This book sucked me in so much that I couldn’t put it down and I finished it in a day. The best way I can think of to describe it is Succession meets the Inheritance Games. The Storm Family has their family compound in a small island off the coast of Rhode Island and that is the setting for the book. Alice, the main character, comes home for the first time in 5 years when she gets the news that her father has died. And, the games begin….

★★★¾ (3.75 stars)
These Summer Storms didn’t fully hook me at the beginning. I was honestly feeling pretty disappointed in the first 20% since I wanted to love this book so bad. But once I hit the last 60%, I was in it! The family chaos, the drama, and the complicated sibling relationships were my favorite part, and I actually laughed at certain comments.

I do think the way the romance developed was probably my least favorite part. Every time Jack was on the page, I just didn’t really buy into it even though there were some cute moments sprinkled in. So I was constantly conflicted, but overall, I enjoyed it! I’d recommend it. It gave off the vibes of The Conditions of Will and We Were Liars.

These Summer Storms follows the Storm family as they must play a game to win their inheritance. The Storm patriarch has died, but to get their inheritance the Storm kids must complete individualized tasks. While it was interesting, it was a bit slow moving. Their father sounded like an awful person and their mother was in complete denial about everything. It was enjoyable but I wouldn’t read again.

Every time I see a book that is full of family drama I am ready to read it. This book is an excellent beach read. And for me what makes it even better is when it is set in a place full of rich people and beautiful location.
This is a book that will have a place on my shelf. I can foresee me rereading this one. The characters in this story are so well written that I really want to meet them.
Thank you NetGalley, Sarah MacLean and Random House Publishing Group for the copy of These Summer Storms. This is my personal review.

Sarah Mac in a Contemporary Romance? Sign me up!
I’ve been very fortunate to interact with Sarah in her Facebook group. I was very surprised when she told us she was tackling a contemporary. When I saw it in NetGalley I had to read it immediately! So thanks for that, NG
Firstly, I can still hear her voice. (If you’ve read her you know what I mean…)
Alice Storm had been living away from her uber rich family for 5 years now. When her dad dies, Alice is thrust back into the fold. I wouldn’t call this a Saga, (but it’s got some Steel, Collin’s vibes in all the best ways!!)
She hopes to go to the funeral and get back to her own life, but Dad has left a last demand. Spend a week on the island, doing his tasks and then receive the inheritance. With a younger and older sister and her brother, the “King”, Alice is in for the trip of her life. Family secrets are exposed. Past traumas are pushed to the forefront. The family drama is fabulous. The glitz and glam make you wish you had a rich family.

Ofcourse, the romance is stellar and even though I missed another Hells Belles novel, this book was worth it. I love Sarah Mac, I loved this book and I am so glad that her foray into Contemporary was delightful.

In my opinion, this is the book of the summer. I was completely captivated from the first page by Alice, her story, and the family dynamics at play. Sarah's writing is so fun to read and translated to a contemporary very well. There's a little surprise in there for her historical readers too that ties this book in with the rest of of the MacLean-iverse.

If you want a rich people family drama set in New England with a romance that will make you smile while you read this is for you.

RAVE! I devoured These Summer Storms, could not put it down. Writing in contemporary shines new light on Maclean’s gift for punchy, sharp dialogue, for infusing tense moments with humor, for sheer DRAMA. The emotional and financial stakes in this story are insanely high. The Storm family has a fraught history (understatement) and a contentious, angsty, often antagonistic present. I was riveted as I watched them navigate this reality while ostensibly “working together” to meet the creatively unhinged terms of their father’s will— like wrestling a boat through stormy waters, fighting against the very thing that’s also carrying you forward. Maclean manages the pacing incredibly well, never dragging but never rushing, strategically revealing information and dropping breadcrumbs that make it impossible to put down. I’ll say two things about the ending, I’m trying to be so careful! There are twists you can’t predict so don’t even try it’s more fun that way! And, it is it’s a novel about billionaires by Sarah Maclean, so make of that what you will.


