From Books to Screen: The Five-Star Weekend

 
 

There are books that invite you to slow down, linger with the characters, and think about your own life long after you’ve turned the last page, and the Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand is definitely that kind of book.

I have only read one book by this author— honestly, not sure why because I enjoyed this one. The premise of the book is simple: after a devastating personal loss, food blogger Hollis Shaw gathers four friends from each phase of her life, for a weekend at her house in Nantucket. From there, the bok is not about a groundbreaking plot or whirlwind romance. Instead, it is one of the most poignant and realistic depictions of grief, the cycles of friendship, the process of forgiveness, and the complicated ways our lives intersect.

Some readers found the novel slower than Hilderbrand’s previous books, and I understand why. The plot is not driven by dramatic twists but it is driven by something I love: character development and conversations. I have to warn you that there are multiple perspectives, which can throw some readers off. But I enjoyed those points of view and to me, made the book stronger. The women feel relatable—flawed, loving, stubborn, and, at times, frustratingly relatable. And the portrayal of grief was so interesting to me, because we all grieve in different ways.

What stayed with me wasn’t necessarily the plot. It was the reminder that friendships, much like gardens, require tending. Some flourish with time, some need pruning, and others surprise us by blooming again when we least expect it. This is something that I take to heart because I am going through a rough patch with a friend, and I am choosing patience over getting upset.

One criticism I have is that I found myself wanting more time with certain characters before the weekend came to an end. But that probably would have made the book longer. In all, a solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars.

Now, one of the reasons I chose to read this book is because you probably heard or saw is that Peacock/NBC adapted the book into a limited tv series, with Jennifer Garner (one of my favorite actresses), heading a wonderful cast. I wanted to read the book before watching the tv series and so glad I did. For the most part, the series stays pretty close to the book— always a plus.

Let’s talk about the television series, because I think The Five-Star Weekend is wonderfully suited to a limited series. The ensemble cast, the heartfelt conversations, and the stunning Nantucket backdrop translated beautifully to the screen. More than once, I felt like I was right there with the characters, experiencing the same roller coaster of emotions they were navigating.

My one criticism is that, unlike many tv adaptations—which often give characters more room to breathe—I didn’t feel that happened here. The core story stayed intact, but the richer nuances of the characters’ backstories were left behind, in my opinion. Those details added depth in the novel, and I found myself missing them in the series.

That said, from the breathtaking Nantucket scenery to Hollis’s home and even the wardrobe choices, much of the adaptation looked exactly as I had imagined while reading the book. Others may picture the story differently, but that’s part of the fun, and the challenge, of bringing a book to the screen.

Would I recommend the book? Absolutely—but with the right expectations. It’s a thoughtful, character-driven story that invites you to slow down and savor it.

Would I recommend the series? Without hesitation. I truly loved it. While it doesn’t capture every nuance of the novel, it beautifully preserves the heart of the story, and that’s what mattered most to me.

If you’re looking for a fast-paced beach thriller, this probably isn’t it. But if you’re in the mood for a reflective story about friendship, loss, healing, and the ways people continue to shape us throughout our lives, The Five-Star Weekend is that book.

Wonderful book link-ups I enjoy—

Great lifestyle link-ups I also love—

Embracing my Soft Beginnings: My Midlife Wellness Journey

I am a midlifer. And my body is fighting me. I had to come to terms with that. And once I did, I started craving a slower kind of healing. Not the loud, dramatic kind that promises a brand-new life in 30 days. Not the exhausting cycle of restriction, guilt, and starting over every Monday. Just gentle change. Quiet routines. A softer way of taking care of myself.

Over the past few years, my body has changed in ways I never imagined. As a former athlete, that hasn't been easy to accept. Between hormonal changes, surgery, stress, exhaustion, and the natural transitions that come with midlife, I gradually stopped feeling at home in my own body.

If you're a woman in midlife or beyond and you haven't experienced these changes, I am genuinely happy for you. Truly. Consider yourself fortunate. But if any of this sounds familiar, I want you to know: I see you.

The weight didn't appear overnight. It crept on little by little until one day I couldn't ignore it anymore. Today, I'm 50 pounds heavier, and I know exactly how I got here. I spent so much time trying to fight what my body was going through while simply trying to keep up with life. Before I knew it, two years had passed. Ignoring it felt easier than confronting not only the weight itself, but everything underneath it. And here I am.

I'm sharing this because the first step was accepting where I am without pretending otherwise.

The journey I'm beginning now isn't driven by guilt or shame. It's rooted in self-care, self-respect, and the belief that my body deserves compassion at every stage of life.

Choosing Wellness Over Punishment

For the first time in a long time, I’m trying to approach health from a place of compassion instead of criticism. I’ve spent enough years believing wellness had to look extreme:

  • strict diets

  • punishing workouts (not the same as a hard workout that pushes you)

  • cutting out everything enjoyable

  • chasing smaller numbers at any cost

But my body doesn’t need punishment. It needs support. Especially now.

Living with fatty liver disease, post-op, hormonal changes from perimenopause, and learning how to eat after gallbladder removal has forced me to slow down and actually listen to what my body needs. And honestly? What it needs most is consistency, nourishment, and peace.

Creating Small Daily Rituals

I’m learning that wellness in midlife looks less like transformation and more like tending. In a practical way, it looks like this:

  • A warm cup of coffee in the morning.

  • Protein-rich meals that leave me feeling satisfied instead of sluggish.

  • Fresh groceries lined up in the refrigerator after Sunday meal prep.

  • Evening walks.

  • Giving myself grace during a hard workout (I still love a workout that pushes me).

  • Earlier bedtimes.

  • Drinking more water.

  • Cooking at home more often.

Tiny things. But tiny things add up.

Lately my kitchen has started to feel a little different and calmer somehow. There are bowls of berries in the refrigerator again. Containers of roasted vegetables ready for the week. Overnight oats waiting in little jars. Salmon thawing for dinner. A pot of soup simmering quietly on the stove; yes, even in summer. Nothing complicated. Nothing trendy. Just food that makes me feel cared for.

Learning to Eat in a Way That Loves Me Back

One of the biggest shifts for me has been letting go of the “all or nothing” mindset. I’m focusing on simple foods that support my health instead of obsessing over perfection:

  • salmon and shrimp

  • grilled chicken

  • oats and quinoa

  • leafy greens

  • berries

  • Greek yogurt

  • soups and roasted vegetables

  • healthy fats in smaller portions

I’m learning that nourishment can feel comforting instead of restrictive. And maybe that’s what sustainable wellness actually is.

Midlife Has Changed Me

Midlife has humbled me in many ways. My body doesn’t respond the way it did in my twenties. Hormones affect everything.
Stress lingers longer. Sleep matters more. Recovery takes time.

But midlife has also made me softer in the best ways. I no longer want to spend my life fighting my body. I want to feel strong when I wake up in the morning. I want steady energy. I want to move through my days without feeling exhausted or inflamed. I want to age well. I want peace with myself. That matters more to me now than chasing perfection ever did.


This Is My Fresh Start

So this is where I’m beginning. Not with extremes, pressures, or unrealistic expectations. Just one nourishing meal at a time. One grocery trip at a time. One walk at a time. One gentle decision at a time. A quieter kind of wellness. A softer kind of healing.

And maybe, in this season of life, that’s exactly what I need.