Loved it. Would not necessarily have picked up this book but would recommend for anyone hoping to feel better about life.

Absolutely perfect. There was truly nothing about this book that I did not thoroughly enjoy. I would recommend it to all readers - even if this isn't your usual genre, I dare you not to fall in love with Jenny and care about her story. I miss her already.

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, 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.

Mrs Quinn's Rise to Fame is an engaging yet uneven tale of a small-town woman’s unexpected rise to celebrity status. The author skillfully captures Mrs. Quinn's transformation and the societal pressures she faces along the way, providing moments of humor and heartfelt reflection. However, the pacing felt inconsistent, with some sections dragging while others rushed through pivotal developments. Supporting characters lacked depth, making the story feel less immersive at times. Despite these flaws, the book's charm and witty prose kept it enjoyable. For readers who enjoy light, character-driven stories, it offers a pleasant, though not unforgettable, read.

A must read for Bake Off fans! 3.5 stars.
A fun easy going read that's easy to polish off in one sitting.

When I first started this book I thought it was a little slow however once I settled into it I thoroughly enjoyed it. Jenny was a likeable character who you are willing on through her Britain Bakes journey which is basically the Great British Bake Off. The snippets of Jenny's past explain her choices in later life and I really enjoyed the satisfying ending. As soon as the book is released I’m buying a copy for my baking lad friend!

This was such a lovely, heart-warming book that I had to round it up to 4 stars from 3.5 initially, simply for putting me in a good mood when everything else around me seems to be falling apart.

It is especially a treat to be listening to the beautifully narrated audiobook during the 2024 GBBO. Not that this is a story about the GBBO, but it's close enough. Jenny is 77 and feels that she hasn't achieved much in her life. Except that she is an excellent baker - so she decides to enter the 'Britain Bakes' competition. We are thrown in a world of delicious-sounding bakes, pastries and cakes, all seasoned with past events that really tugged at my heart's strings.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest and impartial review.

British Bake Off fans rejoice!

Warm and comforting like freshly baked bread, Mrs Quinn enters a baking competition to bring excitement back to her life. She soon becomes a favourite with the team and fans alike but she opening herself to the spotlight she has open herself to her past.

Dazzling debut that is comforting and delicious like a victorian sponge.

If you love GBBO, you'll love the story of Mrs Quinn, who, unbeknownst to her husband, enters a television cooking contest and does really rather well.

A pensioner finding fame and stardom on a cooking programme would be a bit of an empty plot, so of course, there is a bit more intrigue: a(nother) secret she has kept from her husband of fifty-nine years.

It's a lovely snuggly book, as warm as comforting as Jenny Quinn's baking, without being too saccharine and sickly. The perfect feelgood book to immerse yourself in when you fancy a curl-up by the fire on a long wintry evening (albeit distracted by the poor editing!).

Mrs Quinn's Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford is an utterly delightful and heartwarming debut novel that will resonate with fans of baking, quiet triumphs, and charming underdog stories. Jennifer Quinn, a modest and lovable heroine, finds herself thrust into the national spotlight as a contestant on Britain’s biggest baking show. What starts as an exciting, whirlwind adventure into the world of cameras and celebrity judges soon turns into a high-stakes balancing act, as the spotlight threatens to reveal a deeply buried secret she’s kept hidden for years.

Ford masterfully captures the cozy charm of a baking competition while adding layers of suspense and emotional depth. Mrs Quinn's journey from a simple home baker to a national sensation is both endearing and relatable, and readers will root for her at every step. The tension surrounding her secret adds an intriguing twist, and as her fame grows, so does the possibility of that secret unravelling.

The novel's supporting characters—from Mrs Quinn's loving but oblivious husband Bernard to the celebrity judges and fellow contestants—are well-drawn, adding richness to the story. Olivia Ford’s writing balances humour and poignancy perfectly, delivering moments of laugh-out-loud joy alongside deeply touching scenes.

