The book, Summer We Ran by Audrey Ingram grabbed my attention quickly. If you like modern romance mixed with political stories, this book is strong. The story uses two timelines and takes place in Virginia.
This makes it different from other books. Just so you know, there are family secrets and rivalry in the story. These parts might be hard for some readers.
Genre: Contemporary romance, political fiction
Setting: Virginia, dual timelines
Content: Family secrets, rivalry
Emotional tone: Bittersweet, nostalgic
Key Takeaways
The Summer We Ran mixes a growing-up romance with political drama.
It takes place in Virginia, which feels real and lively.
The story uses two timelines to show how old choices affect now.
This makes the story sad and touching. The characters feel real and easy to understand.
People who like small-town secrets and first love will enjoy this book.
The story is honest and interesting. Some parts move too fast or slow, and some twists are easy to guess.
Why Read The Summer We Ran by Audrey Ingram?
Who Will Love This Book
I always look for books that pull me in right away. The Summer We Ran did just that. If you love stories about growing up, first love, and secrets that change everything, this book will speak to you. I think it fits best for:
Fans of coming-of-age stories with a twist of romance
Readers who enjoy political drama mixed with personal stakes
Anyone who likes books set in small towns with big secrets
People who want a story that feels both nostalgic and a little bittersweet
Tip: If you enjoy books like “The Last Summer of the Garrett Girls” or “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” you might find yourself hooked here, too.
I also want to mention that this book works for readers who like dual timelines. The story jumps between past and present, which kept me guessing. If you like seeing how old choices shape the future, you’ll probably enjoy this ride.
First Impressions
I’ll be honest, I started reading late at night and told myself, “Just one chapter.” That plan failed. The first few pages set the mood with a mix of summer heat, family tension, and a hint of something big about to happen. I felt like I was right there in Virginia, hearing the cicadas and feeling the sticky air.
The writing style felt easy to follow but still had depth.
The main characters, Tess and Grant, stood out right away. I could sense their history and the weight of their choices.
The political rivalry added a layer of suspense. I found myself rooting for both sides, which surprised me.
The story didn’t waste time. It pulled me in with real emotions and believable drama. I could almost smell the honeysuckle and taste the lemonade.
Note: If you want a book that feels like summer but also makes you think, this one delivers.
Plot & Characters
Story Overview
I have to admit, the dual timeline in The Summer We Ran by Audrey Ingram kept me on my toes. The story jumps between two summers: 1996 and 2021. Each timeline feels different, almost like reading two books at once.
In 1996, I followed Tess and Grant as teenagers. Their world felt full of hope, sticky summer nights, and the thrill of first love. I could almost hear the cicadas and feel the grass under my feet.
In 2021, Tess and Grant meet again, but now they stand on opposite sides of a political race. The air feels heavier. Old secrets bubble up, and every conversation carries extra weight.
This back-and-forth structure made me pay close attention. Sometimes, the jumps between timelines felt a bit choppy. I wanted to stay longer in one moment, but the story would pull me away. Still, I liked how the two timelines showed how much people can change—or not change—over time.
Note: If you enjoy books like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo or It Ends with Us, you might recognize this style. The past timeline felt stronger to me, with more vivid details and emotions. The present-day scenes sometimes lost steam, but the contrast between then and now made the story more interesting.
Tess Murphy & Grant Alexander
Tess and Grant are the heart of this book. I got to know them as teens and as adults, which made their story feel real.
Tess comes from a working-class family. She dreams big but feels stuck by her family’s struggles. I could feel her longing for something more.
Grant grows up with privilege. His family holds power in their small Virginia town. He seems confident, but I sensed the pressure he faces to live up to his family’s name.
Their friendship and romance in 1996 felt sweet and a little dangerous. The social divide between them is clear. Tess and Grant come from different worlds, and everyone in town knows it. That tension made every stolen moment between them feel risky.
Fast forward to 2021, and things get even more complicated. Tess and Grant now face off as political rivals. The stakes are higher. Their old feelings mix with new ambitions. I saw how their choices as teens shaped their lives as adults.
