The Connellys of County Down is Tracey Lange’s second book. If you liked We Are the Brennans then you are gonna love this one. This is another well written family drama story by a very proficient writer. This is a heartwarming story about the unconditional love of family. The lengths we go to to protect our siblings. Ms. Lange pulls you into the story and she will make you feel all the drama! The characters are flawed but wonderfully realistic. This one has secrets, the kind that can ruin a family or someone in it but I really think you should read this one and find out for yourself.

Thank you NetGalley, Celadon Books and Tracey Lange for the honor to receive an early copy of this moving and touching story to read and review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
#netgalley. #celadonbooks. #traceylange. #arc. #theconnellysofcountydown. #celadonbooksinfluencer

This book was everything I was hoping for & more after reading We Are the Brennans last year. It was deep & thoughtful & evoked a number of emotions throughout the book. I so enjoyed seeing the family relationships grow & change. I loved the deeply flawed characters & the realistic ways in which the siblings showed love for each other. I always love a bit of good old Irish Catholic guilt mixed into a story & this had a more subtle than the Brennans & therefore that much more thought provoking to me. Overall this book was just as great, if not even better than her first & I want everyone to pick it up as I think there is a lot to be learned & so much to think about.

I loved Tracey Lange's first book, 𝘞𝘦 𝘈𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘴, and her follow up, 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗬𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗬 𝗗𝗢𝗪𝗡, is another fantastic layered family drama with flawed but relatable characters you can't help but root for.

Lange's writing is so taut - where many authors use flowery descriptions or add lots of embellishment, she tells it like it is and gets her point across quickly and clearly. I can't believe how much she packs into 288 pages! But just because this book isn't a doorstop doesn't mean it's not substantive. You get POVs from the three Connelly siblings as well as a police officer who orbits their world and it makes them all come to life. To say the family is dysfunctional would be an understatement but Lange's beautiful storytelling shows how loyalty, love and mutual support help them survive even the most challenging circumstances. And for other Brennans' fans, she gives a nice nod to them that made me smile.

Thanks to Celadon Books for the copy to review.

This story starts as Tara is released from prison after 18 months. She is going home to live with her sister, brother, and nephew. The cop that sent her to prison is her ride home. 😬 Awkward.

While Tara is adjusting to life with a criminal record, she is also adjusting to being home with her family. Her sister is struggling, her brother has lost confidence and her young nephew needs a support system.

As Tara begins adjusting and also finding some happiness of her own, her family drama at home is escalating. Secrets keep mounting between the siblings and they won’t acknowledge buried truths and hurt.

I read the majority of this book in one morning! It’s a fast read that kept me engaged and excited to learn more about fate of the Connellys. I just wish the siblings would have communicated better, but I know that was part of the plot and allowed for a lot of character development in the book.

I am not sure how Tracey Lange does it, but the way she writes characters and family dynamics is like a punch in the gut and I love it! I was immediately invested in Tara and her relationships with her siblings, nephew, and the cop who put her in jail. Then as the other POV chapters unfold, each of the characters fills a little spot in your heart. They are all so messy and flawed and just trying their best even when it sucks. Getting the full cast you can peek behind the curtain and see those intentions while also experiencing the outward impacts. It balances that tightrope of heartbreaking and hopeful. This is a very character-driven story and while the "twists" were obvious long before they came to fruition it felt more like a character study where we got to see just how they reacted and perceived the issues (and for the other characters: the warning signs) to really understand the process how they occurred.

The parts I didn't like, but probably just wanted a bit more pages of since this was a shorter book, were Tara's new relationship (I had to suspend my disbelief on that one) and the abrupt ending (I would have liked 1-2 more chapters of what happened next).

THE CONNELLYS OF COUNTY DOWN
Tracey Lange

Based on the story told to them by their mother in their youth. We meet the siblings as adults. Each dealing with the consequences of their own actions.

We start with Tara. Tara has just gotten out of prison. Serving a sentence for drug charges. She has little left for her on the outside and is struggling to put her life back together.

Geraldine is the one holding the home down and keeping things running smoothly while Tara is gone. She’s also keeping a big secret that threatens her very stability.

Eddie is newly divorced and spends his time taking care of his son Conor and trying to keep things together for his family.

I really enjoyed THE CONNELLYS OF COUNTY DOWN.

The reading experience feels like Lange has been given guardianship over these characters. It feels like she tended to them with time, care, thoughtfulness and appreciation.

There is character development and there is THE CONNELYS OF COUNTY DOWN. I was moved by their flawed perfection. And it will be a long time until I forget these characters. Perhaps until I read Lange again.

Thanks to Netgalley, Celadon Books, and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copies.

THE CONNELLYS OF COUNTY DOWN…⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you @celadonbooks @netgalley for the review copy!

📖Tara is released from prison after serving an 18 month sentence on a drug charge. She moves back to the home she shares with her two siblings who are struggling with their own personal issues. When family secrets start to be revealed, the siblings must face their truths or they risk losing each other.

