Why a Review of Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame? I am secretly obsessed with cooking competitions. I enjoyed The Golden Spoon, a mystery set in a cooking contest. I love watching cozy mysteries set in bakeries. So when I saw that this book was based on the Great British Bake Off, I was in.
Written and edited by Jen Ryland. Last updated on:
Jen’s Quick Take on Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame
- A great book club pick
- Perfect for fans of Lessons in Chemistry or The Christie Affair
- A moving story about self-acceptance and forgiveness
- Definitely Great British Bake Off inspired!
Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame
Published on January 30, 2024 by Pamela Dorman Books
Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review. I read this book in January 2024.
Plot Summary for Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame
After fifty-nine years of marriage, Jenny decides she wants a little something for herself. So she secretly applies to be a contestant on the prime-time TV show Britain Bakes.
Whisked into an unfamiliar world, Jenny delights in her new-found independence. But her experience starts to unearth memories buried decades ago. Chocolate teacakes remind her of a furtive errand involving a wedding ring. Sugared doughnuts call up a stranger’s kind act. A simple cottage loaf brings back the moment her life changed forever.
With her baking star rising, Jenny struggles to keep a lid on a long-concealed secret that threatens to shatter the very foundations of her marriage. Has Jenny created a recipe for disaster?
Review of Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame
A sweet and deeply moving story!
As a huge GBBO (Great British Bake Off) fan, I was beyond excited to read this.
I will also admit that Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame got off to a bit of a slow start for me. I read a lot of thrillers and this was an adjustment!
The book has a fair amount of scene-setting and a past/present format that really is necessary to understanding the story, which is about the journey of a young girl in the 1950s who made a misjudgment for which she was deeply shamed.
After that, Jennifer Quinn lives a safe and small life. She’s happy, but clearly still fearful and protecting that young version of herself who made a mistake. Then one day she impulsively decides to “put herself out there” (as the kids say) and have a chance to be recognized for her talent and passion for baking.
Just like baking, reading sometimes requires patience, and patience can really pay off. After a while I couldn’t put the book down and was deeply invested in Jenny’s story.
It’s a story that shows that it is never too late to redefine yourself, to come out of your comfort zone, to let others really see you, flaws and all, and to allow yourself to shine.
I think book clubs will love this one! Great for fans of The Christie Affair! You also might try The Golden Spoon, a classic mystery set at a cooking competition.