This contemporary family drama is light on plot while heavy on character development.

We follow Kyle & Casey McCrays’ relationship through decades of tough choices, heartbreak, loss, and tragedy. 

As the events unfold with a dual timeline, we learn what pain these next door neighbors turned high school sweethearts, and eventually husband and wife endured in the past while trying to find space for one another in their present lives.

This book was sadder than I was prepared for and the raw emotion had me rooting for any sense of found peace. I loved the small town feel and the importance of supporting characters among their family members proving a tight-knit family can help heal broken hearts.

As the reader, prepare to feel deeply for their losses, have your heart broken and put back together. Also wouldn’t be a bad idea to have tissues handy for this one.

5 stars

Thank you to Celadon Books and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Whew… still wiping my tears following this one. 🥺🤧

After hearing the news of his father’s stroke, Kyle McCray returns back to his hometown following years of estrangement. It’s not long before he’s confronted with the memories and relationships from his past. At the start, we don’t know the reasons for his swift departure and severed ties. The book goes on to reveal all that’s happened to the McCrays in the years leading up to the present. The author takes us through the sweet years of young love and portrays a bond that is both forged and tested by tragedy and heartache.

This is a heavy story and I’ll include some content warnings at the end that could be considered spoilers. It was my first Tracey Lange book (despite having her other two on my shelf 🤦🏼‍♀️) and I was so captivated by her writing. I thought she incorporated a lot of tenderness that endeared me to an otherwise sad story. It reminded me of Dear Edward in that regard. There is a sweet plot line involving the journey of a middle school hockey team and how that impacts the characters and the town, which brought some necessary levity. There were many moments that made me smile, but do brace yourselves for the tears. 😭 Thanks @netgalley and @celadonbooks for the #gifted galley!

Trigger warnings (with spoilers) below:
Death of a parent, death of a child, infertility, traumatic birth, attempted suicide, suicidal ideation

Tracey Lange has such a way of bringing characters to life. We really get to know them, feel for them, want the best for them. This new book is no exception. This story is such a hard one because we are dealing with fantastic characters that fall apart when they are struck by tragedy. This story is so real and really breaks your heart.

Heartbreaking but a beautiful story of pain and finding happiness again.

What Happened to the McCrays? by Tracey Lange is a powerful novel about loss, redemption, and second chances. When Kyle McCray returns to his hometown of Potsdam, New York, after his father’s stroke, he isn’t expecting a warm welcome. Two and a half years ago, he walked away from his family, friends, and most painfully, his wife, Casey. He plans to help his father recover and leave again—until coaching the struggling middle school hockey team offers him an unexpected chance at redemption. As Kyle reconnects with the town and Casey, he must finally confront the pain of the past or risk losing everything again.

This book was heavier than I expected but incredibly moving. The characters are complex and authentic, making their struggles feel real. The small-town setting and hockey subplot provide the perfect balance to the emotional weight of the story. I especially loved the raw honesty in Kyle and Casey’s relationship.

While the story’s impact lingers, the ending is both beautiful and satisfying. What Happened to the McCrays? is a heartfelt, thought-provoking read that stays with you long after the final page. I highly recommend it, especially for book clubs—it’s a novel that sparks deep discussion.

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the review copy.

Trigger warning note - if you normally review trigger warnings, there's a big one in this novel which I'll address at the end of my review to avoid spoilers.

I don’t normally read many family dramas / general fiction stories but Tracey Lange is one exception. I adore her poignant yet approachable stories that feature complicated families and relatable situations.

In this story, Kyle McCray returns to his hometown after he hears his father had a stroke. It’s not an easy decision, since Kyle abandoned everyone two years ago when he left suddenly without explanation, including his wife Casey.

Casey immediately makes it clear he’s not welcome, but as Kyle starts to understand how deeply he impacted those around him, he starts hoping for a chance at redemption. So, he takes the opportunity to become the middle school hockey coach and help rescue the floundering team.

In typical Tracey fashion, we get a glimpse into the hearts and minds of all these characters. She weaves a tale that’s both upsetting and uplifting.

I absolutely adore her writing, even when she's touching on difficult topics.




Trigger Warning

There is a significant plot point about the death of a young child. This traumatic event is described on page and discussed at length by the parents and other characters.

