Coming of Age Audiobooks | Fiction

"FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF REBECCA 'When people play the game: Name three or four persons whom you would choose to have with you on a desert island - they never choose the Delaneys. They don't even choose us one by one as individuals. We have earned, not always fairly we consider, the reputation of being difficult guests...' Maria, Niall and Celia have grown up in the shadow of their famous parents. Their father is a flamboyant singer and their mother is a talented dancer. Now pursuing their own creative dreams, all three siblings feel an undeniable bond, but it is Maria and Niall who share the secret of their parents' pasts. Alternately comic and poignant, The Parasites is based on the artistic milieu its author knew best and draws the reader effortlessly into that magical world. 'One of the last century's most original literary talents' DAILY TELEGRAPH 'Wickedly readable . . . every woman instinctively wants to read her' NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW ' Somehow more personal than Daphne du Maurier's other novels' KIRKUS REVIEWS"

Daphne du Maurier (Author), TBD (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Ex-Boyfriend's Favourite Recipe Funeral Committee: A magical, soul-nourishing comfort read for a

"What ingredients do you need to cure a broken heart? This soul-nourishing comfort read is for anyone who has loved and lost – and wants to love again. Momoko thought her boyfriend was her soulmate. She believed he was going to propose. Instead, he broke things off at a love hotel. So she does what many broken-hearted people do – she gets incredibly drunk. So drunk that she passes out in a nearly empty café. When she wakes, she pours her heart out to Iori, the curious and impossibly handsome manager and Hozumi, a Buddhist monk in training and café regular. As Momoko describes how her ex loved her cooking, the manager decides to allow her to slip into the kitchen and cook up his favourite dish: a delicious butter chicken curry. Momoko realizes that this combination of cooking and sharing has stopped the flow of her constant tears. And the manager has a brilliant idea: what if they started doing this regularly, inviting customers to share stories about heartbreak while cooking dishes that held significance in their relationships? And so, an unconventional therapy group, the 'Ex-Boyfriend's Favourite Recipe Funeral Committee' is born . . . "

Saki Kawashiro (Author), TBD (Narrator)

Audiobook

In the Light of the Sun: A Novel

"Two sisters, separated by oceans and global conflict, are bonded through music and love in this gripping novel based on true events from World War II. "Hauntingly beautiful . . . shines a light on wartime in the Philippines and Italy, places rarely depicted in historical fiction . . . a riveting, unforgettable must-read novel that will live in my heart and mind for years to come."-Sharon Kurtzman, author of The Lost Baker of Vienna The year is 1941, and in the Philippines, Caramina Grassi dreams of training in Italy to become an opera singer like her older sister, Rosa. But as war erupts, her world is shattered, forcing her to cling to the music that has always been her refuge. When her family's lives are threatened and they are forced to flee to the jungle, she comes to understand that music is more than comfort. It becomes a muse that fuels her courage, sacrifice, and unwavering focus on the light. Meanwhile, in Florence, just as Rosa Grassi's long-awaited opera debut arrives, Mussolini tightens his grip on Italy. Drawn into la Resistenza, the underground resistance, Rosa feels lost in a fog of deception that clouds everything she thought to be true. In a time when family or friend could be foe, Rosa will learn that performing isn't just for the stage. Facing a devastating betrayal, she must decide how far she's willing to go to protect the one she loves. Inspired by true events, In the Light of the Sun is an unforgettable story of sisterhood, hope, and the enduring power of music to uplift the human spirit-even in the darkest of times."

Angela Shupe (Author), Abigail Reno, Sarah Sampino (Narrator)

