Contemporary Women Audiobooks | Fiction

A Botanist's Guide to Society and Secrets

"London, 1923. Returning from Paris, botanical researcher Saffron Everleigh finds that her former love interest Alexander Ashton’s brother, Adrian, is being investigated for murder. A Russian scientist working for the English government has been poisoned and expired in Adrian’s train compartment. Alexander asks Saffron to put in a good word for Adrian with Inspector Green. Despite her unresolved feelings for Alexander, Saffron begins to unravel mysteries surrounding the dead scientist. As if a murder case weren’t enough, her best friend Elizabeth’s war-hero brother, Nick, arrives in town and takes an immediate interest in Saffron. Saffron learns Alexander has been keeping secrets from her, including a connection to Nick, who Saffron and Elizabeth begin to suspect is more than he seems. When another scientist is found dead, Saffron agrees to go undercover at the government laboratory. Risking her career and her safety, she learns there are many more interested parties and dangerous secrets to uncover than she’d realized. But some secrets, Saffron will find, are better left undiscovered."

Kate Khavari (Author), Jodie Harris (Narrator)

Audiobook

Anna Bright Is Hiding Something

"Anna Bright is committing fraud. But nobody knows it yet. Not the board of her multibillion-dollar company, not her investors, not the public breathlessly anticipating the launch of BrightSpot, and not the media—including Jamie Roman, a hardworking journalist for BusinessBerry. But when Jamie does learn about Anna’s misconduct, she embarks on a bicoastal journey to expose the crimes and make a name for herself as a journalist. It’s not long before Anna learns what the reporter is up to, however—and she’ll do anything to stop Jamie. Especially now that BrightLife’s IPO is days away. A ripped-from-the-headlines story set in the glossy offices of Silicon Valley startups and NYC new media, this razor-sharp look at women in the workplace and the true meaning of success explores our fascination with female founders breaking barriers—and sometimes behaving badly in the process."

Susie Orman Schnall (Author), Hillary Huber, Tiffany Bache (Narrator)

Audiobook

Photographs from the Cove

"Mary Turner’s hopes of a happy life in beautiful Sand Dollar Cove come crashing down when her boyfriend leaves her. After her mother walked out when she was just a child, Aiden’s betrayal destroys the last shred of belief in love that Mary’s been clinging on to. When the cove’s newest resident Steven Clarke hires her to renovate the town’s historic movie theater, Mary is scared of failing. But she dreams of bringing the fading theater back to its 1960s glamor. Plus, the more she works with the elusive Steven, the more she comes to like him and his striking good looks—against her better judgement. As Mary’s confidence grows, her heart starts to reopen to the possibility of love. But then, hidden in the cinema’s storage room, Mary discovers a mysterious photo album containing pictures of a little girl who looks just like her. She can’t believe her eyes. How is Mary connected to this album and the cinema? And will the answers help to heal her broken heart? Mary is willing to risk everything to learn the truth. But when she uncovers a secret that casts a shadow on her family, on Steven, and on Sand Dollar Cove, will the past haunt her forever? Or will she choose to believe in love and finally claim her happy ending?"

Jennifer Bardsley (Author), Rosanna Pilcher (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Bridge Tender

"A surprise gift from her late husband will give a young widow the chance to do the hardest thing in the world . . . move on. On their honeymoon, the new Mr. & Mrs. Ryan Shaw made a pact: No matter the sacrifices along the way, one day they would return to Sunset Beach, North Carolina-this time to buy their own home. But that dream was not to be. Seven years into a beautiful marriage, Emily is left a widow, heartbroken, and way past caring about anything. Until a man approaches her, claiming to have something left to her from Ryan. Something secret. Unsure if she can ever embrace a new life without her husband, but even less sure about continuing to stay where she is, Emily heads to the coast to keep her end of the promise she once made. Without delay, she becomes immersed in the lives of the locals, including the reclusive bridge tender with an unexpected past. As the community debates over building a new bridge, Emily must decide whether she will build a bridge of her own, one that will take her out of a painful past and into the new life-and new love-that her lost love made possible. The recipes and interview with the author can be found in the audiobook companion PDF download."

Marybeth Whalen (Author), Laura Jennings (Narrator)

