Literary fiction is always a hit or miss for me, and as I read this book I feared it would be another miss because we start off slow and confused. Then as we unravel the story it becomes gripping and emotional. This story has two POVs, Kyle and Casey McCray. Kyle left town all of a sudden and Casey stayed in town to pick up the pieces. Kyle comes back to town after two years because his father has a stroke and needs help. The story jumps from the "now"/present to the past, we see where Kyle and Casey first meet and see the significant snap shots of their relationship until we get to the day that Kyle leaves. This story is full of heartbreak and all of the emotions. The main focus here is grief and the loss of a marriage, and a family. It focuses on how these people dealt with their grief and how it affected not only themselves but the people around them. We see the effects of depression and what happens when there isn't communication, especially around mental health. It also has hope, how to move past the grief, and the importance of community. The narrators did a fantastic job with their interpretations and during one of Kyle's scenes I did tear up, I thought I was going to sob like a baby, but I did not. It's a good story, a little slow in places, but very good.

This was great! Family drama will always be a favorite for me. Thank you so much to NetGalley for allowing me to listen before the release!

Title: What Happened to the McCrays?
Author: Tracey Lange
Genre: Contemporary
Rating: 5.00
Pub Date: January 14, 2025

I received complimentary eARC and ALC copies from Celadon Books and Macmillan audio via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted

T H R E E • W O R D S

Messy • Poignant • Sincere

📖 S Y N O P S I S

When Kyle McCray gets word his father has suffered a debilitating stroke, he returns to his hometown of Potsdam, New York, where he doesn’t expect a warm welcome. Kyle left suddenly two and a half years ago, abandoning people who depended on him - his father, his employees, his friends—not to mention Casey, his wife of sixteen years and a beloved teacher in town. He plans to lie low and help his dad recuperate until he can leave again, especially after Casey makes it clear she wants him gone.

The longer he’s home, the more Kyle understands the impact his departure has had on the people he left behind. When he’s presented with an opportunity for redemption as the coach of the floundering middle school hockey team, he begins to find compassion in unexpected places. Kyle even considers staying in Potsdam, but that’s only possible if he and Casey can come to some kind of peace with each other.

💭 T H O U G H T S

Tracey Lange is an auto-read author for me, so it will come as no surprise What Happened to the McCrays? was one of my most anticipated 2025 releases. I've loved her two previous novels, so I certainly had high hopes for this one as well, and it did not disappoint!

This story felt so real - the characters and their relationships were complex and messy, the small town community was entirely plausible, and the emotions made everything relatable. It is a love story, yet it is also so much more. A story of guilt and redemption. A story of marriage and hockey. A story of small towns and found family. A story of grief and hope. I felt Casey and Kyle's pain so intensely, and eventually their hope too. The secondary characters accompany them beautifully in a solid display of community and support. Everyone had their place, even the dog, Star.

Alternating between Kyle and Casey's perspectives, the novel is told through a present day timeline as well as flashbacks to the past. It's this structure which builds an air of mystery and slowly reveals the pain and trauma one layer at a time.

The dual narration by Stephanie Németh-Parker and William DeMeritt brought the entire story to life and made these characters unforgettable. It was a truly immersive experience with so much added emotion.

What Happened to the McCrays? was everything I was hoping it would be! Tracey Lange has delivered yet another phenomenal family drama filled with raw emotion and real characters. It certainly required the tissues. This book was the perfect way to kick of my reading in 2025 and an early contender to appear on my 2025 favourites list. I adore her writing style and will continue to pick up everything she writes!

📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• this author's previous books
• Beartown
• themes of grief

⚠️ CW: medical trauma, medical content, suicide attempt, self-harm, mental illness, depression, blood, injury/injury detail, death, death of parent, child death, partner death, grief, infertility, cursing, bullying, abandonment, pregnancy, divorce, accident, car accident,

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"Thank you for being different."

"But he didn't play for the future, he played for how alive it made him feel in the moment."

"'Sometimes you've taken all the shots you can', he said. 'And then it's time to let someone else carry the puck for awhile.'"

"Pain and happiness weren't mutually exclusive, they could coexist in the same moment, in the same memory."

Tracey Lange’s What Happened to the McCray's  is a solid, well-written family drama that kept me engaged while reading. The characters are relatable, and the themes of loyalty and secrets resonate. However, it didn’t leave a lasting impression on me. While I appreciated the story, it lacked the emotional weight or uniqueness that would make it truly unforgettable. A good read overall, but not one I’ll find myself revisiting. 3 out of 5 stars.

