This was my first book from Mary Ellen Taylor and I so enjoyed it! At first, I expected the story to focus on Daisy getting back on her feet at the bakery but this was so much more than that. A beautiful story of family, life changes and how we never truly know where we came from. Highly recommend!

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Available on Kindle Unlimited June 24, 2025

I was not expecting a book about family (found a blood) to include ghosts. Let's just start there. The main character, Daisy was adopted after being abandoned at 3 years old and the lack of closure surrounding that event has stuck with her for 30 years, but when she returns home she's forced to face her past, what really happened, who knew, and all the other secrets surrounding her adopted family and their shared family bakery.
Truthfully it become slightly difficult to keep the characters from the past straight, even with a partial family tree.

This charming read spotlighted second chances and finding oneself in the present with a unique introduction of a character from the past.

I immediately empathized with Daisy and the troubled road she’d travelled. I appreciated her willingness to return to the past to seek healing. I’ve often said ‘never’ to a perceived unwelcome experience, but Daisy showed me the benefits of being flexible where personal growth and healing is possible.

With a focus on where we come from and what direction we are headed, this is a great start to what I believe will be an interesting series. Originally published in 2013, this series has been updated and offered by a new publisher.

I was gifted this copy by Montlake and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

The Union Street Bakery by new to me author Mary Ellen Taylor was previously published in 2013. This first book in the Union Street Bakery Series is re-published by Montlake.
Daisy is a young woman who hit rock bottom. Lost her job, had a break up with her boyfriend and is living above the family business. She inherits a journal from the 1850ties and while reading she's learning about her family, her heritage.
A beautiful heartwrenching story, splendid, remarkable, 5 stars.

All I can say is Wow!! What a story!!
This story hit home so hard for me. I related to Daisy more than anyone knows.
I've felt that her story was my story in more ways than one.
I've felt her thoughts, feelings and even her emotions too. Goodness!
I couldn't put this book down. The historical details that were brought in was fascinating. They are what kept me turning the pages.
I loved Daisy's siblings so much. I felt like they were mine too. Wow!
I really admired Daisy's mom. Adopted mom not her real mom. I hated her real mom.
This is a powerful reminder that family isn't always blood related. To me, it who takes the time to love, nurture and raise you. That's true love. I should know. I was adopted too. I too have finally come to accept it as it's meant to be.
I loved loved this story so much that I hated to see it end. I really recommend this beautiful story of sacrificed love. Cause that's what it is.
5 stars force an amazing adventure that made me feel so many emotions with Daisy's and her family.
My thank for a wonderful story that I'll not stop thinking about bc it resonated with me deeply. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

Having been through the wars with recent life events, Daisy McCrae reluctantly finds herself in a situation where she is stuck trying to save the family bakery business, (which was not part of her plans!) and figure what to do with herself.

But sometimes, life's most unexpected twists can yield the best results, and Daisy is about to find out the situation is not really nearly as bad as she thought...

A delicious story about second chances, family dynamics, and unexpected career choices, this is a charming story that gets 3.5 stars.

I don't recall reading anything by Taylor in the past, so this was a fresh beginning into her work. I liked the concept of the self-discovery storyline. It is well-executed. The book left me feeling hopeful. Great characters and family relationships throughout. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings

The first in a series that takes place just moments from my house in Old Town Alexandria, VA in a small family owned bakery that has been in existence for generations. The youngest McCrae returns to Alexandria as she lost her job in DC and needs a place to retreat to to put her pieces back together. She is adopted and doesn't always feel a part of the clan, but retreating to help put the bakery together really brings her into the fold.

First, I am biased because this book takes place in one of my favorite places - Old Town and I could picture each and every moment of this book and it made me fall in love with it. I also loved the family, the three daughters - two biological and one adopted and how this affects each in the family and where they feel they fit in the equation.