Audiobook

One Chord Wonders: Five Full Cast BBC Radio Dramas

"Frank Cottrell Boyce’s series of plays about the punk generation 30 years on What if punk heroes The Adverts had played a gig in Camberley in 1977, to an audience of 27 people? And what if, three decades later, someone tried to bring that audience back together for a reunion? That’s the premise of these five linked plays by award-winning screenwriter Frank Cottrell-Boyce, telling the stories of some of those audience members as they look back on that life-changing night. Among the star casts are Doon Mackichan, Pauline Quirke, Siân Reeves, Rosie Cavaliero, Richard Ridings, Danny Webb and Manjinder Virk. Parallel Lines – When Julie, a singer in a Blondie tribute band, is invited to the reunion (along with her husband Pete, aka Zorba the Freak), she’s unsure whether or not to go. As she tries to track down 'Thing' and Margaret, two of her contemporaries from those formative days, she finds herself facing a few uncomfortable truths. Blitzkrieg Bop – Back in 1977, Mo Motormouth was a fanzine writer, and co-promoter of the Adverts gig alongside fellow punk Benny Bondage. Now a struggling local radio presenter, her career receives an unexpected boost when she gives her on-air persona an opinionated, in-yer-face makeover. But her newfound success brings some unwelcome attention from the livelier elements among her listeners… Damned, Damned, Damned – Ex-punk and ex-personal security guard Mick ended up in prison after an altercation with an over-enthusiastic fan. But now he’s a different man: he’s found Jesus, and he’s working on managing his anger. Can he find salvation in remembering the one time when he was truly happy? This Is the Modern World – Onetime ‘anarcho-punk’ Muttley lives in an eco-collective in Wales with his teenage daughter, Lineel. Hoping to find out about her late mother’s past, Lineel sets off on a walking pilgrimage to Camberley, and Muttley has no choice but to accompany her. He’s about to be forcibly reunited with his former self – and Lineel’s about to find out what life is like in the ‘real world’ beyond the commune. Television is Over – In this final play, we flash back to where it all began: Camberley, March 1977. Punk has arrived in suburban Surrey, and the town’s respectable residents are outraged – but the local teens are ready for revolution. And at the centre of it all are Julie, Pete, Mo, Benny, Mick, Muttley – and Adam, a young man desperate for something to believe in… Production credits Written by Frank Cottrell Boyce Produced and directed by Toby Swift Parallel Lines Cast: Doon Mackichan, Siân Reeves, Rosie Cavaliero, Ivan Kaye, Paul Viragh, Joseph Tremain, Sarah Bedi, John Rowe, Ben Crowe, Helen Longworth Blitzkrieg Bop Cast: Pauline Quirke, Adam Kotz, Manjinder Virk, Ivan Kaye, Ben Crowe, Harry Myers, Sanjay Shelat, Stephen Critchlow, John Rowe, Amy Enticknap Damned, Damned, Damned Cast: Richard Ridings, Lloyd Thomas, Chris Pavlo, Richie Campbell, Paul Richard Biggin, John Rowe, Ben Crowe This Is the Modern World Cast: Danny Webb, Stephanie Leonidas, Ann Beach, Carl Prekopp, John Biggins, Alex Tregear, John Cummins, Sam Dale, Liz Sutherland Television’s Over Cast: Kristopher Milnes, Freddy White, Gerard Horan, Fenella Woolgar, Leanne Rowe, James Daley, Ben Crowe, John Hasler, Amy Enticknap, John Rowe, Dan Starkey, Nyasha Hatendi, Sarah Bedi, Joan Walker, Tim James © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Frank Cottrell Boyce (Author), Danny Webb, Doon Mackichan, Fenella Woolgar, Full Cast, Ivan Kaye, Kristopher Milnes, Manjinder Virk, Pauline Quirke, Richard Ridings, Rosie Cavaliero (Narrator)

Audiobook

Ugly

"An epic tragicomedy spanning three generations, UGLY explores the horrifying and hilarious truths of man's inhumanity to woman, delivered with unforgettable characters and indelible dark humor in the grand tradition of John Irving. Three generations of women, one horrifying and hilarious story of defiance. Charlotte Adams escapes a destitute orphanage in prewar London, only to find herself in the lavish but equally treacherous home of one of England's wealthiest families. Her daughter, Margot Kenworthy, flees to America's heartland, where she takes refuge in a dangerously misunderstood finishing school. Her daughter, Cleo Portman, heads to Hollywood, where she takes on the predatory modeling business in shocking and unprecedented ways. In the grand tradition of John Irving, David Michael Slater, acclaimed author of Fun & Games and The Vanishing, delivers a sprawling tragicomedy chock-full of remarkable characters and indelible scenes. An unforgettable listen, UGLY is a breakneck rollercoaster of a ride."

David Michael Slater (Author), Lauren Irwin (Narrator)

Audiobook

Stone Creek

"Seventeen years ago, Tilly Stone (age thirteen) is left to fend for herself in rural Pennsylvania when her infamous eco-terrorist father disappears under mysterious circumstances. Ever since she's tried to forget the dams they blew up together and forge a new life until her father's return threatens to upend her small-town world and her friendship with the dogged FBI agent still pursuing him. Ultimately, as the past and present fuse and blow up with more than one kind of casualty, Tilly must choose between the father she loves and her home."

