What Happened to the McCrays? was a super interesting read. I loved the character study and the writing felt propulsive. I'd read more from the author.

I absolutely loved this story. My heart aches for these characters and they have stuck with me long after I finished this book. I have a 10 year old boy, so this hit differently....but I loved it so much. Can't recommend this enough.

Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 / 5

This was such an emotional story. Packed with family drama, romance, and unforgettable friendships, it delivered layers of emotion I didn’t anticipate.

From the start, we sense that something devastating happened in Kyle McCray’s past—something that makes returning to his hometown unbearable. He’s forced back after his father suffers a stroke, while his ex-wife, Casey, dreads his arrival for reasons that slowly come to light. It’s clear they still love each other, but we’re left wondering: What happened to the McCrays?

Told through dual timelines, the story slowly unravels Kyle and Casey’s love story, building a quiet suspense around the moment everything fell apart. When the truth is finally revealed, it’s heartbreaking. My heart ached repeatedly—especially for Casey, who carried unimaginable grief and guilt for years.

The characters feel achingly real—flawed, vulnerable, and doing their best. The sibling bond between Casey and Wyatt stole my heart. Their quiet sacrifices and unwavering support for each other were some of the most moving moments in the book. The friendships, too, are beautifully written—genuine, messy, and rooted in care.

This is a poignant, heart-aching, and ultimately hopeful novel about family, forgiveness, and the long shadow of trauma. It explores how past pain shapes us, and how second chances don’t erase wounds, but sometimes help us begin to heal.

Loved, loved, loved this. Can’t wait to dive into more of Tracey Lange’s work.

Thank you to Celadon Books for the gifted ARC via NetGalley.

#WhatHappenedToTheMcCrays #TraceyLange #CeladonReads #FamilyDrama #SecondChances

I read this book a while ago, but as I sit down to write my review, the first thing I'm reminded of is how real and authentic the characters and their emotions felt.

After going through something devastating, Kyle flees his hometown of Potsdam, New York and moves all the way across the country. But when he gets news that his father has suffered a stroke, he decides to return and is forced to confront everything he left behind. While the plot itself is quite simple and isn't entirely new - two people that love each other struggling to get past their shared trauma - the strength of this book is in its execution. Every character, including the supporting ones, feel fully realized, and the journey of their growth and healing is captured with the right amount of sensitivity.

If I had to compare this book to a movie, 'Marriage Story' comes to mind. It’s slow and yet intentional. It explores the love, loss and painful complexities of a relationship with raw honesty.

This was a good family drama that Tracey Lange is known for. I'm glad I read it, but not a favorite of the year.

Emotional story of a couple trying to cope with the end of their marriage and the tragedy that precipitated it. The author did a good job portraying the sense of community in the small upstate New York setting. Both of the main characters were flawed and so enveloped in their victim hood that it was at times, difficult to sympathize with them but ultimately it didn't detract from the story

Everyone was raving about What Happened to the McCrays and it totally delivered. It’s a heartfelt story about family and healing with plenty of messy drama that pulled me right in. Seriously, I couldn’t put it down and it's definitely one of those reads you’ll think about for a while.

This was such a beautifully crafted and emotional read.

The book is a masterful storytelling model. It shows us pieces of the past, including how Kyle and Casey fell in love, married, and built a life in town. We learn how Kyle takes care of the people he loves, and Casey internalizes her feelings. We learned what tore Kyle and Casey apart. This author write about family and relationships in an authentic and compelling way.

Presented from the perspectives of Kyle and Casey, the narrative allows us to understand our main characters and their innermost thoughts and emotions in great depth and you cannot help but feel invested in their journeys – both as individuals and as a couple. The secondary characters are also well-developed and each of them has a significant role to play, including Star, the family dog whose reactions to Kyle and the shifting dynamics within the family are sensitively depicted.

Definitely recommended for those who enjoy character-driven fiction.

I loved this book from the very first pages. It is an emotional story about family: drama and grief. I love how this author can bring us characters that you can so deeply connect to, and I love how her storytelling brings to you all the emotions and feelings that attach you to the story. This story grabs your heart and doesn't let go. I highly recommend and will look to read all and anything Tracey Lange writes! Thank you Net Galley for allowing me the opportunity to read this beautiful book!

What Happened to the MacCrays is a solid family drama with a touch of mystery—perfect for a weekend read when you want something that keeps you mildly curious but doesn’t demand too much brainpower. The writing flows well, and the premise has that “small-town secrets” vibe that makes you want to keep turning pages.

The characters are interesting enough, though not especially memorable. There are emotional moments and some nice reflections on family, guilt, and forgiveness, but it all felt a bit surface-level. I kept waiting for a twist or a deeper payoff that never quite came.

It’s not bad at all—just not particularly gripping or unique. Think of it like a decent Netflix drama: enjoyable while it lasts, but you’ll probably forget most of it a week later.

