By Book Club Team 
The Five-Star Weekend is an excellent choice for a book club! It’s packed with discussion-worthy themes like friendship, grief, forgiveness, and personal growth, all explored through relatable and diverse characters. The drama and secrets create engaging “What would you do?” moments, while the Nantucket setting adds a dreamy, escapist vibe. Plus, with Hollis being a food blogger, you can easily incorporate fun, themed snacks into your meeting. It’s a perfect mix of heart, drama, and charm for a lively and memorable book club discussion.
20 The Five-Star Weekend Book Club Questions
Here are 20 book club questions for The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand to spark thoughtful discussions:
General Themes
- What does the “Five-Star Weekend” concept mean to Hollis, and how does it evolve throughout the story?
- How does the novel explore the complexities of female friendship across different life stages?
- Do you think grief is portrayed realistically in Hollis’s journey? How did her coping mechanisms resonate with you?
- How does Nantucket as a setting enhance the story? Could this story have worked in a different location?
- Forgiveness is a key theme in the book. Which character’s arc of forgiveness impacted you the most?
Characters
- Which character did you relate to the most, and why?
- How do the women’s personal struggles (e.g., Dru-Ann’s career challenges or Brooke’s marriage) add depth to the story?
- Hollis is a food blogger. How do her professional and personal lives intertwine in the story?
- What did you think of Caroline’s relationship with her mother, Hollis? How did their bond evolve?
- Gigi, the “new friend,” brings a fresh perspective. How did she change the group dynamic?
Relationships
- How do Hollis’s friendships reflect the different phases of her life?
- Were there any relationships or conflicts you wished had been explored further?
- How did the women’s interactions reveal their insecurities or personal growth?
- Which friendship in the book felt the most authentic to you?
- How do the women reconcile their past mistakes or misunderstandings during the weekend?
Plot and Writing
- What did you think about the pacing of the story? Did it keep you engaged?
- Were there any plot twists or reveals that surprised you?
- Did you find the ending satisfying? Why or why not?
- Elin Hilderbrand often blends light and heavy themes. Did you think the balance worked well here?
- If there were a sequel, what would you want to see happen with these characters?
These questions should spark lively discussion while diving into the heart of the novel’s themes and character dynamics!
The Five-Star Weekend: Discussion topics
Here are some discussion topics for The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand, perfect for a book club meeting:
Friendship Dynamics
- The different stages of Hollis’s friendships and how they reflect her growth.
- How the weekend exposes the complexities of maintaining long-term friendships.
- The impact of bringing together friends from different parts of life—was Hollis’s idea successful?
Grief and Healing
- Hollis’s journey through grief after losing her husband.
- The role of the weekend in helping her process her emotions.
- How each character deals with their personal losses or struggles.
Mother-Daughter Relationships
- The tension between Hollis and Caroline and how it evolves.
- Caroline’s perspective on her mother’s choices—did you sympathize with her?
Setting and Atmosphere
- How Nantucket contributes to the tone and feel of the story.
- The significance of the setting in creating a sense of escape and introspection.
Female Empowerment and Identity
- Each woman’s journey in reclaiming her sense of self amidst personal challenges.
- Dru-Ann’s career struggles and how they resonate with the theme of empowerment.
Conflict and Forgiveness
- How old grievances and misunderstandings come to light.
- The role of forgiveness in repairing fractured relationships.
Food and Connection
- Hollis’s identity as a food blogger and how it ties into the story.
- How food becomes a symbol of connection and care during the weekend.
Themes of Renewal
- The idea of starting fresh—whether in friendships, careers, or personal lives.
- How the weekend serves as a turning point for each character.
These topics provide a mix of character exploration, thematic depth, and narrative structure for an engaging discussion!
How to make Your The Five-Star Weekend Book Club more Interactive?
Making your The Five-Star Weekend book club more interactive can elevate the experience and make it extra memorable! Here are some fun and creative ideas:
- Friendship Stories: Ask members to share a story about a long-term friendship, a funny memory, or how they’ve navigated conflict with a friend.
- Character Role-Playing: Assign each member a character from the book before the meeting. Have them briefly explain the story from their character’s perspective or share what they learned over the weekend.
- DIY Five-Star Weekend Planning: Have everyone design their own “Five-Star Weekend.” Where would it be? Who would they invite? What activities would they include? Share ideas with the group!
- Discussion Game: Create a question jar with thought-provoking or “What would you do?” scenarios from the book. Pull questions at random to keep the discussion lively.
- Social Media Element: Take inspiration from Hollis’s food blogging and create an Instagram-worthy moment. Encourage members to take photos of the food, drinks, or book discussion setup and tag your book club!
- Friendship Strength Test: Bring in a lighthearted quiz or activity to test how well your members know each other. It ties into the theme of reconnecting with friends.
- Write Letters: Have members write a short letter to a friend they’ve lost touch with or had a conflict with, inspired by the themes of the book. Share the experience if comfortable.
- Beach Vibes Dress Code: Set a relaxed, summery dress code—think breezy outfits, straw hats, and sandals—to recreate the Nantucket vibe.
These interactive elements will add fun, creativity, and a personal touch to your discussion while deepening the connection to the book’s themes.