Many thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by one of my favorite authors, Tracey Lange. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Kyle and Casey McCray split over 2 years ago and Kyle hasn't been back to Potsdam NY since. Living a somewhat nomadic lifestyle, he's somewhat settled in Spokane WA when he gets word that his father has suffered a debilitating stroke. Returning to NY is tough, because Kyle has to face the people he abandoned years ago. The longer he stays home helping his dad, the more he realizes just how his departure affected the people he left behind. He begins to find hope again when asked to coach the middle school hockey team, and even begins thinking he might be able to stay.

No one writes family drama and real characters like Tracey Lange. I have loved each of her books and while it's hard to pick a favorite, this might just be it. I loved the Upstate NY setting and how pulled I felt into these characters' lives and the community surrounding them. Small towns have their own unique feel, where everyone knows your story, good or bad, and it's tough to rewrite it. Just what happened to the McCrays and can Kyle and Casey make their way back together? Lange is wonderful at showing both sides of the story and how decisions and lack of communication can have lasting and haunting consequences. Plus, I loved the story of the middle schoolers and their hockey team. This is a beautifully-written story that will have you feeling all the emotions. As with her other books, this would be a great book club pick. Highly recommended!

Tracey Lange’s third novel features various trigger warnings and is filled with sadness and grief, but also touches on themes of hope, forgiveness, and the importance of community. When Kyle McCray returns to his hometown to care for his ill father, he must come to terms with why he left two years ago. He finds solace in coaching a middle school hockey team while facing his past and the ex-wife he left behind. Like Lange's other two novels, WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MCCRAYS? features complex characters and realistic family dynamics.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Celadon Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

What Happened to the McCrays is a rare gem that brought me to tears—a feat few stories achieve. The characters are so richly developed that their emotions practically leap off the pages. The love, pain, and heartache are written with such depth and authenticity that you can't help but feel and relate to their journey. Despite the emotional rollercoaster, the author masterfully weaves in moments of humor and lightheartedness, making it a well-rounded and compelling read. Highly recommended.

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

Getting a new book to read from Tracey Lange is like coming home to a beautifully wrapped package on your front porch. I have been anticipating the availability of this book from Tracey Lange, so I was super excited to get a chance to read it.

Granted, I would read anything that Tracey Lange writes because I enjoyed her previous books so very much and this new family drama was no exception.

It follows a young couple, Casey and Kyle, as they are painfully reunited after their once strong relationship is shattered. The author strings readers along through flashback vignettes as we curiously await the reveal of what went so terribly wrong to break these two apart.

There is a community vibe created by supporting the local family run businesses, the youth hockey team and the plight of the town’s toilet seat garden. It does deal with triggering topics like suicide and depression, and there were a couple times when I felt tears prick my eyes. But it is a feel-good story as well, that is rich in sibling loyalty, neighborly love, and overcoming emotional trauma. I highly recommend you add this to your list of must-read books for 2024.

Since I loved We Are the Brennans and The Connellys of County Down, I knew I had to read this book asap. I love how Tracey Lange writes so well about families and family relationships. Her characters are so well developed you feel like you know them or you can relate them to some of your own family members. After Casey and Kyle's son dies in an accident, they both make huge mistakes in dealing with their relationship and end up separated across the country from each other. When Kyle's dad suffers a stroke he has to come home and take care of him. Since Casey lives across the street from his dad they are bound to cross paths every day. This is a story that tells two sides of a divorce and the pain both people have to confront and try to heal. If they don't heal, they will be consumed by the pain. I loved this book. Thanks to @NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

I LOVED this one- this truly broke my heart multiple times and put it back together. I loved the family dynamics and the overwhelming sense and importance of community and family in the latest by Tracey Lange. Character development couldn't have been better.. hated for this one to end. Highly recommend!!!
Thank you so much to the author and publisher for this digital ARC- Tracey Lange is an auto-buy author for me and this was 5stars!!

This is one my highest anticipated books of the year and Ms. Lange does not disappoint. I read The Connolly's of County Down and enjoyed that. However, this book is on a whole different level. It is not only a five star read but I am betting it will be on my top ten for the year.
Ms. Lange captures the essence of Potsdam, New York, a rather depressed city in upstate New York where many residents aim to leave and never come back but few ever do. Kyle McCray, an auto mechanic who is one of those that did leave, comes home after his father has a stroke. Kyle left home under circumstances that make him unwelcome to many, including his ex wife. As the story unfolds, the reader learns why Kyle is looked at negatively only, of course, it is complicated.
This is not an action packed novel It is literary fiction at its finest. We learn that even the best of people make mistake and that life is hard. The main characters, Kyle and his ex wife, Casey, face what is perhaps the toughest situation any adults can face. I was concerned that I would leave the novel being depressed, yet it was quite the hospital. Ultimately, we learn that people are tougher than they seem and resilient and that communities, even those with problems, can pull together when it really matters. I love books like this where the reader grapples with substantial and important themes that are conveyed through dialogue and situation versus being thrown at you as a directive by the author. Ms. Lange builds characters in a way that is amazing. They are humans, with faults, but by the end, you find that they are the type of people that you want to have coffee with and live with.
I am someone who loves to write and this book is a role model for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for providing me with this advanced readers' copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the gifted ARC. All opinions are my own.

