I loved Sweet Expectations, even more than the first book in this series.

Daisy McCrea is still running the bakery, but she finds out that the terrible experience with Roger Trayler left her pregnant. At first, she thought that she was sick with the flu but but the tests showed that it had to be that time with Roger. What a mess! Her friendship with Gordon could not take this surprise. But Daisy is determined to be as good a mother as she to her unexpected child.

The Bakery has to have renovations, the brick oven must be repaired and in order for the bakery to make a profit, there is a great need more area to handle the planned catering.

Margret gets the job of her dreams, is going to the new archealogical dig not too far off. Rachel gets really stressed out, Daisy and Rachel have a lot of tourmoil.

Then during the renovacations, a very old recipe box is found and more discoveries are revealed.

A lot of emotion and bonding in this second book and some the passages made me cry. I hope that you will be able to read both exciting books. ( )

This sequel continues the tale of the McCrae family and their family bakery at Union Street in Alexandria, VA.

I really did love the first novel which was told of the point of view from Daisy McCrae, the adopted daughter of the McCrae's who came home to help save her family's bakery. With a ghost (or two) thrown in I thought that the first novel was a winner and was happy to see that a sequel was put out. This sequel still has all three McCrae sisters in it (somewhat) and another ghost story attached.

However, as much as I loved the first novel, I really didn't enjoy this one as much. I think the major problem I had was that I was sure that if there were sequels they would focus on the other two sisters as the main protagonists. I think Ms. Taylor tried to do that with the story shifting between Daisy and Rachel but honestly this was at least 90 percent Daisy's story (see the epilogue) and wish we had gotten to spend more time with Rachel. Margaret barely made an appearance in this one at all and I missed seeing the interaction between the three sisters'. Frankly I think it would have loved this novel if we had only focused on Rachel instead of the snippets we got. I would hope in the third book it shifts to either Rachel or Margaret as the main characters with Daisy more of a background character.

I did love the tale taking place in Alexandria, VA specifically Old Town and hope that Ms. Taylor manages to work that location in more with her novel. Also there are so many other areas in the Virginia area that she can have her characters traveling to with rich histories like Old Town I hope she can manage a way to weave them into her future stories.

I definitely recommend this novel! ( )

I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. This is the first book I've read by Mary Ellen Taylor and I am glad I did. The story is rich with detail of contemporary Old Town Alexandria, VA and its past during WWII. The evocation of time and place is well done and I love Daisy MCrae and her family. Their love and support and squabbles with each other felt real and more developed that I expected, especially once I realized this was the second book in a series. The only thing I didn't like was occasionally the author would change from first to third person and it would take me out of the modern part of the story. After reading this and Union Street Bakery I had to buy them and send them to a friend who used to live in Old Town and left the area over 6 years ago. These books helped us reconnect. Well Done. ( )

Sweet Expectations 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).

As 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, as 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 as love her writing style!
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Sweet Expectations is the sequel to Union Street Bakery. Daisy McCrae, ex-financier has taken on the role of running the bakery so that her father can retire. All of this is established in the first book. This book picks up with Daisy and her sisters renovating the bakery that has been in the family for several generations. The mystery begins when an old recipe box is uncovered during the demolition of a wall in the bakery. Too tired and suffering from what she thinks is the flu, Daisy sets the recipe box aside during the renovations. When she finally picks it up she discovers the recipes of Jenna Davis, a former employee, along with an old photo of the girl standing between two WWII soldiers. Amidst the turmoil of the renovations Daisy finds herself dealing with morning sickness and a quick trip to the doctor confirms the fact. The only problem is that the baby’s father is not her last boyfriend but a one-night stand with an old colleague she considers a jerk. Oh, and then there’s the ghost of Jenna who wants Daisy to find Jenna’s son who was taken away the day after he was born as Jenna died during childbirth.

There’s a lot going on here but all of it is marvelous. Not one dull moment. Yes, there are some things that are repetitious but all in all I found it a very satisfying book. Easy to read and follow, a charming tale overall. I certainly hope the author is working on a third installment as I’m curious to follow the adventures of all the McCrae sisters. ( )