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.

Tracey Lange is one of my favorite authors. Since I had read (and enjoyed) her first two novels, I was thrilled to get approved to read her latest book early that’s entitled “What Happened to the McCrays?”

Kyle McCray has been living in Spokane, Washington for over a year. He returns home to Potsdam, New York after being notified his father, Danny, has suffered a stroke. He will need help during his rehabilitation and recovery. While home, Kyle has to face those he left behind two and a half years prior. People like his now ex-wife, Casey, her brother, Wyatt, and Casey’s best friend, Angie.

The description is slightly misleading. Yes, Kyle left Potsdam two-and-a-half years earlier, but not exactly for the reasons implied in the write-up. As I read the book, I was trying to reconcile the Kyle being presented to me by the author versus what had been mentioned about him in the description. Things become clearer, though, partway through the book which version of Kyle is the accurate one.

This book alternates at times between “then” and “now” and the narrators are both Kyle and Casey. The further along the book got, the more I dreaded reading the “then” parts. I would say more, but I don’t want to spoil anything.

Overall, I loved this book. The author has a way with writing her characters and their interactions with each other that I adore. Also, this book is a standalone, but I recommend people read her first two books because of how good I found them. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my ARC.

How much grief can a heart withstand before it shatters into a million pieces? In WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MCCRAYS? Tracey Lange spins a mesmerizing tale of the unraveling of a marriage. She examines profound loss and the collateral damage left in its wake.

This family drama centers on childhood sweethearts, Kyle and Casey. Through alternating timelines of THEN and NOW, we bear witness to all the stages of their relationship from first love to estrangement.

This is a moving novel about broken people struggling to survive. It focuses on the healing power of community and the possibility of redemption. It is a highly emotional journey filled with both devastation and hope. Ms. Lange gives us characters that are highly flawed and beautifully human. My soul wept with and for Kyle and Casey.

This story unfolded slowly; revealing itself at a pace that allowed me to process all the feelings associated with each new facet. It’s a book that will touch your heart and leave you changed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the advance copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

Tracey Lange is an automatic read author for me. This book had me hooked from the beginning. Needs a few trigger warnings, but I was sucked in and could not stop reading!

When you first pick up this book, you will feel as if this is a typical suspense story and that you have it all figured out, but you're wrong. It goes from zero to sixty real fast, with no lack of emotion and suspense.
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book was written very well, but also very deep & sad. For that reason I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would! I did feel some intrigue while reading and was eager to find out all the secrets! I'm giving this 3.5 stars but rounding up to 4 since the writing was so good! Thank you to Celadon Books & NetGalley for the ARC!

The author does a wonderful job writing a book about real people. Real people that love and hurt and suffer and rejoice. Real people with real lives that navigate the ups and downs of living. This book was a tear jerker but it was also book of hope. I felt it all the way to my heart and could not put it down. Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the complimentary digital ARC. This review is my own opinion and my own words

trigger warning: death of a child

This book was not what I thought it would be. It was so much more. Kyle returns home when his dad suffers a stroke. He left a little over two years ago when his marriage broke up after a tragic event. He doesn’t get a very warm welcome, especially from his ex-wife Casey. But the longer he is there, their lives again become entwined as Kyle helps out with the middle school hockey team where Casey teaches. But with so much heartache, could any hope be possible for Casey and Kyle to rekindle their love? The turn of the plot surprised me. It pulled at my heartstrings. I wept. It was so moving but sad. How does anyone handle grief and what is the right way? This is a story that will touch you and you will remember. Many thanks to #netgalley #traceylange #whathappenedtothemccrays for the opportunity to read and review this book. 4.5/5 stars.

This book had me on an emotional roller coaster the entire time I was reading! I kept wondering how much more could these families and certain character deal with! This author really knows how to show broken, flawed, and real people/families and I absolutely adore it! The characters know they are messy and flawed and at the same time they are still deeply loved and cared about by their families and community. I absolutely loved the upstate NY references and the mention of the Buffalo Bills! GO BILLS!

My favorite part of the audiobook was the characters were very easily recognizable by voice, which can be hard when there are multiple timelines and characters that age over the course of the book!

I definitely would recommend this book to people that love a messy and at times wholesome, close-knit small town domestic drama, that’ll have you wanting to call a loved one and tell them you love them!

⭐️WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MCCRAYS?, out JAN 14th⭐️

Special thanks to @macmillan.audio #MacAudio2024 for the g i f t e d audiobook and @celadonbooks for the review copy of this book!

Tracey Lange you might just be my new favorite author. I thought I loved The Connelly's of County Down the best? Oh, no, this book stole the top spot and my heart. Omg I'm not sure how I'll recover from this. My heart....gosh is broken but full. I don't know, maybe I needed my eyes to dry before writing this but I just needed everyone to know that they must RUN out to read this book. Bring some tissues because you'll need them. I should have known when I saw the opening quote from none other than my favorite book of ALL TIME (She's Come Undone) that I was about to be in for a special treat and wow....I was right. Thank you for this book and for introducing me to characters I'll put right up there with Dolores Price. This is that GOOD. ❤️📚😭

THANK YOU to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this beautiful book in exchange for my honest review. I already bought a hard over copy I loved it so much.

thank you to Celadon Books and Net Galley for the arc in exchange for an honest review

There is something about the way that Tracey Lange writes small town, family drama that just gets me every time. While her first two books were enjoyable for me, "What Happened to the McCrays" exceeded my expectations and, in my opinion, is Lange's best. The way she examines the break down of a marriage, navigating grief, and putting your life back together post tragedy....I can't help but feel many that have experienced this would find it realistic and true. 5 stars from me.

This book tackles very heavy topics, so please do check trigger warnings prior to reading.

Tracey Lange does family drama well. She’s found her literary niche.

This story connects a divorced couple, Kyle and Casey, who are forced back into close proximity when Kyle comes home to take care of his father as he recovers from a stroke. While the story is interesting, and we do in fact want to find out what happened to the McCrays, I found my attention wandering at times and found it easy to put the book down. Without giving any spoilers, there are instances where the author reveals something (once subtly, once blatantly) to the reader, and I felt cheated that I had easily figured out a part of the story that could have been kept as a mystery and later revealed in more dramatic fashion.

I did enjoy the book overall and felt the author captured small town upstate New York well.