If you like quiet, character-driven stories with a light touch of suspense, this one’s worth picking up. Just manage your expectations.

I had high expectations for this one and it was good but not great. It kept me engaged but it was missing something.

Kyle McCray is off to his hometown after his father has a terrible stroke. He has been away from his hometown for two years. He left in a hurry and didn’t look back. Those he left behind are still bitter and he knows he will have more to contend with than his ailing father. His ex-wife is still there; the one he left as he went on with his life somewhere else.

Once there, he realizes fairly quickly how much of an impact it made on those he left behind. He, among others, begin to deal with the emotional aspects of life and love and all things in between. I found myself supporting him even though I didn’t want to at times; other times I did!

The characters are very well done! This is my first book by Lange and I will definitely read more! Characters are very important to me when I am objectively analyzing a book. Whether I like them or not, they have to be characters I get to know. This is accomplished with this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the ARC of this one.

I really enjoyed this book as I enjoy Tracey Lange books. I hope they keep coming! One of my favorite new authors.

Tracey Lange has done it again - and this time, she made me sob not once, not twice, but three times. There’s something about the way she writes that just gets me, every time. Her characters are never tidy, never easy, but always deeply human.

In What Happened to the McCrays?, Lange dives headfirst into themes of grief, second chances, and the complicated knots of family loyalty. The emotional landscape is raw and real. These characters mess up, sometimes badly, but you root for them anyway. You have to. Because under all the pain and dysfunction is a fierce, undeniable love.

There’s a particular beauty in the way Lange writes connection - between spouses, siblings, parents and children, old friends - with all its jagged edges and grace. This story aches, but it also heals. It reminds you that sometimes the most broken people are the ones most worth holding on to.
If you love emotionally resonant stories about flawed people trying their best to find their way back to each other, this one will stay with you. Just keep tissues nearby.

Thank you to Netgalley and Celadon for the advance copy. All opinions are entirely my own.

Need a family drama to get lost in this weekend? This is the one.

After two years of estrangement, Kyle McCray returns home when his father falls ill — and finds himself face-to-face with Casey, the woman he left behind and never truly stopped loving.

Their story is full of history, heartache, and deep love. I was completely drawn in by the emotion they both carried — and yes, this book brought me to tears more than once.

Beautifully written and deeply moving, this is a story about love, loss, and whether second chances are ever really possible.

What Happened to the McCrays is a rare gem that brought me to tears. The characters are so richly developed that their emotions practically leap off the pages. The love, pain, and heartache are written with such depth and authenticity that you can't help but feel and relate to their journey. Despite the emotional rollercoaster, the author masterfully weaves in moments of humor and lightheartedness, making it a well rounded and compelling read. Highly recommended.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love all the books from this author but I am sad to say this new one is not for me. I used to enjoy weird family dynamics that make me feel like a nosy neighbor watching in clear front row seating of all the drama going on next door. However, this seem to be the only style that Tracey Lange has and very similar to the last two books I have read from her. I just feel that I needed a little change and some spark. It was good enough to finish but I did not end up loving it.

This family had my heart! You will fall in love with these relatable characters, Kyle and Casey, as they struggle to connect after what they have been through. There is love, tragedy, pain, grief, struggle, hockey, hope, forgiveness and healing. There are little hints as you read that keep you turning pages, it is beautifully written. Check for TWs.

If you loved We Are The Brennans and The Connollys of County Down, you will love What Happened To The McCrays? Thank you Celadon Books and Tracey Lange for the gifted eARC!!

OH MY GOODNESSS!!!!!!!!

This book was absolutely phenomenal!!! I have become such a huge fan of Tracey Lange. Her books are so well developed and you feel everything in her books!

Lange knocked it out of the park with this family drama!!! Such a beautiful and emotionally crafted novel. This book of course brought some emotions and got some tears!!

This is definitely one that I'll be adding to my top 2025 reads.

All the stars!!

5/5 stars

Two and a half years ago, Kyle McCray left his hometown of Potsdam, New York, leaving everyone he loved behind. He finds himself brought back after his father suffered a stroke. He knows this is going to be a tough trip and doesn’t expect any warm welcomes, especially from his ex-wife Casey. He plans to keep his focus on helping his father and the date he can leave town again. However, life has other plans and as he reconnects with each person, he learns how his quick departure years ago has affected everyone. The plans to leave take a back seat when he slowly begins to integrate back into Potsdam life. Kyle considers staying but must be able to face the past with Casey and make sure it doesn’t continue to consume their entire lives.

There wasn’t a character that I didn’t like and thought could be written out. Everyone played a perfect part and brought everything to the story. This was such a perfect family drama. It rips you apart and puts you back together again. This author is one of a kind at the storytelling and giving everyone a voice.