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Union Street Bakery #2

Sweet Expectations

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Daisy McCrae knows that change can be sudden—and devastating. And while it doesn’t have to be a bad thing, change has the power to turn your whole world upside down....

Running the family bakery and living in the store’s attic might not be Daisy’s dream life, but she’s beginning to understand what being content feels like. And then she gets some unexpected news. In one moment, Daisy’s calm existence turns into chaos. Now she’s struggling to keep it together, especially with renovations at the bakery spiraling out of control.

But when a box of recipes and mementos is found hidden behind a wall in the bakery, Daisy suddenly has something to cling to—a mystery that echoes her own troubles and gives her the opportunity to figure out what she really wants out of life....

345 pages, Paperback

First published November 5, 2013

1233 people are currently reading
5539 people want to read

About the author

Mary Ellen Taylor

16 books1,820 followers
A southerner by birth, Mary Ellen Taylor’s love of her home state of Virginia and its past is evident in her contemporary women's fiction novels, from her first THE UNION STREET BAKERY to her latest, THE WORDS WE WHISPER, which debuts July 20, 2021. Her novels explore issues of family, home and belonging and entwine the past and present.
Richmond born, Mary Ellen has lived there most of her life. Alongside writing, cooking and baking are important creative outlets for Mary Ellen, who's been known to name recipes in honor of her characters. Just a few years ago, she earned her Baking and Pastry Arts Certificate at the University of Richmond's Culinary Arts Program. "In some ways, I liken baking to my efforts as a writer. You need to learn the basic tools of the trade before you can push the limits and create a distinctive sweet dessert or savory novel.”
Mary Ellen is also known nationally as New York Times and USA Today bestselling suspense novelist Mary Burton. Together, they have published forty-five novels, with Mary Burton’s latest, NEAR YOU, debuting April 13, 2021.
When not traveling or holed up writing, she and her husband spend time alternately enjoying their empty nest and spoiling their miniature dachshunds, Buddy, Bella and Tiki.

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5 stars
2,890 (45%)
4 stars
2,359 (37%)
3 stars
922 (14%)
2 stars
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1 star
25 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 347 reviews
Profile Image for Karen.
2,561 reviews1,113 followers
July 25, 2024
Catching up…

As a donation to my Little Free Library Shed, this gave me an opportunity to re-read this series, and bring my review to Goodreads.

This is the second book in the Union Street Bakery series. It is best if you read the first book before reading this one. My review of book #1 is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

In this sequel, readers will find Daisy running the Union Street Bakery so that her father can finally retire. Her sisters are happily involved in the renovation when an old recipe box is discovered behind one of the walls.

So, what will these old recipes bring to the bakery? What is the mystery of Jenna who wrote the recipes? Why isn’t Daisy feeling well? Why is she dreaming about Jenna?

Are we having more ghost visions again?

Will Daisy finally find her happily-ever-after?

With interesting, amplified and fully developed characters, readers should find themselves satisfied with this easy-to-read, comforting sequel.
863 reviews125 followers
September 9, 2017
In a series I have often found that the second book was not quite as good as the first (and then third...). This is not the case with this book. I found the continuation fascinating. Daisy stays quirky and snippy and the whole family holds together.

This book also had history, mystery and a hint of spirits. The story was written that reading was easy as the whole story flows along.

Very much recommended with the hope that a third book in this series comes soon.
Profile Image for SueCanaan.
534 reviews41 followers
October 22, 2023
This is book 2 of a series which was released in 2013 and there were only 2 books total. And it was FREE from Audible. I’m so silly for not identifying those read flags. Book 1 was a 4 star and I plowed right into 2. Then heard book 1 plot points over and over till my head wanted to explode. What was charming about the MC in the first book disappears, and her incessant whining and why me attitude got old fast. Yes, she was abandoned by her mom decades earlier, but then won the lottery in the new family that seamlessly adopted her but she can’t stop woe-is-me’ing. Take an adult pill please.

Profile Image for Judy Collins.
3,174 reviews440 followers
December 16, 2015
SWEET EXPECTATIONS by Mary Ellen Taylor was a charming read – from the inviting front cover (makes you want to curl up with a cup of coffee or tea, grab a bistro table, something sweet, and a good book-for a few relaxing hours), to the ending! –love the new plans for becoming more than just a bakery!

I read the first book in the series (Union Street Bakery) – highly recommend—the book continues with challenges from Daisy’s character-adopted at age 3 by the McCrae’s (owners of the bakery) when she was left by her biological mother --to some new ventures in small town of Alexandria.

In the previous book, Daisy returns home to help with the finances and management of the bakery as her parents have retired –to help her two sisters –Margaret and Rachel. After Daisy’s big finance job in Washington ends and no money – she finds herself 4 months pregnant and single (from a drunken night before she moved back to her roots with a guy who is not father material).

