From the NYT bestselling author Tracey Lange comes WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MCCRAYS —a captivating, memorable, and poignant domestic family drama about marriage, loss, love, forgiveness, second chances, and the transformative power of connection if we are willing to risk opening our hearts.

Emotionally riveting and infused with hope, The McCrays is a story of redemption, the importance and resilience of family and community, and some magical help from middle school hockey.

Audiobook...

I enjoyed listening to the audiobook, which I highly recommend, performed by two favorites, William DeMeritt and Stephanie Németh-Parker. They each captured the essence of the characters, the emotions, and the setting. I was hanging on their every word. The moving story is hauntingly beautiful, and the memorable characters will remain with you long after the book ends.

About...

From past to present, Kyle, a mechanic, and Casey, a school teacher, were once high school sweethearts and married for sixteen years. The community embraced them. Their story unfolds in their small hometown of Potsdam, New York, making their experiences and emotions relatable to many readers on their way from tragedy to healing and forgiveness.

Two years earlier, Kyle had left and moved across the country, and the town was upset that he had abandoned his wife, family, and community. In the present, Kyle is called back to care for his father, who has suffered from a stroke. Kyle knows he will be unwelcome and dreads running into Casey, who wants him gone.

But things are not as they appear.

Kyle has not realized the impact of his leaving and those he has left behind. Casey is still a big part of the town and his dad's life, so he will run into her. Then Kyle has a chance for redemption when asked to help out with the middle school's hockey team.

What happened to the McCrays that drove them apart? As we hear from both Kyle and Casey, we learn their innermost fears, trauma, grief, and guilt. Will they communicate and find their way back to one another and face their demons from the past?

My thoughts...

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MCCRAYS is a beautifully written, emotionally charged family drama. It delves into life's messiness, from grief and tragedy to guilt and pain, secrets, and the struggles of loss and shutting out loved ones to protect their hearts.

Ultimately, it is also a story of love, communication, acceptance, relationships, parenthood, hope, letting others help us carry the burden, and, if lucky, a shot at second chances.

As readers, we do not know what tore this couple apart, but we slowly get the answers to the tragedy, breakup, and unraveling as we move along. It affected this couple, their family, and the entire community.

Prepare to have tissues on hand for this heartfelt story that will make you cry and laugh. As the entire community comes together for this couple, you'll witness the power of love and support and adore the students, family, and all the supporting characters.

Profoundly moving novel, the author's writing is compassionate and lyrical and showcases her exceptional storytelling skills with insightful character-driven charm. We see the satisfaction of belonging and feeling needed, the vibrancy of community, and the power of connection.

This is my first book by the author, and I look forward to reading more and her backlist; I have heard so much about it. Her words enfold and draw you deeply into the story and characters you come to root for. Deeply compelling and heartwarming. Enjoy the snow and snuggle with a cozy throw by the fire and a warm beverage for this one!

Recs...

This stunning family drama is for fans of the author and readers who enjoy complex character-driven narratives (diving into their thoughts and actions), a deep exploration of interpersonal dynamics, small towns, their impact, and complex relationships with everyday people and experiences.

Also, for fans of This is Us and readers who enjoy heartfelt stories by Catherine Ryan Hyde, Lisa Scottoline, Liane Moriarty, Kristin Hannah, Suzanne Redfearn, Elizabeth Berg, Ethan Joella, and Fredrik Backman.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio for an advanced listening copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. #MacAudio2024 The audio is a must-listen.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Jan 14, 2025
Jan 2025 Must Read Books
Jan Newsletter

Oh, my heart!

From the very beginning I was fully absorbed. The small town. The hockey team and school. These broken people that became my family.

This was a deeply impactful journey that felt so raw and so real.

Kyle and Casey had the perfect love story. Until they didn’t. Told in dual timelines, the relationship is vividly portrayed. All the complexities. All those nitty gritty details, good and bad. So much love. So much pain. And that title question, “What happened to the McCrays?, ruminated throughout the plotline. How could this happily ever after become so mired in pain?

