These Summer Storms is full of all the drama and tension! It starts with a rich family coming together on their private island after the passing of their billionaire father. They are stuck on the island for a week playing their father’s inheritance games where ALL the family secrets come out! Will these games and secrets break the family apart for good or bring them closer together?

The plot and characters were so well thought out and developed. I really enjoyed all the different family dynamics and how they changed throughout the book. Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

These Summer Storms is a beautifully written, emotionally rich historical romance that captures both the turbulence of the Montana frontier and the resilience of the human spirit. Renée Ryan weaves a story of second chances, hidden wounds, and unexpected love with a tender touch and strong characters.

Kate and Elijah are both carrying scars from their pasts — hers emotional, his physical and their journey toward healing is as stormy as the title suggests. The chemistry between them builds slowly and naturally, and the emotional payoff is incredibly satisfying. Ryan doesn’t shy away from the gritty realities of life, yet she always manages to infuse hope into every chapter.

⭐️⭐️ Thank you to @netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean.

These Summer Storms kicks off with a wealthy father passing away and his family gathering for his celebration of life. Our main character, Alice, was exiled from the family years ago but still makes the trip to Rhode Island to see her estranged family. Upon arriving the family is informed they all were left tasks to be completed in order to receive their inheritance, and some of them are rather strange. During their week together secrets come out and Alice begins to fall for the man her father assigned to make sure the tasks are completed.

I didn’t enjoy this book. I found it a struggle to relate to or care for many of the characters. Alice definitely saved the story by being the strong one who could make it on her own. The relationship that develops, while sweet, moves too fast. The author could have cut out 100 pages at least. There was a lot of unnecessary detail and dialogue.

I can’t say I recommend this, but I can definitely see it being a popular show next summer. ☀️ #netgalley #thesesummerstorms

These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean
I’ve been thinking about how best to describe These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean. I’m a fairly new fan of hers, but after devouring the Hell’s Belles series, I quickly dove into her entire backlist. So I went into this one with high expectations.
I’d seen reviews mentioning that the story starts off slow, and I’m glad I was prepared for that. Unlike MacLean’s usual bold, kickass heroines, the female lead in this book—Alice—is more reserved, and the family dynamics take center stage. In fact, this felt more like a layered family drama than a traditional romance. That said, MacLean’s talent for writing emotional, character-driven stories still shines through.
Jack, the male lead, really stood out—charming, layered, and sharp-witted. While I didn’t immediately connect with Alice, her quiet resilience grew on me as the story progressed, and I came to admire her strength in a more understated way.
The real surprise? I couldn’t put the book down once I hit the halfway point. Each chapter revealed something new, and the emotional tension kept me turning the pages.
The ending leaned more toward a "happy for now" than a full resolution, and I would’ve loved an epilogue to show how everything worked out long-term. Still, the journey was worth it.
If you enjoy character-driven stories with family drama, emotional twists, and slow-burn romance, These Summer Storms is a unique addition to MacLean’s repertoire.

Let’s just say… if you throw a complicated New England family onto a stormy island after a funeral, secrets will come out — and so will the chemistry. 😏

While the grief and old grudges make for some stormy family drama, it was the romantic love story that totally stole my heart. Jack and Alice had me from the jump — their banter? Chef’s kiss. Their chemistry? Off the charts. I found myself grinning through their scenes, fully invested and rooting for them like my beach read life depended on it.

But this isn’t just about two people falling in love — it’s also about the kind of love that forms (and sometimes fractures) within families. Messy, raw, real — and yes, sometimes beautiful.

Big thanks to NetGalley & Ballantine Books for the eARC — this one hit all the right notes. 🌊💔💕

This felt like a Jessa Hastings book and every single part of it was so good. The dysfunctional family made me get sucked in and I fell in love with how all the characters were looked at.

If you love Magnolia Parks, and The Conditions of Will, you’ll love this one!! It keeps you intrigued and wanting to know more! A lot of rich people probs going on but honestlyyy loved it!

Thank you Netgalley and Random House for this ARC ❤️

Alice Stormvhasn't spoken to or seen her family since a huge issue with her genius billionaire father; he sent her away and she's been isolated from them ever since. Once he dies, she is thrown back with her siblings, mother, and others to celebrate her father's life. During the "celebration" times, there is drama and secrets coming from every angle. What happens? Will she get back together with her family? Will her family members be happy with thier inheritance?

I enjoyed this family drama/mystery and thank NetGalley and Ballatine Books for the ARC!

