There are three little Connellys, Geraldine, Eddie and Tara. They made up the family unit, such as it was. Geraldine is the oldest, 19 when their father vanished, abandoning them. She was old enough to keep her siblings from the horrors of foster care. Just before vanishing, their father caused an accident in a stolen car with Eddie in the car that left Eddie with a traumatic brain injury, changing Eddie's life forever. Tara was just 13 then. When she was 6, their mother died. She had been sick for a while and Geraldine had been doing the household and mothering things their mother could no longer do. These children needed therapy, which they did not get.
We first meet Tara at 30 as she is leaving prison. She used to be an art teacher in the local school district, but an 18 month sentence for drug transporting has put an end to that. She knows finding a new job and rebuilding her life will be difficult. Fortunately, her family still lives in the house they grew up in. It isn't much, but it's theirs.
The policemen who arrested Tara are still after the drug dealer who owned the drugs Tara was moving. The senior policeman, Hank, believed Tara was running the drugs because the drug dealer was her boyfriend. He also believed that was why she wouldn't give them information so they could throw the dealer in jail. Hank believed that so hard, he followed Tara around.
Tara and Geraldine butted heads over the rules Geraldine followed so rigidly. Geraldine finally told her that if Tara made a mistake, it usually meant talking to the principal and doing some detention. If Geraldine made a mistake, it meant bills not being paid, no food in the house, or the county threatening to take the younger children away. At another point, Eddie tells Tara that she has the tendency to decide what needs to be done to fix another's problems without any input from the other person. He's talking about Tara's trip to jail, but it applies to most of Tara's actions.
This book is the kind of family drama/literary fiction I generally don't care for. But I loved this book. It was written by the author of We Are the Brennans, another book I loved. There is even a little wave back to that book. There is also a gentle romance, which Tara needs. I recommend this book to you.
I read a copy of this book for this review on Netgalley, offered to me by the publisher.

i had a good time but this isn’t my typical reading choice! but i think it was really good and i know a. lot of people who will absolutely love this and already planning their christmas present with it

After serving eighteen months for a drug charge, Tara Connelly, was finally released and staring down the journey to rebuild her life. She knew it wouldn’t be easy since there were no true prospects and she was headed back to the family home to live with her siblings and nephew. It started off terribly when no one could pick her up and the was driven home by the cop who put her behind bars. Slowly, Tara begins to break through into a new life. She snags a job she enjoys and even secretly begins to potentially find romance. In the meantime, her sister is hiding things that could bring her new life down again. As everyone’s secrets begin to unravel, the Connellys must face their fears and come clean or they will lose it all.

I thoroughly enjoyed the plot of this one. For the most part, the characters were likable (err, except Geraldine) and brought a lot to the storyline with their own subplots. There was a good amount of mystery, thrill, family drama and romance all mixed up in this one. The one odd thing was that I felt this just ended. I am not sure if this was because it was an ARC, but I wanted a bit more closure on the story. I’d be interested to see a finished copy and if that was case or not. I had actually not read Lange’s other book, so I definitely need to get that one in the queue ASAP.

Thank you Net Galley, Celadon Books and Tracey Lange for the advanced copy for my honest review. This one is out today. Run, don’t walk and snag that copy ASAP!

I loved Tracey Lange’s debut novel ‘We are the Brennans” so I couldn’t wait to read ‘The Connellys of County Down”! This one is full of the family drama that everyone loves and didn’t disappoint!

I was so excited when Celadon @CeladonBooks offered me both an advanced ebook and advanced listening copy of The Connellys of County Down by Tracey Lange @Tracey_Lange via @netgalley I jumped at the chance! Thank you so much for sharing both of these! You’re the best!

Tracey Lange owns messy, family drama. The alchemy of her writing and Barrie Kreinik’s @Barriebarriepix narration is sublime. It’s simply next level. This is a story of the primal connection of family, and how secrets can destroy. It’s a story of rebirth and the insidious way love just shows up at lousy times with inconvenient people. I couldn’t step away, it’s simply unputdownable. (Handy I had ebook AND audio!).

