This is such a lovely book to get lost in. Seventy seven year old Jenny is a warm, relatable character who applies secretly to take part in a baking competition, Britain Bakes, and it changes her life. Her husband Bernard is also a wonderful character and I enjoyed the gentle details of a long-standing marriage. There are plenty of ‘lump in the throat’ moments as we learn about Jenny’s ill-fated first romance and her subsequent and enduring love for Bernard. I loved the descriptions of her cooking - it felt as though her creations were jumping off the page and straight into my mouth! The book is uplifting and a joy to read.

This is a gentle read, it did go on and on at times but it’s mostly a likeable read. I liked Jenny’s relationship with Azizz more than her husband as it felt she didn’t care much for Bernard at times, almost resented him until the end where you actually do feel her love for him.

The baking was very well described - I was feeling hungry reading this!

This was an easy and cosy read and I enjoyed it, but not as much as other reviewers it seems. I liked reading the very well described recipes and the way they brought back so many memories for Jenny but oh, so much baking! There were a couple of things I didn’t enjoy. The first was the way Jenny and Bernard called each other darling in just about every conversation. I’m not sure why but it began to grate on my nerves. Does this really happen with 70 and 80 year olds?! The second was the ending which was a big disappointment. It left me wanting to know a lot, lot, more. What happened at, and after, the book signing? Was it James who had brought the blue recipe book or was it his son Andrew? It wasn’t made clear. Jenny had spent her whole life yearning to meet James and yet it was 2 months later when she visited his home. Why? He only lived an hour away. Had they had some communication by phone or email? So many unanswered questions from me. Nevertheless, I’m sure anyone who loves Bake Off and a nice romance will love this book. Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this.

This book was an absolute delight - the main character Jenny and her husband Bernard are relatable- if you want to curl up with a hot drink this is a comfort book to join you … the amazing cakes that Jenny bakes make you want to eat them - an absolute treat !!

I was sent an ARC copy of this a few days ago, and what an absolute delight it was. I am so gladd I got to read this heart-warming book, which is pretty much Great British Bake Off in print form.

Jenny Quinn is elderly, and lives alone with her beloved husband of fifty-nine years. Their lives revolve around are each other, and this in itself is heart-warming, but their lives have become somewhat narrowed by this reliance on each other. Jenny, in a moment of madness, applies to go on Britain Bakes. As the book develops, we learn that Jenny has been harbouring a secret or two, and her life is divided into 'then' and 'now' but always linked by the food she bakes. The more adventurous her bakes become, the more she remembers her hidden past, until the two worlds come together as she rises to fame.

For many reasons that would be spoilers, this book tugged at my heartstrings and brought my own family to mind. It's a lovely, lovely book, and I'm glad it ended the way it did. Thank you for the ARC.

A lovely story. Bittersweet but very engaging. Believable characters, particularly Bernard and Azeez. I really felt for Jenny as she revealed her history, but also rooted for her courage. I can't imagine being brave enough to subject myself to national television, but it was beautifully written and fun.

A wonderful book, full of warmth, charm and bittersweet memories. The baking is a fantastic backdrop to the family story. I loved the behind the scenes story of the baking show. A great combination of two stories.

Jenny and her husband Bernard have been married for over 50 years and are devoted to each other, and I loved reading about their heartwarming relationship. When in her 70s, Jennie secretly steps out of her comfort zone to enter a top baking competition, she doesn’t know what she has let herself in for.

Her zest for baking is described throughout the book, with inspirational recipes both old and new that sound so delicious I could almost smell them as they are taken out of the oven. Both Jenny and Bernard are delightfully engaging characters with lots of humour, but Jenny has a secret from her past which she is desperate to keep hidden.

Parts of the story are from Jenny’s past, her parents, and life that they lived; her secret is also explored giving insight into social norms in the early part of the century, which makes incredibly emotive reading.

A book about relationships and friendships, with lots of delicious baking - I found this to be an enjoyable, comforting read which I thoroughly enjoyed.

A fun, easy read that shows the power of family love and believing in yourself. I liked the cast of characters and all the baking was very well described - I was always hungry reading this!

