Elin Hilderbrand’s popular novel, “The Five-Star Weekend,” has recently been transformed into a miniseries on Peacock, featuring a star-studded cast that includes Jennifer Garner, D’Arcy Carden, Gemma Chan, Regina Hall, Chloë Sevigny, and Timothy Olyphant. For those who have yet to immerse themselves in the novel, this new adaptation serves as an excellent incentive to explore it.
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The narrative centres around a renowned food blogger, played by Garner, who invites her closest friends to Nantucket for a long weekend following the sudden death of her husband. As the holiday unfolds, the gathering reveals a myriad of secrets, scandals, and personal struggles among the group, capturing the complexities of friendship and loss.
For fans of Hilderbrand’s work seeking their next summer read, a selection of books with a similar vibe has been curated. Each of these titles promises to whisk readers away to sun-soaked locales, even if they find themselves indoors, escaping the heat of the day. Here are some recommendations to add to your reading list.
First on the list is “Our Last Vineyard Summer” by Brooke Lea Foster. This tale unfolds in Martha’s Vineyard, centring around Betsy, who is eager to spend her summer with her boyfriend after her first year of graduate studies at Columbia. Instead, following her father’s death, she must return home, prompted by her mother’s call about the sale of their cherished summer abode to settle her father’s debts. The story traverses the years between 1965 and 1978, exploring Betsy’s family tensions, an old romance, and the weight of legacy in the charming yet complex New England setting.
Another enticing read is “The Shampoo Effect” by Jenny Jackson, known for her bestseller “Pineapple Street.” This novel introduces Caroline Lash, a spirited woman who arrives in the seaside town of Greenhead, Massachusetts. Captivated by the kayaker Van Whittaker, she quickly becomes entwined in a messy love triangle involving his ex-girlfriend, Bailey. The arrival of unexpected news disrupts their summer of fun, leading to revelations that shake the very foundations of their small community.
In “Sandwich” by Catherine Newman, the protagonist Rocky embarks on her family’s cherished summer tradition at a rustic Cape Cod rental that has seen both joyful and less pleasant memories. This year, however, tensions simmer as Rocky grapples with her role within a family dynamic complicated by menopause and nostalgia. Soon, encounters with her past compel her to confront long-buried secrets, pushing her to reevaluate her relationships with her loved ones.
Miranda Cowley Heller’s “The Paper Palace” offers a gripping narrative as it follows Elle, a mother of three who has spent every summer at her family’s retreat. This particular summer takes a different turn when she spends a passionate night with an old flame, Jonas, prompting an intense internal struggle over the choices she must face: the conventional life she has built against the potential of a life left untouched by past traumas.
Hannah McKinnon’s “The Darlings” dives into the complexities of familial ties through the lens of Tish Darling, a 92-year-old matriarch haunted by a tragic accident at their family beach house. As her family gathers for a wedding, buried secrets resurface alongside concerns about family loyalty and the necessity of moving on, making this a poignant multi-generational tale.
In “Down with the Shipmans” by Meg Mitchell Moore, the Shipman sisters reconvene at their father’s New Hampshire beach house for a Fourth of July celebration, only to learn that their father intends to sell the property. This shocking announcement stirs emotions within the family, particularly for Mae and Natalie, who find it hard to accept the end of this cherished chapter of their lives, while Jordan sees it as a chance for new beginnings.
Lastly, “Dolly All the Time” by Annabel Monaghan introduces a hardworking single mother returning to her coastal hometown. In an unexpected twist of fate, she gets involved in a fake dating scheme with Stewart Whitfield, a member of a prominent local family. As they navigate the complexities of their relationship amid the backdrop of social dinners and high stakes, Dolly begins to confront deeper feelings she never anticipated.
With these diverse selections, readers can find plenty of engaging stories to enhance their summer reading repertoire, echoing the sun-tinged tones of “The Five-Star Weekend.” Whether lounging on a beach or curled up at home, these books invite you to dive into new realms and embrace the myriad facets of friendship, love, and personal growth.