Mrs Quinn's Rise to Fame

Jennifer Quinn is 77 and she loves to bake. She bakes every day for herself and her husband of almost sixty years, and for family and friends. Desiring a challenge, she applies to go on Britain Bakes, a TV show very similar in format to a real well-known TV baking competition, and in doing so a secret she has held close to her heart for decades is in danger of being revealed.

There is so much I loved about this wonderful book. First of all, Jenny and Bernard = relationship goals. They are a devoted couple and my heart melted at their every interaction and the support they showed to each other, especially Bernard as Jenny throws herself into the competition.

Then there's the contest itself which felt so very familiar but which offered a show more well-researched glimpse behind the scenes, showing the camaraderie between the contestants and the stress of getting the bakes right. My mouth was practically watering at all the delicious delectations such as treacle tart, blackcurrant and elderflower doughnuts, rhubarb and custard drizzle cakes, Eton……actually I'd better change the subject now! I really loved how Jenny poured so much love into her creations, how some of the recipes were handed down through her family and meant so much to her.

There's a storyline from the past too, which eventually uncovers the secret Jenny has been keeping. Whilst it doesn't overwhelm the present day narrative, it does fill in the background to Jenny's life and leads to an ending that caused a tear to be shed and for me to close the book with a very satisfied 'aah'.

I absolutely loved this splendid debut novel. It has a soothing and uplifting plot with the most delightful characters. Reading Mrs Quinn's Rise to Fame is like settling down with your favourite comfort food because it brings so much pleasure and joy. show less

This is a take on the BBC's 'Bake Off' told in a very entertaining way.
Mrs Quinn's passion is baking, the many family recipes are among her most treasured memories, and she loves to treat friends and family to her delicacies. But shortly before her big wedding day with Bernard, everything suddenly changes. All of a sudden, she was more than aware of the urgency of her dwindling existence. She feels that she must take a chance before it is too late. She secretly applies for a popular TV baking show and not only fulfils a big dream, but also puts everything at risk. Because what nobody suspects is that there is a dark secret in Mrs Quinn's life that she thought she had kept well for decades and which she must now finally face up to.

I was attracted to this book because I am a baker. I bake for our 3 businesses, and for family and friends. And, like Jennifer Quinn, I bake out of my own kitchen. So this story was quite appealing to me, and it lived up to my expectations.

Jennifer Quinn is a 77-year-old woman who has led a quiet life with her husband Bernard. She bakes every day, and one day wonders if she should step out of her comfort zone and apply to be on ‘The Great British Baking Show.’ The book follows her thought process, and her eventual leap into the unknown. She is a somewhat timid woman, and doesn’t tell her husband about the application until she is finally accepted onto the show.

Jennifer Quinn has another secret, a long-standing secret, that she is show more also keeping from her husband. That secret is finally revealed in flashbacks. I liked how the two story lines eventually meshed at the end of the book. This is a feel-good book, one that I read while on vacation in northern Michigan, looking out over Lake Michigan during a 2-day gale storm. I only wish I had my baking supplies with me! show less

As a fan of the Great British Bake Off (and its global versions) I couldn’t resist the premise of Mrs Quinn’s Rise To Fame by Olivia Ford.

Despite being grateful for her comfortable life and happy marriage of nearly 60 years, seventy-seven year old Jennifer Quinn, feeling time is running out, has a secret desire to accomplish more. When her favourite TV show, Britain Bakes, advertises for contestants Jenny, a keen home baker, decides to apply, never dreaming she’d be selected to compete.

Jenny is a little embarrassed to admit her plan to her husband so she keeps the audition process a secret, one of only two secrets she has ever kept from him. With each bake, flashbacks reveal moments from Jenny’s past, some happy, some less so, show more inevitably leading to the revelation of the secret Jenny has been keeping from Bernard for their whole marriage. I understood her reluctance to confide in her husband, even though Bernard is such a sweetheart. He’s so supportive of her, as are her niece’s family.

Jenny is a lovely character, and her journey is inspiring and uplifting. Ford sensitively explores several issues related to ageing, and most importantly acknowledges that people can hold, and act on their dreams no matter their age.

The scenes where Jenny is taking part in the show reflect what I imagine it’s like to be on GBBO, though the format is slightly different. It’s heartening to see Jenny’s confidence grow as she experiences success. Jenny’s fellow contestants similarly reflect the diversity the program is known for, and I enjoyed their warm camaraderie. Her friendship with Azeez is particularly sweet.

If you are in need of a comforting treat, Mrs Quinn’s Rise To Fame is a pleasant, gentle story full of lovely characters and delicious food. show less

Jenny Quinn is 77 years old -- far too old, she thinks, to try out for the reality cooking show Britain Bakes. On the other hand, baking has been her lifelong passion. If not now, when? As she prepares and practices old family recipes, long-buried memories start to intrude, including the one secret that she's kept from Bernard, her husband of almost sixty years...

I found this a charming read, with all the excitement of a series of the Great British Bake-Off. Be warned: this book will have you craving cake the whole time! There are a couple of simple recipes at the end, but I want a whole recipe book of Jenny's creations!

Jennifer Quinn has been married to Bernard for almost sixty years, she has no children but dotes on her niece and her family, showing her love through baking. On a whim she decides to enter a tv baking contest but doing so opens up old memories and a secret she has kept hidden since she was a teenager.
If a were being cynical I would describe this book as manipulative and written to tick a certain number of boxes. However I'm not looking at this book in that way, I'm looking at it as a book which filled a gap for me on a day when I needed to read something that is essentially a big, warm hug and which vicariously fulfilled a desire for unhealthy sugary treats with none of the calories!

I read this in one giant gulp and loved it. A 77-year-old pensioner decides to apply for basically The Great British Bake-off (obviously with the serial numbers filed off and renamed), and the story is told via flashbacks linking memories of specific food to the present as she remembers a long-buried secret. It was really really good, I loved it. Definitely had cozy vibes but also more serious ones too.