This novel alternates between two time periods. In the modern day, Tess is running for governor of Virginia, but her race is complicated by the fact that her opponent, Grant, is a figure from her past - one that no one knows about. And in 1995, the book is about how 17 year old Tess meets and falls for 18 year old Grant when her mother takes a job as a chef for his next door neighbor and Tess gets hired to assist Grant’s mother with her gardening. Over the course of the book, we see how their campaign unfolds while slowly finding out what happened during that fateful summer decades before.

But this is not a rom com, so this is not a cutesy second chance romance story - more a reckoning with a past that neither Tess or Grant has fully dealt with though both carry a lot of guilt over. I really enjoyed this one - both the wrong side of the tracks teenage romance and both the political and personal aspects of the modern day story. And I appreciated that this book took a different spin than the romance book I wrongly assumed it was going to be.

There also is a lot to dig into in this book! I had a great conversation with some friends about it discussing many issues, characters, and plot points in the book. So I think it would also make a great book club choice.

The Summer We Ran follows Tess Murphy and Grant Alexander, two political rivals running for governor of Virginia in 2021. But decades earlier, in the summer of 1996, they were teenagers who fell deeply in love despite their vastly different backgrounds—Tess, the daughter of a working-class cook, and Grant, the privileged son of a wealthy family. Their romance was intense, but tragedy tore them apart, leaving behind unresolved emotions and hidden truths. Now, as their past resurfaces, Tess and Grant must confront the choices that shaped their lives.

Ingram’s alternating perspectives and timelines create a dynamic reading experience, allowing readers to see both Tess and Grant’s viewpoints in the past and present. This structure adds depth to their relationship, making their political rivalry all the more compelling. The novel also excels in its exploration of fate and personal agency — how a single summer can alter the trajectory of two lives, and how the decisions made in youth echo into adulthood.

The writing is immersive and emotionally resonant, with characters who feel flawed yet deeply human. Tess and Grant’s connection is palpable, and their interactions—both as teenagers and as adults—are filled with tension, longing, and unspoken regrets. The novel also thoughtfully examines class differences, showing how privilege and hardship shape perspectives and opportunities.

The Summer We Ran is a thought-provoking and beautifully written novel that will appeal to readers who enjoy romantic drama with political stakes. Ingram’s ability to weave together past and present makes for an engaging, emotionally charged read. If you appreciate stories about lost love, second chances, and the weight of secrets, this one is well worth picking up .

The "Summer We Ran" is more general/women's fiction, with a side of romance. It explores complex relationships, family drama, politics, social class, etc. It definitely tackles heavy topics (TW: suicide, death, poverty, politics, abortion, domestic abuse, infertility), but I thought they were done thoughtfully and handled with care. I really enjoyed the nostalgia, young love, and character development in this story.

This started off so strong. I was completely immersed for the first 50%, but my interest quickly fizzled. I became less invested when the pacing slowed, both of the MC's lied to their current partners about their past, and when their morals and beliefs clearly differed (but there was still attraction??). Grant (MMC) fundamentally disagreed with everything Tess (FMC) stood for. Their politics, morals, and ethics did not line up at all. They didn't make sense together and their relationship should've stayed in the past. Honestly, in the present, Grant treated Tess like s h i t and continuously belittled and berated her. Also, the drastic tone shift threw me off. The story became very dark and emotional, whereas the beginning still discussed hard topics, but in a more hopeful and lighthearted way.

This did make me think and feel, so I applaud it for that. I was also happy with the ending, but really wish the momentum from the beginning continued throughout. Despite my gripes, I did like this and know it will really work for some people. This is very raw, real, and heavy, and does not follow a typical romance story line. I would recommend this to people who like Elin Hilderbrand, Normal People, or The Wedding People.

In the summer of 1996, Tess Murphy and Grant Alexander fell in love despite coming from different worlds, but a tragedy tore them apart. Now, 20 years later, they are both running for Governor of Virginia, and secrets from their past threaten their chances of winning. As the campaign unfolds, they must confront what happened that summer and whether their past will define their future.

Trigger Warnings
Abortion Discussion

Why Kirsten loves it
I loved this look at young love and the way it can forever impact our lives. It also has a healthy discussion around abortion and examines both political sides of the argument in a way that feels authentic and real. This will be great for book club discussions!

The premise of this book originally intrigued me but the characters and their convoluted storylines eventually annoyed me and I stopped reading.

Tess' mother has gotten a job working at an estate for the summer and hoping for the position to become permanent.  Her rules for Tess are to stay quiet and not get into trouble.  Tess is hired by a wealthy neighbor to help with her garden.  Tess never expected to fall in love with the neighbor's son, Grant.  Even though they are from two completely different worlds, the two fall quickly and deeply in love and spend every moment of their summer together until their differences end up ripping them apart.  Years later Grant and Tess are running against each other for governor of Virginia.  The two try everything to make sure no one finds out about their history together, including their respective spouses; but secrets have a way of coming to the surface.

This is a character driven novel and I really enjoyed reading about the characters and therefore really liked this book.  Interestingly, even though there is miscommunication, it didn't feel forced and I was fine with it (although usually it drives me crazy).  Both Grant and Tess seem to still be a bit emotionally immature (I didn't see any real growth from the two timelines) which was frustrating at times, but I really loved following the couple through their respective and mutual story arcs.  I was planning on reading this over a few days but ignored my life and raced through it.  If you are looking for a great immersive read for your beach bag, this is it!

