In “The Summer We Ran,” Audrey Ingram crafts a compelling dual-timeline narrative that examines how the ghosts of first love can haunt us across decades. This sophisticated romance transcends the typical boundaries of its genre, delivering a nuanced exploration of class, power, and the devastating cost of secrets in the unforgiving arena of modern politics.
The Heart of the Story: Star-Crossed Lovers in Virginia’s Elite World
The novel centers on Tess Murphy and Grant Alexander, two teenagers from opposite sides of Virginia’s social divide who fall desperately in love during the sultry summer of 1996. Tess, the daughter of a domestic worker seeking stability at an affluent estate, encounters Grant, the privileged son of the Alexander family legacy. Their romance unfolds against the backdrop of manicured gardens and hidden family dysfunction, creating an atmosphere both romantic and foreboding.
Ingram’s portrayal of teenage love feels authentic and electric. The chemistry between Tess and Grant crackles off the page, filled with stolen moments in moonlit fields and whispered confessions that carry the weight of forever. The author captures that particular intensity of first love—when emotions run so deep they feel like they might consume you entirely.
Dual Timeline Mastery: Past Trauma Meets Present Consequences
The novel’s structure alternates between 1996 and 2021, when both Tess and Grant are running for Governor of Virginia. This dual timeline creates a masterful tension as readers witness the passionate foundation of their relationship while simultaneously watching it threaten to destroy their adult lives. Ingram uses this technique brilliantly, allowing past revelations to illuminate present motivations and fears.
The political campaign setting provides the perfect pressure cooker for their reunion. As gubernatorial candidates from opposing parties, Tess and Grant must navigate not only their buried feelings but also the very real threat of scandal that could end both their careers. The stakes feel genuinely high throughout the narrative.
Character Development: Complex Protagonists with Authentic Flaws
Tess Murphy: Ambition Born from Vulnerability
Tess emerges as a fully realized character whose political ambitions stem from a deep-seated desire to prove herself worthy of the life she’s fought to build. Her working-class background creates an authentic tension in her relationships with Virginia’s political elite. Ingram skillfully portrays how Tess’s childhood insecurities manifest in her adult need for control and perfection.
The revelation of Tess’s abortion at seventeen becomes a particularly powerful element, handled with sensitivity and complexity. Rather than sensationalizing this personal tragedy, Ingram uses it to explore themes of reproductive choice, women’s autonomy, and the impossible standards placed on female political candidates.
Grant Alexander: Privilege and Paternal Shadows
Grant’s character arc proves equally compelling, though perhaps less sympathetic. Raised in wealth and privilege, he struggles to break free from his father’s toxic influence while grappling with guilt over his mother’s death. Ingram effectively portrays how privilege can become its own prison, as Grant finds himself unable to escape the expectations and manipulations of his family legacy.
The discovery of his father’s affair with his mother’s best friend adds layers to Grant’s psychological landscape, explaining his deep-seated distrust of relationships and his need to control his public image.
Family Dynamics: The Poison of Secrets
One of the novel’s greatest strengths lies in its exploration of family dysfunction across class lines. Richard Alexander’s emotional abuse of his wife Kay creates a chilling portrait of how power corrupts intimate relationships. Meanwhile, Tess’s relationship with her mother reflects the desperate pragmatism of working-class survival.
Kay Alexander emerges as a particularly tragic figure—a woman trapped in an abusive marriage who tries to warn Tess about the dangers of loving an Alexander man. Her ultimate fate serves as a haunting reminder of what happens when women have no escape from toxic situations.
Political Intrigue: The Personal Becomes Public
Ingram demonstrates a keen understanding of modern political campaigns and the destructive power of opposition research. The way personal secrets become political weapons feels authentically contemporary, reflecting our current media landscape where private pain becomes public spectacle.
The abortion scandal storyline particularly resonates in our current political climate, highlighting the double standards faced by women in politics. The novel’s exploration of how personal choices from decades past can destroy present-day careers feels both timely and tragic.
Writing Style: Elegant Prose with Emotional Depth
Ingram’s prose strikes a perfect balance between literary sophistication and accessibility. Her descriptions of Virginia’s landscape—from sprawling estates to political headquarters—create a vivid sense of place that grounds the story in authentic regional detail. The author’s background in law adds credibility to the political elements without overwhelming the emotional core of the story.
