Sweet Expectations

October 15, 2013
When Daisy McCrae's already semiscrambled life abruptly turns even more upside down, it leads to deeper soul-searching, exploration of family ties, and a quest for the ultimate meaning of her purpose and direction in Taylor's sequel to The Union Street Bakery (2013). Daisy's unplanned departure from a high-powered job and life led to a return to her family's bakery and secrets, a move she hadn't been sure would make her happy. But when another change jostles her even more profoundly, Daisy must sift through her choices and future with a new, clear-eyed view. During bakery renovations, a hidden box appears that leads to another mystery that intrigues the adopted Daisy. As she pursues the truths in her own life as well as those of others, she slowly realizes that true contentment is something earned and accepted despite the outer trappings. With Daisy's narration alternating with her sister Rachel's, the story unfurls at a slow yet steady pace, nicely layering characters, subplots, and backstory.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)