A review by inhale_exhale_read
Mrs. Quinn's Rise to Fame: A Novel by Olivia Ford

emotional lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

This was a delightful story about Jenny, a 76-year-old woman who secretly applies to be a contestant on the popular TV show Britain Bakes. She's sure she's too old, so she doesn't even tell her husband of 59 years. He becomes concerned when he notices her taking phone calls in private and baking in a frenzy at all hours of the night (could she be discussing some terrible diagnosis with her doctor?). Then he becomes confused when she gets mad at him for eating what she just baked (those 12 perfect sausage rolls were part of her Britain Bakes application and now there are only 11!). This lighthearted secret becomes a much deeper story when Jenny starts to reminisce about her youth and dredge up lots of painful memories that she'd tried to keep buried all these years. I thought this book might be a bit too fluffy for my taste, but it actually had a lot of emotional depth, while remaining uplifting and joyous overall. I loved Jenny as a character and enjoyed her journey and growth.