Audiobooks by Joanna Toye

The Archers: The Ambridge Chronicles: The gripping trilogy about life in Ambridge from 1951 to 2000

"Joanna Toye’s delightful trilogy telling the story of life in Ambridge from 1951-2001, narrated by Miriam Margolyes, Stella Gonet and Stephanie Cole Britain's most popular and longest-running radio drama, The Archers has captured audiences’ imaginations for 75 years, with millions of listeners in the UK and worldwide tuning in six days a week to catch up with their favourite characters. Now, Archers addicts can find out how it all began, in these engaging abridged readings of Joanna Toye’s trilogy charting the highs and lows of three generations of Ambridge’s founding families. The Archers 1951–1967: Family Ties – Read by Miriam Margolyes, Family Ties introduces us to the Archer clan: patriarch Dan and his wife Doris, his daughter Christine and sons Phil and Jack, Jack’s Londoner wife Peggy, and Phil’s beautiful and wealthy girlfriend Grace. These action-packed early years encompass Phil’s courtship and marriage to Grace and her tragic death; his subsequent marriage to Jill and the birth of their children, Shula and Kenton; Jack’s struggle with alcoholism, and his daughter Jennifer’s illegitimate baby. The Archers 1968–1986: Looking For Love – Looking for Love sees Dan and Doris’s grandchildren charting their course through the ever-changing world of the ‘70s and ‘80s. Jennifer’s struggles as an unmarried mother look to be over with marriage to the gorgeous Roger, but there are clouds on the horizon. Meanwhile, her sister Lilian has more than her share of tragedy, but there is happiness for Shula with new-found love, and wedding bells ring for Tony Archer and Pat. Read by Stella Gonet. The Archers 1987–2000: Back to the Land – In this final volume, read by Stephanie Cole, the next generation face choices and difficulties that their grandparents could never have imagined. David Archer finally meets his match in Ruth, but with the farming industry in crisis, tensions arise between him and Phil. John comes through difficult teenage years only to be struck by tragedy, and Tommy’s trial for destroying GM crops has feelings running high. And it’s not all plain sailing for the women of Ambridge, as Shula comes to terms with tragedy, Elizabeth makes a heartbreaking decision, and Debbie Aldridge becomes entangled with an older man... Audio quality update: this audiobook was remastered in June 2026 for a better listening experience © 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Joanna Toye (Author), Miriam Margolyes, Stella Gonet, Stephanie Cole (Narrator)

Audiobook

A New Chapter at the Little Penguin Bookshop: A heartwarming and uplifting World War Two novel about community, friendship and books

"Brought to you by Penguin. New stories are being written at The Little Penguin Bookshop… Carrie Anderson’s business selling books at her local train station is thriving and, with her beloved Mike returned from war, everything feels as though it is falling into place. That is, until Mike is sent to Washington as a liaison between Britain and America. When her twin brother, Johnnie, a fighter pilot, is injured, and her bookstall falls on hard times, Carrie misses the sage advice and comfort of Mike more than ever. Bolstered by her supportive station community, can Carrie battle through this challenging new chapter and reach the happy ending she deserves? Praise for Joanna Toye: 'Romance, nostalgia, family, and books! The Little Penguin Bookshop has it all' Elaine Everest 'Endearing characters [...] wartime loves, laughter and heartbreak' Annie Murray 'A charming heroine, a dashing hero and books! I loved it!' Lesley Eames 'An uplifting wartime saga with family at its heart' Tracy Baines 'Meticulously researched and beautifully written' Helen Yendall © Joanna Toye 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025"

Joanna Toye (Author), Katy Sobey (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Little Penguin Bookshop: A heart-warming and uplifting world war two novel about community, friendship and books

"Brought to you by Penguin. Books can change lives, even in wartime. . . When World War II breaks out, Carrie Anderson sets up a bookstall at her local train station in the hope of providing a sense of escapism for travellers, troops and evacuees. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and armed with a colourful array of Penguin paperbacks, Carrie’s business soon booms. And when she gifts a book to a dashing officer, an act of kindness becomes the beginning of Carrie’s very own love story. But as war rages on, and Mike is posted abroad, Carrie’s world is turned upside-down. With the help of her station community, and the power of her paperbacks, can Carrie find the strength to battle through? ©2024 Joanna Toye (P)2024 Penguin Audio"

Joanna Toye (Author), Katy Sobey (Narrator)