The political rivalry in the book reminded me of real-life Virginia politics. The story touches on local government, family loyalty, and the way small towns remember old grudges. I learned that Virginia has a long history of political competition, with families and parties fighting for control. This background made the rivalry between Tess and Grant feel believable.
Tip: If you like stories about coming-of-age, forbidden love, and political drama, you’ll find a lot to enjoy here. The Summer We Ran by Audrey Ingram blends all these pieces together. Sometimes the reveals felt a bit forced, but I still cared about what happened next.
The book explores how secrets, ambition, and the past can shape a person. I found myself rooting for both Tess and Grant, even when they made mistakes. Their story isn’t perfect, but it feels honest.
Themes & Setting
Love and Secrets
This book really digs into lost love and the pain of keeping secrets. I felt the ache in Tess’s memories, especially when she clings to small things, like a scarf, that remind her of what she lost. The relationship between Tess and Grant always felt a bit unbalanced.
Tess treats their love like a promise, but Grant hides it, worried about his image. That secret side of their romance made every stolen moment feel risky and real.
The story uses symbols, like autumn, to show how things fade and fall apart.
Tess’s memories swing between heartbreak and strength. She refuses to let her story get erased, even when Grant tries to move on.
I noticed the pain of betrayal, especially when Tess feels alone in her suffering.
Note: If you’ve ever held onto a memory that hurt but also made you stronger, you’ll see yourself in Tess.
Sabotage and Ambition
The political side of the story brings in sabotage and ambition. Tess and Grant both want to win, but their goals pull them in different directions. I saw how ambition can twist friendships and love. The book shows how secrets and old grudges can fuel rivalry, making every choice feel risky.
The tension between personal dreams and public image kept me guessing.
I liked how the story didn’t shy away from showing the cost of ambition.
Virginia’s Influence
Virginia isn’t just a backdrop—it shapes everything. The state’s history of old families, power struggles, and social divides runs through every page. I could almost feel the sticky summer air and see the rolling fields.
Virginia’s past, with its deep roots in politics and social class, adds weight to Tess and Grant’s story.
The small-town setting means everyone knows your business, and old secrets never stay buried.
The land itself, with its history of plantations and tobacco fields, reminds me how much place can shape people.
Tip: If you love stories where the setting feels alive, this book delivers. Virginia’s history and beauty make the drama hit even harder.
Writing & Pacing
Style and Voice
I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect Audrey Ingram’s writing to pull me in so fast. Her style feels smooth and direct. I never had to reread a sentence to figure out what she meant. The dialogue sounds real, like something you’d overhear at a summer barbecue. I could almost hear the characters’ voices in my head.
Short chapters kept me flipping pages. I always told myself, “Just one more.”
The author uses simple words but still packs in emotion. I never felt lost or bored.
I noticed that when the story focused on Tess and Grant’s plans and risks, I cared more about what happened next. Knowing what was at stake made the tension real.
Some scenes felt a bit rushed, especially when the story jumped between timelines. I sometimes wanted more time to sit with the characters’ feelings. Still, the writing never dragged. I appreciate that.
Emotional Impact
This book surprised me. I thought I’d just read a few chapters before bed, but I ended up staying up way too late. The story had me remembering my own summers and first crushes. I felt the sting of secrets and the thrill of risky choices.
Some moments left me gasping, especially when old secrets came out.
I found myself rooting for both Tess and Grant, even when they messed up.
The bittersweet ending stuck with me after I closed the book.
Strengths
I have to give props to Audrey Ingram for creating a story that feels both real and relatable. I found myself completely pulled in by the dual timeline. The way the story jumps between 1996 and 2021 kept me guessing and made every reveal feel earned. I couldn’t put it down, even when I promised myself I’d go to sleep early.
Here’s what stood out to me:
Characters with Depth: Tess and Grant felt like people I could meet in real life. Their struggles, dreams, and mistakes made me root for them, even when they messed up.
Setting That Breathes: Virginia isn’t just a place in this book. The sticky summer air, the small-town gossip, and the old family secrets all made the setting come alive.
Emotional Honesty: The book doesn’t shy away from tough feelings. I felt the ache of lost love and the sting of betrayal. Some scenes left me gasping.
Clear Writing Style: The writing is smooth and easy to follow. Short chapters and real dialogue kept me turning pages.
