I devoured this book. It’s not a romance novel but definitely a novel with romance! Although tinted by astronomical wealth and a funny inheritance game, the family dynamics were very real with old grudges and miscommunications causing rifts between adult siblings and their mother. Highly recommend!

It was an ok book but a little too cutesy and heavy on the romance for me
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review book

This book has all the makings of a summer bestseller! Tricky family relationships and a cute hometown are the recipe for this lovely novel with a surprising twist!

These Summer Storm by Sarah MacLean
Writing: B
Story: C+
Characters: C ( Alice and Jack get an A )
Setting: B
Best Aspect: The interactions between Alice and Jack was all I enjoyed.
Worst Aspect: The other parts I was not engaged in.
Recommend: Maybe.
Released July 8, 2025

📚✨Book Review✨📚

These Summer Storms
Author: Sarah Maclean

Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.💫

Notes: I received a copy of this book as an advanced reader, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

What I Liked:
⛵️ Sarah Maclean can do no wrong in my book. Every single book she writes features a FMC who is smart and resilient and a MMC that is strong, broody, and willing to burn it all down for their love. This book is no exception!

⛵️Longtime Maclean readers will love discovering a hidden Easter Egg that will make you stand up and yell out….I know that!

⛵️This book is a combo of all the things I love from historical romance and contemporary romances, mixed with influences from shows like Succession, Dynasty, and The Crown.

What I Didn’t Like:
⛵️I won’t give away any spoilers, but I do want more from that ending. I want to hear about the other siblings!

⛵️I needed a few more steamy scenes. I’m especially sad we missed out on their first encounter. 👀

Final Thoughts:
⛵️While Sarah Maclean is predominantly a historical romance author, this latest foray is something that I think many people would enjoy. If you are into shows that are more dramatic, but have a hint of romance, you would certainly enjoy this. I would recommend it to ALL readers!


#bookreview #reviewsneedlovetoo #readforeverpub #unpopularopinion #booktok #bookstagram #bookfriend #books #bookish #booklover #instablog #netgalley #romcom

This will be THE book of the summer. As a huge fan of Sarah’s historical romances, I was vibrating with anticipation to read her entry into contemporary fiction and WOW it did NOT disappoint.

These Summer Storms has everything you want in a summer read: family drama, an abundance of secrets, and rich people talking about rich people problems. It was truly impossible to put down and I happily gave up sleep to devour this beauty. And if you’re a fan of Sarah’s romances, you will be delighted by what she has in store within these pages.

I cannot wait to have this book sitting on my shelves and will be telling everyone it’s a must pack for their beach or pool bag this summer.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book! Sarah Maclean is one of my favorite authors! I love her writing style and how it always draws you in from the very first chapter. I’ve been hooked on her historical romances, but this contemporary fiction was such a great read! I loved the complex characters, family drama, and the need to stay up reading to know how it ends! Definitely pick this one up in July - 5/5 stars!

An ideal beach read -- or one to read while you imagine you're at the beach even though it's still snowing outside. Sarah MacLean is well known and much loved for her historical romances. Her turn at contemporary family drama (where the family are all tech billionaries) makes for an engaging and twisty read, and while it isn't altogether a romance, her romance readers won't be disappointed.

Alice Storm has been living on her own for the past five years, trying to find her place in the world not tied to being the daughter of a tech billionaire Franklin Storm. She hasn't been in touch with her mother or siblings, either—when her father banished her, she lost them, too. Now she's returning to her family's private island off the coast of Rhode Island, summoned for her father's funeral (celebration) after a tragic accident. They discover many surprises on the island, including the inheritance game Franklin set up before he died, with letters for each family member (except for Alice) and instructions on what they have to do to earn their inheritances from him. The story is full of dramatic reveals and plot twists, but also quieter moments where Alice starts to mend some of the rifts in her relationships with her family members. Alice is drawn to Jack, the enigmatic fixer who is there to ensure they all play by Franklin's rules, but definitely didn't account for his attraction to Alice.

A juicy and engaging family drama definitely worth carrying along on your next beach-y vacation.

These Summer Storms is a beautifully crafted romance that swept me off my feet. Sarah MacLean knows how to write chemistry that practically sizzles off the page, and the tension between the main characters is everything you’d hope for in a summer love story. Set against the backdrop of stormy, windswept coastal landscapes, the story perfectly balances passion with vulnerability. I loved how the characters had to confront their pasts before they could fully embrace their feelings for each other. It’s not just about romance – it’s about growth, forgiveness, and finding courage to let love in.

What I really appreciated is how MacLean gives her characters depth and heart. They’re not just two beautiful people falling in love – they’re flawed, real, and dealing with messy emotions that feel genuinely human. The writing is lush and vivid, and I could practically feel the salt in the air while reading. If you’re a fan of romances that make your heart ache in the best way possible, These Summer Storms is the perfect summer escape.

Beautiful setting. Lots of family drama. Not in my top books of the year, but I’m not mad I read it.

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. There were just enough “shoe drops” to keep me interested. Normally I wouldn’t empathize with a few billionaire nepo babies, but the author writes the characters in a way that makes you see them as human. You realize the Storms are a dysfunctional family like any other. The children play their familial roles and of course, birth order has a profound impact on that.

