I enjoyed Mary Ellen Taylor's previous books and loved the warm, community feel and the cast of characters in this one, just like her others.

The View from Prince Street is a story about living with guilt, moving past that guilt, and mending bridges. Rae and Lisa have known each other forever. Lisa was Rae’s sister, Jennifer, best friend. When Jennifer dies in a car crash and Rae survives it changes their lives forever. They both dealt with the guilt in their own way and both came out alive but not living life. Rae was afraid to open her heart. She did not want to get hurt the way that she had following the accident again. Lisa kept the truth about the accident buried deep inside her and it was eating her up.

This was not a quick and easy read. It was good, actually it was really good. I started and could not put it down. I devoured each page and knew that I had to read just one more chapter, then one more, and maybe one more before I could put the book down. The characters became more than just characters in the book; they became friends and people I cared about. I needed them to find their happiness or at least become settled in the lives they were living. I was invested in finding their happy ever afters and settling their pasts.

While the story is about Lisa and Rae, it is also about intertwining families and the twisted histories. I was interested in how Fiona would tie them all together. Amelia’s story is one that I wanted to know more about. I love how it was all tied together, the past, the present, and now the future.


The View from Prince Street is a great book. I recommend checking it out.

The second book in Taylor’s Alexandria series completes the story started in the first novel, and everything wraps up beautifully. Continuing characters from the Union Street Bakery series provide richer depth to the narrative. Themes of family, letting go of the past and owning up to mistakes breathe life and emotion into the tale.
Rae McDonald has made a name for herself as a therapist, moving past tragedy and her poor choices. She’s known as a matchmaker, although Rae won’t own up to it -— in her mind, she just lets people know who they are compatible with and who they aren’t. Lisa Smyth was involved in a fatal car accident with Rae’s sister, which led to years of alcoholism. As the two women come together over some interesting artifacts, they have to learn to move on with their lives to become whole again

At first, I felt like the author was giving a little bit too much detail and telling instead of showing in the beginning of the book. Eventually the narrative really evens out and I got very into the book and the story of Rae and Lisa. Both women deal with their feelings in very different ways which makes for a very interesting juxtaposition. I really liked how the author was able to create two very different characters. I felt for them for different reasons. I was a little bit more drawn to Rae's story since she almost seems to be affected a little bit more by the past than Lisa does. Overall, this was a great story about family and how it is important to deal with those hard things that may be holding you back!