A truly grounding, character driven read in the human experience from start to finish!

When Kyle McCray returns to his small town to care for his ailing father, he must confront the consequences of his past actions and attempt to mend broken relationships with Casey, his ex-wife, and the community he left behind.

As a fan of Lange's previous work, I knew I needed to get my hands on "What Happened to the McCrays". And I'm so glad I was able to, because this book delivers in it's overall execution, premise, and impact.

If you're looking for a fast paced, action packed read? THIS IS NOT IT!

It is quiet in it's delivery of truly powerful moments. I enjoyed not only our main characters, Casey and Kyle, who show what it is to be an perfectly imperfect human and do the work, but also the side characters and the broader community who continue to show up again and again for our MCs no matter what. In this moment in time, community and who you surround yourself with is so vital and this book showcases that in dividends.

While I ultimately wasn't surprised by what drove these two away from each other, it was so worth the journey and wait to see them find their way back. And y'all it ain't easy but THAT is what makes it feel so realistic and honest and human. From abandoned toilets, sassy middle schoolers, lots of hockey talk, and so much investment in this one relationship, it all just comes together in a beautiful way.

Highly recommend this book (and the author's others if you haven't already!)

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for my advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.

Oh, Tracey Lange, you have done it again.
Thank you, Celadon Books & Macmillan Audio, for the gifted copy of What Happened to the McCrays? {partner}

Genre: Fiction
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date:  1.14.2024
Pages: 352
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

“Small towns don’t forgive easily. And even why they do, they never forget.”

If Tracey Lange writes it, I will read it. I will read it with tears streaming down my face, but that’s just to be expected in her books. Lange has this beautiful way of telling stories about people who feel very real. They could be your neighbor, best friend, or someone inside your family.  

What Happened to the McCrays? broke my heart in so many ways, but like the characters in the book, it started to heal with every page I read. By the end, I was hopeful for the people of Potsdam, New York. I had hoped that they would all find the happiness that they deserved. 

That is why I love Tracey Lange’s books—the characters are brought to life on every page, and I’m always so sad to see them go. 

Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆☆☆
Stephanie Nemeth-Parker (The Honeymoon Crashers, A Court of Wings & Ruin) and William Demerit (Jackal) narrated the audiobook. I loved the emotion and character depth they brought to the narration. They did an incredible job, and I’d absolutely recommend the audiobook to listeners.

Read if you enjoy:
🏘️ Small town
🥹 Stories of forgiveness
🫶🏼 Second chance romance
🏒 Underdog sports team

I recommend reading What Happened to the McCrays if you enjoyed any of Lange’s previous books or were a fan of Beartown.

This book broke my heart. It was beautifully written, but quite sad (though the ending is sweet and doesn’t leave you depressed). Tracey Lange is a talented author, and her writing always transports me.

Casey and Kyle were married but are now divorced and living on opposite sides of the country—the book unfolds the reasons why and how the couple might reconnect after Kyle returns home to care for his ill father.

I mostly listened to the audio, thanks to @macmillanaudio, and finished the book on kindle thanks to @celadonbooks. The audio was fantastic and kept me occupied while driving to and from work.

I adored this novel. I can’t remember a book that has made me cry so much, multiple times, but it was beautiful and tender and so well executed. I know this topic will be hard for some readers, but I am fervently hoping it doesn’t turn anyone away. These characters were pitch perfect, the hockey storyline made my heart soar as a hockey mom, and the found family and community on these pages is unforgettable. Five Stars.

My third read from Tracey Lange and I really love the way her books are a feel good - happy ending type of book. Her characters have emotions that make you want to root for them and there is a love story at the heart of it that the reader becomes attached too.

This is the same Casey and Kyle. They are pulled back together after Kyle's father suffers a stroke. Through being back in the same town and bonding over helping Kyle's father heal can these to figure out why they fell apart and help heal the other?

I loved this one and I would suggest a read if you are into second chance romance and tragedies helping pull couples back together this one if for you.

