Set on a secluded private island off the coast of Rhode Island, These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean brings together the Storm siblings, along with their mother, who reunite at their family's sprawling estate after the death of the patriarch. They expect a simple celebration of life and will reading, but instead, they're met with a set of unexpected challenges delivered by their father's assistant, Jack Dean. Each sibling, and their mother, must complete their task to be part of the estate worth billions. And it isn't enough that they individually complete their task, the tasks have to be completed as a whole, if one person fails, they all fail.

There's plenty of sibling drama (wealthy, emotionally distant parents equals a lot to unpack), and while not a ton actually happens plot-wise, mostly bickering and tension, I found myself invested. There was incredible chemistry between Alice Storm and Jack Dean. Some parts dragged, but I still kept picking it back up.

This book was so good! The story pulled me in right from the beginning and remained unputdownable till the very end. These Summer Storms had a bit of everything - family drama, romance, rich people behaving badly, mystery. This is the first book I’ve read by Sarah MacLean but it will definitely not be my last!

This book was both entertaining and deep. The family dynamic and unhealthy relationships were well drawn through characterization and through interactions between characters. The setting served as another impetus for how characters behaved, related and learned how to care for each other, or,conversely, hurt each other. The main character underwent a clear arc from wounded to open to possibly becoming able to accept herself and her family with love and acceptance—also, the romance was fun, believable, and sexy! I loved this book!

I ended up listening to the audiobook, since I started and stopped the novel pretty early on, I wanted to give it another chance since I’ve enjoyed Sarah MacLean’s historical romances in the past, and I’m a HUGE fan of Julianne Whelan. This one, though, definitely felt more like women’s fiction than romance, with loads of family drama. The dysfunction in the family—super rich and, as cliché as it might sound, extremely unhappy—dominated the story, and the constant whining never really let up.

I’m also not a fan of secrets and trust issues between the main couple. That dynamic took some getting used to, and it ultimately kept me from warming up to them.

In the end, the story was just okay. I expected something different, but I gradually lost interest in the plot, the outcome... and honestly, the characters too. It's a bit sad to say, but this one was just meh—the exact opposite of memorable.

This book was not a real winner for me. I found the characters to be somewhat aloof and not any that I could identify with or be sympathetic to. It did keep my interest to see how it would eventually all turn out, but I struggled with parts of it. I wanted to like it more than I did.

I spent the entire book, right along with Alice, wait8ng for the other shoe to drop. When it finally did I also said "of course he did". I was secretly hoping he was still alive but I guess the prize is the friendships they made along the way. It was an intense story and I feel for alice, and Greta and Emily. Even Sam.

I don't read much historical romance, so I wasn't familiar with Sarah MacLean. Apparently, this is her first work of contemporary fiction and I believe she knocked it out of the park!

Alice, the blacksheep sibling of the Storm family, returns to her childhood home in New England after the death of her eccentric, billionaire father. Instead of just leaving a will, he sets up an elaborate inheritance game for his wife and four children. He's definitely controlling even after his death. Alice is the most level-headed member of the family, but I grew to love her siblings, Greta, Sam and Emily. I would have liked to have seen some growth and/or redeeming qualities from their mother Elisabeth and Sam's wife Sila but they were definitely characters that I loved to hate. I enjoyed the blossoming romance between Alice and Jack, her dad's employee, but I do not consider this a romance novel. It was an excellent, sometimes funny, sometimes dramatic tale of a dysfunctional family with a myriad of secrets with a little bit of romance thrown in.

These Summer Storms is an excellent summer read that I highly recommend.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine and NetGalley for the digital copy of this book which is available to read now.

“These Summer Storms" by Sarah McLean isn't just a book, it's a plunge into the heart of a wealthy family simmering with secrets, a battlefield of sibling rivalries, and a strangely captivating inheritance game. And honestly, it was everything I never knew I needed. From the first page, McLean weaves a narrative so compelling that I was instantly hooked. The intricate tapestry of relationships, the layers of unspoken resentment, and the undeniable bonds of family had me completely engrossed. But what truly elevated this read was the setting. As a fellow Rhode Islander, seeing the story unfold against the backdrop of my home state was pure magic. It was like adding icing to an already delicious cake. McLean perfectly captures the essence of Rhode Island, from its charming coastal towns to its deeply rooted sense of community. “These Summer Storms” is jam-packed with drama, secrets that unravel slowly, and a captivating love story that adds another layer of intrigue. It's a story that explores the complexities of family dynamics, the weight of expectations, and the power of forgiveness. If you're looking for a read that will keep you on the edge of your seat and leave you pondering long after you turn the final page, look no further. “These Summer Storms” is a must-read.