When Tara Connelly is released from prison after 18 months she’s struggling to rebuild her life. With no job, a criminal record, she’s back home. Each sibling carries baggage of their own. Brother Eddie is a single dad with a long ago traumatic brain injury. Sister Geraldine appears calm but carries an explosive secret. Lange comes from a large Irish family and this familiar construct is evident in the nuance of the Connolly family. The tension in relationships is complex and compounded by their shared history.

This is a perfect read/listen for those who love character driven family dramas with multiple POVs. It’s highly discussable, so great for buddy reads and bookclubs. Despite several trusted reader friends loving and recommending Lange’s debut, We Are The Brennan’s, I haven’t read it! I’ve already got the print and audio ready to go and can’t wait to experience this one!

The Connellys of County Down by Tracey Lange is a deeply moving, poignant novel about family dynamics and all that it entails, the good and bad. This book was such an immensely satisfying read. I love a great family drama. I did not read the author’s debut novel We Are the Brennans, but after reading The Connellys of County Down I will definitely be going to get a copy to read. A huge thank you to Celadon Books, the author and NetGalley for the advanced electronic copy of the book.

The character driven storyline starts when thirty year old Tara Connelly is released from prison after serving eighteen months for drug trafficking she is ready to start over, but knows it won’t be easy. She is returning home to live with her two older adult siblings, and has no possibilities on the horizon just yet. Her siblings have strenuous lives of their own. Her brother Eddie is navigating single parenthood and struggling with the continuing effects of a traumatic brain injury. Her sister Geraldine’s life is a veneer of control, organization and tranquility, but underneath that she is actually falling apart holding onto worrisome secrets. And if that is not enough to contend with Tara’s life instantly becomes more complex when the police officer that arrested her and put her in jail keeps showing up unexpectedly, making her wonder what he could possibly want from her now.

Working to rebuild her life, start a new career along with trying keeping her family intact, Tara finds love in the most inconceivable place. But long held secrets always have a way of surfacing and they just might upend the future that she is hoping for. The siblings have to come to terms with their past mistakes and secrets if they want to heal and move forward, or risk tearing apart their family.

The Connellys of County Down is a masterfully written novel about the struggles of an ordinary family. It examines the confines of love and loyalty, what it means to be able to start over again after real mistakes have been made and the dangers of not being truthful with others. I highly recommend this engaging, heartfelt book.

Synopsis: Tara Connelly is in her early thirties and has just been released from prison on the charge of trafficking drugs. She has a brother, Eddie, a nephew, Conor and an older sister, Geraldine that she goes home to where she begins to build a new life – get a job, report in to her probation officer and stay out of trouble. The problem is that other than her young nephew, everyone that she returns home to has secrets.

My thoughts:

While pretty much all the characters in the book had secrets and issues (some requiring therapy), I also found them quite likeable. Tara just wants her family to be healthy and happy, to get a job that she likes and to stay out of trouble and move forward with her life and while she strives to achieve this, she certainly runs into obstacles that she must negotiate. One of the main themes of this novel is shame and how we, as individuals, deal with it. Some try to hide the shame, others try to run from it but underneath these character’s foibles, there is also a lot of love and loyalty in this family.

I really enjoyed the trials and tribulations of the Connellys and I gave this book 4/5 stars. I also read Tracey’s previous novel, We Are The Brennans, which also dealt with family dynamics and the theme of shame. If you haven’t read We Are The Brennans, I also highly recommend picking it up.

The Connellys of County Down is available for purchase on August 1, 2023. I thank Netgalley and Celedon Publishers for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A story about three siblings from Port Chester, New York. Tara is an ex-prisoner, on probation. She is flawed, talented and wanting to get her life back and move forward.
Family dynamics and rooting for Tara kept me turning the pages. I really loved the bond Tara had with her nephew, Connor.

