Great family drama. I enjoyed the writing of this author and the drama that unfolded. Sweet story that had rememerably characters and plot.

I absolutely LOVED this book. I really felt like I was reading a book with Succession vibes but on a beach in New England. The family drama. The secrets. The twists the turns. I did this one on audio for the most part and Julia Whelan took this to a whole other level. I really enjoyed that the main focus was the complex family issues with a little romantic subplot.

I really enjoyed These Summer Storms and had a hard time putting it down. Even though some of the twists and turns weren’t exactly shocking, they still kept me entertained from start to finish. A story of family conflict, drama and of course romance! And who doesn’t love a story with a happy ending?


Thanks to netgalley this ARC in exchange for my honest review

I loved this!! Sibling rivalry, rich people problems, this book had it all. It kept me guessing to the perfect ending.

4 stars for the rollicking family (melo)drama
2 stars for the unlikely and slightly unappetizing romance

When Steve Jobsian tech billionaire Franklin Storm dies in a glider accident, his wife and four adult children gather together on Storm Island to find out about their inheritances and also, way down the list, grieve.

Alice, our protagonist, has been estranged from the family for five years during which she has made her own way as a public school teacher and artist. Eschewing the helicopters and other richy rich modes of transportation, she travels up to New England on the train where she meets an almost literally impossibly hunky man who she has a wild one night fling with. But, quelle surprise!, it turns out he’s a big cheese in the Storm organization and is there to bring the terms of Franklin’s will to the family.

It turns out that Franklin, ever the controlling, competitive prankster, has set a task for each member of the family to tackle in the next week and, only if they all achieve them, do they get their inheritance. So far, so highly implausible but rivetingly enjoyable.

Unfortunately the romance is much more conventional. Don’t get me wrong, I’m aware that romance’s middle name is predictability, but from Jack Dean’s hero 101 name to his gruff growling and yet sensitive and caring manner and Alice’s internal quivering, I just didn’t buy it and found myself rolling my eyes and wanting to get back to the family drama.

Anyway, the action plays out over the course of the week with a few twists along the way and ends reasonably satisfyingly, though I would have loved to have a ‘One year later’ epilogue to see how everyone was doing.

Overall, this was a thumping good romp for sitting in a sunny garden.

Thanks to Ballantine and Netgalley for the digital review copy.

Loved this story about twisted family dynamics and drama!! I loved finding out all of the family secrets and seeing a little redemption at the end. The very ending “twist” was something I never saw coming

The death of a technology giant leaves his spoiled, self-absorbed family having to earn their inheritance. In order to inherit, every member of the family is given tasks - and every person must complete their tasks, otherwise nobody gets a dime.

Cast out daughter Alice returns home for the first time since her father threw her out years before, and quickly remembers why she's actually been lucky to have been thrown out of her family. They're vapid and cruel, and having to stay around them might be the hardest task of all.

Ultimately, the suggestion of secrets surrounding the family fell flat for me. And the tasks assigned to everybody, while often challenging and show their father's iron fist over them all, even from the grave, just often don't live up to the implication that they're meant to be difficult and mysterious. Compelling characters and plot, uneven execution.

I as in the mood for a summer read and I liked the cover and title. The story immediately grabbed me and I enjoyed reading it although I think it was about an hour too long and dragged on a bit. Inspired by the Inheritance Games and We were Liars ?

My first Sarah MacLean and certainly not my last. Succession with coastal grandmother mixed with knives out vibes. Really unique!

thank you Net Galley for this arc! These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean was highly anticipated and lived up to every expectation that I had for this story. Her writing is smooth and witty and shows, with brutal honesty, a tumultuous family conquering their grief. MacLean does an exceptional job bringing relatability and humility to a billionaire family, and allowed each character to grow in their own direction. The highlight of this novel for me was the interwoven romance between Alice and Jack, with the perfect amount of build-up, spice, and adorable banter. Even as summer draws to a close, I definitely recommend this as a cozy, clever read.

This book had me hooked from the very first page that I started reading. The characters were a wild bunch and I loved the forced family in one house environment. I laughed and also felt the grief that each family member was going through, even if they didn't want to admit it. This gave me Succession meets the southern family on White Lotus vibes. Dysfunctional, rich family all stuck together during a family "crisis." You've got romance, you've got family issues, personal issues, marriage problems, and so many other character issues that just made this book a damn joy to read. I'd LOVE to see this be made into a series or movie.

I'm going to admit that I was anxious about my all time favorite historical romance author announcing that she was writing a contemporary family novel, but I did not need to be worried!