After abruptly leaving his hometown 2 years ago without a word, Kyle McCray returns to help his father recover from a stroke. Kyle left behind his marriage, his father, and his business, so he is nervous to return. Unexpectedly, Kyle becomes the coach of a middle school hockey team which keeps him in town longer than he anticipated. This allows him to reconnect with the people he loves and heal old wounds.

This is a beautiful story about love, loss, grief, and acceptance. Kyle and his ex-wife, Casey, are flawed but so deeply likeable. I love how the story is told from alternating perspectives and timelines. We hear from both Kyle and Casey’s POV, and it starts in the present but goes to the past so we can see how they fell in love and how they broke apart. It’s heartbreaking, but there is also a lot of love and light woven throughout. Trigger warning for suicide, but otherwise I can’t recommend this enough. Thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Tracey Lange for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. Tracey Lange is an auto buy author for me and this book might be my favorite yet. I love a family drama and no one does it better. This book gets al the stars. And the audio was fantastic too.

I absolutely loved WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MCCRAY’S? by Tracey Lange. It’s an emotional, heartfelt story about family, forgiveness, and second chances. Kyle’s journey back to his hometown felt raw and real, and I loved how hockey became a surprising bridge between him and the community he left behind. The dual perspectives gave great insight into both Kyle and Casey’s struggles, making their pain and growth feel authentic. The book tackles tough themes with honesty and hope, and it left me rooting for everyone involved. The narration by Stephanie Németh-Parker and William DeMeritt was fantastic—they brought so much depth and emotion to the characters. Fans of Beartown will find a lot to love here.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

the setup…
Kyle McCray is back in town. He left Potsdam over two years ago and has returned because his father just had a stroke and needs help. Kyle is reluctant to run into the people he left behind, in particular his ex-wife Casey. They were married for sixteen years and he still loves her. But reactions of others are mixed, some unexpectedly really happy to see him and others a little frosty, including Casey. What indeed happened to tear the McCrays apart?

the heart of the story…
It’s unclear initially why Kyle and Casey broke up or why he felt the need to leave town. She’s a middle school teacher and he’s an auto mechanic who owned his own operation there in Potsdam. The story unfolds in multiple timelines from the onset of their relationship through present day. The pacing was wonderful as the insights were well timed as I slowly began to understand the fractures. It was heartbreaking at times, absolutely lovely at others. But it was their reconnection over middle school hockey that brought the serious heart vibes when Kyle came to the rescue of the hapless team (he was a high school hockey star).

the narration…
Stephanie Németh-Parker and William DeMerrit delivered subtle but powerful performances, not getting in front of the eloquence of the words or over dramatizing. It was pretty special.

the bottom line…
This felt like an anatomy of a breakdown of a relationship when tragedy strikes and everything changes. It’s not any one person’s fault, just grief and trauma that create disconnections. There was nothing easy about Kyle’s and Casey’s reunion and I was rooting hard for them. But it was those middle schoolers that stole my heart, (I even enjoyed the hockey!) their innocence providing a balm. Such a painful but lovely story, told with so much authenticity.

Once again, Tracey Lange shows she’s a force to be reckoned with when it comes to family dramas that pack all the feels. What Happened to the McCrays? is a beautifully written, heartbreakingly poignant story of grief, loss, and healing. The relationships between the characters are deftly crafted with care and nuance, and their paths to forgiveness and finding love are fraught with raw, relatable emotion. The sense of community in the small town of Potsdam and surrounding the hockey team adds to the charm of this touching novel. Highly recommended for fans of Lange’s other books and Beartown by Fredrik Backman.

I alternated between the print and audio versions, and you can’t go wrong with either format. Stephanie Nemeth-Parker and William DeMeritt do a masterful job of bringing Casey and Kyle to life, and their narration is so emotionally moving that I found myself tearing up several times.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Celadon Books, and Macmillan Audio for providing me an advance copy of this book.

Dear What Happened to the McCrays,
I just love Tracy Lange's writing. She has a beautiful knack for finding the heart in each of her characters, even after impossible circumstances. The slow and careful way that your story was unraveled had me just needing to know more about what happened between Kyle and Casey. My heart broke over and over for the pain and heartbreak that they both went through. I couldn't imagine trying to survive all of the loss that all of the McCray's have gone through. Everything in their marriage felt inevitable but it didn't make a second of it less sad. I loved you, because you made me feel all the things.

I loved this book! The narrators were spot on, and I ended up listening to this in two days. I enjoy a family drama and stories about reconnecting with old friends/family. Forgiveness is a huge concept in this book, and the depth of the characters still makes me think days later.

I appreciate the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to listen to this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Tracey Lange reigns as the queen of family drama, crafting stories that grab your heart and refuse to let go.

