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.

First I want everyone to level set — this is a family drama romance, not a summer thriller. Idk what got into my head that it was going to be sinister and… murdery. I feel like halfway the book I was like hello?? Really wish I would have gone in knowing that it’s a family drama.

And boy is it dramatic! So the premise is: rich, asshole patriarch dies and his spoiled grown children gather on their private New England island to see what they’ve inherited. Spoiler: it’s not as simple as reading a will.

The romance in this totally surprised me. There’s some steamy moments! It was definitely a “is this illegal? It feels illegal.” Moment.

DNF @ 20%

I picked this one up because it was pitched to me as a contemporary romance, and I love Sarah MacLean’s historical romances. And while there is a romance subplot, it reads like a contemporary fiction book, which is not something I really enjoy reading.

These Summer Storms is perfect for summer beach readers who want a family saga they can sink their teeth into, with a side of romance.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read full of family drama with a side of romantic tension. The characters are compelling, but the story lacks a truly memorable spark.

Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for a copy of this book.

I am a sucker for a family drama, add in an inheritance game and IM IN!.

The Storm family has been hit with the loss of their father but he has one last task for them all before they can get their inheritance...For Greta it is ending a love affair, for Sam some manual labor, for Emily, the baby of the family; she is free and clear. But for Alice, the one banished from the Storm home 5 years ago, all she has to do is stay the full week with her family- which is the hardest task of all.

This book is full of family secrets, betrayal, and a complex family dynamic.

This book had mostly unlikable characters, of course we all hate the rich and their rich people problems. I liked that even though they were mostly dislikable, they all had some redeeming qualities that continued to shine throughout the books. By the end I was rooting for them all.

The Storm family is extra dysfunctional. Their dysfunction makes the story of the patriarch's death and his rules for inheritance intriguing, entertaining, and engaging. It's a quick read with a wonderful setting and it will have you appreciating your own families.

This truly has me written all over it. Rich people who have to jump through hoops to get their inheritance after the controlling patriarch dies usually a slam dunk.

For some reason I wasn’t drawn in. I couldn’t keep the names straight. Tell me why she was estranged sooner instead of drawing it.

Everyone else has been loving it though so probably just a case of wrong timing for me!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Review will be posted on 7/29/25

Alice Storm has been estranged from her family for over five years and hasn't visited the family estate on a private island in Rhode Island in years. She is part of the famous Storm family, thanks to her father, Franklin Storm's, success in business. Franklin's untimely death brings all the Storm siblings together on this private island along with their ice queen mother, Elizabeth. There's Elizabeth's sidekick/older sister and people pleaser, Greta. Then there's Sam, the older brother, who is vying for control of the Storm company even if that isn't what Franklin wanted. Lastly, there is Emily, who is a carefree hippy, and the least of Alice's problems. Alice has been shunned by the family for standing up to Franklin and feels deeply uncomfortable at this "celebration" of life for her father. Not to mention, Jack Dean, Franklin's right-hand man, is delivering all the information regarding their inheritance, and she had a one-night stand with him before she knew who he was. Jack reports that the Storm siblings must complete their father's challenges before getting their inheritances, and if one sibling fails, they all fail. Diabiacial to the end. Alice's challenge is to stay a week at their family estate, but she doesn't even think it can last one more hour. The more time she spends on the island, the more secrets are revealed about her family. Sarah MacLean's These Summer Storms is a pageturner of a drama filled to the brim with family, reminiscent of the TV show Succession.

I liked Alice from the start of These Summer Storms. Readers will appreciate her ability to stand up for what is right and forge her own life as a teacher and artist, without the support of her ultra-wealthy father. She sticks to her ideals, and money isn't a factor, unlike the rest of her siblings. I enjoyed the romance between Jack and Alice, and how it played out, despite an awkward first meeting and confusion of identities, at least on her end. The more time she spent with Jack, the more their attraction built and the more she learned about her father, too.

If you enjoy the TV show Succession, you will love These Summer Storms. The book frequently reminded me of the show, with its themes of an overbearing and controlling father, a brother vying for more power, and toxic family dynamics. Also, the coastal setting of Rhode Island enhanced the book's appeal as a beach read, especially with the storms rolling in.

However, I did have some complaints about These Summer Storms. The repetitive focus on inheritance and the accompanying "challenges," particularly the discussions surrounding them, became tedious. I also grew weary of the constant emphasis on "rich people's problems." Overall, despite these issues, it was an enjoyable beach read. If MacLean writes more contemporary novels in the future, I would definitely consider picking them up! Let me know in the comments if you are a fan of Sarah MacLean and your thoughts on These Summer Storms.

