"What Happened to the McCrays?" by Tracey Lange is a character-driven family drama that explores what happens in the relationship between a husband and wife as their relationship matures from high school dating to enduring traumatic events as a married couple. The plot focuses around the couple's separation and what happens when they are suddenly brought back together. Like Lange's other books, this one explores the bonds of family and the ties that bind through blood and choice and how characters' emotions shift through trauma and grief.

It's definitely a slower-paced book and can be hard to read at time, particularly for those who have suffered similar life situations as the characters. While I usually try to avoid spoilers, I feel like some readers might appreciate knowing that this book deals with traumatic childbirth and emergency hysterectomy, as well as the death of a child.

I had a hard time with the idea that these characters somehow belonged together because Casey seemed to sacrifice so much for her brother and husband, while her husband, Kyle, is described as feeling relieved that she isn't going to pursue her dreams of attending an ivy league school, can no longer have more children, and isn't pursuing grad school. I ended up feeling angry that just because he didn't have big goals and dreams for himself, he projected that onto the woman that he loved and felt secretly glad that she was living a smaller life for herself than she'd initially dreamed, even though she'd made her peace with that over time and found her purpose in caring for others. The hockey team storyline was also a bit challenging because even though Casey and Kyle work with a full team, focus is only given to a handful of children, who are very invested in their relationship.

It is well-written from an emotional standpoint, and the character development was fantastic. Each character had a distinct voice and web of emotions that was evident in a "show, don't tell" presentation in the plot. The book is structured in a way where we are, essentially, unraveling the threads of what happened to the McCrays over the course of the novel through "now" and "then" flashbacks. That choice made an otherwise somewhat common, though tragic, story play out in a way that was more gripping and able to hold the reader's attention. Had it been told linearly, I'm not sure that I would have been as invested.

I read this book in winter, and it was well-timed, as much of the plot centers around hockey and snowy small-town New York. While not a "feel-good" read by any stretch, "What Happened to the McCrays?" makes for a good winter read. Fans of emotional family drama stories and Lange's previous books will likely enjoy this one as well.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced read.

Genre: Domestic Fiction
Publisher: Celadon Books
Pub. Date: Jan. 14, 2025

This character-driven novel has a gripping, bittersweet storyline that seamlessly blends hockey and domestic drama. You do not need to know anything about the game to follow along. Tracey Lange wrote a good tearjerker, but the overdone bodily images distracted me from the storyline. I read about the husband’s strong, tattooed arms far too often. It’s as if the author wants to emphasize his physical presence—very romance genre-like, which I didn’t think was needed.

The setting is a blue-collar fictitious town with hardworking residents who all appear to wear flannel shirts. You will understand what I mean if you grew up in a similar neighborhood. Lange’s descriptions are good enough to make you believe that she did. In “What Happened To The McCrays?” the author explores love, loss, grief, and regret.

We meet Casey McCray, a popular middle school teacher assisting the boy’s hockey team while the principal hunts for a new coach. We know she’s divorced and hurting, but we don’t know for sure why. Casey’s ex-husband, Kyle McCray, left home or ran away because he did not announce his departure or say goodbye to his father, ex-wife, or friends. The reader is meant to assume this was because of his divorce. Kyle receives a call informing him that his father had a stroke and that he needs to come home to help him. Kyle is worried about how his former neighbors will react to his return.

Lang pulls the reader into both protagonists’ lives, which are filled with so much grief that I felt connected to them and wished them a peaceful future. There is more to their stories, but it would be a spoiler if I explained it. However, I can say that the novel does not read like a romantic tale. I think this novel is in the women’s fiction genre, which I do not usually enjoy. Many others will love “What Happened to the McCrays?”

Thank you to Netgalley, Celandon Publishing for providing me a copy of What Happened to the McCrays by Tracey Lange. I am a fan of this author and read both of her previous books. I think this was the best book that I read of this author. Yes! This book was a slow start but, I am used to this happening with this author. This book is a contemporary book with romance combined. Kyle a highs school hockey star comes back home to help his dad have a stroke. His highs school sweetheart is a teacher in the local school. This book has well loved characters and romantic connections. I was surprised that there was no trigger warnings in this book about the death that occurred.

