These Summer Storms

For more than a decade, Sarah MacLean has published novels in the historical romance genre. Her work is known for witty dialogue, feminist themes, and emotionally complex characters. These novels, set in Regency-era England, established her as a leader in the genre, and series like Hell’s Belles and The Bareknuckle Bastards earned a devoted readership worldwide. MacLean’s transition to contemporary fiction for These Summer Storms was initially unplanned. She was deep into writing the manuscript when she realized that it wasn’t a romance. This moment of creative uncertainty sparked her literary evolution. Rather than forcing the work back into familiar territory, MacLean embraced the shift, resulting in a successful debut into contemporary fiction.

These Summer Storms represents more than just a genre change but an exploration of contemporary themes that mirror the complex family dynamics found in popular culture. Critics have likened the novel to the series Succession, with the addition of the romance element that characterizes MacLean’s historical novels. In contrast, others have compared it to the film Knives Out because of its intricate family drama and mysterious elements. The novel centers on a wealthy, dysfunctional family, who, over one week, confront a long-overdue reckoning with hidden desires and destructive secrets.