I had seen These Summer Storms on many different feeds and lists, so I was happy when I received this NetGalley advanced copy. This book was fast paced summer storm!!!! When the patriarch of a wealthy family passes everyone comes back to the island for the funeral (celebration). Even Alice who has been banished for the past five years. What the family finds out is that even from the grave, Franklin has plans for the family. They all received a letter with a request. They must all comply or none of them inherit what is meant to be theirs. This is where the drama and mayhem ensue. This cast of characters are an interesting bunch and will do almost anything to get that money. But in the end is it worth it? Well, the book is definitely worth reading!

If you have siblings or married into a family with lots of kids, you will enjoy this book! Alice, is summoned home after the death of her father, a billionaire who created a bunch of big tech companies. Her and her siblings all have to stay together for a week and each one is given a task to do. If they don’t, they may lose their inheritance. There are secrets and lies and truths that will be revealed. A rich family, a private island and a mother who has her own secrets that she wants to stay hidden. And Jack, the master of the game.

I enjoyed this book! It was kinda slow to begin with but as I read more, I got invested and grew to love the siblings. A great summer read! 4 ⭐️!

Loved this book! Give me a coastal setting, full of sand and salt and sea, and I’m a goner. Add a dysfunctional family, an unlikely love story, and I’m hooked. This book was a delightful surprise. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4.5 ⭐️ I couldn’t put it down.

One island. One inheritance. One wild, stormy week.
When Alice Storm returns to her family’s private Rhode Island island after her father’s death, she plans to pay her respects and leave fast. But her late father had other plans: a twisted inheritance game designed to expose secrets, stir up rivalries, and unravel the already-fractured Storm family. Trapped in a house full of dysfunction and forced to confront her past, Alice finds an unexpected connection with Jack Dean, her father’s mysterious, maddening second-in-command. With tension, juicy secrets, and family drama at every turn, These Summer Storms is impossible to put down.

I really loved this book. It was the breath of salty ocean air that I needed. From the second that Jack and Alice met, I was completely invested. The New England setting gave it the perfect rich coastal vibes I was needing.

The juicy secrets, messy family drama, and completely unlikeable relatives made it even better. It had just the right amount of chaos, and I was here for all of it. The only reason it’s not a full 5 stars is because I wanted more. More of what? I’m not sure. I just wanted a little more character development on a few that felt…flat. I would have loved an epilogue to see how everything plays out, too. Overall, I really enjoyed this messy dramatic read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this ARC!

I will be posting reviews immediately on Goodreads, Instagram @theoverstimulatedmomreads, Fable and StoryGraph.

Sarah MacLean has written a perfect blend of family drama full of past secrets, revealing truths and future romances.

The Storms are a wealthy New England family ruled by their overbearing and manipulative father. When he dies unexpectedly, the four siblings and their mother are reunited on their private island off the coast of Rhode Island. Alice Storm hasn’t been back in five years since her father banned her from the family. What she hopes will be a quick appearance at the funeral becomes a week-long stay as the family is forced to participate in their father’s final game for their inheritance.

With a glimpse into the lives of the uber wealthy and a picturesque setting, These Summer Storms is the perfect balance of family drama and romance. The cast of siblings is well detailed with complex relationships. The messy and broken interactions between the family felt real while this reader kept hoping for a reunited family unit. The chemistry between Alice and Jack was depicted with the sparks, butterflies and flirtation of newfound romance.

A perfect summer read with a coastal Rhode Island setting, rich people behaving badly, forbidden romance and family drama. I would highly recommend the audiobook with fabulous narration by Julia Whelan.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader’s copy and PRH Audio for access to the audiobook.

I know this is an unpopular opinion but I didn't love this one. I saw @meagansbookclub recommend this one so I immediately went to Netgalley for the eARC. The Rhode Island setting immediately sucked me into the story. I'm a sucker for a book set in New England but especially RI. Unfortunately, the story didn't really hold my attention. It took me a while to read this one. I found myself skimming to just get the story moving along. I almost DNF'd it several times but kept going to see what all the hype was about it. I've seen some really great reviews though so maybe you'll enjoy it. Overall, the story was just too slow for me.

This was one of my most anticipated reads for this summer and while I really enjoyed it, I think I may have built the expectations a little too high after reading a few of the author’s historical romances.

