A review by richardrbecker
The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Surprisingly enduring story about love and friendship. The Five-Star Weekend is a story about Hollis Shaw, a popular food blogger who comes across as a modernized Sandra Lee reboot, after she loses her husband. Plagued by the loss (and some guilt), Hollis attempts to set her life right again by beginning together four women from different phases in her life — her best friend from high school, best friend from college, best friend in her thirties, and a newcomer who connected with Hollis after the death of her husband.
Given that some of the women don't get along and the newcomer, a pilot named Gigi, carries a secret that adds ample tension to the story (doubly so because the reader is well aware of it). To make matters worse, Hollis invites her estranged daughter along to film the weekend for her popular blog.
All of the women coming together have problems of their own, which inevitably gives them opportunities to find common ground. Some readers might find this oddly redundant if they have read Hilderbrand's other books. I've only read one, so didn't really see it as a problem. My take on the story was that it was relatively fresh for what it is — a quick summer read about friendships during a crisis. And mostly, Hilderbrand manages to write about those with a certain sense of authenticity — at least enough to satisfy my eclectic taste as a reader.
Given that some of the women don't get along and the newcomer, a pilot named Gigi, carries a secret that adds ample tension to the story (doubly so because the reader is well aware of it). To make matters worse, Hollis invites her estranged daughter along to film the weekend for her popular blog.
All of the women coming together have problems of their own, which inevitably gives them opportunities to find common ground. Some readers might find this oddly redundant if they have read Hilderbrand's other books. I've only read one, so didn't really see it as a problem. My take on the story was that it was relatively fresh for what it is — a quick summer read about friendships during a crisis. And mostly, Hilderbrand manages to write about those with a certain sense of authenticity — at least enough to satisfy my eclectic taste as a reader.