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daydaybookbay's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I rated this book an 8 out of 10. The main drive behind the story is the characters and their problems. There isn't a big plotline to move the story along. Even without a focused plot, I enjoyed reading about each character's personal struggles.
Tara, Eddie, and Geraldine Connelly are adult siblings who live together and provide more than enough drama for themselves. Anyone with siblings will be able to relate to the love and frustrations siblings bring. This strong dynamic held between the family pulls each aspect of the story together. Reading from each of their point of view, the commonality is the bond these siblings continue building on.
The biggest twist was not much of a twist or surprise at all. From the get-go, there is a crazy amount of foreshadowing to the point its basically revealed within the first few chapters. To me, the plot lines are not the key factor of this novel, but the characters themselves are the focus. With each chapter brings more character development, and you begin to feel a bond with them individually.
Tara, Eddie, and Geraldine Connelly are adult siblings who live together and provide more than enough drama for themselves. Anyone with siblings will be able to relate to the love and frustrations siblings bring. This strong dynamic held between the family pulls each aspect of the story together. Reading from each of their point of view, the commonality is the bond these siblings continue building on.
The biggest twist was not much of a twist or surprise at all. From the get-go, there is a crazy amount of foreshadowing to the point its basically revealed within the first few chapters. To me, the plot lines are not the key factor of this novel, but the characters themselves are the focus. With each chapter brings more character development, and you begin to feel a bond with them individually.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Mental illness, Cursing, Violence, Abandonment, Death, Drug use, Addiction, Car accident, Alcohol, Drug abuse, and Cancer
libertycookies's review against another edition
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Cancer, Mental illness, and Death of parent
kimveach's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I loved these flawed and real characters and the problems they face when they keep secrets instead of communicating. I also loved the author's debut book, "We Are the Brennans," and look forward to more books from her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Cursing, Mental illness, Police brutality, Abandonment, Ableism, Cancer, Addiction, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Confinement, Death of parent, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Drug abuse, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Medical trauma, and Panic attacks/disorders
readingwithtrey's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The Connellys of County Down begins with Tara Connelly being released from prison after serving 18 months due to a drug trafficking charge. While incarcerated, she doesn't see much of her 2 siblings Geraldine and Eddie, and neither of them show up to pick her up. After returning home, she soon finds that so much as changed since she left, and not for the better.
Geraldine is the oldest sister and has taken care of her Eddie and Tara since she was a young teen. We quickly learn that she has had too much pressure and responsibility on her shoulders for far too long and it has begun to have devastating impacts on her life.
Eddie suffers from a traumatic brain injury and is doing his best as a single dad. His son Conor brings comedic relief to the novel.
This was such a beautiful story examining the impact that familial relationships can have on our lives and the decisions we make. I loved how each of the Connelly siblings had a role that they played in keeping their dysfunctional family together.
One of my favorite messages from the story was that it's okay to ask for help. I really appreciated that the author included therapy in the story and that it wasn't just mentioned, but was a crucial part.
This one was easily bingeable. I finished about 65% of it in one sitting because I couldn't put it down. It was perfectly executed, and I have zero complaints. I will definitely be reading We Are the Brennans and anything else that Tracey Lange writes.
Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon books for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
Geraldine is the oldest sister and has taken care of her Eddie and Tara since she was a young teen. We quickly learn that she has had too much pressure and responsibility on her shoulders for far too long and it has begun to have devastating impacts on her life.
Eddie suffers from a traumatic brain injury and is doing his best as a single dad. His son Conor brings comedic relief to the novel.
This was such a beautiful story examining the impact that familial relationships can have on our lives and the decisions we make. I loved how each of the Connelly siblings had a role that they played in keeping their dysfunctional family together.
One of my favorite messages from the story was that it's okay to ask for help. I really appreciated that the author included therapy in the story and that it wasn't just mentioned, but was a crucial part.
This one was easily bingeable. I finished about 65% of it in one sitting because I couldn't put it down. It was perfectly executed, and I have zero complaints. I will definitely be reading We Are the Brennans and anything else that Tracey Lange writes.
Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon books for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Minor: Abandonment, Death of parent, and Cancer
tamsterdam_reads's review
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Mental illness, Drug abuse, Toxic relationship, Cancer, Abandonment, and Car accident
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