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kelly_e's review
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Title: The Connellys of County Down
Author: Tracey Lange
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Rating: 4.25
Pub Date: August 1, 2023
I received complimentary eARC and ALC copies of this book from Celadon Books and Macmillan Audio via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted #Ad
T H R E E • W O R D S
Mysterious • Relatable • Reflective
📖 S Y N O P S I S
When Tara Connelly is released from prison after serving eighteen months on a drug charge, she knows rebuilding her life at thirty years old won’t be easy. With no money and no prospects, she returns home to live with her siblings, who are both busy with their own problems. Her brother, a single dad, struggles with the ongoing effects of a brain injury he sustained years ago, and her sister’s fragile façade of calm and order is cracking under the burden of big secrets. Life becomes even more complicated when the cop who put her in prison keeps showing up unannounced, leaving Tara to wonder what he wants from her now.
💭 T H O U G H T S
After absolutely loving Tracey Lange's debut, We Are the Brennans, I was super excited to see she was releasing a new novel in 2023. One of my most anticipated releases, I picked The Connellys of County Down as my August pick for my personal book of the month project, and when Celadon offered me an advanced copy I wouldn't click 'yes' fast enough.
Centered around three siblings, the pacing keep me wanting more. The story unraveled slowly with each chapter offering new tidbits of information as to how everything would connect. From the very start, there was an underlying mysterious tone. The siblings were each flawed and relatable in their own way, and their relationships with one another were layered and complex. At various points it was hard to figure out whether to feel sorry for them or to empathize with them. It is clear Lange's background in behavioural science and psychology helped shape the narrative surrounding Eddie's traumatic brain injury, and Geraldine's hoarding. Both of these aspects were handled with care and realistically.
The novel is on the shorter side, and I just couldn't put it down. However, it was the ending that left me slightly dissatisfied. Not only did it end abruptly, but after so much conflict everything ended tied up with a pretty little bow, which just felt unrealistic. There were several other possible endings that made more sense in my head.
I tandem read the digital and audio versions, and I must say the audio narration by Barrie Kreinik really brought the family to life. Each character had a distinct voice, which made following along easy. Pacing was very well done and accents were done with excellent intonation.
Overall, I appreciated the themes of family obligation and starting anew, making The Connellys of County Down a satisfying read. I just would have preferred a different ending. After reading her sophomore novel, it really cements Tracey Lange as an auto-buy author for me, and I will eagerly be awaiting whatever she writes next.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• lovers of the family saga
• readers who like character driven stories
• fans of messy sibling relationships
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"I don’t think you do the rest of us any favors when you don’t let us carry our own burdens."
Author: Tracey Lange
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Rating: 4.25
Pub Date: August 1, 2023
I received complimentary eARC and ALC copies of this book from Celadon Books and Macmillan Audio via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted #Ad
T H R E E • W O R D S
Mysterious • Relatable • Reflective
📖 S Y N O P S I S
When Tara Connelly is released from prison after serving eighteen months on a drug charge, she knows rebuilding her life at thirty years old won’t be easy. With no money and no prospects, she returns home to live with her siblings, who are both busy with their own problems. Her brother, a single dad, struggles with the ongoing effects of a brain injury he sustained years ago, and her sister’s fragile façade of calm and order is cracking under the burden of big secrets. Life becomes even more complicated when the cop who put her in prison keeps showing up unannounced, leaving Tara to wonder what he wants from her now.
💭 T H O U G H T S
After absolutely loving Tracey Lange's debut, We Are the Brennans, I was super excited to see she was releasing a new novel in 2023. One of my most anticipated releases, I picked The Connellys of County Down as my August pick for my personal book of the month project, and when Celadon offered me an advanced copy I wouldn't click 'yes' fast enough.
Centered around three siblings, the pacing keep me wanting more. The story unraveled slowly with each chapter offering new tidbits of information as to how everything would connect. From the very start, there was an underlying mysterious tone. The siblings were each flawed and relatable in their own way, and their relationships with one another were layered and complex. At various points it was hard to figure out whether to feel sorry for them or to empathize with them. It is clear Lange's background in behavioural science and psychology helped shape the narrative surrounding Eddie's traumatic brain injury, and Geraldine's hoarding. Both of these aspects were handled with care and realistically.
The novel is on the shorter side, and I just couldn't put it down. However, it was the ending that left me slightly dissatisfied. Not only did it end abruptly, but after so much conflict everything ended tied up with a pretty little bow, which just felt unrealistic. There were several other possible endings that made more sense in my head.
I tandem read the digital and audio versions, and I must say the audio narration by Barrie Kreinik really brought the family to life. Each character had a distinct voice, which made following along easy. Pacing was very well done and accents were done with excellent intonation.
Overall, I appreciated the themes of family obligation and starting anew, making The Connellys of County Down a satisfying read. I just would have preferred a different ending. After reading her sophomore novel, it really cements Tracey Lange as an auto-buy author for me, and I will eagerly be awaiting whatever she writes next.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• lovers of the family saga
• readers who like character driven stories
• fans of messy sibling relationships
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"I don’t think you do the rest of us any favors when you don’t let us carry our own burdens."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical trauma, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Cursing, Car accident, and Death
Minor: Addiction, Abandonment, Drug use, and Drug abuse
drug trafficking, overdose, incarcerationspongebobbiii's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
"The Connelly's of County Down" by Tracey Lange is an absolute gem that captivated me from beginning to end. This ARC, provided by NetGalley, introduced me to a story that I simply adored in every aspect, from the engaging plot to the beautifully crafted characters.
Right from the start, I had a strong inkling that this would be a five-star read, and by the time I reached 60% of the book, my conviction had only solidified. There were several reasons why I became completely absorbed in this story.
One of the key elements that drew me in was the compelling storyline of Tara, a recent felon released from prison after a drug charge. As someone who has worked closely with individuals involved in the criminal justice system, I was eager to see if the book would accurately depict their struggles and the prevalent misconceptions. In my opinion, the author did an excellent job highlighting the internal conflicts faced by those who have served time, the disappointment and shame experienced by their families, and the numerous challenges individuals on parole encounter, such as securing employment, dealing with stigma, and facing discrimination. By following different points of view, the narrative allowed me to delve into Tara's inner thoughts and emotions, as well as gain insight into her brother, sister, and even the detectives who arrested her on the original charge.
Furthermore, the inclusion of a mental health therapist and a few therapy sessions added a nice touch to the story. As a mental health therapist myself, I tend to be quite discerning about the representation of therapy in literature, but I found this portrayal to be reasonably accurate. It is rare for me to encounter therapy depictions that don't make me cringe, so I was pleasantly surprised by the author's handling of this aspect. The characters in the book were well-developed, with carefully woven backstories that lent them an authentic feel.
I stumbled upon this book randomly on NetGalley and decided to request it for review based on the intriguing synopsis. I am absolutely delighted that I took that chance and was approved. "The Connelly's of County Down" provided me with immense reading pleasure, and I can easily envision myself revisiting its pages in the future.
In summary, this book is a triumph in storytelling, character development, and thematic exploration. I highly recommend "The Connelly's of County Down" to anyone seeking a captivating read that delves into the complexities of human emotions, family dynamics, and the challenges faced by individuals transitioning from the criminal justice system to society.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Death of parent
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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