Book of The Month discussion

Does your past define your destiny? Told through multiple perspectives, rich with emotion and immersive dual timelines, The Summer We Ran weaves together a story of lost love, devastating secrets, shocking sabotage, and the painstaking decision two people must make in order to fulfill the futures they each desire.


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.

Through Ch. 6

(view spoiler)[I'm liking this one so far. I like the characters up to this point, but I'm worried about Richard. From the sounds of it he must be jerk. Kay becomes someone he wants and Grant gets grumpy when he comes and leaves. He's said horrible things to Grant, so I don't think I like Richard.

It would be so awkward to be running for governor against an ex-lover, but Dean is so good to her so I can't figure out why she won't tell him the truth. It makes no sense to me. But after the last paragraph in Ch. 6 I wonder just what they heck Grant got her to do! I'm dying to know! (hide spoiler)]

Through Ch. 13

(view spoiler)[Oh, my gosh. I hate Richard! What a creep! I hate how abusive he is and how he treats Kay. It would've been so awkward to overhear that argument between Richard and Kay. It sounds like maybe he cheated on her? I also hate how Grant kowtows to him, but I understand why he does.

Grant seems to really love Tess. Interesting they're both running for governor and are on opposite sides of the political parties. She's a Democrat and he's a Republican, which could be a huge problem if they were to stay together. It also appears that he's still not truly over Tess. (hide spoiler)]

Through Ch. 18

(view spoiler)[I can't believe that Richard blamed Grant for Kay's death. What a horrible excuse of a father! I wonder if he killed her or if it really was an accident due to her drinking. But poor Grant finding her dead that way. Just awful.

Wow! I can't believe that Tess took the money from Richard. I think Grant is upset about the abortion but probably even more upset if he knows she took money from her. Ugh (hide spoiler)]

Finished

(view spoiler)[I'm so glad that she didn't end up having an abortion, but how sad that her baby died. Then to have a hysterectomy...wow. Poor woman.

Then hiding so many things from Dean like why she didn't have tampons etc. just to keep from telling him the truth and that she couldn't have kids, not just didn't want to have them. She kept up so many lies from everyone! And HE was the one to send that picture. Jeez I'm not too surprised he left her. Honestly, I don't know why she couldn't tell him the truth about getting pregnant and losing the baby.

I was surprised that Madeline is the woman Richard was having an affair with. Kay's best friend and knowing each other forever...no wonder Kay drank herself to death. And what a jerk move for Richard to let out the scandal about Tess's pregnancy. He'd do anything to control people, including her but he failed at causing her to lose.

I am pretty satisfied with the ending. I know she and Grant will be together one day but she's taking the time she needs before allowing them to be together too soon. I think she's wise in that. (hide spoiler)]