There’s an emotional gravity to the unpacking of Kyle and Casey’s story as it moved from tragedy to healing, and that amplified the beauty found in their love. I rooted for them. I longed for them to find their way through the grief.

But it’s not all about Kyle and Casey. There is an extraordinary cast of supporting characters. (I adored Wyatt and wanted much more of his story!). Truly, Lange has a knack for creating a community that feels like home.

She also has a knack for writing complex storylines that resonate. Her books make me think and feel. They are packed with humanity, never shying away from the hard parts but also leaving me uplifted and hopeful in the end.

This book is a little different from her other two. There’s no Irish heritage intertwined, which I did miss. And instead of siblings, it’s focused on a marriage. But, make no mistake, Lange continues to be at the top of her game even as she ventures into new territory.

Another 5⭐️ winner. Maybe, dare I say, her best yet?!

🎧 Narrators William DeMerritt and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker breathed life into Kyle and Casey. Their performances well embodied the range of nuanced emotions, from fear to vulnerability to warmth and to tenderness.

Thank you @celadonbooks and @macmillan.audio for the free #gifted copies of this book.

What an emotional ride…this book shattered my heart and then made it whole again. What Happened to the McCrays is raw, emotional, heartbreaking, heartwarming and one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. It’s a beautiful, character driven story about a resilient couple whose marriage couldnt withstand the grief, guilt, and pain from a horrific tragedy. It’s about their close knit community that supports them through the healing process, including a very special middle school youth hockey team. Lange writes about very heavy topics but does it in a sensitive way that makes the reader feel all the many emotions that the characters are experiencing.

I listened to an ALC and the narrators did an impeccable job from start to finish. I wholeheartedly believe that the audiobook helped enhance my overall experience. They were able to portray all the guilt and pain the characters were experiencing which strengthened my connection and empathy for the characters.

This story reminded me of Beartown, one of my top reads last year, in many ways. If you loved Beartown as much as I did, then this is the book for you! I can’t stop thinking about the unforgettable characters and emotional story plot. I can definitely see this book being one of my top reads for 2025. I obviously highly suggest this book, but I also suggest checking the TW before reading.

What Happened to the McCrays?
author: Tracey Lange
narrators: Stephanie Nemeth-Parker, William DeMeritt
Macmillan Audio
Pub date: 01/14/25

Tracey Lange weaves hockey into her new novel, a thoughtfully written, engaging drama of family complications, resilience, and community. The audiobook is outstanding, with compatibility of narrators Parker and Demerritt with plot and characters. What a great duo team these two are in their performances of this book. I liked the pacing, well-matched by the narration, of this dual timeline book, introducing us first to male lead, Kyle McCray as he returns to his hometown of Potsdam, New York from Spokane, Washington to deal with a family emergency. We meet his ex-wife and teacher, Tracy as well, and slowly learn their backgrounds and relationships. Although a complex plot dealing with painful issues, Lange delivers it in a fluid, straightforward way that is suspenseful yet easy to follow.

I enjoyed getting to know each character, and their relationships within their community and families. The hockey component added small town atmosphere and the chance to root for the high school team.

I received an advance listening copy through NetGalley and Macmillan Audio. My review is my own.

#MacmillanAudio #WhatHappenedtotheMcCrays
#TraceyLange #MacAudio2024

I was excited to receive an ALC of "What Happened to the McCrays," especially since I was preparing to lead a book discussion on "The Connellys of County Down" around the same time. Unfortunately, I’ve come to realize that Tracey Lange’s writing might not be the right fit for me. I had a hard time connecting with the characters, and by the end of the novel, their seemingly significant problems didn’t feel like they carried much weight or real consequences.

That said, the themes and conflicts presented in the story are definitely thought-provoking and would make for excellent discussion topics. While this book didn’t fully resonate with me, I can still see its value as a choice for book clubs, where its discussable nature could lead to engaging conversations. However, Stephanie Németh-Parker and William DeMeritt did a terrific job!

