What Happened to the McCrays? by Tracey Lange

Tracey Lange is three for three with me. We Are the Brennans, The Connellys of County Down, and now, What Happened to the McCrays? have all been five star reads. Tracy writes love, happiness, heartbreak, and grief in ways that are so real. Even when I don't understand why one of her characters do something, even when I wish they would act differently, I always seem to be able to understand what they are going through, even if it's just a little bit, even if I'd feel something other than they felt.

Starting the story with Kyle McCray was a great way to get this story going. For two and a half years he's been making his home here or there, moving as he worked, knowing he left things unfinished but also knowing he might never go back to finish them. How could he when he just up and left. Surely everyone hates him, he has nothing to go back to, and now the hospital has contacted him because his estranged dad has had a stroke.

So Kyle goes back and finds out how much he has been missed, how much everyone worried about him, and how happy they are to have him back. He fits in like a very special and well loved glove and there is so much for him to do now that he is home. Kyle has always been a doer, a fixer, always trying to make things right. But some things can't be made right and the biggest thing is his relationship with his ex wife.

Middle school teacher, Casey, still lives in her lifelong house, the house where Kyle spent so many years living with Casey. Now he's across the street from her in his dad's house and they both try to avoid each other. The town needs them, they actually need each other, but until each is right in their hearts and heads maybe it's best they avoid each other all together.

I loved this story, it hit so many fantastic notes for me, the entire range, and I'd be happy to go back to this town and spend more time there. Lange's worlds are connected, even if in very small ways, and her worlds feel so real. I read this story but someday I want to go back and listen to the audiobook just to spend time with the McCrays again. It was a delight to buddy read this story with Jayme and DeAnn and I will be discussing it for some time to come since I keep thinking of things I want to say.

Thank you to Celadon Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

I received a free e-arc of this book through Netgalley.
The timeline goes back and forth between then and now as a family emergency brings a divorced couple back together. The reader is slowly shown why the couple got divorced. This was an emotional read for me at times (TW: child death). The will they/won't they is assumed of course, but the emotional crumbling of the walls around them as they navigate back together is painful at times. It's not all sunshine and roses in a relationship and we have to be willing to let people in to see the real us.

Thank you for this ARC! Tracy Lange is an auto-buy for me, I have loved all her books. I have personal ties to Potsdam, NY, which made this story extra special. I love the characters she develops and the redemption stories she crafts. I was rooting for the main characters the whole way through. If you enjoy family drama fiction, this one will not disappoint.

Tracey Lange has established herself as a master of stories about family dynamics, but she outdoes herself with her latest, What Happened to the McCrays? The book starts with Kyle McCray returning home to Potsdam, New York after he finds out that his father Danny has had a stroke. The reader is then introduced to Casey, who turns out, is Kyle's ex-wife, and a big reason why he left town and hasn't been back since. The book alternates not only between Kyle and Casey, but also between the life the pair had leading up to Kyle's departure, and the current time, where the two are trying to find a way to share the same space. Their romance is one that screams it should be happily ever after, childhood sweethearts that balance each other out and help each other get through hard times. But it turns out there's one hardest time that led to their rupture, and their reunion is not only forcing them back together but forcing them to confront a tragic event that they both thought they were to blame for. This could be written in a way that's melodramatic and over-the-top, but Lange beautifully walks the tightrope of making the reader aware of just how much what happened affected the pair while keeping it from consuming the book. Instead, the reader gets to see the pair finally confront their past, while connecting to the community and see how no matter what happened they're better off as a pair, not just for each other but everyone else around them. Despite their own physical limitations, Danny and Casey's brother Wyatt are straight shooters that show that they don't really need coddling, they just need to know the people they care most about will be okay. Rounding out the crew are a group of thirteen year old boys and their classmate and assistant team manager Rosie that are determined to turn their hockey team around if Kyle's willing to stick around and be their coach - and Casey's willing to be his manager. The book is full of sad moments, one in particular that the reader will know is coming, and feel the same sense of helplessness that Kyle and Casey do. But it is also full of love and triumph. That balance makes this book special. A complimentary copy was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a good love story.

The characters were well developed and I could picture them in my mind

My only criticism would be the title sounded more like it would be a mystery and it was definitely not that. I kept waiting for a twist that never happened. Family dysfunction and pain were the themes.

"'I guess he's afraid of the bad memories.' 'Actually,' Wyatt said, 'I think he's afraid of the good ones.'"

I loved #whathappenedtothemccrays?"! These characters are people you know, people you fell in love with, people you went to school with, etc. As Casey and Kyle navigate their present day lives, we are taken back to how they began and the experiences they shared along the way. You know something went horribly wrong, but you're not sure what. At times, I became very frustrated with Casey's stubbornness, but I guess that's part and parcel of being human. We all deal in different ways, and there's no right or wrong. Life is hard. Love is harder.

P.S. Thanks to #netgalley for the ARC.

