I really loved the romance element of this book. I was rooting for Tara and Brian the entire time but I would have loved more of it. A friend told me she didn't like the romance because it was crossing a line, but at the same time, you can't help who you love.

Tara would do anything for her siblings and it shows prominently throughout. Tara’s older sister Geraldine appears to be put together, but later we find out she’s falling apart. Their brother Eddie is a construction worker and single father who is coping with a traumatic brain injury he received prior to the start of the book. The story is told from alternating POVs, between the three siblings and Brian.

I liked how everything was connected, said "oh no!" a few times when Tracey slowly released information. The alternating POVs allows us to see what secrets everyone is keeping from their loved ones.

I will absolutely continue to read Tracey Lange's work! I only rated it 4 stars because I'm not sure I would re-read the book as it took me a little while to get into!

I listened to the audio version of The Connellys of County Down and I was hooked from the first chapter. Tara Connelly is being released from prison after a jail sentence that does not seem to fit her background, and not before a visitor requests to see her. Upon her release she settles back into her family home with her adult siblings Eddie and Geraldine, as well as Eddie's son Connor. As Tara begins to reacclimate to her family and find a job that is willing to hire the former art teacher now that she has a criminal background, we begin to learn more about how the Connelly family grew up. I enjoy family sagas because I always find it interesting how our childhood influences the adult we become, and this book was right on point for me. I found the narration by Barrie Kreinik entertaining and extremely easy to follow for an audio book beginner like myself. I had no trouble keeping up with the story line, or keeping track of characters like I have in the past in some audio books. If you are looking for a family saga full of flawed but fiercely loyal characters, I would highly recommend this book. Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Celadon Books and Net Galley for an advanced copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

I decided to go with the audiobook for this since I just finished another family saga on audiobook and I loved it. This was narrated by Barrie Kreinik. She did a great job of bringing the book to life! I really enjoyed this even though it was on the slower side….but usually family, character driven books are just like that. Lange has a way to make these characters feel real and you just connect with the story. You really just want to root for these siblings.

The book is about the 3 Connelly siblings. One of them is Tara, who was just released from 18 months in prison for drug charges. The other two are Geraldine and Eddie. They didn't have a great childhood. Their mother passed away when they were young and their father left shortly after that. They each have their scars from that, which you learn about as the story unfolds. Tara is having a hard time acclimating back into life and you get to see the lengths they go through to stick together. Questions you have throughout the book are answered later in the story. I thought this was another compelling read by Lange.

Out August 1.

Thank you to the publisher, macmillan audio, and netgalley for the gifted audiobook. All opinions are my own. My review will be posted on Instagram, Bookbub, Goodreads, and Amazon once it publishes.

The Connellys of County Down follows three adult siblings: Tara who is fresh out of an 18 month prison sentence, Eddie who has a traumatic brain injury and an adolescent son, and Geraldine the oldest sibling who held the family together when their mother died and dad left.

I think I’m the only one who didn’t read We Are the Brennans! However, I did really enjoy this book so I’ll probably put it on my list.

I enjoyed the story and liked all the characters, even Geraldine who is very straight edge and a rule follower. It has a ton of family drama and is very real and messy.

My favorite character was Tara. It was heartwarming that she would do whatever it takes to help her family, even if they don’t know that she’s doing it. I would have liked it to have been a touch longer or have an epilogue but overall, a solid book.

I listened to the audiobook version and loved Barrie Kreinik, honestly, her and Julia Whelan are top narrators for me.

Thank you to Celadon and NetGalley for the ARC!

5 stars, because I know I love a book when I get to the end and wish there were another 300 pages.

Tara Connelly is learning to navigate her life after serving 18 months for drug trafficking. Her brother, Eddie, is a single dad who struggles with ongoing medical issues resulting from an accident when he was a teenager. Geraldine, their sister, prides herself in keeping the family together and sticking to a routine, except that she is really struggling and doesn’t know how to get the help she needs. As family secrets are uncovered, the siblings’ lives together grow more complicated with the threat of additional jail time for one or more of the Connellys. Will they be able to work together to get out of this new mess?

