Unexpected in a lovely way. The family dynamics here were intense and very complex and interesting, not just with the Connellys, but also with Brian and his family as well. I had really enjoyed We Are the Brennans from Tracey Lange and this follow-up was great and did not disappoint at all. She has a great way of portraying families and their complex relationships, especially when there are secrets and drama involved. Tara is put in a situation that you can tell from the beginning is completely covered in complex layers that have been put there by the people around her and it was fascinating to watch all of that get peeled back.

I know I had put this one off for a bit and it is really a shame I haven't gotten to this sooner because it was not at all what I was expecting.

Many many thanks to Celadon Books and to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you Celadon for my advanced copy of the audio as well as the e-arc! All opinions are my own.

This story follows the life of three siblings battling their own struggles. Tara just finished an 18 month prison sentence and she tries to navigate the real life outside of prison. Geraldine has taken care of her siblings for as long as she can remember. The weight starts to get heavy and she struggles with an unhealthy obsession. Eddie learns to cope with life after a serious accident, all while being a single father.

This one was a quick, easy read. It is fairly short and didn’t take me any time at all to fly through it. Even though I read it quickly, I feel as if not much happened from beginning to end. It could have went a different direction, especially since a lot of situations were left unresolved.

The relationship aspect was odd to me. It progressed too quickly (although this could be due to the length of the book) and it seemed unrealistic due to their shared past. It was all pretty awkward. There were things that happened in the past that I felt deserved more explanation before hopping into a relationship.

I did enjoy the siblings’ struggles. They each had their own and I feel like all types of readers could relate to each of their struggles, regardless if they have experienced it exactly or not. Not everything is perfect, but you end up making do with what life throws at you, and you find your individual way in how to cope with it.

The narrator did a wonderful job in capturing each character’s unique personality. I look forward to listening to her more.

Tara Connelly is being released from prison, having served 18 months on a drug related charge. She managed to get through her sentence by drawing and creating stories for her nephew and for other inmates' children. She is shocked when Det. Brian Nolan is there at her release, as he helped put her in prison. Brian wants to apologize to her, but he can't do it. He feels a connection to Tara, but knows it is a career danger to be involved with an ex-con. Tara is trying to put her life, and her family, back together. Her brother, Eddie, suffers from a brain injury, and her sister, Geraldine, is a bit neurotic and a hoarder. All of these things lead Tara to make some interesting choices.
This is ultimately a story of love, family, and trust. Tara does everything she can to protect her family, often to her detriment. I liked the relationship between Brian and Tara, and I loved the loyalty Tara had to her family, esp. her nephew, Conor. I enjoyed the parts about her art/drawings, and the partnership with Gordi and Lance, the teens that took a chance on Tara.
Enjoyable read.

Sadly I didn’t really like this one. I didn’t hate it. I’ve tried to read others by this author and it just fell flat.

Thank you to #NetGalley, the author and the publisher.

I read her first book and even though I liked it well enough, I liked this one even better. I liked the characters better and the plot.

I liked Tara, Eddie, especially 10 year old Conor but Geraldine was just so annoying. I really thought she was in her 60s but that didn't fit with their age differences and she was only in her 30s. She acted like an old woman.

I've always been a big reader of dysfunctional families, and this one sort of fits the description. It's not just about families but also the cop who has ties with Tara when he arrested her. It gets more complicated in a personal way too. I like how the ending tied up all the family and the problem.

I have her future book on my to read and hopefully I'll be reading that one too when it comes out in August 2024. I Googled it and this is the plot: “When Kyle McCray gets word his father has suffered a debilitating stroke, he returns to his hometown of Potsdam, New York, even though he doesn't expect a warm reception.”

Oh this was a heartbreaking novel. Tara is release from prison, and as her family tries to reconnect, secrets unravel. This book focused on family relationships, secrets, and the things we would do to save our family. Theres characters were not necessarily likeable, but that's family isn't it? They were real, with real flaws, and real problems. The characteristics of some family members may feel out of place, until their secrets unravel and you learn what they have been hiding. Overall a wonderful book that had real, honest characters. Mix of character development and plot driven.

I'm honestly not sure how I feel about this book. I loved how Geraldine, Tara, and Eddie rallied around each other when they struggled. They had no issues calling another one out kindly when they were wrong, which I appreciated. I love how Tara would protect her family no matter what happened to her. I liked the fairy tales their mother used to tell them. I thought they were really sweet. However, the detective sending money to Tara while she was an inmate, picking her up when she got out of jail, and then basically courting her was just too far-fetched for me. Maybe it is because of the field I work in, but I just couldn't do it.

I still recommend this book if you like all the other things that I mentioned that I loved. Also, Connor's jokes were my favorite part of the book. Seriously, they were great!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of The Connellys of County Down by Tracey Lange in exchange for my honest review and opinion. I love a good family drama and this has all the characters that keep you turning the pages as fast as you can.to see how it ends. I am so excited for all my friends to read this so we can talk about it as it's that darn good!

I found this book to be just ok. I didn't find any aspect of the story to be out of this world for me. It is essentially a family story about siblings and it is heartwarming in parts however just not enough to move me and consider it fantastic. Lange does a good job of showing the lengths that we will go to for the people we love.

After serving time for a drug charge, Tara returns to the home she shares with her brother, sister, and nephew. She tries to get her life back on track, but a combination of long-simmering family tensions, a budding romance, and a cop who won’t seem to leave her alone makes it difficult for her to find her footing. This is a family dysfunction story about siblings who each carry their own form of trauma from their shared history. And of course nobody talks to each other, which is really the crux of the story. This was well-written, but quiet - more focused on the relationships between people than the plot. There IS a plot, but it’s probably the least compelling aspect of the book.