Bookish thoughts: What Happened to the McCrays is my third novel by author Tracey Lange. It was a slow burn story with a dual timeline that had many characters. I kept a list of all of them, which I found to be well developed and relatable. I enjoyed the book which contained themes of family, relationships, hockey and resiliency. I have enjoyed all of her books but The Brennans holds a special place in my heart! If you enjoyed any of her previous books, this book will resonate with you.

What an emotional ride…this book shattered my heart and then made it whole again. What Happened to the McCrays is raw, emotional, heartbreaking, heartwarming and one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. It’s a beautiful, character driven story about a resilient couple whose marriage couldnt withstand the grief, guilt, and pain from a horrific tragedy. It’s about their close knit community that supports them through the healing process, including a very special middle school youth hockey team. Lange writes about very heavy topics but does it in a sensitive way that makes the reader feel all the many emotions that the characters are experiencing.

I listened to an ALC and the narrators did an impeccable job from start to finish. I wholeheartedly believe that the audiobook helped enhance my overall experience. They were able to portray all the guilt and pain the characters were experiencing which strengthened my connection and empathy for the characters.

This story reminded me of Beartown, one of my top reads last year, in many ways. If you loved Beartown as much as I did, then this is the book for you! I can’t stop thinking about the unforgettable characters and emotional story plot. I can definitely see this book being one of my top reads for 2025. I obviously highly suggest this book, but I also suggest checking the TW before reading.

I found myself reaching for numerous tissues while reading this poignant tale. Tracey Lange has a remarkable talent for crafting deeply emotional narratives. "What Happened to the McCrays" is laden with tragedy that profoundly impacts Kyle and Casey, a couple whose love has endured since their teenage years. However, the weight of their hardships drives them apart. A middle school hockey team, along with their friends and family, rallies to help mend their relationship. This marks my second encounter with this author, and she excels in portraying family drama and trauma. If you appreciate such themes, this book is a must-read!

I loved the premise of this book! A couple who have divorced is forced to come back together when a family member's health is on the line. The dual perspectives and narratives play such a great and impactful role in this book. It helps unveil the story so well! The chapters were almost addictive because you wanted to see where the next puzzle piece landed. The story unraveled so nicely and all the characters were likable even when they were doing unlikeable things. I don't normally cry in books but I cried at least twice!

Read if you like a second-chance romance with dual timelines and small-town vibes. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review. This book releases 1/14.

Tracey Lange writes family dramas so well, and her latest is no exception!

Kyle and Casey are high school sweethearts who got divorced two-and-a-half years ago, after which Kyle fled his hometown of Potsdam. After his father has a stroke, Kyle comes home to take care of him and is forced to face his past, including the incredibly painful reason why he and Casey ended their decades-long relationship.

This book is filled with tension, both between the characters and for the reader as we wait to find out what really happened between Kyle and Casey. While there was a lot of sadness in this book (dm me if you want trigger warnings!), what I ultimately walked away with was hope. If you’re up for sitting with difficult emotions, it’s worth it to spend some time getting to know these characters. Tracey Lange always does such a good job creating characters who feel fully fleshed-out: flawed and sometimes frustrating, but so relatable!

And I promise this books isn’t all sad! Are there any fans of The Mighty Ducks movies out there? I loved those movies (the second was the best, obviously), and there’s an incredibly endearing subplot about Kyle coaching the hockey team that reminded me of them!

Thank you to @celadonbooks and @netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Kyle McCray returns home after his father’s stroke, confronting the fallout of his sudden departure years earlier. As he helps his family and coaches a struggling hockey team, Kyle faces his past, seeking reconciliation with his ex-wife and a chance to rebuild broken relationships.

This book was devastating in the best way. It moves between past and present, slowly unraveling what went wrong in Kyle and Casey’s marriage. The story was so beautiful it had me sobbing.

What Happened to the McCrays? is a poignant exploration of family dynamics, redemption, and the enduring impact of past decisions. The narrative centers on Kyle McCray, who returns to his hometown of Potsdam, New York, after his father suffers a debilitating stroke. Having abruptly left over two years prior, Kyle faces the repercussions of his sudden departure, including strained relationships with his father, former friends, and his ex-wife, Casey. As he steps in to coach the struggling middle school hockey team, Kyle confronts the challenges of rebuilding trust and seeking forgiveness, all while grappling with unresolved issues from his past.