If you're a fan of The Great British Baking Show or love uplifting stories about second chances and quiet ambition, Mrs Quinn's Rise to Fame is an absolute treat. With its warmth, wit, and suspense, this novel is as comforting as a freshly baked cake, and Jennifer Quinn is a heroine who will steal your heart.

Fun and heartwarming. A remedy for a down day full of lovely characters and engaging story. This is a book that will do well with the ‘bake off’ fans and those who like a good comfort read.
Thank you for opportunity to read and review

If you are a Great British Bake Off fan, this is for you. Jenny Quinn has always baked and now at 77 she secretly enters a TV baking competition but keeps it secret from her family as she's sure that she would be chosen for the show.
Of course she's chosen and has to spill the beans to husband, Bernard, whose mind is going overtime by her strange behaviour, baking in the night and strange trips without him).
As the she progresses, Jenny bakes significant dishes and we discover the story behind d them. Then there is another, bigger secret that Jenny has been hiding...
Lovely story, light as a chiffon cake. Recommend!

This book was so lovely. Mrs Quinn is a brilliant character and I loved following her journey. Highly recommended.

This book was the type of book I needed during this moment in time. It was light hearted and cute and perfect curled up with a hot chocolate and biscuits.
Jenny and Bernard are just the cutest couple ever, and I loved Jenny and Azeez.

The ending I kinda guessed would happen however still got me gasping.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book🍰🍞

I really enjoyed this book. Jenny Quinn is 77 years old, married to Bernard, and a very keen baker. When she secretly applies to be a contestant on Britain Bakes, she doesn't really think she stands a chance. However, she is accepted and finds herself in a world of TV cameras as the competition starts. But Jenny has been keeping a heart breaking secret for most of her life. Could this be the time when it will finally come out? This is a delightful, tear jerking but ultimately uplifting story.
Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

You know how people say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover? I predicted a light, somewhat fluffy cozy story of a woman of a certain age, perhaps feeling a bit lost. Aimless. And finding herself, and fame via a cooking show. And whilst that's not a million miles from what happened in this book, it doesn't begin to do justice to the beauty of this story.

I won't be talking about the plot in any detail as it would most definitely spoil things for future readers. But I will say this book is full of heart and soul and exquisite poignancy. Jenny and Bernard, my heart just sang for their love story. My heart also broke for Jenny, and the utter devastation and loneliness she had to live with.

Food is also a main character in this book and you will feel starving as you read the delicious bakes Jenny creates. To Jenny food is love.

Truly scrumptious in every way.

Such a wonderfully wholesome and heartwarming read! Jenny Quinn has applied to compete on national TV phenomenon Britain Bakes to prove to herself and the nation that age should never be a barrier to your dreams. She initially keeps her application a secret from love of her life Bernard, but there are other secrets that can’t stay buried forever… Loved the story, loved the pacing, loved the flashbacks to the past and the resolution.

Olivia Ford’s "Mrs. Quinn's Rise to Fame" is a delightful and engaging novel that follows the unexpected journey of Mrs. Quinn as she navigates the complexities of fame and personal transformation. Ford’s writing is both witty and warm, capturing the charm and challenges of her protagonist's ascent to stardom. The story is filled with humor, heart, and insightful commentary on the nature of success and self-discovery. With its well-developed characters and a plot that balances light-hearted moments with deeper reflections, "Mrs. Quinn's Rise to Fame" is an entertaining and uplifting read that celebrates the power of resilience and ambition.

This book is brilliant, for anyone who loves baking then it's definitely a must read! Its about a 77 year old woman who decides to apply to go on GBBO and her life changes!

This was such a delicious read, definitely written with a love of baking so you could nearly smell the yummy treats coming out of the oven. Jenny is 77 and loves baking and her husband. She decides to enter Britain Bakes even though she really doubts that she is good enough. She throws herself and her family recipes into the competition and surprises herself with the results. Her life is full of happiness, however there is always one little corner of her heart that is not complete. Written like a warm hug, just need the mixing spoon to lick