Tracey Lange never fails to draw me in. She is masterful at writing about family dynamics and is engaging from the get go. This may be my favorite book of hers. I can’t wait to see what she does next

Thank you to Netgalley and Celadon Books for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. This was one of my most anticipated releases of 2025 because I LOVED the author's book We Were the Brennans. This story of a small town divorced couple torn apart by grief and coming back together was emotional but felt too closely cut from the same formula as the author's first book which negatively impacted the reading experience for me. The romance aspects of the book were done well, but I did not feel as invested in the characters as I would have liked. I also appreciated the depictions of grief, but at times they felt unrealistic within the larger plot. This book would be good for those looking for something at the intersection of romance and a family saga, but it fell too flat for me since I had read her previous work that I felt was much stronger.

If you loved her other books, We Are the Brennans and The Connelly’s of County Down, you’ll love this one just as much! I blew through it in a couple days, completely consumed from the first page. Highly recommend! Thank you to @celadon and @netgalley for my copy!

Tracey Lange is fast becoming one of my must read authors. Her ability to immerse her readers in the lives of everyday people and problems in a realistic way makes for enjoyable literary fiction. Her characters are engaging and easy to care for.

Kyle McCray - left the family home over two years previously - feeling everyone would be better off without him. He was misguided, as he left a huge hole in the hearts and minds of his family, co-workers, and friends. Now, Kyle received word that his father has had a stroke. He drops everything and returns to his hometown of Potsdam, in upstate New York where he once owned a garage. Kyle is a talented mechanic. Kyle's new role as 'carer' for his Dad is a challenging one as he and his father have a fractious relationship. They have never really gotten along since Kyle's Mom walked out on the family when his was in eighth grade.

Casey McCray - now divorced from her husband Kyle, has never been the same since the death of her young son. She works as a teacher and volunteers as manager of the school's hockey team. She lives with her disabled brother, Wyatt, who has a successful woodworking business.

"Losing Charlie had created a chasm between them, and it was so dark and so wide and so bottomless they just couldn't reach each other again."

Kyle's father and Casey live across the street from one another. It is a given that once Kyle returns to help his Dad, that he will also run into Casey at one time or another. Their reunion is fraught with nerves and unspoken compassion. It was a uncomfortable experience.

As they gradually become a distant part of each other's lives, the once loving couple have to face some distressful home truths. Both parents blame themselves for what happened to their young son, Charlie. Both live with self-flagellation, grief, and sorrow. Gradually their innermost feelings and secrets are divulged. Their complex and complicated relationship is examined.

Kyle begins to re-connect to his former life in the town by filling in as coach for the middle school's hockey team. He is a natural who played hockey for several years. These young hockey players fill a void in Kyle's life and work as a bridge back to normality.

This well crafted story was told with compassion and empathy. It covers themes of parental grief, community, redemption, and forgiveness.

If you admire character-driven literary fiction with an engaging plot and characters, then you should definitely read Tracey Lange's work.

4.5 stars rounded up

This book resonated with me, not just for its gripping mystery, but for its powerful exploration of grief and the vital role of community in healing. The McCray family's tragedy is heartbreaking, and Lange skillfully peels back the layers of their pain, revealing the isolation and fractured connections that can follow such a devastating loss. What struck me most was how the story highlighted the importance of human connection in navigating grief. It's not just about individual healing, but about the shared experience and the strength found in supporting one another. The characters' journeys, their struggles to rebuild, and their eventual reliance on each other (and even unexpected members of their community) felt incredibly real and moving. Lange's writing is both sensitive and compelling, making this a truly unforgettable read. Highly recommend for anyone who appreciates a story that explores the complexities of family, loss, and the enduring power of community.

