The Five Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand
Our Five Star Weekend Breakfast…
Elegant, yet relaxed. Do you think Hollis would approve?
Elin Hilderbrand's fun summer read, Five Star Weekend, takes readers on a luxurious and captivating journey set against the backdrop of Nantucket. The story follows five friends who reunite for a weekend getaway at a stunning beach resort, each with their own secrets, desires, and struggles. The dynamics between the friends and the secrets that unravel keep the plot engaging and intriguing, making it a page-turner from beginning to end. While at times the storyline may seem predictable, Hilderbrand infuses the narrative with enough twists and emotional depth to keep readers invested in the characters' journeys. The themes of friendship, love, and self-discovery are woven seamlessly into the plot, adding a layer of depth to the story.
I don’t think it’s going to surprise anyone that I loved this book. Yes, it is a walking advertisement for all things Nantucket. And yes, it is filled with recipes and table settings that would make even Martha long for an invitation. But it is the stuff that my little picnic company is made of… table settings and romance :-).
I thought Elin did a great job developing all the characters in the book. The ending was a bit too neatly tied in a bow, but isn’t that what summer reads are all about?
It broke my heart to witness the way Caroline lashed out at her mother and it infuriated me that Hollis just kept giving to her. An apartment in the city? Paying her to film the weekend? Putting up with the cruel coldness? I so wanted her he to let her go a little. Don’t pay for that apartment, but let her know she was welcome to spend the summer in Nantucket. I know that would have been a different novel but a reader can wish, cant she?
The seeds of resentment Caroline and her Dad sowed over Hollis’ success with the blog were sad and maybe had a bit more truth than we women would like to admit. Obviously Hollis was a little OCD but my guess is so was Matthew. When Matthew and Caroline showed up late for the photo shoot, dressed, but late, I wanted to cry for them all. I’m always sad when the storyline for mothers going through personal growth creates resentment with the family. And this was a double whammy because not only did everyone resent losing Mom’s attention, they didn’t appreciate the work she did keeping everyone’s life in order. Yikes, talk about lose-lose!
Relationships take a lot of work and when they go into autopilot with each person taking a lane and excelling at it, often the relationship itself can take a hit. In a way, Gigi represented the growth both people needed. It’s never one person, it’s always both needing to make changes, opening themselves to new experiences, willing to feel vulnerable, finding the excitement in learning new things about the person you think you know fully, allowing each other to be and act differently… wasn’t there someplace in the book that says something like that?
And that house! Am I the only one who Googled windows with inlaid sea glass? Which bedroom was your favorite. I loved the all white with layers of white and ivory bedding and the firecracker light over the bed (yes, Googled that one too), and the clear egg chair. I have an all white kitchen that I love but it’s attached to a much smaller house than Hollis lol. Loved the Twist too but would have loved it even more in the mountains behind their winter log cabin…
And of course I loved the meals! Here in South Carolina we have a different vibe than Nantucket, but when it comes to hosting get togethers, I think we can give even Hollis a run for her money. I was so inspired that I’m working on a new picnic package for breakfast on the beach. Thinking of using the blue and white theme that was felt throughout the book. Will let you know when it’s done.