Audiobook

New Nigeria County

""A stupendous full-cast, fully-realized production…Buffered in hilarity, Brown also provides a brilliant exposé of undeniable, inescapable inequity and injustice." —Booklist (starred review) Written and performed by TikTok star Clare Brown, New Nigeria County is a whip-smart, full-cast satire tackling race, gender, and nationalism in today's world. When a white family moves into an affluent Black community, a "misunderstanding" between neighbors escalates until the entire town is swept up in the drama. New Nigeria is a good, clean, all-American town. The husbands are smiling and handsome, the wives are strong, rich, and powerful, and Nat Turner High is the best public school in the state. Yet, the citizens of this idyllic community find themselves in a rapidly changing country and, to be perfectly honest, some of them are a teeny bit uncomfortable with it all. When a New Nigeria community leader Carèn makes a frantic phone call to the local police about a "potential gang member" roaming her cushy Malcolm X Estates neighborhood, it turns out the boy is her new European American neighbor, Jake Smith, and the misunderstanding quickly becomes the talk of the town. While Jake's mom, Meghan, is hurt by her new neighbor's behavior, Carèn works tirelessly to preserve the safety (and the property values) of her beloved community. As the two women work toward their own version of equity, their conflict continues to escalate, setting off a chain of cringe-worthy confrontations that send the good citizens of New Nigeria into a tailspin. New Nigeria County is a hilarious, razor-sharp debut, flipping the script to expose uncomfortable truths through wildly entertaining comedy. This dynamic audiobook, created for the listening experience, is perfect for fans of Abbott Elementary, Dear White People, and Such a Fun Age."

Clare Brown (Author), Alejandra Reynoso, Andrea Jones-Sojola, André Santana, Ayanna Dookie, Brittany Pressley, Clare Brown, David Sadzin, Diana Bustelo, Emana Rachelle, Heather Alicia Simms, Korey Jackson, Malika Samuel, Shaun Taylor-Corbett, Tyla Collier (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Pecan Children

"How long will you hold on when your world is gone? In a small southern pecan town, the annual harvest is a time of both celebration and heartbreak. Even as families are forced to sell their orchards and move away, Lil Clearwater, keeper of a secret covenant with her land, swears she never will. When her twin Sasha returns to the dwindling town in hopes of reconnecting with the girl her heart never forgot, the sisters struggle to bridge their differences and share the immense burden of protecting their home from hungry forces intent on uprooting everything they love. But there is rot hiding deep beneath the surface. Ghostly fires light up the night, and troubling local folklore is revealed to be all too true. Confronted with the phantoms of their pasts and the devastating threat to their future, the sisters come to the stark realization that in the kudzu-choked South, nothing is ever as it appears. A story of the love between sisters, and an allegory of decay in small-town America, The Pecan Children walks the line between beauty and horror."

Quinn Connor (Author), Tiffany Morgan (Narrator)

Audiobook

A Taste for More

"From rural Mississippi in the Jim Crow era through the transformative 1970s, this sweeping novel tells the tale of a mother’s sacrifice, relentless ambition, and against-all-odds success. But the one dream she can’t stop chasing may cost her everything … Money is security. Always. Margo Dupree has lived by that rule since childhood, when her father’s death plunged her and her mother into poverty. Marriage brought only disillusionment and struggle. But it also gave Margo the determination to migrate north in search of a better life for herself and her young daughter, Lana. The north, however, isn’t the panacea she expected, and Margo finds herself contending with the all-too-familiar obstacles of racism and prejudice, not to mention the new stresses of urban living. But things change once she realizes that what was once her greatest shame is now her greatest asset—the skills she learned from her mother’s job as a cook. Using her tasty recipes, personality, and relentless hustle, Margo begins to build a successful restaurant chain. Yet despite her ever-more desperate efforts, she can't earn her heart’s deepest desire: Lana’s forgiveness for her early absence. As Lana becomes a beautiful young woman with an increasingly mercenary temperament, Margo wonders if she knows her daughter at all—and if she can save her from the bitter and frighteningly dangerous mistakes that may shatter both of their worlds …"

Phyllis R. Dixon (Author), Patricia R. Floyd (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Story Thief

"Her family's story made Henry Lawson famous. But was it his story to tell? Fact and fiction meld into one in this stirring family saga set against shifting landscapes and pivotal moments in Australian history. Lillian was born in 1892, the same year Henry Lawson wrote 'The Drover's Wife' and cemented his place in Australia's literary canon. When Lillian reads the short story as a teenager, she is convinced that it is based upon her own family and becomes determined to prove it. But as the years pass, the truth becomes more problematic, and Lillian must decide what is more important: holding onto the past or embracing the future. The Story Thief is about mothers and daughters, love, loss and the power of words. Ultimately it is about how each of us must find our own way to live. ‘Brimming with evocative, authentic detail, The Story Thief brings a fresh, feminist perspective to Australian literature and art. Australian historical fiction at its finest.’ LIANE MORIARTY ‘A richly textured and immersive novel filled with defining moments, minute detail and compelling insights into the meaning of loss, love and family.’ NICOLE ALEXANDER ‘Vividly drawn – a delightful book.’ WENDY SHARPE, multi-award winning Australian artist ‘The Story Thief is a finely wrought historical novel about those who have been seen, but not seen, in Australian literature and in life. RYAN O’NEILL, author of The Drover’s Wives"

Kyra Geddes (Author), Jennifer Vuletic (Narrator)