Her characters? Oh, they’re flawed, messy, and so heartbreakingly real, that you’d swear they were sitting right next to you, spilling their secrets.

Love, Loss, and Second Chances

Lange skillfully weaves a story of a fractured marriage, forcing her characters to confront the ghosts of their past in a way that’s both raw and deeply human. From the first page, I needed to know what happened to the McCrays. Why did Kyle leave his wife, Casey, and his small hometown? And what would happen now that he’s returned to care for his father after a debilitating stroke?

At the heart of the story lies the love between Kyle and Casey—a love that you can feel still lingers, despite what drove Kyle away. The way their story unfolds is both heartbreaking and beautiful. Lange peels back their past layer by layer, making you wait (sometimes agonizingly!) for the truth. And when those reveals finally come? They hit with the force of a freight train.

The Layers of Love and Pain

Lange has an incredible ability to convey the weight of everything unsaid—regret, hope, and unspoken love hang in the air making it easy for you to slip into their shoes, and live their pain. You can feel the years of tension between Kyle and Casey, the heartbreak simmering just beneath the surface.

And those quiet moments. They carry so much emotional weight. Lange shines brightest there.

Tough but Tender

There are tough, heartbreaking scenes—ones that could be triggering. The emotions build naturally, pulling you deeper into the story. The balance between raw pain and the deep love shared among the characters is masterful. My heart melted at the love between Kyle and Casy, even as it broke for the pain they endured.

Audiobook vs. eGalley: A Perfect Pair

I was fortunate to experience this story in both audiobook and eGalley formats, and I can wholeheartedly recommend both. The narrators brought so much heart to the audiobook, making it easy to follow and deeply engaging. Their voices added a layer of warmth and authenticity that complemented Lange’s prose perfectly.

Tracey Lange’s writing is a delicate balance of heartbreak and hope, weaving deep emotional truths into every page. What Happened to the McCrays? is a story of love, loss, healing, and redemption that lingers long after the final chapter. It’s tender, raw, and unforgettable—a must-read (and must-listen) for anyone who loves a family drama that feels achingly real.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Celadon Books and NetGalley for the ARC. This was one of my most anticipated books and I loved it.

The audiobook was narrated by Stephanie Németh-Parker and William DeMeritt, who brought such weight + warmth + emotion + vulnerability to Casey & Kyle and to their story.

TRACEY LANGE is an expert at writing family dramas, this time taking us to Potsdam, NY, inside a close community, a failed marriage and middle school hockey team.

Kyle McCray makes the reluctant return to the home he left without even a goodbye over two years ago. HIs father just suffered a debilitating stroke and needs his help. And while Kyle is well aware that he won’t receive a warm welcome, the person he’s most nervous to see is Casey, his wife of sixteen years.

Kyle plans to lie low, help his father and get back out of town as soon as possible. But things don’t go according to plan. And Kyle quickly learns he can’t avoid his past when he’s just walked right back into it.

This is so much emotional weightiness and gravity to this story, which is told in dual perspectives and dual timelines. We see the evolution of Kyle and Casey’s relationship, starting in high school through the moment Kyle leaves. The authenticity of their relationship permeates the pages and their love story managed to break my heart and put it back together.

There is an outstanding cast of supporting characters who help shape this story and while there is weight to the story, there are also moments of levity and tenderness.

It’s an engrossing story. You might want to have the tissue box handy. I’ve been a fan of LANGE since I read her debut WE ARE THE BRENNAS (which I will never stop recommending). PS - Nice to *see* you Mickey Brennan.

Lange writes so well and brings to life emotionally broken characters. This one starts of sad and depressing, and I had to hang in there to 1) find out what DID happen to the McCrays and 2) get to the hopeful parts.

Kyle and Casey were high school sweethearts. Nothing could break them apart. Until years later it did and Kyle drove away and didn't look back.

But now Kyle's dad has had a stroke. And Kyle is back in town and has to face not only Casey, but everyone else in town he walked away from.

You could FEEL the pain that both Casey and Kyle carried with them. And it was heavy. I loved him becoming a part of the junior high hockey team. And seeing he and Casey talk and feel and work though what they probably should have, but absolutely could not, years before.

Casey's brother was also an amazing part of this story!

Narration was wonderfully done and you could feel the emotion!

Thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for an ALC copy.

I enjoyed this book about Kyle and Casey and what kind of things they are going through. We learn that they fell in love young and got married but something happened to tear them about. As the story goes on we learn they had a son and he died and that the grief is still there. I loved how the author writes her characters that they come alive off the people showing emotions like no others.