Despite the cliche patriarchal “touch her and die” trope, I really liked the way Jack was protective over Alice. It gave the book a little bit of spice/ playful romance. The one thing that did annoy me was how the entire family kept acting surprised when Franklin dropped another bomb on them. It felt like a good portion of the story was just the kids complaining about living in Franklin Storm’s world and having to play by Franklin Storm’s rules, and it just got a bit tired after a while.

Overall, I enjoyed it. Thank you Net Galley for the advanced reader copy!

This is a gripping tale concerning family, loss, and inheritance. Alice Storm had been disowned by her father Franklin Storm, a technology revolutionary and emotionally narcisstic man. After he dies, Alice and her estranged siblings are called to the family's private island off the Rhode Island coast, where they learn that to inherit anything they must play one last game, explained to them by his hot fixer, Jack Dean. Alice and Jack hit it off immediately but when she finds out he's the mysterious man she'd spent the previous night with, she now has to decide if she can trust him. Also, can she mange to stay on this island that she'd been banned from for a week and a life that she no longer wanted? The mix of secrets, backstabbing, and slow-burn tension made it impossible to stop reading, and even when things slowed down, the characters kept it interesting.

This is a perfect blend of summer, romance, drama, and weird (read: rich people) family dynamics.). We should all have their problems!

The estranged daughter of a larger-than-life tech magnate returns to her family's private island after his untimely death and encounters tricky family dynamics, grief, self-reflection, and an unexpected romance. Franklin Storm has plans for his wife and children even after his death, and they quickly learn they will be participating in a series of tasks outlined in letters from their father in order to gain their portion of the estate. While MacLean is known primarily for her romance, this is more on the family drama side of the spectrum, with a dash of suspense and some romance mixed in. The setting, relationships, and setup draw the reader in, and this will likely be a popular pick for women's fiction and domestic suspense fans this summer.

Wow! This book was hard to put down. Alice, one of the Storms, was sent away by her father when she revealed family information to the press. She is returning home for her father's funeral, and she is not looking forward to being on the island. She meets Jack on the train, and he protects her from the press. She thinks it is an anonymous meet up but is shocked when he comes to the house with letters for each of the kids, except Alice. Franklin liked to be in control, even from the grave. All need to follow rules or no one inherits anything. The dynamics, the control come full circle. I highly recommend this book. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.

In "These Summer Storms," Sarah MacLean ventures into contemporary fiction, delivering a gripping tale of family, loss, and inheritance. Alice Storm, estranged from her wealthy family, returns to their Rhode Island island estate after the death of her father, Franklin Storm, a tech mogul with a narcissistic streak. The siblings, who haven't seen each other in years, are summoned for a bizarre inheritance challenge orchestrated by their late father. Each must navigate personal conflicts and family dynamics while completing tasks that reveal deep-seated issues and secrets. Among them is Jack Dean, Franklin's brooding right-hand man, whose chemistry with Alice adds a romantic twist to the story. As Alice grapples with her family's legacy and her own identity, she discovers what truly matters beyond wealth and status. The narrative is rich with character development, emotional depth, and unexpected twists, making it an engaging read that explores the complexities of family relationships.

Romance readers will be drawn to "These Summer Storms" for its compelling romantic tension between Alice and Jack. Their chemistry is palpable, igniting sparks that keep readers invested in their evolving relationship. While the novel centers on family dynamics, MacLean skillfully weaves in moments of intimacy and longing, offering a satisfying balance of drama and romance. There is so much drama in this book!!! Wow. I really enjoyed the New England beach/island setting. The emotional stakes elevate the connection between the protagonists, making readers root for their love amidst the chaos of family secrets (so many secrets) and challenges. The witty banter and steamy encounters provide an enjoyable escape, ensuring that even those who are primarily fans of romance will find a lot to love in this captivating contemporary fiction debut.

Sarah MacLean can write anything - she never fails to write characters that amazing depth and stories that keep me up reading way later than I intend. She also always manages a great romance, even in the midst of this fantastic family drama. I loved every minute of this book!

Nobody does it like Sarah MacLean. This is her first move into spicy contemporary fiction, and I am absolutely here for it. This story is like, what if Succession's Boar on the Floor, but the flawed characters make it through in a way that leaves you hopeful and not despairing of humanity.

Alice Storm was cast out of the mega-billionaire Storm family by patriarch, tech revolutionary, and emotionally stunted narcissist Franklin Storm. After his death, she returns to the family's private island off the coast of Rhode Island, where she and her estranged siblings learn they must play one last game arranged by their father to vie for their inheritance. At the center of it all is baddie Jack Dean, Franklin Storm's hottie fixer. Sparks fly with Alice immediately, but can she trust his intentions? More importantly, after a lifetime of running from discomfort, will Alice grit out a week on the island for the prospect of something better?

The spice was nice (other than an extremely objectionable use of "humid"), but not, say, Lady Calpurnia Hartwell romancing a rake spicy. Also, there's at least one Easter egg I caught that Sarah MacLean readers will love.

Thanks #NetGalley for an eARC of #TheseSummerStorms. This is definitely on my buy and reread list.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this early! The prose was atmospheric - and absolutely compelling - and I can't wait to suggest my book club read and also enjoy.

I couldn't wait to get my hands on this contemporary family drama. It exceeded my expectations. It sets a quick pace right from the beginning and doesn't let up. Loved it!

6/5 stars. All the stars! I absolutely loved These Summer Storms - it's filled with drama and truly was like Succession in the page with some romance included. MacLean can do no wrong in my book and this is just more proof that it's true!