This novel, set in Alexandria, Virginia, pairs emotional drama with historic intrigue. Rae McDonald, haunted by grief and guilt from a teenage tragedy, confronts the past when her estranged friend Lisa Smyth returns home. Archaeological discoveries—especially centuries-old “witch bottles” uncovered from ancestral properties—serve as catalysts, unraveling secrets that span generations and force both women to face buried truths. The story expertly weaves between 18th‑century history and modern-day emotional struggles.

If you're drawn to emotionally rich stories that mix contemporary drama with historical mystery, The View from Prince Street offers a thoughtful and engaging experience. It’s particularly rewarding if you enjoy character-driven tales about reconciliation, identity, and the power of the past.
That said, if you prefer fast-paced action or lighter escapism, the novel’s slower, more introspective style and occasional complexity might be a stretch.

I didn’t realize this was the second book in a series, and that might’ve made a difference in how I connected with it. The multiple POVs made it confusing to keep track of who was who, and honestly, I just didn’t care. I found myself getting bored and struggling to stay engaged. That said, the narration was excellent — definitely the strongest part for me and the reason I got as far as I did. DNF'D at 30%.

This book had too many characters to keep track of, they were all crossed between both the main characters POV’s but some had such small roles and it was honestly just hard to remember which 2nd, 3rd, or 4th tier side character this was with what family line and backstory.
It was a decent read but held zero surprises throughout and was fairly predictable. My main issues is that the entire story line is sadness, grief, addiction, abandonment and despair. One chapter at the end is supposed to ease all the misery the reader was just drug through.

This is the second installment in The Alexandria series but can be read as a standalone for sure. I haven't read book one and didn't feel lost or lacking. That being said I enjoyed this enough to pick up book one soon!

This is told dual timeline of late 1700's to turn of 1800's and 2015 and a tale of grief, family curses and paving the way for the future.

Rae McDonald is the cold heart match making therapist who has never truly found her way. Falling pregnant as a teenager and giving the baby up not long after her sisters death has plagued her emotional growth and lack of relationships through adulthood. But living in and updating her childhood home is what she thinks will finally break the curse.

Lisa Smythe was with Rae's sister the night she died and has lived with the guilt ever since. Being a recovering alcoholic is a daily battle that being back to the place it all happened in..she just might lose.

This was an endearing mix of historical fiction, betrayal, found family and redemption. I enjoyed all the supporting characters as well that help Rae and Lisa on the journey.

4⭐️

The second instalment in the Alexandria series, The View from Prince Street was just as thrilling.

This book follows Rae McDonald and Lisa Smyth from modern day Alexandria with chapters also from ancestors from Colonial Alexandria.

In this story, we see two women drawn together through grief. Both deal with it in their own ways; Rae with a ‘heart of stone’, and Lisa through the bottle.

Again, this book was so well written and narrated - I always have a mini panic when there were more than 2 narrators, but they each told the story through their characters and did a wonderful job.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me early access.
I have fallen in love with this author and the storyline of these books!
This one was no exception!
I love a good family/neighborhood setting and this one feels so familiar to me. I’d say this is a cozy read. I love the author’s writing style as well.
I would totally read any other books she writes that are set in this town with these amazing characters!

A family drama that spans centuries and weaves together three different families sounds ambitious. The quiet, magical thread running through it all pulls everything together.
The book moves through time with ease, linking generations in a way that feels both intimate and mysterious. Each family brought something unique to the narrative: different cultures, secrets, wounds, and strengths. And though they lived in completely different eras, there was this unshakable sense that their lives were entangled in ways they didn’t fully understand — but I, as the reader, slowly did.

The magic isn’t flashy or overwhelming — it’s subtle, often symbolic, and used more to deepen emotion than to drive plot. That restraint actually made it feel more powerful.

Some parts dragged for me. There were moments where I felt more invested in certain timelines than others, and I found myself wanting to linger with some characters more than the book allowed. The ambition paid off. It’s the kind of story that makes you think about your own roots, your family’s unspoken histories, and the invisible threads that connect us.

Book two in the Alexandria series, and my reaction was pretty much the same as the first: liked it, didn’t love it. The narrators all did a fine job—no standout issues, but nothing particularly memorable either.

The story was perfectly serviceable. I wouldn’t go out of my way to recommend it, but I also didn’t regret listening. It’s the kind of book that fills the time without asking much of you. Not a bad thing, just not one that’ll linger.

A great addition to the series. I know that this and the entire series has been re-released and is done, but I hope that the author decides to add one more. I’d love to catch up with these characters that we’ve gotten to know through the series. They’re smart, honest, flawed and always learning and striving to sometimes just get through the day, like we all are. Family and the ties that bind us, love, standing up for oneself, letting go of guilt, relationships, old, new and ones rekindled, friendship, mental health and addiction, parenthood and so much more. I pressed play and pretty much listened straight through. I re-listened to the USB series before I started these and it was as good the second time. She’s become a favorite author who I always look forward to listening to or reading.

4.5 ⭐️ Following on from At The Corner Of King Street, we rejoin all the women (along with a few new faces) from book 1 as they continue to investigate the witch bottles and historical family lines. Also featured are multiple stories and views of adoption and alcoholism. This is such a good finale to the duo of books.
The narrators again did a great job with the three main characters.
Thank you to Netgalley and Brilliance Publishing for the audiobook arc for review.

Really enjoyable book. I love this author. She does a phenomenal job in weaving a great story. I look forward to listening to more of her books. Loved the storyline and the characters. Narration was great.

This was a wonderful story of of Rae and Lisa whose families have been intertwined for a while now. Rae's sister died in a car accident with Lisa when they were teens so they both have had much to endure and live with. Now many years later they are coming to terms with the past. I really loved this story that has some mystery, a little romance and figuring out lives after adoption. I found it to be very engaging and will be reading more by Ms. Taylor very soon!

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to the audio of The View from Prince Street. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 22 July 2025

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.
I enjoyed this second book in the Alexandria series. I liked that she tied the letters into the story more than the first novel.


Rae McDonald was fifteen when a car accident took her sister’s life and threw her own into reckless turmoil. When she got pregnant a year later, she found a loving couple to adopt the child. Since then, she’s buried her grief and guilt under a heart of stone.

Lisa Smyth survived the fateful crash, but never told the truth about what happened. And when a family obligation draws her back to Alexandria, the weight of Lisa’s guilt grows heavier by the day.
As both women confront a past refusing to be forgotten, long-buried artifacts are discovered by the Shire Architectural Salvage Company that point to a shared history between families. Now, Rae and Lisa must finally ask themselves if denying the past is worth sacrificing the future.

Thank you brilliance audio and NetGalley for the audio arc

4 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

🎧 AUDIOBOOK REVIEW 🎧

The audio was great. Narrator great. It flowed great.

I really love this series. I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the first one but still it was great. I love how Mary Ellen Taylor’s books all have a strong family and community feel. Great series. Highly recommed.

The second installment of Taylor’s Alexandria series beautifully concludes the narrative initiated in the first book. The characters from the Union Street Bakery series enrich the storyline, adding layers of depth. Core themes such as family, the process of moving on from the past, and taking responsibility for one's actions infuse the tale with both life and emotional resonance.

Rae McDonald has built a successful career as a therapist, overcoming personal tragedies and previous missteps. While she has become somewhat of a matchmaker, Rae resists the label, believing she simply helps others identify their compatible partners. Lisa Smyth, who was involved in a tragic car accident with Rae’s sister, has struggled with alcoholism in the aftermath. As these two women reconnect over a series of intriguing artifacts, they must confront their pasts and navigate their paths toward healing and wholeness.