There are parts of this book that are incredibly sweet -- the love story between Kyle and Casey is endearing without being over the top, and the way their small town pulls together is heartwarming. I really appreciated the tight-knit community in this one and how everyone looks out for reach other. The relationships between Casey and Wyatt and also Wyatt and Kyle. The one between Kyle and his dad wasn't portrayed with as even-handedness; sometimes they really didn't get along, and others it felt like they were great friends. It almost felt like there needed to be a strained relationship at times, so they had a strained relationship.

One of my biggest issues with the book, ironically, is the title. The question makes it seem like everyone in Potsdam, NY, is wondering what happened to Kyle and Casey when, in fact, no one is. Everyone knows exactly what happened; it's really just a mystery for the reader. Interestingly, Tracey Lange writes her secondary and tertiary characters with enough depth that it's clear that _everyone_ knows what happened to the McCrays. So it's left to readers to wait around for the facts to be revealed, leading to an awkward progression of the story. It's like walking into a dinner party where everyone else knows each other for years, and you're the only stranger. By the end of the night, you might get to know some of the people in the room but you'll never know them as well as they know each other.

Many of the plot "twists" are predictable, so it's really just about waiting for Casey and Kyle to catch up and sort out the few misunderstandings that are left but they know each other so well that all they have to do is spend more than 10 minutes with each other and they have it figured it out.

I also had a question about Star, the dog, and why she wasn't present at a specific reveal point in the book concerning Casey and Wyatt. Star was there at another important moment; shouldn't she have been there when Casey and Wyatt needed her? Why was she conveniently missing from the scene?

Still, fans of Hallmark films will absolutely eat this up. I love that there isn't some stereotypical villain in this one, and, again, the love story between Casey and Kyle really is adorable.

What Happened to the McCrays sucked me in immediately and tugged all the emotions. Kyle and Casey were meant to be together- but they aren’t. What ripped them apart and how their community helped them try to put together is the main storyline. But there is so much more. I will always want to read a Tracey Lange novel

This author is very good at writing stories that are full of emotion and focus on the intricacies of families. This one drew me in very quickly with the connection between the two POVs, and it continued to capture my attention with the aspects that were included.

The writing was wonderfully done, and I thought the character development was excellent. The author included some chapters set in the past, which allowed me to really understand Kyle and Casey.

I have one complaint, and that’s that I felt this was too long for what it was. It was a beautiful story, but the length of it made things drag on a bit. I ended up taking a while to read it because I couldn’t seem to make any progress with the longer chapters and overall length of the book.

Overall, a great read and probably my favourite by this author. If you’re in the mood for an emotional read, you should definitely give this one a try.

Thank you to Celadon Books for my gifted copy!

Kyle McCray returns to his hometown of Potsdam, New York, following the distressing news of his father's debilitating stroke. After having left abruptly two and a half years earlier, forsaking his family, friends, and ex-wife Casey, he braces himself for a potentially frosty reception. Although his intention is to remain inconspicuous while aiding in his father's recovery, Kyle begins to comprehend the profound impact his departure had on those he once held dear. As he reestablishes connections within the community, he is afforded a chance at redemption by coaching the struggling middle school hockey team, which compels him to reevaluate his life and relationships, particularly with Casey.

As the narrative unfolds, you will review the past of Kyle and Casey, delving into the intricacies of their faltering marriage and the underlying reasons for their estrangement. The storytelling alternates between current events and flashbacks, gradually illuminating the depth of their affection and the hurdles they confronted, including grief, loss, and miscommunication. The emotional gravity of the narrative is palpable as both characters grapple with their shared history and the potential for reconciliation.

This story is a poignant exploration of familial dynamics, love, and the possibility of second chances, meticulously crafted with depth and sensitivity. Tracey Lange's prose excels in character development, inviting the reader to empathize with the struggles and triumphs of everyday individuals. The emotional resonance, alongside the themes of forgiveness and resilience, renders this novel a compelling read that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.

Uggggghhhh. This was a sad read. Sad sad read. I’m a sad woman. But I liked it? But I’m sad. Where is my son? I need to hug him.

This is the story of a husband and wife who faced enormous trials and split apart and how they come back together. It’s very raw and real. I don’t typically read books with this kind of content, but I’m glad I did. It’s not especially a joyous ride, but it is a healing one. And I’m happy to say there’s an HEA here even if it’s not the one I would have wanted originally for this couple. I’d want them to have never experienced the pain and trials they went through, but alas, this is a more realistic fairy tale romance.

