These Summer Storms

These Summer Storms marks MacLean's foray into contemporary fiction, and I have to say, it lands well. The Storm family - complicated and spectacularly dysfunctional - are stuck together on a private island for a week. MacLean makes the most of it, with family drama, long-overdue reckonings, and, of course, secrets. I loved the family dynamics; they were compelling and realistic and made the story flow beautifully. The relationships also felt real, and there was enough tension simmering beneath the surface to keep you hooked.

A satisfying romance is also part of the story. Alice and her love interest, who is hesitant, have real chemistry. This adds warmth amid the chaos.

That said, it's not without its flaws. At nearly 400 pages, the middle drags somewhat, creating moments where the drama stalls. But don't let that deter you. If you're a fan of family sagas with a side of romance, it's absolutely worth picking up.

Longtime Sarah MacLean fans expecting one of her signature historical romances may be surprised by These Summer Storms, which leans much more toward contemporary family drama and women's fiction. However, instead of disappointment, the general consensus from fans is that it feels like a natural evolution. Well done, Sarah Maclean.

NATIONAL BESTSELLER - From author Sarah MacLean, a razor-sharp, wildly sexy novel about a wealthy New England family's long-overdue reckoning ... and the one week that threatens to tear them apart.

"Deliciously impossible to put down."-Jodi Picoult

"Addictive."-Ali Hazelwood

"A gripping inheritance drama, wrapped around a swoony summer romance."-The New York Times Book Review

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.

From the publisher

Penguin Random House/Ballantine Books | July 8, 2025 | 400 Pages | ISBN:9780593972250

"This twisty Succession-meets-Clue debut is deliciously impossible to put down."-#1 New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult

"A gripping inheritance drama, wrapped around a swoony summer romance, that offers a nuanced portrait of a family grappling with secrets, privilege and grief."-The New York Times Book Review

"A fun beach read, perfectly positioned for summer; on one level, it's a light read with rich-behaving-badly appeal. But it also goes deeper, into grief and emotional healing."-AP News

"Beach Bag Gold . . . a riveting escape for the season"-Real Simple

"Simmering tensions, sibling rivalries, and undeniable attraction fuel McLean's excellent foray into contemporary romance-slash-drama. This one's a treat."-Elle

"A potent mix of family drama, mystery, romance, and you won't be able to put it down this summer."-Town & Country

"If you ever wished Succession was sexier, you're going to devour this."-Book Enthusiast

"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

"An addictive, engrossing story that combines generational drama, mystery, and the sizzling romance we've all come to expect from Sarah MacLean. It's perfect for fans of Succession and Knives Out."-#1 New York Times bestselling author Ali Hazelwood

"Money, sex, and intrigue, all wrapped in a sumptuous coastal setting-These Summer Storms is a great read, unputdownable from beginning to end!"-Christina Lauren, New York Times bestselling author of The Soulmate Equation

"Poignant overtures of grief, deliciously complicated family dynamics, and forbidden love thread together in a perfect tapestry of mystery and romance."-Ashley Poston, New York Times bestselling author of The Seven Year Slip

"From the first rumbles of thunder to the final torrential downpour, MacLean takes readers for a wild ride!"-Abby Jimenez, New York Times bestselling author of Just for the Summer

"In her contemporary fiction debut, a glamorous, scandalous picture of a messy family whose wealth has given them everything except for love."-Library Journal, starred review

"MacLean's dedicated readers will recognize her strong characterization and her ability to spin a tight plot with enough surprises to keep the pages turning."-Booklist, starred review

"MacLean's first foray into contemporary family drama has notes of Succession along with the steamy romance she's known for in her historical novels."-Kirkus Reviews, starred review