These Summer Storms

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Did you like the mix of romance, mystery, and family drama? Which elements appealed to you the most?

2. Did Alice’s choice in the opening chapter surprise you?

3. What were your thoughts about the inheritance game trope?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Have you had the experience of a family secret changing everything? If so, how did you deal with the revelation, and how did it affect your family relationships?

2. How do you relate to the concept of inheritance beyond money? What intangible things have been “passed down” to you by family?

3. Can you relate to feeling trapped by familial expectations? Have you ever broken out of that role?

4. Has there been a time in your life when not getting what you expected turned out to be a blessing in disguise?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. How does the novel explore societal expectations for women, particularly daughters, in powerful families?

2. Discuss the way the story reflects or refutes real-world ideas about generational wealth and who “deserves” it.

3. Through Franklin’s character, how does the story underscore cultural conversations about powerful men, reputation, and the cost of success?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. Analyze the inheritance game as a narrative device and the way it exposes character motivations, family secrets, and underlying tensions.

2. Discuss the evolution of Sam’s character throughout the story. What events and paradigm shifts led to meaningful change in his life by the novel’s end?

3. How does the remote island setting lead to exploration of control, isolation, and confrontation?

4. Trace the motif of storms throughout the story.

5. Discuss the role of minor characters such as Claudia and Sila. How do they help illuminate the main characters’ struggles?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Consider the role of letters in the novel. If Alice could write a letter to Franklin, what would it say?

2. Design a family crest or herald for the Storms that captures the themes, personalities, and conflicts that define their family.