Olivia Ford

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.… (more)

I was attracted to this book because I am a baker. I bake for our 3 businesses, and for family and friends. And, like Jennifer Quinn, I bake out of my own kitchen. So this story was quite appealing to me, and it lived up to my expectations.

Jennifer Quinn is a 77-year-old woman who has led a quiet life with her husband Bernard. She bakes every day, and one day wonders if she should step out of her comfort zone and apply to be on ‘The Great British Baking Show.’ The book follows her thought process, and her eventual leap into the unknown. She is a somewhat timid woman, and doesn’t tell her husband about the application until she is finally accepted onto the show.

Jennifer Quinn has another secret, a long-standing secret, that she is also keeping from her husband. That secret is finally revealed in flashbacks. I liked how the two story lines eventually meshed at the end of the book. This is a feel-good book, one that I read while on vacation in northern Michigan, looking out over Lake Michigan during a 2-day gale storm. I only wish I had my baking supplies with me!… (more)

I like books about cooking shows almost as much as I like watching cooking shows. This is not a rom com like some of the other book I’ve read that involve cooking shows.

Jennifer Quinn is 77 years old and has been married to her husband for nearly 60 years. When she decides to apply to be a contestant on Britain Bakes she keeps her application and audition a secret. Once she makes the cut she obviously has to tell him but readers find out it’s not the only secret she’s kept from him.

The baking show is really about only half the story. The rest looks back to when Jennifer was young and how her baking memories spark other memories of important people and events of her life.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. It’s a sweet (and a bit predictable) story with utterly charming characters. I would not hesitate to read another book by this author.… (more)