Mrs Quinn's Rise to Fame

(Paperback)

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Description

Jenny Quinn is the unlikely star of Britain's favourite baking show, but could her newfound stardom cause her biggest secret to unravel In their sixty years together, Jennifer Quinn has only kept two secrets from her husband. One is that her love of baking has just won her a spot as a contestant on prime-time TV show Britain Bakes. The other she hopes will stay hidden forever . . . Whisked into an unfamiliar world of cameras, timed challenges and celebrity judges, Jenny finds herself in with a chance of being crowned the best baker in Britain. But as her star begins to rise, the past collides with the present, and Jenny struggles to conceal that long held secret which could shatter the very foundations of her decades long marriage . . .

Reviews

As delicious and comforting as a freshly baked sponge. A most heartwarming story and delightful debut * Ruth Jones, bestselling author of Love Untold *
A gorgeous, gorgeous book. Funny and sad in equal measure, the humour in Mrs Quinn's Rise to Fame is razor sharp and the sadness incredibly poignant. . .a fabulous, ultimately joyful read. * Jennie Godfrey Sunday Times bestselling author of The List of Suspicious Things *
Mrs Quinns Rise to Fame is an absolute delight. A lovely novel full of warmth, courage and heart, Jenny Quinn is a heroine youll cheer for every step of the way * A J Pearce, Sunday Times bestselling author of Dear Mrs Pearce *
Bake Off fans, dont miss this! Delectable food writing and a quietly loveable heroine. * Daily Mail *
Calling all Great British Baking Show fans: When you've salivated your way through the latest season (and the entire back catalog), this charming novel will fill the cake-shaped hole in your heart. The story of an older woman who enters a televised baking show is as cozy as a night in grandma's kitchen with the kind of feel-good suspense we love from the likes of Paul Hollywood. * Good Housekeeping *
Ford transports you back to that cozy, somethings-in-the-oven world where you somehow know (or at least believe) that everything is going to be OK * New York Times Book Review *
Indulge in this tantalising debut novel. A charming, cosy and lighthearted read * Mail on Sunday *
A gentle read that pulls at the heartstrings - read with a slice of cake. * Woman & Home *
Mrs Quinn's Rise to Fame is a charming, heartfelt and uplifting novel about love, family and the emotive power of home baking. I loved every minute of it! * Libby Page, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Lido *
Ford. . . entertains readers with backstage shenanigans while also focusing on the depth and intimacy that come from a lifetime of knowing someone. * The Washington Post *
Olivia writes with such warmth. Not just for bakers, this novel is an intensely rich love-letter to family, friends and new beginnings. * Eva Rice, bestselling author of The Lost Art Of Keeping Secrets *
This delicious read packs an emotional punch and is guaranteed to leave you feeling full * Heat *
One of those books you just want to hug to your chest. I loved it so much. * Jasmine Guillory, New York Times bestselling author of The Proposal *
Do not read this delicious debut novel while hungry as its mouth-watering descriptions of cakes and bakes will send you into a tummy-rumbling decline. At seventy seven, Julia Quinn is good at two things; baking and being married to her devoted husband Bernard. When she wins a spot on the TV show Britain Bakes, Julia finds a new self-confidence but is also forced to confront the secret shes kept from everyone, including Bernard. * Red *
This warm-hearted book is full of delicious descriptions of food, and a powerful message about it never being too late to try new things * Heat *
Fans of cooking competition shows will devour this romp about an elderly home baker who appears on one in secret. As cozy as a cup of tea and cake. * People Magazine *
An absolute delight * Hello *
A deliciously engaging debut * WI Life *
Soul-enriching.From its enticing setting to its perfect ending, Mrs. Quinns Rise To Fame is absolutely marvelous. Like a great dessert, youll wish you could come back for more. * J. Ryan Stradal, New York Times bestselling author of Kitchens of the Great Midwest *
Delightful and heartwarming, Mrs. Quinn's Rise to Fame is the ultimate comfort read and a sweet reminder that it's never too late to pursue our dreams. * Margarita Montimore, USA Today bestselling author of Oona Out of Order *
