Contemporary Women Audiobooks | Fiction

"Juliette Fay—known for her "well-drawn characters and vibrant historical backdrops" (Library Journal)—transports us to 1920s America with this big-hearted tale of two very different women who must learn to trust each other as one tries save her family and the other to save herself. Perfect for fans of Kristin Hannah and Kristina McMorris. 1926: Charlotte Crowninshield was born into one of the finest Boston society families. Now she's on the run from a brutal husband, desperate to disappear into the wilds of the Southwest. Billie MacTavish is the oldest of nine children born to Scottish immigrants in Nebraska. She quit school in the sixth grade to help with her mother's washing and mending business, but even that isn't enough to keep the family afloat. Desperate, both women join the ranks of the Harvey Girls, waitresses who serve in America's first hospitality chain on the Santa Fe railroad. Hired on the same day, they share three things: a room, a heartfelt dislike of each other…and each has a secret that will certainly get them fired. Through twelve-hour days of training in Topeka, Kansas, they learn the fine art of service, perfecting their skills despite bouts of homesickness, fear of being discovered, and a run-in with the KKK. When they're sent to work at the luxurious El Tovar hotel at the Grand Canyon, the challenges only grow, as Billie struggles to hide her young age from would-be suitors, and Charlotte discovers the little-known dark side of the national park's history. "Juliette Fay's gift for creating complex, exquisitely human characters" (Marisa de los Santos, New York Times bestselling author) is on full display in this deeply moving and joyous celebration of female empowerment, loyalty, and friendship."

Juliette Fay (Author), Cassandra Campbell (Narrator)

Audiobook

Untouched

"In the Silver Creek romance Unexpected, Cole Mitchell found love in the last place he ever thought to look. Now, Cole's little sister, Lark, is determined to have her turn… Having never left the family ranch, Lark Mitchell needs a little adventure-or at least a romance that isn't confined to the internet. Her older brothers, Cole and Cade, have always been too good at protecting her innocence, but even they can′t stop her from taking a second job-where her boss just so happens to be the kind of bad boy she craves. Too bad he's also the one guy in Silver Creek she should never touch... When Quinn Parker introduces himself, Lark tries to quit on the spot. Everyone knows Quinn was behind the accident that ended Cade's rodeo career. But when he holds her to her contract, she can't help wanting to get even closer. As she begins to see the man behind the gossip, she sees that not all of the things people say about him are true...even if there′s plenty about this bad boy she has yet to discover."

Maisey Yates (Author), Summer Morton (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Lights of Shantinagar

"Aspiring quantum physicist Sumi is newly married and has moved into her husband’s family home. Here she observes that the beguilingly tranquil middle-class town of Shantinagar is not very different from her beloved quantum world, with happenings in one house being cryptically entangled with things next door, objects mysteriously disappearing then reappearing again, and unexpected interactions revealing surprising truths. Indeed, right is not always right, wrong is rarely wrong and the truth, like the electron, can be both black and white, the shape it takes depending on how we see it. But when her household finds itself in dire straits, Sumi must blend logic with love to make sense of her new circumstances."

Nidhi Arora (Author), Rea Malhotra Mukhtyar (Narrator)

Audiobook

Discontent

"Brought to you by Penguin. Life can’t go on like this – can it? An audacious, darkly funny, perfect summer read about a young woman in Madrid whose office persona threatens to crack when she’s forced to attend her company’s annual retreat On the surface, Marisa’s life looks enviable. She lives in a nice apartment in the heart of Madrid, her friendly neighbour and lover Pablo lives downstairs, and she’s risen quickly through the ranks at a successful advertising agency. And yet Marisa hates her job and everything about it. Over one hot summer she finds herself in danger of being exposed when she’s forced to deliver a talk on creativity at a horrendous team-building retreat. Surrounded by psychopathic bosses, flirty facilitators, and an excess of drugs, Marisa is pushed to the brink of a complete spiral. Discontent is a bold, biting novel about acting on our wilder impulses to reclaim our lives from work. This book is for everyone who has ever wanted more: more time, more meaning, more connection. 'Serrano writes with a caustic flair for detail, with charm and utter hilarity. Absolutely brilliant' Danya Kukafka, author of Notes on an Execution ‘I adored our heroine ... A razor-sharp debut’ Anna Dorn, author of Perfume and Pain ‘Intelligent, engaging ... totally hilarious’ Aysegül Savas, author of The Anthropologists © Beatriz Serrano 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025"

Beatriz Serrano (Author), Emer Kenny (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Awakening & more: A Full-Cast BBC Radio Dramatisation

