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lovelymisanthrope's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"We Are the Brennans" is a heartwarming story about family. When Sunday Brennan is hospitalized following a DUI, she is resistant to leave her California home to move back to New York with her family. She has spent the last several years trying to distance herself from her past, her overbearing brothers, and an ex that she has unresolved issues with. But, at the end of the day, New York is where she needs to go in order to get back to herself.
I was not expecting to be as captivated by this story as I was. The Brennans are complex family that all have their secrets, but at the end of the day, they are always there for each other in the best way they know how. Their family dynamic is riddled with flaws, but in spite of all of the judgment, they are family.
Sunday's story takes an interesting turn that I did not see coming, but it makes the events in the first half of the novel make all the more sense. I really wanted to see her get some justice and credit from her family for her situation, and when she finally did, I was screaming.
The book does take a darker turn, which I do not think was necessary per say, but I think it made sense for the character and his motivation.
I really enjoyed this story, and I am excited to read more from Tracey Lange in the future!
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Gaslighting, and Car accident
Moderate: Classism, Gun violence, Pregnancy, and Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity
readwithmesarah's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Miscarriage and Gaslighting
trins_bookshelf's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Car accident, Mental illness, Miscarriage, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent
dayingst's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Grief, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Car accident, Murder, Alcohol, and Gun violence
ifoundcallie's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Miscarriage, Grief, and Alcohol
Moderate: Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, Infidelity, Car accident, Gun violence, and Dementia
Minor: Murder, Violence, Death, Classism, Blood, Chronic illness, and Death of parent
kelly_e's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Author: Tracey Lange
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Rating: 4.5
Pub Date: August 3, 2021
T H R E E • W O R D S
Suspenseful • Intriguing • Complex
📖 S Y N O P S I S
It's been five years since Sunday Brennan up and left her home in New York, leaving behind her family and fiancé with little explanation. In the wake of an drunk driving accident that left her in rough shape, she decides to return home with a little encouragement from her older brother, Denny. With her family rallied around her, she hopes to rebuild her life on the east coast. When a man from her past resurfaces, his actions put the family pub at risk, force Sunday to confront her past, and expose decades of family secrets. Now, the Brennans must band together to find a way forward.
💭 T H O U G H T S
We Are the Brennans was not the book I was anticipating, and I was shockingly surprised just how much I enjoyed it! The Brennans sucked me in from the very first page, and I was so intensely invested in how the story would unfold. Exploring the theme of family, there were so many secrets, lots of miscommunication, and so much heart. Each character had their strengths and their flaws, and the variety of perspectives allowed me to really get into their take on what was happening. Despite Sunday's shaky start, I couldn't help but root for her and get to the heart of why she left. Additionally, Kale seemed like such a down to earth and kindhearted person, as did Shane.
The pacing kept me turning the pages with just the right amount of mystery, and I definitely liked the slow reveal of the backstory. The alternating chapter structure worked perfectly for this narrative. And for reasons I cannot pinpoint exactly, the plot just felt like a realistic portrayal of family life, with secrets and high drama.
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by Tracey Lange's debut novel and this messy, loveable family, especially appreciating the underlying message on the meaning of family and the importance of communication.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• readers who liked Ask Again, Yes and/or Little Fires Everywhere
• fans of domestic dramas
• bookclubs
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"You were my emergency contact because if I ever got into trouble, you're the one I wanted them to call."
"What happened to Sunday wasn't an illness she could get over. It was part of her, part of who she'd become."
"But she was right. They would do everything they could to protect their father, and each other, because that's what family did. They all screwed up, made mistakes, and hurt one another. But in the end they came together."
Graphic: Miscarriage, Sexual assault, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Blood, Alcohol, and Car accident
Minor: Abandonment, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Death, Mental illness, and Dementia
drunk drivingrebeccarudisill's review
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Miscarriage
kimveach's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Alcohol, Abandonment, Medical content, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Grief, Blood, Car accident, Dementia, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, and Mental illness
sdunn13's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It is just very disappointing to still see the outdated mentality that somehow her actions excuse her attacker. It really ruined the book for me.
Graphic: Miscarriage, Violence, and Alcohol
Moderate: Car accident, Pregnancy, Ableism, Blood, Chronic illness, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
mymosstx's review
- 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
5.0
Moderate: Car accident, Violence, Physical abuse, Murder, Miscarriage, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, and Grief