💭I love the way that Lange writes. She is my favorite family drama author. She’s so good at developing her characters and I get so invested in their stories and lives. I loved the relationship between the siblings. Even though they had their faults and didn’t necessarily see eye to eye, you could feel their love and loyalty to each other. Lange is officially an auto buy author for me now.

📚Read this if you like…
Family dramas
Multiple POV
Character driven stories

✍️How I rated other books from this author:
We Are The Brennans- 5⭐️

"The Connellys of County Down" by Tracey Lange is a Blend of Women's and Family Fiction!

Thirty-year-old Tara Connelly is released from prison after spending eighteen months incarcerated on a drug charge. She expected a ride home from her sister, Geraldine, but instead she's met by Brian Nolan who offers her the ride home she's waiting for.

Tara reluctantly accepts, but what the heck is the detective who arrested her doing at Taconic Correctional Facility on the day and time of her release?

Returning to the house where she grew up, Tara finds the atmosphere strained and uncomfortable.

Her older brother Eddie's demeanor is reserved and Geraldine, the oldest, seems edgy and defensive. They're all adults now so why does Geraldine continue to be controlling and why is Eddie noticeably nervous?

The one shining light is Eddie's young son, Conner. He adds such joy to Tara's life and his one-liner jokes are like the fuel that keeps her going in the right direction.

Tara's focus is on rebuilding her life and keeping her family together. With Tara's prison record and the secrets each of these siblings are keeping, living together continues to be strained. Something needs to give before this family implodes...

"The Connellys of County Down" is this author's sophomore novel and it's every bit as beautifully written as her debut novel "We Are the Brennans". I love Family Fiction, the more complicated and messy it is, the better. What you get with this story is the tense unpredictability of a dysfunctional family, one that's horribly broken.

Tracey Lange knows how to create families and characters that are well-formed with diverse qualities that gives a balance to this story. It arouse emotions that are deep, throaty, and may cause you to look away. There's pain in her characters that's palpable and they simultaneously frustrate you and break your heart. I do love this author's storytelling.

I was fortunate to have both a DRC and an ALC of "The Connellys of County Down". The digital copy was great for late night reading but this was mostly a daytime listen for me. The narrator, Barrie Kreinik, who also narrated "We Are the Brennans", once again offers her superb voicing skills. The audiobook is definitely my preference however, any format will deliver a great read.

"The Connellys from County Down" is a story I wanted to spend more time learning about the family's past, with an ending that didn't feel rushed and abrupt. With that said, this remains a story I love and highly recommend to those who also enjoy richly blended and beautifully written Women's and Family Fiction stories.

4.5⭐

Thank you to Tracey Lange, Celadon Books, and Macmillan Audio for a DRC and ALC of this book through NetGalley. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.

It seemed trope-filled, which you know I hate, but it kept me hooked. I just kept going back because Tracey Lange wrote these beautiful characters that I grew deeply attached to. I loved the progression of the characters as individuals and together as they came back together as a family. They grew together and learned valuable life lessons together, especially that not everything is what it seems; there is always something more between the surface, and what appears as strength on the outside might actually be a cover for weakness.

Not my typical read, but I enjoyed this family drama story more than I expected.

The three Connelly siblings, Tara, Eddie, and Geraldine, are dealing with a lot. Tara just got out of prison. Eddie is still struggling from the effects of a traumatic brain injury. Geraldine, who was the glue that held their family together after their mom died and dad left, is grappling with some mental health issues.

At times I felt there was a LOT of drama and woe for one family, but I was rooting for them all to get their happy endings. Tara took family loyalty to a place of martyrdom but I did enjoy her forbidden romance. Some of the characters' issues could have been an entire book.

I loved all the attention and care that Lange puts into each and every character. The more minor characters were some of my favorites, from the YouTubers to Tara's cellmate to Tara's parole officer. And I loved the fun callback to the Brennans and their bar.

absolutely loved We Are the Brennans by Tracey Lange so I was thrilled when I got an early eARC of her newest, The Connellys of County Down. And it’s official: I am a Tracey Lange fan. Her writing is perfectly descriptive and has me turning the pages so quickly.

In her newest, readers meet Tara Connelly–a young woman recently released from an 18 month prison sentence for drug trafficking. The police think she was covering for a local drug dealer and were frustrated that she wouldn’t cave. She returns home to try to restart her life–she lives with her brother, her nephew and her older sister. Tara is trying so hard but each family member (including Tara) carries a secret that threatens to unravel their lives.

This is an excellent work of family drama–I was so invested in the characters, even when they were making terrible choices. Lange’s writing lets readers see the whole person and love them, flaws and all. There’s a bit of mystery and romance as well. I just loved this. Sign me up for Lange’s next book. I’m in. This publishes 8/1 and I highly recommend reading. Thank you to @netgalley and @celadonbooks for the copy.

Tracey Lange does a nice job with another family drama in her sophomore novel.

The book is chock full of themes such as resilience, family loyalty and trust, and consequences of actions. It is told in multiple POVs, which I love. There are 4 main characters and you get their full back story as well as their unique perspective.

I went through the first half of the book very quickly then at about 50% it got heavy into a romantic relationship which I didn't find believable. It felt a bit Hallmark movie which isn't my cup of tea.

