What Happened to the McCrays? (add-on) : Discussion Thread

[Trisha]

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.

Full of love and hope, What Happened to the McCrays? takes an intimate look at both sides of a failed marriage and two people who must finally confront the awful pain of their past or risk being consumed by it.

[Trisha]

7 chapters

(view spoiler)[ this one is cute so far
I like Kyle and I like that he's staying - even if he struggles to get along with his dad. but how tough to work with your ex
I wonder why they split

Casey - wow she's taking on so much.

I like her 4 students too. it's a nice addition to the story (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

Through Chapter 15

(view spoiler)[ oh now we know - a suicide attempt. Did Kyle leave because they couldn't cope with the loss of Charlie? that's heartbreaking they couldn't make it through but I understand.

super cute that he's helping with the hockey team. I wonder if he'll stay.

I like Wyatt and how protective he is but he should get to live his life too (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

Through Ch. 23

(view spoiler)[ I agree super cute town and team
while still dealing with some heavy topics

i assume he'll get her to stay once she confesses whatever secret she has (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

I'm done

(view spoiler)[ wow, she almost missed her shot and she almost left
I was really glad she came back. I'm glad Wyatt got honest with her

the story of Charlie was so sad but I love that the team dedicated their win to him
(hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

I forgot about this thread because I didn't have the link for it, so I'm sorry I didn't post here, but I'll add my comments in case others want to join this buddy read here. I'm glad you liked it too and I agree with your very last comment!

[Vicki]

Through Ch. 7 / 26%

I am really enjoying this one. I love the feel of (view spoiler)[ a community that feels like family. Kyle returning after so many years and it looks like mostly, if not entirely, without a word to anyone would be awkward with everybody I would think. Especially his first run in with Casey. I would still be so pissed, but she seems like someone with a good head on her shoulders.

Jake needs to just take a hint...Casey isn't interested in a relationship with him the way he wants one. At the same time he also seems like a decent person, buying the hockey teams the uniforms showed he wasn't vindictive unless he ends up using it somehow to try to get her into bed again and a relationship.

I'm glad that Kyle has decided to stay and coach the kids and with Casey helping him pretty much the entire coaching time (at least for a while) it will give them the opportunity to perhaps reconcile at least a friendship. I'm glad he's also staying to help his dad. Strokes are no joke and Danny seems like he really needs the help. I am also hoping for a reconciliation between them and I think Casey will help them along the way.

The four students who always go to Casey's classroom during lunch just brings back so many memories of my students doing th same. Some to talk about books, others about a boy/girlfriend or parents, others about other teachers they were having issues with, etc. Rosie is an exemplary student and I think putting her in charge of scoring in place of PE was a good solution. Ben, the student that really frustrates teachers...hella smart but sounds like he doesn't apply himself since he was described as "lackluster." LOVE students like Will who are hard workers and obviously want to learn, improve their skills, etc. but just need help with subjects such as reading/writing in his case. And then Logan. His family life is a mess so it looks like he's getting negative attention and ending up in detention perhaps in some ways just to be in Casey's room for the kind of support and encouragement he'd need in order to improve his situation in school and life in general. (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

Through Ch. 14 / 50%

(view spoiler)[What a bunch of little punks who vandalized the toilet place. Kyle is a protector but at the same time, he'd better watch his temper.

I like Mateo. He seems like he was a really good friend to Kyle and was happy to see him when he got back.

This is getting more interesting! What are they all holding back from Kyle? Casey said something if Kyle knew what she'd done. Now Wyatt knows something he won't tell him and so does Danny. I'm very curious what happened! I wonder if it had anything to do with Charlie's death. (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

Through Ch. 23 / 75%

(view spoiler)[I am so into this book, the characters, the community, the hockey team, and Kyle and Casey's relationship. I still want to know why she feels she's totally at fault because I don't think that's really been explained and how did Charlie did?

I'm glad the hockey team won and it was cute how they're trying to get them back together. But Casey is still holding back something. I'm hoping for a HEA. She has to stay too! (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

Finished

(view spoiler)[This story of Casey Kyle and is just so sad and tragic. I can only imagine the pain that losing a child would create and guilt is often one of the results that keep people suffering. I knew they loved each other and was frustrated when I thought it was going to end with them going their own ways, but they belonged together. Thankfully Wyatt knew that keeping the good memories of someone's life is important and I am also sure that Charlie would've wanted that for his parents.

When Casey admitted to him that shed been checking his location daily for all the time he had been gone, I was so touched. I can honestly understand how she could do that and still not be able to admit her feelings or allow herself for so long to be unhappy. That little "piece" of him kept her going, I think. (hide spoiler)]