My first glance at the synopsis of Sarah MacLean’s These Summer Storms had me thinking “Aha! Elin Hildebrand or Nancy Thayer meet HBO’s Succession…There is the whole private island/Nantucket-ish vibe, the uber-wealthy patriarch pulling the strings of his heirs, and the combo of grief, love, and family plus romance. Sounds like a great beach read, right?

Alice Storm gathers with her family on the island following the death of Alice’s father. Alice hasn’t seen any of them for five years or more following whatever the mysterious event was that caused her to be essentially shunned. Alice has gone on to build her own life, not relying on the Storm name of finances, and she is hoping to pay her final respects and get out of Dodge ASAP. Unfortunately, her father (who seems like a real piece of work) decided to leave the assembled group a parting “gift”-- and inheritance party game. Each member is to stay for a week, complete the task(s) listed in the envelope left for them, then take their share and leave. One catch is EVERYONE has to “play” and Alice soon realizes there is more than enough family secrets and chaos to make it a truly unbearable experience. 

Alice’s older sister has a secret love affair, her mother is a cold and judgmental older woman, her brother is an arrogant a-hole, and her younger sister keeps analyzing the “vibes.” It’s all going to be overseen by her father’s lieutenant (think Tom Hagen to Don Corleone in The Godfather), who Alice impulsively hooked up with on the way to the island. She THOUGHT it was a one night stand, but…just add this to the drama unfolding. 

It’s smart and funny and thought-provoking and yes, a fine beach read. Thanks to Random House/Ballantine and NetGalley for providing a copy in exchange for this honest review. Four stars.

Okay but this book is EVERYTHING. I’m obsessed with the family dynamics, the romantic tension, the DRAMA. All the stars. Such a fun read.

I received an advance review copy for free (THANK YOU!!) from the publisher via Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Tbs was a quick summer read about a very wealthy family that get together on their private island off the coast of RI to “celebrate” the sudden death of their entrepreneur father. While together they hope to find out about their inheritance but many family secrets and rivalries come out. There is a love story buried in the events that take place - but it isn’t exactly what you’d expect. I enjoyed the novel, and I will read other books but this author now!
Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group Ballantine for the digital ARC!

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC!!!

This was my July Book Club pick. This was my first Sarah MacLean book. I thought it was a simple light summer read. I felt as if this book flowed calm and steady like a rolling sea. Not too exciting but not too boring either.
Franklin Storm was a billionaire who died in a tragic accident leaving his wife and 4 children behind and a whole mess of family drama and secrets. According to his loved ones he was a genius man who liked nothing more than to manipulate every person, item and situation in his life causing constant chaos and even estrangement amongst family members. But who is going to inherit the billion dollar fortune and company? That is to be decided by his one last act of manipulation, "The Inheritance Games." These so called "games", more like simple chores, have to be completed by all family members or not one person receives their inheritance. This causes a problem especially for the main character Alice Storm who has been estranged from the family for years. Alice was the only family member to stand up to her fathers antics but it cost her being exiled and cut off from the rest of the Storms.

Things I loved about this book was the romance that develops between Alice and Jack, the banter between the siblings, the juicy secrets that really started to unfold towards the end of the book and MOST OF ALL... the $1,107 of inheritance they all got... jokes on you Storm kids (especially greedy Sam)... hahaha poor Tony made out the best out of all of them. Good thing Greta got a second chance after her ghastly behavior during her mother Elisabeth's disparaging tirade given to Tony.

Things I thought could be better..... I wish they would have stuck it to Sila more... That woman should have been put in her place. I wish the "inheritance games" were more exciting. And Lastly, I wish Elisabeth would have elaborated more on her secrets and affairs instead of Emily doing all the talking.

These Summer Storms follows Alice Storm, who hasn’t been home to her family’s private island in years. After her father dies, she comes back only for the funeral, planning to leave right after. But her dad had other plans—he left a final challenge for all his kids. If they want their inheritance, they have to complete tasks he set for them during one stormy week on the island. Alice’s only task is to stay for the whole week, which sounds easy until old family drama, secrets, and grudges start bubbling up. On top of that, she ends up spending time with Jack, her father’s former right‑hand man, which sparks some unexpected feelings. It’s a mix of family tension, romance, and a story about figuring out who you are. Highly recommend!