Part Succession and Part MacLeans signature romance style this was the PERFECT summer beach read. Messy families, a remote summer rich person island, and yes a sexy hunk to sweep our heroine away it was delightful and the perfect read for my yearly Arizona girl's trip!

It took me ages to finish and it just wasn’t for me.
The fuck the rich attitude the author brings to her historical romances is completely missing here. Instead, we’re stuck spending way too much time inside the heads of these rich annoying people. Alice and Jack’s romance is about as exciting as watching paint dry. This is not a romance even if the author tries to sell it as one to her fans. If you follow Sarah MacLean for her romantic stories, this just isn’t it.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

I must say, it was quite a ride! If you’re a fan of family drama with a touch of intrigue, this novel is definitely worth picking up.

From the start, I was reminded of the intense family dynamics and power struggles we see in the TV show "Succession." The story revolves around a wealthy family navigating personal and professional turmoil, with the added pressure of expectations and legacy. The author does a fantastic job of creating a rich atmosphere, capturing both the allure and the chaos that comes with wealth.

One aspect that surprised me was the speed at which the main character became involved with her father's right-hand man. At first, I found this a bit jarring; it felt rushed and caught me off guard. However, as the story progressed, I appreciated the complexity this relationship added to the narrative. It brought a layer of tension and emotional conflict that made the plot more engaging.

The twist at the end was masterfully executed. It not only tied up loose ends but also left me reflecting on the consequences of the characters' choices. The unresolved issues within the family and what they were left with after everything was a thought-provoking conclusion. It made me consider how life's storms often change our paths in unexpected ways.

Overall it is a compelling read that explores themes of ambition, love, and the weight of familial expectations. If you're intrigued by sharp character studies and unexpected turns, this book is a perfect addition to your summer reading list!

A huge thank you to Penguin and NetGalley for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review. Definitely family drama with a side of romance!
We begin with the arrival of the Storm family on an exclusive Rhode Island estate to mourn the loss of their patriarch. There is little love lost between these siblings and surviving matriarch. When it is revealed that each of the beneficiaries must complete a task in order to receive their bequest needless to say all knives are out. Strap in for unexpected alliances, betrayals and some steamy scenes! This is a great beach read that sets the pages flying!

These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean is an engaging family drama about the wealthy and complicated Storm family. After years of exile, Alice returns home following her tech mogul father’s death, reconnecting with her estranged mother and siblings. The story weaves through each family member’s perspective, revealing secrets and dysfunction that transcend wealth. While a few chapters dragged, it’s a “rich people you love to hate” kind of read that’s perfect for fans of contemporary fiction looking for a book to toss in the pool bag or enjoy on the back deck.

Family drama + romance = a win from me!

Talk about a dysfunctional family and unlikable characters! The author transported me into this very wealthy family whose father just died and left them an inheritance game to play. And gave me the feels when it came to Alice and Jack Dean!

This may be my favorite read of the season! Sarah MacLean has penned a winner with her complex characters and sharp, witty dialogue. Five stars!

* I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Storm siblings are gathered together at their father’s funeral where his fixer, Jack, explains the game devised that had to be completed to gain their inheritance. Greta is the oldest, always doing what her mother Elisabeth, wanted her to do. Sam is the only boy, always a disappointment to his father, and in an unhappy marriage. Emily is the youngest child, seen as a favorite, immersed in her meditation. Alice is the third child who actually got away to make her own way without her father’s money. Franklin Storm made billions in the tech industry but really screwed up his kids. I don’t usually care for books about spoiled rich kids, but this story really held my interest. I couldn’t put the book down, wanting to know if they would complete the challenges presented, and what would happen once they did or did not. Recommended if you like dysfunctional family sagas. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

4.5 stars rounded up

Alice returns to the Storm estate on her family's private island for her father’s funeral.
What they think will be the reading of his will turns into instructions on how to earn their inheritance…by spending the week together.

This was so compulsively readable. The characters were all insufferable and hard to relate to; I hated all of them at one point or another, though most had redeeming qualities in the end. But they were fun to hate - isn't that why we love stories about rich people's lives imploding? Just me?

Family secrets were the real stars of the show here, I had to know how it would all unfurl. Give me all the tea about everyone!!
The romance also kept my attention, it gave me slight whiplash from their running hot and cold, but still a good time. And even though there are four siblings, I could really only tell you about two of them. But was I entertained? Thoroughly.

Check it out if you like:
Character driven novels
Inheritance games
Rich people behaving badly
Family drama with a side of romance
(and some spicy bits)

🎧 Narrated by Julia Whelan - need I say more? The audio was fantastic and tough to put down.