Tracey Lange's What Happened to the McCrays? is a beautifully crafted exploration of love, loss, and redemption that captivates from the very first page. The story follows Kyle McCray as he returns to his small hometown after a long absence, forced to confront his past and the complexities of his relationship with his ex-wife, Casey. Lange's masterful storytelling shines through as she intricately weaves together themes of family, community, and the healing power of forgiveness.
The dual narration enhances the emotional depth of the characters, allowing listeners to fully immerse themselves in Kyle and Casey's journey. The book tackles heavy topics such as grief and mental health with sensitivity and grace, making it both heart-wrenching and uplifting. Readers will find themselves rooting for the characters as they navigate their struggles and seek a path toward reconciliation.
Overall, What Happened to the McCrays? is a poignant and relatable tale that resonates deeply, showcasing Lange's talent for creating compelling narratives that linger long after the last page is turned. This book is a must-read for anyone who appreciates heartfelt stories about second chances and the complexities of human relationships.

OMG I loved this book! I finished it two days ago and I miss all the characters already. I need another book that just follows the everyday lives of Kyle, Casey, and everyone else. This was my first book by Tracey Lange, but now I'm already looking into her backlist titles. What Happened to the McCrays? is a must read!

I've been a big fan of Tracey Lange's previous two heartfelt, character-driven stories. What Happened to the McCrays? is her most emotional and tragic but is extremely captivating from start to finish—in fact, I was so engrossed I ultimately read the book in one sitting. Casey and Kyle's journey—both in the present timeline and the past painted such a devastating, well-rounded picture of grief, how we weather it and how it can slowly break us. I thought there was a great crew of surrounding characters—from Danny and Wyatt to Coach and Angie and the middle school crew. There were times when I was worried the book leaned too much into trauma and tragedy but ultimately felt like Tracey was able to tie things together;

I've read and enjoyed all of Tracey Lange's books. This one may be my favorite. I couldn't put it down. This is a story about a couple devastated by the loss of their son. Five stars.

Thank you to #CeladonBooks and #NetGalley for the digital ARC of #WhatHappenedtotheMcCrays. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

This is my second Tracey Lange novel and I was not disappointed. She doesn't shy away from tough topics and she writes beautifully and honestly about relationships and community - how they save us and why they're worth fighting for.

After more than 2 years, Kyle is returning to his hometown to care for his dad after a stroke. But coming back means facing the people he abruptly left behind and trying to repair those relationships, including with his now ex-wife Casey.

There is a lot to unpack in this story. With strategic flashbacks, we learn how Casey and Kyle came to together and the tragedy that ripped them apart. And while this story delivers a gut-punch of emotion, it is also sweet and hopeful. Couldn't put it down.

I was lucky to get an advanced copy of Lange's upcoming release, which will hit store shelves on January 14th. The author has become a reading staple for layered family dramas with heart, and this new novel spools out another emotional story for readers. It documents the rise and fall of a seemingly perfect marriage between two people who find a new purpose through their community's middle school hockey team.

When Kyle learns that his father has suffered a debilitating stroke, he reluctantly returns to his hometown of Potsdam, New York—a place he fled without warning two and a half years ago. Now, he plans to help his dad recover and disappear again, especially after realizing the love of his life is not ready to forgive and forget.

However, when a chance to jointly coach their struggling middle school hockey team arises, the couple find new purpose and unexpected answers about why they have both struggled to find each other again.

This story is rooted in parental tragedy, which is difficult to read. It takes great patience for this tragedy to unfold, looming for the reader on every page. I loved the more cozy elements of this story, though, even when I struggled with Lange's pacing in this novel.

This story will be a satisfying addition to your winter stack, but I encourage readers to try The Connellys of County Down to see Lange's writing REALLY shine.

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5/5)

Thanks to Celadon for my early copy of WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MCCRAY’S. It’s always fun to get a little sneak peek for upcoming releases.

This particular author’s books seem to be more character focused than plot driven. I’m more of a plot girl. That being said my heart ached for the loss that the 2 main characters went through. However, I loved that the community really rallied around them to work out their issues and get them back together. Hockey was a strong focal point in this book along with the loss of a young boy, resulting in serious marital issues.