The overall premise was intriguing and it’s a fantastic family drama, but I wish that the inheritance game had either been more complex or that premise had been left behind and it had just been a straightforward family drama. The romance between Allison and Jack was compelling, but also felt rushed at the end, at least for the conclusion that the author brought them to. However, like with all of MacLean‘s other work, the line level writing and humor were spot on.

Thank you to Annette Galli and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for this review; I also read about a third of it using the fantastic audiobook narrated by Julia Whelan.

This book struck the perfect balance between romance and family drama - such a fun and breezy summer read. I loved the private island backdrop, and it contrasted well to how the adult siblings navigate their messy dynamics.
After the family patriarch passes away, his adult children are summoned to their secluded island estate for the reading of the will. The twist? Each sibling is given a specific task, and if even one fails, no one inherits anything. And it’s billions!
Inheritance games energy. High stakes, lots of secrets, and messy dynamics—because people act wild when serious money is involved.
I do wish there had been a bit more action or a bigger payoff. The story felt like it was building toward a major twist or jaw-dropping reveal that never quite landed. There were a couple of “twists,” but they didn’t really shock or change my view of the story.
I was surprised by how much romance there was and enjoyed it! I went in expecting heaviest focus on the family tension, but the romantic storyline was front and center from chapter one.
All that said, this was a good summer read. If you're looking for something atmospheric and drama-filled before summer wraps up, definitely grab this one - the descriptive setting alone is worth it.
Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for the ARC for honest review!

A wealthy New England family will be forced to reckon with buried truths, old grudges, and new flames when they are forced to spend a week together following the sudden death of their father. Unlike the other Storm siblings who stayed behind, left in a constant struggle to win their mother’s love and their father’s approval, Alice left to forge her own path following a falling out. But when Jack Dean, her father’s second-in-command, calls them back to the family’s island for a week’s worth of games to ensure their inheritance, sparks fly, and secrets are unearthed.

Well, my friends, here we are again— me absolutely shell-shocked from a novel, completely ill-equipped to express just how much of a tour de force it is. But alas, this is a book review, so I will do my best to at least express to you why I feel this is a must-read. The first question that came to mind while reading it, and crying about a zillion times during, is why do some books hit so much harder than others?

I think that ultimately, a book that can transport you to a whole new world, allow you to feel the intense emotions strong connections can elicit, and make you feel seen and make you fall in love— fall in love with the characters, the story, the writing— are innately powerful. And this gorgeously written, emotionally evocative family drama has this innate power because the author is as good as she is.

“𝐼 𝓃𝑜𝓉𝒾𝒸𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊”
Let me start off by saying that although I loved every single second of the time I spent reading These Summer Storms, I found myself most enamored with the romantic love story at the center of it, and I need to specify that because ultimately, this is also the love story of a family. From the moment we meet both Jack and Alice, my interest was piqued. Their chemistry sparked from their first interaction on, and I found myself completely immersed in all the butterflies, the flirtation, the tension, and the banter that their dynamic and forced proximity brought about. They sparkled in every scene they shared and I simply could not get enough. If you like an open-door romance, but prefer a more tasteful intimate moment, without the overpowering graphic detail, MacLean more than has you covered.

“𝒯𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓌𝒽𝑜𝓁𝑒 𝒻𝒶𝓂𝒾𝓁𝓎 𝒾𝓈 𝓊𝓃𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔𝑒𝒹”
As much as this is a wonderful, swoon-worthy romance, it is even more so the story of a family, torn down and ravaged over years of turbulence, fighting, and clawing its way back to one another. As we learn more and more about each member of the Storm family, it’s difficult not to feel brokenhearted for just how divided this once inseparable family had become. And yet, they are a family. Messy, complex, broken. But a family nonetheless. And over the course of the book, as you learn about each of the members, their inner struggles, and family dynamic, you will feel a connection form to each - desperately hoping they reconnect with one another and come to some sort of peace within themselves to allow for a more positive future, sans their patriarch.

🎧 The audiobook is absolutely phenomenal, but of course it would be with Julia Whelan at the helm. She does a better male voice than most men tbh 😂🤣

This story and these characters absolutely took my breath away, and if I could have added pages, simply to remain in their world just a little bit longer, I would have. It is absolutely perfect and *the* book of summer - mark my words.

Read if you like:
▪️family dramas
▪️swoony love stories
▪️character-driven stories
▪️found family
▪️flawed characters
▪️coastal Rhode Island setting