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.

Overall, I found the story to be kinda bleh. I didn’t love the relationship aspect of this and the characters weren’t the most likable, even though I think they were intended to be.

The Connellys of County Down by Tracey Lange
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The Connellys are three siblings who are all living together again after the youngest is released from prison.
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What I liked:
-I thought this was a really solid family drama.
-I loved the Connelly siblings and how much they all loved each other.
-There were some great awkward situations throughout the book that made the drama excellent.
-My favorite conversation happened towards the end of the book when Tara talked with a certain family member about the stories her mother told her children. 🥹
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4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Connellys of County Down really covers the topic of dysfunctional families and it does it well!

I was immediately sucked into this family and all of their problems. Tara, even though she’s fresh out of prison, is instantly a likable character. I could feel that there was more to her than what we were seeing on the surface.

As we go through this story we get many perspectives that help pull this story together. Each voice felt unique to the character and each character played an important part.

The part that really made me love this book was the immense amount of character growth from everyone. Even the characters I had disdain for I felt myself rooting for them by the end.

I loved the ending, compared to how Tara started in the beginning. What a way to make the story come full circle.

I highly recommend this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon books for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced copy.

I’m usually not a fan of family dramas, I find them tedious and slow paced. However, The Connellys of County Down is completely different! I enjoyed this story right from the start and I felt like I actually knew the Connelly siblings. While not a fast paced book, there is not one part that is boring. I enjoyed reading from the different perspectives and seeing how the family dynamic came to be.

The only thing I wasn’t a huge fan of was Tara’s relationship with Brian. I felt it was slightly unrealistic and moved very quickly considering their history.

I will definitely be on the lookout for more titles from Tracey Lange!

Thank you NetGalley, Celadon Books, and Tracey Lange for the ARC!

I really enjoyed Tracey Lange’s debut We Are the Brennans, so her latest, The Connellys of County Down was a must read for me.

Connellys is similar to the Brennans in the best ways. Both stories focus on a daughter seeking redemption and forgiveness, family members that are each shouldering their own burdens, and an undercurrent of mystery that moves the story forward.

I loved getting to see Tara, Geraldine, and Eddie’s storylines come together. Lange’s characters are never perfect, but they have the best intentions in their hearts and I love getting to watch them find their way.

What impresses me most is Lange’s ability to absolutely nail the personalities and emotions that are commonly found in Northeastern Irish-Catholic families. As I read, I kept finding similarities to my own family members which was at once both funny and meaningful. I’m so excited to read what Lange comes up with next!

The Connellys of County Down is out today. Thanks to Celadon and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first book by this author which I enjoyed reading. I look forward to seeing what is next for this author. I found this book to be well written and an emotional roller coaster ride. I enjoyed how the characters pulled me into the story from the start. They are connectable, strong and add so much to the story. Tara is a great character that is my favorite of the story. She is just getting out of prison and trying to put her life together. Her story is one of family, love and good intentions that may not be that good. I enjoyed how fast paced this story is as well as hard to put down. I enjoyed seeing the growth of the plot as well as the characters throughout the story. I enjoyed the emotional parts of this story and how I felt those emotions as well. This is an engaging story that comes to life on every page. I really enjoyed reading this book and I highly recommend it.

Thank you to MacMillian Audio for this gifted copy of The Connellys of County Down!

First of all, I want to state that I’m an idiot. I started reading this book and wrote down “if you liked We Are The Brennans, you’ll like this book.” Literally the same author. I knew that and had a nice brain fart. Needless to say, I really liked We Are The Brennans, and I liked this one, and they’re in the same world. Lol

I felt like this was a great example of your classic family drama book. Siblings who refuse to be honest with each other, have lots of miscommunication, but are ultimately just trying to do what’s right and look out for one another. Is a great story of family, love and sacrifice.

There were a few storyline pieces that I wasn’t too fond of (don’t won’t to spoil the plot line) that made me struggle at times, but overall I really enjoyed this book. I found myself wanting to read it to find out what happens next. Tracey is a wonderful author, and a great storyteller.

This is the second book by Tracey that I have read, and I think it's my favorite one so far.

I enjoyed Tara. She is a strong character, and I connected to her in many ways. I love the family dynamic and how each sibling had their flaws in something they were living with. They supported each other and relied on one another through extremely hard times.

The romance was perfect in this book and added a great touch. The ending had me at the edge of my seat, needing to know what happened and I loved it!!

I will be posting my full review on my Instagram account soon!

Thanks Netgalley and publisher for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Family dramas always get me. The difference in every family member always is so interesting to me. And this story is no different. I enjoyed every moment.

*Thank you @celadonbooks for the copy in exchange for an honest review.*

Tara Connelly is determined to start fresh after a stint in prison, but living with her brother and sister might be a complication she doesn’t need. Secrets may test her resolve and put her new romance at risk

The conelleys of county down is an interesting story about family and the struggles they go through. The story is told from 4 different points of view. Tara, a convicted felon who is just getting out of prison and learning to readjust to life. Her sister who has always looked after the family and is battling her own struggles she keeps hidden away. Her brother, who had a tbi at a young age and now is a single dad while struggling to manage his condition at the same time and Brian, the cop that arrested Tara and now feels guilty about it because the whole thing never felt right with him.
The story follows all of them as they learn how to navigate Tara's release with their own struggles. Meanwhile there is still a drug dealer on the loose whom and a cop that still believes Tara is involved. Wrap that all into one story and you have a lot of shenanigans, drama and a story that keeps you drawn into the end.

