Six Degrees of Separation - May 2024

Six Degrees of Separation is hosted by Kate at booksaremyfavoriteandbest. A book is selected each month as the starting point for us to link to six other books. I go a bit rouge by selecting my own book from the previous months’ Five Star Friday, but still maintain the spirit of the meme.

This Month's Book

Mrs. Quinn's Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford
Published by Pamela Dorman Books on January 30, 2024
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Fiction

Goodreads

A huge-hearted, redemptive coming-of-old-age tale, a love story, and an ode to good food

Nothing could be more out of character, but after fifty-nine years of marriage, as her husband Bernard’s health declines, and her friends' lives become focused on their grandchildren—which Jenny never had—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 of cameras and timed challenges, Jenny delights in a new-found independence. But that independence, and the stress of the competition, 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 that first secret—a long-concealed deceit that threatens to shatter the very foundations of her marriage. It’s the only time in six decades that she’s kept something from Bernard. By putting herself in the limelight, has Jenny created a recipe for disaster?

---

1. British Baking Shows - Mrs. Quinn's Rise to Fame and Battle Royal are centered around British baking competitions. 
2. Reality Shows - Battle Royal and Tools of Engagement both feature reality shows. 
3. House Flipping - Tools of Engagement and Built to Last involve flipping houses. 
4. Former Child Stars - The main characters in Built to Last and Birds of California were former child stars who may have been romantically entangled in the past.  
5. Reboots - Birds of California and The Reunion bring former co-stars together for a reboot of their shows. 
6. Reunions - This is pretty obvious, The Reunion and The Reunion share a title and involve a reunion. 

What books can you connect to the starter book?
Let us know in the comments!