Kate Brandes (Author), Linda Jones (Narrator)

Audiobook

Royal Hunter

"Tomi helped sparked a war—now he must end it before it consumes the kingdom. After a desperate warning draws him into the ranks of the Forsworn, a band of exiles fighting for survival in a war-torn land, Tomi finds himself caught in a brutal struggle against Cedric's relentless forces. His skills as a hunter and his instincts become essential as he navigates the treacherous wilderness, the chaos of battle, and the whispers of ancient spirits that guide and challenge him. As rival armies clash and betrayal runs deep, Tomi unravels the secrets of his father's book and the mysterious Pathos powers that tie him to a destiny far greater than he imagined. Bound by a promise to the heirs of a lost king, he embarks on a perilous journey to unite a shattered realm and stop Cedric's machinations before it's too late. Amid desperate battles, fractured loyalties, and the haunting legacy of his past, Tomi must face impossible choices that could save the kingdom—or destroy it. As the flames of war threaten to engulf everything he holds dear, the fate of the realm hangs on his courage, resolve, and the power he is only just beginning to understand."

Simon Shugar (Author), Jonathan Johns (Narrator)

Audiobook

Say it Out Loud

"Once Juniper's life was filled with magic. Little things went right – and sometimes big ones, like that enchanted night at college when she found herself playing Juliet opposite her secret crush James as Romeo. But then her mother died, and Juniper's world has grown cold. After misguidedly selling the rights to her growing podcast, she finds herself back in her hometown, in her old bedroom, with no job in sight. When a mysterious email invites her to audition for a starring role in the audio drama adaptation of The Meadow, the beloved, bestselling vampire romance of her teenage years, it's the opportunity of a lifetime. Or it seems to be, until she learns that it all hinges on her co-star, James from college, now on the cusp of breaking through as one of Hollywood's leading actors. He broke her heart ten years ago; can she trust him now?"

Ashley Schumacher (Author), TBD (Narrator)

Audiobook

Vengewrought

"War consumes the land, and Karn must lead the charge—or risk losing everything. As Rhudoria's armies close in, Karn takes his place as an officer in the Black Guard, fighting to hold the line against overwhelming odds. With Serah training among the elite Black Knights, he must rely on old friends and new allies to navigate the brutal battlefield and the treacherous politics of war. When a chance to strike at the Witch Queen arises, Karn is thrust into a perilous mission that could end the conflict—but at a cost he may not survive. With enemies closing in and his own darkness threatening to consume him, Karn must decide: will he fight for a better future, or let the war destroy him? The battle begins. The fate of the realm hangs by a thread."

Simon Shugar (Author), RJ Bayley (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Lack of Light: A Novel of Georgia

"“The Lack of Light is a novel that thrills you, the kind you can't put down. Nino Haratischwili grips you from the first page with an intensity that only great writers can achieve.” —Armando Lucas Correa, author of the internationally bestselling The German Girl “Readers will find [The Lack of Light] irresistible.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) A page-turning epic of loss and redemption in the vein of Rebecca Makkai’s The Great Believers and Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan novels, about a group of four women who formed a deep friendship in the turbulent years leading up to and after Georgia’s independence from the Soviet Union. They are four, as different as can be: the romantic Nene, the clever outsider Ira, the idealistic Dina, and the sensitive Keto. Inseparable since childhood, they grow up together in an old Tiblisi courtyard, in Georgia, at a time when the Soviet Union is crumbling and the future of their country is in question. Each in her own way experiences love, hope, and disappointment as local mob wars, romance, and civil war threaten to swallow up their worlds. Rising to challenges both personal and political —a first love that can only blossom in secret, violent street skirmishes, a ravaging drug epidemic—the four women’s friendship seems indestructible, until an unforgivable act of betrayal and a tragic death shatter their bond. Decades later, the three survivors reunite at a major retrospective of their late friend’s photography. The pictures on display tell the story not only of their country but also of their friendship, and, confronted by them, Nene, Ira, and Keto relive their staggering loss. Then, unexpectedly, something new is glimpsed, and forgiveness seems within reach. Like the International Booker Prize nominated The Eighth Life before it, Nino Haratischwili’s The Lack of Light is an emotionally bold, decades-spanning epic in which to lose yourself, brought to life by the vibrant colors of Georgia's culture and its people. It is a glorious book readers will return to again and again. Translated by Charlotte Collins and Ruth Martin. Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook."

