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.

MacLean’s transition showcases her versatility as a storyteller. While maintaining the complex characterization, emotional depth, and sharp dialogue that her historical romance novels are known for, she adapted these skills to contemporary settings and literary fiction. The move demonstrates how established genre authors can evolve without abandoning their core storytelling abilities; instead, they apply these abilities to new contexts and broader themes. In an article about MacLean’s breakthrough, journalist JeriAnn Geller characterized the author’s shift by comparing the genres:

Switching to literary fiction took some bravery. Romance writing in general, and historical romance in particular, is a highly delineated world. You have your “beats” that tell when certain plot developments are meant to happen: when your clueless lovers suddenly figure out why they’re having stomach pains, when they do something about it, and when their love and commitment are put to the ultimate test. Literary fiction has no such structure (Geller, JeriAnn. “Sarah MacLean Talks About Breaking Into Literary Fiction with These Summer Storms.” BookTrib, 9 July 2025).

MacLean’s journey from historical romance to contemporary drama illustrates the fluid boundaries of modern publishing and the potential for authors to transition while retaining their voice. Her success in this transition may inspire other genre authors to explore beyond their established territories, proving that literary evolution, even when unplanned, can enhance rather than diminish an author’s impact.