One of my most anticipated books of the year! I loved the author’s previous two books and couldn’t wait to get this one in my hands. While this is also a family drama, it’s a little different from We Are the Brennans and The Connellys of County Down. This time we are focusing on a married couple instead of siblings. It’s essentially a love story that incorporates themes of grief and loss as well as the importance of community and one’s tribe. I struggled a little bit with Casey’s journey, watching her try to escape by building walls and running away was frustrating, but understandable. You could feel the love between Casey and Kyle throughout the book, and I wanted to scream “just figure it out!” It took me a minute to get into this book (I think that was a me problem), but after about 75 pages I couldn’t put it down. I enjoyed the youth hockey storyline, it gave me some Beartown vibes, which I am always here for! Another success for @tracey_lange. Can’t wait for the next one!

What Happened to the McCrays? is the big question in the third novel by Tracey Lange that was released January 14. Set in Potsdam, New York, the story begins with Kyle McCray’s homecoming as he returns from Spokane, Washington, to help his father while he recovers from a stroke.

Kyle left Potsdam two and a half years ago leaving behind his wife, his father, his employees, and his friends. He headed West, using his skills as a mechanic along the way, before settling in Spokane. He worries about the reception he will receive in his hometown upon his return but the small-town community embraces him: only his wife Casey keeps him at an arm’s length, having divorced him a few months after he left home.

Having once played hockey himself, Kyle is offered a job coaching the middle school hockey team that has been through a number of coaches with none of them sticking to the job. Kyle struggles with his decision at first because Casey is a teacher at the school and a sponsor of the hockey team, and he is concerned about making her uncomfortable if he takes the job.

With a positive reception by the hockey players, their parents, the community, and Casey herself, Kyle starts to think about staying in Potsdam even longer than his father’s recuperation requires. The question is, can he do so without making Casey feel uncomfortable, something he does not want to do since he is still very much in love with her.

The novel is buoyed with love and courage as Kyle and Casey strive to come to terms with redefining their relationship. Told in alternating segments of “Now” and “Then,” the story reveals both sides of their failed marriage as they finally deal with the devastating event that drove them apart.

New York native Tracey Lange completed a Stanford University online novel writing class while writing her debut novel, We Are the Brennans. She lives with her family in Bend, Oregon. She modeled Star, the German shepherd, in the McCray’s story after her own dog.
My review will be posted on Goodreads starting January 31, 2025.

I would like to thank Celadon Books, a division of Macmillan Publishers, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for an objective review.

Thank you so much @celadonbooks & @netgalley for approving this request! ✨

💙Let me start by saying that I love Tracy Lange’s writing. I read We Are The Brennans in 2021 and I have never forgotten it.💙

💛In this one Kyle McCray comes back to his hometown to take care of his father and help with his recovery after he has a stroke. Kyle has been gone for 2 ½ years and left abruptly, now he has to face his ex-wife and family and friends when all he wants to do is stay under the radar and help his dad get better.💛

💖Backing up a bit we learn that Kyle and his ex-wife Casey were high school sweethearts. Casey was set to follow her dreams and go to college when her Mother unexpectantly dies. Casey gives up her dream to stay and take care of her younger brother Wyatt. Kyle moves in with her and Casey goes to a local college and becomes a teacher. 16 years go by and they separate, Kyle leaves their home town and Casey sends him divorce papers.💔

📖There is so much storytelling that is beautiful and heartbreaking. Themes of love, family, grief and second chances fill up the pages. Kyle and Casey’s characters are so full of emotion and depth, they were so real and I was so invested in their journey.🫶🏻

If you were thinking about reading this one please pick it up, I guarantee you will not regret it!💫

Thank you to @celadonbooks for the #gifted copy.

Tracey Lange has a way with words. Each time I pick up one of her books, I know that I am going to be immersed into someone else's life story that might look or feel a little familiar. I look forward to each and every one of them. This book was no different.

This book was one about the McCrary family. Kyle and Casey who split suddenly after 16 years of marriage. Kyle leaves his family behind. Casey struggles to cope. Kyle comes back to help his dad recover. Heartbreak. Hope. Resilience. Does their failed marriage have a chance?

If you haven't read one of her books, you should!!

I want to thank everyone for this gifted copy of What Happened to the McCrays?

I have enjoyed Tracey’s other books and was excited to see her coming out with a new story. My interests were sparked at the beginning and I came to the terms with the fact that there would be no happily ever after.

But after getting 50% through this book, I found I was bored. I had no emotional connection to any of the characters, and I felt like I literally knew nothing about them. I needed more…less secretive about why they weren’t together and their story. I did end up DNF’ing at 50%.