Thank you NetGalley and Celadon Books for the opportunity to read this book.

THE CONNELLYS OF COUNTY DOWN, from author Tracy Lange, gives us the story of the Connelly siblings and the unfortunate circumstances that threaten to destroy their family. This is a quick read with a somewhat murky cast of characters that frequently fell flat for me. The plot was easy enough to follow, somewhat predictable, and at times felt contrived. I would have liked to see the characters and their history fleshed out a bit more which would have helped me care about them. Thank you to NetGalley for the early copy in exchange for honest feedback.

The Connellys of County Down by Tracey Lange ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I want to extend my thanks to @netgalley and @celadonbooks for the ARC! Happy pub day to this read! 🎉

I was not expecting the tension that was created in this book. When the crux of the issues came to light, I was stressed for the characters. I didn’t realize it, but I was heavily invested in this group of siblings and what would happen.

While short, the characterization packed a punch. Each character had a backstory and had a motivation for their decisions. Given the brevity, some things came on a bit quick, but it all made sense to the overall goal.

This book explored the complicated and messy nature of family. If you want to read something that reminds you that there are all kinds of families, pick this one up.

This story felt like a lonnnnngg chat with an old friend. Despite it's short length, it did take me a long time to finish. That is not a testament to my feelings on the book by any means. It is just a slower moving story with a lot of focus on character building and family dynamics. It almost was like I couldn't read or listen to more than a certain amount in a day without needing the break from the heaviness of another family's struggles. But at the same time, the prolonging of the read made it feel like I actually knew the Connellys. I said this with her debut novel, but this is the kind of story where I wish I could get an updated family newsletter once a month. I do kind of wish there was more to the story, although really I can't pinpoint what. I feel like it really did deliver a family story about love and loyalty.

Thank you so much to Celadon Books for an advanced reading and listening copy. All opinions are my own.

While I enjoyed Tracey Lange's debut novel, "We Are the Brennans" her sophomore novel, "The Connellys of County Down" did not live up to my expectations. The characters never really came alive to me. It started off well, but quickly became predictable and dull. And I absolutely could not deal with the unethical relationship between the detective and the suspected criminal; seriously, it was cringe-worthy. To me, this book read like a Hallmark movie, complete with a tidy, but thoroughly unrealistic, wrap-up at the end. This book was a Book of the Month Club selection and I know many readers enjoyed it, but it just was not the book for me.

The Connellys of County Down by Tracey Lange is an incredibly moving novel that revolves around themes of family, loyalty, and sacrifice. At the center of the story is thirty-year-old Tara Connelly, who at the beginning of the story is being released after serving an eighteen-month sentence for drug trafficking. Tara is the youngest of three siblings, who lost their mother when they were young and were subsequently abandoned by their father, leaving their oldest sister oldest sister Geraldine then a teenager responsible for Tara and her brother Eddie. Eddie, the father of ten-year-old Connor, suffers from debilitating migraines - the aftereffect of a traumatic brain injury sustained as a child. Geraldine is prone to anxiety and set in her ways and is struggling with added responsibility given to her at her workplace, a fact she hides from her siblings. Tara, once an art teacher, is aware that her recent stint in prison will adversely impact her job prospects. She does land a graphic illustrator position with a start-up headed by two young, enthusiastic and inexperienced entrepreneurs and tries to get her life back on track but the two police officers who arrested Tara have conflicted viewpoints on Tara’s involvement with a local drug dealer who was originally their primary target. Tara’s lack of cooperation and refusal to talk or share any information about him during interrogation landed her in prison. The police are quite done with her and trouble seems to follow all three of the siblings as they go about their lives. All three siblings are struggling and hiding secrets from one another – secrets that could tear their family apart. There are moments of frustration, anger and tension between the siblings but ultimately they are very close, exhibit much love and loyalty toward one another and are capable of tremendous sacrifice – a fact that becomes more evident as the narrative progresses