I'm all for books about family and their excessive drama, which initially pulled me into Tracey Lange's latest.
I gave [book:We Are the Brennans|55169040] three stars, didn't leave a review, but after reading about the McCrays, I now know why. It was a forgettable drama. There is an actual mention of the Brennan's bar in this book, which is neither here nor there.

What Happened to the McCrays? is essentially a long drawn out novel about Casey and Kyle, a couple who faced tragedy, as he returns back to Potsdam, after is it two, three, four years? I feel like the author isn't really sure herself. He reconnects with his ex Casey after his father recovers from a stroke.

What happens next is a long drawn story of redemption, sadness, and healing. The tragedy itself is supposed to be a bit of a mystery, but despite the details, there were chapters of events that didn't need to happen. The hockey coaching story is left by the wayside, Casey's brother Wyatt who is in a wheelchair but is a successful woodmaker has what could have been a more memorable role, and other pieces of the story that if fully fleshed out, would have been a more relatable family drama. Claire Lombardo and Ann Napolitano are experts at creating small family stories into big long heaps of uncertainty, grief, and eventually healing.
Unfortunately, Lange does not do what those authors do, instead, we end up reading two chapters on Kyle and Casey holding duffle bags to leave their sadness behind. These were not memorable characters to me, which is really what makes these family dramas unique. The fine details on everyday life were left out, and sad to say, despite the tragic storyline, my attention span went out the door myself.

'What Happened to the McCrays' by Tracey Lange was a four-star read for me. This is the second of Tracey Lange's books I have read, having previously read 'The Connelly's of County Down'. I tremendously enjoy Tracey Lange's novels. I like family sagas that paint characters in a real life light. Casey and Kyle McCray lead very believable lives, dealing with past mistakes and regrets like we all do and sometimes unnecessarily taking on blame and grappling to keep control. Though I normally don't enjoy a split timeline, this novel revealed the whole story in a series of 'Now' and 'Then' montages that worked well to keep my interest going. The ending did pack somewhat of a surprise. I won't forget the McCrays and their supportive group of friends anytime soon. I would like to thank NetGalley and Celadon for getting an ARC in my hands. I recommend getting a copy of this book on January 14, 2025.

Tracy Lange writes the most beautifully complex stories and What Happened to the McCrays is no exception. I flew through this book because I found myself reading this book at any free moment I had.

Kyle McCray has just returned to his hometown after his abrupt departure 2 years ago and needs to face everyone he had left behind, including his wife, family, friends, and employees. Kyle has returned to care for his father who recently suffered a stroke and needs extra care so he will be in town for a while. He is given the opportunity to coach the middle school hockey team and considers staying in his hometown but will everyone he left behind be happy for him to stay.

I truly loved this book from beginning to end. Grief is a huge part of this story and it is written so well. I love how the author writes these complex emotions and shows how different characters react to events differently. The relationships in this book are so authentic and have such depth. This book will join her others at the top of this list to recommend to others.

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I'm not sure I can find the words to explain the brilliance and emotion of Tracey Lange's new book - What Happened to the McCrays?

"Kyle McCray returns to Potsdam, NY after finding out that his father had a stroke. He's worried about what kind of reception he'll get because he left two-and-a-half years ago - abandoning his wife, family, friends and employees - all people that counted on him. He plans to lie low and avoid as many people as he can and leave when his father recovers - especially when Casey, his ex-wife, says she wants him gone.
Kyle is asked to help with the middle-school hockey team and finds compassion in unexpected places. Kyle considers staying in Potsdam but only if he and Casey can find some peace."

This is a book about grief - about what it takes to make relationships work. It's about a couple that loves the other so hard they can't see a way through. There's tragedy...and it will break your heart. Lange gives little clues throughout but you don't know exactly what happened 'til later. Or some of the consequences. This story is full of emotion - some of it raw. There was one moment where I almost had to pull the car over because it hit me so hard.

Do not miss this book. Lange has given us a wonderful story of two broken people trying to find their way back to each other.

This was very slow moving and mostly a lot of characters not talking to each other. I still don't really understand why Kyle left and for someone who came back to care for his father, he spent a lot of time doing everything but that. I think this had a lot of potential, but it just didn't click for me.

