Family drama is not my thing...

Tracey Lange has convinced me that they are enjoyable.

"The Connellys of County Down" surprised me!

I dove into this book not realizing that I would be so entranced by the plot that I would finish the entire book in forty-eight hours.

I. COULD. NOT. PUT. THIS. DOWN.

This family is messy. It's the kind of disaster that is so bad that you can't rip you're eyes away.

The Connelly's are full of secrets and drama. That's putting it simply.

I mean, the first chapter is all about one of the Connelly's being released from jail.

Yeah, I know, hot start to the story. I can promise you that from that moment moving forward it all gets more dramatic and more secrets get spilled. It is so messy.

I think that was why I loved this book. This family was messy but the story showed that the bond that they had with each other was difficult to break and that they were devoted deeply to one another. It's a book that shows how hard and how rewarding relationships with siblings can be.

The Connelly siblings will devastate you. They will make you smile. They will break your heart. They will make you frustrated. They will make you want to give them hugs.

But most importantly, the siblings will make you realize the lengths that you would go to protect your family and appreciate the bond that you have with you're own blood.

Thank you Celadon Books for the advanced copy of this book. Special shout out to the group of buddies who read this amazing book with me. Reading this with you guys was tons of fun. I am sorry my poopy mail services delayed our buddy reading for the longest time. I hope you will accept my friendship in the future.

I just finished "The Connellys of County Down" by Tracey Lange, and I have to say, I loved it! This was my first read for the #celadonreadstogether, and it did not disappoint.

The story follows the Connelly family, who are a complete mess in every way possible but still deeply care for one another. I was hooked from the first chapter and enjoyed Lange's writing style. I particularly appreciated the easter egg she included from her other novel.

While the ending was a bit too tidy for my liking and felt a bit like a Hallmark move, it didn't take away from the overall enjoyment of the book. I loved the flawed characters and their complicated relationships, and the story kept me engaged until the very end.

Overall, I highly recommend "The Connellys of County Down" to anyone looking for a heartwarming yet messy family drama.

What a lovely book! I enjoyed reading The Connellys of County Down by Tracey Lange. If you are looking a well-written family drama, pick up this book. I felt like I really got to know each of the Connelly siblings well as I read this book and thought the family dynamics were very true to life. From the very first chapter, where we meet Tara as she is leaving prison I was drawn into this story. One of my favorite books this year. Add this one to your TBR!

When Tara Connelly is released from prison after serving eighteen months on a drug charge, she knows rebuilding her life at thirty years old won’t be easy. With no money and no prospects, she returns home to live with her siblings, who are both busy with their own problems. Her brother, a single dad, struggles with the ongoing effects of a brain injury he sustained years ago, and her sister’s fragile facade of calm and order is cracking under the burden of big secrets. Life becomes even more complicated when the cop who put her in prison keeps showing up unannounced, leaving Tara to wonder what he wants from her now.

While she works to build a new career and hold her family together, Tara finds a chance at love in a most unlikely place. But when the Connellys’ secrets start to unravel and threaten her future, they all must face their worst fears and come clean, or risk losing each other forever.

The Connellys of County Down is a moving novel about testing the bounds of love and loyalty. It explores the possibility of beginning our lives anew, and reveals the pitfalls of shielding each other from the bitter truth.

I’m a little late to the party, but I just finished the Connellys of County Down this weekend! I really enjoyed the book. I was such a huge fan of her last book, We are the Brennans and they were similar in style and content.

Tara has recently been released from jail after serving 18 months for a drug trafficking charge. She moves home to Port Chester, NY with her older siblings and her nephew. But she disturbs their routine with coming home. Her brother, Eddie is excited and her sister, Geraldine is conflicted. Their parents were out of the picture very early and Geraldine took care of everyone. She struggles with mental health and has been falling behind at work.

Tara has to follow all the protocols for her release; checking in with her case manager, drug tests and getting a job. But it’s hard with her record and she cannot go back to work as an art teacher. She also has reconnected with an unlikely (and dangerous) to her release, but she can’t help herself.