Thank you to Tracey Lange, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for sending me the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

When I saw the cover on NetGalley it drew me in and I knew I had to read it before I even read the synopsis, gorgeous cover! This is a great family drama about high school sweethearts Kyle and Casey McCray, Kyle left Potsdam, New York, suddenly 2-1/2 years ago and left behind the people who depended on him, his Dad, and his wife Casey. Going back is tough and there are a lot of demons for him to face. There are so many different issues in this book that Kyle faces. Casey doesn't want him there and the longer he sticks around helping his Dad recover from a stroke the more he realizes what an impact his leaving had on those around him. This was such a great read, broken people trying to deal with the past in a way to move forward. This book was everything I hoped it would be! Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

If you like emotional stories focused on family, relationships, and community, I definitely recommend this one. Tracey Lange has been on my list of authors to read for a while, but this is my first by her, and I didn’t know what I was in for! I loved her writing style, and I found myself completely engrossed in these characters and their lives. I like that it was told with a dual timeline.
I could connect with the characters on some levels, and found them relatable, which really had me hooked. This story took place in Potsdam, a small town in upstate NY, where my husband attended college (he actually shares the same name and age with the main character, too!).

The audiobook was really well done, I loved the narration by Stephanie Németh Parker and William DeMerritt. Their performances were fantastic, I highly recommend listening!

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 ⇣
Small town
Family drama
Grief and trauma
Mental health rep
Hockey
Dual timeline
Dual 3rd person POV

Thank you MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for the gifted audiobook!

The novel begins with Kyle living in Spokane, Washington. He is about to return to his hometown after learning that his father has suffered a stroke. Surprisingly, his greatest concern isn’t caring for his father but the possibility of running into his ex-wife, Casey. Despite having opportunities for new relationships, Casey is unable to move on from her past.

As we read, the narrative unfolds in two timelines: the present, in which Casey and Kyle are divorced, and the past, where we witness the beginning and progression of their relationship. The story develops slowly, and while there are hints about the reasons for their marriage’s downfall, the full explanation isn’t revealed until late in the novel. The reason is tragic.

I listened to the audio version of the novel, and the characterization was well done. This strong characterization may be the main reason I continued with the book. Although the writing was excellent and the plot will likely appeal to many readers, it just wasn’t for me. Themes of family trauma, lack of communication, and misplaced hurt abound, and the pacing is incredibly slow. However, I understand that my experience with the story may not reflect that of most readers.

Tracey Lange is an automatic read author for me. This book, and the narrator, had me hooked from the beginning. Needs a few trigger warnings, but I was sucked in and could not stop listening!

This book had me on an emotional roller coaster the entire time I was reading! I kept wondering how much more could these families and certain character deal with! This author really knows how to show broken, flawed, and real people/families and I absolutely adore it! The characters know they are messy and flawed and at the same time they are still deeply loved and cared about by their families and community. I absolutely loved the upstate NY references and the mention of the Buffalo Bills! GO BILLS!

My favorite part of the audiobook was the characters were very easily recognizable by voice, which can be hard when there are multiple timelines and characters that age over the course of the book!

I definitely would recommend this book to people that love a messy and at times wholesome, close-knit small town domestic drama, that’ll have you wanting to call a loved one and tell them you love them!

⭐️WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MCCRAYS?, out JAN 14th⭐️

Special thanks to @macmillan.audio #MacAudio2024 for the g i f t e d audiobook and @celadonbooks for the review copy of this book!

What Happened to the McCrays is the third book I have read by Tracey Lange and all three have provided big reading wins for me!

This book is the story of Kyle and Casey McCray. They fell in love in high school, got married - then divorced. I think what is so special here is how Lange unfolds for us what happened in their relationship that led to their split and estrangement. She gives us time to guess, set expectations, and then understanding when the timeline of their relationship is revealed. Kyle and Casey are a couple you know that have been through some intense struggles and challenges. At times in their relationship, they avoid those struggles, until they are a great divide between them.

