Life affirming, heartwarming, and cute. It's poignant and funny at the same time. The main points in someone's life seen through different baking recipes.
The story of a life but also the story of a long marriage and the affection between Jenny and Bernard.
I love the pace and the storytelling, the characters are fleshed out, and the plot well developed
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

A really sweet treat! This is such a cosy and comforting treat about 77 year old Jennifer Quinn who goes on the equivalent of GBBO so anyone who knows and loves the show will be drawn into this. The only problem is you will want to eat cake whilst reading!!

A heartwarming book that was beautifully written and really enjoyable.
Jenny is 77 and decides to apply for Bake off
Is great story that fans of the show would love too

This was an enjoyable read inspired by The Great British Bake Off, following pensioner Jennifer Quinn who decides to take a chance and audition for the show. In her seventies and married to husband Bernard for fifty-nine years this is the first secret she’s kept from him. She simple wants to do something that’s outside of her comfort zone and never imagines she might chosen. When she takes the phone call and realises she’s been picked, she wonders about the changes the limelight might bring. Will her head be turned by the attention or could it stir up secrets from the past that she’d rather stayed hidden?

I thought this was a charming novel, with the same sense of fun and the feel-good vibes I get from watching The Great British Bake Off. It’s a lovely holiday read because it’s an escape from daily life, for Jenny and the reader. She’s full of energy despite being in her late seventies and still doesn’t feel ready for settling down. She is thinking about her own legacy too, because she and Bernard haven’t had a family she is starting to feel she hasn’t made her mark. When she’s gone, what will she have left behind? It’s with this in mind that she makes the decision to apply for ‘Britain Bakes’, because it’s the one thing she truly enjoys doing. However, it’s not quite the escape from life she expects because unresolved emotions start to spring up to the surface. For 60 years she has kept a secret and as she bakes the memories start to return as strong as ever. She hasn’t even shared this with Bernard, but she’s finding it ever more difficult to stay quiet.

My only criticisms are that the minor characters could have had a bit more depth to them and he plot is largely predictable, but it makes up for these shortcomings with it’s humour and heart. Jenny decides to theme her bakes around important events in her life, so each one has a corresponding memory. Food can transport us back to any place or time, because it involves all of the senses it’s extremely powerful. As a huge fan of the Bake Off (and cake in general to be truthful) I did enjoy the detail of what contestants were making. In fact I made a chocolate cherry cake straight after reading, because it reminded me how much I enjoy the process of making something. I think anyone who is a fan of the show would enjoy the book and possibly a recipe book from Jenny. The author’s background in television has given her the ability to create a realistic backdrop for show and a knowledge of how the media works. I think she has managed to bring out the same joy as the show without becoming too tied in the details of the competition. Olivia Ford has taken her ingredients and created the perfect recipe for a warm, funny and ultimately uplifting read, showing us that the extraordinary can be hidden in the most ordinary of lives.

What a wonderful book! We meet Jenny Quinn at 77 years old, she’s always baked with recipes passed down through generations and she likes to do things the traditional way. A huge fan of the TV show Britain Bakes, Jenny decides that life’s too short and throws her hat in the ring.
We follow Jenny on her journey through the competition, we get an insight into her 60 year marriage to Bernard and at the same time we hear from 17 year old Jenny about to start secretarial school. I really enjoyed both timelines, I can’t praise this book enough.

I look forward to any future publications from Olivia Ford.

