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erinnh's review
2.0
In What Happened to the McCrays?, Kyle McCray learns that his father suffered a debilitating stroke and must return home to Potsdam, New York. But, his return is an emotionally-charged event for him and everyone around him. That’s because when he left suddenly two and a half years ago he abandoned everyone who loved and depended on him, including his wife, Casey. Can Kyle and Casey stand to be in the same town again? What happened nearly three years ago?
The novel is a family drama presented mostly in the present, but told in “Then” and “Now” chapters. As Kyle slowly discovers the impact his departure from New York had on everyone in his life, the reader slowly learns the events leading up to it.
I’ve read all of Tracey Lange’s books so far, and I tend to enjoy her overall writing style. I think her skills shine in creating tension in her scenes and evoking emotion from the reader. I like how she builds suspense as the narratives unravel. However, in my opinion, she tends to rely on tropes/clichés a little too heavily, both in terms of characterization and sometimes in plot. I also know that she likes to write about flawed characters, but sometimes she seems to be flirting with romanticizing toxic behaviors and it weirds me out a little. We see that here with some of Kyle’s behaviors in particular.
I also just had a harder time staying engaged this go around. I didn’t have that issue with her past works, and I think it might be because I was more interested in the relationship at the center of the narrative than the other elements (the hockey team, the side characters), and also because I wasn’t as connected to Kyle and Casey as I was with the Brennans or Connellys.
Even though this wasn’t for me, readers of family dramas and relationship dramas (especially those with small town vibes) might enjoy this one. And it’s especially worth checking out if you are a fan of Tracey Lange’s previous works!
*Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Car accident, and Death of parent
dirrtydeenyul's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Moderate: Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
m_a_j's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Moderate: Infertility, Self harm, and Medical content
Minor: Abandonment and Alcohol
lauramar850's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
4.5
I cried for so much of this book. It’s one of those where I just want to scream at people to stop keeping secrets. But grief does terrible things to the brain.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Suicide attempt
afrenette's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Self harm, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Moderate: Infertility, Grief, and Car accident
suzek86's review
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It was fine. Really predictable
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
taymashay25's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Death of parent
reeccees's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A first by this author for me and it was beautifully written! The development of not only the MCs, but the side characters was beautiful. I loved how they all felt so real. I just wish it kept my attention for longer because it felt like the plot, plus back and forth between the MCs started to drag around to 70% mark. Otherwise, a very emotional and sad but hopeful read. Pls be aware of CW.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Abandonment
Moderate: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, and Medical content
Minor: Sexual content, Car accident, and Death of parent
greatestheights's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
4.0
If I'd looked into TWs for this one, I wouldn't have read it. Regardless, I'm glad I picked it as my Book of the Month. I definitely need a palate cleanser now, though — this is a very sad one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Death of parent
marym2215's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Set against the backdrop of a small-town community, What Happened to the McCrays? explores the power of resilience, family bonds, and second chances. When Kyle McCray returns to his hometown after his father’s stroke, he’s met with resentment and lingering hurt from those he abandoned several years ago, including his estranged wife, Casey. Determined to stay only long enough to help his father recover, Kyle instead finds himself drawn back into the town’s life when he is asked to coach the struggling middle school hockey team. As he reconnects with the community and confronts the pain of his past, Kyle is forced to reckon with the choices that tore his marriage apart and determine if healing and redemption are still within reach. Full of heart and raw emotion, this story captures the complexity of broken relationships and the enduring hope for forgiveness and redemption.
I absolutely devoured this story. Told from alternating perspectives of Kyle and Casey in both the present day as well as the past, What Happened to the McCrays was an incredible book for so many different reasons. It pulled me into its raw, emotional depths from the very first page. The struggles Kyle and Casey faced in forgiving themselves for the choices they each made were so heart-wrenching and felt so real. Their pain could be felt through the pages and reminded me how difficult it can be to confront the worst parts of our past. The way the story captured the fragile, yet powerful, bonds of family and the strength that comes from a supportive community left a lasting impression on me. I was especially moved by the depiction of loss - the debilitating pain of watching a loved one suffer, and the quiet resilience needed to move forward. It’s a story about second chances and the heavy cost of redemption and how healing requires both courage and vulnerability. While there were instances that I found myself frustrated by choices that Casey made, I cannot fault her for her decisions knowing what she was going through by the end of the book. This is my first book by Tracey Lange but it will most definitely not be my last. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a moving story about love, loss, and forgiveness.
Content warnings: Loss of a child, suicide attempt, loss of a parent, depression, infertility, self harm
Thank you to Celadon Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read to an ARC of What Happened to the McCrays in return for my honest review.
I absolutely devoured this story. Told from alternating perspectives of Kyle and Casey in both the present day as well as the past, What Happened to the McCrays was an incredible book for so many different reasons. It pulled me into its raw, emotional depths from the very first page. The struggles Kyle and Casey faced in forgiving themselves for the choices they each made were so heart-wrenching and felt so real. Their pain could be felt through the pages and reminded me how difficult it can be to confront the worst parts of our past. The way the story captured the fragile, yet powerful, bonds of family and the strength that comes from a supportive community left a lasting impression on me. I was especially moved by the depiction of loss - the debilitating pain of watching a loved one suffer, and the quiet resilience needed to move forward. It’s a story about second chances and the heavy cost of redemption and how healing requires both courage and vulnerability. While there were instances that I found myself frustrated by choices that Casey made, I cannot fault her for her decisions knowing what she was going through by the end of the book. This is my first book by Tracey Lange but it will most definitely not be my last. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a moving story about love, loss, and forgiveness.
Content warnings: Loss of a child, suicide attempt, loss of a parent, depression, infertility, self harm
Thank you to Celadon Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read to an ARC of What Happened to the McCrays in return for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Self harm, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Moderate: Infertility