Mrs Quinn's Rise to Fame - Olivia Ford

 

Description

'As delicious and comforting as a freshly baked sponge. A most, heartwarming story and delightful debut' Ruth Jones, bestselling author of Love Untold

'An absolute delight. A lovely novel full of warmth, courage and heart, Jenny Quinn is a heroine you’ll cheer for every step of the way' A J Pearce, bestselling author of Dear Mrs Bird

‘Calling all Great British Baking Show fans: this charming novel will fill the cake-shaped hole in your heart with the kind of feel-good suspense we love from the likes of Paul Hollywood’ Good Housekeeping
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Mrs Quinn is the unlikely star of Britain's favourite baking show, but could her newfound stardom cause her biggest secret to unravel?

Jennifer Quinn has a secret. Her love of baking has just won her a spot as a contestant on a primetime TV show. It's only the second time in fifty-nine years that she's kept something from her beloved husband Bernard.

She's about to be whisked into an unfamiliar world of cameras, timed challenges and celebrity judges. She could be in with a chance of being crowned the best baker in Britain.

But, as Mrs Quinn's quiet ambitions turn into unexpected stardom, the other secret she's been keeping is in danger of resurfacing. It was supposed to stay hidden forever.

Will Mrs Quinn rise to the challenge? Or, will her success become a recipe for disaster?
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'Bake Off fans, don’t miss this! Delectable food writing and a quietly loveable heroine' Daily Mail

'A charming, heartfelt and uplifting novel about love, family and the emotive power of home baking' Libby Page, bestselling author of The Lido

'Perfectly baked, utterly delicious, and completely moreish' Clare Pooley, bestselling author of The Authenticity Project

Review

If you love Bake Off - then you will probably love this book too.

Jenny is 77 and decides before it is too late she needs to make a mark in the world. So she applies to be a contestant on the TV programme Britain Bakes, and is successful. The BB programme has many similarities with GBBO and to me felt like a glimpse behind the scenes with all the bits you don't see, which I loved.

Whilst the story of Jenny appearing on TV is happening there is a also a flashback storyline from Jenny's youth interspersed in the pages. It was a little bit of a jolt from the lovely baking and at first I did resent it a little for intruding on my enjoyment. So many of Jenny's recipes come from her family and so the tie in with each of the storylines was a recipe. 

Wonderful descriptions of the baking which made me want to get in the kitchen, or maybe just eat cake! Jenny is a lovely character and so is her husband. That's why when she hides not one but two secrets from him it is worrying if their relationship will survive. 

A wonderful ending left me with a tear in my eye. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the down to earth writing. No trying to tie up loose ends in neat words, it was at times a little brutal even, but I still couldn't wait to get back to reading this book.

I'm giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. My thanks to netgalley for the ARC to review. The book will be published on 28 March 2024.