Overview
These Summer Storms novel, about a wealthy, dysfunctional family’s long-overdue reckoning with hidden desires, destructive secrets…and one week that threatens to tear them apart. After her tycoon father’s death, a woman reunites with her estranged family for a dramatic week on their private island.
This marks a significant departure for MacLean, who is best known for her historical romance novels. A razor-sharp, wildly sexy novel about a wealthy New England family’s long-overdue reckoning, the book combines family drama with romantic elements in a contemporary setting that feels both intimate and expansive.
Key Takeaways
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Protagonist | Alice Storm – estranged daughter returning to face family dysfunction |
| Central Conflict | Family inheritance drama and long-buried secrets |
| Setting | Private island in New England during summer |
| Genre | Contemporary family drama with romantic elements |
| Author’s First | MacLean’s debut contemporary novel (previously historical romance) |
| Publication | July 8, 2025 |
| Publisher | Ballantine Books |
| Series Status | Standalone novel |
Book Structure
These Summer Storms follows a classic family drama structure compressed into one intense week:
Act I: The Return – Alice Storm is forced back into her privileged world after her estranged father’s death, reuniting with her complicated siblings and icy mother on the family’s private island.
Act II: The Reckoning – The Storms may have you beat with their twisted inheritance games and summertime antics as family secrets unravel and old wounds are reopened during the reading of the will and forced cohabitation.
Act III: The Resolution – The climactic week brings revelations, confrontations, and the possibility of healing or permanent fracture as the family faces their long-overdue reckoning with the past.
About the Author
Sarah MacLean is a New York Times bestselling author who made her name writing historical romance novels. Historical romance author Sarah MacLean was nearly 90,000 words into writing her most recent manuscript when she called her agent in a panic. “I think I’m not writing a romance,” she said. Her agent replied, “Oh, thank God. We were all wondering when you were going to figure it out.”
This transition to contemporary literary fiction represents a bold creative evolution for MacLean, who brings her proven skills in character development and emotional complexity to a new genre while maintaining the sharp wit and relationship dynamics that have made her a beloved romance author.
Why This Book Resonates
These Summer Storms strikes a chord with readers for several compelling reasons:
Family Dysfunction Universality: While the Storm family’s wealth sets them apart, their emotional dynamics and generational trauma feel relatable to anyone who’s navigated complicated family relationships.
Contemporary Relevance: The themes of privilege, inheritance, and family legacy speak to current conversations about wealth inequality and generational responsibility.
Genre Evolution: MacLean’s transition from historical romance to contemporary family drama offers something fresh for both existing fans and new readers.
Island Setting: The closed, intimate setting of a private island intensifies the family drama and creates a pressure-cooker environment perfect for explosive revelations.
Ideal Audience
- Sarah MacLean fans curious about her contemporary work
- Family drama enthusiasts who enjoyed books like “Big Little Lies” or TV shows like “Succession”
- Contemporary fiction readers who appreciate complex family dynamics
- Romance readers looking for relationship elements within family drama
- Literary fiction fans interested in accessible, engaging storytelling
- Book club readers seeking discussion-worthy themes about family, money, and forgiveness
- Summer reading seekers wanting a page-turning family saga
Memorable Quote
“Think your family has drama? The Storms may have you beat with their twisted inheritance games and summertime antics.”
This quote perfectly captures the darkly humorous tone and the over-the-top family dysfunction that drives the narrative forward.
Central Themes
| Theme | Description |
|---|---|
| Family Legacy | How the sins and secrets of one generation impact the next |
| Wealth and Privilege | The isolating and corrupting effects of extreme wealth |
| Estrangement and Reconciliation | The possibility of healing broken family relationships |
| Identity and Belonging | Finding your place within or outside toxic family systems |
| Secrets and Truth | How hidden truths can both destroy and liberate |
| Grief and Loss | Processing death while confronting unresolved conflicts |
| Power and Control | How family patriarchs continue to manipulate even after death |
| Love and Redemption | The possibility of finding love amidst family chaos |
Critical Reception
Early reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, with readers praising MacLean’s successful transition to contemporary fiction. THE SUMMER BOOK TO read!!!!! … i’ve left These Summer Storms lingering on my “currently reading” shelf because i truly don’t know how to review it. one, i’m a sarah maclean acolyte. two, it is really that much fun, that good. i’d read a million more like this, from her.