Tracey Lange sure knows how to write emotional family dramas! I didn’t think it was possible for her to write something I loved more than The Connelly’s of County Down, but Lange has done it. I really connected with this book. I found it easy to love Kyle and Casey. They both went through such a devastating loss. I can’t even imagine the pain.

The personal journey’s Kyle and Casey both went on were raw and painful. I loved the hockey team and the roll they played in the story! The way Kyle and Casey’s story came together in the end was really well done. It all felt so believable and earnest to me.

If Tracey Lange writes it, I will read it! If you enjoy emotional family dramas, then I definitely recommend checking out this book! Have the tissues ready!

Yes, indeed, what did happen to the McCrays? The reader spends the greater part of the book trying to find out.

Kyle McCray gets a call to return to his upstate New York hometown because his father has had a stroke. Kyle left under questionable circumstances just over two years ago. He returns with great trepidation, not knowing what kind of reception he will get from his father, his ex-wife, his hockey coach or anyone else.

This is the third book I have read by this author. Ms Lange has a wonderful knack for writing about troubled families. They are not necessarily toxic families, but families going through difficult times. The fact that she has a psychology degree enables her to make the issues believable and solvable.

Excellent character development, for Kyle and his ex-wife Casey. Though the reader does not understand what drives them, we get to know them quite well. There are hints of the “terrible, horrible thing” that shapes who they are, but it takes a while to come to light. That happens one piece at a time.

It’s a sad and emotional story about two people who love each other but are driven apart by circumstances. I spent my time whilst reading hoping that they would find their way back to each other.

As a Canadian, I liked that hockey and coaching played a part in the story. Canada's National Sport!

In her Acknowledgments, Ms Lange mentions the importance of community. She makes it very evident in this story. She involves the school, the neighbourhood, the hockey team and everything else that helps to create a community. This community plays a huge role in the development of the plot.

I was happy with the ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

🤗Thank you so much to @celadonbooks for the ARC!

📖Title: What Happened to the McCray's?
✍️Author: Tracey Lange
📅Pub Date: January 14, 2025

📖This is my third book by Tracey Lange and all three of them have been memorable 5-star reads.

⭐I usually forget book characters the day after I read a book, but Tracey’s stay with me, and that alone sets her so far apart from most authors. She truly has the gift of sharing the stories of normal, everyday people and making them extraordinary. This family drama will be one that you never forget!

📖I could talk about this book and how wonderful the main characters Kyle and Casey are all day long, but I think that this book is best enjoyed by knowing as little as possible going in! Just know that you’re in for a very emotional and unforgettable ride. You won’t be able to put this down!

⚠️There is some heavy content but listing CWs would 100% spoil the plot, so be careful reading them. DM me with concerns.

Name of Book: What Happened to the McCrays?
Author: Tracey Lange
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Family Drama
Publisher: Celedon
Pub Date: January 4, 2025
My Rating: 3.8 rounded up
Pages: 352

Hmmm what did happen to the McCrays that made Kyle leave Casey his high school sweetheart and wife he had adored for 16 years? He was a star hockey player as everyone plays hockey in Potsdam, NY and then became a coach. She is a middle school teacher and he is an auto mechanic. They have one son Charlie.

We learn that Kyle left his family, friends, work, and Potsdam over two years ago.
The story takes us through Kyle 's new life. Although told slowly, we do learn the reasons for Kyle’s past and why he left Potsdam.
Kyle gets notice that his father has suffered a severe stroke and since no one else who can stay with him as he recuperates - he returns to Potsdam to help his day as well as some resolution with Casey who is now his ex-wife.

This is my third Tracey Lange. I read " We Are the Brennans as well as The Connelly’s of County Down".
She writes powerful character based stories.
I liked this story the best of the three.

Want to thank NetGalley and Celedon for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Day scheduled for: January 4, 2025.

4.5 stars. Tracey Lange is the queen of family estrangement/family dramas.

Kyle and Casey McCray were high school sweethearts; however, they have been estranged for over two years. When Kyle's father suffers a stroke, Kyle must return to Potsdam, where Casey still lives, to help with his recovery. Told through past and present timelines, we learn what happened to Kyle and Casey to cause this rift, as well as find out if time does heal all wounds.