Kyle left his hometwon 2.5 years ago, abandoning his wife, Casey, his father, and his employees at the car repair shop he owned. When he learns that his father had a stroke, he needs to return home to care for him. While he's home, he's given the opportunity to coach the middle school hockey team and potentially make amends with his friends and family.

I adored this book. I cried some real tears throughout. It was so emotional in the best way. You could tell there were secrets and things that you as the reader were being kept in the dark about but not in a frustrating way. The reveals were well timed. I just wanted to give this book and all the characters and big hug when I was done. Tracey Langes' best book yet. If you like Beartown, I think you'd love this one.

The narrator is fantastic. I would highly recommend the audio.

I'm very thankful to have received an ARC from Netgalley of this book, but please note that my review will not be affected by it.
If you have read Tracey Lange's other books, this will have a similar feel to her other works. Very close knit families, but also very deep conflicts as well.
I listened to the audio book, and I thought both narrators (male and female) did an exceptional job. The inflection they did to show another speaker was great. It was distinct, yet subtle somehow, so as not to distract from the story.
I only have one small piece of critism, which occurs in a double timeline, double pov story---there were sometimes repetitive moments. Some of them made sense. Others seemed as if they could be edited out. (Maybe they will be in the final print?)
There was not exactly a ton of character development, which I love---but rather---character exposure. Lots of layers to uncover. But, I think as I reflect on my reading experience, the title may even hint to that. So, I was wavering between 4 and 5 stars, and still chose to give this book a 5 star review.
Over all, a deeply moving book. A good read that touched my heart and had me caring for all the characters I encountered.

What a book to end the year on!

Thank you so much @celadonbooks and @macmillian.audio for the early reading and listening copies of this stellar book!

Tracey Lange’s ability to depict family dynamics in a relatable and heartfelt way is truly unmatched in my opinion. This story centers around Kyle and Casey McCray and how they navigate love and loss and all the gray in between. There are some tougher topics explored so I would definitely recommend checking out the trigger warnings before reading, but Lange does it in a way that is so….real. This book had me riveted from the start, had me frustrated at times, crying at times, and laughing at times, which is what all families go through.

I really, really enjoyed the dual narration of Stephanie Nemeth-PArker and William DeMeritt. It brought the story to life and there were many times I didn't want to get out of the car because I didn’t want to stop listening.

Highly recommend this one.

Title: What Happened to the McCrays?
By: Tracey Lange
Pub. Date: January 14, 2024

Genre:
Fiction, Contemporary, Women’s Fiction, Family, Drama

Trigger Warnings:
Loss, Grief, Depression, Suicide

Summary:
Kyle married the love of his life, Casey but then tragedy strikes, and his life quickly unravels…he chooses to run away. He can’t handle all his emotions, so he disappears for a few years. Then Kyle receives unexpected news that his father is in the hospital and decides it’s time to make a quick trip home. However, the longer he stays, the more Kyle yearns to repair his relationships and return to the life he once had. Will Kyle find what he is looking for? Or will it be too hard to let go of life’s tragedy?

Review:
Tracey Lange has done it again! Thanks to Netalley, She has quickly become an “Auto Read” for me. This is her third novel and I have thoroughly enjoyed all three. I love Lange’s writing style, she masterfully weaves family relationships by evoking empathy with the reader, and sends the reader on an emotional roller coaster ride! She does not disappoint in her latest novel “What Happened to the McCrays” where Casey and Kyle are deeply woven characters who offer characteristics of love, hope and most importantly forgiveness. You will remember their story long after the last page. I highly recommend this read!

***I was given the opportunity to listen to this book from Macmillan Audio. I started with the physical copy and switched to the audio version. The Narration was excellently done with intonation, and the voices were eloquently spoken to match the discernable voice of the characters. The narrator quickly drew me into the read, and made it very hard for me to turn it off. I listened while we traveled to family over Christmas which worked perfectly for me. I highly recommend the audio version if you prefer it.

Thank you to Tracey Lange, Celadon Books, Macmillan Audio, and Netgalley for the Advanced Readers Copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

#WhatHappenedtotheMcCrays
#TraceyLange
#CeladonBooks
#MacmillanAudio
#reluctantreaderreads
#advancedreadercopies
#NetGalley

Well I definitely understand why this was a lot of people's favorite book last year. While it still technically isn't out yet I was lucky to read an early audio copy and this easily became my new favorite by Tracey Lange too. Told from alternating perspectives and through flashbacks to the past we get to see inside the intimate details of a couple torn apart through the loss of their young son. Incredibly moving and often heartbreaking, this is a beautiful book about loss, love, mental health, second chances and high school sports. Great on audio and highly recommended for fans of authors like Frederik Backman. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

CW: suicide attempt, death of a young child, divorce