Book Review: What Happened to the McCrays? by Tracey Lange – A Powerful Story of Love and Redemption @tracey_lange @MacmillanAudio

What Happened to the McCrays? is an unforgettable story about the power of love and resilience, as a couple reckons with their past and considers whether they can rebuild their future.

Summary:

What Happened to the McCrays?, is a poignant tale of family resilience, community, and redemption set against the backdrop of middle school hockey. When Kyle McCray returns to his hometown of Potsdam, New York, after his father suffers a debilitating stroke, he faces the fallout of his abrupt departure two and a half years earlier, which left his wife, Casey, and others reeling. While planning to keep his visit brief, Kyle is drawn into the community through coaching a struggling hockey team, where he begins to rebuild trust and confront the impact of his actions. As Kyle and Casey navigate the pain of their failed marriage, they must decide if forgiveness and a second chance are possible. Full of love, hope, and second chances, this story explores the power of confronting the past and the possibility of healing.

My Thoughts:

Tracey Lange delivers a deeply moving story about love, grief, and second chances in What Happened to the McCrays. With its dual timeline structure and alternating perspectives, the novel explores the devastating moment that shattered Kyle and Casey’s marriage and the lasting effects of that day on both of them.

When Kyle McCray returns to his hometown of Potsdam, New York, after his father suffers a stroke, he knows he won’t receive a warm welcome. He left abruptly two and a half years earlier, abandoning not only his father and friends but also Casey, his wife of sixteen years. His plan is simple – help his dad recover and leave again. But Casey makes it clear she doesn’t want him there, and the weight of his past choices quickly becomes impossible to ignore.

Lange does a fantastic job of immersing the reader in both Kyle and Casey’s emotions. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that neither of them truly moved on, and the unresolved pain between them creates a powerful push-and-pull dynamic. Casey, having remained close with Kyle’s father in his absence, is forced to confront what Kyle’s return means for her future. Meanwhile, Kyle’s decision to coach the struggling middle school hockey team stirs up memories of his past and offers him an unexpected chance at redemption.

I was completely invested in these characters – not just as individuals but as a couple. The way Lange unpacks their pain and lingering connection is both heartbreaking and hopeful. The dual timeline structure works beautifully, gradually revealing the full impact of their shared tragedy and how they each coped in their own way.

The Narration:

I thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook, narrated by Stephanie Nemeth-Parker and William DeMeritt. Their performances felt natural and helped me immerse myself in this already amazing book, bringing even more depth to the emotions of the story.

Final Thoughts:

This is a story that lingers long after the final page. With its raw emotional depth and themes of forgiveness, resilience, and love, What Happened to the McCrays is a novel I won’t soon forget.

Another Book I’ve Reviewed Written by Tracey Lange:

The Connellys of County Down