Goodreads says, "In the summer of 1996, teenage Tess Murphy’s mom gave her two rules to abide keep quiet and stay out of trouble. Her mother landed a new job as a cook at an affluent Virginia estate and didn’t want anything to risk the opportunity, least of all her outspoken daughter. What no one saw coming was Tess falling deeply in love with the boy next door, high-society Grant Alexander.
Over a few wondrous and heat-filled months, Tess and Grant’s love blooms so ferociously it feels utterly impossible that anything can keep them apart, until tragedy strikes and the teenagers find themselves pained by betrayal with little hope to repair the damage that’s been done.
Now, two decades after their epic teenage romance abruptly ended in heartbreak, Tess and Grant are both running for Governor of Virginia, where secrets from that summer threaten to shatter their families, futures, and the love they once shared."
It's 1996, and Tess Murphy and her mom try to start their lives over at a wealthy estate in Virginia, where Tess's mother will help run it. The Alexanders live next door, and Tess starts to not only mingle with their son, Grant, but also his mother, Kay, as she hires Tess to help in the extensive gardens. Tess takes to this job as well as Alexander's world, which is vastly different than her own. A summer romance blossoms between Grant and Tess even though they have absolutely nothing in common. Grant is expected to follow in his father's footsteps, but his home life is tumultuous, as his parents frequently fight. Tess and her mom are living day to day, and even though she has dreams for herself, she doesn't have the money to pursue them necessarily. Fast forward to 2021, and Tess Murphy, a Democrat, is running to be the Virginia Governor, and her opponent is Republican Grant Alexander. They haven't talked since the 90s, but many secrets still lie between them. What will happen if their relationship gets out? And what will happen if their secrets do too? The Summer We Ran by Audrey Ingram is a page-turner of a summer read that fans of an Upstairs/Downstairs vibe will enjoy.
I immediately liked Tess in The Summer We Ran. What is not to like? Despite her, at times, difficult childhood, she is ambitious, and I liked her gumption to take a job helping the Alexanders with their garden. Her relationship blossoms with not only Grant, but also Kay, as she forms an interesting relationship with her as well and becomes privy to the Alexanders' inner workings. Her relationship with Grant is the epitome of a summer romance, even though his world is really different than hers. Despite their differences, they form a genuine relationship, and readers will be wondering what caused them to split as the point of view shifts to 2021.
In 2021, Tess and Grant are no longer together, and they haven't communicated. Their previous relationship could easily be revealed to the public, and this would have serious consequences, particularly since there are more secrets than we initially realized. The narrative in The Summer We Ran also shifts to Grant's perspective, offering readers deeper insight into the events that unfolded. That summer was more than just a teenage romance for Grant; significant things occurred that changed him irrevocably.
I liked how Ingram brought the campaign trail to life as well as the beautiful Virginia countryside. She captured a teenage summer romance well, but quickly, things started to get a bit darker than I expected. I did not always appreciate how Grant and Tess treated their spouses; this annoyed me, but other than that, I thought it was a solid read. However, be forewarned. The Summer We Ran is a heavy summer read at times, but worth it.
Is The Summer We Ran on your TBR list? Do you enjoy stories that involve campaigns and politics? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
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