Overall, it is a good, fast summer read.

Thank you to Celadon Books and NetGalley for advancing a Kindle copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was rooting for all the characters in this book the whole way through! A powerful book about a family's love for each other, even in the most difficult and trying of times. I felt like we really got to know each character and their flaws, as well as strengths.

Thank you Netgalley, Celadon Books, and author Tracey Lange for the opportunity to read an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. This book releases on Aug 1st!

Here we meet Tara Connelly, being released from prison after eighteen months for drug charges and goes back to living her life with her siblings, Geraldine and Eddie, who are dealing with their own personal issues. Geraldine -- the oldest of three who gets by on a structured life of routine; and Eddie -- suffers from traumatic brain injury who is just trying to move on from his past and has a son named Connor. As Tara rebuilds her life by having a job and perhaps meeting someone special, she is faced with a dilemma that will put her in a tricky situation yet again that might put her back in prison in order to help out her family.

I love the heart of each of these characters! The author shows that in the midst of the ugliness of a person’s circumstance, the beauty of who they are outshines all its complexities. I like that even the supporting characters were given light as well without derailing the entire story. These characters just wanted to have some sense of normalcy in their lives; and as for the siblings — their love for each other is the one that saves them from completely falling apart. I love the warm hug that this book has given me!

Tracey Lange's "The Connellys of County Down" tells the story of Tara Connelly's return to her family home after serving a two and a half year sentence for drug trafficking. She reunites with her nervous sister, Geraldine, her brain damaged brother Eddie, and Eddie's son, Connor. Tara finds herself with a new career, an unexpected love interest, and resuming unresolved issues with her family. Tara's new life is interrupted by past problems which can send her back to square one if they're not resolved.

"The Connellys" had me laughing one minute and moved the next. The characters are genuine people. They are people that can be our friends, neighbors, or members of our own family. The percise plotting makes Tara's mission to put her past behind her believable.

The problem I have with the recent family stories I've read is that they threw in one crisis after another. The authors want to make sure I know I'm reading about a dysfunctional family. Ms.Lange stays focused on what keeps Tara and her family from moving on to next stages in their lives. I didn't feel emotionally exhausted once I was finished, instead, I smiled and felt good.

"The Connellys of County Down" is the kind of book that needs to be published. It counteracts the cynical tone that is found in a good amount of today's fiction. Tracy Lange offers readers hope that anyone can turn their lives around even after the worst circumstances.

I’ve been looking forward to Tracey Lange’s sophomore novel ever since I read her debut, and while it didn’t disappoint, it felt almost too similar to We Are the Brennans. I still loved the themes of how to navigate difficult family relationships in less than ideal circumstances. She does a good job of questioning what we see as the “ideal” family and what it truly mean to love and sacrifice for your family. The characters showed a lot of growth throughout the story, and their honesty about their flaws made them all the more lovable. I’ll definitely keep reading books from this author but would love to see some different plot lines!

I loved Lange’s debut title We Are the Brennans!
The Connellys of County Down by Tracey Lange was just as phenomenal as her first novel.
I've just finished reading this masterpiece; And this book was everything!
The way she writes contemporary fiction is spectacular.
The family, the emotions, the complex relationships was something I think most readers will relate with.
The characters are easy to connect with and relate to. Strong, flawed and likable.
The storyline was great, sucked you right in from the beginning and kept you hooked the whole time.
To me this had everything it needed to be the perfect summer read. I enjoyed every minute of the book and it now has a spot on my favorites shelf.
Tracey Lange is an incredible story teller and I am so glad it was a part of my summer reading.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and Celadon Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing
eARC!

Thank you to Net Galley for providing an early copy of The Connellys of County Down

It started with fairy tales that their mother shared with them. In her stories, Geraldine, Edward and Tara live in County Down in Ireland and face challenges which their magic powers can overcome. When their mother dies and their father disappears, it is up to Geraldine to take over the role of parent. Deprived of a normal teenage life, she develops anxieties which keep her from normal interactions with others.

Eddie and Tara have issues as well. When Eddie suffers traumatic brain injury from a car accident and cannot hold down a job, he becomes involved in illegal activities. In Tara's attempt to come to her brother's aid, her life will be forever changed.

A police officer from Tara's past will return at a most unexpected moment, and all three siblings will ultimately need to speak the truth in order to bring closure and new outlooks on life.

Author Tracey Lange has created a family dynamic that is both strong and vulnerable, honest and prevaricating and ultimately committed to one another.

This book completely absorbed me, and I read most of it in one day (it’s fairly short). Tara Connelly was recently released from prison, and she deals with conflict in her family and uncertainty about her future. I was pulled in from the first chapter, fascinated by her family’s struggle for growth and peace. There’s a romance that wasn’t terribly realistic but gave the book an element of fantasy and symbolized hope. I quite enjoyed the entire reading experience and found myself rooting for all the characters. Except Roland Shea, of course.

I read part of the book on the kindle app and most of it on audio—thanks to Celadon and Macmillan Audio for the complimentary copies!

Excellent read. I enjoyed it as much as the Brennans book. Interesting there was a Brennans reference in the book too!