Tracey Lange

Tracey Lange is an auto-read author for me. I have loved her first two books and this one did not disappoint. On reflection, this may be my favorite. Lange sets up Potsdam, a small town in upper NY state, as the focal point for the action, bringing in the middle school hockey team to round out the community. I appreciate how she introduces her main characters separately at first. Some we meet in the past and then see them later in the current day. Others we meet in the current day from the show more start learning more as Lange takes us back in time to discover their history. It’s an intriguing and page-turning style. By looking back, she slowly fleshes out the persons they have become. The reader gets to know members of the two central families down to the bone, flaws and strengths. I loved getting to know each of them. Lange incorporates everyday humor as her ordinary characters navigate their relationships with one another. This book was much sadder than her previous two. Some readers may want to review content warnings before jumping in. show less

Loved this story---messy family drama at its finest. There is just enough mess to make it fascinating and plenty of family love to round the edges. The novel begins with Sunday Brennan returning home after a five-year absence. As the book progresses, we learn what caused her to leave and whether she can really come back. Along the way Lange introduces us to all the family members in a deep exploration of their decisions, motivations and the consequential impact on others. Some readers had a show more problem with the ending, but I thought it left enough room for reader interpretation which I always appreciate. I loved Lange’s sophomore novel, The Connellys of County Down, so much and now this one even more. She has definitely become an auto-read author for me. show less

It is almost impossible to fully convey just what an incredible author Tracey Lange is. First it was We are the Brennans, then The Connellys of County Down, and now What Happened to the McCrays? Lange writes stories that go straight to your heart, embed themselves into your very soul.

Kyle McCray left his business, his home, his family – his entire life - in Potsdam, New York two and a half years ago, never intending to return. The McCray family has suffered a lot of tragedy over the years, show more and they endured. But what drove Kyle away may be the thing that breaks them beyond repair. Not everything is fixable; time alone does not heal all wounds.

It’s obvious from the start of the story that although broken, Kyle is still a good man. He regrets abandoning those who depended on him, but the regret and guilt he feels over what caused him to leave is larger. It’s not a regret he can carry alongside him; it’s right in his face every day, every minute, every second, and he can’t get around or through it. Going home is unthinkable – until he learns his father has suffered a debilitating stroke. He has to go home, but he is expecting anger and the cold shoulder from everyone, especially Casey, the wife he walked out on.

Casey is as broken as Kyle; but she didn’t run away from her responsibilities. She stayed, she’s coping, but she’s a shell of the woman she used to be. She’s hanging by a thread and it doesn’t look like she can hold on much longer. Her guilt and pain and regrets are threatening to overtake her will to carry on.

It’s a while into the story before we find out just what happened to tear apart this family. Your heart will already be breaking for Kyle and Casey, his father Danny, her brother Wyatt and everyone in town they used to be close to, but when you learn the reason for all this guilt and grief and regret your heart will shatter.

The home Casey and Kyle shared is right next to his father’s home, and Potsdam is a small, close-knit community so of course Kyle and Casey will cross paths. Frequently. Painfully. Even though she wants him gone and he did not want to return, they’ve known each other since childhood, been together since high school. Old memories of sweet and tender times are strong, but is this new devastating memory horrible enough to smother the good memories forever?

Lange has written a remarkable story of love, loss, regret and forgiveness. While forgiving others and wanting the best for them may be possible, forgiving yourself and believing you are worthy of happiness again may not be. What Happened to the McCrays? is riveting, compelling, heart-wrenching, with such a strong pull you won’t be able to put it down. The characters are so well-written, so full of depth and emotion that you are carried along with every scene, first wondering what it was that went wrong, then hoping there can at least be the beginning of fragile communication, and then fervently wishing the misunderstandings could be cleared up, the hearts could be healed, the love could shine through. I was so pleased to receive an advance copy of What Happened to the McCrays? from Celadon Books via NetGalley because of how much I enjoyed her two previous books. Author Lange writes such powerful stories of families and circumstances and strength; I recommend everything she writes. And publisher Celadon Books never fails to provide impactful, meaningful fiction and non-fiction; I know when I receive a book from Celadon as a Celadon Reader that I am in for an engrossing, totally satisfying read. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own. show less

Tracey Lange has crafted an absolute gem with “The Connellys of County Down.” This novel dives deep into the complexities of family, loyalty, and second chances in a way that feels both poignant and incredibly relatable. The Connellys are messy, flawed, and imperfect—just like most families—but their fierce love and loyalty for one another shine through on every page.

Tara’s journey of rebuilding her life after prison and reconnecting with her siblings, Eddie and Geraldine, is show more beautifully written and full of heart. Each sibling struggles with their own burdens—be it Eddie’s brain injury or Geraldine’s secret-laden attempt at perfection—but Lange weaves their stories together seamlessly, showing how love and resilience can help heal even the deepest wounds.

The dynamics between the Connellys are rich and layered, pulling you into their lives so completely that you feel like you’re right there with them, rooting for their redemption and growth. Lange’s prose is compassionate and honest, exploring themes of forgiveness, love, and what it truly means to be family, even when life throws you curveballs.

With relatable characters, touching moments of vulnerability, and an engaging plot that keeps you hooked, this story is as much about the power of love and connection as it is about finding strength within ourselves. If you enjoy family dramas with heartfelt, character-driven storytelling, you won’t want to miss this one. show less