Some novels don’t need explosive storylines and exciting locations to be great reads. Tracey Lange imbues the joy of small town communities looking out for each other and treating everyone like family. At the heart of her story is Casey and Kyle, whose love has shattered through tragedy. But a small glimmer of that love still remains, they just need their brains to stop trying to destroy it.
Lange doesn’t create a Hallmark perfect world, with references to the inequality of residents and wealthy students, and to the hardship of living on lower incomes. She does write about small acts of kindness and responsibility to others, to the joys of being happy without ambition when you have people you love in your life. I was routing for Casey and Kyle all the way through.
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC.

Wow. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read, “What Happened to the McCray’s?”. I have loved each of Tracey’s books so much and cannot wait to read what is next. This was so emotional, so raw and so good. I quite literally would only let myself read 10-15% each day just so I could savor every single chapter and moment. Once I approached 85% I was an emotional wreck and was not ready for it to end. Marvelous job, Tracey! I love your work so much. Huge fan. The way you write your characters is truly a gift.

What Happened to the McCrays? Tracey Lange's latest novel tells a story of love, redemption, and a devastating loss. Lange writes about the delicate issues facing marriages today in another small-town scenario she captures so well.

Kyle Mccray discovers his father had a stroke, having been estranged from his family for over two years. He travels from Washington back to New York to return to his ex-wife, family, friends, and hometown community to care for his father. He must face the scrutiny of everyone, after leaving behind a business, reputation, and broken family relationships. As the novel unravels, the reader discovers the complex reasons behind this decision. The novel explores the issues of death, attempted suicide, and a community coming together in support of its members.

I’m a big fan of Lange. I've read her three novels, each one focusing on the importance of family and small-town community dynamics. Her characters are complicated, well-developed, and relatable. Thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for allowing me to read and review What Happened to the McCrays? #NetGalley #women’sfiction #WhatHappenedtotheMccrays?

I really really enjoy Tracey Lange's writing. I always find her books compelling and so readable. The relationship between the characters and the overall dynamics of families I believe she handles very well also. Every now and again in books with romantic relationships involved, I get annoyed with the push-pull and the emotional manipulation that can be involved, but this one felt like it had reason for it, which I appreciated.

What Happened to the McCrays explores the process of loss and grief, and how it can tear relationships apart. This is explored over time and with empathy and care.

4.5 stars, rounded up to 5.

Thank you for Netgalley and Celadon books for an ARC of #WhathappenedtotheMcCrays in exchange for an honest review. It was a pleasure!

Tracey Lange's newest book, "What Happened to the McCrays," is an exceptional and captivating read. Lange has a remarkable talent for crafting engaging characters and interweaving a complex and compelling narrative. As a fan of Lange's previous novels "We Are the Brennans" and "The Connellys of County Down," I already knew that her novels were ones I eagerly devour, but "What Happened to the McCrays" surpassed all my expectations—truly next level! Lange skillfully explores the intricacies of family dynamics and seamlessly blends them with a hint of mystery, keeping me engrossed from the first page to the last. "What Happened to the McCrays" will undoubtedly be one of my top reads for this year, and if I could, I would give it more than 5 stars!

Nice hat trick, Tracey Lange! Bravo!

From the stunning cover to the very last page I was completely invested in this beautifully written family drama. The well developed characters all felt like friends and family and I am going to miss them terribly. I did not want this book to end, but it’s a good thing it did because I was running out of tissues.

All three of the author’s books are among my favorites but this one really tugged at the heartstrings. No one writes working class characters better, and after reading this book I feel like I actually visited Potsdam. I look forward to seeing what she writes next. This author is an auto buy for me.

Thank you Netgalley, Celadon Books and author Tracey Lange for the fantastic ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really wanted to read this because I enjoyed We Are The Brennans. From the first page you get thrown into Kyle McCray's life and immediately want to find out what happened between him and Casey and why he hasn't been back home for a few years. I love a good family drama, and this book served!

This is my third book by Tracey Lange, first I met the Brennans and then the Connollys, and this time it's the McCrays. I love that the Brennans got a shout out on page 182! Tracey Lange, from the first chapter, pulls you into Kyle McCray's life and you really do want to know what happened to the McCrays. It starts off with Kyle having to go back home to Potsdam after learning his dad needs his help. This small upstate New York town is one of those places where everybody knows everybody else's business, it's hard to keep secrets. It's what's unspoken that needs to be heard so everyone can move on with their lives. I really enjoyed this story about family and relationships and am looking forward to our book club discussion. Jan 2025 Pub Date.

This is the second book by Tracey Lange and it did not disappoint. The Setting is great. The story is amazing. I recommend this to a lot of people.

This book! I finished it several weeks ago and still can not stop thinking about the depth of the relationship, the well drawn characters. This is a story that will stay with you. It's tragic and, yet, love prevails.

I loved both of Tracey Lange's previous books but this one fell a bit flat. I found the tone to be a bit melodramatic, and while her previous books were sad there were some moments of fun banter and family dynamics. This one didn't quite hit the mark.

Great book! Follows two high school students thru their relationship including their struggles. Story focuses on love, family, and life's ups and downs. It's the time of story that grabs you where you don't want it to end but yet you need to know what happens next.