Contemporary Women Audiobooks | Fiction

Peter Miles Has to Die: A Novel Audiobook

""What happens when three women decide to avenge the murder of their best friend? In her riveting debut, Katie Collum explores what we owe the ones we love, and how ordinary life can change in an instant. I couldn't put this thriller down."-Amanda Eyre Ward, New York Times bestselling author of The Jetsetters Peter Miles has to die. And Dylan Darcy, Priya Shah, and Isabel Guerrero-a bartender, a nurse, and a student-have to be the ones to kill him. As they see it, this local cop deserves death for murdering their best friend and getting away with it. All they need to do to pull off the perfect crime is stick to their carefully prepared plan. So that's exactly what they do. Murder, it turns out, is surprisingly easy when you're fueled by revenge. What comes after is the hard part. As the dry Texas heat gives way to cooler weather, their blazing rage is replaced by a chill fear. Because there's a fallout that comes from settling the score against someone like Peter, and it could cost them more than they've bargained for. When the lead investigator on the case starts sniffing around for a cop killer, the three friends are not feeling as confident as they did on that fateful night. And when they start receiving death threats, it weakens their resolve even further . . . but it's too little too late. What they don't realize is that this detective has her own reasons for wanting to get to the bottom of Peter's murder. Reasons that don't involve them at all. The investigation ramps up, and so does the pressure, leaving Dylan, Priya, and Isabel to wonder if ending his life may end up costing them theirs. As the guilt of what they've done settles in their bones, they realize there's no going back. Someone is going to have to take the fall."

Katie Collom (Author), Nicole Cash (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Battle of the Bookshops: A Novel

"A charming literary-themed novel about a young woman determined to save her great-aunt’s beloved bookshop from extinction by the shiny new competition—which also happens to be run by the handsome son of her family’s rivals. The cute, seaside town of Portneath has been the home of Capelthorne’s Books for nearly a hundred years… The shop, in the heart of a high street that stretches crookedly down the hill from the castle to the sea, may be a tad run-down these days, but to Jules Capelthorne, the wonky, dusty world of literary treasures is full of precious childhood memories. When her great-aunt Florence gets too frail to run it alone, Jules ditches her junior publishing job in London and comes home to make the bookshop’s hundredth birthday a celebration to remember. Jules quickly discovers things are worse than she ever imagined: The bookshop is close to bankruptcy, unlikely to make it to its own centenary celebration, and the lease on the building is up for renewal. With a six-figure sum needed, the future looks bleak. To make matters worse, the owner of the property is the insufferable Roman Montbeau, from the posh, local family who owns half of Portneath. The Montbeaus and Capelthornes have feuded for years, and Roman has clearly not improved since he tormented Jules as a child. Fresh from a high-flying career in New York, he is on a mission to shake things up, and—unforgivably—proves his point about Capelthorne’s being a relic of the past by opening a new bookshop directly opposite—a shiny, plate-glass-windowed emporium of books. Jules may not be able to splash the cash on promotions and marketing like the Montbeaus, but she’s got some ideas of her own, plus she has a tenacity that may just win the hardest of hearts and the most hopeless of conflicts. Let the battle of the bookshops commence…"

Poppy Alexander (Author), Karen Cass (Narrator)

Audiobook

Frequency of Living Things: A Novel

"A heartbreaking American epic about three sisters who unearth lifetimes of family tensions as they are forced to rescue one of their own from peril, testing the limits of sacrifice, sisterhood, and forgiveness from the author of the "profound work of great wisdom" (Alice Elliott Dark) The Great Transition. Josie may be the youngest sister, but she takes care of everyone. She is the left-brained scientist to her twin sisters' right-brained artistic chaos. She makes sure their rent gets paid on time, they make their therapy appointments, and has also been their de-facto band manager since she was a teenager. When Ara, her middle sister (by a few minutes), calls from jail, it isn't exactly a surprise, and Josie knows exactly how to snap into action. Emma is the quintessential frontwoman, complete with looks and attitude. But the success of The Twins' first (and only) album—gold records, Grammy nominations, and diehard fans—is two decades behind her. Hiding under the surface of her swagger is a long-held guilt that has turned her into her sister's enabler. Emma knows she needs Ara's creative genius and thinks a jailhouse record could be just the thing to get Ara her freedom and their band back on the main stage. Ara is detoxing, not only from her opioid habit but also from her family. The truth is, as crazy as it sounds, she's not in a hurry to get out of lock-up. In the most unlikely and dangerous of places, this could be her chance to face the demons of her past and disentangle herself from her family. Bertie, who raised her three daughters as a single mother, has always taught them that family won't always be around to take care of you. A former defense attorney and perennial do-gooder, she's committed to taking care of everyone less fortunate even if that means putting her girls' needs second. But now Bertie must decide if she should reenter her daughters' lives in their greatest time of need—or watch to see if the resilience she's taught them will help carry them through. A story both intimate and sweeping, The Frequency of Living Things explores the timeless question of how our individual destinies are intertwined with our family, our siblings, and our history no matter how we try to untangle ourselves from them."

