I was unable to finish listening to this audiobook before it moved to the archive. I will be purchasing it, however, as I really enjoyed the first book in the series.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

I enjoyed this book very much. The family dynamics, the love, how they always back each other up no matter what and of course, all the talk of cookies and bread! It is the second in a series and I definitely found it helpful that I’d listened to the first. I liked revisiting these characters and following their growth and life experiences. They’re all dealing with real issues and not glossing over them in a paragraph. It’s smart, funny, emotional, and doesn't gloss over things along the way. All wrapped up beautifully, but I’d love a third one, maybe a few years down the road. I adore this author!

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!

Sweet Expectations serves up a cozy blend of family drama, baked goods, and second chances, but the story moved at such a gentle pace, it was hard to stay fully engaged. The characters were likable enough, and the themes of healing and starting over were heartfelt, but it all felt a little too safe and predictable. I wanted a bit more spark, both emotionally and plot-wise. That said, it’s a warm, easy read if you’re in the mood for something low-stakes and comforting.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 stars
Rated PG for mild language and emotional themes.

I received the arc for the 1st book in this series call the Union Street Bakery. So when I saw this was available I jumped at the chance to be able to continue reading about this family and their bakery. This book Sweet expectations was just as good as the 1st book.
Sister's trying to make a go of their parents bakery so the parents can retire. Fun stories from each of the sisters as well as how they are coping made this book very enjoyable. Not to mention someone trying to find their birth father. A little bit of mystery.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for both the book and audiobook arc.

After finishing Sweet Expectations I realised this was the second book in a series, however to me it read well as a standalone.
The story was engaging with a touch of ghostly visits, mystery, romance, family saga and historical fiction. Told via the pov of Daisy (and to a lesser extent her sister) this was an enjoyable audiobook that held my interest throughout and I look forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you to Netgalley and BrillianceAudio for the audiobook arc for review.

So this book has been published for years and you have to read the first one to understand what is even going on.

It’s a good book however half way though I was bored but still a nice finish.

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.

I just finished listening to a good audiobook. Sweet Expectations by Mary Ellen Taylor is available soon. Check it out.

*This review is for the revised 2025 edition of the book.*

Daisy was abandoned at Old Town Alexandria's Union Street Bakery when she was 3 years old and adopted by the McCrae family (who own the bakery) soon after. Now she is 34, single, unexpectedly pregnant, and trying to save the family business. During some renovations to the bakery, Daisy and her sisters find an old recipe box and decide to look into the legacy of the woman who owned it.

Look, I'm gonna disclose a minor bias before I start: I am a Virginia girl. A book set in Virginia that uses actual Virginia geography automatically gets some lenience from me.

This book is quintessential Women's Fiction from the 2010s. The story is largely about an adoptee with severe abandonment issues who is processing what pregnancy and parenthood will look like. She doesn't know who her own biological father is and does not expect that the biodad of the child she's carrying will wish to be involved. Additionally, growing up in the bakery with parents who have to live on Baker's Hours and Baker's Profits created a strain she is worried about with her own child, especially seeing the toll it has taken on her sister Rachel. Chasing down the history of the woman behind the recipe box provides a small amount of escape through which Daisy ends up processing the challenges in her life. There is also a subplot of Rachel coming to terms with her husband's death the year before, running the bakery after the retirement of the McCrae parents, and considering dating again while raising twin kindergartners. For what this is, it's a pretty good book. There's a good mix of predictability and unpredictability to the plot that kept me guessing. I grew to like Daisy, Margaret, Rachel, and Jenna quite a bit.

The problem is that Daisy has the WORST taste in men. Baby's biodad is a complete douchenozzle and her love interest is not much better. I'm being forgiving in scoring this book because that man is not father material and I would rather Daisy end up single.

I will commend the book for being perfectly readable without having read the first book in the series. It truly can stand alone.

The audiobook is solid. It's basically exactly what an audiobook should be. The voice acting is just unobtrusive and lets the story shine.

I received this audiobook through NetGalley as an ARC/ALC. Opinions are my own; many thanks to BrillianceAudio for the read.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me audio version. This book was absolutely amazing. I love it so much I could not put it down. I read it in less than a day. I did not know this was part of a series but I feel like it is not a big deal if you read out of order.
I was drawn to all the characters and I loved the sisters loving friendship with each other. there is a little bit of a mystery in the novel that I really enjoyed. I would read from this author again.

This was a really cozy lighthearted listen with great attention to detail in the writing style it flowed so well and was narrated beautifully.

The synopsis is written perfectly as it doesn’t give away the depth of the story so I won’t give away any spoilers here but simply all but 1 character really are loveable and the one who isn’t well that’s done with reason! So much is packed into this from the synopsis I wasn’t sure how much story could be written but I was pleasantly surprised.

Daisy and her sister Rachel renovate the bakery with some mishaps along the way and not without both going through their own journey of grief and joy in which they share together. A story of love; hope, family, and so much more.

With thanks and gratitude to NetGalley & Brilliance Publishing for the opportunity to listen to this ELC in return for an open honest review. 🙏🏽📚🎧❤️

I felt that the book had much potential but it left a lot of gaps between the characters. I’m hopeful that the author makes a third book so we can have the answers needed

The second in a series that takes place just moments from my house in Alexandria, VA. The reader returns to the bakery to continue the story with the three sisters, Margaret, Rachel and Daisy. It continues the story right where it left off, so don't miss the first one to set the foundation for the stories to come.

As I am so glad that the synopsis didn't completely bust the twist that does happen at the beginning, but is really enjoyable when you experience it in the story and not on the cover! So this review may be short, but I just can't spoil the goodness in it!

My favorite part about this particular book in the series was how they incorporated the historical digging into Alexandria. There is so much history in this small city and I loved whether it is true or not, the history they dig up in the small city and I feel like there is truth behind it as in these small cities families are freakishly connected!

There are already four books in this series and Thursday and Friday I will review the final two in this series that are already here.

I read this book in the past, but it was fun to interact with this book again via audio. It was a great companion through some summer days in the garden!