All in all this was a decent read although I may not be the best target audience for this one. It takes a lot for me to get super hyped when it comes to character driven novels unless there’s a lot of drama & scandal involved…this was just mostly sad. It does have a nice ending though.

Kyle and Casey McCray were high school sweethearts with a solid marriage in the small, hockey-focused town of Potsdam in upstate New York. But when the novel opens, Kyle lives across the country and is called back to Potsdam to care for his father, who suffered from a stroke. Much of the novel works towards illuminating how such a strong marriage fell apart, with the storyline jumping between the past and the present.

Maudlin and predictable, I struggled to get through this one. I had high hopes after seeing a number of 5 star reviews, but it was just not my cup of tea. I could see this being a great movie, but as a novel it didn’t have enough realistic dialogue or character development to hold my attention. On a positive note, the pages turned quickly due to easy-to-read prose plus the end was heartwarming.

This is the third book I’ve read by Tracey Lange, and she’s officially become an auto-buy author for me. This novel is every bit as compelling, if not more so, than her previous works. True to her style, the story dives deep into complex family dynamics and tackles challenging subject matter with care.

Kyle returns to Potsdam after a two-year absence to care for his ailing father. However, not everyone is thrilled to see him again—especially his ex-wife, Casey, who makes it abundantly clear there’s no love lost between them.

To rebuild the bridges he burned when he left town without explanation, Kyle must earn the forgiveness of friends and family. His chance comes when the local school hockey team finds itself desperately in need of a coach.

This is a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of grief, friendship, forgiveness, and the importance of community. And yes, there’s even a bit of hockey. The writing is incredibly immersive, pulling me right into the heart of the story and making me feel like I was experiencing Potsdam and it’s people all alongside the characters.

This book comes out in January and is a must read in my opinion.

Thank you NetGalley and Celadon Books for the ARC.

What a well done family drama. I was sucked into this book from the part and could not put it down. It was slow at times, but I was 100% invested in the characters lives. They were well done, real, flawed and well developed. Their relationships were troubled but fascinating and I loved rooting for their happy ending. This story follows a couple who were madly in love and ended up divorced. When forced in close proximity, they must face some of their demons. A story about love, hope, grief and the power of family and friends. An emotional rollercoaster that will have you reaching for the tissues time after time.

Thank you NetGalley for my advanced reader copy

I have read and loved Tracey Lange's books but this one is definitely my favorite by far. If you are looking for a family drama that is sure to break your heart and put it back together again, this is the read for you.

What Happened to the McCrays is a heartfelt story about the power of love and community, the real effects of loss and grief, and the way that real people imperfectly grapple with both. Set in a backdrop of small town USA Potsdam, the characters are so raw and relatable. They are far from perfect, are always doing the best that they can at the time. Through a dual timeline, we learn bits and pieces about their present, while filling in the gaps that brought them to where they are today. The decisions they have made are sometimes difficult and painful, but so real.

The book touches on so many themes - Family, Hockey, Parenthood, Guilt, Community, Grief, Mental Health, and Love and does it in such a poignant way. This book made me cry my eyes out and still left me at the end with a hopeful feeling. Beautiful read.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC.

Wow, the emotional punches in this novel touched my heart. Kyle returns home after two and a half years when his father suffers a stroke. Home is Potsdam, where we find out he was married to Casey, owned a garage, was a local high school hockey star, and was suffering the loss of his marriage. Not to add spoilers, the path to understanding what happened to Casey and Kyle’s relationship was emotional, told in alternating chapters of the burgeoning of their relationship, and the current time when Kyle returns home. I highly recommend this well written, beautiful story of a tight knit community pulling together for these two people. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Another great book by the author! I loved the theme of community throughout! The strong feelings of love, friendship and support was written all over the pages. It was a fun story to follow along and I really liked all the characters. I will be recommending this book to others.