Nick Fuller Googins (Author), Suehyla El-Attar Young (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Incredible Kindness of Paper: A Novel

"For fans of Matt Haig and Clare Pooley, an enchanting novel about a pair of long-lost childhood friends who find themselves magically linked through origami flowers as adults—from the New York Times bestselling author of the "tug-at-your-heartstrings winner" (Sarah Addison Allen, New York Times bestselling author) The Hundred Loves of Juliet. Can one random act of kindness change the trajectory of a life? In elementary school, Chloe Hanako Quinn is assigned Oliver Jones as her pen pal partner. Before sending her letter, she also whispers a note into it…and he hears her. Little does she know it would be the beginning of a friendship that would bloom into something more. That is, until disaster strikes, and Oliver and his family disappear without a trace. Now over twenty years later, Chloe is a high school guidance counselor in New York City. But life in the Big Apple is not what she dreamed it would be as she faces a layoff, rising rent, a situationship, and loneliness. Desperate for encouragement, she gives herself a pep talk via uplifting messages written on yellow origami paper that she folds into roses. When one of the roses unexpectedly finds its way to a neighbor in need of cheering up, a desire to spread kindness and optimism is sparked in Chloe, who begins folding more roses and leaving them around town. Across the city, Oliver has picked himself up from the rough circumstances that forced him to leave everything behind as a teenager—including Chloe. Now a successful financial analyst, Oliver's past continues to haunt him. But when the city is suddenly inundated with yellow origami roses, a specific one finds its way into his hands and changes his life forever…"

Evelyn Skye (Author), Ali Andre Ali, Jackie Sanders, Sarah Skaer, Zac Aleman (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Secret Book Society: A Novel

"A captivating new historical novel from Madeline Martin, set in Victorian London about a forbidden book club, dangerous secrets, and the women who dare to break free. You are cordially invited to the Secret Book Society… London, 1895: Trapped by oppressive marriages and societal expectations, three women receive a mysterious invitation to an afternoon tea at the home of the reclusive Lady Duxbury. Beneath the genteel facade of the gathering lies a secret book club-a sanctuary where they can discover freedom, sisterhood, and the courage to rewrite their stories. Eleanor Clarke, a devoted mother suffocating under the tyranny of her husband. Rose Wharton, a transplanted American dollar princess struggling to fit the mold of an aristocratic wife. Lavinia Cavendish, an artistic young woman haunted by a dangerous family secret. All are drawn to the enigmatic Lady Duxbury, a thrice-widowed countess whose husbands' untimely deaths have sparked whispers of murder. As the women form deep, heartwarming friendships, they uncover secrets about their marriages, their pasts, and the risks they face. Their courage is their only weapon in the oppressive world that has kept them silent, but when secrets are deadly, one misstep could cost them everything."

Madeline Martin (Author), Saskia Maarleveld (Narrator)

Audiobook

All Things Considered

"Separated by time … bound by love Judd Matthiessen has a reputation for trouble. And Judd's desertion of Lanni and their daughter only seemed to prove it. Then why does it feel so right to Lanni when Judd walks back into her life? And why does she agree to accompany him to the Matthiessen ranch when all it can do is recall dangerous memories? It seems as though Judd has changed. But can Lanni allow herself to trust him again and open her heart to the only man she's ever loved?"

