Contemporary Women Audiobooks | Fiction

"‘A superbly plotted historical drama… highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf One woman must sacrifice everything to uncover the truth in this enthralling historical novel, inspired by the true World War Two campaign Radio Aspidistra… England, 1942: Having fled Germany after her father was captured by the Nazis, Lilli Bergen is desperate to do something pro-active for the Allies. So when she’s approached by the Political Warfare Executive, Lilli jumps at the chance. She’s recruited as a singer for a radio station broadcasting propaganda to German soldiers – a shadow network. But Lilli’s world is flipped upside down when her ex-boyfriend, Bren Murphy, appears at her workplace; the very man she thinks betrayed her father to the Nazis. Lilli always thought Bren was a Nazi sympathiser – so what is he doing in England supposedly working against the Germans? Lilli knows Bren is up to something, and must put aside a blossoming new relationship in order to discover the truth. Can Lilli expose him, before it’s too late? Set in the fascinating world of wartime radio, don’t miss Book 2 in the WW2 Secret Agent Series, a heart-stopping novel of betrayal, treachery, and courage against the odds. Readers LOVE The Shadow Network! 'A well crafted tale… this book did not disappoint' NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'There is action, mystery and romantic entanglements stirred into the story for a fantastically entertaining read' NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Deborah Swift never disappoints and The Shadow Network is another winner' NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A joy to read' NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"

Deborah Swift (Author), Kristin Atherton (Narrator)

Audiobook

In Want of a Viscount

"New York Times bestselling author Lorraine Heath’s next novel in The Chessmen: Masters of Seduction series where the price is always high… American Leonora Garrison has come to England in desperate search of investors to keep her family business afloat but instead finds surprising pleasure when she visits an exclusive ladies’ club and dares to kiss a stranger, who leaves her yearning for more. With a libertine for a father, Viscount Wyeth, more commonly known as Rook, vowed to live his life above reproach, with nary a hint of disgrace. Until one night, he takes a mysterious beauty into his arms, a lady who tempts him to cast his sterling reputation aside in favor of more wicked pursuits. When fate reunites the couple, they are torn between desire and duty. Leonora may want the viscount, but she needs a stakeholder not a lover. When caught in a compromising situation that places everything they hold dear at risk, they must determine how best to win. However, in this scandalous game, nothing except love takes all."

Lorraine Heath (Author), Kate Reading (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Memory Library

"‘A gorgeous story full of emotion and a very special library.’ – Evie Woods, bestselling author of The Lost Bookshop Some stories stay with us forever… For forty-two years, Sally Harrison has been building a library. Each year, on her daughter’s birthday, she adds a new book to her shelves – with a note in the front dedicated to her own greatest work. But Ella – Sally’s only child – fled to Australia twenty-one years ago after a heated exchange, and never looked back. And though Sally still dutifully adds a new paperback to the shelves every time the clock strikes midnight on July 11th, her hopes of her daughter ever thumbing through the pages are starting to dwindle. Then disaster strikes and Ella is forced to return to the home she once knew. She is soon to discover that when one chapter ends, another will soon follow. All you have to do is turn the page… Journey through the pages of this heartwarming novel, where hope, friendship and second chances are written in the margins. Perfect for book lovers everywhere and fans of Sally Page’s The Keeper of Stories. Praise for The Memory Library: 'An absolute joy to read. Uplifting, beautiful, and perfect for any book lovers!' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'The Memory Library delivers on its promise of hope, friendship and second chances. It's a love letter to the written word.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A powerful and poignant story. There were tears shed.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I laughed out loud and had more than one glassy eye!’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A real treasure for booklovers everywhere who completely appreciate the joy, knowledge and healing that books can bring.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘There’s page after page of wonderful wisdom in this novel.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Filled with tender moments of sharing, tears, forgiveness, revelation and healing.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘What a beautiful, moving story this was! It really had me sobbing my eyes out.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"

Kate Storey (Author), Imogen Wilde, Jilly Bond (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson: A Novel

