I loved this family drama. The characters are likeable and so well developed. The story is unique and you’ll find yourself rooting for Kyle and Casey. I enjoyed how the story is told from the unique perspectives of the divorced couple. There’s a great small town feeling and the sense of community shines through. The audiobook narration by Stephanie Nemeth-Parker and Williams DeMeritt is excellent.

“After taking time to remember the details, the questions always moved in.”

Who knew a group of (presumably odiferous) middle school hockey players would be a key component to the success of a new novel set in upstate New York. I love family dramas and Tracey Lange has become my go to, auto buy author in this genre. Her artful balance of a believable complex and sad story with just the right amount of levity is a formula not lost on this reader. Building tension toward the big question looming over the entire narrative, “What happened to this family?” are all the characters forced to confront the question of their accountability.

Kyle McCray returns to Potsdam, New York after learning of his father’s stroke and accepts the job of helping him with his rehab. His high school girlfriend/ex wife Casey is still immersed in everything he is connected to there. Profound losses of those who leave and those who are left behind are explained with grace and sensitivity. The questions of what could have been, what is, and how to move forward are addressed in the most human elements of the story. Sadness, introspection, a sweet German shepherd, and just the right dose of humor, made this an overwhelming 5 star read for me.

I highly recommend this title to readers who enjoyed the author’s novel The Connellys of County Down, along with Mercury by Amy Jo Burns and Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane. Narration by Stephanie Németh-Parker and William DeMeritt was perfection!
Many thanks to Celadon Books and Macmillan Audio for the early copy in exchange for my honest review.

Wow, Tracey Lange is an autobuy author for me at this point. She writes poignant stories about families with real problems that completely shatter and emotionally hijack me.

Thank you @celadonbooks for my early copy of @tracey_lange WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MCCRAYS? Publishing Jan 14, 2025.

I have loved every single novel Lange has written and I loved this one as well.

What Happened to the McCrays follows the McCray family (obvs) in a dual-timeline perspective and dual character POVS. These are not easy tasks to accomplish and she does it so well.

The novel starts with Kyle and Casey, divorced and both carrying a heavy, intimate burden. We as readers don’t quite know what literally has “happened to the McCrays” but we walk along side them as they unpack life, young love, marriage, joy and heartache along with their dreams and aspirations. I enjoyed the hockey reprieve in the midst of the mystery and how this becomes a woven theme amidst their pain.

Beautifully, beautifully done, ALL THE STARS, Tracey, what an amazing novel!

There are some specific trigger warnings with this novel that could be upsetting, please reach out if you want to know more before approaching the novel. Mentions of suicide, death of a young child, divorce, mental health.

Tracey does it again! She is so great at making you FEEEEL for her characters. I loved the story being filled with hockey, how close the McCrays were, and the pain/grief we felt for Casey and Kyle. I wish I didn’t read it in two days because I loved it so much and wanted to stay in Potsdam, NY a little longer.

“Sometimes you’ve taken all the shots you can, and then it’s time to let someone else carry the puck for awhile.” 😭😭

Thank you to @macmillan.audio for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review!

A beautifully told, heartbreaking tale of a family trying to survive. Lange brilliantly reveals what’s going on with this broken and suffering family little by little like the slow peeling of an onion, giving little hints of what’s to come along the way. The writing is outstanding. The two narrators do a fantastic job of depicting several characters, making it seem like there’s a whole cast of people reading this. It was so easy to listen to and I listened to it very quickly. This will be a hit with book clubs. For fans of Celeste Ng and Liane Moriarty.