Debbie Macomber (Author), Susan Bennett (Narrator)

Audiobook

Catalina

"Brought to you by Penguin. When Catalina, a witty, vulnerable and beautiful Ecuadorian student, arrives at Harvard, she feels like one of the chosen. She is a miracle child who has escaped death in Latin America to be raised by undocumented grandparents and now studies at the most prestigious university in the world. She knows she has to play the part, but she also wants to have a good time in the process. And so begins her era of opulent parties, secret societies, desirable internships, flings with rich men and plenty of vodka sodas. But in her final year, undocumented immigrants become the target of political turmoil and Catalina’s life back in New York begins to unravel. As the clock ticks on the precarious future of her family, what will she sacrifice to save the people she loves the most? Catalina is a daring, glamorous and sharply observed campus novel about coming into your own and the endless possibilities of freedom, love and power. ‘Sparkling’ NEW YORK TIMES ‘Magnetic’ IRA GLASS ‘Fierce’ TIME © Karla Cornejo Villavicencio 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025"

Karla Cornejo Villavicencio (Author), Karla Cornejo Villavicencio (Narrator)

Audiobook

Once Upon a Time in Dollywood: Reese's Book Club

"AN INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER ∙ A REESE'S BOOK CLUB PICK ∙ AN AMAZON BEST ROMANCE BOOK OF THE MONTH! "A moving, captivating, beautiful debut! I can't wait for the whole world to read it.'-Jasmine Guillory, New York Times bestselling author of Flirting Lessons A playwright must grapple with her difficult year and writer's block while falling for the single dad living next door in this emotional debut novel from Ashley Jordan. Eve Ambroise may be a rising star playwright, but her personal life is falling part. Desperate for a fresh start, she breaks up with her fiancé, cuts off her parents, and heads to the Tennessee mountains. But keeping up the lie that she's just on a writing retreat becomes near impossible when faced with the well-meaning townspeople and a neighbor who has just as much baggage as she has. Coming off a contentious custody battle, Jamie Gallagher is restructuring what his life looks like as a single dad, and spending more days at his cabin makes his new "free time" a little less empty. Especially when he meets the beautiful-and prickly-woman next door. The last thing he needs is a new romance to shake up his family dynamics even more, but there's something about Eve. What starts out as a fling quickly becomes more serious, and it's not long before Eve is running scared once again. She's loved and lost in every possible way, and risking it one more time could finally break her. But like the fireflies that fill the mountains around them, Jamie's and Eve's lives keep falling into sync. A fairy-tale ending could be in the cards, but only if the new couple can get out of their heads and put their hearts first. "An entertaining, sexy novel that boldly explores trauma and healing yet still manages to be laugh-out-loud funny"-Library Journal STARRED review"

Ashley Jordan (Author), Adenrele Ojo, Ashley Jordan, Matt Haynes (Narrator)

Audiobook

Meet Me in the Orchard

"'Fans of beloved Southern films will flip for this charming small-town tale.' —Woman’s World for The Sisters Café Small town enemies to lovers romance between two headstrong farmers determined to one-up each other, from the queen of Texas twang herself, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Carolyn Brown. Two and a half months have passed since Brodie Carter showed up at the Paradise and announced that he is Joe Clay Carter’s son. Getting to know all seven of his half sisters and their spouses has not been an easy job. Add to that Audrey Ross, the obnoxious, sassy, overbearing woman who owns the orchard and farm next to his. Between Audrey haggling Brodie to buy his property and his matchmaking Great Aunt Bernie setting him up on flop dates, nothing seems to be going right. And then a tornado hits, demolishing the house Brodie and his brothers live in and everything they own. At least the farm was left untouched. Luckily, his new family offers up rooms to Brodie and his brothers at the Paradise while they work to rebuild. Audrey claims the storm is an omen to Brodie, so Brodie does everything he can to prove her wrong. No one boils his blood like she does, and Aunt Bernie can see it. Can Brodie and Audrey stop arguing over their properties long enough to realize the spark that's growing between them?"

Carolyn Brown (Author), Abigail Reno (Narrator)

Audiobook

Your Mum: A BBC Radio Stand-up Comedy

"A gorgeous and upbeat show all about mums, plus Laura Smyth’s award-winning Radio 4 special I Don’t Know What To Say Award-winning comedian Laura Smyth sits down with some hilarious guests to find out about their mums. In the heartfelt Your Mum Laura invites you to explore the many faces of ‘motherhood’. Grilled with such questions as how did your mum respond to your first relationship? What made her blood truly boil? What made her most proud? Delivered with Laura’s signature warm, engaging and infectious style this show will have you in stitches. With a star-studded range of guests, including Jo Brand, Russell Kane, Helen Bauer, Janine Harouni and Arlene Philips, join Laura for a nostalgic, shameless, cathartic ride that asks what (if anything) our dear old mums have taught us… This brilliant listen comes with a bonus episode of Laura’s award-winning special I Don’t Know What To Say. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer she was blown away (and highly amused) at how poorly many around her responded to the news. From pulling the wrong face, to offering medical advice sourced on YouTube we tend to put our foot in it. Laura asks why it is so difficult to say the right thing when trying to support loved ones and speaks with psychotherapist Philippa Perry to get an expert opinion. There may not be a perfect solution or ideal response, but can we all be better at knowing what to say? Cast and credits Your Mum Written and performed by Laura Smyth Starring Janine Harouni, Russell Kane, Jess Fostekew, Bobby Mair, Helen Bauer, Thanyia Moore, Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Olga Koch, Iain Stirling, Arlene Phillips, Jo Brand and Eshaan Akbar Produced by Sasha Bobak Executive Producer Pete Strauss Production Coordinator Katie Baum First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 1st Apr - 6th May 2025 I Don’t Know What To Say Written and performed by Laura Smyth Featuring Philippa Perry Produced by Sasha Bobak Executive Producer Pete Strauss Production Coordinator Katie Baum First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 8th Nov 2023 ©2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Laura Smyth (Author), Laura Smyth, Various (Narrator)