4.25

Thank you to Zippy Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC to review

I love a good character driven drama story and this is definitely one of those. Tess and Grant meet as teenagers and spend an idyllic summer together. After a tragedy occurs their relationship is torn apart. Years later they cross paths again as they are both running for Governor of Virginia. Tess and Grant are both hiding momentous secrets from their families and each other. What will the future hold for the two of them? The writing was strong throughout and captured me immediately. The descriptive atmosphere of the location of Tess and Grant’s summer was palpable. These were strong, poignant, and conflicted characters that were brought to the page and it was captivating to follow their story. As I said this is a perfect book for me and I loved every minute of it.

The Summer We Ran is a fast paced, dual timeline, family drama with some romance and a bit of suspense. Throw this one in your beach bag and enjoy it! It’s a quick read with two POV and quite a bit of drama. I really liked it.

3.5 ⭐️ out of 5⭐️

Really enjoyed this propulsive, nostalgic read. I love politics, and living in Virginia, this story was especially compelling to me. Liked the twists and turns, even when it was getting into a subject that I have strong feelings about since it was handled with care and nuance. Definitely recommend this book!

This multilayered, dual timeline, deeply emotional story has a mix of everything – romance, mystery, family drama, grief and loss, and the power of forgiveness, as well as many twists and turns along the way that make it hard to put down. Tess and Grant met in 1996, and had an almost instant attraction that led to a very complicated and intense relationship that ended abruptly. Fast forward to 2021, and they find themselves running against each other to be the Governor of Virginia – but they’re now both married to other people, and have had no contact since 1996, and nobody (including their spouses) knows about their shared history – until someone from their past threatens to expose their secrets, forcing them to face the truths of what actually happened during that fateful summer. A great exploration of how the consequences of the choices we make can reverberate so much further than we sometimes imagine they will.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Tess is a gubernatorial candidate with a secret in her past.

3.75 rounded up to a 4 on Goodreads

Wow. Okay there were parts of this book that I LOVED and then there were parts that I reallllllly didn't like. I feel like the 1996 storyline was so much more interesting than the 2021 sections, but I think overall the book lacked a certain depth which ultimately prevented me from connecting to the characters as much as I had hoped. I did really enjoy the book though. I think it would be a great book club selection. Also, the ending? I loved!

Unpopular opinion: I think the worst character in this entire book (with the exception of the dad) was Dean.

This one kept me guessing. I liked the look into them having had a summer romance and slowly finding out what happened and how it is affecting them now. As they are running against each other. This one is a quick read, as you are looking to find out what's going to happen.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC

I loved this, it was an easy binge read! It’s not heavy on the romance and all while having a solid plot line. Family drama was woven in and done so well. Great beach read book!

I am always down for an angsty dual timeline opposites attract summer romance gone wrong and this new one by Audrey Ingram features two teens who fall hard over a short summer only to find themselves political rivals for Governor of Virginia years later when both are married to other people. There were points where I thought I had things all figured out only to be thrown through a completely unexpected loop. This was a great story about first love, loss, unexpected pregnancy, being childfree by choice and it also includes discussions around abortion, adoption and women's body autonomy. It was good on audio and would make an excellent book club pick! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

🌼🗳️❤️BOOK REVIEW❤️🗳️🌼

🌼Huge thank you to @zibbybookspublishing for the ARC and the AMAZING gift box! You all truly have the best book promo boxes! 🫶🫶

📖Title: The Summer We Ran
✍️Author: Audrey Ingram
📆Pub date: June 3, 2024 (TODAY)

🌼I don't know what it was about this book, but I COULD NOT STOP READING! The story just flowed so well and I was literally tearing through pages to see how it would end! If you're in a reading slump, this will get you out of it.

🗳️The name "the summer we ran" has double meaning as the story flashes back and forth between past tense and present day with our main characters Tess and Grant. In the past, they were running from...well, a LOT and in the present they just happen to be running against each other for the position of Governor of Virginia.

🌼Both timelines had me absolutely enamored with the characters and the story. I was STRESSED for both of them; this book does not lack DRAMA!

🗳️Both of the characters were flawed, but I was still hoping for the best for both of them. There were some parts I wasn't thrilled over (specifically infidelity) and I think things ended a little too abruptly for me personally, but overall the writing stole the show for me. I'll have to go back and read her previous works because I don't understand HOW she made this so readable!

Ok…. So I was really enjoying this until it was revealed that the mmc was pro life. In this day and age? REALLY? I can’t decide if this is pro life propaganda and for that immediately no

This was such a pleasant surprise! I loved this story of first love and what happens 25 years later. I flew through this!

This was a powerful story. I usually don't love timelines jumping back and forth, but this one flowed so well, it felt right. Tess and Grant's characters were flawed but perfect for each other. There were several other main characters that were important to the story - they helped round out the story that needed to be told. There was lots of drama, broken hearts, love and the start of a new beginning.

I got this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

I was immediately pulled into this story that delivers on romance mixed with politics! While some of the characters are familiar- the privileged, the arrogant father, the dysfunctional family, the struggling mother, I’ve never come across a character like Tess! She epitomizes not judging a book by its cover! What you see on the outside is not what is underneath. As a young adult, there is so much more to her than the awkward poor girl and as an adult, the polish is just a fragile layer.
A summer romance rocked by heartbreak and sabotage tears Tess and Grant apart. Nearly twenty years later, destiny has them competing for Governor of Virginia where they both must face some truths and where those secrets from the past come to possibly destroy all they love. Told with a dual timeline, and characters that will resonate with your heart, the depths of emotions that this story evoked, had me unable to put it down!