A Delectable Treat of a Book

Mrs Quinn's Rise to Fame
Author: Olivia Ford

Sprinkled with hope, joy and love, 'Mrs Quinn's Rise to Fame', sees Britain Bakes fan Jenny (77) watching her favourite show one winter and suddenly thinking 'what if?'
What if she decided to apply to be a contestant on the famous baking TV reality show?
After all, Jenny is terrific baker - though bread still causes her issues - and she is renowned in her village for her wonderful cakes.
Though she's happy in her life up to a point, her past dreams still linger, but as the author notes, "dreams have a place at every stage of our journey."
So, in early January after weeks of hectic baking in the early hours and collating pictures of her creations with her husband Bernie's help, she sneaks off to the post office to submit her application.
And yes, she has kept it quiet from her husband of over fifty years.
Of course, it's not the only secret she's kept from him.
Using recipes as an anchor for memories, the story makes bed through time, as we view Jenny's past memories and her current experience preparing for her spot on the show.
Along the way she makes great friends, particularly Azeez, the two forming a close friendship over the competition, and like those reality shows, there are culinary disasters and triumphs that the reader becomes invested in.
I loved how Jenny's confidence grows as the show progresses and how supportive Bernie and her circle of friends is.
For me, it's her deep and warm relationshio with husband Bernie that makes the book so enjoyable. This is not the 'Jerry Maguire' style romance with grand gestures. This is the true dream of romance; it's to have a love like Jenny's and Bernie's; a love built of familiarity, of years spent together, becoming best friends as well as partners, and championing each success.
Even through the hard times along the way as they approach their Diamond Anniversary, their love is something to aspire to.
It's also an incredibly funny book, showing the behind the scenes stuff of reality TV and the different quirky personalities. There are sweet moments, poignant scenes, laughter and delectable creations that make the mouth water.
This book really is a sheer delight to read.

“Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame” is a delightful novel that combines heartwarming storytelling with a dash of culinary magic. At 77 years old, Jenny Quinn decides to step out of her comfort zone and apply as a contestant on the prime-time TV show Britain Bakes. As she navigates the unfamiliar world of cameras, timed challenges, and baking, Jenny’s newfound independence leads her to rediscover memories buried deep in her past. Chocolate teacakes, sugared doughnuts, and a simple cottage loaf evoke moments that shaped her life.

Olivia Ford weaves a tale of love, redemption, and the joy of good food. Jenny’s quest for purpose beyond her 59-year marriage with Bernard is both relatable and inspiring. As she bakes her way into the spotlight, secrets emerge, threatening the foundations of her relationship. The story moves at an impressive pace, whisking readers into a cozy, oven-warmed world where everything might just turn out okay.

Whether you’re a fan of The Great British Bake Off or simply appreciate heartfelt fiction, Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame is a delightful read that reminds us it’s never too late to chase our dreams

I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. I was drawn in from the first page, the characters and the story were so good and although I don't bake the book has inspired me to learn. I will be recommending this book to everyone I know.

Easy read that I finished in a couple of sittings. Lovely book that got me hungry with every chapter being named after food. Fans of GBBO will love this and give perhaps the insight of being on such a show. Lovely book. Must eat now.

I adored this, a really warm hearted story. Jenny Quinn secretly enters a baking competition and is about to be on TV where everyone wants to know everything about her. But Jenny has a secret that she does not want anyone, including her husband, to find out.

It's a gorgeous book, pure escapism. Wonderful colourful characters and a story with real heart.

A sensational serving of storytelling, skillfully blending the life experienced with the life yet to be discovered. A fabulous reminder that you're never too old to follow your dreams!

I loved this book so much. Both heart warming and heart breaking at the same time. I couldn't put it down and stayed up far too late to race to the end. I wanted to know more about all the characters and would have been happy to follow them all wherever their stories went. Will be following this author for future novels because if she can write like this she is going to become a firm favourite.

If you're a huge fan of books centered around food (in this case baking) and a fan of The Great British Bake Off then there's a good chance you'll love this.

Luckily for me, I am a fan of both. But if not, then you may struggle as the pages are jam packed with descriptions of baking to the point that even a fan like me felt it was a little unbalanced with the rest of the story.

And the rest of the story is truly lovely to read. Past events have been haunting her through life, and those come to the forefront as she takes on the current new challenges for both an emotional and redemptive journey.

You can't help but love our main character and the characters around her. A delightful, heartwarming story of self discovery of a protagonist in her later years.

One of the most delightful books I've had the pleasure of reading in a long time. Jenny Quinn is adorable, and her husband of almost 60 years, Bernard is besotted with her. When Jenny, a lifelong lover of baking, decides to enter Britain Bakes, she does so without telling Bernard and the excitement begins! But this is not the only secret Jenny has hidden from Bernard. There is something else from her teenage years which has the potential to break them apart. This is a heart warming story which I loved from the very first page to the last.

