Reviews with content warning for Grief - The Five-Star Weekend

This book has all of what I’ve come to expect in an Elin Hilderbrand book. The attention to detail is impeccable, everything is described beautifully. Whether it’s a person, a beach, a meal, or an outfit, Elin describes it so vividly that I can practically see it. And that’s saying a lot because I often have trouble picturing characters in books.

I also loved the storyline. I bet this one felt especially personal. It was about a 5 Star Weekend. In this scenario the people involved are loving referred to as the stars. It’s like a “this is your life” of friends. The lead character Hollis loses her husband and then months later reads an article about a unique way of dealing with her grief. She invites her best friend from each key part of her life.

There’s Tatum, Hollis’ childhood best friend who was more like a sister.
Dru-Ann was Hollis’ college best friend.
Brooke was Hollis’ friend (not best. Poor Brooke) during her 30’s when she was raising her family.
And Gigi is her current closest confidant despite being practically a stranger.

Hollis invited everyone out to her beautiful, enviable home in Nantucket. Hollis is a rare individual who was once a local but is now a summer person. She’s planning the ultimate Nantucket summer weekend. She even invites her twenty-something daughter to film the get together for Hollis’ website.

Hollis is almost surprised when everyone actually takes her up on her offer. Well, not Brooke. But she’s surprised by everyone else because their paths have diverged over the years. But Hollis doesn’t know that the getaway is perfect timing for each woman, they are all dealing with a personal issue and need time away from home. Tatum is worried she has cancer. Dru-Ann has been canceled and lost her job, Brooke’s husband is in trouble for harassing a woman, and Gigi has a big, whipping secret too. Even Hollis’ daughter needs to get away (and definitely needs the money her mom offers her to film the event).

The only downside for me with this book is that I disliked a few of the characters, atleast initially, some got better as the book went on. Hollis’ daughter is very prickly and rather unkind and unsympathetic to Hollis who is morning her husband. Dru-Ann was a lot at times, and not always nice to Tatum who I loved. Brooke broke my heart at times with how hard she was trying to make everyone love her, it was kind of sad. But Brooke’s character made more sense as the book went along and Dru-Ann grew on me. I honestly never loved Hollis’ daughter. But I loved Hollis, Tatum, and Hollis’ wonderful five Star weekend plans. She just wanted to show everyone the best time and finally have some fun again herself.

I was a sad reading this and thinking about how we only get one more Elin Hilderbrand Nantucket book!

Content Warnings

imfixintoread's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

5.0

I read this book in one day while on a girls' weekend trip. I couldn't put it down! I thought each character had an interesting point to be able to bring into the storyline and the writing was fast and easy to read. Definitely a fun pool or beach read!

Content Warnings

kdailyreads's review

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious relaxing sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Content Warnings

dev_merc's review

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hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Content Warnings

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