I think if you enjoyed Orange is the New Black, you would really like this book. It definitely gave me similar vibes. I really loved the family dynamics, they all care for each other, but they are all deeply flawed. I also loved that the book takes place in Westchester; I’m very familiar with all of these towns!

Thank you so much to @celadonbooks and @tracey_lange for my gifted book and for putting together the read along! It was fun to have a group to discuss with.

A page turning novel about how things are not quite as they seem. I definitely had a hard time putting this one down and will be reading We Are The Brennan’s. Does anyone know, are these the Brennan’s who own the pub in this book?
Lange did a great job of bringing the read along on a journey that was unexpected and both heart breaking and heartwarming. It provides a different perspective on the lives of people we may view as criminals and I appreciate that. One of the strengths of this novel is the way Lange delves into the inner lives of Tara, her siblings, and her nephew, revealing their motivations and vulnerabilities. The only inconsequential problem I had was with the pacing – the last part of the book felt a bit rushed and could have benefited from more space to elaborate certain plot points. Nevertheless, The Connelly’s of County Down is definitely worth picking up.
This is a #CeladonReadsTogether initiative. @CeladonBooks grouped me with 4 other Instagram Book Influencers and we were to read this and discuss it together.
Thank you also to @netgalley @Celadonbooks for the opportunity to read and review this book, plus the opportunity to join an author discussion last night with @tracey_lange.

We Are the Brennans was one of my favorite random choices of books so I was very much looking forward to this book. Lange does family drama so well, and the Connellys were another perfectly imperfect family group - Tara, who was just released from prison for a crime she may or may not have committed; Geraldine, the high-strung older sister who needs control; and Eddie, their brother with a traumatic brain injury and a 10-year old son. I enjoyed spending time with the actual Connelly family and watching them interact and get themselves in trouble with their lack of communication, though I did have a couple problems with the story. First, the romance made absolutely no sense to me since it happened way too fast and for no discernible reason. Second, I felt that a huge plot point was left hanging around Roland after so much buildup around him. I both read and listened to this title and preferred reading as I had an idea about the mannerisms and voice of each character and the narrator was a bit too monotone for me. Big thank yous to Celadon Books, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the early access to this title for my honest opinions. 3.5 stars

Prepare to be captivated from the very first page with Tracey Lange's latest masterpiece, a riveting family drama that hooks you instantly.

Tara Connelly emerges from an eighteen-month prison sentence, uncertain about her future and eager to reunite with her family. Struggling to rebuild her life, Tara returns home to her siblings, who grapple with messy and unexpected hardships.

As Tara unexpectedly encounters love in the most unlikely individual, she gradually unravels their long-held family secrets and finds comfort in her mother's beloved Irish tales.

This captivating story is filled with multiple perspectives, genuine growth, and beautiful flaws that rival the beauty of Lange’s first book, We Are the Brennans.

We have included this fantastic novel in our 2023 Summer Reading Guide!

I read this book with the book club from the publisher. I really appreciate them sending me to get a copy! I just found this book very slow, and I had too much anticipation from Tracy’s previous book: We Are the Brennan’s. I got quickly bored of the characters and didn’t really care for the suspense that was meant to be building, but I just didn’t feel it. I’m sorry !!!

When Tara Connelly gets out of prison after serving an 18-month drug sentence, she must return to living with her brother, sister and nephew and pick up the pieces she has left behind.

Growing up with a criminal father and sick mother - the Connelly siblings were always forced to rent for themselves. Geraldine, the oldest, gave up her childhood to become a parent to both Eddie and Tara. Eddie, in becoming a single-parent at a young age, must reconcile the choices he made in order to financially support his family. And Tara - who has always done whatever she pleased - finally gets a clear look at the state of their family and what they must to do move forward.

This book wasn’t what I expected but I ended up flying through it and really enjoying it. I sympathized with the struggles of the Connelly’s, particularly Geraldine, whose perfectionism and inability to ask for help has ultimately led her mental health to break down.