"“A family secret, a DNA test, a journey as rich and colorful as the early-day circus itself. Through Cecily Larson’s hidden life, Ellen Baker tenderly examines personal determination, lost love, family ties, and our innate need to discover our own truth.” — Lisa Wingate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Before We Were Yours and Before and After Orphan Train meets Before We Were Yours meets Water for Elephants in this compelling multigenerational novel of survival, love, and the families we make. In 1924, four-year-old Cecily Larson’s mother reluctantly drops her off at an orphanage in Chicago, promising to be back once she’s made enough money to support both Cecily and herself. But she never returns, and shortly after high-spirited Cecily turns seven, she is sold to a traveling circus to perform as the “little sister” to glamorous bareback rider Isabelle DuMonde. With Isabelle and the rest of the circus, Cecily finally feels she’s found the family she craves. But as the years go by, the cracks in her little world begin to show. And when teenage Cecily meets and falls in love with a young roustabout named Lucky, she finds her life thrown onto an entirely unexpected—and dangerous—course. In 2015, Cecily is now 94 and living a quiet life in Minnesota, with her daughter, granddaughter, and great-grandson. But when her family decides to surprise her with an at-home DNA test, the unexpected results not only bring to light the tragic love story that Cecily has kept hidden for decades but also throw into question everything about the family she’s raised and claimed as her own for nearly seventy years. Cecily and everyone in her life must now decide who they really are and what family—and forgiveness—really mean. Sweeping through a long period of contemporary history, The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson is an immersive, compelling, and entertaining family drama centered around one remarkable woman and her determination to survive."

Ellen Baker (Author), Cassandra Campbell (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Uncharted Flight of Olivia West

"An exciting page-turner about a fearless female aviator competing in a death-defying race across the Pacific. Brilliantly told… My favorite read this year!" -Andie Newton, USA TODAY bestselling author of A Child for the Reich This extraordinary novel, inspired by real events, tells the story of a female aviator who defies the odds to embark on a daring air race across the Pacific. 1927. Olivia "Livy" West is a fearless young pilot with a love of adventure. She yearns to cross oceans and travel the skies. When she learns of the Dole Air Race-a high-stakes contest to be the first to make the 2,400 mile Pacific crossing from the West Coast to Hawai'i-she sets her sights on qualifying. But it soon becomes clear that only men will make the cut. In a last-ditch effort to take part, Livy manages to be picked as a navigator for one of the pilots, before setting out on a harrowing journey that some will not survive. 1987. Wren Summers is down to her last dime when she learns she has inherited a remote piece of land on the Big Island with nothing on it but a dilapidated barn and an overgrown mac nut grove. She plans on selling it and using the money to live on, but she is drawn in by the mysterious objects kept in the barn by her late great-uncle-clues to a tragic piece of aviation history lost to time. Determined to find out what really happened all those years ago, Wren enlists the help of residents at a nearby retirement home to uncover Olivia's story piece by piece. What she discovers is more earth-shattering, and closer to home, than she could have ever imagined. Don't miss THE GUEST IN ROOM 120, Sara Ackerman's enthralling new novel with dual-timelines intertwining a 1905 mystery surrounding Jane Stanford's mysterious death in Honolulu and a 2005 writer's quest to uncover the truth at the same historic hotel... More captivating stories from Sara Ackerman: - The Maui Effect - The Codebreaker's Secret - Radar Girls - Red Sky Over Hawaii - The Lietenant's Nurse - Island of Sweet Pies & Soldiers"

Sara Ackerman (Author), Jennifer Robideau (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Messy Life of Jane Tanner

"When your life is chaotic, what's one more complication? Jane Tanner's friends are settling down, while she's been settling for less. She longs for adventure and the big city, but caring for her ailing grandfather means she's shackled to her small town. She's excited her vintage gift shop is finally up and running, but it's not enough. Longing to fulfill at least one dream-to become a mother before her biological clock ticks out-Jane drunkenly propositions the worst possible candidate for Dad. Kurt Elway is off-limits with a capital O. He's a good friend, but he's too young, too busy running his family's ranch. Plus, he and Jane's sister, Kate, used to date. That kind of off-limits. Unbeknownst to Jane, Kurt's pining for her. When he's fully on board to father her baby, she sees him in a new light. Then lingering baggage between Kate and Kurt suddenly surfaces and Jane is reminded of just how messy life is. But…so is parenting. Maybe it's time to embrace the mess? Coyote Canyon Book 1: Talulah's Back in Town Book 2: The Messy Life of Jane Tanner"