When I started reading this story, I wasn't sure if I was going to like it. It seemed a bit slow and a little bland, but it started to keep my attention. After that I got drawn in a little more bit by bit until I was fully enveloped by the story. While enjoyed this story, it wasn't my favorite. I had to keep wondering when it would become more exciting or it would get to the point of the story and that alone took away a star from my rating. It was a good enough story to keep my attention but not really one i would rave about.
For me, personallly I feel like it either needed more drama or action. Instead the places that could have done that for me fell a bit flat. It's very much a fictional family drama story so if that's your thing, this may be the book for you. Just not fast paced enough for me.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for a review copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All thoughts and feelings are my own.

This was a fun read. I typically get annoyed when characters make bad decisions, but I appreciated that the author addressed them and the reasoning behind the behavior. The drama was quite messy if it was happening in real life, but pretty engaging for a book. I appreciated the empathetic handling of traumatic brain injuries and hoarding. I haven't read Lange's first book, but I'm definitely picking it up after this one!

Although I loved the Brennans, the Connellys just didn’t capture my interest in the same way. The characters were well developed but none of them were likeable, especially Brian. I think the story wrapped up nicely, but I would have enjoyed more storyline being devoted to the dad and his possible reunion with the family.

I loved this author’s previous book We Are The Brennans so I was looking forward to reading this one. This is another great family drama story with a lot of layers. We start the book with Tara being released from prison after she was convicted of a drug charge. Once home Tara starts realizing how many problems her family actually has while she also confronts how she will fit back into society. She also begins a very complicated romantic relationship. The characters are well developed and have great personal growth. The secrets of each character slowly come out and the reasons for Tara’s incarceration become clear. The pacing was great throughout and kept the story flowing along. This is another great family drama story by this author.

#FirstLine - When the unit intercom buzzed and the cell door rattled open on its old metal track that morning, Tara breathed a heavy sigh of relief and swore it was the last time she’d ever hear that racket in her life.

“The Connelly’s of County Down" is a heartwarming family saga that beautifully captures the essence of Irish heritage and culture. Set against the picturesque backdrop of County Down, the story follows the Connelly family through generations, as they navigate love, loss, and the challenges of life. The author skillfully intertwines history and fiction, painting a vivid picture of Ireland's past while immersing readers in the lives of the Connelly clan. With well-crafted characters and an engaging plot, this novel is a touching tribute to the strength of family bonds and the resilience of the human spirit. If you're a fan of historical fiction and tales of kinship, "The Connelly’s of County Down" is a must-read.

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.

Wow did I enjoy this book! I thought the ensemble of characters were all will well rounded characters. They were all hot messes and but would do anything for each other. It was just so I loved it! I loved how the story unraveled and how the mystery of why Tara was in prison was revealed. Geraldine's story arc was what surprised me the most, she is the pseudo matriarch with a lot of secrets. She is probably the least likable throughout the whole book with her strict opinions on church and the classic rule follower, but I related to her so much because she was just trying to keep all the plates spinning even when she didn't have to. Honestly, I am still thinking about the Connely family days past finishing the book.

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review. This book is out now!

This was a book I went into blind. A few friends had read and enjoyed it but I didn’t know anything else about it. I am so glad I picked this one up! I enjoyed We Are The Brennan’s and I absolutely LOVED The Connellys of County Down. This book had a bit of everything: family drama, a little bit of suspense, some romance. I was hooked from page one and could not put this book down!

The story begins as Tara begins her very last day in prison. Her release is thrown off by her absent siblings and the cop that helped put away offers to swoop in to save the day. Things don’t improve when she comes home to an empty house and her stuff moved into the attic. As days go on, Tara attempts to resume a normal life but it isn’t always easy, especially when family secrets start to unravel and the one cop can’t help thinking he put the wrong person away.

Tara is prickly and you automatically want to root for her simply because of how her release day plays out. Her family on the other hand are a pretty unlikable bunch, except maybe her nephew (their relationship is pretty cute). I love a good unlikeable character redemption story though. As we hop around perspectives we begin to learn what makes those characters tick. As we get more information suddenly their experiences help rationalize (but not always justify) their actions.

At its very essence it’s a family drama that explores intergenerational trauma, relationships with siblings, and the lengths you go to for family. It also does an excellent job of depicting the hardships faced by recently released inmates and how easy it is to reoffend when you aren’t provided with trust or opportunity.

There’s also a touch of romance that’s kind of cute so in my book definitely a win.

I have not read the author’s previous book, We Are The Brennans, but after reading the synopsis, it sounds like it shares a very similar concept and explores similar themes. I’m wondering what my impression of this would have been had I already read the Brennans but I will absolutely be picking it up in the near future.

Thank you to Celadon Books for providing an ARC through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I loved everything about this book. Initially I was thinking of a 4.5 rating but as I was preparing to write this review I realized there was nothing I would change about it. It's a character driven story so it's slower paced but I still read it in one day because I was highly invested. Like Tara, I put loyalty over all else so I felt a deep connection to her. I was able to empathize because I myself could be in a similar position if I had to protect someone I loved.

Tara Connelly has just been released from prison after serving 18 months on a drug trafficking charge. At thirty years old, she essentially has to start her adult life over with no money, job, or friends. She has to move back in with her brother, her nephew, and sister. The siblings love each other but their family is messy and complicated. The story follows Tara as she navigates a new career and blossoming love life, all while trying to hold her family together and stay out of trouble.

Overall, I highly recommend. I'm still so impressed how each character, whether major or minor had their own unique personality and set of flaws. I can easily see this novel adapted into film and I hope it does🤞🏽

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for allowing me access to the eARC in exchange for my honest review.