took me a week or so to get through the first 25%, but then read the last 75% in one night… definitely was more emotional than i was expecting but i feel as if it showed grief in a very realistic way

A beautiful family drama. I felt like I lived in the town of Potsdam with the characters. This was a story of love, resilience and second chances. Great book to start off the new year.

This is the third book I've read from Tracey Lange and unfortunately, it was my least favorite.

Kyle returns home after his father suffers a stroke and is forced to confront his wife Casey after the two have separated. After reading the synopsis, I already knew where this story was going to end up. Unfortunately, it was duller than I anticipated. Tracey Lange does small towns and ensemble casts really well. Unfortunately, this one primarily featured Kyle and Casey who were both really dull. I didn't find their relationship convincing. I didn't even really understand what drew them together to begin with. Overall, this one just plodded along without any real stakes.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

I love a good character driven family drama, and Tracey Lange is now 3 for 3 for me delivering solid stories in this genre.

This book delves into themes of love, loss, grief, family, loyalty and reckoning with one’s past. The characters were all flawed but definitely lovable and I found myself in rooting for them all through the book, even when they were at odds with each other. This is definitely a slow burn story but I felt like it was worth it as we got to know the characters.

Of the three of Lange’s books that I’ve read (the others being The Connellys of County Down and We Are the Brennans), I would say this one was my least favorite but it’s more a testament to how much I loved the other two. I will definitely keep reading anything she writes.

If you want a good character drama to sink into this winter, definitely add this one to your list!

Thanks to NetGalley and Celadon books for a free egalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is Lange's best writing yet - a powerful, redemptive story that I couldn't put down. Absolutely loved all of the characters she created and was sad to leave them at the end.

Tracey has this way of reaching into your chest, wrapping her fingers around your heart, and squeezing just enough to make you question if it’s bearable.

Kyle and Casey are so unbelievably ordinary - a simple, cozy life they’ve made for themselves in their small town with their small family. They love each other wholeheartedly and terrifyingly - and when the world-shattering tragedy they experience together twists that love into something neither of them recognize, they each run. Kyle physically, Casey emotionally.

The juxtapositions of their all-consuming grief were so beautifully portrayed - as well as the way the grief of their family members and their community rippled ever outward. It’s raw and down-to-earth and gutwrenchingly real. There were several points where I realized I just had tears streaming down my cheeks silently as I read. This book ruined my entire life and I said “thank you”.

This isn’t a romance, but it is a love story - the love between family, between friends, between partners. The love of your community and your home and your past. And it’s also simply a story of being human, and how we find our way through unfathomable heartache to come out changed yet still here.

This is a sad, beautiful read about a contemporary family that is dealing with a tragic loss in a small town. I enjoyed the writing and will be reading more from this author.

Tracey Lange is so good at writing family drama. Not outrageous family drama like some stories, just drama that could happen in any family. It just keeps you so engaged with the story.

“What Happened to the McCrays” was wonderful. I love a dual-timeline story and was fully engrossed in these characters lives. Lange will be an automatic read for me in the future, so far she has not missed.

Oh my goodness! Tracey Lange has the amazing ability to write family drama so unbelievably well. I absolutely loved this book and loved the second chance romance aspect. Highly recommend this one to everyone!

If I could rate this book 10 stars I would. I can't begin to understand how an author could pull so much emotion from a reader.

This book wasn't really for me. While the story addressed issues of grief, loss, and love, I didn't care for how drawn-out it was before we found out what really happened to the McCrays. The cover is perfect for this book.

"Sometimes you've taken all the shots you can... and then it's time to let someone else carry the puck for a while."

Kyle McCray is brought back to the town he left 2 1/2 years ago after his father suffers a stroke and needs help while recuperating. When Kyle abruptly left with no explanation, he left behind family, friends, coworkers and his wife of 16 years and high school love, Casey. Now that he's back at his dad's home, he is living right next door to the home he shared with Casey; the one he hasn't set foot in, in over 2 years.

What happened to Kyle and Casey McCray that was enough to tear apart the relationship they had built over so many years?

I was hooked from page 1. You will not be able to tear yourself away from this story. This is a heavier read, so readers should be prepared for that. There is a life-altering tragedy that will hurt your heart for the characters involved but there are also more hopeful moments where there is focus on healing and forgiveness. I appreciated that this was set in a small community, and you could feel the love and support from those that surrounded Kyle and Casey. We also get to experience some small town, middle school hockey which does give a little relief from the heavier topics of the book.

Tracey Lange has a talent for writing wonderful stories with beautifully, broken characters. This one is out now, and I would highly recommend getting a copy! Thank you NetGalley, Celadon books and Tracey Lange for the opportunity to read this e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This author pulls you into a story like no other! If she writes it, you should read it! This one is emotional! The way the story flows from past to present is perfection!!! So good! Her character development is always unmatched.

First time loves have drifted apart with heavy struggles of life. They are brought back together with a constant push and pull.

I 100% recommend.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for letting me read this as an ARC!

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