I finished and reviewed this ages ago but it appears my review never posted. 🥺 Darn it.

I don't remember exactly what I said, so I'll keep it somewhat short: I loved this book way more than I thought I would! It's hard to believe this is a debut novel. Lange writes such rich, complex, believable characters. The reader can't help but become invested in their stories. I absolutely loved and became immersed in the drama, dysfunction and complexities of this flawed but lovable Irish Catholic family. I was telling a friend about this book and she asked what genre it is. I couldn't even tell her. A Little bit literary, a little bit of mystery, a little bit of romance? Whatever it is, it's perfection! 👌 This is one of those books that you give a nice warm hug upon finishing! ❤️ 5/5 stars. Highly recommend this one!! I can't wait for Lange's next one!

I apologize for the delayed review. 🥺 I swear I pressed "post" 😭 Thank you Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for the honest review.

I started this #bookofthemonth pick at the beginning of November, read about half way through and then put it down until recently.

I can't really remember why I put it down. I think it had something to do with nothing happening.

There was a bar. Some people used to date. They don't date anymore. One is now married with a child. The other just came home after 5 years. They still may have feelings for each other.

Welcome to all of my Friday nights in college.

Many people say there are too many characters in this book and although I agree, the real issue for me was that I didn't like any of them! I don't have to like all characters, but at least make me lust after one or two of them.

The 2nd half of this book was definitely better than the first, but it just didn't hit the mark for me.

There was a whole lot of family drama, secrets, with a little bit of mystery at the end. But, not enough to have me really invested in the story.

I really enjoyed diving into the Brennan family story. The character and history building was well done and I felt for those involved. Overall, it definitely gave me major Ask Again Yes vibes, which was another book I really enjoyed.

This was definitely a character driven novel, but the plot involved some dark trauma and major intrigue which made for a page turner.

A call in the middle of the night is never good but Denny Brennan thought it was just his younger brother who needed a ride home - probably drunk again. The shock came when he listened to the officer tell him his sister Sunday had been in a car accident. These first few pages grabbed me and I held on for the ride which turned out to be miles away from where Denny was. The Brennan's story is full of family separations, long ago deep secrets and alcohol abuse, love gone wrong and --yet ties and memories that were strong and tugged at my heart. I enjoyed this book - it filled me with familiar emotions of grief, love of family and hope.

This is another solid family saga. Sunday Brennan left her close knit Irish family in Westchester NY and set out to seek her fame and fortune in LA. It didn't work out so well. She wakes up in the hospital after a DUI and they have called the emergency contact in her wallet -- a brother she has been out of touch with for some time.

As it turns out, things aren't going so well for a lot of the Brennans and Sunday's return to NY, combined with things already in motion with the family, results in a lot of the past being excavated -- with very satisfying results.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via Net Galley.

I DNFed this book at 40% only because it hit way too close to home, with experiences, Irish culture, family pain and more. I was triggered by my own heartache and couldn't continue, but from what I read, I enjoyed it until I couldn't.

I really enjoyed this story of an American/Irish family. There are family secrets and unspoken truths. I was brought into the family’s saga and had a hard time pulling myself away.

I had received We Are the Brennans through a promotional giveaway the publisher was doing on Facebook. When it arrived, I just put it on my shelf for a while, as I had a lot in my TBR already. Then I started seeing recommendations, so I added it to my five-book pile. I am glad I gave it a chance, as it was a really well-written debut!

The story was interesting throughout and told in an engaging fashion. I liked seeing the variety of perspectives and enjoyed getting to know Sunday and her brothers, as well as some other characters, this way. The descriptions and dialogue brought the story to life in a genuine way. I felt like I was in the middle of all the family drama throughout. I was also trying to guess at what the family secrets would turn out to be. While some parts felt predictable in that regard, there were a lot of surprises too. I like how a quote at the end of each chapter would lead into the next chapter. I also loved how Sunday and her brothers all looked after each other. It reminds me of the kind of bond my kids have now and I hope they will continue to have that as they get older.

Overall, I'm glad I read this novel. Fans of family sagas will really like it and it was just the right length, even though each chapter was long.

Movie casting suggestions:
Sunday: Hari Nef
Denny: Beau Mirchoff
Jackie: Joe Keery
Kale: Robert Sheehan
Mickey: Gabriel Byrne
Vivienne: Brianne Howey
Theresa: Ali Cobrin

I loved this book. It was about family and trauma and coming to terms with the decisions you've made and moving forward. There is deep love and loyalty throughout that gets mixed up and hashed out. I would definitely read more by this author. (There are triggers for child loss)

An intriguing family story full of secrets, and one that draws you right in. The characters felt real, and the emotions were spot on. Recommend this one highly!

I absolutely LOVED We Are the Brennans by Tracey Lange. The Brennans are a tight-knit Irish-American family who have a lot on the line. Sunday, the only girl, is coming back home to New York after a stint in LA and a DUI that left her banged up. She is trying to see the direction her life should go after taking off from the family years before. Her brothers, parents, and high school sweetheart have no idea what made her leave, and all of the family have some secrets of their own.