Lange writes beautifully about the hardships people face, but really outdid herself with this novel. Over the course of the story we find out what is going on with our estranged couple, Casey and Kyle. It is mysterious then heart wrenching and hopeful. You really don’t need to know anything more. The small town wintery setting of Potsdam, NY is close to home and well done. I loved the sense of community.

Tracey Lange packs an emotional punch with this complicated family story. In the opening chapters, 40-something Kyle McCray returns to his hometown when he learns that his dad has had a stroke. When he returns, he must face his ex-wife and the life he left behind 2 1/2 years ago. He and Casey had been in love since their teen years: what tore them apart? This story is heartbreaking, heartwarming, and ultimately healing. I love the way Lange writes about families.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This is the first book by Tracey Lange that I have read, and it did not disappoint! What happened to the McCray's? is about family, love, and loss, but don't think it's a depressing tear jerker. It's also about hope and redemption. Told between present and past and from the two main characters' perspectives, Kyle and Casey, we learn how they both responded and dealt with a painful failed marriage differently and the guilt that threatens to consume them as they are brought back together when Kyle returns to their small town. Thank you to NetGalley for introducing me to this author, I can't wait to read more of Tracey Lange's books.

Probably closer to 4.5 for me. I really love this author. She writes communities and families in a real way that captures struggle and longing and love. I think my favorite character in this book was Wyatt.
There’s a lot of grief in this - so people may need to be careful about when they read. But there was also healing.

This is the third book I’ve read by Tracey Lange, I loved all of them but this was my favorite. I even cried at point in the story. Kyle and Casey were characters I rooted for. It was an emotional roller coaster of a book. I can’t wait to read what the author writes next!!

What Happened to the McCrays? by Tracey Lange offers a heartfelt exploration of love, loss, and the possibility of redemption. The narrative centers on Kyle McCray’s return to his hometown of Potsdam, New York, after his father’s debilitating stroke, and his subsequent reconnection with his ex-wife, Casey. While the novel delves into the complexities of a failed marriage and the challenges of forgiveness, I found the pacing to be somewhat slow, which affected my overall engagement. Additionally, I struggled to form a deep connection with the characters, as they occasionally felt underdeveloped. The middle school hockey subplot, which had the potential to add depth to the story, seemed somewhat superficial and could have been more fully explored. Despite these critiques, the book provides a poignant look at the resilience of family and the importance of community. Readers who appreciate character-driven narratives and themes of reconciliation may find this novel resonates with them.

Tracey Lange has done it again with a beautifully crafted, emotionally rich story. Told in dual timelines, this book hooked me early on with its layered storytelling and kept me turning the pages. Kyle’s return to his hometown after his father’s stroke forces him to confront unresolved feelings for his ex-wife, Casey. As secrets from the past unravel, the emotional tension builds, leaving my heart aching for both characters.

Tracey Lange’s gift for writing complex, relatable relationships truly shines in this novel. It’s heartfelt, raw, and one of my favorite reads of 2025 so far. Highly recommended!

Tracey Lange does it again! Her talent for crafting emotionally rich, character-driven stories shines in this book. Thank you, Celadon Books, for providing me with an ARC. Before I was approved, I couldn’t wait—I broke down and ordered a copy through BOTM because I loved her last book so much. This one did not disappoint and is already one of my favorite reads of 2025.

Kyle is forced to return to his hometown of Potsdam after his father suffers a stroke. The story unfolds over two timelines—past and present. From the start, we know Kyle left town under complicated circumstances. He used to be married to Casey, and though he’s tried to leave that life behind, it’s clear his feelings for her are far from resolved.

Tracey Lange’s writing is so compelling and layered that I was hooked from the very beginning. She has a gift for building tension and weaving emotional depth into every page. I found myself desperate to uncover why Kyle left and what caused the tension between him and Casey. As the story unfolded, my heart ached for both of them. By the end, I was completely gutted in the best way—feeling deeply connected to their journey.
Lange is a master at capturing the messy, beautiful complexity of human relationships, and this story is a perfect example of that talent. I can’t wait to see what she writes next!