Having written historicals for so long, it’s no wonder Maclean imbues Storms with an impeccable sense of place. There’s a lived-in specificity to this strange elite microcosm it felt almost gothic in the way that Storm Island (and Storm Manor) has such a particular ambience, made up of memories and emotion and unspoken truths. Through Alice’s pov, and occasionally her siblings, we feel what it would be like to live in the suffocating shadow of their father’s forceful personality and legacy. With dark, snarky humor, Maclean nails the dysfunctional family dynamics, the petty sibling rivalry and deep emotional wounds. And every so often, just in case you were to find yourself getting caught up in the Franklin-centered Storm family logic, you get an outside perspective there to remind you how twisted and unhealthy it is.

Maclean is at the height of her writing powers, showcasing an economy of language, an intentionality that rewards close reading. Take this sentence: “Emotions were not a commodity in which Alice’s mother invested.” In a few words we learn so much about her desire for control and a capitalist mindset in which emotions are both transactional and have no long term value. Or, “Silence fell, everyone looking at her, a Last Supper of self-absorption.” Such a vivid image, lending a sense of impending tragedy and speaking to the almost religious devotion Franklin demanded. And even Alice can’t fully decide if she wants to be Jesus or Judas in this metaphor. 

The character work in this novel is exceptional, and nowhere more delightfully so for me as a romance reader than in the Storm sisters’ individual love interests. I mean first of all Jack Dean with hotness and his careful attention and his justifiable face punching. But also Claudia, Alice’s sister Emily’s wife, and Tony, her sister Greta’s partner. They are just perfection, steady but ready to fight when it counts. We know exactly who they are even as side characters. Especially Tony. I love Tony, protect Tony at all costs. If Sarah wrote another contemporary and Tony had a part to play I would not be mad at it.

This was a fun family drama/romance. It is about an ultra wealthy family and the adult siblings return when the patriarch passes away for his celebration of life. Each child gets a letter and task in order to earn their inheritance. I thought the character development was great and they all seemed very realistic.
I did really enjoy this novel even though it took me a minute to get into. My only critique is the main romance felt too insta-lovey for me. The private family island setting was super fun too. Great beach read. A huge thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the gifted EARC.

Thank you Ballantine Books for my copy! All thoughts are my own.

When I saw this cover, I knew it would make my Summer reading list. I think fans of Elin Hildebrand will really enjoy this book as it has multiple characters, rich people problems, and a New England setting. It was on the slow side for me but I did really enjoy it and the twist ending was great.

Synopsis:

“Alice Storm hasn’t been welcome at her family’s magnificent private island off the Rhode Island coast in five years—not since she was cast out and built her life beyond the Storm name, influence, and untold billions. But the shocking death of her larger-than-life father changes everything.Alice plans to keep her head down, pay her final respects (such as they are), and leave the minute the funeral is over. Unfortunately, her father had other plans. The eccentric, manipulative patriarch left his family a final challenge—an inheritance game designed to upend their world. The rules are clear: spend one week on the island, complete their assigned tasks, and receive the inheritance.But a whole week on Storm Island is no easy task for Alice. Every corner of the sprawling old house is bursting with chaos: Her older sister’s secret love affair. Her brother’s unyielding arrogance. Her younger sister’s constant analysis of the vibes. Her mother’s cold judgment. And all under the stern, watchful gaze of Jack Dean, her father’s intriguing and too-handsome second-in-command. It will be a miracle if Alice manages to escape unscathed.A smart and tender story about the transformative power of grief, love, and family, this luscious novel explores past secrets, present truths, and futures forged in the wake of wild summer storms.” —NetGalley

What I Liked:

The Concept/The Messy Family Dynamics—Perfect for Summer. Plus, there was a literal storm in this emotional storm, which is something I happen to love.

The Romance—I wanted more of Jack!!!! MORE. But that’s the romance reader in me.

The Setting—Private island off the coast of Rhode Island! Love a New England summer moment. I wish there had been some flashbacks to summers past.

What Didn’t Work for Me:

The Pacing: Long chapters, lots of detail…I wanted a bit more plot and pacing to keep me interested. It was a tad introspective. I thought there’d be more action from the synopsis and idea of the “game.”

Character Authenticity: 3/5 Spice Rating: 1/5 Overall Rating: 4/5

Content Warnings:

death of a parent

A tech billionaire dies unexpectedly and his family must compete in one last Summer Family Olympics to "earn" their inheritance. Alice has been estranged for the past five years after a disagreement with her father. Her mother and three siblings are surprised she returned for the funeral - and probably more surprised she took the train and not a helicopter.