Nino Haratischwili (Author), Jennifer Jill Araya (Narrator)

Audiobook

Lucy Carmichael

"Brought to you by Penguin. The Mermaid Collection Originally published in 1951 from the author of beloved holiday classic The Feast comes a glorious coming-of-age tale about a heroine whose wedding day does not go entirely to plan . . . With a foreword by Lucy Mangan ‘People seem to get over things, don’t they? I don’t know how, but they do – ordinary people. I’m very ordinary, so I expect I shall do what they do.’ Lucy Carmichael is jilted at the altar. But no matter. Her loving and kind family never liked her explorer fiancé anyway. Instead of moping or falling into her supportive family’s arms, however, Lucy abandons their suburban home. Heading for the country, she takes up a teaching position in the industrial town of Ravonsbridge. There, she finds solace in her work, in her new (rather gossipy) colleagues – and rediscovers her sensible young self. But if Lucy has, despite everything, kept her head – where lies her heart? Praise for Margaret Kennedy: 'She is not only a romantic but an anarchist, and she knows the ways of men and women very well indeed' Anita Brookner 'Kennedy was immensely popular in her heyday' Washington Post 'Margaret Kennedy's poised style, cool wit and skilful characterization kept her novels welcome for three decades' Cambridge Guide to Literature in English © Margaret Kennedy 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025"

Margaret Kennedy (Author), TBD (Narrator)

Audiobook

Rosamond Lehmann: A BBC Radio Collection: Four Full-Cast Dramatisations including The Weather in the

"BBC adaptations of four of Rosamond Lehmann’s best-known novels, plus short stories and a bonus documentary Rosamond Lehmann’s first novel, Dusty Answer, was published in 1927 when she was just 26. It was a scandalous success, and was followed by six more acclaimed novels exploring human relationships and the emotional lives of girls and women. Four of the finest are dramatised here, alongside readings of two of her short stories and a fascinating profile of Lehmann herself. Dusty Answer – Growing up, Judith Earle’s only friends are the Fyfe family cousins, who live next door. As Judith moves from childhood to adulthood, Charlie, Roddy, Julian and Martin drift in and out of her life, bringing with them romance, heartbreak and disillusionment. Starring Julia Hills, Rosina Carbone, Jack Farthing, Brodie Ross, Oliver Gomm and Tom Ferguson. Invitation to the Waltz – Waking on her 17th birthday, Olivia senses her rite of passage has begun. Anticipating her very first dance, she is both anxious and excited – will it live up to her hopeful expectations? Mary Nighy stars in this adaptation of Lehmann’s 1932 classic. The Weather in the Streets – Now living a bohemian life in London, Olivia embarks on a passionate affair with the handsome and unhappily married Rollo. Eve Best and Jonathan Firth star in this sequel to Invitation to the Waltz. The Echoing Grove – After 15 years apart, two sisters meet to seek reconciliation. Between them lay various ghosts – not least that of Rickie, husband of Madeleine and lover of Dinah… Starring Janet Suzman, Susan Engel and Christopher Cazenove. ‘When the Waters Came’ – Ensconced in an English village during wartime, a mother and her two children experience a sudden sharp freeze and a violent, torrential thaw. Read by Lin Sagovsky. ‘A Dream of Winter’ – In the midst of a great frost, a woman in bed with flu is visited by the bee man, who has come to remove the swarm living in the walls of her country house. Read by Maureen O’Brien. Kaleidoscope: An Inner Life – Presented by Richard Mayne, this absorbing profile from 1985 features interviews with Rosamond Lehmann, in which she discusses her debut novel, the impact of World War Two on her work, the death of her beloved daughter and her subsequent spiritual visions. With contributions from Sybille Bedford, Anita Brookner, Valentine Cunningham, Marghanita Laski, John Lehmann and Gillian Tindall. First published 1927 (Dusty Answer), 1932 (Invitation to the Waltz), 1936 (The Weather in the Streets), 1946 (‘When the Waters Came’, ‘A Dream of Winter’) 1953 (The Echoing Grove) © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Rosamond Lehmann (Author), Annabel Scholey, David Lloyd, Diana Quick, Eve Best, Full Cast, Janet Suzman, Jonathan Firth, Julia Hills, Lin Sagovsky, Maureen O'Brien, Rachel Lewis, Rosina Carbone, Susan Engel, Tom Ferguson (Narrator)

Audiobook

Coming of Age Audiobooks in Fiction