"A full-cast adaptation of America’s most influential 19th century feminist writer - plus a bonus selection of short stories. Best known for her narratives about the inner lives of sensitive, daring women, Kate Chopin is a vital American author of short stories and novels. She is considered by scholars to have been a forerunner of American 20th century feminist authors, paving the way for the likes of Zelda Fitzgerald. Best known for her 1899 novel The Awakening, Chopin shocked the readers of her day by showing a woman fulfilled by throwing off the ties of marriage and children. The Awakening, brought to life by a full cast in this adaptation, is Kate Chopin's seminal tale of one woman's pursuit of moral and sexual freedom in turn-of-the-century New Orleans. Unsatisfied with societal expectations, Edna Pontellier falls in love with the dapper Robert Lebrun. Lebrun's flirtations rejuvenate Edna's sense of freedom and independence. However, Edna also has a taste of the danger that comes from living outside of social convention. Trapped between the life she is expected to live and the one she longs to lead, Edna is propelled on a course that frees, consumes and eventually destroys her. Starring Briony Glassco, William Dufris and Lorelei King. This stunning collection also contains five of Chopin’s short stories, exquisitely read by Carolyn Pickles and Claire Corbett, and available together here for the first time. ‘Ma'ame Pelagie’ is the portrait of a woman on a plantation adjusting to life after the American Civil War. In ‘A Respectable Woman’, Mrs Baroda, the wife of a sugar planter, finds herself confused and ambivalent when an old friend of her husband’s comes to stay in this cleverly observed story. In ‘The Story of an Hour’, some supposedly bad news leaves a woman feeling strangely free. But has there been a mistake? ‘The Kiss’ is the story of a woman scheming to marry a wealthy man and maintain a young lover. Finally, in 'A Pair of Silk Stockings', a woman spends a windfall on herself, instead of her children – but what are the consequences… This is the perfect immersive listen for any fan of classic storytelling with a twist. Discover an author whose work has echoed down the centuries and inspired writers for generations. ©2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Kate Chopin (Author), Briony Glassco, Carolyn Pickles, Clare Corbett, Full Cast, Lorelei King, William Dufris (Narrator)

Audiobook

Where the Creek Bends

"From acclaimed #1 New York Times bestselling author Linda Lael Miller comes a beautifully rendered timeslip novel about the family we create for ourselves … Madison Bettencourt has tried to assemble all the pieces of a perfect life, but nothing fits quite the way it should. She’s moved back home to Montana to care for her grandmother, who is slipping further and further away. And she’s called off her wedding, and worries her dreams of a family are fading with it. As Madison rattles around her family home, childhood memories come flooding back. Bliss Morgan transformed eight-year-old Madison with her loyalty, and for a while, the two girls were as close as can be. But Madison never understood why Bliss suddenly vanished, leaving only a friendship bracelet and a message etched into a matchbook. Before she can begin again, Madison must uncover what happened to Bliss, and Liam McKettrick—a widowed dad trying to repair his relationship with his two children—becomes her unlikely ally. He, too, understands the pang of regret. Yet there are mysteries that Madison hesitates to explore with anyone, and strange energies in Bettencourt Hall that blur the lines between past and present. Poignant and utterly captivating, Where the Creek Bends shows that finding yourself begins with following your heart, no matter where it leads. Perfect for fans of: • Second Chances • Family Drama • Small Town settings • Susan Mallery, Nicolas Sparks and Ashley Poston"

Linda Lael Miller (Author), Sarah Zimmerman (Narrator)

Audiobook

Happy Endings

"Brought to you by Penguin. When Jennifer Cole is told she has three months left to live, she knows her life is f*cked. With nothing to lose, she decides it’s time to admit to everything she’s always longed to say but never dared. She writes three letters: one to her overbearing, selfish sister, one to her spineless, cheating ex-husband, the third to her charming but unreliable ex-boyfriend. At first it feels great to have finally found her voice. But as things start to unravel, she discovers that the truth has its own consequences… 'I LOVE this book. It's full of heart and hope!' - Cathy Kelly, author of Sisterhood 'Brilliantly funny and thought-provoking - an absolute joy.' - Rosie Walsh, author of The Man Who Didn't Call 'Without doubt this should be at the top of your summer reading list ... full of life and hope...A rollicking page turner.' Mel Sykes, Best magazine recommended summer reading PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AS BOTH DEATH AND OTHER HAPPY ENDINGS AND LIFE AND OTHER HAPPY ENDINGS © Melanie Cantor 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025"

Melanie Cantor (Author), Rebecca Lacey (Narrator)

Audiobook

Ruth

"Brought to you by Penguin. Ruth is raised in a snow globe of Christian communism, a world without private property, television, or tolerance for idle questions. Every morning she braids her hair and wears the same costume, sings the same breakfast song in a family room identical to every other family room in the community; every one of these moments is meant to be a prayer, but to Ruth they remain puzzles. Her life is seen in glimpses through childhood, marriage, and motherhood, as she tries to manage her own perilous curiosity in a community built on holy mystery. Is she happy? Might this in fact be happiness? Ruth immerses us in an experience that challenges our most fervent beliefs. © Kate Riley 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025"

