I absolutely loved this book! This was such a well-done family drama. The characters and relationships were nuanced and complex, and even when the characters made really poor decisions, you could understand them and why they were doing what they were doing. I really loved all the members of the Connelly family.

I thought the issues the family dealt with were done so in a beautiful way and I loved the family loyalty the characters felt for one another. Even when they weren’t getting along, they always took care of each other.

Lange is definitely going on my auto-read list. I’d definitely recommend this book if you like a good family drama.

Once upon a time there was a mother who made up a fairy tale for her children called the Connellys of County Down. On a quest for their castle they encountered many adventures, and needed each other to get through the perils and pitfalls they would have to face. As the children grew up the fairy tale became a distant memory, but their place in the story is still fresh in their minds.

Every sibling has a role to play in both the fairy tale, and in the family dynamic. Geraldine is the oldest, the protector, the strong one. Eddie is the one who keeps everyone going, the one who rallies the troops and keeps spirits high. Tara is the youngest, the one who knows which direction to go, plans how to help her siblings. While this family has its secrets and its issues, at the heart of the story are three people who would do anything for each other. While the story was sometimes predictable I was still invested in each of them, and rooted for them right up until the very end. The star of the novel is Connor, Eddie's son, and how he brings out the best in every one of the Connelly siblings.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If I’m being honest… I don’t think I read the description of this book before requesting an advanced copy. I started reading the book and quickly realized the plot was nothing like what I thought it was.. but I was sucked in immediately.

The book is fast paced, engaging and made me want to keep reading. I full blown started and finished it in a single afternoon. All the characters have so many faults and make so many wrong decisions but are so likeable that you can’t help but root for them. I really enjoyed the book even though I went in expecting something else!

I went into The Connellys of County Down with high expectations after seeing so many glowing reviews. And for the most part, I was not disappointed.

The story follows Tara Connelly, recently released from prison, who returns home to live with her sister, brother and young nephew. But everyone is carrying baggage from their childhood and eventually things begin to implode. It is a strongly character driven story that focuses on family relationships, the difficulties of escaping our roles in the family dynamic, and how we are shaped by our past experiences and expectations. My heart ached for each of these characters and what they'd been through, and I was cheering for all of them all the way.

I was expecting a bit more drama in Geraldine's storyline and, honestly, I wasn't crazy about Tara's new relationship with the cop who put her behind bars. It just seemed a little forced. I adored Eddie and his young son who idolizes Tara. Lange's writing, however, is evocative and precise, capturing the mood and setting and weaving them together seamlessly.

Highly recommend this for fans of family drama and characters who evolve through hardship and love.

Where do I subscribe to get Conor’s corny-yet-fantastic jokes sent to me daily? But seriously, those jokes were magic.

I devoured Lange’s debut novel, We Are The Brennan’s, so I was beyond excited to dig into her latest, THE CONNELLY’S OF COUNTY DOWN. Lange is the master of family drama and emotionally complex storytelling. She manages to capture everyday people and everyday family dynamics that we would know ourselves, making her characters and novels some of the most realistic I’ve come across in reading. Lange introduces us to a new set of siblings this time who are just as vulnerable and relatable as the Brennan’s were.

THE CONNELLY’S OF COUNTY DOWN adds a new layer that includes law enforcement and mental health – adding for an intense, multi-layered narrative. I loved the parallel with a surprise reappearance of Brennan’s in this novel, which I thought was so thoughtful and creative. I rarely read books that feature other characters/pieces from another novel in their current book, so this was a sweet surprise to be able to catch up with the characters readers grew to know and love in the last novel.

There’s so much potential for Lange to build out West Chester with more compelling characters and storyline and I’m hopeful to catch up with the Connelly’s in a future novel.

Thanks so much for the e-ARC provided through Netgalley @celadonbooks!

I thought the Connelly’s of County Down was a complex, intriguing and well written family story. It moved at a great pace, as we learned about all of the Connelly’s and the struggles they were facing, both together and as individuals.
This was my first novel by Tracey Lange and I thought she did an excellent job with character development and an engaging story. I will definitely pick up future books by thus author.
Thank you Celadon Books for the copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very nice page turner. It was my BOTM pick and I'm so glad I choose it.