She is getting accustomed to her new simple life full of hard work and upcoming renovations at the bakery, she finds her ex- fiancé’ (Gordon) opens a bike shop down the street, and she has a ghost named Jenna urging her to find her former ex- fiancé and her child who died at birth. The hunt heats up during the renovation when they find a recipe box with scrumptious recipes and dog tags.

Not only was she shell shocked to be living in an attic, doing manual labor, now she finds herself single and pregnant and feels she has lost all hope of getting back together with Gordon.

Rachel, the sister (mother of twins) who lost her husband a year or so ago, experiences growth and confidence with her sister’s guidance-- she has two guys Jean Paul (the new French baker and a finance executive), and of course Margaret the other sister, an archeologist is busy at her digs.

The book was full of humor, romance, history, and mystery. Daisy is slowly finding she likes the bakery, the work, family, and is letting down her guard to show emotions --and excited about researching Jenna’s past (who formerly worked at the bakery years ago). The story intertwines with her own past and present situation. She meets colorful older characters rich in history -in rest homes to connect as she puts the pieces of the puzzle together.

I wanted the book to continue, it is the kind of book you dread ending as you fall in love with the characters in this charming town. I hope Mary Ellen is planning on a third book in the series to keep the characters alive.

Dying to see how the new wine cellar will fare, possibly some cheese and other delectable, and other ways to grow the business; Gordon/Daisy new life, and possibly a romance between Rachel and John Paul (I think he will be a better choice than Simon); however, would be fun to see how it plays out. Maybe there is more about Terry’s past to explore and Daisy’s biological father? Also other plans for the bakery with mail order and other corporate ideas to keep them from working too hard and getting to enjoy some fun R&R! Maybe there is a story of the two teens who now work at the bakery and their mom)…ummmm – worth a few more books….

Love the way the author seamlessly combines the new with the old (past and present) with some interesting generational stories you will want to relive-also some great recipes for the holiday season! Look forward to more from this author- love her writing style!
Profile Image for Cititor Necunoscut.
476 reviews98 followers
June 23, 2021
Partea a doua a povestii a fost mai slaba decat prima, desi misterul pe care Daisy il are de rezolvat iti mentine atentia pe parcursul cartii. Este extrem de previzibila, personajele nu impresioneaza cu mai nimic si ce parea urgent ca Daisy sa descopere nu a dus la nimic extraordinar. Povestea putea foarte bine sa ramana la primul volum scris.
Profile Image for Carolyn.
2,233 reviews
September 14, 2020
This was much better than the first book. Our heroine has grown up considerably in facing a whole new set of challenges. All the loose ends from the first book are tied up nicely. ;)
Profile Image for Ketutar Jensen.
1,082 reviews23 followers
May 19, 2021
I read this book to find out who her father was. I was expecting an exciting cozy mystery about history in small towns. Maybe someone reads an interview with someone who remembers going home with a beautiful dark unknown lady and looking for her the rest of his life, never marrying... or maybe her father would reminiscence... when they found the box in the wall, I was hoping they also found her father. It would have been so perfect. But no.
What I got was a lot of created problems that get magically and conveniently solved. And a lot of beating a dead horse. Lot of repetition. People get offended by nothing and drama queen about it. Lot of imaginary worries. Can she date this guy, will she marry that guy, what about her dead husband? What about her father?
I couldn't identify with anything in this book. Well... I liked Joe. Joe was cool.
Profile Image for Cindy.
429 reviews15 followers
May 21, 2015
I enjoyed this book as much as the first. Sisters working together to solve their problems, not waiting for a rich man to swoop in and bail them out (of course he's really hot). A little bit of the supernatural to make this book different from the other.