I found myself rooting for the characters and enjoyed watching their relationships with themselves, their family and romantic relationships grow.

A great story that you will not want to put down. The story is about a fierce family, loyalty, good intentions gone awry, and the consequences of improbable love. This author loves to write about different family dynamics and she nails it every time. Tara Connell is released from prison after serving 18 months on a drug charge. She knows that rebuilding her life at 30 yrs old will not be easy. Her brother is a single dad who struggles from a brain injury years ago.He is a great dad and Tara loves her nephew. Her sister is a hoarder behind the scenes and she has secrets that she has carried for years that are making her feel crazy.Tara falls in love with the detective who arrested her. The book has many turns and twists, The book would be great for a book club discussion about family life and all of the dynamics of a family. This was a great read that I really enjoyed.

I LOVED this book so much. The Connellys of County Down was such a heartwarming story surrounding Tara and her family trying to navigate life after she spends some time in prison.

This story was so well-written and had so many elements I love in my books. Love, loss, trauma, secrets, and of course, family.

I could not put this book down. The short chapters had me up reading way passed my bed time - “just one more chapter”.

If you’re looking for something to binge this summer add this to your tbr. It’s out in August!

⁉️Are you a plant person?
I’m newly converted and am just making my first attempt to propagate one of my babies.

The Connellys of County Down by Tracey Lange
Pub date: August 1, 2023
288 pages
@celadonbooks @netgalley thank you for the gifted copy & ebook!

I was immediately drawn into this story of Tara Connelly (recently released from prison) and her two siblings (who maybe should’ve served time instead 😆). This isn’t exactly your typical family drama, as this family is more dysfunctional than the average IMO, but that makes them far more interesting.

My favorite relationship was the one between Tara and her nephew. It was always a little relief to get a glimpse of the two of them to break up the dynamic between Tara and the rest of her family.

My least favorite relationship, though, and part of why this book didn’t entirely work for me, was between her and her love interest. He also happened to be the cop that arrested her. Without giving anything away, that whole thing gave me the ick from the very first moment we saw them together. My friend Emily had similar feelings. So, I’ll forward you to her here @backinthelibrary

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to my #celadonreadalong group for reading this one with me
@tirwinreads
@sunsoakedpages
@neverwithoutmybook
@lisabreads

We all had our own opinions on this book. So, if you’re curious check their grids for reviews, too ♥️

#celadon #traceylange #theconnellysofcountydown #readinggroup #buddyread #bookreview #bookreviewer #netgalley #bookthoughts #booksiread #bookstagram #booktography #instaread #newbook #newbookstagram

A wonderful work about redemption, love, second chances, addiction and fierce family loyalty.

Tara Connelly is getting out of prison after 525 days for drug running. She is going home to live with family, all of whom have their own serious problems. A brother with a traumatic brain injury, a sister with serious control issues, and a nephew who thinks Tara hung the moon, even though she went to prison. How will she fit back into their lives? Life is further complicated as the detective who put her in prison keeps showing up, questioning whether or not he did the right thing by putting her away.

I LOVED this book. The characters were complex and deeply flawed with real problems. The book is told from many characters perspectives and really gives you a chance to get to know what each is going through. I loved the complex relationship that Tara had with her siblings, anyone can relate to that. The struggles the family was going through really drew me in and I wanted to see what was going to happen next, always hoping for something good to happen to this family, finally. I did find some of the plot twists to predicable but in this instance it made no difference. I couldn’t put this book down.

Thank you NetGalley and Celadon for my ARC

I loved this book! All the stars.

The Connelly kids - Tara, Eddie and Geraldine - had a rough childhood but they stuck together and now, as adults, they make mistakes but they are there for each other and each needs to grow in their own way during this story. I loved it!!