The fact that I was still thinking about Jenny and Bernard long after I'd turned the last page just goes to show that the smallest lives can sometimes leave the biggest impact. Olivia Ford has achieved that rarest of feats: in Mrs Quinns Rise to Fame she has created hope. A delicious feast of warm, witty, and wise. This novel is Lessons In Chemistry meets The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. I was still thinking about Jenny and Bernard long after I'd turned the last page * Joanna Nell, bestselling author of The Single Ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village *
Deliciously layered * Kirkus Reviews *
Olivia Ford has written a moving, uncommon coming-of-age story, and if the age Mrs. Quinn is coming of is a few decades older than usual, its all the more uplifting and empowering for it. I loved the insiders look into a reality TV show and the delicious descriptions of all the bakes, but its the love stories at the center of this novel that so beautifully rise. * Laurie Frankel, New York Times bestselling author of This Is How It Always Is *
A warm-hearted book that rises to the top with its delightful story and wonderful characters * Phaedra Patrick bestselling author of The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper *
Reality TV producer Ford debuts with the charming story of a British home bakers turn in the spotlight. Fans of cooking competitions will find this feel-good story delectable. * Publishers Weekly *
Mrs Quinns Rise to Fame is a delightful story full of warmth, kindness and cake. Author Olivia Ford shows us that its never too late to take chances and step out of our comfort zone, and readers will be inspired and moved by Mrs Quinns charming coming-of-age tale. So sit back with a cup of tea and a slice of cake while you devour this deliciously feel-good story. * Freya Sampson, bestselling author of The Lost Ticket *
This is a treat of a tale - as comforting, moreish and delicious as the cakes it describes. Yet it achieves this would shying away from the complexities and sorrows of life and, as a love story, it's refreshing, authentic and deeply affecting. I hugely enjoyed this book. * Susan Fletcher, bestselling author of Eve Green *
Warm, sincere, and heartfelt * Library Journal *
There are a couple of recipes included at the end of the book. I havent attempted them, but Im going to assume that taking them out of the oven will like The Great British Baking Show and Mrs. Quinn's Rise to Fame feel all warm and cozy. * Minneapolis Star-Tribune *
Olivia Ford's warmhearted debut novel, Mrs. Quinn's Rise to Fame, traces the story of one woman's life through baking. . . Like Jenny's expertly crafted pastries, Ford's narrative layers in sweetness, rich flavors, and the occasional bit of salt. . .Compassionate, thoughtful, and full of mouthwatering descriptions, Mrs. Quinn's Rise to Fame is a tribute to kindness, following one's dreams at any age, and the deep joy and nourishment of baking. * Shelf Awareness *
A sweet confection . . . Readers are sure to eat up this delicious paean to pursuing one's dreams at every age * NPR.ORG *
Mrs. Quinns Rise to Fame is a charming story that falls within the growing niche of books set in, essentially, fictionalized versions of the Great British Bake Off. At 77, Jennifer Quinn lives in the English countryside with her husband Bernard, and despite the quiet peace of their existence, she has begun to feel the smallness of having reached a point where there was far more of life behind her than ahead of her. A lifelong baker, Jenny works up the nerve to apply for the competition show Britain Bakes and earns a place as a contestant. Baking brings up secrets and memories from Jennys past, and these anecdotes are interspersed throughout the present-day narrative. Its a sweet, approachable book thats fit for the times you simply want something that soothes. * Eater *
Feelgood heart-warmer * The Debut Digest *
Charming, uplifting and triumphant, the story we al need right now, proving that youre never too old for a challenge * Cathy Bramley, Sunday Times Top Ten best-selling author of The Lemon Tree Cafe *
One of the most heartwarming stories youll read this year. I absolutely adored it * SixtyplusSurfers *

Author Bio

Olivia Ford has spent the last ten years in entertainment TV, most recently as a story producer. Inspired by her grandparents, Mrs Quinn's Rise to Fame was longlisted for the 2021 Women's Prize Trust's Discoveries Prize . Raised in Lincolnshire, Olivia now lives in London with her husband and daughter.