I absolutely love the Connellys and their family fairytale, a childhood story told by their mother in which they all have their own unique super powers. I really liked their family dynamic and how they continued to support each other as adults. The drama and tension between siblings was well-written. My only complaint is that the book is only 288 pages–there is so much room for more!

I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed Barrier Kreinik’s narration

I'm a big fan of Tracey Lange after WE ARE THE BRENNANS. I really appreciate her restraint. She could make her stories about complicated sibling relationships more punchy and filled with superficial drama, but she doesn't. It reminds me of COMMONWEALTH by Ann Patchett. You get to care about Lange's characters with all of their faults and secrets. This is one of my favorite books of the year so far.

The Connellys, Tara, Geraldine, and Eddie, are siblings who love and protect each other because, after they are left to fend for themselves, they are all each other has. This is their story, coming of age together and the lengths they will go for each other. Tracey Lange draws the reader in right from the beginning and you can't help but struggle along with Tara. Family means everything to them and their decisions have some bad consequences that spiral out of control. Spend some time with the Connellys and you will hope the author adds in a 'six month later' chapter as well! The narration for this audiobook is also really well done. I loved the Brennans and I think I love the Connellys even more!

The Connellys of County Down by Tracey Lange
Genre: contemporary fiction
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Format: audiobook and ebook

This book had me hooked from the first chapter - the main character is getting released from prison? Wait I’m gonna need all the details!

I loved the characters in this book and the drama that ensues. The Connelly siblings have a complicated family history and an interesting dynamic, which makes for an excellent story. I loved seeing the character development in this book! It would be a perfect pick for a book club.

You’ll like this book if you enjoy:
💙 family drama
💙 character development
💙 interconnected stories
💙 messy but lovable characters
💙 a touch of romance in your contemporary fiction
💙 great audiobooks
💙 complicated sibling relationships

Small note: this book is written in 3rd person. That doesn’t bother me, but I know some people aren’t a fan of that!

I’d definitely recommend this one! It comes out August 1st!

A big thank you to Celadon and NetGalley for my advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review. This book was gifted, but all opinions are my own.

This was a book that was hard to stop listening to. The characters well made and entertaining. Storyline was in-depth. of family drama and loyalty. Highly recommend.

I had heard wonderful things about the author's last book, but never got a chance to read it, so I was thrilled to get the opportunity to read this one. I remember reading somewhere that she writes family drama fabulously, and man were they right!? Tara Connelly is being released from prison after 18 months inside on a drug trafficking charge and she'll be staying with her sister, Geraldine, brother, Eddie, and Eddie's son, whom she has pretty much raised as her own. I was sucked into this book immediately, with its interesting characters and well-woven, complicated backstories. Family secrets and drama at its finest. I also had my own personal moments of recognition, which always makes me love a book, more, when there were many mentions of towns I've lived in or nearby, having grown up in the Hudson Valley myself. So it made it that much more fun to hear so many local mentions! I was touched by this book and found it a tough one to put down!

This is the second book I've read by Tracey Lange and I just think I really dislike this genre. There was nothing that interesting about this novel. Some aspects had potential, particularly the family's therapy journey, but it ultimately fell short.

This was my first book by this author and it definitely won't be my last. It was a very well done family drama with emotion and characters you could root for.

I think if you liked books like Hello Beautiful, Little Fires Everywhere or Ask Again Yes, you would enjoy The Connellys of County Down.

Well written, a good if somewhat predictable story line and characters that you care about - this book has it all!

We Are the Brennans was one of my favorites from last year and this was a fantastic follow up. The characters and settings were so rich and heartwarming. If family dramas are your thing, add this to your TBR.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC!

