I'm a massive fan of Elin's Paradise triology, but this story fell a bit flat for me. I'm not sure what it was, but I just didn't enjoy it as much as I'd hoped or expected to. Won't be recommending.

A story of loss, love, grief, starting over and refunding yourself again. A good book with plenty to keep you reading, enough growth in it to keep you engaged too. With plenty of secrets unraveling over time.

Elin Hilderbrand is one of the queens of women's fiction and this book confirms my opinions. Friendship, grief, amazing descriptions of Nantucket, well developed characters.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Love love love Elin's book! I actually was approved for this but since she is only having one more book before retirement, i waited until my hard copy arrived to read it. In true Elin Nantucket fashion, Hollis decides to invite a friend from each part of her life to a five star weekend as she is grieving the death of her husband. Elin gives us insight to events from Hollis' past and present. I can never get enough of her books, and am disappointed when they are done. Another perfect beach read for summer.

💭 What do you have on your summer TBR? Have you added this one yet? 🤩

An intimate account on life; from friendships, to love and … grief. THE FIVE-STAR WEEKEND is a beautiful story set on Nantucket (ofc)! Hollis Shaw is a famous blogger who has recently, suddenly, lost her husband. To help her with the grieving process, she decides to throw a one of a kind weekend - inviting four of her *stars* (aka best friends) from each period of her life. Full of complex characters, humour, wit and a touch of romance. This story is just as much about the journey of self discovery each of these women go on as they find out something about themselves they had either forgotten or weren’t willing to reveal just yet.

You guysssss. You won’t find a better beach/summer read than this!! Even if you can’t make it to the beach, the descriptions of Nantucket will transport you! Releases next week - preorder now 👀 I LOVED THIS ONE 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Another fabulous novel by an author that has fast become a favourite!
Hollis Shaw is the creator of the Hungry with Hollis food blog and her life is almost perfect. That is, until the day her husband is killed in a car accident.  Consumed by grief, she shuts out the blog and the world. Seven months later, she sees a post about a five-star weekend, with a woman inviting friends from five stages of her life for a girls weekend and Hollis decides to host her own version on Nantucket. But things don't go to plan. She invites her grown daughter to film the weekend but their relationship is far from perfect and running into her first love on the island doesn't help their relationship. In fact, each character has their own issues that unfold during the weekend. 

This was such an immersive story, delving into the friendships of Hollis's past and each character and their backstory together. There were lies and mystery, love and loss, though the novel had a significant focus on friendship and overcoming life's hurdles. I love that the author never makes things picture perfect and she portrays the messy real life friendships and love that you can relate to. Another one I highly recommend. 
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for this gifted advance copy.

This was my first Elin Hildebrand book as although several friends have recommended her novels in the past, somehow I just haven’t got round to reading any.
This is definitely a women’s book and would be perfect holiday reading. This book is set on an American holiday island called Nantucket as are all her novels I believe. This is obviously a place which is well known to the author as everything is beautifully described with great attention to detail.
Hollis is a recent widow and food blogger, estranged from her daughter Caroline, since her husbands death. She decides to host a five star weekend inviting five friends from different periods of her life: Tatum her childhood friend who still lives on Nantucket, Dru -Ann, a sports agent who was her college roommate, Brooke, her friend from when Caroline was young and Gigi, whom she met via her food blog , after Matthew died.
However each of the women has their own secret, some more explosive than others and all are going through major crises in their own lives.
Caroline decides to return to Nantucket to help her mother film the weekend, although only after her mother offers to pay her. However whilst filming and interviewing the friends she learns a lot more about her mother.
As the weekend progresses and more information comes to light the women all have to come to terms with their own problems as well as support Hollis at this difficult time.
I really liked all the characters and their back stories. It really made me think which people I would invite to such a weekend and I’m sure other readers will be thinking this too.
As someone who is new to Elin Hilderbrand, I can thoroughly recommend this heartwarming and life affirming read. I will certainly look out for more books by her and try and catch up with her back catalogue.
Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder for my review copy.

I absolutely adore Elin Hildebrand's novels, they are my go to reads when I need cheering up or when I'm in a bit of a reading slump. Like most of the author's novels The Five Star Weekend is set on Nantucket where recently widowed Hollis decides to host a five star weekend and she invites 4 of her best friends from different stages of her life.
I wasn't immediately drawn to any of the women but as the novel unfolds and we hear their history, secrets and relationship with Hollis I warmed to them all and was rooting for them by the end. As with all of her novels the author described Nantucket so well that I felt that I was there on the island. I loved the characterisations of the main and secondary characters and felt bereft when I finished the novel and left Nantucket once again. A recommended read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC
4.5 stars

Elin Hilderbrand’s novels are quickly becoming my happy place. Whilst reading Five Star Weekend, I tried to work out what magic Hilderbrand weaves that makes me love her books so much. I *think* it’s the descriptions in her writing - I feel like I know these characters, I feel like I am at all these spots on Nantucket, I feel like I am eating all the mouth watering food she describes.

It was no different with this book. I demolished Five Star Weekend, reading for hours on end because I couldn’t put it down , then regretted it because I didn’t want it to be all over. I rooted for each woman and I loved how each character had secrets and got exactly what they needed from the five star weekend.

As with all good books, it had me thinking about my life and it was fun to imagine who I would invite to s five star weekend of my own.

It’s the perfect read for fans of beach reads, books about friendship, pure escapism reads. Bump it up your TBR list now.

Thanks to Elin Hilderbrand, Hodder and Stoughton and NetGalley for a chance to review an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review

I’m long familiar with Elin Hilderbrand sours not even a question to acquire any new titles for our location, but I recently had a friend say just how much he enjoys them and it made me than happy to see this!
I agree these books take you away to another world and are such a great sign summer is coming.


We meet Hollis who loses her husband in an accident and she decides to host a weekend gathering with friends from over the decades to help with her grief. Enter a first love, a mix of friends —some to try to make amends with, and her documentary making daughter, what could possibly go wrong?

What a beautiful novel of grief, love, friendship, and new beginnings. Definitely making this our summer book club read.


5/5