Tracey Lange delves into the complexities of a fractured family, portraying the intricate process of healing and reconciliation. Her nuanced character development and authentic depiction of small-town life create a compelling narrative that resonates deeply with readers.

This novel is recommended for readers who appreciate emotionally rich family dramas that explore themes of forgiveness, personal growth, and community.

I gave What Happened to the McCrays four ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you Celadon Books and Net Galley for the ARC. These are my own opinions.

I think the best thing about this book was the characters. They were so likable and easily invested in. They were also broken and sometimes broken characters are hard to like, but Tracey Lange knows how to write great characters. I cared about all of them - Casey, Kyle, Wyatt, dad, the hockey team….Star. All of them.

The family dynamics were also so well developed. Intricate and fractured, but also held together by love. I loved this a lot this book.

Read this one! You won’t regret it!

✨Listen, nobody writes family fiction like Tracey Lange.  Nobody.  At this point, I will read absolutely anything she writes – and so should you!  You must trust me on this. 
 
✨This is absolutely one of the best books I’ve read in 2024 and Tracey Lange’s best yet – which is saying something since everything she writes is five stars PLUS. 
 
✨The emotion in these pages is so raw and real.  When I tell you I had to pull my car over into a parking lot while listening on audio because I was crying so hard, I am not exaggerating.  When the moment hits, SO WILL YOU.  Have your Kleenex handy because there won’t be a dry eye to be found. 
 
🌿Read if you like:
✨Family fiction
✨Themes of grief
✨Community narratives
✨Hockey culture
✨Love and loss
✨Middle class family themes
✨Relatable casts of characters

Kyle and Casey McCray were once a happy family but after a tragedy, Kyle left. When his father has a stroke, Kyle returns to his hometown to care for his father. His ex-wife Casey and her brother Walker live across the street so Kyle and Casey must find a new way of interacting with each other. Can either of them move on or will their past experiences keep them apart?

Lange writes messy families so well. However, this one was so sad that I really had a hard time getting thru it. Her previous two books had a lot more hope, at least for some of the characters, but this one was excellent but bleak. I am glad I read it, but I can't say it was enjoyable.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy for review.

Tracey does it again! Although fiction, her books do not feel like it in the best of ways. The way she makes her characters come to life, how the setting makes you feel like you are a fly on the wall, and even writes about heavier topics that can't help but draw you in and cheer for the underdog. These things certainly ring true for "What Happened to the McCrays?". Congratulations on a job well done with this book, Tracey! It's a winner in so many ways!

"What Happened to the McCrays?" is a touching story about a man named Kyle who returns to his hometown after his father suffers a stroke. He left abruptly years ago, causing hurt and abandonment to his family and friends. As he helps his father and coaches a middle school hockey team, Kyle begins to understand the impact of his actions and seeks redemption.

The buzz surrounding this book is well-deserved! Prepare to be emotionally moved by this captivating story that may even bring tears to your eyes.

The writing in this book is exceptional, as we are taken on a journey through past events with each chapter. The narrative jumps between two timelines, allowing us to fully understand the events that transpired.

The characters are intricately developed in both timelines, with their unresolved emotions and struggles adding depth to the story. The central message of the book is clear - confronting the past is essential for moving forward. Kyle and his wife Casey must come to terms with their history in order to progress.

One aspect that stands out is the strong sense of community in the small town, offering support and understanding to the characters.

Although I am new to this author, I am eager to explore more of their work in the future. If you appreciate stories that delve into themes of resilience, community, and the complexities of relationships, this book will resonate with you. I highly recommend adding it to your "to be read" list - it truly is a touching and memorable read.

Thank you, Celadon Books, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I love this author's work. This "slice of life" is so well done. I felt so many things for all the characters and because they are so well developed I just felt like I spent a few months living in the town. I could see that all the characters had light and dark and that made the story so multi-dimensional. I loved the representation tho I felt there could be more. Further, the dual POV and the dual timelines worked really well and helped carry the story. I got confused when both of the "getaways" were lined up but I think this was very effective and made my heart hurt more for the circumstances.
My bones to pick with this story (why it is not a 5 star) are this: the first is: I think flipping his ballcap was mentioned at least a dozen times. So much so it became a running joke with my friend throughout this reading. It was excessive. As someone who binged the book in 2 days - it really was obvious to me. The other bone to pick was how quickly Casey "realized" that she was not living in a way that would have made Charlie proud, and not honoring his legacy. This felt like a rush to get the story wrapped up, and an "easy out" and a non-planned for conclusion. I think we could have gotten there. Between Wyatt, Danny, Kyle and her friend - they could have repeated this message in their various ways. Instead of a "one and done". Which I didn't find effective.
That being said: auto-buy/read author FOR SURE.