I hope Mary Ellen Taylor writes more about the Bakery!
Profile Image for Irene.
833 reviews
July 7, 2020
2.5 stars
As much as I wanted to finish reading about Daisy, this book has been slow going for me. Isn’t holding my attention and I’m skimming. I really wanted to find out who’s box it was they found, and how things played out with Daisy and Gordon. I can’t keep reading a book that I’m skimming or not holding my attention.
Profile Image for Jessie.
9 reviews
July 29, 2021
I read this because I felt invested in the characters after reading the first book. These books have potential but are a real step down from the author's other books. Unfortunately, I feel that there was a total lack of editing. I cringed my way through the bad writing. On the upside, these are the author's earlier books. Thankfully, her editing improved dramatically in her more recent books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Melissa (Distracted by New Grandbaby).
5,101 reviews3,046 followers
August 18, 2013
Slow at first, probably because I didn't read the first book. And it threw me off the random times the author would switch from Daisy's 1st person POV to Rachel's 3rd person POV. But overall, the story is quite touching and moves at a great pace.
3,260 reviews30 followers
August 24, 2017
This is the continuation of the story began in The Union Street Bakery. It continues the story of Daisy who discovers she is pregnant from a stupid one night. Also in this story, Rachel begins to have a life and a story. The book was a quick easy read.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
2,886 reviews6 followers
no-dull-mwh-dmh-tstl-unsafe
September 29, 2020
Didn't finish the first book so won't read this one.
Profile Image for Tanisha.
146 reviews3 followers
May 28, 2025
Books have always been my “happy place.” The genre that I can never get enough of is romance. That being said, I do sometimes read contemporary fiction of the description of the book “hooks me.” As this one did, I was really excited to get a chance to read this book. I did get a little nervous when I saw that this was a second book in a series. I need not have worried, though, as I was able to read this as a standalone.

This book held my attention from the very beginning. I liked how; although the main character was told from a first person perspective, we were still able to get POV from one of the secondary characters.

All in all, I really did enjoy this book. Although this appears to be a reprint, I do hope that we get a story featuring the secondary character whose POV was in this book.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
Profile Image for Tracie George.
43 reviews
June 24, 2025
This was such a feel good story about family dynamics and unexpected, yet treasured bonds. Family is not always traditional and Sweet Expectations definitely shed light on the beauty of love through adoption. I loved the side mystery story as well. Overall, great book!! Fantastic on audio! The r narrator had distinct voices for all characters and brought the sass, warmth and heart to make this an easy listening experience. It’s cozy, it’s charming and will leave you wanting some warm, fresh baked cookies!!

Although this was the 2nd book in a series, can easily be read as a stand alone!

Thank you to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Profile Image for Trio.
3,544 reviews200 followers
June 15, 2025
I didn't read the first book in Mary Ellen Tayor's Union Street Bakery series, but you can bet I'm going to be checking it out. I'm sure it's the sister's story and I want to get all the details of that one. Nevertheless, I had no trouble enjoying Daisy's story in Sweet Expectations.

This is a sweet story with a few really enjoyable twists and turns, I enjoyed the historical mystery aspect which was interesting due to the main character's status as an adopted child.

The audio version of Sweet Expectations is nicely performed by Moniqua Plante.

an audiobook copy of Sweet Expectations was provided by Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio, via NetGalley, for the purpose of my honest review, all opinions are my own
Profile Image for Melina P..
191 reviews2 followers
June 24, 2025
A great follow up book to “The Union Street Bakery”.
I enjoyed reading more about the main characters.
The mystery and intrigue in this book had me gripped from the first chapter. I enjoyed the family drama and banter as well.
I do feel that the book was abruptly ended though. It left me wanting more. I’d love to see a 3rd book!!!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for early access to this re-release.
Profile Image for Maria.
2,823 reviews96 followers
October 22, 2019
The story held my interest and I love that it picked up where the last one left off.

Annoyed by the fact that they make DC seem so far away - it is 20 minutes! People live in Alexandria and work in DC. I get that she was busy with her job but it's not nearly as far as they make it sound.
164 reviews2 followers
April 4, 2021
Mary Ellen Taylor is definitely one of my new favorite authors. As with Karen White and Kristin Hannah and Fredrick Backman and Katherine Center....I will read every book each of them write...they are wonderful authors🤗
119 reviews
October 10, 2023
This is the second book in Taylor's series; however, the first book was not yet available at the time I started readnig. Very real, well thought out characters, a great read.
Profile Image for Hannah Beth (Hannah's Book Cafe).
599 reviews37 followers
July 26, 2023
Once again, just like the first book in the series, I very much enjoyed this book, but it is tainted by language and some sexual innuendos that would have made the story better if they weren't included. If those things weren't in here, I would have rated both of the books 5 stars. I love the historical missing person twist in both stories and also the coziness factor that comes with a story about a bakery.

If you like cozy mystery stories and can look past the things I mentioned before, these are sweet stories with a touch of history that I would recommend.
Profile Image for Lisa.
1,187 reviews2 followers
March 19, 2024
I liked this one better than the first. I do recommend reading the Union Street Bakery first though. Not deep just an easy read.
Profile Image for Sue .
736 reviews34 followers
October 20, 2013

In Sweet Expectations by Mary Ellen Taylor, after a fast paced, financially rewarding career in finance comes to an end, Daisy is back in her hometown, back at the family business. The family bakery is suffering in the economy too, and Daisy is determined to help revive it.