Audiobook

Girls of Riyadh: A Full-Cast BBC Radio Dramatisation

"Can you be a 21st century woman and a Saudi woman? Four friends come of age and look for love in a changing world. Follow the social, romantic, and sexual tribulations of four young women in elite Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Based on Rajaa Alsanea’s explosive novel that shook the Middle East, this full-cast dramatisation is a powerful, moving and, at times, funny story of being a young woman experiencing life between two very different worlds. In between dating, shopping, drinking, dancing and having fun, the girls of Riyadh live by Saudi Arabia’s strict cultural traditions. Well, not quite... They’re still trying to be good Muslims and please their families. Their lives become a social experiment that brings into question what it means to be a good Muslim, a good daughter and a good friend - even when you are worlds apart. Gamrah, Sadeem, Lamees and Michelle are the best of friends and have all dreamt of romance since they were young. Wanting a change from the strict rules of Saudi life, Gamrah embarks on married life a long way from home, but will Chicago make her happy? Sadeem, suffering the shame and injustice of a rejected proposal, flees to London to recover and meets the mysterious Firas. Is he the one she is looking for? Michelle is torn: she loves Faisal, but his conservative mother is proving an impediment to their marriage. Lamees, however, has a plan – and she is not going to share the same fate as her friends. The girls of Riyadh are hopeful, but will their hopes be dashed? Originally released in Arabic in 2005, Rajaa Alsanea’s novel was immediately banned in Saudi Arabia due to the controversial and inflammatory content. Black-market copies were secretly exchanged, and the daring originality of Girls of Riyadh created a firestorm all over the Muslim world, spreading far beyond the Middle East. This powerful dramatisation of a seminal work by a Saudi woman tells the story of globe-trotting women trying to reconcile their traditional Arabic customs with life in a Western society. An engaging listen that resonates today just as much as when it was first released. Cast and credits Written by Rajaa Alsanea Dramatised by Claudine Toutoungi Directed by Emma Harding Gamrah - Lara Sawalha Sadeem - Laila Alj Michelle - Jasmine Jones Lamees - Nyla Levy Faisal - Ikky Elyas Rashid - Elham Ehsas Firas - Moe Bar-El Pilot/ Bookseller - Ian Conningham Tara - Sinead MacInnes First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 17th - 21st February 2000 ©2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Rajaa Alsanea (Author), Full Cast, Jasmine Jones, Laila Alj, Lara Sawalha, Nyla Levy (Narrator)

Audiobook

Picture Imperfect

"Brought to you by Penguin. Will Dolphin retrace old patterns - or illustrate her own? ‘Sorry to wake you in the middle of the night, but we have a lady here who’s not very well. She says she’s called Marigold, Queen of the Sky?’ Dolphin Westward spent her childhood as the supporting character in the story of her beautiful, wild, volatile mother Marigold. Now thirty-three, she’s painfully aware that not much has changed. She lives in a tiny bedsit, works in a tattoo shop by day and collects her illustrated mum from police stations by night. Dol yearns to climb out of the rut she is stuck in, but has no idea where to begin. Could gardener Lee and his daughter Ava be her chance for a wholesome family life? Or maybe a steamy romance with roguish actor Joel is just what she needs. And what about the offer from her sister Star, now a successful doctor, to move to Scotland and live with her young family? As the choices threaten to overwhelm her, will Dol fall into the role of extra in someone else’s story once again – or find the strength to forge a brand new path of her own? © Jacqueline Wilson 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025"

Jacqueline Wilson (Author), Megan Richards (Narrator)

Audiobook

Contemporary Women Audiobooks in Fiction