These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean


A perfect summer read chock full of family drama and antics from the billionaire Storm Family! Franklin Storm was larger than life and ruled his family with an iron fist, one that Alice refused to be a part of. Following the loss of Storm patriarch Franklin, Alice Storm decides to put her family estrangement aside for a quick visit to the family island (yes, they own an island). She'll attend the funeral, pay her respects, and get back to her life in NYC. When she arrives, she finds her father left his fortune to the family...but only if they are willing to play one last manipulative game - and everyone must play in order for anyone to be included.

And so the chaos begins as the family prepares to say goodbye to Franklin at his celebration (NOT a funeral, he insisted) and play along to receive the fortune they had all been counting on. Hidden romances, sibling rivalries, family secrets are just a few of the laughable twists and turns this story takes.

If you're looking for a fun read about family dysfunction, look no further! Sarah MacLean brings the Storm family to life, each character developed perfectly to give off relatable vibes to anyone who knows what family reunions can turn into!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books for the ARC of this title!

A book about an inheritance has to start with a death, and the person who died haunts the narrative. In this book, eccentric Franklin Storm takes shape through the memories and complicated relationships of the family he left behind. Sometimes a rich jerk character can fall a little flat, but here he is imbued with just enough charm and depth to make you see why people put up with his controlling behavior and casual cruelty.

Franklin's children all have their own unique damage, and this book is about the four of them coming to terms with his death in the week following. Franklin set terms for their inheritance that each must follow, exerting control from beyond the grave, that they must execute while deciding if they want to continue to give their father power over their lives. These tasks bring out the worst (and the best) in the Storm siblings, and their mother. Alice, the main character, has been estranged, and her task is to stay on their private island with her family for a week, during which she reconnects with her siblings and fights a powerful attraction to her father's second in command, who administers the tasks.

Storms (in the literal sense), secrets, lies, betrayals, kidnapping, and romance populate this great soapy drama, marrying tech billions with old money society on a luxurious Connecticut private island. Everything really worked for me for the most part, but the ending felt just a little too good to be true. I felt like there needed to be a slightly bigger twist to the whole story. However, this book successfully marries family drama with romance without sacrificing either, which is impressive. I also loved the small nod to Sarah Maclean's previous books.

The amount of family drama in this book is superb. It's a refreshing change of pace from the typical rom-com for summer, but still absolutely fabulous writing.

This book caught my interest and I was very invested in getting to know the characters. A little over halfway, I struggled to keep reading as the family drama just went on and on. Great characters, beautiful setting but anticlimactic ending.

Absolutely adored this new contemporary novel by Sarah Maclean. This is shaping up to be my top read of the summer, and a top read of the year. If you enjoyed the Westing Game as a child, this reminded me so much of that! It is set in Rhode Island, and it is about the children and wife of a recently deceased billionaire who leaves behind some surprises related to his children's inheritance and how they will earn them. The book is very much about family, relationships, money, and love too. It has a little of everything and was wildly entertaining and readable. Maclean is such a talented writer.

I'm thankful to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Wow, this book absolutely blew me away! Going into These Summer Storms, I didn’t really know what to expect other than rich people drama which is something I am not ashamed to admit that I enjoy reading about. I did not expect how deeply emotional and raw this book felt, how true to life it is in so many ways despite being about literal billionaires. The sibling relationships, the different ways each family member was grieving their loss and the feelings that brought to the surface for them. Sarah MacLean did a wonderful job with this book, and I can see this story being something I will be drawn to reread throughout my life.

These Summer Storms follows Alice, the estranged daughter of a recently deceased tech mogul as she returns to the Storm family island when she, her siblings and mother are tasked with a game to win their inheritance. As the story progresses, secrets are uncovered and a romance blossoms.

I loved everything about this. The characters and the growth they went through, the way grief was portrayed, the setting, etc. One character that really stood out to me was surprisingly the mother, Elisabeth. Despite being a deeply unlikeable and cruel character to her children, by the end of the book you come to understand her and the grief that is affecting her. It’s messy, but it feels so real.

I highly recommend picking up These Summer Storms this summer season if you’re looking for the perfect summer read that does NOT lack substance!

A huge thank you to Random House Publishing- Ballantine and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I absolutely loved this book! Set against a coastal backdrop, it pulled me in right away. Throw in a messy, complicated family and an unexpected romance, and I couldn’t put it down. A truly delightful and unexpected gem. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. 4.5⭐️

THESE SUMMER STORMS by Sarah MacLean
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Just the beach read that I needed!!! The characters were entertaining to follow and their drama was so out of touch that it sort of felt like a movie! I’m a huge sucker for a family drama & this one was amazing!

This book follows Alice Storm, who is estranged from her family, and the reunion that follows after the death of her billionaire father. A story filled with secrets and manipulation, Alice and her siblings must participate in a sort of inheritance games in order to receive their $$$.

