These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLeanMy Rating: ✩✩✩✩✩
Having long been a fan of McLean's classic "bodice ripper" historicals, so I was quite excited to see what she could do with a contemporary romance. While this has romantic elements (that MacLean does with her usual style and heat), the book straddles that line between romance and "women's literature" (whatever that is!) The romance happens incidental to the emotionally driven plot, not with an HEA at the planned forefront.
The prose is amazing and absolutely nails the Rhode Island vibe of rich vacationers cosplaying "family cottage" on private islands in million dollar boats. Family dynamics and how people dont change, just become more themselves, serve an integral role in how this week of family shenanigans plays out. MacLean does a great job with this story while being heartfelt and hilarious in turn. The characters are all equally hateable and loveable, each one being well developed and showing growth.
My only note, and the only thing that prevented a five star review, is the slight Agatha Christie style reveals. Sometimes key elements were announces with seemingly no prior indication to the reader. The ending itself was heavily implied from the start, but for a "mysterious game" subplot, the reader was not always given access to the clues.
Despite the sometimes difficult subject matter, and the complexity of the narrative, the book is a very pleasant read. Perfect for your beach bag this summer to really set the mood.
Published on 8 July 2025 by Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine
Having long been a fan of McLean's classic "bodice ripper" historicals, so I was quite excited to see what she could do with a contemporary romance. While this has romantic elements (that MacLean does with her usual style and heat), the book straddles that line between romance and "women's literature" (whatever that is!) The romance happens incidental to the emotionally driven plot, not with an HEA at the planned forefront.
The prose is amazing and absolutely nails the Rhode Island vibe of rich vacationers cosplaying "family cottage" on private islands in million dollar boats. Family dynamics and how people dont change, just become more themselves, serve an integral role in how this week of family shenanigans plays out. MacLean does a great job with this story while being heartfelt and hilarious in turn. The characters are all equally hateable and loveable, each one being well developed and showing growth.
My only note, and the only thing that prevented a five star review, is the slight Agatha Christie style reveals. Sometimes key elements were announces with seemingly no prior indication to the reader. The ending itself was heavily implied from the start, but for a "mysterious game" subplot, the reader was not always given access to the clues.
Despite the sometimes difficult subject matter, and the complexity of the narrative, the book is a very pleasant read. Perfect for your beach bag this summer to really set the mood.
Published on 8 July 2025 by Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine
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