Shocking twists, long-held secrets and romance.”—People “Longtime fans of MacLean’s historical novels will recognize her singular romance prowess in this tale of twisted family drama and unfortunate connections.”—The Washington Post “Turns out that money and toxic families go together like peeled grapes and the finest Roquefort when MacLean combines them.”—Los Angeles Times
Content Warnings
CW: grief; toxic family relationships; minor physical violence (punching), reference to abortion, and brief mentions of sexual assault/sexual harassment in the workplace
Plot Enhancement Elements
Succession Comparisons: Were you obsessed with Succession? Do you love a juicy family drama with a touch of romance? If so, you need to read These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean.
Atmospheric Setting: the family drama on the closed island, the sexy stranger who turns out to be more than a mysterious hookup, the gorgeous, tempest tossed setting.
Pacing and Structure: The compressed timeline of one week creates urgency and intensity, forcing characters to confront issues they’ve avoided for years.
Multiple POVs: The story likely includes perspectives from various family members, allowing readers to understand different sides of the family’s dysfunction.
FAQ
Q: Do I need to have read Sarah MacLean’s historical romances to enjoy this book? A: Not at all. This is a standalone contemporary novel that requires no prior knowledge of MacLean’s previous work.
Q: How much romance is in this family drama? A: While there are romantic elements, the focus is primarily on family dynamics and drama rather than romance.
Q: Is this really like “Succession”? A: Yes, readers have compared it to “Succession” for its wealthy, dysfunctional family dynamics and power struggles.
Q: How dark does the family drama get? A: The book deals with serious themes including grief, toxic relationships, and family trauma, but maintains MacLean’s signature wit and hope for redemption.
Q: Is this part of a series? A: No, this is a standalone novel.
Q: What’s the heat level for romance elements? A: 2🌶️ – moderate romantic content but not as explicit as MacLean’s historical romances.
Audiobook Experience
“These Summer Storms,” a contemporary fiction by Sarah MacLean, was among my most looked-forward-to books of 2025. When I found out Julia Whelan was narrating, I knew I had to listen along.
The audiobook is narrated by Julia Whelan, a highly respected narrator known for her work on literary fiction and contemporary drama, adding another layer of quality to the reading experience.
Final Thoughts
These Summer Storms represents a triumphant genre shift for Sarah MacLean, proving that her storytelling talents extend far beyond historical romance. The novel succeeds as both a page-turning family drama and a thoughtful exploration of wealth, privilege, and family dysfunction.
MacLean’s ability to create complex, flawed characters who feel authentically human despite their extraordinary circumstances demonstrates her growth as a writer. The island setting provides the perfect backdrop for family secrets to unfold, while the compressed timeline creates the kind of pressure-cooker atmosphere that makes for compelling reading.
For readers seeking a smart, entertaining summer read that combines the best elements of literary fiction and commercial appeal, These Summer Storms delivers on all fronts. It’s the kind of book that will have you canceling plans to keep reading, while also providing plenty of material for thoughtful discussion about family, money, and the possibility of redemption.
Whether you’re a longtime MacLean fan curious about her contemporary work or a newcomer drawn to family drama with a romantic twist, this novel offers a satisfying blend of entertainment and substance that marks MacLean as a versatile author worth following into whatever genre she tackles next.
Related Reading
- Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty – for family secrets and dysfunction
- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid – for family drama with glamour
- Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng – for family conflict and secrets
- The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller – for summer setting and family drama
- Sarah MacLean’s historical romances for fans wanting to explore her backlist
