Tracey Lange

I read her first book and even though I liked it well enough, I liked this one even better. I liked the characters better and the plot.

I liked Tara, Eddie, especially 10 year old Conor who was Eddie's son. Geraldine was just so annoying. I really thought she was in her 60s but that didn't fit with their age differences and she was only in her 30s. She acted like an old woman.

I've always been a big reader of dysfunctional families, and this one sort of fits the description. It's not just about families but also the cop who has ties with Tara when he arrested her. It gets more complicated in a personal way too. I like how the ending tied up all the family and the problems.

I have her future book on my to read and hopefully I'll be reading that one too when it comes out in August 2024. I Googled it and this is the plot: “When Kyle McCray gets word his father has suffered a debilitating stroke, he returns to his hometown of Potsdam, New York, even though he doesn't expect a warm reception.”… (altro)

Loved this story---messy family drama at its finest. There is just enough mess to make it fascinating and plenty of family love to round the edges. The novel begins with Sunday Brennan returning home after a five-year absence. As the book progresses, we learn what caused her to leave and whether she can really come back. Along the way Lange introduces us to all the family members in a deep exploration of their decisions, motivations and the consequential impact on others. Some readers had a problem with the ending, but I thought it left enough room for reader interpretation which I always appreciate. I loved Lange’s sophomore novel, The Connellys of County Down, so much and now this one even more. She has definitely become an auto-read author for me.… (altro)

Tara Connelly is being released by prison, having served 18 months on a drug related charge. She managed to get through her sentence by drawing and creating stories for other inmates' children, and her own nephew. She is shocked when Det. Brian Nolan is there, as he helped put her in prison. Brian wants to apologize to her, but can't do it. He feels a connection to Tara, but knows it is a career danger to be involved with an ex-con. Tara is trying to put her life, and her family, back together,. Her brother, Eddie, suffers from a brain injury, and her sister, Geraldine, is a bit neurotic, and a hoarder. All of these lead Tara to make some interesting choices.
This is ultimately a story of love, family, and trust. Tara does everything she can to protect her family, often to her detriment. I liked the relationship between Brian and Tara, and I loved the loyalty Tara had to her family, esp. her nephew, Conor. I enjoyed the parts about her art/drawings, and the partnership with Gordi and Lance, the teens that took a chance on Tara.
Enjoyable read.… (altro)

Book: The Connelly’s of County Down
Author: Tracey Lang
Publisher: Celedon Books
Stars: 4.5/5

The Connelly’s of County Down is a heartwarming story of family, drama and laughter centering around three siblings. I have to admit that I totally enjoyed a book with a family that is much more dysfunctional than mine.

Tara is the youngest. She is returning home after being “gone” in the penitentiary for 18 months to the family home to start life again. At home is her brother Eddie, his son Conor and older sister Geraldine.
Geraldine had been trying to keep things running at the Connelly house while Tara was gone. Geraldine works full time and boy does she have some crazy issues of her own. There there is Eddie who is lucky to be alive from an accident that occurred when he was a teenager which has left him with lasting health issues and PTSD. Lastly, there is Conor, Eddie’s sweet adorable son who just loves everyone and want to be loved back.

The story starts with Tara on her release day from prison. Her sister, Geraldine is suppose to pick her up but ends up not coming. Tara hitches a ride back home with Brian, the detective who arrested her. To make matters worse for her when she arrives home no one is there to great her and the bedroom now has a padlock on it.

The relationships that intertwine with these siblings as they come back together to learn about one another again is fantastic. They start to understand each other but also realize the all of secrets they are carrying. Eventually, secrets come out, relationships are tested but they do triumph and become a family again.
And what about Brian and Tara should they or shouldn’t they have a relationship.

What I really liked about this story is the Connelly’s area family that will do anything for the ones they love. Redemptions occurs, responsibilities are taken, romance happens and forgiveness is obtained. This book was a pleasant surprise and I enjoyed reading/ listening to it.

A big thank you to Netgalley for my Audio ARC, to Celadon Books and to Tracey Lang for writing this sweet book.

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