Book Title: In Stormy Weather
Author: Chelsea Curto
Publisher: Atria Books
Publishing Date: July 2026
At first glance, In Stormy Weather by Chelsea Curto presents itself as a breezy rivals-to-lovers romance — two meteorologists chasing storms in Florida during hurricane season, exchanging barbs and tension while tracking volatile weather systems. The setting inevitably recalls the spectacle and urgency of Twisters, but Curto grounds her story in something more intimate: professional insecurity, the many anxieties of ambition, and the quiet exhaustion of trying to be taken seriously in a world that often decides your worth before it even gives you a chance, just because you’re a woman.
“It’s always beautiful after a hurricane. I know there’s a scientific reason behind it, but I always pretend it’s the universe asking for forgiveness for the damage it caused. A sinner repenting.”
Quincy and Sebastian are compelling leads, brought together through competition and mutual respect rather than contrived adjacency. What elevates the novel beyond its romcom framework is its social awareness. Curto thoughtfully explores what it means to be a woman in STEM, especially in a niche field where credibility is constantly questioned. Quincy’s arc — a highly qualified meteorologist who finds more success as an educational influencer — is particularly telling. The book interrogates how unconventional career paths are still dismissed, how the label “influencer” erases expertise, and how women navigating technical professions are often asked to justify their presence in ways their male counterparts never are. Layered into this is a quiet but consistent awareness of climate change, making the storm-chasing backdrop feel so much more purposeful.
“Of course I’ll chase with you, Quinny baby. I thought you’d never ask.”
Longtime readers of Curto will also notice familiar (favourite) motifs. Sebastian, her first traditionally published male lead, carries clear echoes of her previous heroes — especially Riley — from the yearning to the reverence for Quincy’s intelligence (he’s carrying ketchup packets for her the way her earlier leads Maverick and Riley from Face Off and Hat Trick have carried olives and limes, respectively), to dialogue beats that feel strikingly similar. There’s a sense of narrative recycling here: emotional trajectories repeat, character instincts overlap, and certain romantic rhythms feel predictable. That said, this doesn’t necessarily detract from the reading experience. These are dynamics Curto writes well, and will make her fans giddy.
“Storm chasing is sacred, Monroe. A bond between people who trust one another to have each other’s backs. And guess what?”
“What?”
“If you were going, I was going too. Life wouldn’t be nearly as much fun without you around to piss off.”
Where the novel consistently shines is in Curto’s dialogue. The banter crackles, the text-message exchanges (her forte) feel organic, and the gradual warming of Quincy and Sebastian’s dynamic is handled with ease. Curto’s strength has always been conversational intimacy — the back-and-forth that reveals character without over-explaining — and In Stormy Weather leans fully into that. It also deserves credit for its research-driven weather elements, which add texture and credibility to the storm-chasing narrative. Importantly, neither protagonist is asked to shrink for the relationship: both reach professional crossroads, and their eventual alignment feels earned rather than compromised. The book also quietly sets the stage for future stories involving Mia and Harlow, promising a wider emotional universe to come.
“Tell me, Monroe. If we were the last two people on earth, how much attention would you give me?” “None, and you’d probably perish.”
Ultimately, In Stormy Weather is a fun, thoughtful romance that balances escapism with social commentary. While its character beats may feel familiar to seasoned Curto readers, its exploration of women in STEM, nontraditional careers, and climate awareness adds welcome depth. Between Chase Me If You Can and In Stormy Weather, storm-chasing readers have a lot to indulge.
Call it a solid 4.25 star read — engaging, well-researched, and emotionally satisfying, even when it operates within familiar lines.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance review copy (ARC). All opinions expressed are my own.