Daisy is in for a lot of surprises in Sweet Expectations...between renovations of the bakery, finding a long lost recipe box and the meaning behind it, and trying to rebuild a relationship with her ex boyfriend Gordon, Daisy doesn't think much else could possibly happen! But it does and Daisy is going to have to deal with not only the expected, but the unexpected. With her entire future completely up in the air, Daisy is going to have to accept what's happening and be strong.

Daisy might come across as a bit rigid at times, but she's soon going to realize life doesn't always go as you planned, and Daisy turns out to be amazingly (although sometimes grudgingly!) flexible.

I loved the surprises and the relationships - both past and present - that Mary Ellen Taylor gives us in Sweet Expectations. You see what you expect isn't always what you'll get...sometimes it's sweeter. Daisy was a fun character who didn't always do what you thought she'd do, she was really fun to read about. She has a lot of depth to her character...and we could really see how long past events affect who she is today.

I don't usually like reading books written in the first person POV, but I found it fascinating and so interesting how Mary Ellen Taylor manages to switch from Daisy's first person POV to her sister Rachel's third person POV so effortlessly! I enjoyed reading Rachel's thoughts and loved following her story too. There are a lot of interesting secondary characters in Sweet Expectations. Jean Paul, the baker, really added a lot of spice to Sweet Expectations and if there is a follow up book I'd love to read more about him! He sounds like someone I wouldn't mind spending more time with!!

After I read Sweet Expectations I found out it is the second book in The Union Street Bakery series. Sweet Expectations can definitely be read as a stand alone book...I'm just hoping there is another one!

I'd recommend Sweet Expectations to any romance reader...it's exciting, funny, romantic and hopeful.
Profile Image for Maria.
2,319 reviews48 followers
June 3, 2015
After the first book in the series, I thought that everything that could go wrong in Daisy's life had already happened, but I would have been wrong. I love the way this series weaves the present day and some part of history into a story and the way Daisy and Margaret and Rachel investigate the past while dealing with their less-than-perfect present. The Union Street Bakery books really make you think, something I can't say about most of what I read these days. What would it be like to not know who your parents are, or even not know who one of your parents is? What would you do if you found yourself having an unexpected baby with the wrong man, especially when there is a "right" man? What would you do if you had lost a great job and had to fall back on something you really hated as a child, just to support yourself and help out a sister? The list goes on and on as the book delivers a one-two punch time after time. I couldn't put it down. Once again, thank you, Jeanne, for bringing these books to my attention, and I am very hopeful that there will be more of them.
79 reviews
February 18, 2024
I just found this series in my audible membership. I enjoyed the 2 books but was hoping for more. I feel there was no closure for any one. Yes Daisy and Gordon ended up together with the baby. But so much was with other characters.

Yes Joey was in his 90’s but did he build some relationships with Walter? Share stories with him?

Who, if either did Rachel end up with? Does she get a second chance of HEA?

Margaret what happens does she get a HEA? Does her job become everything she’s wanted?

Does a relationship ever happen with Terry? Does Daisy meet her 1/2 brothers?

What happened the spirits in the bakery? Daisy saw Suzy as a child and adult. Rachel’s daughters saw Suzy. What happened with Jenna? Maybe I missed something.

There are 2 others books that came out about 9 years later and don’t seem to be with the bakery other than it is in the title reading the blurbs.

Could not give a higher rating as to many loose ends for me.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
1,630 reviews
Read
November 2, 2019
Daisy McCrae knows that change can be sudden—and devastating. And while it doesn’t have to be a bad thing, change has the power to turn your whole world upside down....

Running the family bakery and living in the store’s attic might not be Daisy’s dream life, but she’s beginning to understand what being content feels like. And then she gets some unexpected news. In one moment, Daisy’s calm existence turns into chaos. Now she’s struggling to keep it together, especially with renovations at the bakery spiraling out of control.

But when a box of recipes and mementos is found hidden behind a wall in the bakery, Daisy suddenly has something to cling to—a mystery that echoes her own troubles and gives her the opportunity to figure out what she really wants out of life.

Didn't finish. She's pregnant and eventually marries her former boyfriend, not father of child.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Teipu.
186 reviews9 followers
February 7, 2017
i actually liked this more than the first one, in spite of another ridiculous ghost story that did nothing for the story.
and again I had to skip the dialogues between daisy and gordon. soooo cheesy...

someone really should proof-read this better.
joey states once he is 95, ten pages later (and one day in story time) he is 97.
Jenna states she wrote to her sister in july, her sister later says Jenna wrote to her in october.
and i'm sure there is more of this...
Profile Image for Vonnie Jeffers.
140 reviews15 followers
June 10, 2016
I love when I read a book and I cry at the end because I didn't want it to end. Mary Ellen Taylor is a great storyteller.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 347 reviews

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