These Summer Storms

Alice, the middle child of Franklin and Elisabeth Storm, is the novel’s protagonist, through whose eyes much of the family’s turmoil unfolds. She’s fiercely independent and resilient: “Alice [has] always been bright resistance, flying in the face of expectation and refusing to budge” (114). Often caught between siblings, Alice’s refusal to conform sets her apart, as she aims to define herself on her terms rather than live in her family’s shadow. Her family’s influence complicates her desire for independence.

After her father exiles her, Alice tries to build a life outside the Storm legacy. Nevertheless, her return for his memorial reveals that his control extends beyond her awareness, manipulating her choices. The family inheritance, which she doesn’t want, becomes a tool that requires her compliance, placing her in a reluctant position of power. This challenges her sense of freedom, forcing her to confront the complexities of loyalty, obligation, and rebellion. Through Alice’s struggles, the novel explores her path to self-realization amid familial expectations.

Alice’s relationship with Jack Dean adds complexity to her already fraught family dynamics. Initially a mysterious one-night stand, he’s later revealed to have ties to her father, undermining Alice’s perceived independence from her family’s influence.