I wasn’t quite taken with Tracey Lange’s debut novel We Are the Brennans but I truly enjoyed reading her sophomore novel with its crisp writing and minimal melodrama, well-fleshed-out characters and fluid narrative. The characters are flawed and realistic and their struggles and their dynamic was real and relatable. I loved Tara’s bond with her nephew Connor and thought Connor’s presence in their lives and their love for him strengthened the bond between the Connelly siblings. The romance track did feel a tad rushed and is probably the only part of the narrative that I found a bit unrealistic but overall, I found this to be a well-written story that I would not hesitate to recommend to readers who enjoy character-driven fiction that revolve around sibling relationships.

I paired my reading with the audio narration by Barrie Kreinik, who does a wonderful job of voicing the characters and breathing life into this story.

Many thanks to Celadon Books, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the digital review copy and the ALC of The Connellys of County Down. The book and audiobook are due to be released on August 1, 2023.

A compelling story about second chances.

Tracey Lange writes an intriguing tale with The Connellys of County Down. I haven't read anything by this author before, and what a hidden gem. I enjoyed it so much, that I have now followed the author and look for more books to read. The reader is introduced to to the Connelly's, and Tara, who spent the last 18 months in prison due to drugs, is released and hopes to put her life back together. She seeks out help from her family, but they also have their own problems. The story is about loyalty of family, and even the best intentions aren't always successful. Secrets, rebuilding, and familial connections are the building blocks of this story. The story is endearing and heartbreaking. The characters are so real, it's like being with them within the story. This author is a great storyteller. The reader just embarks on a superb journey. The author's technique of raw, magnetic characters and great plotlines is a gift. A genuine character driven story! The Connellys of County Down is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book, to also write a review.

Thank you NetGalley and Celadon Books for a digital copy of The Connellys of County Down by Tracey Lange for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Tracey Lange brings us another beautifully written, evocative, and compelling family drama centering around the three Connelly siblings. Upon release from prison for a drug charge, Tara is again living with her two siblings, Eddie and Geraldine, along with Eddie's son Conor. While Tara was gone, the three of them settled into a quiet, routine existence, but her reappearance into their lives starts creating chaos.

Tara is trying to put her life back together, get a job, contribute to the household however she can. But it's hard for someone with a criminal history to get a legitimate job, and it puts pressure on Tara. Eddie has a traumatic brain injury that causes him issues at the most inopportune moments, and he doesn't know how to overcome it. Geraldine is the strong one who imposes rule, order, and control over the household. She is the responsible one, with a long-standing position at a payroll company, but having Tara home, going against all the rules, has pushed Geraldine past her breaking point. They all must work through their problems and their secrets together to try to make it through everything that is happening.

The characters are all well-developed with individual voices. You feel for all of them with everything their family has been through. They've all got their secrets and their tribulations, and as the story unfolds, we see how they all protect each other. There is a strong bond between them, and they are willing to do anything for each other.

All in all, this is a wonderful family drama filled with strong characters and unbreakable bonds that will move you and give you all the feels. If you loved Lange's We Are the Brennans, then you will love this follow-up.

Wonderfully written family drama about three siblings and their struggles. Tara just getting out of jail has to reorient herself back into the family and readjust to life.

I personally am not a huge family drama reader so it went a little slow for me but I thought the writing and the audio performance was top notch. Just not my personal style to typically pick up and read. I liked the multiple points of view and that it was very true to life in everyone has problems and they aren’t always little ones.

Thank you to netgalley, and celadon books for this gifted copy of the book and audio to enjoy in exchange for my honest review

This wonderful contemporary novel is a dysfunctional family drama with a little romance, and even a tiny bit of suspense. It alternates perspectives between siblings Tara (who was just released from prison), Eddie (her older brother who still suffers from a traumatic brain injury when he was a teenager), and elder sister Geraldine (who is struggling from trying to hold the family together ever since their mom died and their dad left when they were young), along with cop Brian (who is still feeling guilty from arresting Tara several years before).