This was a generally okay character driven novel. I enjoyed it but feel like it's easily forgettable. I appreciate the opportunity to give it a read.

This book begins with Tara being released from prison after she served time for transporting drugs. She goes home to her sister, brother and nephew and is trying to restart her life while juggling family issues, a budding romance with the person who put her in jail and a cop who is still out to get her.
I didn’t know what to expect when I started this book and I was pleasantly surprised. Tara’s post prison experiences felt real (aside from the love interest element), but seeing her trying to figure out how to navigate the world after prison time was an experience so many women have. As I read the parts of the story focused on her sister’s issues I could feel the anxiety building in my chest. She was written so well and you could feel her struggle. This is absolutely a book worth reading.

This was definitely a book that was out of my general reading genre but I am so glad that I had a chance to read this as a book club read. The characters, while flawed, were still a family, and you can see them grow over the course of the book. Overall, I really enjoyed this and will be looking into what other books the author has coming out

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance reader's copy of this novel.

The Connellys of County Down was an enjoyable follow-up to We Are the Brennans, which I really liked. I love these fairly quiet novels that are primarily character-driven. Ultimately, the novel was a bit forgettable, however. I will read more from this author in the future.

The Connellys feel like a real fully developed family albeit a dysfunctional one. There's Tara who just got released from prison, her older brother Eddie is a single dad dealing with a brain injury, and her older sister Geraldine is a bossy control freak. Some times siblings are hard to get along with, and these siblings definitely have a lot going on. Come here for the family drama, and stay for the cute kid jokes.

This book was so stunningly beautiful! It showed the absolute resilience of a family. Having grown up in a trauma filled home the Connellys have stuck together into adulthood. They have their fair share of drama and trauma now too but they always count on one another to get through it. I loooove Tara so much. I relate to her a lot and could see myself doing similar things and making the same choices in her situation.

Thank you netgalley for the earc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you, Netgalley, the author, and Celadon Books for the gifted e-book/audiobook! ❤️ #gifted. My review is comprised of my honest thoughts.

Read this book if you like: Family dynamics, family drama, multiple POV

I could not put this down. I love Tracey's writing. I will read anything she writes. It pulls me in and keeps me there. The characters are fascinating and dynamic. The stories are so engaging. I highly recommend this!

“The Connellys of County Down” by Tracey Lange and while this may be my first Lange novel, it won’t be my last. I love novels that pack in heavy family drama and baggage.

Siblings Eddie and Geraldine have to cope with their sister’s Tara’s release from prison. 18-months has passed since Tara’s incarceration, yet the family never really moved forward with their new normal.

As the Connelly’s story unfolded, I found myself both loving and loathing their character arcs. Mostly because I really wanted their family dynamic to win in the end. As a reader, we see all the POVs, so it’s hard to sit back and let things play out, you know? You want what’s best for the characters and can’t tell them anything … because … um they’re not real people 😆

“The Connelly’s of County Down” is the perfect book for readers looking for an emotionally charged and inspiring story about loyalty, love, and redemption, while focusing on the complexities of sibling relationships and the challenges of starting anew.

"The Connellys of County Down" by Tracey Lange is a poignant exploration of redemption, family bonds, and the complexities of rebuilding one's life after a tumultuous past. This emotionally charged novel earns a solid four stars for its gripping narrative and well-crafted characters.

The story follows Tara Connelly, who, after serving eighteen months on a drug charge, faces the daunting task of starting afresh at the age of thirty. Lange skillfully delves into Tara's struggles as she returns home to her siblings, each dealing with their own challenges. The portrayal of her brother coping with a brain injury and her sister concealing deep secrets adds layers to the narrative, creating a rich tapestry of family dynamics.

The unexpected reemergence of the cop who played a pivotal role in Tara's incarceration introduces an element of suspense and intrigue. The author navigates this complex relationship with finesse, leaving readers guessing about the cop's motives and adding an extra layer of tension to Tara's already complicated life.

Lange excels in capturing the essence of familial love and loyalty, testing the boundaries of these connections in the face of adversity. As Tara strives to rebuild her life and pursue a new career, the novel explores themes of resilience and the possibility of finding love in unexpected places.

The unraveling of the Connellys' secrets serves as a powerful catalyst for self-discovery and growth. The narrative skillfully navigates the characters' journeys as they confront harsh truths and face the consequences of their actions. This adds a layer of authenticity to the story, making it relatable and thought-provoking.

"The Connellys of County Down" is more than a tale of redemption; it's a nuanced exploration of human relationships and the intricate dance between forgiveness and honesty. Lange beautifully captures the pitfalls of shielding loved ones from the truth, making this novel a moving and emotionally resonant read.

In conclusion, Tracey Lange delivers a compelling and emotionally charged narrative in "The Connellys of County Down." This novel is a testament to the strength of familial bonds and the possibility of finding hope and love amidst life's challenges. It's a story that lingers, reminding readers of the power of honesty and the enduring nature of family ties.

I went into this one having NO IDEA what the book was even about...and I was not fully expecting a contemporary tale about a group of siblings learning to navigate life after one of them is released from prison. Each sibling has their fair share of secrets and troubles, and together they learn to trust each other and themselves again.
I really loved experiencing Tara's reentry into the world and her struggles to find a job, romance, and fix her relationships with her siblings. I absolutely LOVED her relationship with her nephew and how that expanded her relationship with her older brother.
Usually character driven stories are not my thing, but I actually really enjoyed reading this one.