I found that the setting of the book taking place in Potsdam, NY also added to the development of the storyline. Kyle and Casey, and really all the characters within the book, are well developed and believable. That combined with the no nonsense, down to earth reality of upstate NY made for a full circle reading event for me. I also enjoyed the pacing of the book, especially the escalation towards resolution that happened midway through the book.

If you enjoy family dramas that tug on your heartstrings all the while encompassing a sense of community, I would definitely recommend What Happened to the McCrays and all of Tracey Lange's books! If you have the chance to listen to the audio version like I did, I think you will enjoy the narration of Stephanie Nemeth-Parker and William DeMerritt.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the chance to read and review this book before release.

Usually I don’t really jump on a book that everyone is raving about on bookstagram, I find myself being an odd man or girl in this case, out. I tend to get so hyped up by what everyone is saying about it that it never seems to live up to it for me. But I did pick up We Are The Brennan’s by Tracey Lange when it came out and I can honestly say it is one of those books that seemed to be everywhere that worked out for me. So when I was offered a chance to read her latest book ( I’m a little behind on getting reviews out as you can tell ) What Happened To The McCrays I knew I’d enjoy it.

I have always love a good family saga and Tracey Lange knows how to write a good one. You get good drama, characters that pull at your heartstrings, and writing that brings out such emotions.

The narration on the audio was fantastic, with a dual narrative . Both the female and the male drew out feelings with their reading that I never imagined feeling..

I’m not going to go into what the book is about, you can read the summary anywhere, but I highly recommend picking What Happened To The Mc Cary’s up, it’s a wonderful story

Tracey Lange does a wonderful family drama! This one is heavy - serious CWs here - but she is careful with her characters and redeems situations that feel impossible.

Casey and Kyle were high school sweethearts, trauma bonded then and trauma forced them apart later. There’s plenty of hurt and mistakes to go around, but when Kyle comes back home to care for his dad after a stroke, he’s back where he started - across the street from Casey, coaching hockey with Casey, falling all over again for Casey.

I love this. That’s all.

This is a family drama that gradually examines the end of a marriage and its precipitating events. Kyle and Casey grew up as neighbors in Potsdam and have been a couple since high school. She puts her academic ambitions on hold to stay with him, and they eventually build a nice life in town with their son Charlie. When tragedy strikes, things fall apart and they go their separate ways. Kyle returns to take care of his ailing father, and their proximity leads both to reevaluate what happened to them. In the end, I’m mostly confused about why nobody considered grief counseling at any point.
For a pretty standard melodrama, this makes for a reasonably good audiobook. The two narrators give good separation to Kyle and Casey’s perspectives, but don’t overact. The overall tone is something between sadness and resignation, but that seems about right. The flashbacks don’t get confusing because of the helpful “then” headings on those chapters. Solid recording for genre fans.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for access to the ALC.

Tracey Lange's novel is about a couple, Kyle and Casey, who've experienced a devastating loss. Learning to navigate grief proves almost impossible but they try to move forward. They are surrounded by a couple of family members and a few close friends who do what they can to support but ultimately it will be up to Kyle and Casey. I found Lange's characters authentic. It was easy to feel sympathy for them and their family. The story is well developed and made me want to keep reading. However, I also wanted to savor it. This novel will stay with me for a long time. The small, working class town plays a part of the story and there's a rag-tag middle school hockey team in need of a coach and a win or two. The book is told in dual timeline (then and now) which made for a good pace. Narrators Stephanie Németh-Parker and William DeMeritt deliver wonderful performances. They were perfect choices to tell this story and I look forward to listening to them again.

Kyle McCray returns to his home in Potsdam, New York after suddenly leaving two and a half years ago when he gets a call his dad has had a debilitating stroke. He isn't expecting much since he left without as much as a goodbye to his dad, coworkers, friends and his wife Casey. Casey isn't happy to have her estranged husband back in town and living with his dad, which happens to be right next door to their former shared home, where she still lives with her brother Wyatt. Told through alternating view points of Kyle and Casey and in a "now" and "then" format, we gain a history of a couple and what they've gone through over their years together that led them to make the choices they did. What Happened to the McCray's was both a heartbreaking and hopeful story of marriage, loss, redemption, compassion, forgiveness and hope. The audio was excellently done as well!

