Audiobook12 hours
Sweet Expectations
Written by Mary Ellen Taylor
Narrated by Susan Boyce
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
4/5
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About this audiobook
Running the family bakery and living in the store's attic might not be Daisy's dream life, but she's beginning to understand what being content feels like. And then she gets some unexpected news. In one moment, Daisy's calm existence turns into chaos. Now she's struggling to keep it together, especially with renovations at the bakery spiraling out of control.
But when a box of recipes and mementos is found hidden behind a wall in the bakery, Daisy suddenly has something to cling to-a mystery that echoes her own troubles and gives her the opportunity to figure out what she really wants out of life.
But when a box of recipes and mementos is found hidden behind a wall in the bakery, Daisy suddenly has something to cling to-a mystery that echoes her own troubles and gives her the opportunity to figure out what she really wants out of life.
Author
Mary Ellen Taylor
A southerner by birth, Amazon Charts bestselling author Mary Ellen Taylor’s love of her home state of Virginia is evident in her contemporary women’s fiction. When Mary Ellen’s not writing, she spends time baking, hiking, and spoiling her miniature dachshunds, Buddy, Bella, and Tiki.
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Related to Sweet Expectations
Titles in the series (2)
The Union Street Bakery Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Sweet Expectations Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
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Reviews for Sweet Expectations
Rating: 4.060975609756097 out of 5 stars
4/5
41 ratings5 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great book, the narrator does well to keep you listening.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I 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.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Sweet 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! - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Sweet 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.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The sequel to The Union Street Bakery,a quick read and a nice place to escape to. I enjoy this series, I hope she writes more!