This book caught me entirely by surprise. I've seen this author before on social media and I'm kicking myself for not reading her work sooner. I thought this book was fantastic. It was a beautiful character study with focus on family, grief and loss and a lot of introspection into difficult topics. I laughed and cried. When a book can bring on so many emotions, it's a hit for me!

"What Happened to the McCrays?" arrived in my life at the perfect moment. As I navigate my own grief over losing a loved one, this poignant story has helped me process my emotions and find solace.
This story is a masterful blend of heart-wrenching sadness, thought-provoking introspection, and uplifting themes of love, kindness, forgiveness, and gratitude.

Kyle and Casey's love story is beautifully tragic, yet authentic and relatable. The author tackles real-life tragedy, challenges, and hardships with sensitivity and realism. While the story is undoubtedly sad at times, it's also a powerful exploration of the human experience. I’m thankful for the HEA.

This book was a 5-star read for me, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a moving and emotional story that will linger long after the final page is turned.

Tracey Lange, author most recently of the enjoyable "We Are the Brennans" delivers another family saga with "What Happened to the McCrays?" which should more than satisfy fans of her previous books. A dual timeline "now and then" story told from the alternating perspectives of divorced spouses Kyle and Casey McCray, the novel starts in the present with a precipitating family crisis--Kyle's father's stroke, which necessitates his return to the hometown he abruptly left behind two and a half years ago--and gradually uses the "then" chapters to fill in the story of how this seemingly perfect couple came to be so estranged. It would do the book a disservice to reveal anything more, but suffice it to say that "What Happened to the McCrays" packs an emotional gut punch and kept me fully engaged with both the characters and their story. Thank you to NetGalley and to Celadon Books for providing me with an ARC of this title in return for my honest review. Recommended.

** I interviewed Ms. Lange for a podcast, which will air in March, and will sound similar to what you read below. This is currently posted on my website, but will be posted on instagram the same day the podcast episode releases (I will email Ms. Lange the podcast info). Ms. Lange was incredibly gracious to speak to me and I deeply appreciate it **

Processing Emotions Rather Than Externalizing Aggression and What Happened to the McCrays by Tracey Lange

Kyle McCray had a rocky adolescence. His parents’ story began with an unlikely romance: his mom, a college student, met his dad, a local firefighter. She had never imagined staying in a small college town, but after discovering she was pregnant, she sacrificed her dreams and gave the family a chance. It didn’t stick. When Kyle was eleven, his mom left, and their relationship diminished to occasional visits.

Kyle’s dad didn’t handle the divorce well. To the community, he was a hero fireman. But, at home, he was moody and emotionally unavailable. Kyle, in exceptional pain, had no one to talk to about his feelings and lacked healthy examples for working through complex emotions.

To externalize his pain, Kyle got in fights. Luckily, a perceptive coach noticed this trend and drafted Kyle into the local Hockey team, figuring he could express his aggression on the ice. Playing hockey, Kyle found a healthy physical outlet for his anger and learned about teamwork, trust, and adaptive ways to manage emotions.

Big feelings can seem overwhelming and explosive if they aren’t addressed constructively. Lacking a safe space and method to process emotions and healthy coping skills, people sometimes resort to harmful ways of externalizing their pain.

Here are tools to find healthy outlets for healthily processing emotions and avoiding the unhealthy path of externalizing pain through aggression.

Face the Underlying Feeling: Try conversation, traditional journaling, or journaling in apps like How We Feel. Also, connect with people who make you feel safe about your feelings, their causes, and how and where you experience emotions in your body.

Give Yourself a Healthy Emotional Release: Go for a run, play hockey, punch a heavy bag or a pillow, dance it out, or have a big cry. Try layering these emotional releases together if one isn’t enough.

Parents Can Model Desired Behaviors: Parents who notice these externalizing behaviors in their kids can teach by example by verbalizing when they are feeling emotionally flooded, what is causing these feelings, and the healthy emotional release(s) they choose to try.