I forgot to post about reading this eARC/eBOOK because I got a last-minute approval through NetGalley!!! I posted that I was reading it on Instagram, but missed posting here. I actually read this book off and on today in about twelve hours - it had me hooked.
Unfortunately, the Eaton and Palisades fires are making me scatterbrained. To compensate for that and forget about the devastation, I am reading, reading, reading.
OVERVIEW
This was an amazing book about a devastated and damaged family. The McCrays and the Higgins were families that lived next to each other and united when there was a marriage involving both families. The book covered so much such as love, loss, tragedy, grief, renewal, friendship, and family.
The dual timelines were divided into "Then/Now" with no specific time frame so you focused on the storyline and the characters. This novel occurred primarily in Upstate New York over 25 years.
I have read all three novels by Tracey Lange and this is the best way so far!! Please write more books, Tracey!
TRIGGER WARNING: Death by suicide attempt, loss of a child and parents, and divorce
OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars
Writing: 5.0 stars
The writing, as always, was detailed, beautiful, and descriptive. Tracey really knows how to write about families. Especially nitty-gritty, down-and-dirty, and not-perfect families - real families.
Character development: 5.0 stars
The main characters are Kyle (husband) and Casey (wife) who suffer continual losses from their childhoods into adulthood. These two characters are fully fleshed out to perfection.
The secondary characters are Wyatt (Casey's brother) and Danny (Kyle's father) who have to watch the couple's dysfunction without getting sucked into it all. They both are very fascinating characters.
The tertiary characters are the U14 kids' hockey team, Kyle and Casey's friends and co-workers, and the people and town of Potsdam, New York.
As is true for most novels, this contemporary fiction had many characters to round out the storyline.
Storyline: 5.0 stars
The "Then" part of the storyline is about Kyle and Casey dating, marrying, parenting, and divorcing. The "Now" part of the storyline is about Kyle returning to his hometown after being gone for 2 1/2 years. It is the reconciliation of relationships and growing as individuals.
The main location was Potsdam, New York.
Memorable/Informative: 5.0 stars
As someone who lost someone dear to me who died by suicide, the attempted suicide in this novel hit home. I have always thought, "What if?". This novel helped me understand that I have to move past the grief and not focus on how the individual who passed died, but rather how they lived. This was powerful!
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Very pretty!!
Book title: 5.0 stars
Perfect.
HIGHLY recommend
BOOK INFORMATION
NetGalley ARC (eARC/ebook)
What Happened to the McCrays? by Tracey Lange
320 pages
Celadon Books
Release date of 1/14/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