I loved Lange’s debut novel, We Are The Brennans, so much and I was excited to receive an advanced copy of her new novel. It did not disappoint! I took it with me on my trip to the Amalfi Coast so it will always have that special connection for me. ☺️

The Connellys are a family of three siblings who had to grow up fast and left to fend for themselves as teens. Each sibling has their own crosses to bear and struggle to understand the other. The story begins as Tara is released from incarceration. We learn what put Tara in prison and how those around her had a role to play in it. As secrets are revealed and truths uncovered, you get to see the love and fierce loyalty of this family. These characters felt so authentic and it was lovely to get to know them. The story centers on themes of forgiveness, sacrifice, loyalty, perspective, love and acceptance.

And the “fairy tale” the title is drawn from will touch your heart. ❤️

Book is on sale August 1!

Thank you CeladonBooks and NetGalley for the advanced copies in exchange for an honest review.

This family has all the drama!

The character development in this book is truly remarkable. I had some really strong feelings for a lot of them. Particularly, Geraldine. I recommend this book if you like family dramas and strong characters.

This is a tender, family story I really enjoyed! This a a character driven story focusing on the Connelly siblings: Tara recently paroled who is fiercely loyal and supportive of her family, brother Eddie suffered a TBI years ago and still sustains side effects, and sister Geraldine has her own issues she's been hiding. I adored Tara's relationship and interactions with her nephew. Brian is so supportive and caring and I loved including his perspective and finding more about his notifications for certain things. This lost a star for me because I felt the ending was abrupt and after all the time we had with the family I wanted a bit more to my unanswered questions and to see some key storylines wrap up a bit more cleanly.

Petition to have Tracey Lange write gorgeous stories about complicated, interesting families forever. This book grabbed at my heart as Tara, recently released from prison, works to rebuild her life alongside her siblings- Eddie, who is dealing with the long effects of a TBI, and Geraldine, the oldest sister, who held it all together to keep her family as whole as possible and is now struggling. Add in a detective who has complicated feelings about how Tara landed in jail in the first place and how it ties to current criminal doings- well, this story is the kind of tangled, emotional web I love.

The Connellys Of County Down by Tracey Lange kept reminding me why I love family dramas with every turn of the page. This is a book that instantly grabbed my attention, and didn't let it go until I was finished; I just didn't want to stop reading once I started!

It has been a while since I've read a book that had as many narrators as this one did and did such a good job of painting each of them as their own person! These unique characters, each with their own problem and secret, felt like members of a real family unit. These fully fleshed out individuals were the reason that I kept wanting to read just one more chapter.

Each of the Connellys had their own role in the family, each a moving gear that made up the whole machine. This sibling dynamic is so interesting, and I love how their separate stories were all woven together so well; getting to watch as each one unfolded was the perfect ride! I really liked each narrator, although Tara was my favourite despite not having a lot in common with her. The pending doom she felt with each choice she made after being released from prison was palpable. Geraldine, her older sister, is a bit of a loose cannon but is truly doing her best. Eddie, Tara’s brother, is dealing with the aftermath of an accident, and as a single parent has his young son to think of. As far as Brian goes, Tara's arresting officer, he continuously puts himself in Tara’s path once she’s no longer in jail.

Towards the end of the story, as the pieces were being put together once again, there was one character arch that bothered me slightly. Although it worked for the character themselves, it came across as too lesson-y/preach-y for my taste. This is the only thing standing in the way of giving this book the five full stars it deserves!

In summery: I love how each character made decisions true to who they were as individuals. Each of these decisions could be justified, even though they may be more radical than society would prefer. There were aspects of mental health and addiction, which were handled very well. I loved the addition of both individual and group therapy sessions occurring for the family members.

If you enjoy character driven family dramas, this book is for you. If you enjoy questioning others' moral behaviors, this book is for you. And if you enjoy books that will leave a lasting impression, this book is for you.

Thank you NetGalley and Celadon Books for the complimentary copy to read and review.

I preferred this book to We are The Brennans. Tara was a great character, I loved finding out more about her background and how she got into her predicament. The more I found out the more I loved her. I wasn’t sure about Brian and his storyline, I wouldn’t have minded if it didn’t pan out the way it did. The family dynamic between Tara and her siblings was depicted in such a realistic way, and I thought that personal issues were dealt with in a sensitive way.