The characters in this story are deep and relatable-- they're flawed but always seem to be doing the best they can given the circumstances. I loved the healing component of this story, as well as the side characters. I cannot wait to see what Lange comes out with next because her books are always a hit.

This was the perfect title for this emotional then and now story. What happened to keep Kyle away from his cozy yellow home with the black shutters? How could a love so intense between Casey and Kyle McCray end?

Frustrated with Casey's behavior for the majority of the story, I began to warm up to her as mysteries and tragic moments were revealed. Grief is something we all handle in such different ways. This story tackled those emotions in an honest, heart-breaking way. Throughout the story I was definitely team Kyle, who wore his heart on his tatted body. In the end, sympathy, support, love… and ink… over-shadowed the selfishness that I had felt throughout the story and made me a fan of both of the McCrays.

I’m so happy to have had the chance to read the Advanced Reader’s Edition e-copy of What Happened to the McCray's? by Tracey Lange; thank you NetGalley and Celadon Books.

“You miss a hundred percent of the shots you don’t
take”

“Sometimes you’ve taken all the shots you can,”
“And then it’s time to let someone else carry the puck for a while.”

I was totally pulled into this family drama from the start until the very last word.
Kyle has to go back home to Potsdam New York to help his dad who has had a stroke. Going home is not easy as many memories are waiting as well as his ex wife Cassie.
Love, loss, tragedy, regret, forgiveness and so much more. This story broke my heart. Have the tissues handy as you will be needing them.

Thank you NetGalley and Celadon Books for the opportunity to read this book.

Thank you to Net Galley and Celadon Books for an early copy of What Happened to the McCrays? by Tracey Lange

This is a story about guilt and the overwhelming power that guilt can play on a person when it is undeserved but ever-present.

Strong main characters are devoted to each other and maintain a healthy relationship until a tragedy unravels everything they have established and counted on. Casey, a devoted wife, mother and teacher will break from the only man she has ever loved, her husband, Kyle.

Through alternating chapters dealing with both the past and the present, author Tracey Lange reveals the details of a tragedy that Casey and Kyle cannot recover from. Casey especially confronts the event by considering her own life not worth living. Only Casey and Kyle can take another risk by regarding what has happened in a new way. The road is not easy; there is much going back and forth because of the fear that comes with moving beyond past events.

Tracey Lange knows how to write family relationships, both the strained and the strong. The McCrays take their place with the Brennans and the Connellys in understanding sincere but flawed characters living each day.

Kyle McCray doesn't live in his hometown anymore. He left everything behind but when Kyle's father has a stroke, he needs to return. How will the people he grew up with and left behind respond to his return? His father will need help when discharged from the hospital. Physical therapy, follow-up doctor's appointments, and assistance around the house will be necessary. Kyle hopes all of this is quick and he can escape again. Kyle knows that he will have to face not only his past but also his ex-wife. Kyle doesn't want to deal with his past but knows facing Casey and their loss is the only way he can face the future. Casey is stunned to see her ex-husband, never thinking Kyle would return to care for his father. Casey has something she had kept quiet for a long time. Should she share her secret with Kyle?

Divorce and navigating a relationship with an ex-spouse can be difficult. Casey and Kyle certainly have to overcome the hurt from the divorce. They have much more in their life together that needs to be addressed. The author does an excellent job relating both the past and present as readers discover why they are no longer married. This is their story - who they were, who they are, and who they will be. Lange does an excellent job with character and plot development crafting a story that keeps us on our toes and fully engaged page by page. There is an emotional depth to the story that is realistic and honest. I enjoyed reading this book and believe that those who enjoy family drama and real life situations will love this book.

I could not put this book down! I needed to know the secrets, why their marriage broke down, the gossip, and the truth.
Tracey Lange writes terrific books. She wraps you in with weaving storylines and close-knit characters that you instantly fall in love with. Kyle, Casey, and all their supporting characters (even the minor ones) are vital to the story as they each bring lessons in love, trust, forgiveness, and starting over.