Lots of unlikable rich people who mostly communicate in snide remarks while on an island. Fans of Elin Hilderbrand will enjoy this one.

Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the advance reader copy. #TheseSummerStorms #NetGalley

What worked for me - Loved the premise. A group of siblings together on an island pitted against each other to earn their inheritance. I’m always a fan of a rich people behaving badly storyline. A great setting!

What didn’t: I could not get engaged with these characters. There’s a fairly large cast of characters and I just couldn’t find myself connecting with any of them. The flow was off for me. Didn’t love it as much as I wanted to.

Unfortunately, I ended up DNFing this one at around the 35% mark. I was initially excited to read it, especially since I’ve really enjoyed this author’s historical fromances in the past. I was curious to see how she would do in a different genre (contemporary fiction)—but sadly, this one just didn’t work for me.

This is a rich-people-drama, family-saga type of story, which is usually something I enjoy. But here, the plot felt lacking and slow, and it never really hooked me. I didn’t find myself eager to pick it back up. On top of that, most of the characters were pretty unlikable, which made it even harder to stay invested. Also, it was overly descriptive that caused me to skim through parts. Overall this is a book where I just didn't care and was bored.

I appreciate the opportunity to read an advance copy—thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. This one just wasn’t a good fit for me.

These Summer Storms is a compelling family drama filled with secrets, emotions, and a touch of romance. The story follows Alice Storm, who returns to her wealthy family's private island after five years away. Her tech billionaire father has just died and left behind a strange challenge: each family member must complete a task to earn their inheritance.
Alice has to face her complicated siblings, her cold mother, and Jack, her father's handsome right hand man who is overseeing the game. As the week unfolds, old wounds reopen, secrets are revealed, and relationships are tested.
I really enjoyed the mix of emotional depth, family drama, and romance. Alice was a great main character, she’s strong, hurt, and trying to heal.
The setting felt like the perfect stormy summer escape, and the ending was both satisfying and hopeful. If you enjoy family secrets, drama, and second chances, this is a great summer read!
I am a big lover of Sarah’s historical novels but this contemporary one has my full heart and I’m hoping she won’t stop writing them.
Very grateful to the publisher for my copy through NetGalley, opinions are my own

I received an ARC of this book at the end of a grueling academic year and during the height of track and field season. So I was at my most busy at both my full-time job (professor) and my side hustle (journalist). And I still found time to read this book cover-to-cover ... twice.

It’s that fun, that compelling, that beautifully crafted.

The setup: A billionaire dies suddenly, and as a result the whole family must return to their private island in Rhode Island to play one last game devised by said billionaire. “Whole family” includes Alice, who’s been estranged from her family for five years and is making her own living as an art teacher. And it includes Jack, her father’s fixer, who’s making sure that the requirements are met … and keeping a special eye on Alice.

The story is mainly Alice’s, although we get a chapter from each of her siblings. This isn’t a romance, although MacLean fans will note that Jack is not dissimilar to many of her leading romance men – a resourceful, charismatic, slightly moody operator who knows how to throw a punch.

The family drama is big. Sweeping, even. There’s a literal – epic -- storm. But it’s the day-to-day tensions, the little storms, that make it easy to identify with this family and its complications.

I need to say this: It’s a little hard to read about a family of billionaires – especially one that made its money in Big Tech – right now. But as a historical romance reader, I decided to suspend my disbelief as I do when I devour books about dukes and earls and viscounts.

And this book worked for the same reason that MacLean’s historical romances do: Characters that nod to tropes but are more fully developed, relationships that are deep and feel real, banter that is snappy and fun. When my hard copy arrives, am I going to take it on vacation and read it again? Yep.

One last thing: The Easter egg for readers of MacLean’s historical romances is (100 emoji goes here).

4.5 stars, rounded up

Alice Storm was, for all intents and purposes, exiled from her mega rich family. When her father dies unexpectedly, she heads to the family’s island via train, like a commoner - a detail that is not lost on her mother Elisabeth. While the four siblings reunite in what is clearly dysfunction, secrets come out in a slow and salacious way. The patriarch of the family has everyone jumping through hoops, engaging in the Storm Olympics one last time, hoping (or most of them, at least) for their cut of what is a massive fortune. While this story is one of grief, it is also one of healing, patience and the healing power of love.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book early!

