Set in New England, Summer is a romance novel which deals with themes of social class, the role of women in society, destructive relationships, sexual awakening and the desire of its protagonist, named Charity Royall. Charity is bored with her life in the small town of North Dormer, living under the tutorship of town's learned person Mr. Royall who makes inappropriate advances toward her. The exciting life she dreams of finds her in the form of a visiting architect named Lucius Harney. Charity becomes his companion as he explores the town and they fall in love. Mr. Royall tries to sabotage their relationship, but it only helps them get closer and develop an intimate bond. However, things change when Charity finds out that Lucius went out of the town with Annabel Balch, a local society girl, while suspects she might be pregnant.

Edith Wharton (1862-1937) was a Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist and short story writer. The Age of Innocence won the 1921 Pulitzer Prize for literature, making Wharton the first woman to win the award. Many of Wharton's novels are characterized by a subtle use of dramatic irony. Having grown up in upper-class pre-World War I society, Wharton became one of its most astute critics, in such works as The House of Mirth and The Age of Innocence. In addition to writing several respected novels, Wharton produced a wealth of short stories and is particularly well regarded for her ghost stories.