Brenda Novak (Author), Amy Mcfadden (Narrator)

Audiobook

Village in the Dark

"Detective Cara Kennedy thought she'd lost her husband and son in an accident, but harrowing evidence has emerged that points to murder--and she will stop at nothing to find the truth in this riveting mystery from the author of City Under One Roof. On a frigid February day, Anchorage Detective Cara Kennedy stands by the graves of her husband and son, watching as their caskets are raised from the earth. It feels sacrilegious, but she has no choice. Aaron and Dylan disappeared on a hike a year ago, their bones eventually found and buried. But shocking clues have emerged that foul play was involved, potentially connecting them to a string of other deaths and disappearances. Somehow tied to the mystery is Mia Upash, who grew up in an isolated village called Unity, a community of women and children in hiding from abusive men. Mia never imagined the trouble she would find herself in when she left home to live in Man's World. Although she remains haunted by the tragedy of what happened to the man and the boy in the woods, she has her own reasons for keeping quiet. Aided by police officer Joe Barkowski and other residents of Point Mettier, Cara's investigation will lead them on a dangerous path that puts their lives and the lives of everyone around them in mortal jeopardy."

Iris Yamashita (Author), Aspen Vincent, Blaire Chandler, Sophie Oda (Narrator)

Audiobook

Once Persuaded, Twice Shy: A Modern Reimagining of Persuasion

"This modern reimagining of Persuasion is full of witty banter, romantic angst, and compelling characters as it captures the heart of the classic Jane Austen novel. When Anne Elliott broke up with Ben Wentworth, it seemed like the right thing to do . . . but now, eight years later, she's not so sure. In her scenic hometown of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Anne is comfortable focusing on her successful career: filling her late mother's shoes as town councilor and executive director of her theater company. She certainly keeps busy as the all-around wrangler of eccentric locals, self-centered family members, elaborate festivals, and the occasional attacking goose. But the more she tries to convince herself that her life is fine as is, the more it all feels like a show-and not nearly as good as the ones put on by her theater company. She's the always responsible Anne, always taken for granted and cleaning up after other people, and the memories of happier times with Ben Wentworth still haunt her. So when the nearby Kellynch Winery is bought by Ben's aunt and uncle, Anne's world is set ablaze as her old flame crashes back into her life-and it's clear he hasn't forgiven her for breaking his heart. A joint project between the winery and Anne's theater forces both Ben and Anne to confront their complicated history, and as they spend more time together, Anne can't help but wonder if there might be hope for their future after all."

Melodie Edwards (Author), Rachel Perry (Narrator)

Audiobook

This Disaster Loves You

"From the author of Something to Live For, a poignant and funny story about a man whose wife disappeared seven years ago and his journey to find her or find out what happened, interwoven with the story of their relationship, revealing how sometimes the biggest secrets are the ones we keep from ourselves. Twenty years of love. Seven years of absence. One journey to find out what happened. Brian's wife, Lily, disappeared from his life without a trace six years, eleven months, one week, and two days ago, but Brian never lost hope. Since her disappearance their once beloved English pub-and Brian's livelihood-has been crumbling piece by piece. As the anniversary of her absence approaches, Brian desperately needs a sign. One doom-scroll on his business's reviews later, he finds it: an active TripAdvisor account for PinkMoonLily1972 that he knows in his heart is his Lily. Interspliced with Brian's journey to find Lily is the story of their love-how it started, and the twists and turns that brought them to this moment. As Brian jumps from one destination to the next to find Lily, and the truth behind their story comes into focus, Brian comes back to life with the help of Tess, a sarcastic, kind, and surprising traveling companion. But in order to move forward he'll need to decide-stay in the past or take a chance on something unexpected."