Five stars hands down! The main character Alice is easy to love, the family drama is juicy and Jack is dreamy. Perfect summer read!

Thank you to NetGalley and RandomHouse Publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I devoured this book in under 24 hours! I was instantly hooked by Alice’s story — her character pulled me in, and I couldn’t stop reading. And let’s be real… who doesn’t love a little juicy family drama? If you’re looking for a binge-worthy, this one’s it.

Thank you for this ARC! It was an original and delightful read. It was Elin Hildebrand meets Succession. I fully enjoyed the humor and the story. The characters became people that I rooted for. I recommend this one for anyone that wants a light read that isn't cheesy.

medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

Succession meets Squid Game . . . well, not quite. But when billionaire patriarch Franklin Storm dies, the Storm family gathers on their private island for what his widow insists is a celebration (not a funeral).
Soon, they learn that to receive their inheritance, Franklin has left each of them specific, and very personal, tasks to complete.

Resentments rise to the surface as this toxic family is forced to confront long-buried secrets and their own dysfunctions. Enter Jack Dean, Dad’s super good-looking “fixer,” who keeps reluctant heir Alice on her toes (though his “delicious growls” were maybe a bit much).

This is perfect summer reading: smart, funny, sexy, and it doesn’t take itself too seriously. Sink your toes in the sand (or ride out a summer storm) for pure escapism.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
#TheseSummerStorms #NetGalley

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book.

These Summer Storms is one of those books that creeps up on you, gets under your skin, and stays with you for a while. If you have ever grown up in a dysfunctional family, if you’ve ever felt like you just couldn’t get the approval you kept reaching for, if you ever wanted to be brave, this book will do that to you.

The Storm family….they are something else. Think the Gallagher’s but with money. We never meet Franklin, the patriarch, on the page, but he is the crux of everything in the book. And in the family. Elisabeth is so Miranda Preesley coded, but worse, it’s insane. I found myself wanting to reach into the page and shake her so many times. And the kids are the way they are bc of her. She is, in short, the worst. Worst mother ever is usually reserved in fiction for Kevin McAllister’s mom, but now? It’s Elisabeth Storm.

Jack and Alice’s chemistry literally crackles off the page. Their tension is so palpable and delicious and I LOVED IT. He might be one of my top contemporary MMC’s now. He is broody, and grumpy, and all business. Unless it comes to Alice. It was addicting to read. The love scenes were hot without being overly smutty (in my opinion).

Because this book deals with the loss of a father, there are some trigger warnings I feel would be appropriate, especially if you are like me and still raw from the loss of your father. I do wish we had more of Jack’s backstory with Franklin. I feel like a lot is left unexplained there that could have been revealed in character dialogue. Otherwise, this was a 5 star for me.

DNF @ 40%

These Summer Storms is out in the world now, and it has been met with glowing reviews. However, after slugging through 40% of it, I have come to the realization that it is simply not for me. I’ve found the story incredibly slow and boring, the different character POVs all sound the same, and I truly just have no interest in learning more about this family. I picked this one up because I really wanted to support Sarah MacLean, but unfortunately will not be finishing.

I love Sarah MacLean so much and was really excited that she was getting into contemporary! And was notionally very here for the Succession vibes of this story. However: I didn’t end up loving this book. I liked the relationship between Jack and Alice, and the beyond-the-grave meddling that gave this book tension and structure. I also liked the island setting, the sailing details, and the final reveal. But the rest of it felt forgettable. And having read it a few weeks back, I confess most of it hasn’t really stuck with me. It didn’t feel like it was making a sharp enough point about billionaires to fully land, or, alternatively, that the romance was quite enough to carry it.

Also, this is a nitpick that probably only I will care about, but the grammar of page 1 has been driving me nuts. “If she marked the minutes of her life, Alice Storm would not be surprised to discover that she’s spent nearly a third of them in transit” followed by a list of nouns (shiny crimson bicycle, white rowboat, skateboard) just cannot be right. They should be prepositional phrases, no? “On a shiny crimson bicycle,” etc? A nitpick, to be sure! But it did take me out of the story right at the top.