Audiobook

Wedding Bells for the Victory Girls

"The latest in the heartwarming WW2 family saga series! ‘Uplifting and full of warmth, this tale of friendship and love is another brilliant instalment in this much loved historical fiction series’ MyWeekly ‘This heartwarming, nostalgic book is a fitting finale to a delightful series’ Woman’s Weekly Summer 1945. After victory in Europe, best friends Lily, Gladys and Beryl are looking to the future. But even with this happy news, their lives are far from simple… Despite Lily’s joyful summer wedding, she has doubts over what her heart wants now. As she adjusts to her role as young wife, could this signal the end of her position at Marlows? The return of Gladys’s husband Bill raises questions of their family life as he struggles to find work after the Navy, and for Beryl big changes at her bridal shop are afoot. As the girls start to move on with their lives, they have never needed to stick together more… Acclaim for The Shop Girls series 'Jo writes with a sure hand and a light touch… a real page-turner with a spirited heroine who will worm her way into readers' hearts. A sparkling new voice in fiction' VERONICA HENRY ‘Cheerful and uplifting… I thoroughly enjoyed it’ KATIE FFORDE ‘Highly recommended – an engrossing story with a charmingly forthright heroine’ ANNA JACOBS ‘Warm and wonderfully page-turning’ ANNIE GROVES ‘Captivating… a triumphant debut novel’ Women’s Weekly ‘Family drama, community spirit and love… [a] warm, compassionate read’ People’s Friend"

Joanna Toye (Author), Becky Wright (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Victory Girls

"The new book in the heart-warming WW2 family saga series! As the tides of war turn, friendship has never been more important… Spring 1944. As the Allied forces push on towards longed-for victory, Lily Collins yearns to join up and do her bit. But where does her duty lie? Her best friend Gladys faces having her first baby alone, with her new husband back with the Navy. And their friend Beryl is run off her feet building her bridal-hire business amid the bomb damage. So while wedding bells are ringing for others at Marlows Department Store, where Lily works, will they be heard for Lily herself – or does fate have another twist in store? Acclaim for Joanna Toye ‘Warm and wonderfully page-turning’ Annie Groves ‘A wonderful testament to friendship as the Allied Forces push on towards victory’ Women’s Weekly ‘Family drama, community spirit and love…[a] warm, compassionate read’ People’s Friend"

Joanna Toye (Author), Becky Wright (Narrator)

Audiobook

Christmas for the Shop Girls

"Uplifting and heartwarming: drama, courage and romance at Marlow’s department store this ChristmasFor Lily Collins and her fellow shop girls at Marlow’s Department store, another Christmas with ration books, shortages of goods and staff – not to mention a store coping with war damage – will be a real challenge. But the girls rally round and put their worries aside to make this, the hardest wartime Christmas yet, one that their families, and their town, will never forget."

Joanna Toye (Author), Becky Wright (Narrator)

Audiobook

Heartache for the Shop Girls

"The new book in the heart-warming WW2 family saga series! ‘Just the balm our souls need right now’ Women’s Weekly Summer 1942. Despite grim reports on the wireless and rationing hitting hard, Lily Collins and her fellow shop girls from Marlow’s department store are determined to put out the bunting for a family party. But Beryl’s husband Les returns from North Africa a changed man, and Gladys worries for her own fiancé’s safety. The store is losing staff to the war effort and Lily’s young man, Jim, is torn over where his duty lies. Then comes the knock on the door that everyone dreads. Lily’s family, always the heart of her world, is rocked to the core. The small Midlands town – and Lily’s beloved Marlow’s – must face their greatest challenge yet."

Joanna Toye (Author), Becky Wright (Narrator)

Audiobook

Wartime for the Shop Girls

"War brings changes three friends could never foresee… ‘Highly recommended’ Anna Jacobs ‘A warm domestic drama’ People’s Friend It’s 1942 and as shortages of staff – and goods – begin to bite, young Lily Collins is nervously stepping up to sales junior at Marlow’s department store. Bombs are still falling and Lily and fellow shop girls Gladys and Beryl need a stiff upper lip to wave boyfriends, husbands and brothers goodbye, especially with a baby on the way and grim news on the wireless. Jim, who works with Lily at the store, seems restless, and nothing can prepare Lily for the secrets that come tumbling out when her favourite brother comes home on leave… Somehow, she must keep smiling through. Community, family and friends rally round as her home town – and the whole country – is tested once again."

Joanna Toye (Author), Becky Wright (Narrator)

Audiobook

A Store at War

"'Cheerful and uplifting…I enjoyed it immensely' Sunday Times bestseller Katie Fforde ‘Such a good read!’ 5* Goodreads reviewer It’s 1941 and as the air raid sirens blare, Lily Collins is starting work in Midlands department store Marlow’s. She learns the ropes from her sophisticated boss Miss Frobisher alongside shy fellow junior Gladys. But her friendship with young salesman Jim draws her into a swirl of secrets. And with the war progressing to crisis point, Cedric Marlow and his staff must battle nightly bombings and the absence of loved ones to keep going. A Store at War weaves together a strong sense of community with a vivid evocation of a time when every man, woman and child was doing their bit. ‘Cheerful and uplifting… I enjoyed it immensely’ Katie Fforde ‘Highly recommended’ Anna Jacobs 'A real page-turner with a spirited heroine…A sparkling new voice in fiction' Sunday Times bestseller Veronica Henry"

Joanna Toye (Author), Olivia Dowd (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks by Joanna Toye

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