Book Review: The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand

Every summer, I look for a novel that feels like sunlight on skin and sand between toes, but that also carries enough emotional weight to linger after the last page. Elin Hilderbrand’s The Five-Star Weekend delivers exactly that: a story that is equal parts breezy escapism and thoughtful exploration of friendship, grief, and reinvention. And now, the excitement grows—this bestselling novel is being adapted into a television series starring Jennifer Garner.

The Premise

Hollis Shaw is a food blogger whose life, at least online, looks perfect. Behind the curated posts, however, lies heartbreak and loneliness. After a sudden tragedy, Hollis decides to host a “Five-Star Weekend” on Nantucket, inviting one friend from each era of her life—childhood, college, early career, and motherhood.

What begins as an idyllic gathering quickly turns into something more complicated. Old rivalries resurface, secrets come to light, and Hollis must confront not only the fractures in her friendships but also her own sense of identity and purpose.

Strengths of the Novel

• The concept. The idea of inviting friends from different chapters of your life is both creative and thought-provoking. It raises questions about how much we change—and how much we stay the same.

• Authentic friendships. Hilderbrand captures the joy, friction, and complexity of female friendship with nuance. These are women who love one another deeply, but not without conflict.

• The Nantucket setting. As always, the island is vividly drawn. The beaches, houses, and restaurants add atmosphere that makes the book a true summer escape.

• Emotional honesty. Beneath the glossy veneer, the novel wrestles with grief, loss, and the courage to redefine oneself.

A Few Quibbles

For some readers, the privileged world of Nantucket may feel a little too polished, and the drama can veer into soap-operatic territory. Personally, I found those elements part of the book’s charm—it balances escapism with sincerity, and that combination is what makes it work.

From Page to Screen

The adaptation is already underway. Peacock has greenlit a series version of The Five-Star Weekend, with Jennifer Garner both starring as Hollis Shaw and executive producing. Chloë Sevigny and Regina Hall have also joined the cast, which promises an engaging mix of chemistry and complexity. With creative leads like Bekah Brunstetter (of This Is Us) and Beth Schacter, the adaptation seems poised to capture both the glamour and the emotional depth of Hilderbrand’s work.

No release date has been set yet, though it is expected in 2026. For now, readers have the perfect opportunity to immerse themselves in the novel before the show premieres.

Final Thoughts

The Five-Star Weekend is an absorbing novel about friendship, grief, and second chances, told with Hilderbrand’s signature Nantucket charm. It’s the kind of book that invites you to escape for a few hours while also nudging you to reflect on the ties that bind you to the people in your own life. Whether you choose to read it now or wait for its television debut, this is a story that will stay with you.

Rating: Five stars—for a five-star summer read.

Where to buy: Support regional booksellers when possible. If you’re in the UAE or GCC, you can find the book on BookBoss.ae.