Richard Roper (Author), Christian Coulson (Narrator)

Audiobook

Nowhere Like Home: A Novel

"'Twisted friendships, toxic pasts and tangled motives-this is Sara Shepard doing what she does best!'-Ruth Ware, New York Times bestselling author #1 New York Times bestselling author of Pretty Little Liars Sara Shepard's next adult novel follows a group of mothers living in a mysterious "mommune," each of whom is running from something When Lenna gets a call from her old friend Rhiannon, she is startled; Rhiannon disappeared years ago without a trace. But Lenna is even more startled to learn that Rhiannon has a son and that she lives off the grid with a group of women in a community called Halcyon. Rhiannon invites Lenna, a new mother herself, to join them. Why suffer the sleepless nights by yourself? It takes a village, after all. Lenna decides to go and hopefully repair her relationship with Rhiannon, but as she drives into the desert and her cell service gets weaker, she becomes suspicious. Who are these women and why did Rhiannon invite her here? And that is before she learns about the community's rules (no outside phone calls, no questions about people's pasts) and the padlock on the gate that leads out to the main road. But Lenna has other concerns, secrets from her past she is terrified will come out. When a newcomer arrives in the community, Lenna's worst fears are confirmed-she was brought here for a reason. Nowhere Like Home tackles themes of complicated friendships and trauma but all with Sara Shepard's expert twists that you don't see coming."

Sara Shepard (Author), Brittany Pressley (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Road from Belhaven: A novel

"From the New York Times best-selling author of The Flight of Gemma Hardy, a novel about a young woman whose gift of second sight complicates her coming of age in late-nineteenth-century Scotland "Bewitching and seductive." -Rebecca Makkai, author of I Have Some Questions for You • "A treasure: a writer who understands the magic and mysteries of the human soul.' -Chris Bohjalian, author of Hour of the Witch • "This book is a cold, clear, perfect lake.' -Lauren Groff, author of The Vaster Wilds Growing up in the care of her grandparents on Belhaven Farm, Lizzie Craig discovers as a small child that she can see into the future. But her gift is selective-she doesn't, for instance, see that she has an older sister who will come to join the family. As her "pictures" foretell various incidents and accidents, she begins to realize a painful truth: she may glimpse the future, but she can seldom change it. Nor can Lizzie change the feelings that come when a young man named Louis, visiting Belhaven for the harvest, begins to court her. Why have the adults around her not revealed that the touch of a hand can change everything? After following Louis to Glasgow, though, she learns the limits of his devotion. Faced with a seemingly impossible choice, she makes a terrible mistake. But her second sight may allow her a second chance. Luminous and transporting, The Road from Belhaven once again displays "the marvelous control of a writer who conjures equally well the tangible, sensory world . . . and the mysteries, stranger and wilder, that flicker at the border of that world." -The Boston Globe"

Margot Livesey (Author), Ell Potter (Narrator)

Audiobook

Acts of Forgiveness: A Novel

""A vibrant and moving debut that takes to heart our deferred dreams and the value of remaining hopeful."-Diane Marie Brown, author of Black Candle Women How much of their lineage is one family willing to unearth in order to participate in the nation's first federal reparations program? Every American waits with bated breath to see whether or not the country's first female president will pass the Forgiveness Act. The bill would allow Black families to claim up to $175,000 if they can prove they are the descendants of slaves, and for ambitious single mother Willie Revel the bill could be a long-awaited form of redemption. A decade ago, Willie gave up her burgeoning journalism career to help run her father's struggling construction company in Philadelphia and she has reluctantly put family first, without being able to forget who she might have become. Now she's back living with her parents and her young daughter while trying to keep her family from going into bankruptcy. Could the Forgiveness Act uncover her forgotten roots while also helping save their beloved home and her father's life's work? In order to qualify, she must first prove that the Revels are descended from slaves, but the rest of the family isn't as eager to dig up the past. Her mother is adopted, her father doesn't trust the government and believes working with a morally corrupt employer is the better way to save their business, and her daughter is just trying to make it through the fifth grade at her elite private school without attracting unwanted attention. It's up to Willie to verify their ancestry and save her family-but as she delves into their history, Willie begins to learn just how complicated family and forgiveness can be. With powerful insight and moving prose, Acts of Forgiveness asks how history shapes who we become and considers the weight of success when it is achieved despite incredible odds-and ultimately what leaving behind a legacy truly means."

Maura Cheeks (Author), Jade Wheeler (Narrator)

Audiobook

Contemporary Women Audiobooks in Fiction