Audiobook

Truth Or Date

"It's all fun and games, until someone falls in love… Ruby Wood is perfectly happy playing the dating game – until she has a red-hot dream about her very attractive flatmate, Nick. He might spend every day saving lives as a junior doctor, but he’s absolutely the last man on earth that fun-loving Ruby would ever date! The solution? Focus on all of Nick’s bad points. And if that fails, up her dating antics and find herself a man. So what if she manages to make disapproving, goody two-shoes Nick jealous in the process… Only, after a series of nightmare first dates, there’s still just one man on Ruby’s mind. Maybe it’s time to admit the truth and dare to ask Nick to be her next date? Don't miss this utterly uplifting and laugh-out-loud romcom from bestseller Portia MacIntosh, perfect for fans of Beth O’Leary and Mhairi McFarlane! Readers LOVE Truth or Date! 'A fab feel-good book – definitely worth a read, you won't be disappointed' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'This is a great read for those ready for a little fun and romance, loved every page and it ended far too fast!' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Absolutely loved this book, loads of twists and turns and some laugh out loud comedy thrown in. This book had me smiling like an idiot but it is a real good read!' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A fabulous witty romcom with plenty of cringe, swoon and laugh out loud moments' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A light-hearted read which is flirty and fun and a guaranteed pick me up, I think everyone should read this.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"

Portia MacIntosh (Author), Karen Cass (Narrator)

Audiobook

When Forever Ends

"In a world filled with danger, heartbreak, and impossible choices, the blood sisters must navigate through the darkness to find love, redemption, and a chance at survival. Anna has found solace and love in the colorful Romany camp. How long will this last under the watchful eye of a spurned and obsessed Nazi? In the unrelenting grimness of Ravensbrück, Moriah is caught in the web of Dagna's deadly ambition and schemes. Her chances for survival diminish with every passing moment. Shunned by society for the telling scar on her face, Elica struggles to live with the consequences of her selfish choices. Will she ever find love, redemption, or her son Theo, again? In Mussolini's Italy, Mateo and Aria shower young Theo with love and affection. But love is a weakness in the fascist regime. When Forever Ends is a fitting and unforgettable conclusion to Roberta Kagan's heartwrenching The Blood Sisters series."

Roberta Kagan (Author), Imogen Church (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Lost Mother of Ireland: Starlight Cottages Book 6

"A completely gripping and unforgettable story of long-lost family secrets and forbidden romance that will whisk you away to the beautiful village of Sandy Cove on the west coast of Ireland. When Laura inherits a small cottage from a friend who was like a mother to her, she wonders whether this could be the new beginning she’s been searching for. Although she’s never been to the village of Sandy Cove on the west coast of Ireland, her friend described it as on the edge of the sparkling blue sea, with sandy white beaches. Could this be the fresh start she needs to ease her heartache? During her first walk on the beach, Laura meets Gino, a handsome local who instantly charms her with his sparkling eyes and gorgeous smile. Laura finds herself attracted to him as he tells her about his life and his love for Sandy Cove. And, as they spend more time together, the pair begin to grow closer. But just as Laura begins to settle into village life, her friend’s son disputes his mother’s will. But what he doesn’t know is that Laura hasn’t just inherited the cottage from her, she’s also been given a very valuable heirloom – one that tells the story of a forbidden love, a long-forgotten family secret and a bond between a mother and daughter that could not be broken… Just as Laura begins to solve the mystery behind the painting, everything she thought she knew about Gino changes in a heartbeat when she discovers that he might have already given his heart away to someone else. Is their love story over before it ever truly began? And when Laura uncovers the truth behind her inheritance, she is left wondering whether the family secret should have remained forgotten. When the dust settles from her discovery, will she be able to rebuild her life in Sandy Cove with the one man she truly loves?"

Susanne O'leary (Author), Jennifer Fitzgerald (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Djinn Waits a Hundred Years

"Akbar Manzil was once a grand estate off the coast of South Africa. Nearly a century later, it stands in ruins: an isolated boardinghouse for eclectic misfits, seeking solely to disappear into the mansion’s dark corridors. Except for Sana. Unlike the others, she is curious and questioning and finds herself irresistibly drawn to the history of the mansion: To the eerie and forgotten East Wing, home to a clutter of broken and abandoned objects—and to the door at its end, locked for decades. Behind the door is a bedroom frozen in time and a worn diary that whispers of a dark past: the long-forgotten story of a young woman named Meena, who died there tragically a hundred years ago. Watching Sana from the room’s shadows is a besotted, grieving djinn, an invisible spirit who has haunted the mansion since her mysterious death. Obsessed with Meena’s story, and unaware of the creature that follows her, Sana digs into the past like fingers into a wound, dredging up old and terrible secrets that will change the lives of everyone living and dead at Akbar Manzil. Sublime, heart-wrenching, and lyrically stunning, The Djinn Waits a Hundred Years is a haunting, a love story, and a mystery, all twined beautifully into one young girl’s search for belonging. “A dark and heady dream of a book” - Alix E. Harrow"

Shubnum Khan (Author), Maya Pillay (Narrator)

Audiobook

Contemporary Women Audiobooks in Fiction