I received another of her books - After Paris - as a free ARC and ADORED that. So when I saw this was available, too, I knew I had to request it.

Daisy’s story is wonderful. It reminds us of the importance of chosen family, and that the people who we are born to tragically don’t always have the right to be in our lives if their behaviour is damaging.

The cozy hygge of the bakery had me wanting to experiment in the kitchen with my babies.

Also interwoven with historical references to the Underground Railroad and the American slave trade, I love that Mary Ellen’s books are always inclusive and find a way to highlight past atrocities in a compassionate and respectful way.

Whilst some of her other books have romance as one of the main storylines, it wasn’t prevalent in this one. I found this refreshing and instead adored that the focus remained solely on family and friends.

And this story is a beautiful allegory that sometimes chosen family can be the most important.

Once I finished this I immediately checked (and was immensely excited) that NetGalley has the sequel, which I’ve also been approved for and can’t wait to review. A beautiful series peppered with the perfect dose of suspense and mystery.

**Trigger warnings** Sudden death of a family member leaving behind a wife and young children, and abandonment of a child that resulted in a (happy and loving) adoption.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC of The Union Street Bakery by Mary Ellen Taylor!

The Union Street Bakery is one of those quietly powerful reads that hits you right in the feels. Daisy’s life is a total mess—no job, no fiancé, no clue what’s next—so she ends up crashing in the attic above her family’s bakery, feeling like she doesn’t really belong. But then she finds a journal from Susie, a young enslaved girl from the 1800s, and everything changes. The past and present start to blur in the best way, and Daisy’s journey of figuring out who she is (and where she fits) is messy, emotional, and so real. Throw in some family drama, ghostly vibes, and a whole lot of heart, and you’ve got a story that’s as warm and layered as a fresh loaf of bread (get it?). Loved it.

This was a wonderful read indeed, I’ld highly recommend it for cozy mystery lovers!!
Engaging, thrilling and touching plot and characters that will keep you interested throughout reading the book
Full detailed review :
https://www.instagram.com/p/DKe-zs7I2sr/?igsh=N3ltb3gyc2YyNXhy

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

The Union Street Bakery is a heartfelt and emotional story about family, identity, and starting over. I really enjoyed Daisy’s journey, after losing her job and relationship, she returns home to help with her family's bakery. At first, she struggles to fit in, but as she reconnects with her sisters and discovers an old journal written by a girl named Susie, her past starts to come into focus.

The story was fast paced and filled with emotion. I liked the mix of past and present through Susie’s journal, which added a deeper layer to the plot. Some parts, like the ghostly elements, didn’t really work for me and felt a little out of place, but overall, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment.

The characters were bold, the writing was strong, and the message of healing and belonging really stood out.

3.5/5 - rounded up

I enjoyed the writing of this book and will likely look at other books by this author. I don't know if this was the one for me.

I appreciated Daisy's search for her birth mom and feeling like something was missing. I did not quite understand her apparent hostility towards her adoptive family. I understood the history and exploring the generations via a deceased neighbor's attic papers, I did not understand the need for ghosts. They seemed like a pointless feature when there were no other supernatural elements involved. It added a distraction that kept the plot from feeling grounded.

I was happy and fulfilled by the ending, but some of the elements didn't work for me.

Daisy comes home begrudgingly to help run her family's bakery. But as she starts over, she learns more about her family and about herself.
I enjoyed this book. It moves fast and the characters are bright and bold.
I am looking forward to the next book..

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

“The Union Street Bakery” by Mary Ellen Taylor is a heartwarming and deep story.

I liked the dynamics between the characters and the smooth writing style.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the e-ARC.

This story absolutely tugged at my heartstrings in the best way. Daisy’s journey felt so raw and real. The writing is tender and evocative, and the family dynamics are messy but achingly honest. It isn’t just a story about loss or finding yourself; it’s about the messy, beautiful ways we heal, connect, and keep going. I couldn’t help but cheer for Daisy all the way.

The first in the series, this book doesn't disappoint. A charming family tale of Daisy and her family with a bit of supernatural and mystery, along with romance. I couldn't put it down and was ready for the next book.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC

A great book of a family, their love and secrets. It really stuck with me after I finished reading it.

I was given an ARC to give an honest review. These are my words and opinion.

I have a true affection for Mary Ellen Taylor. Her books always capture my heart with their captivating prose and meaningful storylines that are just filled with gut wrenching emotions. This book did not disappoint in that aspect. I was pulled in right away to Daisy's tale and the enigma of her past. Her trauma was raw and palpable; it simply bled from the pages. I really enjoyed the journal entries about Susie and felt that they added an extra layer of mystery to the story. The author wove these two plots together seamlessly, which led to quite a surprising conclusion. I must admit that I had trouble with the family genealogy. It was hard to keep track of who was who and how people were related. The author does provide a family tree at the beginning, but it was not easy to keep flipping back and forth to view this on my Kindle. I was also a little stumped over the paranormal element. While I enjoyed its addition to the story, nothing much ever came of it at the end. I would have liked more of an explanation on that. Hoping that the answer will be provided in the second book. Despite my confusion, I did really enjoy this book. Looking forward to Sweet Expectations. I would definitely recommend.

Thank you to Montlake for granting me a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review!

This book was wonderful! The writing style was very easy to read and was filled with so many plot twist!

I have read a few of the author’s novels before and loved them. Unfortunately, I had to DNF this book as it was very poorly written. I found the writing to be a bit juvenile.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for allowing me to have an advanced reader copy of the book in exchange for my honest review!

really enjoyed this read, the mystery to it with daisy trying to find her birth mother and the twist at the end that ties it all together was absolutely insane. kept me on my toes the whole time

There’s something deeply moving about a story that weaves family, identity, and healing into something so tender and resonant. It’s bittersweet in all the right places, hopeful in a way that doesn’t feel forced, and layered with love for food, family, and rediscovery. I adored every quiet second of it.

3.5⭐️
I found it kinda hard to get into it and at some points it was boring but the writing had me really caring about the story especially about the history whenever that came up I couldn’t put the book down because I just had to know what was what. The characters felt so real with all their struggles and personalities I really felt for them and related.
All in all I would say that this was a really light read with interesting backstories and a pretty interesting plot.

When I picked up this book, I expected a light and heartwarming story, something comforting to curl up with. At first, I was a bit taken aback—the amount of swearing in the beginning threw me off, and I almost put it down. Fortunately, the tone shifted after a while and things became more balanced. That said, there are still some strong language moments throughout, and a few suggestive references here and there—not overly explicit, but definitely noticeable.

Despite that, I found myself really enjoying the book overall. The historical letters woven into the plot were a brilliant touch, adding depth and emotion to the narrative. The setting of the bakery was charming and made everything feel warm and inviting. I’m really glad I decided to stick with it. Now I’m curious to see how the story continues in the next book.

Absolutely lovely book that makes you truly feel you're in the world of the main character. Easy read, but with actual depth - not airy or fluffy. Daisy is likeable and relatable as is in her own story line, but Susie's journal adds another layer of richness to the book. It explores an additional time in history that makes us (and Daisy) understand we really are all connected, even across different centuries and experiences. I loved the historical element and influence.

Mary Ellen Taylor’s The Union Street Bakery is an emotionally rich story about family, identity, and second chances. Daisy McCrae’s life is in shambles, but her unexpected inheritance—the family bakery and a mysterious journal—sets her on a path of discovery and healing. The novel skillfully blends contemporary struggles with historical intrigue, as Daisy uncovers a past intertwined with her own story. Taylor’s writing is warm and engaging, making this a heartfelt read about resilience, belonging, and finding one’s place in the world.