Compelling family drama that deals with an incredible amount of loss between two families joined by marriage. And yet, it's full of hope and love. Bonus points for an Upstate New York location that feels honest, and showcasing how our small communities pull together when facing hardships. My first read by this author and I can see why they have a strong following. Recommended for fans of Picoult an Backman (especially Beartown).

What Happened to the McCrays? is the newest family drama novel out by Tracey Lange, author of We Are the Brennans and The Connellys of County Down (which I enjoyed last year).

I'm going to start with trigger warnings for grief and loss of a child. Please look online to see a full list, as I don't want to spoil any plot points. I will say that the dog doesn't die. Okay, now on to the review.

Two and half years ago, Kyle McCray unexpectedly left his family and his job with no warning. He's moved around a lot in that time, never truly settling down. When he gets the call that his father, Danny McCray, has had a stroke and will need help during his rehabilitation, he heads home, not knowing what kind of reception he'll get.

During those two and a half years, Kyle's ex-wife Casey has gone through a lot that he doesn't know about, and she's not happy that he'll be home for a while. When Kyle fills in as the middle school hockey coach, the two of them are forced to work together because she's an assistant and the kids' teacher.

Told in alternating chapters of Now and Then, we see how Kyle and Casey fell in love, and how they got to where they are now. Not every scene is a happy one, though. The two of them have been through many ups and downs, but they had always come back to each other. There's no coming back from Kyle's leaving, though.

All in all, this was a good read. I don't read a lot of literary fiction, but I did enjoy this one to an extent. Casey did kind of get on my nerves with her 'yes/no' and 'go/stay'...so much that it felt like whiplash. Just make up your mind already! That said, if you enjoy a well-written family drama of grief and second chances, then definitely give this one a try.

A couple is torn apart following a tragic accident in a small town in upstate New York. The story alternates between before the accident and the present day. It was a very readable book but the plot doesn't really challenge readers and depends on some tropes/cliches.

I don't even know how to begin this review. This was as close to perfect as I could ask for in a book. It was hard to read, but also beautiful. Absolutely ripped my heart out, put it through hell and then put it back together again...but not perfectly. Because just like the Casey and Kyle, can't ever go back to normal or perfect after what they've been through as a couple. I also want to visit Potsdam and start watching middle school hockey apparently??? Thank you for writing this, Tracey Lange.

I've now read and loved every one of Lange's books.

This is the story of Kyle McCray who has to return home to take care of his dad after he suffers from a debilitating stroke. Kyle left town over two years ago and had not been planning to come back. In fact, he's pretty sure he's not welcome back.

Alas.

This is the story of grief, loss, family, forgiveness, shame and so so much love. It's a reminder that things are rarely what they seem and a reminder of all the things we give up in the name of caring for someone else and managing to hurt them in the process. It's a reminder that suffering in silence is never better than suffering together and healing together. Some losses are too big but even those, especially those, need the company of grace and love.

Lange's stories have so many of life's emotions at their center. And they always remind you what it means to be family.

with gratitude to netgalley and Celadon Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

My book besties both recommended this as one of their favorite books in 2024. So clearly I had to read it. It broke my heart and put it back together over and over. I wanted to dislike characters, but loved every single one. I wanted to be mad at different people at different times but found myself feeling deeply for each of them. I could not put it down.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC!
 
I really enjoyed the author’s previous novels and I can say the same for this one. She’s quickly becoming a top tier author for me because she writes heartwarming family stories where the characters really grow. This town feels real and the people feel real.
 
This book had a lot of what I love about her novels. I loved that there’s a German shepherd (who does not die in this book fyi) and I especially liked Wyatt as a side character. I loved Kyle and Casey’s journey back to one another. The subplot about the hockey team was a nice addition and didn’t overpower the main story which I liked (because honestly, I couldn’t give less of a sh*t about hockey).
 
I have two gripes with this novel—it felt like a slog at points and Casey was really, really frustrating as a character. It felt overly long and some flashbacks weren’t needed, in my opinion. As for Casey, gosh I found her selfish. Intellectually, I know she went through a lot, but I needed to see more of her interiority to give her some slack. Her decisions to remove herself from situations seemed hare-brained and half-baked.
 
However, overall, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it.