Jennifer Quinn adores baking. It has always been her 'go to' activity when she feels stressed, upset, bored.. any excuse to bake something tasty really! Jenny (as she is better known) has been married to Bernard (Bernie) for almost 60 years, she is happy with her life, but wants to do something for herself.

When she applies on a whim for the latest series of Primetime TV Show 'Britain Bakes' (I would guess heavily influenced by the Great British Bake Off that I love!!) she doesn't consider for one minute that she will be successful.

She is called for an audition, which doesn't exactly go to plan. Jenny hasn't told anyone that she has entered the competition, not wanting to disappoint anyone if she is unsuccessful. It isn't the only secret that she has been keeping from her husband.

The other one is decades old, something tragic that happened to her before she met Bernard, that changed everything for Jenny. She has been determined through her life that no one must ever find out. But that is now in jeopardy, for Jenny is successful in securing a place in the competition, and suddenly the press want to know everything about her life.

Enlisting the help of some younger family members, she swiftly moves to set up her own social media accounts to help divert some of the attention away. Everything is fine, until the series airs and old secrets are threatening with surfacing once more.

Not wanting to say anything more and spoil it, I will say that Jenny and Bernard's relationship is the most beautiful thing. The recipes in the book sounds delicious, and I wish that both Jenny and Azeez (fellow contestant) were real because I would definitely be following them on social media.

Mrs Quinn's rise to fame is a beautiful book about what it means to truly believe in yourself, but also affirms that we never stop learning about ourselves no matter how old we are. I'd love to find out what happened to Jenny next...

Oh I adore this book! Jenny and Bernard are simply adorable!

I was interested in this book as a unique concept following Jenny at 77 contemplating entering Britain’s Bakes. But what I found was so much more! A story told in two timelines. Each chapter contains the past and the present, and slowly they merge together.

With plenty of emotion and heart break this book is truly wonderful and will stay with me for a long time. Beautifully written.

☆☆☆☆

Mrs Quinn is . . . 77 years old. . . a devoted wife. . . a talented home baker. . . about to become a household name.

What drew me to the book: It was on a Netgalley monthly newsletter E-Mail and I was instantly drawn to it like I love the Great British Bake Off so a book with a similar premise to that show sounded cool, especially paired with the stuff about Mrs Quinn's secret and how her new
How long it’s been on my TBR: Since I saw it on the Netgalley newsletter back in December I want to say.
My expectations: I expected an interesting main character and for the book to be be full of baking and emotions.

My thoughts whilst reading: Unfortunately, only one page in I found that I wasn't overly interested which sounds bad because its not even like a chapter in but something about the writing just done the complete opposite of hooking me, it was a little cliché and dramatic which I didn't expect to enjoy. Onto the first chapter and I still wasn't enjoying the writing, I found it really thick with memory with our main character Jenny Quinn constantly looking back and reminscing on the past (but it definitely grew on me throughout the book but I'll get to that later). The book had the cutest detail of having each chapter title be a different bake (which made me a little hungry, along with the rest of the bakes in the book). 11 Chapters in and the reminiscent writing style started to grow on me and I found it suited the book more and more. Jenny keeping the secrets really started to make me feel stressed, especially for poor Bernie. 17 Chapters in and the book already had me feeling so much, happiness and dread with Ray and how Jenny talks about the pregnancy, excitement about the show and anticipation as to whether or not Jenny's bakes would do well, happiness when Jenny was happy and spending time with others. At 19 chapters (50%) in I was finding the chapters starting with flashbacks so extremely bittersweet, leaving me often feeling happy in one breath and sad in the next, knowing that things won't turn out happy but still hoping for a different outcome anyway. 25 Chapters in and the books taking me a lot of places I didn't expect it to go, so much is happening and all of it having an emotional impact on me, especially the James part, it gets so emotional and it got to the point where I didn't want to read more as I didn't want to have to read what came next, but I also wanted to continue reading for the happiness of Jenny's life in the present. It even got to the point where I couldn't stop reading the book because I needed to know whether Jenny would (view spoiler). 30 Chapters in and I found myself taken aback by how much I loved Bernie (Jenny's husband) and his relationship with Jenny, he was such a great husband and I loved how supportive he was of Jenny throughout everything that happened. I didn't write many thoughts down by this point but I loved what happened next so much, it was what I wanted to see from the book (although it got cut short before we could see
Overall: It was a really good book, which after the first few pages I didn't expect to love as much as I did but here we are, I loved how much the book balanced between Jenny's past and present and how we got to explore a lot of different aspects of her life, like her love for baking and how it was linked to her memories, also just the baking, although it made me hungry and had me craving sweet bakes, and the competition element of the book. I also really liked the characters, especially the relationships we saw between them from Jenny & Bernie's family to the competitors on the show. The book juggled both the bitter and sweet parts of the story so well from the pain of Jenny's past and the happy moments she had to happier present where Jenny, despite her age, is trying something new and making something for herself and pushing herself outside of her typical boundaries.
Miscellaneous: I had a theory and it turned out I was right and it made me so, so happy.
Did it meet my expectations: Yes and then it went some (a lot).

