Another compulsively readable family drama from Tracey Lange - easily her best one yet. The book opens with Kyle returning to Potsdam to care for his estranged father after his father suffers a stroke. The book alternates between "then and now" and the perspectives of Kyle as well as that of Casey, his high school sweetheart. The novel is intricately plotted and - warning - very sad. These small town folks suffer more than their share of heartbreak and sadness but Lange emphasizes the love and community that can heal us. Highly recommend - thanks to NetGalley and Celadon books for the ARC.

I have loved all Tracey Lange’s novels and this one is her Best Yet!

Emotional and Moving Story about a life and marriage coming together and falling apart. This story was so engaging, these characters have stayed with me since finishing a month ago.

Kyle returns back to Potsdam, New York after his father has a stroke. Casey, his ex-wife still lives next door. It is clear something devastating has happened for their 16 year marriage to fall apart. It seems impossible for Kyle and Casey to ever talk about their break up. The pain is just too deep and raw. Yet, if you can’t even acknowledge your past, is it possible to really be present now?

Beautiful story with surprising tenderness. This is where Tracey Lange really shines. She is a master at exposing the strengths and flaws of working class people and the environment each lives in. This is her most raw and powerful look into two deeply wounded people. You will not want to reach the end. When you do, your heart will be broken and filled several times. Just loved this honest look at a life.

Highly Recommend 💕

I requested through Celadon Books an ARC which I was given. Thank you so very much for doing that. Then NetGalley approved my request later as well. Thank You to Tracey Lange for writing this exceptional book. I always leave reviews of books I read.

This book started off slow, but built to a crescendo as I truly wondered about what happened to the McCrays and why they were no longer together- what could either of them possibly done for them to be so final and separated when they clearly loved each other- this was a multi-layered family drama with a strong cast of interesting supporting characters and superb storytelling.

EVERY TIME TRACEY LANGE DROPS A BRENNAN REFERENCE I WANNA CRYYYYY COS BEST BOOK EVER AND I REMAIN OBSESSED.

Ok now for a more coherent review.

I was smitten with this book right from the start. There's just something so mesmerising about this author's work that never fails to pull me in, keep me engaged, and leave me in a pool of emotion. I love her writing, the way she creates such flawed but real characters, whether they are going through pain and adversity or navigating everyday life.

This heartwrenching novel is a tragically beautiful exploration of grief, loss, family, love, community and more. I loved the small-town setting. The dual timelines were equally compelling and offered insight into Kyle and Casey's relationship over the years.

Honestly not sure what else I can say other than it's just so darn beautiful and stunning. All of Tracey Lange's books are!

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MC’CRAYS?
Tracey Lange

Kyle left.

Casey stayed.

She’s not sure she can ever forgive him for it. But his father recently suffered a stroke and so now he’s back. And they both must deal with it.

Casey is a beloved teacher at the local middle school. She had done whatever was required to move on from Kyle and the destruction he left behind. She has done whatever she can to make a life for herself in his absence.

It feels like a never-ending battle.

Kyle knows coming back will be hard. He doesn’t know all the ways it will require him to be a person he has never been, never knew he could be. We follow along as the two navigate their circumstances, come to terms with their shared past, and forge a new future for both.

I wish I had liked this book more. For whatever reason, I felt a bit removed from the storyline and held at a distance. While I enjoyed my time reading, I felt disconnected from the characters, and that lowered my rating.

I enjoyed it well enough, and I think other readers will find more value and connection with Casey and Kyle. It could’ve been that it felt more like a romance book than I was expecting. And although there was depth to the characters, I felt a very superficial connection. It somehow lacked the emotion that the storyline implied.

I still gave it four stars. I still recommend it. I still will read what Lange writes next.

Thanks to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio, and Celadon Books for the advanced copies!

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MC’CRAYS?...⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I have read both of Tracey Lange's previous novels - and her writing just keeps getting better and better. She writes the characters in family dramas like no one else. By the end of the book, they have become real people in my mind and I don't want the story to end.

In her latest novel, Kyle has left his upstate NY hometown, returning only after he learns about his father's stroke. From there, we slowly start to learn about why Kyle had left his wife Casey and their marriage. It's obvious that they still love each other. What could have happened to make him leave and can their relationship be repaired?

Some authors can not pull off holding information and only releasing it throughout the book. But it works with Lange's writing as she slowly peels away all that has happened. I came to love each and every character and I got choked up several times throughout the book. I also loved the mention of characters and settings from Lange's previous two novels.

This is the first 2025 book I've read so far an#Cd it was such an excellent start with a book that will certainly make it to my "Best of" list.
Thanks to #Celadon for providing me an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank You NetGalley for the free e-book.

Summary: Kyle McCray returns home to Potsdam, in Upstate New York, when he receives word his father had a stroke and is in the hospital. Kyle is not looking forward to returning after the way he left several years before. He left abruptly without any notice to anyone, leaving the mechanic garage without its owner and manager, his dad who his relationship with has never been that great, and his wife, Casey. While back home, between the then and now times, and his and Casey's point of views, we learn what happened.

My take: I devoured this book. I loved the cast of characters and kept cheering for them all. This is not a light hearted read, but well worth your time and a few tissues. The setting is Upstate New York which sounds beautiful. It involves hockey, a little romance, tragedy, drama, school, family, relationships, small town living, support systems, mental health, dreams hoped, dreams dashed, and a sense of community. This is one of those books I would consider re-reading. I can't wait to read more by this author.

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.