Practical Impact: I noticed that the book’s approach to ambition and rivalry actually mirrors real-life success stories. For example, companies that used clear goals and fair evaluation saw a 15% jump in sales and better employee engagement. That kind of clarity and fairness shows up in the way Tess and Grant chase their dreams.
If you want a story that feels honest, with characters you’ll remember, this one delivers. The strengths here aren’t just on the page—they stick with you after you finish the last chapter.
Weaknesses
I have to be honest, no book is perfect—even one that kept me up way too late. Here’s where I felt The Summer We Ran stumbled a bit:
Choppy Timeline Jumps: Sometimes, the switch between 1996 and 2021 felt too quick. I wanted to stay in one moment longer, but the story would yank me away. It made me lose track of the emotional build-up.
Uneven Pacing: Some chapters raced by, while others dragged. I found myself skimming a few scenes, especially in the present-day timeline. The past felt richer and more alive.
Predictable Twists: I guessed a few secrets before the big reveals. The plot tried to shock me, but I saw some things coming from a mile away.
Secondary Characters: A few side characters felt flat. I wanted to know more about their lives, but the story kept the spotlight on Tess and Grant.
Political Details: The political rivalry added drama, but sometimes the details got heavy. I caught myself zoning out during campaign talk.
Content Warnings
Sensitive Topics
I want to let you know about some tough topics in The Summer We Ran. Some parts of the story might make readers feel upset or sad.
Family secrets and betrayal: The book talks about old hurts and hidden truths. Some scenes show people feeling hurt when someone they trust lies or leaves them out.
Class differences: Tess and Grant have very different lives. The story shows how money and privilege can change how people act toward each other.
Political rivalry: The campaign parts get tense. There is a lot about loyalty, wanting to win, and the pressure to do whatever it takes.
Emotional distress: Tess sometimes feels alone and not understood. I could feel her sadness and frustration, especially when secrets are revealed.
Note: There is no graphic violence or anything too scary, but the feelings in the book are strong. If stories about broken trust or hard family times bother you, take breaks or read with someone.
I like when a book makes me feel real emotions, but not everyone wants that. If you enjoy stories about hard choices and messy relationships, you might like this one. If not, maybe wait until you feel ready for a little drama.
Verdict & Recommendation
Best Audience
I think The Summer We Ran by Audrey Ingram fits best for readers who:
Love coming-of-age stories with a side of romance
Enjoy small-town secrets and family drama
Want a book that feels like summer—sticky, sweet, and a little sad
Don’t mind a bit of political rivalry mixed in
If you like books that make you remember your own first love or the sting of old secrets, you’ll probably connect with this one. I wouldn’t hand it to someone who wants nonstop action or a super twisty plot. But if you want a story that feels real and leaves you thinking, give it a try.
The Summer We Ran by Audrey Ingram gave me real characters, a strong Virginia setting, and honest emotion.
Some timeline jumps felt choppy, and a few twists were easy to spot.
Fans of coming-of-age stories and small-town drama will enjoy this one.
Overall Rating
I’ll be honest, I started The Summer We Ran by Audrey Ingram thinking I’d read a few chapters before bed. Instead, I found myself wide awake, flipping pages, and whispering, “Just one more.” The dual timeline kept me guessing, and the Virginia setting felt so real I could almost smell the honeysuckle.
I loved Tess and Grant’s messy, bittersweet story. Still, some timeline jumps felt choppy, and a few twists didn’t surprise me. The political details sometimes slowed me down, but I never wanted to quit.
My final rating: 7/10.
This book gave me all the summer nostalgia and a few late-night chills. It’s not perfect, but it’s honest and heartfelt.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does The Summer We Ran have a happy ending?
I wouldn’t call it a classic happy ending. The story feels bittersweet. I closed the book feeling hopeful, but also a little sad.
Is this book okay for younger teens?
I’d say yes for older teens. The book talks about secrets, family drama, and some tough feelings, but nothing too graphic or scary.
Do I need to like politics to enjoy this story?
Not really! The political parts add tension, but the heart of the book is about love, choices, and growing up. I cared more about the characters than the campaigns.