I may give this book another try in the future.

Review will be posted on 1/31/25

Kyle and Casey knew each other as kids, living across the street from each other in Potsdam, New York. Their childhood friendship blossomed into a teenage romance and an eventual young marriage. It should have been the stuff of fairy tales. But when readers encounter Kyle, he isn't living in Potsdam, but rather in Spokane as a mechanic. He is divorced and bitter. Casey still lives in New York, is a teacher, and helps run the middle school hockey team. Kyle gets notified that his father, Danny, had a stroke and he needs to come home to help him out. So reluctantly Kyle heads home and has to face everything he left behind, including Casey and their crumbling marriage. Kyle, a former hockey star, gets roped into helping the local middle school hockey team and now he and Casey are spending more time together than before. Readers slowly learn the reasons why their marriage crumbles through flashbacks - even to their teenage years so readers can get the full backstory and arc of their relationship. Tracey Lange writes such emotionally charged family dramas and What Happened to the McCrays? is no different. It is filled to the brim with a lot of heart, emotion, small-town dynamics, some heavy topics, and a strong side of youth hockey.

Tracey Lange truly got my attention when I read We Are the Brennans. I felt like she could capture family dynamics and the layers of a person very well. The same is true in What Happened to the McCrays? I think her fans will appreciate this family drama which covers a wide variety of topics, such as divorce, the death of a parent, the death of a child, infertility, family estrangement, and more. However, for me, it got a little too dark (trigger warning: suicide attempt) and I felt like that weighed down the plot.

My favorite part of What Happened to the McCrays? were the flashbacks to Kyle and Casey's teenage years and early years of their relationship as I felt that really helped readers understand their courtship and how they got to where they are today. It also illustrated how Kyle's departure from Potsdam had a ripple effect. Kyle and Casey dealt with so many heartbreaking issues that readers will keep wondering if they could ever recover from it and give their relationship another chance.

It should be noted that What Happened to the McCrays? also includes a lot of hockey details, so if you enjoy a sports romance or love the sport of hockey, you could appreciate that aspect of the story as well. I know I did, as I think Lange portrayed the life of a middle school teacher very well as well as the ups and downs of coaching youth sports.

Are you a fan of Tracey Lange? Do you plan on reading What Happened to the McCrays? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Tracey Lange writes family drama like she has a PhD in emotional damage. This book???? Kyle McCray ditches his life, ghosts his hometown, then gets dragged back when his dad has a stroke.

Unsurprisingly, no one’s thrilled to see him. But then he starts coaching a middle school hockey team (random, but it works), and suddenly, redemption is on the table.

Lange nails messy relationships, small-town vibes, and second chances without making it cringe. The emotions? Gut punch. The pacing? Chef’s kiss. Maybe the ending ties up a little too cleanly, but honestly? Didn’t mind. Read this if you love family drama, slow-burn romance, and feelings you weren’t ready for.

I was so happy to have enjoyed this book as her last one I liked ok but this one was really tugging at my heart.

Kyle comes back after a few years to where he left his wife Casey when his dad had a stroke to help take care of him. When you find out why these two spouses drifted apart, it's a very sad tale. Casey has so much grieving that she has yet to do and she's not really doing it in a healthy way.. She needed to let others in better.

It probably wasn't for the best that Kyle ever left, but time away gives a bit of perspective I guess. There are a lot of emotions I felt while reading. I still love how Lange writes a family drama!

This book, wow. It was a deep read, but man, it was great!!!

Sometimes the books with deeper themes are hard for me to read. This book though, that wasn't the case. I wanted to keep reading and had the hardest time putting it down.

There were so many themes; love, loss, family, community, and strength. They all came together in the most beautiful way.

I'd definitely recommend this book!!!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Tracey Lange is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine. I’ve now read three of her books and they’ve all been five star reads. ⁣
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I am a sucker for second chance romance stories and I felt like this one broke my heart and then put it back together again. The small town setting, the hockey team and the message of family really won me over. ⁣
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Kyle and Casey’s love story started off so innocently when they were kids and we know as readers that somewhere along the way their love story ended, but we don’t know the catalyst for this breakup. Discovering what ended their marriage is heartbreaking-all I can say is have tissues handy as you read this book. ⁣
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This book deserves all the stars and I highly recommend picking up anything from this author. Huge thank you to Netgalley for sharing an ARC with me.