I just loved this one! The writing was so good, and the characters really came to life and I was rooting for them so much, especially Tara, that the book actually made me nervous at times. The kind of book where I didn’t want to leave the characters when it ended because I want to know what will happen to them next. And don’t let the title fool you - this boon was not set in Ireland but in suburban NY - and in fact right near where I live which was fun.

4.5 stars

I am a huge fan of We are the Brennans and Tracey Lange’s second book, The Connellys of County Down did not disappoint!

Tara Connelly has just been released from prison after serving 18 months on a drug related charge. Tara returns home to her childhood home to live with her siblings, Geraldine and Eddie, and Eddie’s son, Conor. Tara has to navigate life after prison, with no money to her name and a permanent record following her around. On top of that, Tara has to deal with various interactions with the local police department that had helped send her to prison.

I really loved this book and reading about the nuances of Tara trying to figure out how to get back on her feet after completing her prison sentence. I really enjoyed the dynamics between Tara and her family. Each of the siblings carries their traumatic past with them in different ways and we see how that is impacting them throughout the book. Yet, with all that they are dealing with there is an overwhelming love that you can feel between the siblings.

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Definitely enjoyed this one. It was "solid" in the same way We Are the Brennans is: a well-told story that keeps you turning the pages. I found the sibling relationships believable, though sometimes the characters felt like they were about to verge into overdone. But I enjoyed the interwoven POVs, the pacing was excellent, and I was eager to see how things would turn out for the family.

Even if you dearly love your family, want only the best for them, would do anything to keep them safe – they can still drive you crazy. You can still wish they would just listen to you for once and not cause any trouble. You can still wish them gone once in a while. And that’s the Connellys. Their mother died when they were young. Their father took off. Eddie suffered a traumatic brain injury. And Tara went to prison. No wonder they fit the definition of dysfunctional.

Geraldine was a teenager when their father left them to fend for themselves. So she took on the roles of father, mother, provider, protector, defender. Whatever it took to keep them together and out of the foster care system. Is it any wonder she desperately needs rules and control and isn’t all warm and fuzzy? It will be disastrous if she slips up, so she makes sure that never happens. Eddie, dealing with the after-effects of his brain injury and later with the responsibility of raising his young son on his own, does what he can to contribute to the household and keep the peace between his sisters. Not easy, because Tara, the youngest Connelly sibling, is the typical wild child. She doesn’t think anyone knows what needs to be done better than she does, so not only does she not follow instructions but she takes it upon herself to decide what is best for the others and to act without their knowledge and consent. Most likely what happened with the drug trafficking charge that landed her in prison.

The story opens on the day Tara is released. Geraldine is supposed to pick her up but doesn’t come, so Tara ends up accepting a ride from Brian Nolan, one of the cops who put her in prison. So yeah, that’s a little weird. What’s even weirder is the little, tiny cinder that might become a spark and then a flame of attraction between them. Brian also lost his parents when he was young and has dysfunctional family issues of his own. And he has never felt that it was right for Tara to go to prison.

As the story progresses, a sense of dread starts to set in. Tara is trying to rebuild her life, but following rules and letting others handle things still doesn’t come easy for her. Eddie is offered a promotion and has a chance at romance, but the TBI always rears up, and things are far from calm at home with Tara back. Geraldine seems overwhelmed and it feels like we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg as to just how bad it might be. Tara has found a job she loves and the time she’s spent with Brian has been wonderful, but there are secrets. So many secrets. You know from the actions of some of the characters that things might blow up at any minute. The dread and suspense and fear just build and build until a very exciting conclusion.

Thanks to Celadon Books for allowing me to be a Celadon Reader and for providing an advance copy of The Connellys of County Down via NetGalley for my reading pleasure and honest opinion. It is moving, fast-paced, action packed, well-written and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I recommend it without hesitation. I voluntarily leave this review and all opinions are my own.