A heartwarming story of sibling love. The story begins with Tara Connelly, the youngest of three siblings being released from prison after an 18 month sentence of drug possession. Her mother had died when she was young and her father was a car thief on the lam. They hadn’t heard from their father since the accident, that had put their brother in the hospital for a long time. Eddie suffers debilitating headaches from the brain injury he sustained in the car accident. When she goes home, her older sister has implemented strict rules for her brother and nephew and life was tense. Tara’s love for her brother Eddie, and her nephew Connor, is unconditional, she will do anything to protect them. She loves her sister too but they are very different personalities. The detective who helps prosecute her case comes back into her life and plays a significant part in this story that helps bring the siblings closer to each other again.
I enjoyed this book because of the warmth and love the siblings had for each other. They realized that they did not have to keep secrets and they forgave each other and created a stronger bond.

The book starts with Tara being released from prison, she was sentenced for drug trafficking. She has essentially lost everything due to her choices such as her career, finances, but she knows she has her family to go home to. Her older sister Geraldine has taken care of her and her brother Eddie since she was barely an adult. All of the siblings live together to help take care of Eddie’s young son. Each sibling is dealing with their own life uncertainties and with Tara coming home they have to learn how to be a strong family unit again, or at least try to get along before they burn bridges that can’t be mended.

I really enjoyed this family drama. The characters were really well developed. The plot flowed effortlessly without an abundant amount of filler. This book showcased a modern day family with real problems, which I thought was great and relatable.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.

Publish Date - August 1, 2023

THE CONNELLYS OF COUNTY DOWN will be included in my top reads of the year, easily. I loved this book so much I couldn’t put it down. It’s the quickest I’ve read a book in a really long time. It look me less than 24 hours!

If you loved WE ARE THE BRENNANS, I bet you’ll also love this book. Between you and me, I really enjoyed The Connelly’s more.

Lange has a talent for writing dysfunctional characters and families, all while having the reader root for them until the very last page. Despite their flaws, you can’t help but relate to the complex and messy lifestyle the Connellys have. No, I don’t relate to them exactly as to why they are so dysfunctional, but I understand them from a familial level.

There are quite a few characters, but not too many you’ll feel overwhelmed. Lange eases readers into relationships, making it very easy to understand where each character stands with one another. The love this family has is undeniable, even if their conversations don’t mirror that. Because of this, it tugged at my heartstrings for the Connelly’s.

THE CONNELLYS OF COUNTY DOWN has a little bit of romance, family trauma, secrets, and much more. I highly recommend picking this one up.

Big thank you to Celadon and Netgalley for the ARC! You can get your copy on August 1.

Content warnings: drug trafficking, death, cancer, mental illness

The Connelly family consists of three siblings: Tara, Geraldine, and Eddie. One is an ex-con, the other suffers from a TBI, one has a hoarding problem, and they each carry their own blend of trauma. What unfolds is a story of pain and healing, with an optimistic redemption arch filled with plenty of audible “I can’t believe she did that” reader moments along the way. A truly beautiful look into a deeply flawed family, trying the best they can to survive in lower-middle class America.

Tracey Lange can deliver a compelling family drama! It is definitely character driven, which isn’t typically my favorite. But I will say I enjoyed this one! I think I related to this book a lot as my family has always been big on family first, and we always have each others back with unconditional love. I just really enjoyed reading about this family and how no matter what, they were there for one another!

I really, really enjoyed this book! The Connellys of County Down details the lives of three siblings: Tara, Eddie, and Geraldine.
Upon her release from prison, Tara must reacclimate both into society and into life amongst her family. In doing so, Tara discovers multiple family secrets and an opportunity for an unlikely romance. The three siblings must work together to overcome their individual fears and anxieties.

The author, Tracey Lange, gracefully tackles life after incarceration, mental illness, addiction, and traumatic brain injury. I am eager to read other books that she has written.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Macmillan Audio for an ALC of this title in exchange for my honest review.