This was a one-day read for me that I did not want to end! Each character becomes like family as their stories weave in and out of each other's. While they all have their fair share of faults and bad decisions, together they make a fascinating story and a look at how family can bring you back from your worst moments if you let them in.

I have already pressed this book into many friends and family member's hands, and I highly recommend it! I will be waiting, impatiently, for Lange's next book.

Great family drama. The Brennans are a tight knit Irish family in upstate New York, but they also have lots of secrets. Told in alternating POV chapters of the various family members. This was an engaging, quick read.

We Are the Brennans is Tracey Lange’s first novel and it is a very worthwhile beginning. This is the story of the Brennan family, an Irish-American family from New York. Sunday Brennan left her family of brothers and the love of her life behind five years ago and moved to Los Angeles to try to forget an ordeal that occurred back home. Upon her return, she seeks to find her place in the family again and to figure out her relationship with her ex- boyfriend. What made her run away from all who love her all those years ago? Who caused her such harm that she cannot get over it? Is the perpetrator still around? Will her brothers find out what happened to Sunday? Will she remain in New York or go back to Los Angeles? This is a family saga that turns into a mystery. The plot revolves around the relationships of the Brennan siblings. The characters are authentic and interesting, proving that all families have skeletons in their closets. Tracey Lange has written a novel that begs for a sequel because readers will want to spend more time with the Brennans. Highly recommended. Thank you to Celadon Books, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sunday left her tight knit Irish family five years prior to the start of the book. With three protective brothers, Denny, Jackie and Shane, Sunday kept a secret that she felt would shatter the family. Denny owns a bar with Sunday’s ex, Kale, who was as much part of the family as any of the brothers. When Sunday returns after a car accident, her past will clash with her present. The story is appealing, the characters are interesting, and the book works well to tell the story of a family and their secrets, but underlining it all is their deep love for each other. Recommended, and thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Family drama filled with misunderstandings and bad decisions. The writing is good and the story moves along quickly.

We Are The Brennans is a winding story about a family struggling to find themselves and each other, amidst their flaws.

After a damaging car accident, Sunday Brennan goes home to New York. Having realized the life she tried to create in Los Angeles wasn’t working she hopes to find healing and fulfillment in her family roots.

Little does she know what damage her leaving (and keeping secrets) has caused. And what her return will uncover about the secrets her family members have buried.

The Brennans felt real. Despite having to roll your eyes and shake your fists at the continual stupidity of their choices, I found myself worrying alongside them when danger was lurking and cheering when the possibility of happiness was on the horizon.

A must read for those who love stories about the ties that bind a family together, with a little mystery mixed in to keep you on your toes.

A thank you to Negalley for sharing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a lovely family drama. The writing is wonderful and handled with a deft hand. The characters are fully realized and brought vividly to life. Convering a range of important topics like sibling rivalry support, family secrets, lost loves, marriage angst, and dementia. A most worthwhile read.

Thank you so much @CeladonBooks & @NetGalley for giving me this physical ARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review (Release Date | 03 August 2021)

SYNOPSIS | Sunday abandoned her family & fiancé 5 years ago to move to CA pursuing her writing career... or that is what she told her family. In reality she is struggling to get by as a waitress & after a car accident leaves her injured she decides to return to her hometown & family business.

WHAT I LIKED:
- I was surprisingly invested in this dysfunctional Irish families drama
- that this was a debut. I will definitely be reading more from this author.
- normally I can't stand miscommunication, but in this story I could clearly see that each character made the decision that they thought was best in that moment.
- that each chapter is narrated by a different character

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
- the reason that Sunday decided to leave

Off to a slow start keeping all the characters straight. I can see why others felt this family thought they were entitled based on their poor decisions. The ending was rather abrupt so I hope there is a sequel to give us more of their future along with more of the backstory of Denny and his wife and Mickey’s life upon arriving in America.

Who doesn't love a great messy family? I certainly do, and author Tracey Lange provides a superbly written novel. This big Irish Catholic New York family is in every direction when the novel begins. The novel is told from 3/4 siblings, a best friend/business partner and the father, each having to come to terms with past mistakes, lies, betrayals and what could have been. I must say I loved the dialogue transitions from character to character to change chapters (read it and see what I'm talking about because it's clever and works).

When the only daughter, Sunday comes back to town after having been gone for 4 years, she finds her family in disarray and hurting as badly as she has been. I loved the mystery wrap around, the beautiful character development and realistic dialogue. I felt like I was sitting at their dining table, part of it all. If you love a good slow-burn with real emotion, then this one is for you. Tracey Lange is definitely on my radar for future novels as she has figured out how to capture realistic family drama. 4.5/5 stars (rounded up because it hit me at the right time).

Thank you Netgalley, Celadon Books and Tracey Lange for my advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.