You meet a family, the Connellys, in this story. Start out with Tara who is being released from prison. She was a school teacher who got caught with drugs under the seat of her truck. She refuses to speak or defend herself only saying she knows nothing about the dealer who the cops are convinced she is covering for. They just can't figure out why. Why would she risk her freedom and her job for this horrible person. She's given a few chances to talk but ultimately won't so she is sent to prison for eighteen months. Upon release one of the detectives from her arrest is there to talk to her. Detective Brian Nolan wants to speak with Tara but when something happens that she can't get a ride he offers her one.

This story is about how much a sister loves her siblings. How these three, Tara, Geraldine, and Eddie, have always been there for each other. What each one attributes to this story is amazing. How they survived a sad upbringing to be the good people they are capable of being is told in this book. Each has a story. Each has a problem. But throughout it all they are strong and always there for each other. Even in the face of what happens in this story.

This author has taken a family and given them real problems. Given them real emotions. Situations that can possibly happen in a family. Made them stronger. Each one has a story. A fear. A problem. Geraldine is the eldest and has taken care of her younger brother and sister for many years. She's been the provider, caregiver, bill paying, cook, and kept them together. Now they are all grown but still stay together and help each other out no matter what the cost. I love this family. I was aggravated a few times but still love them. They wormed their way into my heart.

And it's a love story too.....

Thank you #NetGalley, #TraceyLange, #CeladonBooks for this ARC. Also a big thank you to BOTM for it being a BOTM and my choice... This is my own true thoughts about this book.

Five huge stars. It was so good. Just have a few tissues handy. You'll need them.

I mentioned The Connellys Of County Down with the Tuesday releases but wanted to give it a special shoutout as well. I loved it as much as We Are The Brennans. It is a family drama but you’ve got likable characters and a family who truly love each other. And her new cover isn’t hard on the eyes either. Gorgeous! Stop by The Depot this weekend to pick up a copy or message me to order. You’ll want both books. Trust me!

I have not read 'We Are The Brennans' and it wasn't particularly on my radar but when I read the description of 'The Connellys of County Down', I immediately knew I would like it. I like stories about the complexity of life, particularly in regards to family life and the impact that outside dynamics (work, friends, other relationships,etc.) has on it. Tara, Eddie and Geraldine have a storied past, one for which the blueprint seems to have already been cast. However, as the future unfolds it seems their destiny might be altered, maybe even for the better. I guess the final outcome of this novel was predictable, but some of the reveals along the way surprised me. I give this book a four-star rating. Thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for providing a 'Read Now' copy for me to dive into. I recommend you read this book now and I intend to read 'We Are The Brennans'.

I enjoyed the dynamics of this book, but it was almost too similar to We Are the Brennans for me. It's a great story for someone looking for a book about someone's second chance/second act in life.

I can’t remember the last time I stayed up too late to finish a book. But this one did it. I loved the story line, the characters, the drama and the love. A broken family and broken characters, who despite it all love one another. And will literally do anything for each other. I spent the entire book rooting for a happy ending, for everyone in the book. And can’t wait for another Tracey Lange book.

Thank you NetGalley for my advanced reader copy

This was a DNF for me and I know that puts me in the minority, but it just made me frustrated.

3 siblings all live together now that #3 is out of prison. All have flaws. All have secrets. Their secrets affect each other and help to make life even harder than they already had it.

Example: one sibling is a hoarder and this hit too close to home for me, putting me on edge and wanting to toss everything out without even looking at it. Obviously, that would not be the proper answer for this sibling and yet that is where my mind went after dealing with a hoarder who wouldn't/couldn't listen. My hoarder's issues made me not like this character at all!

The storyline was too predictable and it was taking too long to go anywhere good so I stopped about half way through the book and said enough. Maybe a shorter book would have helped, but it just annoyed me too much to face getting to the end and maybe that means I missed a good story. I'm content to leave it and forget it.

Thank you NetGalley for an advance reader copy. I leave this review voluntarily.