Read if you’re looking for:
😎New England private island vibes
⛱️Family drama with a Romance subplot
☀️Beach read

Thanks @netgalley for the ARC & @bookofthemonth for my July pick that I can’t wait to share with friends and family!

What fun summer read. I devoured this story on a beach vacation in Michigan, and I cannot imagine a more perfect setting to read These Summer Storms. This juicy family drama centered around an inheritance game with a forbidden romance thrown in just for fun. The pacing was a bit slow at the beginning, but overall this was a blast. These Summer Storms would be a great read to finish off your summer vacation.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

4.5 Stars

This one has gotten a lot of love and I can see why!

Alice Storm is thrown back into her estranged, ultra-wealthy family's drama on their private island after her eccentric father's death. What follows is a brilliant inheritance game that forces secrets to the surface and sparks an undeniable connection.

The family dynamics are messy, flawed, and captivating, making you equally frustrated and empathetic. Alice is a fantastic heroine, and the slow-burn attraction with Jack Dean…Chef's kiss. While some plot resolutions felt a tiny bit rushed, the journey was so engaging. A perfect summer read blending family drama, mystery, and delicious romance!

With the amount of times These Summer Storms was promoted via social media, I felt compelled to request it on NetGalley (I also coincidentally won a second copy via Booktrovert). Like many of my fellow reviewers, I was intrigued by the premise of an inheritance game and perhaps, the glamour that often accompanies stories of the uber rich. However, unlike some readers, I was not put off or perturbed by the petulance and superficial preoccupations of the siblings and their loathsome personalities. In fact, though I am not familiar with Sarah MacLean’s other work, I believe she intentionally wrote the characters as such.

It is difficult to imagine that most people who have lived with that kind of wealth and lack of responsibilities would remain as humble as someone who never had access to even 1/10th of a few billion dollars. While there was a distinct absence of social commentary on the Storm family’s privilege and their moral compass, in my opinion, that was not the point of the novel at all. Rather, MacLean seemingly wrote the novel to illuminate the need for each person to live his/her/their life without the constraints of someone else’s expectations. Thus, These Summer Storms is a character and relationship-driven analysis.

That said, Elisabeth undergoes no personal growth whatsoever (which again, I think, is to be expected) and Alice herself, the character who receives the majority of the focus, gains little overall too (her relationship with Jack notwithstanding). I can see how some readers may think Sam and Emily should fall into this same category. To be fair, it didn’t seem as though Emily needed much development. However, the interlude chapter from Sam’s point of view gives a sense of gravitas to his character— there is more to him than just the stereotypical spoiled only boy/son. Greta’s character definitely is quite irritating until her part of the ‘game’ reaches its climax and subsequent conclusion (I wish MacLean would have given her more than one chapter); not to mention the secret that is revealed just for the sake of creating more drama and antagonism with her mother. Had MacLean provided more breadcrumbs about Greta’s youth, the secret wouldn’t have felt so disingenuous in its purpose with respect to the plot. To speak of Jack is to admit that he probably is a bit toxic, though his multifaceted personality and tumultuous upbringing somewhat relieve him of that designation. His character comes across as an idealized version of a male protagonist and it works to some extent— his resolve is admirable. The pace at which his relationship with Alice evolves and deepens would be a bit unsettling for many, but I also can see how it could be replicated in the real world.

MacLean’s writing style lends itself to an ease of reading that is not found as often as I would like (or expect). Again, I am not familiar with her other work, but the way in which she did not simplify the vocabulary for the sake of the reader’s understanding is refreshing too (I consider myself well read, but had to remind myself of the meaning of a few words here and there that I rarely use/have seen). I did not find it difficult to get through the novel whatsoever either, as the pacing was decent. Keeping those points in mind, however, I do feel as though the premise of an inheritance game (which was reiterated over and over throughout the novel) is dubious at best and deceptive at its worst. The family is given tasks, but the degree of competition amongst the siblings and Elisabeth that they speak of never fully materializes. The inheritance itself is easily guessed from the start and thus, the stakes feel cheap and utterly manipulative in retrospect.

Regardless of its issues, These Summer Storms is an enjoyable read, especially for those who would like to escape their own problems for a bit.

Thank you to Random House- Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC!

3.5 stars for These Summer Storms! Alice Storm is estranged from the rest of her family, but when her father dies suddenly in a tragic accident she returns to their New England Island for the funeral. Instead she finds herself, her siblings, and her mother wrapped up in one final challenge to earn their inheritance from their billionaire father.

Overall this was an enjoyable read, slightly low rating from me because I felt like some parts were slow/dragged and I think I was expecting a little bit more action or more of a game they would have to play. A good look in on grief and family dynamics as well as forging your own path.

Thank you Random House Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced e-copy of this book.