Absolutely loved this story and all it offered. This was a real feel good book but with lots of emotion and heartache running throughout.

I think if you're a fan of The Great British Bake Off and gentle romance then this would be an absolute 5-star read and the fact that I've rated it lower is purely down to me and my reading preferences. It's a charming love affair between an elderly couple and has a huge emphasis on baking (the sheer volume of cakes made my teeth ache but my excuse is that I don't have a sweet tooth). There's an easily guessable secret from Jenny's past which could have been ramped up into much more of a mystery than it was but this book is not of that genre. It's well written and will be a delight to many.

This was a different kind of story . About being old and still wanting to achieve some thing. I loved the baking part and how you moved between the characters past and presence. Very well written . I would highly recommend this. A great read . Especially if you love Bake Off. Also secrets always come to light. The authors research was amazing. A good neat ending.

This was a fun read and I enjoyed it a lot - good little diversion. Would be better to release around the time of Bake Off? I feel like it would have a bit more traction then, but it hit the spot.

I loved this book. Jenny Quinn. (age 77) decides to apply for Britain Bakes, keeping it a secret from her family until she passes the audition process. This is the story of Jenny’s journey on the show; entwined with her life as a 17 year old and the secrets she holds form that time. Really enjoyed this story.

This is the sweetest story in so many ways. A “Bake Off” contestant of a certain age with a deep secret that so many 1950/60’s ladies were forced to endure. It gives a good insight into how life was as apposed to how life now is for women.

Lots of scrumptious baking, a kindly told story that might resonate with some ladies who lived in the 60’s and a very lovely ending. Beautiful!

Thank you to Netgalley the author And publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review

As sweet and traditional as one of Jenny Quinn's own bakes, you can expect all the wholesome peril of a round of Bake Off, with a dash of a loving family, new friends and a sixty year old secret that Jenny has tried to forget.

If you're looking for a crossover between Call the Midwife and Bake Off, this will probably do the job!

I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a lovely book! I absolutely love GBBO so I immediately wanted to read this. Jenny is 77 and feels like she hasn’t really achieved anything in her life, apart from a long happy marriage with her husband of 59 years, Bernard. She secretly applies to be a contestant on Britain Bakes, as a love for baking has been a constant throughout her life. I absolutely loved the way each bake related to a moment or person in Jenny’s life, exploring her past and biggest secret through flashbacks throughout the book. This was such a comforting read, with a wonderful cast of characters - Bernard is just the absolute best husband! My only complaint would be that the ended felt a little bit rushed, as I would have liked to see how things played out a bit more once Jenny’s secret was revealed. Overall a lovely read, and I’ll definitely be recommending it to people once it’s released!

Seventy-seven year old Jenny Quinn applies to be a contestant on a Bake Off style television show. She's kept it a secret from the love of her life and husband of almost 60 years, Bernard, but has his full support when he finds out. On top of all this, however, Jenny has been keeping a secret for all this time, that is almost too much for her to bear.

Oh I absolutely ADORED this book. Jenny and Bernard's relationship was just wonderful- full of unconditional love and support. I found myself on edge when Jenny initially kept her application secret, hoping it would all be okay between them.
Reading about Jenny's time on Britain Bakes was so much fun, from the application process to each week's bakes, which had my mouth watering non-stop. The best thing to come from the programme for me though, was the beautiful friendship with Azeez. (I personally love to read friendships of different ages, too!)
I really enjoyed the sections of the book jumping back to the past, as we slowly uncovered Jenny's secret. Without any spoilers, I was absolutely heartbroken, but also learnt a lot as the subject isn't something I knew an awful lot about. As a sidenote, there was another (it seems to be a theme for this book) beautiful friendship in this section of the story.

I honestly couldn't put this book down, rooting for Jenny both in the competition, and desperately hoping everything was going to be okay for her with everything else.

This story is absolutely delightful! A cosy read about an elderly lady embracing her passion for baking and braving a TV competition. The story also reveals a much sadder side as Mrs Quinns past is brought to the surface. A great read with lovely characters.

Loved the book. Great characters, loads of delicious sounding bakes, new friendships and a long held secret. Enjoyed devouring the story and was sad to say goodbye to Jenny and Bernard