Kate Riley (Author), Rebecca Lowman (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Fire Concerto: A Novel

"A beautifully written, evocative literary page-turner about a brilliant nineteenth-century female pianist from Poland lost to history and another woman's quest to ensure she is not forgotten-with a shocking twist of a finale. Clara Bishop hasn't touched a piano since a concert hall fire nearly took her life a decade ago, ending her career as a rising star in the world of classical music. Significantly scarred and unable to play, she has turned away from everything and everyone associated with music, especially her ruthless mentor Madame, whom Clara blames for her injuries. Her life is upended when Madame dies, leaving Clara an unexpected inheritance: an ornate nineteenth-century metronome with a cryptic message hidden inside. Convinced this is not a gift but a puzzle Madame wants her to solve, Clara comes to suspect that the unusual bequest is the long-lost metronome of the composer Aleksander Starza-a priceless object missing since 1885, when Starza was murdered by the brilliant female pianist Constantia Pleyel. As Clara works to uncover the metronome's haunted past and protect it-and herself-from those who wish to obtain it, she discovers that nothing about Starza and his murder are what they seem. History has remembered Constantia Pleyel as an unstable artist who killed Starza in a fit of madness. The truth could rewrite the history of music-and give Clara the second chance she has been longing for. This moving tale is perfect for fans of Brendan Slocumb's The Violin Conspiracy."

Sarah Landenwich (Author), Katrina Lenk (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Communist's Secret

"Written by a former arms control negotiator turned historical novelist, this epic WWII tale of betrayal and second chances details how a woman trapped in occupied Russia fights the Nazis—and her own demons. For fans of Kate Quinn and Mark Sullivan, a haunting World War II novel of mistakes and second chances, of courage and the search for forgiveness, and of finding peace with oneself. Driven by a blind devotion to the Communist Party, self-centered Katya Karavayeva has broken the most important rule in Soviet society: never say anything that can be used against you. On the heels of that betrayal, Nazi Germany invades and the Soviet Union mobilizes. Katya hopes to halt her downward spiral by joining the volunteer militia, but within a few short weeks finds herself under attack. After escaping with another volunteer, Katya spends weeks on the run before landing in a town under Nazi occupation. There, she finds a place and a purpose and learns to fight a different kind of war, repaying German brutality with a harsh justice of her own. All the while she struggles against her inner demons and dreams of reunion with her daughter and forgiveness from her husband—the one she betrayed."

Suzanne Parry (Author), Nancy Peterson (Narrator)

Audiobook

City of Silk

"Bologna, 1575. A talented seamstress. A powerful merchant. A fierce battle of wills Elena Morandi has gained a fragile foothold in a master tailor's workshop, despite the profession being barred to women. But then Antonio della Fontana, a powerful man from her past, crosses her path and threatens everything she has built. Fontana has every corner of the city in his pocket and Elena knows all too well of his past abuses, but driven to fight for justice, she hatches a daring plan to get retribution for herself, a lost friend and his other victims. The sights, sounds and textures of Renaissance Italy are brought to vivid life in this breathtaking historical fiction debut."

Glennis Virgo (Author), Olivia Mace (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Fix Up: A totally hilarious, forced-proximity enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy

"Today, I inherited one house, one café, and one hot, grumpy stranger. . . After twenty-eight years of dubious life choices, things are finally looking up. The catch to my inheriting a home and a thriving business? Only half belongs to me—the other half goes to the previous owner’s grandson. Gilbert Dalton may be absurdly handsome, but he has a chip on his shoulder the size of a small country. To claim the house, we have to live in it together for six months. . . Enter: The Rules. Gil will sleep in a tent in the garden (technically, it’s still the property. . .). Gil will only use the bathroom when the house is empty. Gil’s motorcycle will magically disappear from the driveway before my son sees it. I will try not to hang my underwear out to dry where Gil could see it. And finally, most crucially: I am not Gil’s mother, and I will not clean up after him like one. Except, that final rule proves not to be a problem—because when Gil moves in and I see the man in a tight t-shirt with a hammer in his hand, the last thing I feel towards him is motherly. . . Suddenly, the fact that Gil is the enemy competing for my house and my future becomes a lot harder to remember. . . A totally uplifting, heart-stealing and addictive enemies-to-lovers romance full of sweet chemistry and true laugh-out-loud moments. Perfect for fans of Abby Jimenez, Emily Henry and Sarah Adams."

Sharon M. Peterson (Author), Cindy Kay (Narrator)

Audiobook

Contemporary Women Audiobooks in Fiction