The dialogue feels natural and revealing, particularly in the private moments between Tess and Grant. Ingram has a gift for subtext, allowing readers to understand what characters cannot say aloud. The tension between what is spoken and unspoken drives much of the narrative’s emotional power.
Themes That Resonate: Class, Power, and Redemption
The Persistence of Class Distinctions
Despite America’s supposed social mobility, “The Summer We Ran” illustrates how class differences continue to shape relationships and opportunities. Tess’s perpetual feeling of being an outsider, even as a successful politician, rings painfully true.
The Corrupting Nature of Political Power
The novel explores how the pursuit of political power can corrupt even well-intentioned individuals. Both protagonists find themselves making moral compromises that would have horrified their teenage selves.
The Weight of Unspoken Truths
Secrets form the backbone of this narrative, demonstrating how buried truths have a way of surfacing at the worst possible moments. The novel suggests that authenticity, however painful, ultimately proves more liberating than carefully constructed facades.
Areas for Critical Consideration
While “The Summer We Ran” succeeds on many levels, certain elements feel less fully developed. The supporting characters, particularly the spouses Dean and Cecilia, occasionally feel more like plot devices than fully realized individuals. Their reactions to the revelations about Tess and Grant’s past sometimes feel somewhat predictable.
Additionally, some readers might find the resolution slightly rushed, given the complexity of the emotional and political obstacles the characters face. The novel’s ending, while satisfying, perhaps ties up loose ends a bit too neatly for such a messy situation.
The pacing occasionally stutters during the middle sections, where the political maneuvering sometimes overshadows the emotional core that makes the story compelling. However, these minor issues don’t significantly detract from the overall reading experience.
Literary Comparisons and Audience Appeal
Readers who enjoyed Taylor Jenkins Reid’s “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” or Kristin Hannah’s “The Four Winds” will find much to appreciate in Ingram’s latest offering. The novel also shares DNA with political thrillers by authors like Catherine Ryan Hyde, though Ingram’s focus remains primarily on the human heart rather than policy details.
The book will particularly appeal to readers who enjoy:
- Second-chance romance with high stakes
- Political fiction that prioritizes character over procedural details
- Dual-timeline narratives that illuminate how past decisions shape present circumstances
- Stories exploring class dynamics in contemporary America
Ingram’s Growing Literary Voice
Following her previous novels “The River Runs South” and “The Group Trip,” Ingram continues to establish herself as a writer capable of balancing commercial appeal with literary depth. “The Summer We Ran” represents her most ambitious work to date, tackling broader themes while maintaining the intimate character focus that makes her work so engaging.
The author’s ability to write convincingly about both teenage passion and middle-aged disillusionment demonstrates impressive range. Her portrayal of Virginia’s political landscape feels authentic without becoming didactic, suggesting extensive research combined with natural storytelling instincts.
Final Verdict: A Compelling Addition to Contemporary Fiction
“The Summer We Ran” succeeds as both a satisfying romance and a thoughtful examination of how the past shapes our present. While not without minor flaws, the novel delivers emotional complexity and political relevance in equal measure. Ingram has created a story that will resonate with readers long after the final page, raising questions about the prices we pay for our ambitions and the possibility of redemption even after devastating betrayal.
The novel works on multiple levels—as a love story, a political thriller, and a meditation on the persistence of class in American society. For readers seeking intelligent escapism with emotional depth, “The Summer We Ran” delivers compelling characters, authentic stakes, and enough plot twists to keep pages turning late into the night.
Similar Reads to Explore
For readers who enjoyed “The Summer We Ran,” consider these comparable titles:
- “Great Big Beautiful Life” by Emily Henry – Another summer romance with deeper emotional complexity
- “The Proposal” by Jasmine Guillory – Contemporary romance with political elements
- “The Midnight Feast” by Lucy Foley – Dual timeline mystery with relationship drama
- “Little Fires Everywhere” by Celeste Ng – Class conflict and family secrets
- “Such a Fun Age” by Kiley Reid – Contemporary examination of class and privilege
- “The Silent Patient” by Alex Michaelides – Psychological drama with shocking revelations
Rating and Recommendation
“The Summer We Ran” earns its place among the year’s most compelling reads, offering sophisticated entertainment that doesn’t sacrifice emotional truth for plot convenience. While it may not achieve perfection, it succeeds brilliantly at what it attempts—creating a story about love, loss, and the courage required to face our most painful truths.
- Recommended for: Fans of contemporary romance, political fiction, and dual-timeline narratives who appreciate complex characters and authentic emotional stakes.