I really enjoyed We Are the Brennans and this was just as good, if not better. If you like complicated family drama, this book is for you. Plus the cover is so pretty!
I really liked the maim character, Tara. I really disliked her sister, but we got some good insight into why she is the way she is. I took off one star because there was one part that was a bit too much of a stretch for me. Otherwise, excellent book! Sucked me right in!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was mostly predictable, but it did keep my attention throughout the whole story. I still really enjoyed it. Tara, Eddie and Geraldine are quite a mess though. I understand why, losing their mother and then their father taking off, but wow. They really are going through a lot. I wish there would have been a little more backstory or more details on some things. Once you get about halfway through the book, everything just feels kind of rushed. I wish the ending would have expanded a little more on some events that we know will take place. (Hard to explain without spoilers.) I did enjoy Tara and Brian. They both seem like good characters to root for. Eddie also, but he has his own issues. There could have been a couple more chapters from Eddie and Geraldine, then we could have got to know them a little bit more.

I love a good family novel - reading how siblings interact with each other as adults after enduring their childhoods together. This novel wonderfully reflects that for the Connellys - Tara, Eddie, and Geraldine - who each had a rough childhood. At the start of the novel, Tara is just coming out of prison and trying to acclimate back into society. The siblings are rough on each other and are battling their own demons, but ultimately would do anything for each other.
I really loved reading this story and rooting for this imperfect family. I really enjoyed Tracey Lange’s writing and will seek out her future books.

Tracey Lange has done it again! I absolutely loved We Are the Brennans, so I was stoked when I got approved for the e-galley of this one! In this story, we meet Tara and her siblings, Eddie and Geraldine, after Tara is released from prison. All of the characters in this were real and flawed and so developed that I felt like I knew them -- even the secondary characters, which is no easy feat. I found myself rooting for the Connellys while simultaneously questioning so many of their decisions. They felt like a real family full of love and I found myself rooting for all three of them. I switched between the kindle book and the audiobook, and the narrator did a wonderful job on the audio as well! I definitely recommend this book and Tracey Lange has become an auto-buy author for me!

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copies to review. All opinions are my own.

Book review: the connellys of county down by @tracey_lange

Rating: 4.25/5

Review: thank you @celadonbooks for my review copy. This is my first book by Tracey Lange and it did not disappoint. It is more than just a story about starting over. It is an emotional and heart warming book about the relationships in a family and how far your willing to go for them. This book is perfect for people who like books about relatable, everyday relationships. I don’t read a lot of books like this, but I certainly will not for get the connellys anytime soon. Even if they are a bit crazy and mixed up. This is one book you don’t want to miss.

Thank you so much for the gifted #ARC! I read “We Are The Brennans” by the same author, and truly loved it. Contemporary drama with splashes of romance. Heartwarming, thoughtful, coming of age, sad, with characters you love and want to see move forward. I adored this. The characters and the plot, I found myself relating to some of the characters and feelings.

Truly a beautiful read. I will forever keep reading anything Connelly writes!

The SECOND I saw this book's title I knew I had to read it. As someone who spends a lot of time in County Down, there was an immediate kinship felt to the characters that Tracey Lange has created! I cannot tell you how much I loved this book. So much so that this is just the start of my reviews for it. I also am going to do a TikTok post because this book deserves to be shouted about.

Family dynamics are my favourite and this book has that and so much more. You will not regret getting a copy of this novel right now!

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon books for the eARC!

POV: Multiple
Spice: 🌶️ 🌶️

This book really kept me interested and it didn’t take long for Tara to win me over, even though I wasn’t expecting that going in seeing as she is in prison. There are so many lovable characters in this book, her brother and his son, and Brian to name a few, and I actually enjoyed getting the different POVs. I really felt like Geraldine, Tara’s sister was the true villain of this story, although I couldn’t help but feel somewhat sorry for her too.

This book is well written and I was pleasantly surprised that it had more romance than I expected, although it is closed door. I think I would’ve given it more stars if there was more to the ending. It definitely needed an epilogue at the very least, but I kind of felt like I was left hanging as to where these characters end up and that is reall one of my reading pet peeves.