My first summer read of the year & it definitely set the bar high! These Summer Storms is mostly told from the pov of estranged Storm sibling, Alice. Growing up in one of the richest families in the world was no easy feat, especially under the ever controlling tech genius, Franklin Storm. To twist the knife further, Alice was shut out from her family five years ago, at the hands of her father. After he unexpectedly dies, Alice is called to her family's private island in the North East, with a twisted week ahead awaiting her arrival.


These Summer Storms takes us on a wild week with the Storm siblings as they play one final game at the hands of their father - tasks to release their inheritance. Eldest daughter Greta is an extension of her mother, Elizabeth. She had grown up shoving aside her own wants, including the love of her life Tony (one of her father's beloved employees) to uphold the perfect daughter image. Sam, the only son, seems to have found himself trapped in a life he had no hand in deciding. Ever reaching for any sort of approval from his father, and always coming up short. Alice was the "chosen one," seen as the future of Storm - no place for an artist. Trying and failing to dodge her father's control within every aspect of her life, she took a final stand against the company and was successfully released from her father's grip five years prior to his death. Although her father was the one to shut her out, the rest of the family fell in line, not speaking to Alice. Emily, the youngest, was always free and grounded. Building a life on the mainland just across the island, and returning as the mediator & voice of reason.

Through tasks assigned by Franklin before he passed, the Storm siblings and their mother face a week of haunting memories, hurt pasts, unsure futures, broken relationships, and family secrets. The game; overseen by Jack (Franklin's right hand man), challenges the Storms and pushes them to questionable limits, what are they willing to do to each other in order to keep the inheritance at play?

I really enjoyed this story! I grew up with three sisters and a brother so I loved where it eventually ended up. I also liked that at no point did I guess how it was going to end. (Would she stay? Were rules broken? Was there more to it?) I would have loved to see an epilogue of ~ a year later with all of them meeting for dinner / making the trip back to the island to start a tradition, just to see where each of their stories lead further into the future. But truly a great story about family, siblings, healing, and even found family within Alice's friends. Alice - you are iconic. I loved everything about you!!!

Great summer read !

Franklin Storm is a tech magnate (think Steve Jobs) and he’s just died in a freak accident. The book is mostly from the perspective of his daughter, Alice, who hasn’t been a part of the family in five years. The funeral means the prodigal daughter is returning to the family mansion on their private island off the Rhode Island coast. As she reunites with her three siblings and icy mother, they realize Franklin is not quite done controlling their lives. A game is left for them if they want to receive their inheritance. Then there’s Jack, Franklin’s right hand man, and the hot guy from the train Alice took to the coast.

I won’t give more detail but lots of family drama, humor, romance (one open door chapter) and a taste of what life is like in the one-percent.

Thank you NetGalley, Random House and Ballantine Books for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Storm inside...

There is a storm raging inside of Alice Storm. She's back on the island to attend her father's funeral. She's estranged from the Storm family and their billions for the past five years. Her father was a modern day robber baron and he's plotted a kind of game for the siblings to inherit their inheritance. She already hooked up with Jack Dean, her father's second in command.

Things are complicated, like a summer Storm.
Its been a long while since Sarah MacLean wrote a contemporary and this is way more women's fiction. Steeped in New England landmarks, voice and mannerism, this one is as far from a Regency or Victorian as one can get.
Recommend.

This book started off strong and had a solid premise, but I struggled with how unlikable the family was. The drama and hidden secrets didn’t really catch me off guard—I found most of the twists pretty predictable, which made it hard to stay fully invested.
- 2.5 (rounded to 3)

Thanks to Ballantine Books for a copy of These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean. This is going to be a book of the summer!

This contemporary fiction is a fun family drama that you can't put down. I loved the family dynamics and the games their father put in place for the week. I loved how their secrets slowly came out and the romance between Alice and Jack. Plus the ending!

The New England compound setting was perfect and while I read it, everyone is talking about the Julia Whelan narrated audiobook.