt is eating her alive. To cope, she organizes this elaborate weekend. But, as anyone who has ever tried to get four different friend groups into one room knows, it’s a recipe for disaster. Or at least for a lot of expensive wine being poured while people yell at each other.
The guests are a motley crew. You have Tatum, the childhood friend who still lives on the island and has a prickly relationship with Hollis’s new life. Then there’s Dru-Ann, the high-powered sports agent from Hollis’s college years who is currently being "cancelled" on social media. Brooke is the friend from the young-mom years, and she’s dealing with a husband who might be cheating. Finally, there’s Gigi, the "stranger" friend Hollis met online who has some massive secrets of her own.
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It’s not just a book about grief. It’s a book about how we curate our lives for other people. Hollis spends so much time making sure the linens are perfect and the lobster rolls are artisanal that she almost misses the fact that her daughter, Caroline, is filming the whole thing for a documentary that might not be very flattering.
The Real Nantucket Vibe
Hilderbrand doesn't just use Nantucket as a backdrop; it’s a character. If you’ve ever actually been to the island, you’ll recognize the local spots. She mentions places like The Galley and Cru. She talks about the specific light on the Grey Lady. It’s that hyper-local detail that makes The Five-Star Weekend feel authentic to fans. It isn't some generic seaside town. It’s a place where a "five-star" weekend costs more than most people’s cars.
Why This Book Hit Different for Readers
Most people expected a light, fluffy romp. What they got was a pretty stinging look at female friendship and the "perfection" of the influencer age. Hollis is a "professional" at being happy. Watching that facade crumble when Dru-Ann and Tatum start bickering is honestly one of the most relatable parts of the book.
Friendships change. They get weird.
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Sometimes you stay friends with someone just because you’ve known them since you were five, even if you don't actually like who they've become. Hilderbrand nails that tension. Tatum feels judged by the wealthy "summer people," while Dru-Ann feels like she has to defend her career at every turn. It’s a pressure cooker disguised as a luxury vacation.
And let's talk about the food. Since Hollis is a food blogger, the descriptions of the meals are almost aggressive. You will get hungry. You will want a chilled glass of Sancerre. You might even find yourself looking up recipes for lemon-herb roasted chicken.
The Complexity of Grief and Regret
The heart of the story is Matthew’s death. Hilderbrand handles the "what ifs" with a lot of grace. Hollis is haunted by the last words she said to him. It’s a heavy theme for a beach read, but it keeps the book from feeling too vapid. It grounds the extravagant parties in a very human reality. We’ve all had fights with people we love, and the fear that those might be our last words is a universal anxiety.
Navigating the Multi-POV Structure
The book jumps between the perspectives of all the women. This can be a lot to keep track of if you're reading fast, but it’s necessary. You need to see why Dru-Ann is so defensive or why Gigi is lurking in the shadows.
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It’s a clever way to show that no one is actually living the "five-star" life they project. Everyone is faking it to some degree. Even Gigi, who seems like the ultimate outsider, has a connection to the group that none of them see coming. It’s a bit soap-opera-esque, sure, but Hilderbrand knows exactly what her audience wants. She delivers the drama without making it feel totally unbelievable.
Is It Better Than Her Other Books?
Fans often debate where this ranks in the Hilderbrand canon. Some prefer The Blue Bistro or The Hotel Nantucket. But The Five-Star Weekend feels more mature. It feels like an author who knows she’s nearing the end of a specific chapter in her career and is putting all her favorite tropes—the island, the food, the complicated women, the secrets—into one big, final blowout.
It’s more cohesive than some of her earlier ensemble pieces. The "Weekend" structure gives the plot a ticking clock, which keeps the pacing tight. You know the guests have to leave eventually, so the secrets have to come out before the Sunday brunch is over.
Actionable Tips for Your Own "Five-Star" Reading Experience
If you're planning to dive into this one, or if you've already finished it and want to capture that vibe, here is how to actually engage with the world of Hollis Shaw.
- Don't read it in winter. Seriously. This book is designed for 80-degree weather. If you must read it in the cold, buy a very expensive candle that smells like sea salt and pretend.
- Host your own (scaled-down) version. You don't need a Nantucket mansion. Invite a friend from different eras of your life for a dinner party. Just maybe skip the part where you uncover life-shattering secrets over the appetizers.
- Check out the "Five-Star Weekend" Playlist. Elin Hilderbrand often shares playlists or mentions specific songs that set the mood for her books. Music plays a big role in how Hollis sets the "vibe" for her guests.
- Follow the food. The recipes mentioned aren't just filler. Many fans have recreated the menus Hollis designs. If you're a fan of hosting, use the book as a blueprint for a summer menu.
- Visit the real spots. If you ever find yourself on Nantucket, use the book as a travel guide. Go to the locations mentioned. Just be prepared for the prices—Hollis wasn't kidding about the "five-star" budget.
The Five-Star Weekend works because it acknowledges that life isn't a curated Instagram feed, even for the people who get paid to make it look that way. It’s a reminder that even in the most beautiful settings, we carry our baggage with us. Sometimes, the only way to move forward is to let your oldest friends help you unpack it.