Favourite character: Definitely Jenny but Bernie was a close second.
Favourite relationship: It's definitely a tie for me between the relationship between Jenny & Bernie and Jenny & James, both relationships were so emotional and I felt like the author done a good job of writing the relationships and connecting us to them, both had so many impactful moments.
Favourite scene: There are two scenes which really have stuck with me, after Bernie finds out the second thing Jenny was hiding from him (he says the most heartbreaking and sweet thing), and at the very end of the book, basically the whole epilogue, it was just so great to read.
Favourite quote: A quote which really stood out was (view spoiler) but there were definitely a few others at the end which had me tearing up.

Why I rounded the review up / down*: Not applicable.
Will I be reading the sequel: Not applicable.
Will I be investing in a physical copy: If I find myself wanting to reread most likely, yes.
Do I regret reading it: Not at all.
Do I recommend it: Yes! If you want to read a book with fantastic characters, heartbreak, hope, fantastic bakes full of love and carrying around secrets then yes.
*(For rating systems such as Goodreads)

Thank you so much to Netgalley & Penguin Random House for the E-ARC.

This was the most lovely life affirming story. Jenny Quinn ends up seizing the opportunity to be in the tv baking show. She is mixing her memories with her baking and aiming for her goals when she herself felt that she shouldn’t be. The story develops is such a heartbreaking way, that at times it is just so sad to read. But it is beautifully and sensitively written and I thoroughly enjoyed it

My thanks to Netgalley and publishers Penguin Michael Joseph for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. I requested this book because it sounded as if it might be in the style of Rachel Joyce an author I much admire. Whilst its lead characters were seventy-seven and eighty-two and therefore written from an older person's perspective, it lacked the single-purpose simplicity of Joyce's work. The idea was clever. It's inspired by two long-running, nationally loved TV shows, "Bake Off" and "Long Lost Family".

Jenny, Alife long baker from childhood, at seventy-seven, decides to enter a national TV baking competition whilst she still can. She keeps it a secret from Bernie her eighty-two-year-old husband. But that's not the only secret she keeps from him. As a teenager, she became pregnant and had to go to an unmarried mother and baby home, the subsequent baby boy being adopted at six weeks as was the norm then, but she has never forgotten him. Many of the middle chapters have several pages of flashbacks to young Jenny, detailing, a bit at a time, this horrendous part of her life. This was a necessary part of the story, but perhaps there was too much detail here. Could it have been handled differently? Whilst older Jenny was a well-rounded character that I felt that I could have met, young Jenny was more of a cardboard cut-out figure.

For me, there was just too much material in this book. I felt that it needed editing. Or perhaps with a bit more detail, it could have been two books. I hate criticising an author's hard work, so I will say that I enjoyed reading it, even if it wasn't quite what I would have wished.

This book is an easy and enjoyable read with likeable characters. I enjoyed reading about the baking, especially in the Bake-Off style tv show.
It would have been nice to read more about the baking competition and the other contestants, but it was still fun to read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC.