Kyle McCray left Home 2 1/2 years ago, he left it all behind, his wife, his dad, his brother-in-law, his business, his friends and the familiarity of his hometown… why?


This was a book of love, loss, friendship, forgiveness, and deep healing, and how a tragedy affects everyone.

We get to learn throughout the pages what had happened, the author had such a beautiful way of revealing what you needed to know when you needed to know it. So much healing throughout the pages.

My first book by this author, but absolutely definitely not my last

Title: What Happened to the McCrays?   
Author: Tracey Lange         
Genre:  Fiction       
Rating:  4.5 out of 5

When Kyle McCray gets word his father has suffered a debilitating stroke, he returns to his hometown of Potsdam, New York, where he doesn’t expect a warm welcome. Kyle left suddenly two and a half years ago, abandoning people who depended on his father, his employees, his friends—not to mention Casey, his wife of sixteen years and a beloved teacher in town. He plans to lie low and help his dad recuperate until he can leave again, especially after Casey makes it clear she wants him gone.

The longer he’s home, the more Kyle understands the impact his departure has had on the people he left behind. When he’s presented with an opportunity for redemption as the coach of the floundering middle school hockey team, he begins to find compassion in unexpected places. Kyle even considers staying in Potsdam, but that’s only possible if he and Casey can come to some kind of peace with each other.

I really enjoyed this read! Potsdam, and life there, kind of made my skin crawl—not really a fan of the whole small-town life—but it felt very realistic and believable. I loved how things built slowly between Kyle and Casey, allowing us to see things unfolding in the past and the present, without it feeling rushed or unbelievable.

Tracey Lange lives in Oregon. What Happened to the McCrays? is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Celadon Books in exchange for an honest review.)

(Blog link live 1/14).

I loved this book just as I have Lange's others. It's a wonderful story about Kyle, who returns home to small town New York after his father suffers a stroke. Kyle had left over two years ago when his marriage fell apart. He didn't realize or didn't process how much his leaving had impacted those who loved him. It's a story of struggle and redemption on many levels. The characters are wonderful including several side characters that are memorable and deeply developed. I love Lange's writing. It's easy but not simple and pulls you along in a warm tug. Highly recommend. 4.5 starts rounding up to 5!

Thank you, Netgalley and Celadon, so much.

When I finished this novel, I let the story resonate within me. It is a deeply moving and emotional story of a deeply in love separated couple who had grown apart with a chasm so wide that there was no way to cross it. The story is filled with so much sadness and yet there are moments of joy, also. The “Then” and “Now’ chapters delicately tie together so as to portray the absolute depth of the character’s emotions and actions.It is a definitely not to miss novel.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Mesmerized from the first few pages. I liked the back and forth between timelines. The characters are rich and wounded. The relationships were written so well. Lange is a must-read author. Huge fan of this book!

Y’all, there is not a thing I’d change about this book except to undo the heartbreak that they have to bear.

❤️‍🩹

📚 If you read Lange’s other books, We Are the Brennans and The Connellys of County Down, this one follows her same writing style of a slow burn family drama following the struggle and heartache of everyday life.

📖 In What Happened to the McCrays, Kyle McCray returns home after being away for two years to take care of his father, forcing him to confront why he left and try to get his life back.

I read this one in small doses over two weeks as I didn’t want it to end. I got the sense of what had happened to Kyle fairly early on, but I really wasn’t sure how his life was going to turn out until the end.

🧑🏻‍🔧🏒 Kyle is just your average guy, high school hockey star turned mechanic who falls for the girl next door. His heartache is not all that uncommon, but is still tragic to read. I think that’s what makes this book so special.

I connected to this book so much, but cannot explain why without giving away a major plot point. But that plot point is a major trigger for some, so be warned if you need.

✨ This one hits shelves January 14th!! ✨

Thanks so much to @celadonbooks for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. 🩷

I’m a Tracey Lange Stan and I’ve loved all 3 of her books so far, but this may have bumped We Are the Brennans down from the #1 spot.

Tracey Lange has an incredible talent for crafting raw, heart-wrenching stories about love, family, and grief. Her storytelling is so compelling, and no two families ever feel the same. She has a gift for bringing these families and their situations to life.

This is a story about a divorced couple from a small town being forced to see each other again due to a family emergency after a few years apart. You spend the book getting to know the main characters, getting to experience them falling in love and getting married, and then ultimately, the tragic fallout.

I thought I guessed what went wrong multiple times and boy, was I off. This was a painful read with massive triggers (to list them would be a spoiler, but please proceed with caution). I thought the reveal in We Are the Brennans was heartbreaking but that was nothing compared to this story. My heart actually hurt and I cried for these characters. By the end, my heart was more or less healed and this is a powerful story that moved me. This will stay with me for a long time.

This had the perfect winter setting and it’s definitely a timely release. I recommend reading this as soon as it publishes on 1/14/25. ❄️

Thank you NetGalley for the e-ARC and Celadon books for the early copy.

I’m trying to write a biased review given how much I loved Lange’s first two books. Well, I loved this so take it how you like…. Once again I binged it there was no putting it down. Not because it’s a nail biter or a plot that moves fast but just because I love being around and enveloped by her characters. This is very much a Kevin and Casey show as opposed to her other two books of siblings with more equal playing time with them all so it felt a little less intricate. Definitely more back and forth as the history is revealed and we come to understand how the pieces fit together. Regardless, highly recommend!!

This was a winter setting family drama and my first novel by this author. The book posed an answer to the eternal question - Can you go home again?

Kyle returns to his rural hometown in upstate NY to help his father after a recent stroke. He left abruptly a few years ago, leaving his community and his wife, following a tragic event. Needing to earn some money during his stay, he is given the opportunity to coach a failing middle school hockey team, located at the same school where his ex-wife is a teacher.

As a hockey mom I enjoyed how much the sport was interwoven into this plot. However, I otherwise found the storyline and characters rather predictable.

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for an e-book for me to review!

What Happened to the McCrays? by Tracey Lange is a poignant story about love, loss, and family. This one definitely tugs on the heartstrings. I just love her real and raw characters set in real life situations.

Tracey Lange is unmatched in capturing the messy and relatable drama of families and this book is no exception. I fell in love with Tracey Lange’s writing with her debut novel, We Are the Brennans. (I love the reference to the Brennans in here!)

This was an emotional one for me. My heart just broke over and over again, especially for Casey. I mean, how much heartache can one person endure in their lifetime?!? I enjoyed the story being told in dual timelines of the past and present so you see the whole relationship arc of Kyle and Casey. And I especially loved the youth hockey team in the story, since both of my boys played at about that same age.

If you’re looking for a family-centered drama then I highly recommend that you read this one and either, or both, of Tracey’s other two books.

Tracey Lange is 3 for 3 when it comes to five star ratings but this is definitely my fav so far.

Please check trigger warnings if there are topics that could be harmful to you as a reader but if there aren’t i recommend going in blind.

This book is a powerful story of grief and community, while all wrapped in a love story. There is absolutely nothing negative I can say. Loved loved loved

What Happened to the McCrays? by Tracey Lange ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Celadon Books
Pub Date: 1-14-25

Thank you @netgalley, @celadonbooks, and @tracey_lange for this eARC.

"Small towns don’t forgive easily. And even when they do, they never forget."

Following his father's stroke, Kyle McCray returns to his hometown after leaving without goodbyes two and a half years ago.

Why did he leave and essentially cut ties with his father, ex-wife, brother-in-law, friends, and the community? Will they ever forgive him? Can he rebuild the trust and love of those he abandoned?

This story hooked me from the very start and completely stole my heart. Ugh! I couldn’t hold back the tears during the last 30%. What is it about storylines with kids and hockey that always get to me?

I fell in love with these characters and held on to hope throughout the story that they would eventually find their way back to each other—especially after learning what happened to the McCrays.

This is definitely a story I’ll revisit—a true love story in many forms. This was my first book by Tracey Lange, and it certainly won’t be my last.

#whathappenedtothemccrays #traceylange #celadonbooks #netgalley

Thank you Celadon for the eGalley!

Another hit by Lange! I have read her previous novels and love the way she explores family dynamics. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MCCRAYS is her most atmospheric book that would be perfect to add to your winter tbr. This book explores the grief of a loved one, divorce, and really at the front of this story is the community surrounding our MCs.

The author executed the pacing and plot well, and perfectly wrapped up the ending to my liking.

I would highly recommend!

4-4.5 stars!

I will post my full review on my Instagram page closer to pub day.

I loved Tracey Lange’s first novel so was excited for a chance to read and review “What Happened to the McCrays.” Here, the McCray in question is Kyle, who returns home after several years of being away in order to assist his father who is recovering from a stroke. He also will need to face the music with Casey – his ex-wife and high school sweetheart whom he left behind those years ago.

Kyle’s reasons for leaving his family are unclear but flashbacks help the reader under his relationships—with Casey, hockey and the small town he’d fled. Lange reveals just enough information to keep the reader hooked, taking the time to develop not just the novel’s characters but its setting too.

Lange’s previous novel, “We Are the Brennans,” also masterfully handled dysfunction and memorable yet flawed characters. I apparently missed out on "The Connellys of County Down," which I plan to soon correct.

Thank you the author, NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel.

Kyle has been called back home after his dad suffers a stroke. Uneasy about his return, seeing his ex-wife, Casey, his difficult Dad, and other folks in town, all of whom he left abruptly two and a half ears ago, he 's determined to get there, take care of his Dad and stay out of sight.
As Kyle becomes involved with coaching the local school hockey team, he and Casey reconnect. The struggle of breaking through the nearly insurmountable wall of grief is heartbreaking but beautifully written. The guilt of past experiences haunts Kyle as he takes steps to overcome and leave the past behind, while imagining a life again in his hometown.
Once again, author Tracey Lange, has written a beautiful book!
I loved it! I could hardly set the book down and I was glued to the story rooting for Kyle and Casey to be able to move past their grief and look forward together. A wonderful story of loss, love, redemption and forgiveness. A book that I won't forget.

Thank you to NetGalley,and Celadon books for the opportunity to read this amazing book in exchange for an honest review.

Content Warning: Death of a child and attempted suicide

This was my first time reading Tracey Lange and I feel like that is an enormous oversight on my part because this was superb.

Kyle and Casey McCray are a now divorced couple who are forced back into each other's orbit following a family emergency. The story of their relationship unfolds across the years from high school sweethearts to estranged acquaintances. Their pain is palpable. The small town that looks out for its own helped to balance the poignant atmosphere. The beautiful sense of community was a nice way to make the story feel grounded in reality. The world around you doesn't stop when bereavement hits though it feels like it should. Casey's brother Wyatt was a memorable character and my favorite. He is in a wheelchair, but Lange didn't make his handicap his personality and I loved that. Wyatt's larger than life personality, kind heart, and his tell it like it is style made him a cornerstone. Although this is a gut wrenching read there is hope woven throughout.

Lange pulled off an amazing story without taking the easy way out. There's no nauseatingly sweet moment where everyone decides to move on. Her characters trudged through the mire of loss and as someone who has been there, I felt like she captured much of the emotional toll.

Heartbreaking and hopeful this one wrecked me in the best way.

Because I enjoyed the author’s previous novels, I knew that her latest novel would be just as or more enjoyable.

What Happened to the McCrays is a novel of family relationships, the drama that comes with it, and how certain circumstances beyond our control can alter the course of relationships. It is a novel that evokes both heartfelt and heartwrenching emotions.

The story unfolds between two timelines — past and present that carriers the reader through the main characters’ passage from late teens into adulthood. Along the way, there are several turning points that highlight the why’s and how’s of the protagonists’ current status within the family and community.

With a feel good ending and characters so real and fleshed out, there isn’t anything not to like about the novel. Five stars.

I was invited to read a DRC from Celadon Books through NetGalley. This review is completely my own and reflects my honest thoughts and opinions.

Tracey Lange is a master at writing family stories and What Happened to the McCrays is no exception. She truly has a gift for writing characters that I feel like I could know in real life who are experiencing real life issues - almost to the point that I forget I'm reading a fictional story. I was lucky to pair the audio version with the ebook and the exceptional narration from both Stephanie Nemeth-Parker and William DeMeritt really helped to bring the characters to life for me. This is a book that has stuck with me long after reading the final page. An easy five stars!

Lange does conflicted families so well. What Happened to the McCrays follows estranged couple Casey and Kyle after two years apart. You go into the book thinking the story is just about Kyle leaving quickly and then having to come back after his father has a stroke, but Lange slowly unwinds the story about the how and why of the leaving through flashbacks and conversations with the people he left behind as Kyle makes amends. I loved the side story of the young hockey team and watching Casey and Kyle grow through them and reckoning with their relationship. Not to spoil anything for anyone, but there are some serious topics of death and self-harm in this book. I both read and listened to this title and both were equally good. A big thank you to Celadon Books and NetGalley for the early access in exchange for my honest opinion. 4.5 stars

Tracey Lange writes wonderfully well-done family dramas. She knows how to write the complexities, trials and tribulations they face. This is one of those books that is going to make you feel so many emotions. My heart broke for some of the problems the family dealt with. Then I was overjoyed with the triumphs they faced. The characters in Tracey Langes books are always so well written. They are beautifully layered and contain the complexities of real people. They just feel real, and that makes my heart go out to them. This is one of those books that would be perfect for a buddy read or a book club because there is so much to discuss.

I switched back and with this one in my print copy and my ALC copy. The audio was really well done, and the narrators did such a great job bringing it to life. I think that they really added an extra layer of emotion to the story which was a great touch.

If you’re looking for a well-done family drama, then check this one out. You won’t want to miss it.