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A review by kelly_e
We Are the Brennans by Tracey Lange
mysterious
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
4.5
Title: We Are the Brennans
Author: Tracey Lange
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Rating: 4.5
Pub Date: August 3, 2021
T H R E E β’ W O R D S
Suspenseful β’ Intriguing β’ Complex
π 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 fiancΓ© 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.
π 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.
π R E C O M M E N D β’ T O
β’ readers who liked Ask Again, Yes and/or Little Fires Everywhere
β’ fans of domestic dramas
β’ bookclubs
π F A V O U R I T E β’ 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."
Author: Tracey Lange
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Rating: 4.5
Pub Date: August 3, 2021
T H R E E β’ W O R D S
Suspenseful β’ Intriguing β’ Complex
π 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 fiancΓ© 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.
π 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.
π R E C O M M E N D β’ T O
β’ readers who liked Ask Again, Yes and/or Little Fires Everywhere
β’ fans of domestic dramas
β’ bookclubs
π F A V O U R I T E β’ 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."
Content Warnings
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 driving