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙃𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙘𝘾𝙧𝙖𝙮𝙨? is a powerful and emotional story of love, grief, trauma, redemption and the importance of community/friendships.

When Kyle McCray returns to his hometown after news of his father having a stroke, he quickly realizes the effects that his departure several years earlier had on his friends and family, especially Casey — his wife of 16 years. Kyle’s return sparks a new wave of grief and coping with past trauma for those closest to him. What Kyle doesn’t realize is just how much a community can band together to support those who need it. Kyle and Casey share nearly a lifetime of memories, both good and bad and also share in some of the darkest times.

This story had very “𝑩𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒐𝒘𝒏” vibes and I enjoyed every second of it. This typically wouldn’t be a read that I would immediately gravitate towards, but after seeing so many positive reviews, I wanted to give it a shot and I am so glad I did. I enjoyed this one from start to finish and it truly just warmed my heart in the best ways.

Tracey Lange is a new to me author and I didn’t realize she also wrote 𝙒𝙚 𝘼𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙣𝙖𝙣𝙨, which I have been wanting to read for awhile. Safe to say this quickly was bumped up to the top of the list.

I listened to this one on audio and it was really well done. Although written in third person POV there is a dual narration which separates both Kyle and Casey’s POVs. The pace of this story was smooth and the sprinkle of past memories/moments was great, as we really were able to see how their relationship started and how and why they ended up where they did.

Also, bonus points for youth hockey! They are just the sweetest characters.

I feel like I could go on and on about this one, but that would be no fun… because you’ll just need to read it yourself! 10/10 recommend ✨

Thank you @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for the #gifted ALC !

I absolutely love Tracey Lange's writing! She is now 3 for 3 with me and officially an auto buy author! Her characters, her storytelling, and all the emotions they each bring out. What Happened to the McCray's? was exponentially sadder than I was prepared for. Even so, I simply could not put this one down. I wanted to stick it out to witness these characters, grow, and heal, and find whatever their version of happily ever after looks like.

•Small town
•Third person/dual POV
•Past and present timelines
•First love
•Second chance at love
•Complicated family dynamics

4.5 stars

Thank you to Macmillin Audio for advance copy of this beautiful story in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced audio book.

Tracey Lange did complicated family relationships so well in her previous two books and WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MCCRARYS is no exception. Casey and Kyle's love story--and then the tragic loss that pulls them apart--was honest and gut wrenching. While there are clearly plot levers that Lange uses to move her characters around the world of the story, nothing feels artificial. The end also felt well earned and not pandering. This is an author that's going to be an auto-read for me. Can't wait to see what comes next.

What Happened to the McCrarys? is out January 14, 2025

2 and a half years after running away from his life (without saying goodbye to anyone) in the small town that he grew up in, Kyle learns his father has suffered from a stroke and so he returns to the town, to his dad, to his friends and his ex wife. Now home he sees how his actions have affected many, most importantly his ex wife Casey with whom he shared a tragic event. Beloved by the town, Kyle is given a chance to redeem himself, by coaching the youth hockey league. The question is, can he make amends with those most important to him and can he move on from events in the past.

Tracey Lange was already an auto-buy for me but this one clinched it. I adored this one (I've loved all of her books) and I fell in love with many of the characters. This is a story about love, friendship and grief. The alternating timelines and POVs added the extra element needed to truly tell the story of a couple growing up together and coping with love and the new dynamics of their relationship after tragedy. The audiobook narrators were wonderful and got me through a terrible airport experience, and once home I picked up my copy of the novel that Celadon gave me when I attended one of their events. I couldn't put this one down and I was a bit sad when it was over because I had fallen in love with the story and the characters.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ARC to review